Chimaek Gana — Restaurant in Montreal

Visiting Chimaek Gana on St. Mathieu St. had been on our agenda for a while, but our attempts were repeatedly thwarted by a persistently full reservation list. Fortune smiled upon us one evening when we secured a table for two without the usual wait. Despite the anticipation, our initial impressions were dampened by accessibility issues, as the restaurant's entry necessitates ascending stairs, presenting a clear barrier for those using wheelchairs.

Upon entering, the restaurant presented a welcoming ambiance, with tables spaciously arranged to afford diners a sense of privacy and comfort. However, this positive aspect was soon overshadowed by the service. Despite the dining area not being at full capacity, there was a noticeable delay in the staff's acknowledgment of our arrival, followed by a prolonged wait to place our order. This theme of inattentiveness persisted throughout our meal, with not a single check-in from the staff, compelling us to request everything we needed.

The culinary experience, however, stood in stark contrast to the service. The dishes we eventually received were nothing short of delightful, offering a testament to the kitchen's prowess. The portions were generous, clearly designed with sharing in mind, and represented excellent value for money. Each bite conveyed a richness and authenticity of flavor that was thoroughly enjoyable.

In conclusion, Chimaek Gana offers a mixed dining experience. While the restaurant excels in creating a comfortable ambiance and serves delectable, shareable portions that satisfy both palate and pocket, the service significantly detracts from the overall experience. For future patrons, the allure of Chimaek Gana's culinary offerings might be enough reason to visit, but setting expectations regarding the service...

Chimaek Gana in downtown Montreal delivers a friendly atmosphere and generous portions of Korean fried chicken.

We were late to our reservation, but the staff accommodated us and held our table, setting a friendly tone for the evening. Our server expertly guided us through popular dishes, including the flavorful Truffle Boneless Fried Chicken and the Korean army stew.

Diving into our chosen dishes, the Korean Army Stew emerged as a standout, its rich flavors elevated further when opting for ramen over rice. The addition of a portable gas stove maintained the stew’s warmth throughout the meal, adding a pleasant dining experience. The Truffle Boneless Fried Chicken, though had great flavours, faced a slight setback with a thick batter, resulting in a drier texture. But dipping the chicken into the flavorsome stew, helped with the texture. Note to fellow diners: selecting the drumstick option might not be as dry.

The ambiance, casual yet vibrant, welcomed a mix of locals and university students, creating a lively backdrop to our dining experience. The pricing structure was fair, offering value for money with portions that left us pleasantly satiated.

In terms of service, it seemed like they were understaffed, which led to some delays in water refill etc. but a small drawback on an overall warm ambiance and the staff’s accommodating nature.

For those navigating transportation, finding parking can be challenging, so the metro is recommended.

In conclusion, Chimaek Gana provides an enticing combination of friendly service, fair pricing, and flavorful dishes, making it a a good spot for Korean fried chicken enthusiasts...

Very cool place for Korean fried chicken :) reasonable price and quantity (See images for ref.) Fried chicken platters are around 22-28$ Service is on point.

Batter is light and fluffy. The flavour comes mainly from the sauce. They have a good amount of flavour choices and along with the flavour choice you can also choose the “cut”; Boneless/Drumsticks/Wings

I have had the “opportunity” (went 3 times this month :D) to try the:

Nyeomtta: Very spicy (buldak spicy noodle like sauce) comes garnished with the actual noodle and topped with seaweed flakes.

Bul galbi: The marinade probably most comon at most kbbq joints for the beef. (Sweet) comes with some veggies and rice cakes.

Honey butter: I found it a tad too sweet but its honey so it is expected. Buttery taste was strong. Perfect if you are sharing with someone that ordered the Nyeomtta.

Truffle: Very aromatic and strong truffle taste. This one had no sauce but is submerged in Parmesan. Pleasant surprise

Comes with unlimited pickled radish too but last time I went (yesterday) there seemed to be an issue with the daikon prep so the waitress went and got us a bunch of take out radish. Super cool of her 🫰🏻

Dining room decorations were very cool. Nice ambience. Two floor layout with a basement kitchen making the dumb waiter usage a very cool system.

All in all recommended if you are looking for great korean fried chicken with very reasonable price. For someone who eats a lot (I think) one order was more than enough. Good enough for two people with less appetite 🙂 Will go back...