소나무 Sonamu Restaurant — Restaurant in Anaheim

While staying in Anaheim, we were in search of a Korean restaurant and came across Sonamu, a cozy spot tucked away in an older retail shopping center. Despite its modest location, we were warmly welcomed by the wait staff upon entering, which gave us a good first impression.

Curious to try something different, we noticed 육수불고기 (Yuksoo Bulgogi) on the menu—a seasoned sliced beef dish served in beef broth, which is not commonly found in most Korean restaurants. Since the dish required a minimum order of two, we decided to go for it. Along with the main dish, the restaurant served a variety of banchan (side dishes) that not only looked fresh but tasted good, adding a nice touch to the meal. However, when the 육수불고기 arrived, I couldn’t help but feel that the presentation and the overall quality of the dish fell slightly short of expectations. The beef slices appeared to have more visible fat layers than I preferred, lacking the lean, high-quality cut that elevates this dish. The accompanying vegetables were standard and didn’t add anything particularly special or flavorful to the dish. Once everything was cooked, the broth itself was just average—pleasant, but lacking the depth and richness that could have made it memorable. Service-wise, while the staff was friendly at the beginning, they were not consistently attentive during the meal. Even though the restaurant wasn’t particularly busy, it was difficult to get assistance when needed, and we often had to help ourselves before any staff stopped by again. In a highly competitive restaurant market, especially in a food-savvy area like Anaheim, such gaps in service can make a significant difference in customer satisfaction.

Overall, while Sonamu has potential and offers some traditional menu items that are not easily found elsewhere, I feel that improvements in both food quality and service are necessary if they want to thrive in this competitive industry. With some refinement in these areas, they could truly set themselves apart and attract a...

Kind smiles. Clean space. Real Korean flavor. Let our amazing female staff make your day.

The weather was so hot that I went out to eat Korean cold noodles for the first time in a while. I ordered mul naengmyeon as the main dish and added spicy bibim naengmyeon noodles. The noodles are made by pulling them out directly in the store, so the taste is completely different from that of other restaurants that buy them from the supermarket.

The broth is also top-notch. It has almost no seasoning smell, so the taste is not strong, but it is the style of Pyongyang Naengmyeon in Korea.

You will know the taste of cold noodles after eating it 3-4 times. It is definitely ranked 2nd in the OC area for cold noodles.

If you think the cold noodles taste bland and not very tasty, add a spoonful...

My friend and her husband treated me to dinner before my flight the next day. We were looking for a good meal and my sister said, just a 2 minute drive from her residence, we’d be able to enjoy a nice dinner. Checked out the restaurant but we left quickly based on the initial impression. Our second attempt was much better. The interior design was fancy and decent, most importantly, the smile of the staff was so welcoming. We were seated right away and water with ice was served. Studied the menu for some familiar Korean cuisine, which didn’t take long. Food came out and we feasted on the table amidst great conversation. Bulgogi, fish eggs and spicy soup and salad made my day!...