Celebrate Heritage Day at Galbi Restaurant

Dig into a six-course National Braai Day menu at Cape Town’s only Korean barbeque joint

On National Braai Day eve – Sunday, 23 September 2012, Galbi, the Mother City’s lone, indoor interactive Korean fusion restaurant, is classing up Heritage Day with a six-course food, craft beer and wine pairing menu.

There’s more to a braai than mass-produced booze and boerie, and thus in collaboration with Cape Town sommelier Ewan Mackenzie, the do-it-yourself barbeque joint is launching their “Kegs vs. Corks” specialty tasting menu to flaunt the sexier, more versatile side of the legendary South African past time. 

“It’s about sharing tastes and pushing boundaries with people who are passionate but not pretentious,” said owner Coenraad Groenwald, “and we’ve worked hard and taken a lot of care to match every single dish with a fitting beer or wine.” 

For those foreign to both the Cape Town restaurant and the South Korean concept, Galbi, a word that literally translates to “rib” in South Korean, denotes a place where main dishes are served raw and ready to grill – it’s up to diners to finish off the job. Thus, as is the case on any other Monday to Saturday at the eatery, each course on the “Kegs vs. Corks” tasting menu will arrive pre-marinated, and primed to go on the fire. Side dishes, however, are prepared in the kitchen. 

The Heritage Day sampling special features a combination of Asian, Mediterranean and local flavours, and guests can then choose whether they’d prefer to pair their fare with the beer (180mL tasters) or wine (130mL tasters) flight.

Though comprehensive vegetarian menu options are not available on the night - after all, braai day is an homage to South Africa’s love affair with meat and fire - two of the six courses are vegetarian, and one is a fish dish. Otherwise, the less experimental eaters can also take solace in the fact that options like Korean pork belly and eland fillet can be swapped for the more mainstream beef fillet or lamb. 

Ultimately though, the event aims to be as educational and experimental as it is fun; so if you’re feeling a bit daring, treat your palate to something slightly different, but no less delicious, on National Braai Day. 

Booking is essential, however, as seating is extremely limited (there’s only space for 45 people) – the restaurant’s attempt at guaranteeing an intimate, well-serviced affair. 

Tickets cost R175 p/p and include the six-course food and drink pairing. All other beverages are for diners’ own account. Guests should plan to arrive at 6:15pm sharp.

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Korean BBQ, Soju and karaoke at Chopsticks & Table restaurant.

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