Shopping for a Bite

Do people go to the mall just to eat at the food court? No doubt, the teriyaki bowl has its adherents, as do the corn dog and slice-of-pizza outlets. But let’s face it: Eating mall food is often a secondary activity. We’re there already. It’s fast, convenient and, not unlike shopping, it may be an impulse purchase.

That could change at The Oaks shopping center, where eating just might become a priority for fans of Mongolian barbecue. A notable addition to the mix of familiar food outlets at the Thousand Oaks mall has just opened in the form of Great Kahn’s Mongolian Festival.

Mongolian barbecue fits neatly into the concept of food court fare: It’s fairly fast and fairly inexpensive.

At Great Kahn’s, the traditional Mongolian barbecue experience remains intact, although dressed in a contemporized milieu.

The bright lights and lively colors rival those at any Hot Dog on a Stick outlet. And the cartoonish Kahn, who reigns atop the entrance wielding a pair of sabers and an amused grin, is sure to catch more than a passing glance from shoppers.

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Upon entering, you make your bowl selection and pay upfront. In turn you get a suitably sized bowl to fill with a melange of vegetables and frozen shaved meats.

Step down the rectangular counter and choose chicken, beef, pork and lamb or any combination thereof. The many vegetables include mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, onions, green onions, bell pepper, celery, cabbage, bean sprouts and cilantro.

An attendant then piles on the noodles, which could cause some Mongolian barbecue do-it-yourself veterans with large appetites to wince. After all, determining the size and contents of your own concoction is crucial to the Mongolian barbecue appeal. No fear. They don’t skimp and will surely add more upon request.

The attendant also ladles on the requisite spicing sauces, according to your taste.

Now it’s on to the large, scorching-hot grill, where the cook whisks around the ingredients with bamboo sticks for a moment or two before returning to you a piping hot bowl of stir fry.

A regular order is $4.95. The “Barbecue Works,” with rice and soup, is $5.95. The “Seafood Festival” (shrimp and imitation crab) comes with rice and soup for $6.95.

DETAILS

Great Kahn’s Mongolian Festival is at The Oaks shopping center, 222 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, second level near Robinsons-May. Hours: Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 497-9818.