The short of it: I'm not sure I would pay regular price here too often, but I always enjoy my free birthday bowl immensely. And it's gotten better the more I've learned to add enough salt and spices.\n\nThis is the only Genghis Grill which I've been to, and other than that, I haven't really had too much so-called Mongolian barbecue aside from mall food courts. The premise is that you can pick your own meats, starch, and flavors and have them cook it on a giant hot metal flattop.\n\nThe routine starts as follows: you're seated, a server asks you if you want appetizers or alcohol / bar seating (both of which I've never bothered with), and then you go to the line to choose your food. If you're lucky, there won't be much of a line and you'll get more time to weigh your options. If not, then think on your feet. As others have said, it's your own damn fault if you don't get a flavorful dish.\n\nAn employee will ask you if you want a small, medium, or large bowl. I thought I could have eaten a little more after the medium. You get to pick from a variety of proteins, spices and seasonings, and sauces. Definitely load your main bowl at least to the rim with proteins. I would stick to the ones that have recognizable meat texture, which for me were the marinated steak tips, pork, and marinated white fish. The chicken looked unappetizing and there was no way I was using the processed meats. Further down the line are various vegetables that you might also consider adding. I wouldn't add too many aside from mushrooms, onions, and maybe carrots since I'm all about meat.\n\nThe next two steps are so important that they get their own paragraph. You need to add spices and seasonings because there won't be enough from the meats, starches, or even the sauces. Use the tiny spoons to get several heaping spoonfuls of different granulated flavorings (such as garlic, ginger, cayenne, and yellow curry). Finally, you'll arrive at the sauces. Use a sampling spoon and try a sauce. If it's not that tasty, get another spoon and sample another sauce. Pick one or two that you like and ladle it into the small sauce bowl. I enjoy the 3G sauce, but you might not.\n\nFinally, walk to the counter near the grill and present your bowl. They'll ask which starch you want. I picked udon noodle, but maybe you'll want rice or something. You can ask for 1 or more eggs to be added to your bowl here. They used to have eggs for you to grab in line, but I'm guessing too many of them dropped and broke. I believe you may be able to ask for a premade combination at the grill counter, but I wouldn't bother with that unless you're very lazy.\n\nGrab a drink and maybe some condiments from the back area after you drop off your bowl to be cooked. They have those fancy Coca Cola machines that dispense seemingly hundreds of flavors from one spout. There's soy sauce, sriracha, and other things. Go back to your seat and wait an employee to present you with your bowl of cooked food. Eat and enjoy.\n\nI will make this point again so that it's very clear. If you didn't add enough spices and whatnot, don't expect too many good things out of the bowl. You can probably still salvage it with the other condiments and some salt and pepper, and then you can berate yourself. It probably took me at least a couple of visits until I learned this lesson, and I'm so glad I did.\n\nIf you want a nice hot bowl of some Asian-inspired flavors with plenty of meat and some carbs, this is a good option. You know what flavors you're getting because you're designing the recipe, and that sure bet is probably worth $12 or so on a regular basis for some people.
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