Lamajoun — Restaurant in Richmond

I decided to give this place a try because of how highly rated it is (4.9 stars - 848 reviews). After trying it out, I am very confused as to how it is rated this highly. My experience was not anywhere close to 5 stars unfortunately.

First off, the upstairs dining area is smoky (perhaps from the kitchen?). Luckily it didn't affect me, but I do find it odd. Not sure if it would pass a safety inspection.

My table was dirty and there was no other table to use.

The food is not served to you - they give you a device that buzzes once your food is ready, and then you go grab it from a pick-up area. This is not a huge deal, but it is certainly not as convenient as having the food served to you.

I am not against tipping, but if I had known I would be serving myself and that my table was going to be dirty, I would have re-considered giving a tip because there is no service.

The plates they use should be much bigger. If you unfold the flat bread that the food is served in, a lot of it will lay on the table.

The chicken and the veggies were good, but the pork was bad. Dry, and not very tasty. The dumplings were ok. The portions are very small for the price you pay (I spent close to $50 for two people). I wasn't anywhere close to being full after the meal.

Edit/Reply to Owner:

"Instead of writing this review" - the whole point of reviews is to leave feedback and detail your experience. Why should I have to approach the owner just to receive a clean table, a non-smoky eating area, good sized portions, etc.

You seem to complain to most customers who give you a bad review. How about you do less finger pointing and perhaps take some accountability.

Edit 2:

It looks like the owner removed their reply to my review. Their reply was extremely rude and it said something along the lines of me not being brave, wise, or humane enough to bring up my issues to them in person. They also said the review was ridiculous?

Edit 3:

The owner has now re-added a reply, but changed...

I am sorry but I need to be fair! I put my first experience here and then later my second experience which is completely opposite to the first one!

A great family team who are delivering their best to their customers, as you feel you travelled to Georgia!

You will enjoy a real taste of traditional foods of Georgia and Anatoli including Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaidjan, and etc. with a team who are committed to do their best. I tried also their Sojug(that area sausage), Basturma(similar to prosciutto with organic taste and local spices) and founded it exact taste.

I recommend Lamajoun to those who want to try original flavour of Anatolian and Georgian foods.

I can’t count to my next visit to try their lamb chops, pide, and all their other foods.

Today I was there for second time, based on my first experience I was excited to taste there a new dishes! but unfortunately unlike the first time I was not happy with each of my orders except Baklava! So I dedcut two stars from first review! The borscht soup includes cabbage, carrot, potato, beets and tomato the main taste of borscht soup should come from cabbage but the soup doesn’t have any specific taste maybe the mix of hot water, tomato paste and and adding some vegetables at last minute(disappointing)! -the main coarse was lamb chops, I can’t say it was bad but I won’t say I will try it next time. It was very hard to cut and the plate was very small for the portion.(you need more space to such hard dish to be cut)

The reason I put this comments here is that I hope they to be more carful for the quality and their productions. I have not drove a long distance for such a low quality unlike...

Tucked away in an industrial area at 11782 River Rd #128, Richmond, BC, Lamajoun is the epitome of a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by food aficionados. Don't be fooled by the modest exterior; this unassuming hole in the wall houses a culinary wonderland.

The key to a memorable experience at Lamajoun is to explore the menu in its entirety, including the mouthwatering desserts. Pro tip: call ahead for catering or to pre-order their marinated chicken - it's the most tender and flavorful chicken you'll ever taste. And don't miss out on their borscht, a true taste bud tango!

The owner, ever-present and personable, brings a unique and innovative approach to serving food. Upon entering, you'll find yourself ordering at the counter beside the bustling, spotless kitchen. Once you've made your selections, you'll receive a buzzer and head upstairs to the dining area.

The second floor features aluminum perforated tables, a cozy atmosphere with plants, a small TV, and a DIY Google surround sound system. The washroom is very clean, and a water dispenser ensures you stay hydrated. But the real surprise is the ingenious robotic mechanism that delivers your food straight from the kitchen upstairs via a small elevator. Talk about a futuristic dining experience!

The presentation of the dishes transports you to the heart of Armenia, with each plate showcasing fresh, beautifully arranged ingredients. I highly recommend you visit Lamajoun and take your taste buds on an unforgettable Armenian journey.

Compliments to the Owner and the Staff, who, by the way, seem to be all part...