Dadabi • Alajuela — Restaurant in Alajuela

Dadabi Strikes Again! Now in Cariari, Belén.

The well-loved Korean BBQ and ramen spot just opened its second branch in Cariari, and I couldn't be happier. As someone who’s been a loyal Uber Eats customer and has visited their original location, having my favorite ramen place just 10 minutes away feels like a personal win.

Wanting to support Juan Wu and his beautiful family (the restaurant is actually named after his son, bet you didn’t know that one! And if you did, then you’re a regular like me 😉), I had to come check it out in person.

🍜 My go-to? The classic beef ramen. Perfectly cooked noodles (never enough, if I’m honest), soft-boiled eggs (two in my case), and tender beef slices that make you go chef’s kiss. Rich, flavorful broth that warms your soul.

🐔 Honey Mustard Chicken Cutlet Korean-style fried chicken? Sign me up. Crispy, juicy, and generously coated in honey mustard (you can choose other sauces too). The sweet radish cubes on the side? They make the flavor pop.

🥟 Spring Rolls (First time trying) Crispy outside, warm and flavorful inside. The ginger added a nice twist, and the dipping sauce elevated the whole experience.

✨ Service? Juan Wu himself! It’s not every day the owner helps you pick the best dishes and genuinely wants you to enjoy your meal. Whether you're out with family, friends, or solo-slurping ramen, it just feels good to be here.

🎶 The vibe? Korean modern, cozy, and squeaky clean. K-pop in the background adds a fun touch that completes the experience.

If you're anywhere near Cariari or Alajuela, go say hi to Juan for me. He might just hand you one of the delicious guava candies he gifts at the end. Perfect for ramen lovers, first-timers, or anyone craving a little Eastern nostalgia. Highly...

My boyfriend and I stumbled upon Dadabi on a whim, and honestly, we’re so glad we did. I’m American, he’s from the area, and it’s not always easy to find something that surprises both of us — but the Korean fried chicken here completely blew us away.

Sweet, spicy, ultra-crispy, and packed with flavor — this chicken goes way beyond your typical fried chicken. It came with a side of shredded cabbage that gave the dish a cool, refreshing crunch and really balanced the richness perfectly. It’s one of those meals you keep talking about long after you’ve left the table.

We hadn’t considered Dadabi before, but now we’re already talking about when we can come back. If you’re in Alajuela and craving something bold, delicious, and made with care, go to Dadabi. You will...

We stopped in here for our last night in San Jose. It’s open air and the breeze was quite cold so that’s why I’m not giving many stars for atmosphere. The service forgot we had ordered our beer and it took till almost the end of the meal for them to bring it. The food was decent though seems like a clean kitchen. The fruit tea was not at all what I expected. It was basically chunks of fruit and passionfruit seeds, which was not exactly agreeable or easy to drink. It felt more like a mashed fruit salad. The Ramen was just all right. The Gyoza were very tasty and the Bimbibop - Not as spicy as we would have liked. It’s clean and easy to find but some as someone who loves Korean food, definitely not the best Korean restaurant I’ve...