Korean Superette — Restaurant in Berkeley

Clean, cozy, and charming eatery and mini-market tucked away on Solano Ave.

The restaurant is back behind the kitchen and includes a cute patio (with heaters!) that features a gorgeous magnolia tree.

The steaming spicy Korean soups were the perfect meals to enjoy during a chilly January evening. I had the doenjangjjigae (spicy soy bean beef stew) and the spicy fried tofu — both came out steaming and maintained their flavor even as things cooled off. Everything was high quality.

The service was quick and attentive and we had no problem splitting the check across two cards. They were very friendly without being over attentive, giving us the space we needed for a good dinner catch up between friends.

This place is a longtime favorite of my Berkeley friend and I’m so glad I finally got a chance to try it with her. I’ll be back again soon — and might grab some Korean groceries (like kimchi and marinated bulgogi)...

Wow! Delightful setting, both indoors and out. Their back patio is really charming, under the trees and with some planter boxes around. It feels really secluded from the bustle of Solano.

Playful inside, with the shelves stocked with a bunch of Korean products like instant noodles /ramen bowls, BTS cold brew, homemade kimchi, Korean teas, etc. Their food is a perfect blend of using good ingredients, and flavoring those ingredients with a bunch of savory flavors to make it all super tasty, without being over salted or over flavored.

And the service was very friendly and welcoming. You can tell it’s run by people who care, and who want to invite you into their space, whether to hang out and chat over an iced matcha latte, or share a meal of ramen and bento boxes and tasty rice bowls with people you love while surrounded...

Came here with my partner on a whim and had a delightful experience.

The best way we were able to describe the experience was “like being in a family friend’s home.”

The ambience (back patio especially!), the food, and the service (hospitality may be a better word here) are all understated in the best way possible. It feels less like you’re at a restaurant that’s trying to sell you high-dollar meals and more like you’ve been invited to share in a set of lovingly curated foods.

The banchan is some of the best I’ve ever had. We got the bul go gi bento and the vegetable curry. Both were seasoned in a way that reminded me of home cooking and were as tasty as the were nourishing.

We left feeling delighted with both food and experience. Coming here is like being briefly in a different world. You really need to try it...