The Place
Based on the blaring rap and hip hop-centric playlist, one would think Gin & Pork – Jing’an’s newest Korean BBQ spot on the increasingly popular Anyuan Lu – is named after the American rapper and personality Snoop Dogg’s 1993 hit Gin & Juice.
(How old do you feel knowing that was 28 years ago? Better question, what is Snoop Dogg actually smoking that he seemingly hasn’t gotten older in 28 years? I digress…)
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
However, a quick glance at the Chinese characters in the name – 金猪 – reveal that it’s really just a poor phonetic transliteration of jin zhu, meaning the Golden Pig, arguably a better name for a pork-heavy BBQ joint.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The roughly 60-seater started drawing in crowds with favorable discounts during opening weeks last month, but on any given Tuesday there is now a line (though it moves efficiently). Snag a number on Dianping, roll down the street and be sippin’ on soju and smoke before you know it.
The Food
Get seated at a table already stacked with KBBQ banchan – pungent kimchi, pickled cubes of daikon and mashed sweet potatoes, along with a smattering of sauces and spices for your soon to arrive meats.
The kimchi is noteworthy in that it is significantly bolder in flavor than that which is found at your average downtown Shanghai Korean BBQ spot.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
It’s BBQ so – no surprise here – it’s all about the meat. Sorry vegan friends, you’re going to want to pass on the invite to this one. Pork, pork and more pork is what coats the menu, along with some standout cuts of beef and a few seafood plates sprinkled throughout.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
All the pork is Iberian Black Pig, known for having a superior taste and quality compared to its other swine counterparts. You’ll find everything from Pork Belly (RMB88/200 grams) to Pork Ribs (RMB88/230 grams) to Pork Pluma (RMB88/200 grams), among others.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Plus there's other non-grilled-to-order pork dishes like Iberian Pork Belly Roll (RMB58) – a thinly sliced outer layer of pork, encasing steamed egg and cabbage atop spicy kimchi and peppered with coconut shreds – an unlikely combination of flavors that curiously works.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
As much as this non-kosher Jew is trying to push pork on you, there’s also beef, like Australian Angus Beef Rib (RMB88/130 grams) or Angus Thick Cut Back Brisket (RMB128/130 grams). In true Dianping fashion, there are lots of meat sets to fall back on if you just want a variety.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
All of the meat is grilled tableside, with the grill plate first slathered in a slice of melting meat fat to get that optimal char. Once it’s been seared and scorched to fat-dripping meat perfection, its sliced and served with a myriad of greens, radishes and crunchy veggies for a DIY wrap scenario.
Drizzle or dunk said wrap in any of the sauces or – the best part – a ramekin warmed on the grill plate filled with a pad of melted butter and minced garlic.
Stone Pot Fat Cow Rice with Egg (RMB48), Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The equally cheekily named Beef TATA (RMB58) sees roughly chopped cubes of raw beef smothered in a thick gochujang sauce, interspersed with julienned pear. A bright yellow egg yolk is crowned with jet black beads of roe, a spiced umami pop resulting from each bite that has us questioning why everyone doesn’t start throwing gochujang in their tartar. Gochujang makes everything better. Facts.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
A brimming stone bowl of molten steamed egg is speckled with sweet corn kernels and a dusting of seaweed powder as the Volcano Pupu Egg & Corn Cake (RMB48). The still bubbling egg actually erupts, spouting stranded mayo-laden kernels across the table like the tastiest exploding volcano there ever was.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
If the free-flowing kimchi on the table isn’t enough, double down with the Cheese and Kimchi Pancake (RMB48), a griddled fritter of fermented cabbage drowning in a pool of melty mozzarella. Add in sliced beef for an extra RMB10 or opt for the Seafood and Scallion Pancake (RMB48) instead.
Other popular KBBQ fare is also on offer – Korean cold noodles, rice and fish cakes in grandma’s recipe gochujang sauce, bibimbap, seaweed & kimchi soups and the like.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Bottles of flavored soju go for RMB40 and wanghong-gone-wild soju-topped slushies are also RMB40. Asahi pints are RMB20. Yeah buddy.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Spoiler alert: Despite the name, the menu sports no gin. Chalk it up to the Chinglish Gods. Although G&Ts paired with KBBQ does sound like a solid business plan – any investors out there wanting to throw a few hundred thousand kuai our way?
The Vibe
Back to the rap: this is really a main feature of the whole experience at Gin & Pork, as much of a focus as, say, the pork. With the volume dialed up to an 11 and Cardi B raging about red bottom shoes immediately followed by Drake and all the money he’s taking to the grave, the restaurant is essentially a bro’s haven. But I don’t hate it. In fact, you’ll find me there next week and probably the week after.
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Why? With my mind on my money and money on my mind, the solid meat-to-kuai value is – in the words of the venerable, the esteemed, the illustrious Snoop Doggy Dog – ‘laid-back’ AF.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Price: RMB150-275
Who’s Going: Korean BBQ addicts, #grilling followers, Jing’aners missing JUJU vibes
Good For: Copious soju consumption, unprompted rap battles, meat comas
See a listing for Gin & Pork. Read more Shanghai Restaurant Reviews.
[Cover image by Sophie Steiner/That's]
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