New Seoul Korean Restaurant — Restaurant in Ōtara-Papatoetoe

We recently dined at New Soul Korea restaurant and had a great experience overall. We ordered the sweet and spicy chicken as well as the stir-fried pork, and both dishes were full of bold, authentic Korean flavours. The sweet and spicy chicken was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and generously coated in a sticky, well-balanced sauce that had a nice kick without being too overwhelming. It hit that perfect spot between savoury and sweet. The stir-fried pork was also a standout, with tender slices of meat cooked in a rich sauce and served with fresh vegetables that added both crunch and balance to the dish.

The portions were quite generous, and we left feeling full and satisfied. The presentation of the dishes was clean and appealing, and the service throughout our visit was polite and efficient. The staff were attentive without being intrusive, and the food came out relatively quickly despite the restaurant being fairly busy.

One thing to note is that the prices are a little on the higher side, especially when compared to more casual Korean eateries. However, given the quality of the ingredients and the overall dining experience, it still felt worth it. The restaurant itself is modern and cozy, with a relaxed atmosphere that makes it suitable for both casual meals and small group gatherings.

Parking was not an issue at all — there’s ample parking nearby which made getting in and out very easy, especially for a busy area like Botany. All in all, it is a great spot for those looking to enjoy well-executed Korean comfort food with a...

Tonight was our first time visiting under the new name and management. We were long-time fans of Daamso and used to drive 30 minutes just to eat there. Unfortunately, this visit didn’t live up to what we loved about the old place.

Atmosphere

The new logo is nice, and the updated interior and furnishings are appealing. It feels more modern and refined.

Food

We ordered three main dishes to share: a fish roe soup, bibimbap, and beef short ribs (galbi), the last one being a new addition to the menu. Fish roe soup: Disappointing. The portion was noticeably smaller than it used to be, and the flavour was quite bland. The kitchen actually made a mistake and brought us a spicy beef soup at first. When we pointed it out, they said we could keep it—which we appreciated—but we were glad we didn’t order it ourselves. It had a tiny amount of meat and felt like poor value. Bibimbap: This was the highlight. Smoky, flavourful, and well-balanced. If we had to nitpick, perhaps slightly underseasoned. Beef short ribs: Tasted a bit off, intense and almost gamey. Possibly just the marinade that we weren’t used to, but mixed reactions for us.

Side Dishes

Average overall. The seaweed salad was very dry and lacked seasoning. The fish cakes were mushy, like they’d been sitting in liquid too long. Not appetising.

Overall

We probably won’t be returning. The previous owner gave the place a real family-run, welcoming feel that’s missing now. Sad to see one of our favourite spots lose its character. Another one...

Opened yesterday under new name "New Seoul" and was excited to visit today to have lunch with a friend. We were regular diners in the past while under Daamso. I had the porkbone soup which was a disappointment. Although the flavour was nice, the meat was tough and chewy. Not the usual cut of meat where the meat would fall off the bones. And no potatoes! Isn't that standard? Hardly any greens either in the soup. My friend had the honey garlic fried chicken. They should rename this to Dried Chicken! There was hardly any sauce covering the chicken either and she asked for more but that didn't help resuscitate the dish. I voiced my disappointment with the new Manager. He told me it is the same chef. Perhaps they shouldn't have cut his budget soo much because the quality of the food has definitely dropped and the prices have gone up. Sorry, I won't be...