Arirang Restaurant — Restaurant in District of Gungahlin

Tried their Maewoon Pyeojjim (braised spicy pork backbone).

When food is served PAR-COOKED AND INCOMPLETE (because it looks like no where near the picture on the menu 😂), then they should inform the customer prior to payment. I wish I was given an option to choose different dish.

I have planned to celebrate a friend of mine’s birthday in my place. There was a power outage in my area so I decided to order a take away. Came back home and picked up the plastic container, it was COLD COLD. I live 10 mins away from Gunghalin, so I can tell you the food didn’t just get cooled down.

Opened it, a generous amount of meat on the bone and HEAPS of gelatinous bone broth. No garnish, no veggies, no rice cake (mentioned in the menu). My understanding of this particular dish is that braised pork means not too soupy, and other condiments should be accompanied.

I wasn’t sure if they made a mistake so rang the restaurant. The staff said it is supposed to be served that way. I explained to her that I have no electricity at home and was unable to cook. Suggested her that she should double check with the customers, if they’re happy to order regardless.

PLEASE NOTE: their Gamjatang also is served the same way, according to the staff member. So bear in mind there’ll be just icy cold meat and jelly-ey broth, and you’ll still have to pay...

Updating my review based on EASI delivery services. I’ll keep my 5 star review valid and unedited below but that is strictly for an in-person dine in. My updated review is based on EASI delivery service. I’ve usually dealt with the restaurants delivery using txt message and have had no issues in the past but my last order took nearly 2hours to deliver for a restaurant that is 10 minutes away. By the time the food arrived my guests were extremely hungry and we were eating cold food.

5/5 For In-person Dining Don't let the surroundings and decor fool you. If Korean food is what you're after, Arirang does not disappoint. Great value and great tasting. I love their boneless fried chicken variety the best!

16/10/2021 Update: Updating my 2-star review to a 5 star review. The delivery system that I experienced which was extremely poor where I downgraded review to 2 star is being lifted. I have given two opportunities through different transactions at different period and the service appears to have been restored where delivery no longer took nearly 2 hours rendering food cold and soggy. Twice now since the negative review, the promptness of service has significantly improved to the point that service no longer provides a negative experience. Thank you for restoring improved...

It’s hard to put into words just how far Arirang has fallen. These days, it feels like they actively resent their customers—yet have no problem taking their money. The service has become so poor it feels like they’re doing everything they can to drive away their once-loyal customer base, perhaps even intentionally running the business into the ground.

Portion sizes are shrinking too, now mirroring their sister restaurant Kokoro across the road—premium prices, but dwindling servings. At least Kokoro offers slightly better service, perhaps because the larger space there means staff aren’t as visibly frustrated or irritable.

I say all this with real regret. I’ve been a loyal Arirang customer for nearly a decade, and have recommended them to countless friends and family. But maybe it’s time to stop playing the role of the abused partner in this dynamic. Instead, try SamSi SeKki in Mitchell—just a short drive for us in Gungahlin—or one of the many Hanok options across Canberra. Or try some Vietnamese instead at Noi Noi around the corner — the folks there are lovely and welcoming and there's enough space so it doesn't feel like you're on top of each other.

As for Arirang… I’ve never seen a business so committed to sabotaging its...