Korea House Restaurant — Restaurant in Boulder

I saw Michael Lee's review and became enraged. His comments on portion size are likely because he's used to ridiculous American serving sizes. I've been a regular at Korea House for over six years. The owner has NEVER broached the subject of politics. He wouldn't even engage in such discussion unless it was brought upon him. He's a hardworking and very punctual man that puts love into every dish he serves.

As someone who's lived in Japan and Korea, I can tell you this is 100% the best place to go if that's what you're craving. I grew up eating this cuisine, and the owner cooks it all to perfection. When I eat his food, memories of my childhood flash before my own mind.

If one is unaware of the cultural differences, his punctuality could be misinterpreted. In that case, it's not a "you problem," but a "me problem." It's not surprising to see the obvious lack of understanding in a town like Boulder that's chock-full of entitled brats who can't even entertain discourse with someone who doesn't adhere to their own philosphies.

The food is wonderful. The atmosphere makes me feel like I entered a time machine and am being served a home cooked meal in the living room of Taka, the Japanese woman who helped raise me as a child while my parents worked at Misawa Air Force Base.

Most of the "regulars" I've seen eating there throughout the years have been either Japanese or Korean. There's a reason for that - he does the best job of capturing an authentic meal and environment.

Korea House is my wife's, my father's, and my own go-to place for special occasions. The prices on his menu should be MUCH higher for the quality he provides, which is why I always tip him 100% of the bill. He provides something unique and special, and to tip him the same amount as the bill only feels appropriate.

Ignore the small minded poor reviews he's received. None of the negative reviews hold any merit - they're all obviously entitled Boulderites who know nothing about respecting cultural differences, expect gaudy serving sizes that are big enough to ensure half goes in the trash, and quick to get on their holy cell phones to bash this man, not knowing how it affects his business.

As long as Korea House is open for business, it will always be my #1 recommendation. It's a homey, welcoming environment that nowhere else can provide by a LONG shot. I just wish he wasn't in Boulder, because I've seen my fair share of customers just like Michael Lee. They're loud, entitled, and unbearable to dine around, much like the self obsessed idiots in theaters who ruin it for everyone by talking the entire time. That's Boulder in a nutshell. If you know what I'm talking about concerning Boulder, you know.

In response to that negative review, my wife will be going for lunch today and do what we always do - tip him generously for providing such a unique and memorable experience. She'll order bibimbap with a fried egg and ask for extra kimchi and pickled daikon radish. He'll be happy to see her and make her day. He'll know he's made her day by seeing the dishes wiped clean - which is indicative to a chef that he's done his job to perfection.

To all of you leaving negative reviews, go back to Panda Express, because you have zero grasp of the culture, the cuisne, the proper etiquette...nor do you have a palate that's developed enough to recognize what TRUE Korean cuisine tastes like.

Five stars. ALL DAY. EVERY DAY.

Haters: kick rocks.

To those interested: just go get a hot stone bibimbap with a fried egg on top and...

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to regale you with a tale of epic disappointment, an excursion into the abyss of gastronomic disillusionment that is Korea House. If you're looking for a dining experience that will leave you questioning your life choices, this is the place for you.

Let's start with the appetizer, the shumai. For the princely sum of $6.50, you are granted access to a world of frozen mediocrity. Five minuscule pieces of shumai, each harboring a chilling secret - a core so cold it rivals the heart of a snowman. When we dared to voice our concerns to the server (who might as well have been the grim reaper of flavor), he nonchalantly declared that this icy interior was the pinnacle of culinary achievement. Bravo, sir, for redefining the meaning of "steamed."

Now, onto the entrees, those small plates of sorrow. A calamari dish, for the grand price of $15, presented us with a laughable spectacle. Five measly calamari rings, drowning in a sea of cabbage, carrots, and gochujang sauce. It's as though they handed the chef a microscope instead of a frying pan. My boyfriend's bulgogi was no better, a desert of dryness that would make the Sahara jealous. Three pitiful spoonfuls of rock-hard rice accompanied this culinary catastrophe. When we dared to request softer rice, the owner, in his infinite wisdom, informed us that this was how "white people" in Boulder prefer their cuisine. Apparently, culinary standards don't apply to them, or so he insisted.

But what truly takes the cake is the owner's remarkable ability to deflect criticism. He waved away our concerns with the air of someone who has been serving subpar food for 40 years, using "authenticity" as a shield against any semblance of improvement. In the end, we paid a staggering $50 for a meal that might have been worth $15 on a generous day.

In conclusion, Korea House is a masterclass in how not to run a restaurant. If you enjoy cold appetizers, microscopic portions, and being told that your taste buds are irrelevant because of your location, then by all means, give it a try. For the rest of us, save your money and your taste buds, and steer clear of this culinary...

I have been staying Boulder for a month while I train at altitude in preparation for a marathon, and Korea House has been my go-to for fueling and recovering before and after runs throughout my stay.

While some of the negative reviewers of this restaurant need you and everyone else to know how they know everything about Korean food that there is to know because they studied abroad in Korea or met a Korean person once or whatever; I will spare you my splain-y self-proclaimed “credibility” - I’m just a (relatively) normal human that likes to eat out at cultural restaurants.

That having been said; simply put, this is a great restaurant. The setting is cozy, intimate, warm, and charmingly filled with a number of Korean odds and ends. There is always calming or upbeat Korean music playing. And the host/proprietor is an exceptionally polite, elder gentlemen who constantly demonstrates a sincere interest in providing you with the best possible dining experience. Considering the relative affluence of this town and the price-per-plate of other dining establishments in the area, the prices and servings here are comparatively generous. They were certainly enough to fuel my 20 mile runs at 8000~ ft elevation, which is more than I can say for some of the trendier dining establishments here.

Most importantly, I thought the food was very tasty. Though I am not an expert on all things Korea like some of these aficionado reviewers, I found Korea Houses variety of dumplings, soondubu jjigae, bibimbap, and mochi to be delicious and especially enjoyed having the ability to pair these dishes with a nice selection of delicious Korean alcohols.

If you are like me and many other folks in the Boulder area in that you live an active lifestyle, or maybe you are a working man or woman who requires nutritious, filling, and hardy food to get through the rigors of your day-to-day routine; I highly recommend Korea House. You will absolutely find that the food here will meet the tremendous nutritional demands of your training or vocation, and you will also undoubtedly enjoy the ambience and courtesy you...