Korean barbecue finds place to blossom in Centennial Hills

As Eli Columbus was walking out of Moo Woo Korean BBQ with a group of colleagues, restaurant owner Scott Lee followed him to the door. Columbus said he has been there more than 15 times since it opened in November in Centennial Hills.

Lee has Columbus’ a la carte order, which comes with rib-eye steak and other meats, memorized.

It was Lee’s wife of 16 years, Mijung, who had the idea to open Moo Woo Korean BBQ. She had two friends who were investors and restaurant owners, and about a year ago, she asked if they could assist the couple with opening their first business.

Moo Woo refers to the sound cows make when they are happy in South Korea. Lee, of the southwest valley, said they opened in Centennial Hills because there isn’t any competition in the area.

Moo Woo sells Korean-style food that is meant to be shared through combos or a la carte options, such as spicy dak gal bi (spicy marinated chicken in house special sauce) and bul go gi (thinly sliced prime beef marinated in house special sauce), which is among their most popular.

The couple hired chef Grace Bae to handle most of the food, while Lee handles the meat.

Contact Kailyn Brown at kbrown@viewnews.com or 702-387-5233. Follow @kailynhype on Twitter.