Wilmington, North Carolina Eats: Bdobo Mongolian Grill

According to the Bdobo website, the legend of mongolian cuisine began with Genghis Khan. "These highly skilled horsemen and fearless warriors swept the world with extraordinary speed and unbridled ferocity. With each battle fought and won, they celebrated with a fiery feast. Lacking cooking utensils, the hungry soldiers improvised by slicing with their sharp saber swords and cooking in their heavy metal shields, thus giving rise to the legendary cooking style which is Mongolian barbeque."

However it started, I'm glad it did. This version of healthy, fast food is most certainly on my list of favorites. I remember being introduced to the style of dining at a place in Charlotte in the late 90s or early 2000s. The place has since closed, but I remember being in awe of all the choices and combinations available to make each plate an original, custom dish just to fit my preferences of the moment.

The way that most mongolian grills work (at least everyone I have been to) is you are seated and someone takes your drink order. At Bdobo you are also given the choice between egg drop or sweet and sour soups. Then you are offered white rice or refried rice to accompany your main dish. At this point I always ask my server for a pair of chopsticks since you will be given a fork and spoon with your napkin when you sit down. For me it just doesn't seem right to not eat this meal with chopsticks.

Then everyone gets a bowl to pile on your choice of vegetables and proteins. You can get as much or as little of whatever you want. I know a few guys who only go for the meats and maybe potatoes. I also know a few people that stick with veggies. I personally mix it up every time I go, but noodles, broccoli, carrots, chicken and beef always some how find their way into my bowl. Its an easy, keep everyone happy choice of places to eat if you have some vegetarian friends as well as meat eaters in the bunch. Just be sure that the vegetarians are ok with their food being cooked on the same hot grill as the other dishes. The grill is scraped down in between bowls and each cooks individually so the risk of cross contamination is small. Its also a good choice for those with special diets such as celiacs or low carb dieters since you are the one who decides what goes on your plate & there are plenty of choices.

After getting your ingredients, which are sliced thinly in order to cook fast, you move on to the next big decision you have to make, the sauce(s). You ladle in several spoonfuls of various liquids such as sesame oil, garlic oil, wine, teriyaki sauce, sweet water, ginger, etc. whatever you think sounds yummy! Also there are some dry spices to add if you wish like steak dust, garlic salt, sesame seeds. Again everything is to your taste. If you have any worries about what would taste good just ask someone. My mother was hesitant to add sauces for fear one would over power another and ruin her bowl. I on the other hand just splash a bit of this and a bit of that and see what it end up tasting like. Its your call. For the record, both turned out delicious! I don't really know how you can ruin your bowl, no matter what the combination.

Next step is to hand your bowl to the person at the huge, steaming hot circular flat grill. They will toss the ingredients around as they cook with two large wooden rods. Its actually entertaining to watch as the flop the food around allowing all sides to cook thoroughly. At times water may be sprayed on to keep it from sticking to the grill and I have an idea that the steam also add to the cooking. When its ready the food is whisked up into a clean flatter dish with a flourished gesture by the talented cook using the same wooden rods. I feel like at times the food will fly right past the bowl as it soars into the air for a brief moment, but I have never seen it happen yet or the traces of any bowls that have had this happen. The grill is so hot that in no time at all your food is ready to eat, making this a great alternative to fast food places.

When you get back to your table, you will most likely find a special sesame bread, shao bing, has arrived at your table. This fresh made treat has had mixed reviews by people I have eaten with, but I enjoy it. I think it is just different and unlike most breads people are used to eating. The sesame seeds add a crunch to this almost doughy centered flat bread. It almost makes me think of naan. I highly suggest you at least try it... if you have room in your stomach!

If you find your way to the bottom of your plate, you can simply go back and make another - as many times as you like. Or as many times as your stomach will allow. I barely ever end up going up more than once. If you are feeling creative and want to try several different taste, I suggest you don't do as I do & get excited about it all filling the bowl up the first trip. Just get a taste of this and that and make a smaller bowl so that you will have room to indulge in another bowl after the first. Perhaps those with heartier appetites are able to go back multiple times, but no one I have been with has been able to go pass three trips!

The server will bring a plate of sliced oranges to your table as a final taste. However I usually wait til the check comes. That's when the fortune cookies arrive. I adore fortune cookies! Nothing like a small, simple dessert that is also a conversation piece and bit of divination fun!

Everything is included in the price. The dinner price is a little more than the lunch special, so if you are on the fence you can try it at lunch. Kids eat for a cheaper price than the adults.

I have never had to wait to be seated, which is a bonus. I have found the staff to be friendly, yet not overbearing. My glass of sweet tea never made it past the half way mark with a refill being offered, yet we were able to comfortably have a nice conversation without being interrupted.

My mother has extremely picky taste and never wants anything that is the least bit spicy. I on the other hand enjoy a bit of flavor with my food. We were able to both dine in happiness at Bdobo thanks to the do it yourself style of making your dish your own. However my brother in law hates anywhere he has to do anything to his food. He claims, if he is going out to dinner why should he have to make it? So you decide for yourself the value of dining mongolian style. I find it enjoyable and a chance to try a new dish every time. Just throw your reservations to the wind (did I mention you don't need to make them?) and go try Bdobo! It is quite the experience. Just pick a night and step outside the italian, seafood, mexcian, burger joint rut you have found yourself in.

Oh & my fortune, completely fit me last night! "No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings." Go figure! The bird lady gets one with mention of birds in it!

419 S College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28403(910) 790-3800