🇨🇦 Ottawa Nepean Arirang Korean Restaurant

We first noticed this spot last week while heading to Niu Bing Wei, and curiosity pulled us in for a Saturday meal. Stepping inside, the bustling atmosphere—packed tables and a steady flow of diners—gave off promising vibes. It’s always reassuring to see a busy restaurant, as it often hints at popular, well-loved dishes. But as the food started arriving, that initial optimism softened a bit 😐 Let’s start with the sweet and sour pork in Picture 6, priced around $20 to $22. The first surprise was the sauce: it leaned heavily on ketchup, which felt simpler than expected for a Korean restaurant. That said, the meat itself was fried to a nice crisp, with a satisfying crunch that saved the dish from being a letdown. We also ordered three other dishes to share: pork tripe soup, spicy stir-fried squid, and pork belly for lettuce wraps. The tripe soup had a decent, comforting broth, though it didn’t stand out as memorable. The spicy squid, on the other hand, had a nice kick—enough heat to wake up the taste buds without being overwhelming. Then there was the pork belly in Picture 4. Unfortunately, this one missed the mark. The meat was cut surprisingly thick, and it lacked the savory, marinated flavor you’d hope for in a classic lettuce wrap dish. After just one bite, it felt heavy, and the lack of seasoning made it hard to finish. For two people, the total bill came to $107, with a small discount for paying in cash—a nice touch, at least. Service-wise, it was functional but not particularly warm; the staff were efficient, but we didn’t catch a single smile during our meal, which made the experience feel a bit impersonal. The side dishes (banchan) were standard: kimchi with a mild fermented tang, sweet potatoes that added a touch of sweetness, and crisp mung bean sprouts. They did their job of complementing the main dishes, but there wasn’t much variety to write home about. I know it’s unfair to compare restaurants across cities, so I won’t pit it against Toronto’s Korean spots. But even within Ottawa, it’s hard not to note that it doesn’t quite reach the bar set by downtown favorites like Daldongae, where the flavors feel more vibrant and the service more welcoming. All in all, it’s a spot that gets the basics right but doesn’t quite shine—perfectly fine if you’re in the area and craving Korean food, but maybe not worth a special trip. #OttawaFood #KoreanFood #OttawaDining #NepeanRestaurants #OttawaEats 😊