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Central (Red)
Mon-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
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I've come to this place three times now, and I have had only one bad experience with their dishes, but I guess that one I ordered, which was a soup with beef immersed in it, is just supposed to taste bad. But I've had bulgogi and their BBQ and they're both excellently seasoned.
They will also bring you more of the veggie appetizers if you finish them early, which I always try to do :P
The prices can be a little bit high, but if you know of other Korean place which charges less for the same quality and ambiance, let me know, and I will make the proper stellar adjustment!
Koreana just reminds me of the typical average Korean BBQ joints in Boston. Everything is descent, nothing special. The atmosphere of Koreana closely resembles Korean restaurants in NYC (I grew up eating NYC Korean food so this brings good memories...). I didn't order sushi here and I want to remind yelpers to never order sushi from Korean restaurants in general. Just because it's an Asian restaurant, it's not always safe to order sushi, especially in Korean restaurants (save order sushi for nice Japanese restaurants).
I actually tried buncha dishes, from meats such as galbi to lunch boxes (spicy pork, galbi) and other random items that I don't remember (which means it wasn't great, but not terrible either). Again, nothing is exceptional here other than their NYC Korean-restaurant-styled ambiance.
Overpriced mediocrity. I had high hopes for Koreana as I often pass this place on my way to Central. On one of my first nights in Cambridge I stopped in hoping for some tasty grilled meat, but was told to pick something else off the menu because you can't BBQ solo here. So I picked a beef noodle dish which turned out to be one of the most bland meals I have ever had. I took the leftovers home to try and re-purpose with some added flavor but I ended up just throwing it all out. The sushi I had was horrible. Since moving to Boston, I have a new understanding of how spoiled we are on the West Coast to have so many delicious and affordable sushi places at our doorstep.
I gave Koreana a second chance this past weekend by taking my sister who is visiting from out of town. We ordered Jumullock Galbi and shrimp BBQ along with a spicy tuna handroll to start. The sushi is still horrible. The Galbi was tender and tasted good. The problem is that it was good- not great, not tasty. For the prices Koreana commands, I expect the food to be great. It looks like my roommate and I will continue to make our own Korean BBQ at home since it turns out to be just as good for a lot less money.
Really good food, love their BBQ. I have been to Seoul and was pleased to find some of my favorite dishes there.
I dont give a 5 stars because the waiters alternate being super nice and not nice at all...
I love the Korean BBQ at this place; it is so good!
went here for my dad's birthday. it was pretty crowded, but then again we had quite a few people. the food was pretty good, but i thought we got to cook it. The ladies stayed there and we watched them cook our food for us and they even told us how to eat it. it's not our first time eating korean food, but it was a nice jester, and the food tasted great. Service is good price is ok, but I still like the korean places in El Camino Back in Cali. Like Buckshot said " aint no comparison, thats embarassin'" good for what's in the area and one of the better korean foods i have tried since i moved.
Came here on a whim on a rainy day without a reservation. Luckily we got a table fast because it got really packed once we sat down.
The service was pretty good, in fact, a lot better than most Asian place I've been to.
We ordered some sushi rolls as appetizers. They were very... anti-climatic. The special rolls are not suppose to fall apart just trying to get them off the plate. They would've fell apart even if I used my hands.
The BBQ portion is always exciting to me, the side dishes were the usual suspects but lacked refilling of kimchi for me! They did however, refilled the lettuce. *shrugs* We ordered 2 Beef and 1 Pork just to mix it up a bit. They were seasoned well - my only problem was that they were really chewy even if when I got it off the fire before they were well done. This is usually not a problem even if the meat was well-done. My mother said it was good the last time she was there. Maybe I went on a not so great night.
The price looked average for Korean BBQ, but I feel like they just had less meat then the other places I've been. Great service, okay food.
Two things to keep in mind: I am Korean and I am from Hawaii....
Service: seemed fine... could be attributed to being able to converse w/ the waitress
Decor/Ambience: alright... i wish it was a little brighter lit, but that's not really
Food: it did the job; i've only had the jumuleok, naengmyun, and doenjang jjigae (trans: one of many barbecued meats, cold noodle soup, and miso stew). they were alright. the side dishes were also pretty good. my only wish was that they cut the garlic a little smaller so i could grill it with the meat, but that's more of an idiosyncrasy of mine...
Overall, considering the circumstances, it was alright... nothing special, but nothing to complain about.
Pros:
-Korean food is exciting and popular. Koreana serves Korean food.
-The food was theoretically good, although my bi bim bop was ruined by putting it in a "hot stone" bowl, which burned the rice and food. I couldn't understand the waitress (language barrier), so I went along with her recommendation.
Cons:
-All beers are authentic cheap asian beers (Asahi, Kirin, etc.).
-Language barrier
-Impolite service
-My food was burnt to char!
-We were sat at the same table, and directly next to, a couple on their first date, which was awkward for everyone.
-They didn't bring the rest of my friend's meal until he asked for it.
-Pricey - the bi bim bop is way overpriced.
I was here last night with a few friends. We got there (on a Saturday night) without a reservation for 3 of us, and we ended up waiting around 45 minutes to sit down. This wasn't really a problem with us, but be warned. The ambiance is very nice there and all of us were very comfortable.
For dinner, I had the beef brisket, which they cooked at the table for us. The beef brisket had a little more fat than I would want on it, and I would say at our table, the pork was the best thing that was ordered. The sides that were served (around 7 or 8 of them) were good, but not the best I've had in my limited experience at other Korean BBQs.
All in all, this is a nice place to hang out with some friends if you're out of ideas and you don't feel like waiting for East Coast Grill to sit you.
Been seeing this place forever. Always wondered, but never had a desire to go in.
I'm walking up to Central from getting my hair cut, and I'm craving sushi. What do I see? A sign in their window that says "sushi". Perfect, I think. How convenient.
The place is beautiful, and the hostess and servers were all very nice.
I ordered some sushi, and waited. NOT the place to go for sushi. First, the pieces were TINY, and the rice was hard and mushy. BAD. BAD. BAD SUSHI.
Maybe it's a good place for all the other dishes and reasons people have listed here, but if you're looking for SUSHI- STAY AWAY! Not cheap, either.
Ways too expensive. We went there on Friday night and found out they increased the price. $20 for a bulgogi (not BBQ), $14 for a kimchi chigae or any kind of soup. It's crazy. Will never come back to this cut-throat restaurant.
Koreana is definitely my go-to place for Korean BBQ near Boston. I like that they give you the option to cook for yourself - it's more fun that way. I've been to other Korean BBQ places where they are super strict with their grills.
For non-BBQ, I'd recommend being adventurous and ordering the Yook-Hwe appetizer (goes by various names at different places). It's basically shredded raw beef, raw egg, and asian pear, which doesn't sound very appetizing (or safe to eat), but it's SO GOOD! Last time, we also tried the KanPungSaeU entree, and it's exactly how it's described: sweet & spicy shrimp - the fiery heat will wow your tongue! FYI: the shrimps are butterflied, shells/skin on, but easy to peel.
For BBQ: the galbi and bulgogi beef are both pretty amazing. I love the marinade used; great smoky taste after it's cooked. Make a lettuce wrap with the beef and the salty peanut butter sauce.. yum!
Good for dates and groups because it's a fun and interactive experience. Good for boys because of the delicious meat. Not good if you're wearing your nicest outfit because it's BBQ after all, and the smell will seep into your clothes. Expect a table wait if it's the weekend.
- 1 star for inattentive waitstaff
Want the best Korean Bbq in the Boston area? This is where you can find it!
I was introduced to this place by some Korean friends and now i'm addicted. We tried the Korean place in Medford as well to compare the two and Koreana definitely wins. Great dishes and flavoring, good prices if you have a group for bbq, and the portions are a great size! The place in Medford had much smaller portions for bbq and was more expensive.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!
The fact that I ate at Koreana is proof to all my family that I am no longer a picky eater and officially a "will try anything but mayonnaise or things that look like mayonnaise" kind of girl. It is Korean Barbecue. This is like American Barbecue in that you cook chicken, shrimp, and steak on a fire and it is delicious. This differs from American Barbecue in the available side dishes, of which I ate all of but have no clue what any were. There were some soft things, some veggie like things, and some squishy things. I did particularly like what I think might have been pickled beets. You then take unidentified side dishes, wrap them in something, and eat them. It is very tasty I swear. Please try it.
If you are less adventurous they also have a good assortment of sushi. The wine list and cocktail list are both nice and the waitstaff is lovely.
For me, the biggest indicator of a great Korean restaurant is the presence of Korean families digging into plates/bowls/grills of awesome food!
And of course, the other indicator is how happy my mouth gets with a ssam of lettuce + kken-eep (sesame leaf) + raw garlic slivers + grilled Kalbi + rice + dollop of ssam jang (soy bean paste with red pepper) + sliced spicy green peppers!! DELICIOUS. And mouth filling. I LOVED it. Perfect blend of flavors. Mmmmmmmmmm.
Went with a friend to eat awesome Korean BBQ and catch up about our lives. We ordered a serving of Kalbi (my first choice!) and he wanted a serving of the Bulgogi, and they were both sooooo tender and perfectly marinated and oh-so-good.
And the ban-chan they presented did NOT disappoint. I HEART their kimchee. I know it's standard Korean restaurant kimchee, but it's really good. Especially when wrapped around a just grilled piece of Kalbi. Mmmm. *mouth waters*
I have to say... the best Korean meal I've had in Boston! Other than the time my mom came to visit and cooked a massive meal for me. :)
At 136 reviews there's really not much I can add so I'll keep it short.
Koreana, foodwise, is a solid three star joint - lots of options on the menu, great for veggies and omnis alike.
The sake is also delectable and will make you giddy and slightly tipsy as you chow down on your BBQ and sushi.
The fourth star factor comes in for service. It's top notch here. The servers are lovely, the hosts amiable, even the regular customers are congenial and kind.
So high fives to Koreana for being a topnotch neighborhood type of joint with a lot of class.
The food is good, the service is excellent, and the whole experience is worth what you paid.
I love the Korean vegetables they serve before the meal.
So, yum! I have lived in the area for years and passed by Koreana many times but never actually ate there. When I finally did, I found deliciousness! I went with a group of three others.
We split the steamed dumplings and they were good, but very average. For my main course, I had the Shrimp Dolsot Bibimbop. It was a big portion of rice, shrimp, and veggies that arrived sizzling in a stone pot. The flavors were great and I loved the numerous accompaniments that arrived with our food. It was one of those dishes that could either been very healthy or heavy depending on how much oil they added. I'm still unsure which it actually was. It was delicious though so I guess I would rather not know if it was bad for me. Their sushi looked good and it seemed like a lot of people were ordering it so it would be something I try on my next visit.
Hands down best Korean food in Greater Boston area!
Been going here since I was a little kid ... my parents have been going forever! They also own Reliable Market in Somerville as well which a great Korean grocery in the area.
I usually get the bulgogi, and the rest of the family would get the kalbi and different stews. I think you need at least 2 orders of the various meats to have the "bbq" done at the table. Everything is delish!
(I was also excited to see that there was a yelp sticker beside the main glass door.)
I went there for dinner tonight with my fiance. We didn't realize how hungry we were until we started eating. We had Catapillar Sushi - this was so delicious with the creamy avocado - However, just for information, this is the place to go to for Korean BBQ.
We had Kalbi - for 2 people and I love that the servers are attentive and continously looking over the meat to make sure that it's cooking well. The plentiful side dishes were delicious and colorful!
I love the rice that comes with it - I saw a couple on a different table put soy sauce into the white rice and I wanted to go over there and smack them! You eat the rice with the lettuce, some garlic, and some rice, with spicy paste and it is so good! Why ruin what's already perfect! People just don't know.
If you are wondering what korean food is - Koreana is a good place to start and finish - with great Kalbi and some beer. YUM! Go and be happy!
I've been here a few times now, and each time I wonder why I've returned. The food is decent, but nothing special, and it's a little on the pricey side.
PROS: Good quality meat, marinated nicely. The tofu soup is also pretty tasty. The staff is friendly.
CONS: Their fish isn't great (have tried both grilled scallops and the sushi) - not gonna give you food poisoning, but just not that fresh. The scallion pancake was terrible. Also, the last time we went our grill didn't work properly, giving off a terrible smell.
I live literally down the street and have not been here until last night, for my graduation dinner (Emerson '09 Wut!)
I went with my parents, younger sister and Theresa C. None of us really know anything about Korean food, especially my somewhat sheltered Vermont family (can't blame them...not much for Korean food up there), so I didn't really know what to expect. I ordered a Bibimbop dish, which is not only fun to say but an amazing mixture of strange things--beef, rice, mushrooms, carrots, and other veggies, with a fried egg on top and drizzled in hot sauce. The first bite was tasty, but I think I just ordered the wrong thing--it started to upset my tummy shortly thereafter.
My sister's beef teriyaki was tasty.
We ordered scallion pancakes as an appetizer, and they were tasty but quite rubbery on the edges.
They couldn't make us Mai Tais so we ordered gin & tonics which were okay.
Overall, everything was just fine, but I won't come here regularly...I can't really afford to frequent it now that I'm a college grad!
Went on a Saturday nite with large group - 12 of us. It's good they take reservations. Since there were 2 bbq grills, we asked for 2 checks to split the tables by grills. The waitress had no problem with this.
Service was pretty good. We did have to ask for a few things, but they were prompt in getting it for us. We ordered seafood pancake and asked the waitress is there was seafood in it (there was a little). She offered to make another one for us, but we declined. The host or mgr came over about 5 minutes later and asked the same thing about the seafood pancake again offering to make another one. We had eaten most of it already so we declined. She then offered to take it off the bill, nice.
Kalbi, beef tongue, chicken, stone pot Be Bim Bop were all good as well as all the side dishes that come with it. And you can ask for refills of those side dishes. The waitresses help you cook the meat, they get it started and then u finish cooking it.
It cost us $23 each (including tax & tip), which we found pretty reasonable. We'll be back.
dining in cambridge is never easy, so i have to make sure the place is worth that kind of traffic trouble for a second round. koreana didn't make it that far.
have heard a few good reports about the place, thus went for a try as one of the friends suggested to go there for dinner.
it was a couple years back; we had a group of 7 or 8 people. either they don't have a lot or the lot was very small that it was already full; i remember we had to roam around the streets for a spot before heading in.
food-wise, it was not bad, but nothing to rave about, either. the famous bulgogi beef for BBQ was nothing special, really. the korean pancake was not memorable, either. both signature dishes tasted different from what i've eaten in many other korean places. started wondering if this place gets all the thumbs up only bc this is the only korean bbq place there is within the 10-mile radius?
subsequently found Chung Ki Wa in Medform (Riverside Ave); been going there instead every time i wanted a fix for korean food. there's another one in Brighton (Cambridge St/Washington St, a block from the police station/St. Elizabeth Med Ctr) too; food is decent (haven't tried BBQ). at least both places have a lot right outside the restaurants, i don't have to take long to park or walk far from my spot.
Me: "Why is there a missile silo in the middle of our table?"
Her: "Its a grill."
Me: "For food?"
Her: "Yes, this place is a Korean BBQ."
Me: "How can I fit an entire rack of ribs on this little thing?"
That was me the first time I went to Koreana. Apparently Korea didn't get the memo that for a place to be a real BBQ joint they need the three C's: Chicken, cornbread, and ribs (see what I did there?). They do however, bring out a boat load of Korean side dishes for your taste. The Kimchi, or as I call it Hell Cabbage, is quite spicy. I should mention that I don't usually trust food that is buried underground then later dug up as part of the "preparation process". If you are new to more traditional asian fare you get a nice sampling here (traditional does not include General Gao's). The nice interior also makes it a great place to go on a date and show off your chopstick skills.
My favorite dish has to be the TangSu Yuk. Try to imagine what the best sweet and sour chicken would taste like. Now slam your head onto your desk. What was that for? Well, because you don't know nothin' 'bout no sweet and sour chicken until you had yourself a nice heaping plate of TangSu Yuk (also it looks like you are bleeding a little). Man I would go in the back and swim in this stuff if it wasn't a health code violation (at least that is what the manager said when I asked).
Koreana is a little off the beaten path, between the civilization of Central square and Inman square it sits on a corner across from a gas station. Entrees will run you someone from $15 to $20, but they are well worth it. If you are the type who likes to go out and then pay to cook your own food, you can rock the table grill. I would suggest the Bulgogi, paper thin bits of beefy heaven. Of course if you are me then you can also order it from the back where it is cooked by people who know what they are doing (note: the door to the kitchen has a sign in English and Spanish...what is Korean for "liars!").
Bottom Line: Go here.
Just got finished eating here for the second time. Not a bad place to meet up with some friends and have a fun meal of freshly grilled food. I have been to many Koreana BBQ places in my life and this one is not bad.
The food is very fresh and theportions are very large for the type of food. There is a large variety of BBQ food and non-BBQ food on the menu and the wine/beer list is pretty decent. A large selection of Korean/Japanese beer. I have not had the sushi yet.
The prices are about average for the style of food (Korean BBQ is usuallu a bit pricy), but the bill doesn't make me gasp when it arrives.
It would have gotten one more star, but I have two issues.
1) The grill at your table is the gas style where they ignite it under the table. They tend to put it up too hot. The places where they actually have coals that they bring out in a bucket are better and the food tastes a bit better.
2) I have looked in the mirror.... I know I am white... very white actually. If you looked up caucasian/irish in an encyclopedia, you would find someone a lot like me looking back at you. I am not an idiot who can't handle grilling meat on a small heated plate in the middle of the table. Also, the fact that the waitress did not acknowledge me even when I asked a question, but would rather direct all interaction to the girlfriend (who is Korean) was a little irritating.
Overall, this is a good place for dinner with friends.... Oh yeah, don't wear anything white to a Korean BBQ if you have never gone (splatter will ruin that shirt)
Went back on a Sunday night, and things were better. The food is consistently good, the service was slightly better this time around. Because it was Sunday and not busy, the server didn't turn the heat way high on the table grill to cook faster or try to rush us (unlike the last time). HOWEVER, she also did not let us do our own cooking. Hello. I am an adult. I can do this.
This place will unlikely get 5 stars from me because of the service. The food would rate higher, but the service always brings it down.
The food was good, but I didn't like the service. The waitress was rushing us, and she kept trying… Read more »
Good for barbecue, and decor, but not much else.
Over-priced.
Even though i think it is overpriced, it is one of the better Korean restaurants that I have been to in Boston. But then again the waitress wasn't a very pleasant person.....She wasn't helpful at all-this was my first time trying out Korean bbq or even trying Korean food so when i asked questions, she would sort of snap back at me. So I have to take extra brownie points off from this place!
2 or 3, 2 or 3
It's not bad, but it is pricey! Very pricey and the food is good, but not amazing. My boyfriend lives in New Jersey and it just can't compare to all the Korean Restaurants in Pal Park. Even before I was awaken to quality Korean food, I always thought Koreana was overpriced. Their pajeon or pancake is so-so, and I like my samgyupsal thicker, but I guess if I had to choose one place to go in the Boston area for korean bbq, it would Koreana, which is actually quite sad. =[
If you're reading this and you or your momma or poppa always had dreams of opening a Korean joint with some bomb-diggity Korean bbq or Korean food in general, PLEASE DO IT! Boston is in dire need of an amazing Korean food.
The waitress we had tonight was a great listener.
She listened to my friend's relationship problem like Dr. Melfi listening to Tony Soprano while she cooked food for us.
It was perfect dinner for me and my sparring partner after productive and intense session. Although… Read more »
Let me start the review by stating that I am no Korean food connoisseur. I am merely a wannabe food aficionado on a budget. So I went recently for lunch on a Sunday because the Yelpers say it has great lunch specials. Ok, they do, but ya gotta go Mon - Fri. Otherwise, lunch on a weekend is the regular price. But I figure, I don't eat out that much, this is my splurge for the month.
My friend and I met up for casual Sunday lunch, a great time to go to this restaurant. It was not busy on an early Sunday afternoon and the restaurant was full of Korean families, which I thought was a good sign. We split a kimchee pancake and the seafood delight hot pot for 2. The pancake was perfectly crispy and flaky with a little heat. The burner for the hot pot is built into the table. The seafood included codfish, crab, and lobster along with the hot pot came with the usual array of sides (kimchee, bean sprouts) plus rice. Some of the sides were unusual (potato salad? really?), but they were a great accompaniment.
Service was attentive, the ambience was nice (lots of windows facing Prospect, dark wood furniture). I passed by this place on a Friday night after my first experience and the place was packed with a line 40 deep. If you go at a busy time, make reservations! And if you want to save some cash, eat lunch Mon - Fri! Otherwise, it's a worthy regular-priced meal, great for groups.
Korean BBQ and other dishes for beginners, excellent of its type, though hardcore fans of the cuisine won't be impressed.
I have friends who are averse to Korean food, and I know how they got that way: an unchaperoned encounter with a bowl of kimchi. Few Westerners take readily to the ubiquitous chili-laden condiment/side dish of fermented napa cabbage. One way to avoid this is to introduce neophytes to Korean cuisine at a restaurant that offers "Korean barbecue," tableside grilling of marinated meats and seafood. It also affords one of the great ways to enjoy steak for short money.
Besides tables with inset gas grills, Koreana has attractions not seen in many Boston-area Korean restaurants: an airy space with lots of windows, attractive modern furnishings, and a full bar with big TVs. The atmosphere won't wow jaded travelers who've dined in Seoul or Los Angeles's Koreatown -- the spaciousness and light quickly belie that kind of authenticity -- but first-time visitors will be heartened by the sight of non-Koreans tending their own grills. Start with steak: an order of bulgogi ($19), thin-sliced ribeye in a sweet and garlicky marinade. (This dish seems to have fallen on hard times here -- it's too thin, like frozen minute steaks, not a good idea.)
The server loads the grill for you; your job is to tend to those slices, cook them to your liking, and wrap each in a leaf of red lettuce with a dollop of soybean-paste condiment and bits of the half-dozen accompanying banchan (small side dishes). Banchan are a little mysterious at first -- blistering kimchi, sweet pickled daikon, sesame-dressed bean sprouts, rubbery fish-cake slices, briny chopped sea vegetables, spicy pickled cucumber -- but you'll warm to most of them. They not only add variety and crunch, but are replenished endlessly on request. Buttressed by a pot of rice, you will likely leave stuffed.
There's a minimum of two barbecue orders at the grill tables, so don't skip galbi (short ribs, $20), frankly a much better, tastier cut of beef than the ribeye here. Your server will wield poultry shears to cut the long ribbons of meat into bite-size pieces. Or go the Korean surf-and-turf route with a plate of shrimp ($19) to grill and dip in a thin teriyaki sauce. Between the heat, salty marinades, and excitement at your newfound mastery of table grilling, you ought to order something soothing, like an oilcan of mellow Sapporo lager ($7), a pot of no-name sake ($20), or a bottle of 48-proof Jinro soju ($16), a Korean white lightning that gets smoother as the night rolls on. After all, nothing cushions the jarring novelty of an unfamiliar cuisine like steak and alcohol.
This is a Korean girl writing a review about a Korean restaurant.
The food is not great. My boyfriend has a theory that they really don't try to make their food taste exceptional because they don't have much competition, and I agree. This restaurant would fail in Los Angeles with all the great restaurants in K-Town.
That being said, we are in Boston and what can I do about Koreana's overpriced food with mediocre taste? Perhaps open a restaurant of my own right next door? Maybe in a couple of years.
My stomach is up and running again folks. Which means, I can test it out with different foods. Rip, rattle, and roll folks!
After my cousin's graduation ceremonies and reception (again, Congratulations Jay! FOUR YEARS!!!), our family hunted for food yet again because that's what we do best...eat, eat, and eat! Koreana was the recommendation for the night because one, it had MEAT and two, well, it had MEAT! Meat we could grill ourselves! Korean BBQ? I AM THERE.
***Cue The Low Family Entering Koreana***
It was right down to the good stuff. Discussion of politics, who would win the Lakers-Celtics game, and why J.K. Rowling looks pretty hot for a 42 year-old could be saved for later. Time to EAT! Korean BBQ choices were varied, and we settled on shrimp, beef bulgogi, vegetable bulgogi, and two plates of japchae with chicken and beef.
The waitresses were super attentive in serving the banchan first (Patrick M. shout-out right here!), which had nice portions of spicy kimchi, bean sprouts, a vinegar infused seaweed salad, pepper spiced zucchini, a salad with fresh lettuce, green peppers, and I think sliced onions, and additional leaves of crisp, green lettuce. All delicious, we were awaiting the main courses.
The beef bulgogi came first, which was promptly tossed on the grill along with the vegetable medley of onions, zucchini, green bell peppers, and mushrooms. The beef cooked really quickly over the hot flames, and we took it off before it became a charred mess. My first bite did not appear too thrilling, so I cooked it a bit more to get a more firm grip on the meat; paired with the kimchi and bean paste, it was delicious. The meat still juicy with an added kick from the delicious cabbage and beans. The vegetables were snappy enough, e.g. fresh, almost soothing to the already BBQ-instigated palate.
The shrimp arrived moments later, but before we could fully appreciate them, the waitress came by to change the BBQ plate because the char had wreaked havoc on it. After the clean plate appeared, we were happily satisfied with the shrimp. Each bite had a distinct taste of the sea, and the best part? The sauce, which was neither too salty or sweet, but balanced enough to marry well with the banchan and not overpower the delicate sweetness of the shrimp.
The japchae arrived throughout the meal, and I was a little disappointed that it was a little bland; however, the moment was instantly cured by a forkful of kimchi. Kimchi cures all, didn't you know that? The beef and chicken were delicious as usual, but the beef was a little too thin perhaps to stand up to the noodles, becoming lost in the myriad of glassiness (did I mention there were glass noodles?).
Satisfied customers, we were still not done yet. Our waitress served us a sort of palate cleanser which consisted of A LOT OF CINNAMON. Word to the wise: If you dislike Big Red gum, do not drink from the cup. And it's cold. If you expect tea to be warm, well, expect a cool relief from the heat after dinner.
Parking can be a little difficult, but if you're in the know, there lies 3 parking spots owned by the restaurant across the street at the gas station.
p.s. - Great atmosphere. May not look like much from the outside, but inside, it's lively bunch of revelers, who like kids, are gobbling up pieces of sashimi, bowls of rice, and like us, mouthfuls of Korean BBQ.
Based on quality of food alone, I'd give Koreana 3-4 stars. It's of the better Korean bbq I've had on the east coast.
Based on how they run their business and treat their customers, I'd give Koreana zero stars if I could.
My girlfriend tried to make a reservation at Koreana today for 7; her family is in town and she's taking them to dinner. In order to do so, Koreana asked for her credit card number and then threatened to charge her $100 if she fails to show up.
This is NOT how I expect a restaurant to treat its customers. The policy is abhorrent on face, and it's downright disrespectful to threaten a customer who's simply trying to make a reservation. I won't even get into the legality of the policy.
Koreana, if you're reading this, you should know that you've lost good customers. We eat a lot of Korean bbq, too. We'll take our business elsewhere.
I got some sort of seafood and tofu stew and it was the perfect meal for a cold rainy November evening. The clams were very fresh tasting. It was really hearty and so spicy that I drank three glasses of water, and the waitress was very attentive with refilling the glasses.
Next time I'll try the barbecued stuff.
Oh hai, hello there.
Is this where I should write in superlatives about my fantastic experience? Umm okay.
*ahem*
Korean food is like pizza... or is it sex...?
You can please most people with even the most subpar.
But you can't please me.
Noooooooooo, you can't please me.
Boooo boop beeee dooo.
Yes, I acknowledge it's nice to always have a seat in their open dining room. But the service is super inconsistent so who knows when you'll get served.
I wasn't impressed with the BBQ, overly sweet and not spiced as much as I like. Decent banchan. I should have paid heed to the inner warning about any place that serves two cuisine types, one of them being sushi.
I'm waiting for the Annie P, Han K and the whole K-gang of yelpers to pounce.
*crouch*
Honestly, I was a little bored.
It was my first time there, I took my mom to try it out with me, and we ordered a dolsot bibimbap and the soft tofu jigae (because if a restaurant can't even get those two dishes right, then I'm never going to spend $18 x 2 on their bulgogi or kalbi).
Sadly, Koreana did not pass my screening test. While the side dishes were fine, the flavors in the bibimbap and jigae were dull and uninspiring. It's possible that the bbq is what they do better, but I don't think I care to find out anytime soon.
Oh well, at least we tried.
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton
Category: Korean
Medford, MA
Category: Korean
Somerville, MA
Category: Korean
Neighborhood: Coolidge Corner
Category: Korean
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton
Category: Korean
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