When it’s cold in Vienna then it is usually not the time for a BBQ. But when you have a craving for it Ganko Yakiniku restaurant can help you with that. It’s all in the name already. Yakiniku means grilled meat in Japanese. This small restaurant, with about five to six tables, offers a unique take on Japanese BBQ which includes amongst others something called hormones. Apparently this is the uterus from a pork. And before you ask me some questions about it, there is no need. We haven’t tried it.
open kitchen @Ganko
Instead we opted to tried and tested edamame for starters and a kimchi combination of original, radish and pickled cucumber. Unfortunately the kimchi came and went before I took a picture, but I have one of the edamame. Happily both starters boded well for what was to come.
edamame @Ganko
We shared a platter of seafood with shrimps, scallops and squid, as well as a plate of chicken legs. the meat is frozen and cut in thin slices so as to easier roast it. You also have to choice to order the meat with salt and pepper or special sauce. Whatever is in the sauce, it was yummy. As well as the meat. don’t worry if you are vegetarian, you will also find a number of options.
seafood platter @Ganko
shiitake mushrooms and chicken @Ganko
As a side order you can go for rice or some kind of bibimbap. We ordered Ishiyaki-Bibimbap, which comes in piping hot clay pot. The fun part is that the egg gets mixed into the dish at the table. You then let the bibimbap cool down for a bit so that the rice has the chance to form a crust within the pot. That’s a little bit extra.
Ishiyaki-Bibimbap @Ganko
As you could see on one of the pictures above, we were wearing disposable aprons. However the aprons are just for show, there was not so much grease splashing happening. My biggest problem was actually the cooking smell. Not all tables were busy while we visited but the smell was later so intense that we had to leave. It’s best if you come with clothes which can easily be washed. It doesn’t do to wear your cashmere pullovers.
Apart from the smell the restaurant is a lovely addition to the Viennese restaurant scene. I like the idea of barbecuing with you friends, especially in winter. It’s very communicative and invites sharing. An idea I always approve, because isn’t sharing caring? I might also try Ganko for lunch. It was certainly a place I enjoyed. Yours, Pollybert
Ganko Yankiniku restaurant
1010 Wien, Seilerstätte 2
Tel: +43 677 63096355
Tue-Fri: 11:00-14:00, 17:00-23:00; Sat-Sun: 17:00-23:00
https://www.facebook.com/yakiniku.ganko.wien/
