OKJA - Ristorante coreano — Restaurant in Milan

Honestly, I was so so so disappointed in this restaurant to the point where I am writing a review. To preface, I'm from Canada and I'm Korean so I've had a lot a lot of authentic korean food and my standards are higher.

IT'S NOT EVEN OWNED BY A KOREAN. IT'S OWNED BY CHINESE PEOPLE

While I did hear that asian/globally ethnic food in Italy is not as good, this place honestly let me down further than my lowest expectations.

Service: The service was so bad. Banchan (side dishes) are ALWAYS complementary at korean restaurants, but at this restaurant, they gave us skimpy portions and when we asked for more (they gave us 3 servings for 9 people), they said that they couldn't give us more. I've made these dishes before. Honestly the marginal cost of these side dishes is SO LITTLE, the fact that we were all paying like 15-20 euros each and we got so little side dishes was so disheartening. In addition, they did not let us bring any outside water and charged us 3.5euros for water. While I understand that this is standard, it worsened my perception of the restaurant for sure. LASTLY we all had to pay coperto (service fee) which is standard too but paying that fee for a subpar, low-quality restaurant just made my experience even more exponentially worse.

Let's say the service was okay but the food was good. I wouldn't have left this review then. But the food was even worse???

Food: Honestly, different dishes are so inconsistent. Yes, the chicken isn't bad (I've seen the reviews). The cold noodles and the bibimbap was okay too. But I paid 5.5 euros for 3 dumplings? Like what? And 3/9 of us ordered Sundubu (spicy tofu soup) and it was the most watered down, un-flavourful, untasty, yet weirdly spicy dish ever. THEY DID NOT EVEN INCLUDE RICE, WE HAD TO PAY ADDITIONAL FOR IT. Honestly I can't even describe how weird it tasted and they added ingredients that are not even authentic to the original dish.

Ambience: There was a dog just wandering around in the restaurant. Honestly, as a non-dog lover, it was such uncomfortable experience for me. While we were eating, the dog would come to us and beg for food and would start barking when people would walk by. What kind of indoor restaurant just lets a dog walk around while people are eating food?

Overall, I would NOT recommend to come here. Go literally anywhere else. I heard Li Sei (another korean restaurant) wasn't bad....

If you're craving an authentic Korean dining experience, look no further than Okja Korean Restaurant. Tucked away in a local neighborhood, this gem truly embodies the essence of Korean cuisine and respects the real characteristics of Korean restaurants. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with warm hospitality and a cozy atmosphere. The menu boasts a wide array of traditional Korean dishes, each bursting with flavors that transport you straight to Seoul. From sizzling bulgogi to savory bibimbap, every dish is prepared with care and attention to detail. One of the highlights of Okja is their commitment to authenticity. The flavors here are true to Korean tradition, with ingredients sourced meticulously to ensure an authentic taste. Whether you're a seasoned Korean food enthusiast or a newcomer to the cuisine, Okja offers something to delight every palate. In addition to the delicious food, the ambiance at Okja is inviting and comfortable, making it the perfect spot for a casual meal with friends or a cozy dinner with loved ones. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to recommend dishes and provide insight into Korean culinary culture. Overall, Okja Korean Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Korea in a local setting. With its dedication to preserving the true essence of Korean cuisine, Okja delivers an unforgettable dining experience that will leave you coming...

Can’t say anything about the food, but by the reviews left by koreans and people who actually know authentic korean food - I guess we dodged a bullet. We went there without a reservation, but were willing to wait. Asked the guy at the register and he told us to come back in 30mins. We come back in 30mins other couple is already waiting. Okay. We stand behind them and then another couple comes after us. The guy whom we talked to about coming back in 30mins is nowhere to be found, another woman who works there comes and seats everyone (including the people who came after us also without a reservation) before us. I would say the service sucks. They could’ve tried an alternative, like at least offered us to get the food take away. It felt like being completely ignored and disregarded. If you can’t seat people at least don’t make them wait in vain and then ignore them. We will look for more authentic korean food restaurants that actually care about...