Tiger Baekban 호랑이 백반 — Restaurant in Willetton

Date of Visit: 23/08/2024 Restaurant: Tiger Baekban Willetton Rating: 1/5

I visited Tiger Baekban Willetton with my dad for dinner on 23/08. The restaurant was quite full, and we were fine with being on the waitlist. However, the staff kept pushing the option of takeaway, which we eventually agreed to. We were told our food would be ready in 15 minutes. I mentioned that the restaurant seemed crowded, with little space to wait inside, and since it was raining, we would wait in the shop next to the restaurant.

After about 20 minutes, we returned to pick up our order. To our surprise, the staff informed us that they couldn’t find us and had served our food to someone else. Having worked in the F&B industry for years, I knew this was unacceptable, but I didn’t want to make a scene. We decided to wait another 15-20 minutes and left our number so they could call us when the food was ready.

We moved our car right in front of the restaurant to avoid being "missed" again and waited. Another 45 minutes passed without any call. By this time, we were extremely stressed and unhappy. When we went back inside to ask what was going on, one of the staff members who had spoken to us earlier saw us and admitted that they forgot about our order.

At this point, we were quite angry and made a complaint. The staff apologized verbally, but their body language and facial expressions suggested they weren’t genuinely sorry. They repeatedly offered us a refund, but it felt like they just wanted to get rid of us. We didn’t want a refund; we just wanted the food we had paid for an hour ago.

Eventually, the food was ready. However, when I got into the car and placed the takeaway bag on my lap, I noticed as I carried the food that it was cold. Upon closer inspection, the rice and side dishes were ice-cold, and the soups were merely lukewarm. We were too tired and hungry to go back and address this, but we discovered one of the soup containers had leaked from the bottom, soaking the glad wrap covering the container. Honestly, I will not be returning to Tiger Baekban ever again.

As for the food itself, I'd rate it a 3.5/10. It’s overpriced, and the level of service, the quality and size of the side dishes, and the taste of the food don’t justify the high prices. Overall, a very disappointing experience.

Response post your reply. 05/01/2025

Not sure what your staff had told you but there were no direct threats to your staff. Yes, after ONE HOUR of waiting and our food going to someone else, our old man turned around, left the shop and swore, but it was not directed at any of your staff. Hope you are clear with all your staff with that. Also, I apologised to your young staff on the night but i apologise again if she was disheartened by our man’s response to the stressful situation. But again, there were no aggressive behaviour directed towards your staff. We were just extremely stressed due to the situation.

Regardless, this still does not explain the quality of food and service we received on the night. When we go to a restaurant with a price tag, we just want two things, quality food in a timely manner and great customer service. Unfortunately, neither was achieved from your staff that night.

Anyway, great reply and best of luck with your business...

Had dinner for 2 on a Sat night. The place was not crowded. Service was not very attentive because we had to get the attention of the waiter to get assigned a table even though the restaurant wasnt crowded. Maybe it was because it was after 8pm and the staff were tired. But I was certainly annoyed when the waitress started spraying the table top right next to ours and some of soap spray flew to our table of food. In any case, the food was really average. Not bad, but not wow either. We ordered the bugolgi and the fried pork sets. The bulgogi had chewy tendons, which was not good. The pork was alright. However, the set side dishes were nothing special. A lot of carbs. So i didnt think it was worth the price we paid for each set as it was almost $30 per person. We thought we'd at least try it once, but we were not impressed. I will give it a miss next time unless I have no other place to eat. The food was average, but the price per person...

Superb Korean homestyle cooking...

Have returned here several times and the food is always consistent and delicious. All the dishes were hearty and flavourful.

The 삼계탕 (Samgyetang - Ginseng Chicken Soup) set is a definite must try. Herbaceous broth and super tender whole chicken. Portion size is more than enough for 2-3 persons. Generous side dishes along with the set meals.

Previously had the very warm and hearty 부대찌개 (Budae-jjigae - army stew) during a previous visit. The 사골곰탕 (Sagol Gomtang - beef bone soup) and 감자탕 (Gamjatang - pork back-bone soup) for takeaway, superb even when consumed away from the restaurant.

Service is great with a smile and the food is served fairly quickly.

While may be a little on the expensive side for some, definitely value for money (in Perth).

Same day reservation is encouraged as you do not want to be waiting for a table when it gets busy.

P.S. Please bring back the marinated quail egg side dish once...