I don’t usually go for a massive buffet at lunch, but Jongro Korean BBQ Buffet happened to be steps from a friend’s place, making it an easy choice for a leisurely and inexpensive meal. Their AYCE BBQ, buffet, and salad bar lunch ($29 on weekdays and $32 on weekends for adults) is a great deal, especially since it includes beverages like juice, coffee, or tea.

The buffet is a nice way to pass the time while the grill heats up. The selection is manageable, so you can try a bit of most items without overloading your plate. Not everything listed online is available, but there’s still a solid variety.

On this visit, I tried the chili shrimp. The sauce was well-balanced with a gentle heat, though it leans on the sweeter side. It would be even better if the shrimp were kept under a heat lamp, like the French fries and tempura, instead of sitting in a covered dome where they lose their crispness.

The same issue applies to the fried chicken wings. They had the potential to be crispy, but the dome traps moisture and softens them. Fried food just shouldn’t be covered.

If soggy fried items are a dealbreaker, it’s best to stick with safer options like the tteokbokki, fried rice, or the sliced jokbal, all of which were solid. I even went back for seconds of the “spicy” rice cakes, which stayed impressively springy despite sitting in sauce.

The main draw, of course, is the Korean BBQ, where everything is cooked fresh at the table. Pro tip: go for thinner cuts like brisket and top blade, which cook quickly and evenly. The chicken kalbi thigh, on the other hand, took a while on the not-so-hot grill. The beef finger was decent and cooked faster, especially since it doesn’t need to be fully done. That said, I wish the meats had more flavour on their own. Even the soy-marinated options were fairly mild, and there aren’t many dipping sauces to compensate.

A nice way to finish is with a bowl of udon. I added some steamed beef with bean sprouts, which in hindsight wasn’t the best move as they were dry and chewy.

Dessert options at lunch are minimal, just some sweet fruits and vanilla soft serve. Probably for the best, since we were already full. I definitely didn’t need dinner that night.

Service was attentive, especially for an AYCE spot. Staff came by twice during our visit to change the grill plate, and since we went on a weekday, the spacious dining room never filled up. They were also relaxed about the 1 hour and 45 minute seating limit, letting tables linger a bit longer to chat.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly AYCE lunch in Toronto, Jongro checks a lot of boxes. Come with good company, stick to the BBQ and safer buffet picks, and you’ll leave full and satisfied.