Iru — Restaurant in Brookline

We went during the soft opening. The food was delicious, but we went through a bit of a journey to get the food. I would come back because I really liked the food, but with some caveats.

We came in with a group of 4 at 7pm. The soft opening was advertised as being from 5-10pm with no reservations. The server told us that they couldn't accommodate us as they had already reached their limit of 20 people for the soft opening. We were pretty confused since there was no indication of this seating limit on the advertisements online. After a lot of back and forth, they eventually agreed to seat us, letting us know that some of the menu items were not available but they would try to put together some food for us. Over the course of our dinner they seated 10 more people, who seemed to be friends of the staff. It left a bad taste in our mouth to see that -- if it's a friends-only soft opening, I don't think it should be advertised to the public. At least be honest?

Secondly, when we were checking that the food we wanted to order was available, we said that we wanted 2 orders of samgyetang, since the minimum order was 2, and we had a vegetarian and someone who doesn't like samgyetang. This caused another long back and forth because apparently every person is supposed to order one serving of samgyetang. Eventually, they acknowledged that there was no information online about this policy, and said they would make an exception this time for the vegetarian, but the rest of us still had to order samgyetang. For this reason, unless the policy changes, I would not recommend this restaurant to vegetarians.

Okay now finally to the food! It was really good.

Delicious, would get again Galbi jjim ($22): Tender short rib and vegetables. Not a lot of meat, but all very good Ganjang seu ($8/piece): Big tender fresh raw shrimp with tasty sauce Samgyetang ($28 per person): Turns out you don't have a choice, but this was very delicious. I usually don't eat the chicken in this dish, but this chicken was quite tender. Broth was rich and savory with a hint of sweetness. I'm not sure how the servings are decided, because I'm pretty sure we got one chicken for 3 servings and we saw someone else get one chicken for 2 servings...

Good, might get again Yangnyeom scallop ($8/piece): The scallop is big and tender. I would recommend it. It's a bit sweet so I might not get it again, but the flavor is pretty authentic. Japchae ($16): This was hot and well-seasoned.

Wouldn't get again Namul set ($16): I'm morally opposed to paying for banchan, and this banchan tasted authentic but nothing amazing. Kimchi ($6): Again, paying for kimchi? It's pretty good but so small for $6 Chive pancake ($15): It was fine, but I'd rather pay a dollar more for a seafood pancake

They also have set menus which are quite pricey. Our server was really kind and prepared and explained the food well for us. We just didn't have great interactions with the host due to the hidden rules of the restaurant. I hope they can adapt to be more flexible and transparent...

Nothing flashy or overly conceptual, just well-executed Korean comfort classics with a fine-dining polish.

Bold move from Chef Yamazaki. Samgyetang is traditionally a summer comfort dish in Korea, so centering a restaurant around it almost felt like opening a Southern joint built around gumbo. Add to that a cocktail-forward setting with tapas-style plates (increasingly common in the area), and the concept somewhat reminded me of Somaek in downtown, but still unique.

The menu was interesting. A few Korean entrées aside, what caught my eye was the “omakase” section—14 to 16 dishes, though most were just banchan. Visually refined, sure, but not a lot of Koreans (including myself) would willingly pay for extra without knowing how good they taste.

Still, the food we ordered was legit. Our server shared that their signature Samgyetang was inspired by the chef-owner’s mother, who was a royal cuisine specialist back in the ’70s. I wasn’t sure what exactly that translated to, but the result was a refined, familiar bowl that felt very close to the best versions I’ve had in Seoul (which is saying something). The broth leaned surprisingly savory—clean but well-seasoned (expected it to be milder just based on its looks), with no need for extra salt. I loved the small jujube dates scattered throughout, which added a subtle, comforting sweetness to each spoonful. At $56, it’s hard to call this a soul food dish, but I’d absolutely come back for it after a tough day.

From their other dishes, we really enjoyed the Kalbi Chim and the Chive pancake. In the former, instead of the typical chunky short rib cuts, they used thin lateral cuts that allowed for a more even, tender braise. The sauce didn’t cling thickly—it felt somewhere in between galbi jjim and galbi tang, gently savory and not too rich. The braised radish and carrots were also well-prepared and satisfying.

Then the chive pancake. Crisp-edged, packed with chives, but not overpowering. Easily one of the best in Boston. The dipping sauce was a concentrated version of the usual soy-chili combo—reduced and intense. If I came back for just drinks and snacks, I’d definitely reorder this.

Overall, a bit steep for what you get, but when it hits, it...

My experience at IRU was something I haven't had in many years within the culinary scene. The restaurant is small and cozy, featuring warm decor and soft lighting. The background music is gentle, and the spacing between tables strikes the perfect balance for both intimate gatherings and larger groups—something that’s hard to find in the Boston restaurant scene. It became clear to me that IRU isn’t focused on cramming in as many foodies and regulars as possible for profit; rather, it aims to provide a personal experience for each guest.

We felt relaxed and comfortable in the atmosphere, and the line-up of cold and hot appetizers was authentic and delicate. Our journey at IRU led us to the heart of a traditional Korean home meal: samgyetang. This simple chicken soup, warm and comforting, reminded us of the home-cooked meals we often forget amid our busy lives. Each dish is straightforward yet evokes the warmth of home cooking.

This restaurant may not be for those looking for something super unique or extraordinary. Instead, it offers the comforting experience of a mother's home-cooked meal when far from home.

It’s disheartening to see some diners quickly judge and criticize their experience based on the price per dish and how much it would cost "back home."

I truly appreciate IRU for bringing such a phenomenal level of home-cooked meals to this cozy environment, along with white-glove service that makes you feel welcomed and relaxed.

They know what they’re doing, inviting you "home" to a place...