Excellent food! We did the Korean buffet and the banchan and steak and Korean style beef ribs were awesome! Friendly staff and loved the fact they gave us bottled water at no charge instead of glass from the tap. Very tasty fish cake and kimchi. Definitely want to come here again. Don’t be fooled by the exterior and the neighborhood, it is truly a gem.
I’ve been here a half dozen times , or more, and the experience has always been excellent! The location is unassuming and even a little scary looking as it’s an area that has suffered decline for many years and the restaurant building is an old style convenience store. In fact, it still functions as a convenience store! The neighborhood is experiencing a renaissance and many of the homes and businesses are being renovated but it’s still early in the process. Nearby, there’s a few beer gardens which look interesting but I haven’t tried them, yet.
There is a mix of tables, booths, picnic style tables and tables with built in gas grills. Usually, you seat yourself and choose which type you prefer. I suggest leaving the grill tables for the adventurers who want to grill their own food in the traditional Korean BBQ style. A server will be along shortly but be patient. Trust me, they will recognize your presence and attend to you soon. There’s also a cafeteria style counter but I’ve never used it so I’m not sure how it works. I think you can order and pick there if you’re getting takeout.
The menu can be overwhelming with so many options and many seem alike. I always choose the Spicy Pork Bulgogi and it never disappoints. My ladies usually get the Beef Bulgogi which is equally well prepared but, in my opinion, not as flavorful. I’ve had a couple of guests who tried the Bibimbap and it looked amazing too although I personally haven’t tried it. In the picture, it’s the one in the bowl with the fried egg on top.
After making your food choice, you help yourself to a bottled or canned drink from the glass refrigerator case of the convenience store. One bottled water is included with your meal but it’s certain brands so check with your server if they didn’t mention it. They have a very limited selection of sugar free drinks but there’s a huge selection of domestic and international beverages and recently added a small selection of beer and wine.
The plates that I get are currently about $19 and well worth it. The Bulgogi is served on a sizzling platter with a side bowl of rice. Your table will be filled with several other small side dishes of traditional Korean accompaniments like Kimchi, Seaweed and Cucumbers. These are to be shared by the whole table and will be refilled if you ask.
Checking out can be confusing if you’re a new customer. Your server will eventually bring a bill but if you’re in a hurry, go to the checkout counter and tell them what you had and pay for it.
The owner usually comes to my table and greets us sometime during the meal. He seems like an old familiar friend although I’m not sure if he recognizes me or not.
If you’re looking for a relaxed delicious meal and aren’t too afraid to be adventurous, this is THE place. You won’t find better Korean food anywhere in San Antonio!
Bi bim bop, spicy pork bulgogi and korean short ribs were all delicious. The owner paid us out and he was just super sweet. Not a huge variety but what they have is really really tasty!
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