HARU Korean Kitchen — Restaurant in Queensland

We had been regular customers for about two years. We must have come in every few weeks, giving them good custom, both dining in and ordering takeaways. I felt deeply for the struggles for the owners and staff at Haru over ‘Covid lockdowns’ and treated them with empathy and generous tips (including takeaways) in order to support this small, local business. Staff have always been kind and the food very tasty.

The other evening, however, was vastly different. The exceedingly rude manager treated me so disrespectfully. It was shocking!

I ordered a takeaway to be picked up at 7.30pm. The staff member checked with the kitchen while I was on the phone that this would be possible. I arrived at 7.20pm to find that the food had already been cooked and packed up. It had, I was told by a junior staff member, been packed up and ready to leave the restaurant around the 7-7.05pm mark. I noticed that the kimchi pancake had become soggy sitting around in that time, unfortunately. So, I asked the junior staff member if it could be remade fresh.

I was offered a seat which I was happy to take and it felt that my request was accepted.

The chef came out a few minutes later. I explained that the pancake had gone soggy and that I’d be grateful for a fresh one. He then went back to the kitchen. Sorted! Or so I thought….

Several minutes went by. I sat waiting and looked forward to getting home to the family, when I was approached by the manager. I explained everything to her underlining the fact that as the food had been made early and had been sitting for about 20 minutes, well before I was due to arrive. As such, the kimchi pancake had gone soggy as it had been left to steam. She replied that she couldn’t make the kimchi pancake any more crispy, that it was a bit burned already and couldn’t be put back into the fryer 😳 What I was asking for, I explained, was for a fresh one to be made.

She started getting defensive arguing rather loudly. I explained that I felt the pancake would be inedible and at $20, I wasn’t happy to have paid for it. I reminding her that we’d been good customers over the last couple of years. She continued to argue. No apology was given nor was she happy to rectify the situation. I said I was unhappy that she was refusing my request to redo a small aspect of the order and that her raising her voice made me feel uncomfortable. She continued in the same way, and then offered to refund me. I was expecting to be given back the $20 for the kimchi pancake that we were now not to have. Instead, she said she would refund the entire bill which came to $95! I said I hadn’t asked for that. I simply wanted to be given a fresh pancake.

At her insistence, I accepted the full refund. She returned to the kitchen and I picked up the bag and headed out of the restaurant.

She then shouted to me as I reached the door, “You can’t take my food!” It was surreal. I had now become a thief in her eyes. I dutifully returned “her food.”

I have never been so mistreated by a restaurant in my life. It was shocking and totally unexpected. And by a restaurant who knew us as regular customers. I would never have expected to have been so mistreated by any business in this way! Full stop.

May I suggest the lovely IZAKAYA ATE Japanese restaurant next door? Above and beyond with friendly staff and very high quality Japanese food. Another suggestion I would make would be the exceptional O-Ren restaurant in Sunshine Beach. Exceedingly friendly! Mouthwatering Asian food. If you’re in the mood for a takeaway, I would suggest Dek Senn Thai restaurant in Tewantin. Very, very tasty and fresh. We’ve only been once, but high quality...

This restaurant is quite something! The last time I visited, the staff told me there were no seats available and advised me to call ahead for a reservation next time.

So today, I called at 5 pm, only to be told that reservations could only be made online. I went ahead and booked online, but my reservation was denied. I arrived at the restaurant at 5:40 and asked about availability again. The staff informed me that all seats were taken and we would need to wait until 7:30 However, 70% of the seats in the restaurant were empty. I inquired about one of the tables for four, and she said it was reserved for 7 pm, so they couldn’t accommodate anyone an hour and a half before the reservation.

A lot of customers ended up leaving and going to the Japanese restaurant next door. This place is seriously a joke. I’ve never actually eaten here, and after this experience, I certainly won’t be...

I made an reservation that was confirmed via e mail for an 80th birthday of the families patriarc. They were seated at a table and drinks were ordered when the owner came during the serving of these drinks advising no get these people out of here. I returned having to collect an item from our vehicle only to find them outside looking confused. I was advised by my eldest son we were just kicked out by the owner. Now having a confirmation e mail for my family to dine here we went to another restaurant and spent $435 on meals and drinks. I am disgusted and I feel massively disrespected by the actions by all parties concerned at this establishment. On the upside we had a fantastic meal at a neighbouring restaurant. Do your self a favour do not show up at a restaurant and ask to ever to speak to me knowing you are in the wrong, I've never felt so insulted by the...