International BBQ House/Mandarin Palace (305 Good Days in Tacoma)

Yesterday, I followed my obsession with spicy red bean paste, to a little spot out in South Tacoma.

This place has many names on its sign, but the name on my credit card slip was "International BBQ House." It's a small place, on Pacific (and 65th) that serves Korean and Chinese dishes.

I stopped in for take out, and noticed that the place is nearly empty at lunch time on a weekday. It has plenty of seating and high chairs, and strikes me as the sort of place that would be great to take a family with really little kids for an afternoon meal. The interior needs a little bit of work, but it's cozier than your average stark white teriyaki lunch joint.

I opted for the Korean food, (not on the lunch menu, but they're happy to supply the dinner one if you ask) a decently-sized portion of Bibimbap for 8.99. (Lunch options are a little less expensive)

If you aren't familiar with Korean food, bibimbap is a bowl of small-grain rice, topped with thinly sliced bbq beef, vegetables, an over-easy egg, and spicy red bean paste. Mix that up any way you choose and you've got amazing comfort food. I didn't see it on the menu but they were happy to whip it up for me. The beef was great, and they used some of the traditional pickled Korean vegetables that don't always make it into the dish in these parts. It was a little more bland than I normally like it, but I'm sure that next time if I order it spicy they will hook me up. They have an interesting collection of Asian wines and beers in their cooler.

I haven't tried the Chinese menu options, but I'll definitely come back with the kids soon.

dining