Akaraka — Restaurant in Zurich

3RD RESPONSE:

Your response only reinforces my original review. The issue was never about 4.5 CHF, but about integrity and respect toward customers. Dismissing a valid complaint because you think the amount is ‘too small’ to matter shows exactly why I would not recommend this restaurant.

I did not order the water. When your staff placed an already opened bottle in front of me, it was not unreasonable to assume it was part of my order. To blame me for drinking what was presented is a deflection of responsibility.

What is most concerning is your attempt to discredit me by suggesting a ‘pattern’ in my comments and even bringing up your server’s nationality. That has nothing to do with this situation and comes across as unprofessional and inappropriate.

For context, I serve in the U.S. military and am currently pursuing two master’s degrees at an Ivy League university. I hold myself to high standards of integrity and accountability, and I expect the same from businesses I support. This is not about a minor charge—it is about how customers are treated. Your dismissive and personal response speaks for itself.

MY RESPONSE AFTER THE OWNER REPLIED:

I want to make my experience very clear. I explicitly told the waitress not to offer me water. Despite that, she opened the bottle in front of me, removing my ability to refuse. At that point, I drank the water, but this was only after being forced into it. The restaurant then charged me for something I clearly did not order.

From a legal and ethical perspective, this is concerning:

Lack of Consent (Swiss Code of Obligations) – A valid contract requires mutual consent. I did not consent to purchase bottled water. By unilaterally opening the bottle, your staff imposed a service I did not request, which could be seen as a violation of contractual fairness.

Unfair Commercial Practice (Unfair Competition Act – UWG/UCA) – The Unfair Competition Act prohibits business conduct that is misleading, aggressive, or unfair toward consumers. Forcing an unwanted product by opening it in front of me—despite my refusal—could be viewed as an aggressive practice designed to exploit the customer.

Breach of Good Faith (Swiss Civil Code – Art. 2 ZGB) – Swiss law requires all parties to act in good faith in transactions. Ignoring a customer’s clear refusal and then charging for it is the opposite of good faith behavior.

For the record, I did not show any bad behavior toward the waitress. Either the owner is lying in their response or the waitresses are lying to cover themselves. In both cases, it reflects poorly on the restaurant’s integrity. I encourage future customers to check the restaurant’s previous lowest reviews—this pattern speaks for itself.

I will not go back here anymore and will inform the filipino, and other Asians in the United States and in the Philippines about your unfair practices.

ORIGINAL RESPONSE:

I never ordered water, yet the waiter brought me one. I assumed it was complimentary, as many restaurants do. At the end, they tried to charge me for it. I explained that money was not the issue, but that good customer service requires attentiveness and listening. Instead of handling the situation professionally, the owner became upset and even stepped into my personal space as if looking for a confrontation. I stood my ground and told him he was wrong. He even asked me where I was from, but this was never about my ethnicity or background—it was about poor customer service. In the end, they did not charge me for the water, but the way they handled the situation was unacceptable. Very unprofessional, and I will...

My original review (Sat, 17.05.25): For those who knows Korean food, this is, to be sincerely honest and with all due respect, below par because, as Korean food lovers, we expected some of the dishes such as Tteokbokki to be handmade instead of bought, and some of the salad dishes with the plain vegetables aren't Korean dishes. The Bibimbap was also served without egg. The dessert was a plain supermarket ice cream that is definitely not Korean.

The Korean owner's singing is amazing but it couldn't compensate for the quality of food that we experienced; we left the restaurant feeling disappointed since we're certain that the owner is aware of the difference between authentic Korean food and what is served at his restaurant.

But for those who have no experience of Korean food, it might be more acceptable than what we experienced.

I know that restaurant is a very tough business, but in all honesty I cannot give a higher rating for the place and I hope that this review can push you to improve the restaurant to be as authentic as it claims to be.

On Sunday, 18.05.25, the owner replied: "So let me ask you bluntly: Are you, perhaps, working at another Asian restaurant here in Zurich? Or are you someone who is trying to start a "Korean-themed" place of your own?" (Comment deleted by him since then).

My response (19.05.25): I am simply a food-lover and I am NOT in the restaurant business at all;

Owner's reply (Sun, 18.05.25) - he deleted this comment: "Frankly, your tone reminded me of certain Japanese imperialist politicians who justify their past wrongdoings by blaming others and never looking inward. That mindset-of refusing reflection while passing judgment-is not one that earns respect, anywhere."

My response (19.05.25): it is very puzzling that the owner responded with a long-winded monologue about philosophy and world history while comparing a disappointed customer to an arrogant evil japanese emperor - I am NOT even Japanese - and evading any concrete response about the dishes I specifically commented on with sincerity.

My additional comment (19.05.25) after the owner's first response on Sun, 18.05.25: The raw cabbage in the salad was also partly the inedible part of cabbage near the stem which was bitter and hard. (When informed about this after the owner asked how the food was, he simply evaded the question by talking about something else entirely).

The other dishes were good. The atmosphere was uncomfortable because we felt forced to say that the food was amazing.

I came to the restaurant for dinner. The food for lunch I can't comment on, because I never experienced it (nor will I now wish to), but it is possible that the lunch dishes might be better than the dinner food.

(My ratings for the 3 categories of food, service and atmosphere and the overall rating have remained unchanged, although I was very tempted to change them all to one star after the owner's non-factual, adjective-laden speech of a response. But at the end of the day, the owner runs what I can only imagine to be a very stressful and competitive restaurant business and I would never wish him and his team any ill-fortunes; I have endeavoured to make as fair a criticism as I can be as a...

It was a very complicated experience. I want to point out three things that future customers probably need to take into consideration.

I went here with two other friends just for a random get-together. We are all into Korean food, so I was checking restaurants on Google Maps, and then I found this restaurant with rather good reviews and reasonable prices, as it was marked with two dollar signs ($$). So, I just booked a table for three without looking at their menu carefully, as I thought it was just like any other Korean restaurant, for example, Shilla or Misoga. However, when we arrived, we found it is actually quite pricey with average cost of 75 Fr. per person -- significantly more than expected. I have been to Shilla and it even costs less with three dollar signs ($$$) on Google Maps.

After knowing that we were not allowed to order dishes but only the set menu, we decided to leave. Because during the reservation they kept my credit card and I knew that if we didn’t show up or canceled less than 24 hours in advance, I would be charged 90 Fr., I asked the owner if it would be a problem if we left now, and he smiled and said it was okay, don’t worry. However, I noticed that they had charged me 90 Fr., so we went back to ask. It turned out that we had a miscommunication, and the owner was not able to clearly express the point in English. I said the reason we left was because we were not happy with the menu. I was surprised that the owner said it was our decision to come here, which means I should bear all the inconveniences. I realized there was no point in arguing but to eat here. So the three of us were kind of “forced” to dine in.

During the dining time, the young Korean staff guy was superb; I’d say without him we would not have enjoyed the dinner because the food itself was not impressive compared to the price. He was polite and tried to comfort us. Around the second course, the owner started to sing. He used to be a professional singer. We were initially very impressed, but then, after the first three songs, he sang another three, and then another three. He also explained his personal experience. In total, it might have taken 30 minutes, during which nobody talked; I felt it would be impolite to talk. But actually, the purpose of eating here was to talk to my friends, not to be forced to listen to music and the story of someone I completely don’t know, for 30 minutes.

He sang exceptionally well. However, the overall dining experience left me feeling uneasy, as it seemed I was “forced” into many actions from start to finish, adding significant stress. The most challenging aspect was the staff's exceedingly polite and kind demeanor, which subtly suggested that any issues I encountered were my own fault. This approach can be quite disconcerting.

On a positive note, the dining environment was outstanding, and the restaurant thoughtfully provided a celebration for someone's birthday. These gestures did enhance the ambiance. But I personally would never...