San Angelo food lovers, rejoice!
Korean barbecue is officially back in town.
Following a long hiatus after GoGo Goji Korean BBQ closed, the savory scents of sizzling meats, multiple vibrant side dishes, and authentic Korean flavors are once again filling the air.
Now reborn as Oriental Flame, this revitalized restaurant under new ownership of Crystal Chen, brings not only the flavors many locals, including myself, have missed, but also an expanded and enhanced dining experience that promises to please both former fans, and curious newcomers.
A Revamped Experience with Familiar Flavors
One of the most notable and beneficial changes is the shift from the previous fixed menu, variable-price format to a generous all–you-can-eat single-price option.
On my previous dining experiences with GoGo Goji you had to pick from pre-set menu options built for groups of various size with 3-5 fixed meat choices and limited side item pairings.
Prices varied by size and the number of premium menu items within that menu selection.
Add-on items ran prices up quickly. Unless everyone in the group wanted exactly the same things, you could be left not liking or wanting what you got, or having little to pick from.
I admit that I did enjoy my visits to GoGo Goji — let me state that now. On more than one occasion as a matter of fact.
Things are just much improved now.
Oriental Flame now offers diners the freedom to choose from everything on the entire menu — and as much of it as they care to enjoy within the 2-hour time limit.
Now groups of 1 or 10 can pick and choose whatever they want from across the menu as they prefer, for one fixed adult price of either $20 at lunch, or $30 at dinner.
The Dinner menu includes seven additional meat items, I’ll note.
This change alone has made it an instant hit for me and my group of six who came in this past Wednesday evening to check things out just two weeks after there public grand opening weekend.
“There is nothing else like this in San Angelo, getting to grill all the meats yourself right at the table and have a fun and exciting experience. This is something very different.”
OWNER, Crystal Chen
Endless Variety: Something for Everyone
Here are some menu highlights to showcase just how much variety is available on the vast new menu, with my own favorites in parenthesis.
- 10 appetizers (steamed egg, scallion pancake)
- 6 Cantonese style dim sum (steamed red bean paste bun)
- 5 additional banchan (side item) (glass noodles, fried rice)
- 8 beef options including (filet mignon, sirloin)
- 10 pork & chicken options (spicy chicken bulgogi, spicy pork bulgogi))
- 6 seafood options (spicy calamari, spicy baby octopus)
- 10 vegetable options (sweet potato, bell peppers, onions, king oyster mushroom)
Meats are all brought out to the table raw as are the vegetables where you grill them yourself. Most all other items are made in the kitchen and brought out to the table.
There is also a self-serve cold-foods bar in the center of the dining room, where savory items like spicy kimchi, spiced jicama, spiced radish, pickled cucumber, edamame, scallion, crushed garlic, chili paste, sliced jalapeno, and dressings can be found.
The food bar next to this holds an assortment of desserts and sweets like bite sized chocolate/espresso cake, Korean sugar cookies, watermelon wedges, honeydew cubes, orange slices, diced pineapple, Jello, and even ice cream cups in the freezer adjacent to the bar.
“I love seeing people enjoy the food and having a good time. It makes me so happy to bring something new to this town.”
Crystal Chen
Tableside Grilling: Do-It-Yourself Style Dining
At the heart of the Oriental Flame experience is its hands-on approach to preparing the assortment of meats yourself.
You get to partake in the grilling yourself, equipped with long tongs and cutting scissors provided by the staff.
The staff did a good job of explaining and showing you how the grill works, and how to properly grill the various meats to each person’s liking.
You are in full control of how you prepare your meats and veggies, be it well-done or rare — you can do both.
Every table has imbedded grill units with vent hood to control smoke that is turned on and off by the staff.
We had two grills going for our group of seven and that worked out just fine for us.
Thoughtful, Warm Hospitality
Perhaps just as important as the food is the hospitality — and here, Oriental Flame excels.
The staff earned a thumbs up from me for their kind, attentive, and genuinely welcoming service.
From patiently explaining menu options to assisting guests with grill techniques, their warmth and kindness adds to the overall experience.
Not sure about grilling your own meats as a first timer? No problem at all, the staff can help you grill anything you order to your liking at no additional charge.
A Welcome Revival for San Angelo
For a town like San Angelo — where diverse international dining options can sometimes be limited — the return of a quality Korean barbecue spot is a major win.
The all-you-can-eat model feels perfectly suited to the community, offering variety, value, and a social, interactive dining experience that appeals to families, friends, and date nights alike.
“We have so much more than just Korean BBQ too offer people as well. Items to try are our milk tea, boba tea, lemonades, fruit tea, yogurt drinks, and full prepared to-go orders.”
Crystal Chen
For old fans of GoGo Goji, Oriental Flame brings a fresh new chapter to San Angelo’s dining scene. The mix of familiar dishes, new surprises, and that signature Korean barbecue atmosphere makes it a must-visit for any local foodie.
So if you’ve missed the sizzle and aroma of beef or chicken bulgogi on a tabletop grill, Oriental Flame is here — and it’s better than ever if you ask me.
Notes:
- Having a birthday? Groups of 4-or-more get a free birthday dinner for the birthday person with proof of birth date.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Dinner: 3 p.m. to close Monday through Friday, and all day on weekends.
- Kids 4-6: Lunch $8, Dinner $11
- Kids 7-10: Lunch $11, Dinner $14
