Itaewon Restaurant Tongue & Groove Joint — Restaurant in Seoul

Weirdest and most uncomfortable experience at this place just now. We sat down, attempted to order 2 vegetarian hot bibimbap and one meat dish. The meat dish was from the second menu not their main meat menu. The man who came to take our order who was also the man on the front desk, was really huffing and sighing at our order, and told us in a really angry way we all have to order a meat item from the first meat menu. We explained 2 of us are vegetarian so can’t. I can’t explain in words his reaction and body expressions trying to process this information and tell us that it’s not possible. As stated, sighing frustratingly as if we are crazy! If he had politely explained the reasons why we need to, we would have not left feeling like we did. But no effort was made to be polite. Once we understood his problem, we asked for 2 more minutes to discuss together our plan, then he points to his watch and says we need to decide fast (as if a vegetarian is now going to order meat to please the server!) and looks at us as if we are really bad customers and really being difficult asking for 2 minutes to decide our plan, we would have probably ordered a few drinks each the total time we were there. So it’s really their loss. We just walked out we were so shocked by what went down. His facial and body expressions were completely alien to us and I’ve never seen such behaviour in a restaurant before.

They weren’t full at all I don’t understand why they were rushing us! It’s 21:30 on a Friday and they had so many tables free. They were literally closing an hour or so after, don’t you think they would have appreciated the custom and potential good review for the sake of letting us in and not all order meat?

Just very rude service. Don’t go here! Just want your money! We went to a place up the road, they were much...

Tong and Groove Joint gets a thumbs up from me! The restaurant was big, modern, and neat, with a very attentive staff. The location was close to the Itaewon train station, a 2-minute walk, so it was easy to find. Our group dined in a room that was spacious and private. We ordered lamb and Korean beef (not sure which part) with some side dishes and a few bottles of wine. The staff grilled the meat, a service typical in upscale restaurants in South Korea, and it was soooooo good! The meat was juicy inside and slightly crispy outside, just the way I wanted! Of course, their side dishes complimented our taste buds to perfection! I believe they use top-grade meat, so what can go wrong, right?^^ Now for the side dishes…I LOVED their spicy green salad, steamed egg, pork kimchi stew, tofu salad, and spicy fried rice. The spicy sauce on the green salad was so awesome and it was different from what I’m used to in Korean restaurants, BTW green salad is a complimentary side dish, so you don’t have to order it separately. The tofu salad reminded me of Agedashi tofu in a fine Japanese restaurant, but better with a bigger portion! The spicy fried rice, which wrapped up our meal at the end, was amazingly delicious! I’m salivating just thinking about it. Our group really enjoyed the food, service, and ambiance at the Tong and Groove Joint! I must return with my family and try the other...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Hidden Gem for Korean BBQ Lovers!

If you’re a fan of high-quality beef and exceptional service, this Korean restaurant is an absolute must-visit. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and genuine hospitality that made us feel right at home.

The star of the show? The beef steaks — hands down some of the best I’ve ever had. Perfectly marbled, incredibly tender, and bursting with flavor, each bite was a reminder of what top-grade meat should taste like. Whether grilled by the staff or cooked at your table, the meat was consistently juicy and cooked to perfection.

The staff went above and beyond to ensure we had an unforgettable experience. They were not only attentive and knowledgeable about the menu but also genuinely friendly and eager to share recommendations. Their passion for what they do really shows — it’s rare to find service this personal and thoughtful.

The atmosphere was cozy yet vibrant, ideal for both casual dinners and special occasions. Every detail, from the presentation of the side dishes to the pacing of the meal, was handled with care and professionalism.

Highly recommended for anyone craving authentic Korean BBQ with premium cuts of beef and top-notch service. I’ll definitely be...