Sodam Korea — Restaurant in Sarnia

We couldn’t be happier to finally have an authentic Korean restaurant in Sarnia—welcome, Sodam! Gone are the days of long drives to London or Mississauga to satisfy our cravings. From the moment we stepped inside, we knew this place was special. The warm, heartfelt greeting from the owner, Ju, made us feel like cherished guests in her home rather than customers in her restaurant.

And the food? Simply phenomenal. The house-made kimchi was so irresistible I couldn’t help but ask for refills—a rare indulgence for me! Our feast included pork bone soup, chicken katsu, seafood pancake, and bulgogi. Each dish was bursting with flavor, and while it was far more than two people could finish, the leftovers made for an equally enjoyable meal the next day.

The ambiance at Sodam is just as inviting as the food. Warm lighting and cozy private booths make it an ideal spot for date nights, yet the menu is perfectly approachable for families—even without a designated kids’ menu. The vibe is always lively, especially on busier nights, and it’s clear this restaurant is quickly becoming a community favorite.

This visit, we treated ourselves to the Pork Bone Hot Pot—a true showstopper. Don’t let the name fool you; it’s loaded with tender, flavorful meat and hearty enough to satisfy a table of four. It’s the kind of dish that brings everyone together.

And then there’s the dessert: bingsu. This Korean icy delight is the perfect way to end a meal. Finely shaved ice is layered with toppings like sweetened condensed milk, fresh fruit, and other delicious surprises, creating a dessert that’s light, refreshing, and wonderfully indulgent. It’s not just a treat for the taste buds but a visually stunning dish that adds a touch of magic to your dining experience.

Thank you, Ju, for your warm hospitality and to your amazing team for delivering one of Sarnia’s finest dining experiences. We’re already looking forward to...

We recently visited Sodam Korea and unfortunately, the experience did not live up to its 4+ star rating.

We ordered one Coors Light beer, a Milkis drink (carbonated drink.), army stew, and spicy chicken. The army stew was served in a very small, shallow bowl that couldn’t hold all the ingredients—like noodles and meat—making it messy and cramped. The portion was disappointing, and the variety of sausages and pork in the stew lacked balance. The bowl should’ve been deeper, especially for a stew dish.

The spicy chicken came in just four small pieces and was a big letdown—dry, hard, overly sweet, and not enjoyable.

We were given two bowls of sticky rice with the main dishes, and before the meal arrived, we were served kimchi, squash, and onion as side dishes. The only highlight was being seated in a semi-private cabin space, which was cozy and pleasant.

Now, the service—while they might have five-star ratings online, I personally give it one star, and if there were an option to give below zero, I absolutely would. service was very slow. We waited 30 minutes before someone came to take our order—only after we had to get up and ask for help. Once the order was taken, it took another 30–40 minutes for the food to arrive. When we spoke with the server, we were told they had just reopened after a 2–3 week vacation, but it felt like the team was unprepared and unmotivated.

For a Korean restaurant in Sarnia with such high ratings, In fact, the high rating is not deserved at all—not just because of the service, but also because the food quality, taste, and overall vibe were all very disappointing. The food and service fell short. We hope they take this feedback seriously and work on improving both the taste and hospitality. This place has a...

We thoroughly enjoyed the cuisine; it all seemed to be crafted from scratch and was exceptionally flavorful. It would be great to have the option to adjust the spiciness, with choices ranging from mild to medium and hot. I opted for the pork dish, and while I appreciated the heat, my wife wouldn't have enjoyed it as much, despite it being marked with just one chili (as indicated on the menu). However, when it comes to authentic Korean cuisine, we lack the expertise to make a definitive judgment, as this is only our second visit to a Korean restaurant. The service was outstanding—warm and attentive. The portion sizes were quite generous; my wife ended up taking half of her meal home, and even I couldn't finish my portion. The prices seemed reasonable; our total bill, including taxes and a 20% tip, came to $63. While the restaurant's location isn't our favorite, we believe it would be better situated downtown on Christina or Front Street. One area that could be improved is the menu descriptions; some dishes were written only in Korean with no accompanying explanations.

We will definitely return to try different dishes. I hope this restaurant succeeds and becomes Sarnia's first Korean restaurant, offering a refreshing alternative to the numerous pizza and burger...