Endless Possibilities at Yakiniku Million

Yakiniku Million has added a delicious Kal Bi Seaweed Soup ($13.95) to its menu, and Mung Bean Pancake ($5) to its list of appetizers.

This non-spicy soup, also known as the birthday soup, is a traditional birthday dish in Korea. I know this from my daily dose of Korean soap operas.

“It’s good for you too,” says manager Diana Paik. “It’s Korean custom for moms to eat it after giving birth. They eat it three times a day for one month because it’s good for blood circulation and milk production. It’s also popular with men, when you’re sick and after drinking alcohol.”

In addition to its late-night hours (it’s open until 2 a.m. on weekends) and yakiniku or grill-it-yourself-at-your-table style of dining, Yakiniku Million also is known for its large menu of ready-to-eat traditional Korean favorites, such as Kal Bi Kim Chee Chi-Ke ($13.95) and Bul Go Gi Dol Sot Bi Bim Bab ($14.95).

Kal Bi Kim Chee Chi-Ke features kal bi, tofu, kim chee and green onion, with a medium spicy soup base. “Not a lot of Korean restaurants make this,” notes Paik. “And you can order it extra spicy.”

The Bul Go Gi Dol Sot Bi Bim Bab has carrots, zucchini, bean sprouts, mushrooms, soybean sprouts and cabbage. It’s mixed with rice in a hot stone pot, which keeps the food hot longer and the rice slightly crispy. Every meal includes seven sides: daikon kim chee, raw crab, potato salad, dried cuttlefish (taegu), won bok cabbage kim chee, seaweed stem and mackerel with steamed daikon.

Yakiniku Million, which is locally owned and operated by the Park family (four sisters and a brother), opened its doors 25 years ago. The restaurant is located at 626 Sheridan St. off of Kapiolani Boulevard near Ala Moana Center, and parking is available behind the building. “These are all our family recipes,” adds Paik. “It’s food we enjoyed eating growing up.”

Million Restaurant