OZEN KOREA RESTAURANT — Restaurant in Ontario

A Seoul-ful Experience

With a 1600 post-run caloric deficit and a ravenous hunger wailing to be satiated, I opened the doors to Ozen and was immediately greeted by the artistic sights, K-Pop sounds, and smells of a populated Korean establishment. A cheerful waitress provided a warm greeting and motioned to the nearest table. Comfortably seated, menus in hand, the search for the sacred jewel had begun, Bibimbap. After minutes of searching through an assortment of varied soups, dishes, and appetizers, all bombarded with the notable chili symbol, the WHMIS warning label of the dining experience, the metaphorical oasis in the desert unveiled itself. Scanning through the glossy menu covering, a choice hijacked the decision, sizzling stone, or non-sizzle, each with its own merits, however, one was the obvious choice. After much deliberation regarding other items, all worthy of a repeat visit, the perfectly centered bell chime was pushed on the wall, and promptly responded to. Within minutes an assortment of kimchi, spicy zucchini, chow mien, and what initially appeared to be sliced pears dripping in a sticky sweet sauce was laid out. After further investigation, and much to my surprise, the pears were potatoes, no complaints accompanied this newfound revelation.

Almost on cue, the swift arrival of two steaming stone bowls of bibimbap was accompanied by the sultry, smooth introduction of Jung Kook’s lyrics in BTS’ “Dynamite” began to radiate throughout the dining room. The real dynamite was the addition of the Korean hot sauce to the dish. The perfect, euphoric blend of sweet, and spicy (but not Hot One’s material), melting over the dish and seeping through the first line of defense to the tender rice underneath. The meal was an artistic marvel, a part of me grimaced breaking the soft egg and watching the yolk rain down like a waterfall onto the section of succulent beef and carrots. The exquisite blend of meat, egg, vegetables, and rice danced across my palate, no consecutive bite being a duplicate of the last. The meal seemed like an endless excavation into the depths of a scared tomb, the stone bowl showing no signs of conclusion, almost taunting me to venture further, to seek the true prize of the meal. What waited for me, was no less than true perfection. The first bite of the crispy rice which laced the bottom linings of the bowl widened my eyes, like waking up on Christmas morning to find the GT Snow Racer you’ve been begging for laying under the tree. The mix of crunchy and soft, paraded across the taste buds, and now even more so drenched with hot sauce after clearing the remaining drops onto the dish from its container. For a moment, Seoul was within reach, only to be snapped back into reality when the bowl was empty. Emotions flooded my psyche, both joy, and sorrow. Knowing I would never again get to recreate this first experience. The dish concluded and I was once again reminded of the final gift this meal provided: The Price. What seemed like a steal, in these economic times, the $13.99 price tag felt like I had won the lottery. All in all, I walked out with my head held high, stomach full, and a perforated piece of Excel gum that the waitress sliced with precision to accompany the bill.

London Montreal* Ambiance 8.9 6.99 Service 9.4 7.379 Meal 9.2 7.222

Verdict: A pleasantly surprising first expedition into the realm of Bibimbap. Highly recommended, would savor crunchy rice again.

*Montreal Rating Scale (MRS) to London scores contain a 0.785 weighting. MRS demonstrates high reliability and both internal and external validity across Canadian cities, from Halifax to Whistler. MRS is not yet available for US comparisons due to a lack of...

I’ve been living in London for around 9 years now and this has been my go to spot for most of my time here. In the past year or so I’ve noticed the quality of food go down and I stopped going as often. I tried going again recently and my experience was just awful. So much so that I want to post this and warn that people don’t go near the place.

I bought two dishes - the gamjatang (I think that’s how you spell it) hot pot, and roasted pork hot plate.

The hot plate was good at first but then had clearly spoiled pork. We called over the waitress and informed her. I told her - this tastes spoiled, would you be able to throw this out and replace it with just half (roughly how much we ate). She said not to worry they would replace the whole plate. Not necessary, but kind of her.

She brought out the plate and shortly after we noticed that the plate was piping hot (more than usual) and most pork was charred. Meaning that they simply threw it on the grill in the back, charred it, and presented it as new. This was disappointing because it was an obvious disregard on their behalf. A conscious choice was made which to me reflects the attitude of the restaurant.

Afterwards we started eating the hot pot and noticed it was off as well.

The waitress came by and asked if the hot plate was better. Again disappointing because she is aware of what was done, and it was almost a spit in the face to see if their machination worked. It was disheartening.

Took the food home, thought I could salvage some of it. I couldn’t salvage the hot pot at all. Salvaged some of the hot plate.

As I was finishing it off, found a metal shaving in the food about an inch long and a few mm wide. Probably from some rigid aluminum wrapping.

Overall disappointing and at the end, and might have caused injury.

I am usually extremely lenient with the food. There can be a bad batch, it gets sent back, everything gets resolved no problem.

This time I couldn’t find a rationalization. A conscious choice was made to return my food burnt and not replaced. This, in addition to the year or so beforehand, shows to me complacency, disregard, and a complete degradation in moral standards. The result here is someone being poisoned, injured, and definitely feeling like you have been shortchanged coming out of it.

Completely disappointed and no longer coming here or bringing anyone here. Unfortunate because this used to be one of my favourite places for...

If you’re craving an unforgettable dining experience that combines flavor, fun, and a touch of fire, look no further than this Korean BBQ spot! From the moment you step inside, the sizzling aroma of grilled meats fills the air and instantly sets the mood for a feast.

The restaurant offers an impressive selection of meats — from tender marinated bulgogi to perfectly marbled pork belly and juicy short ribs. Each cut is fresh, seasoned to perfection, and brought to your table ready to grill just the way you like it. The interactive cooking experience makes the meal not only delicious but also engaging and social.

What truly elevates the experience are the banchan — the small side dishes that accompany the main course. Kimchi, pickled radish, spicy cucumber salad, and steamed egg balance the richness of the meat beautifully. The variety keeps every bite exciting and full of contrast.

Service is attentive and friendly, with staff always ready to help with grilling tips or quick refills. The atmosphere is lively yet cozy, making it a great place for both casual dinners and special gatherings.

Overall, this Korean BBQ spot delivers on every front — flavor, freshness, and fun. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned K-BBQ lover, this place will leave you full, happy, and already planning your next visit.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) A must-try for anyone who enjoys good food and great company...