I like barbecues.

I like how immersive the experience is, especially if you get to choose what pieces you want, grill them on a hotplate and serve them freshly cooked and piping hot. I like how the wait for the meat to cook doubles up your satisfaction when it’s finally done and you can sink your teeth into its tender juiciness. Who cares if you get that smoky aroma of food in your clothes? 🙂

The last time I was in Thailand, H brought me to a Mookata – which is a traditional Thai barbecue with a hotplate and a shallow hotpot. You can read on the experience here.

After coming back to Malaysia, the next best thing is BBQ Plaza, a Thai Mookata chain. They have restaurants in many major shopping malls, and although they are not 100% authentic (you don’t eat outdoors, for one!), it will have to do.

We went to the outlet in The Mines, SeriKembangan. The interior is cosy enough, although quite cramped.

We got the Supreme Family Set, which was just enough for the three of us. Other than refillable veggies, there was also shrimp, squid, fish slices, fish noodles and udon, chickenw and bacon slices.

The bottom tray had slices of pork, beef and lamb. Liked the pork, but the lamb had a gamey smell.

The most maddening part about eating BBQ is waiting for the food to cook and salivating while the pieces of meat are right in front of you! Oil the pan with two pieces of pork lard so that there’s enough grease for cooking.

For sides, we had the Marinated Pork Belly on Skewers. These were deep fried, crunchy and flavourful, though a bit on the oily side.

The gyoza was my favourite. Stuffed with minced pork and wrapped in crispy wanton wrappers before being deep fried to a golden brown, it was served piping hot with the meat succulent and juicy.

Overall, it was a good meal and we got to redeem the Family Set for free thanks to H’s member card points. The rest of the items cost about Rm47++, which is reasonable considering the amount. It’s as close as an authentic Thai Mookata experience in Malaysia, but of course it will never compare to the one we had in Phuket. 🙂

BBQ PLAZA (Mines branch) 

L3-30, Level 3, The Mines,

Jalan Dulang, Seri Kembangan.

Opening hours: 10am – 10pm (daily)