A Table for One at Korean BBQ, Maht Gaek, in Plano

Looking for an easygoing staple for Korean barbecue in Plano? Maht Gaek Korean Restaurant is the answer.

A lot of the best Korean food in the city is situated inside little suburban strip malls. This one, in particular, off Central Expressway and Spring Creek Parkway, has an interesting variety going on. Somehow, handmade Kabul ice cream, Nashville hot chicken and a popular Taiwanese bakery all landed in the same spot. We rejoice that a dessert opportunity is only a short jaunt away.
Maht Gaek is one of the smaller Korean barbecue spots around, but it's well-equipped to host groups. Inside, it's cozy and modern, ideal for a casual night out.

What we love most about Korean food is the balance between unctuous and healthy ingredients, which the menu here lays out in six categories: barbecue, ox bone soup, chef specials, entrees, hot pots and cold buckwheat noodles.

The menu claims the grilled beef short ribs and pork ribs are the two best choices, but the ox bone soup is another plate not to be overlooked. As are the cold buckwheat noodles.

Unless you're stopping in for one of the lunch specials, most of the portions are fit for two and are priced accordingly. A single order of pork ribs comes with a bowl of white rice, salad and five sides to build bites with. Priced at $25.99 it's a great two-for-one meal or a steal for a pair.

About those pork ribs, the first thing you'll notice when they roll out of the kitchen is there's at least two pounds of meat and bones stacked on the cast iron skillet. The generosity is appreciated.

A very distinct and slightly sweet Korean barbecue sauce coats the ribs that get a subtle char from the grill. The sauce is denoted on the menu with a small chili, but there was no spice in this pile, which, depending on your tolerance, may be great news.

The veteran move here is to combine the meat with any of the six sides for a build-your-own-bite situation that is every bit as zesty and clean as it is greasy and rich. Your side options are kimchi, eggplant, mung bean sprouts, pickled cucumbers and what we're sure are marinated strips of tofu. To our surprise, the eggplant was our favorite and did not make it to the takeaway box.
Maht Gaek has a second location in Carrolton off Old Denton Road, where you'll find another trove of businesses within the little Koreatown there. It sports the same robust but reliable menu of Korean favorites. Just make sure you bring some friends when you go. Or not.

Maht Gaek Korean Restaurant, 151 W. Spring Creek Parkway (Plano), Wednesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. & 5 - 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. & 5 - 9 p.m.; Monday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Tuesday, closed.