Korean Food USA is a new series that showcases Korean and Korean-inspired eateries all around the nation.

A drive away south of L.A. into Orange County is a KBBQ oasis that focuses on the pure and natural flavors of the meat they serve. Wako Honey Pig in Buena Park doesn’t have the average steak or samgyeopsal (pork belly); instead they take a no-nonsense, purist approach to their meat and focuses on the quality of food over quantity—which isn’t to say they skimp on the meat, because they sure don’t.

Honey Pig prides in serving only the best of the best pork which is taken straight from Jeju Island in South Korea with minimal marinade added in order for patrons to be able to appreciate the meat in all its natural glory. Flawless and beautifully marbleized cuts of meat end up on an angled iron grill top which allows the meat juices to flow down to the kimchi and kongnamul (soybean sprouts) and let it saturate with its flavor. Unlike many other KBBQs that try to detract attention from mediocre sauced-up meats with loads of banchan, Honey Pig chooses to place only those side dishes that will help you concentrate on the already intoxicating meat. The restaurant is known for their steak, heuk dweji samgyeopsal (black pork belly), and infamous chadol sauce, which many have tried to imitate and steal (literally!).

After the meat fest is through, waiters come and add bokkeumbap (fried rice) to the left over flavors of the meat and leave you feeling as though you’ve had one too many bites of meaty heaven. Make sure to add in some shots of soju, and, while you’re there, grab a free coffee from the sweet machine by the exit!

Little piggy, get in our bellies!

Wako Honey Pig
7212 Orangethorpe Ave
Buena Park, CA 90621
(714) 739-4504

[Photo: Audrey Yun-Suong]