Kai Bistro — Restaurant in Chattanooga

This is our second time here, first time was Christmas Eve 2023. They were one of the few places open. I cannot say enough about this place. It claims Korean fusion, but it is so much more. The food is excellent! If you haven’t been here, you have to try it! Ask for Cameron as well, he’ll be in the review too.

We went over kill on a Wednesday with the buy one, get one Korean fried chicken, and the crab Rangoon mozzarella sticks to start. The cheese stick were crunchy, piping hot, and the cheese Rangoon mixture was so delicious. If you haven’t had Korean fried chicken, you are in for a treat. It’s crunchy, juicy, and just the right amount of sauce in each bite.

After that, we did the bulgogi, and the phozilla. Starting with the bulgogi, it’s everything you want in bulgogi, only on top of a blooming onion! So delicious. We barely put a dent in it. Now onto the phozilla. It said “do not take this lightly” and they weren’t kidding. It was the biggest bowl of pho I have seen. It even had brisket and a full rib in it. If you are going to order this, bring your biggest appetite. I can put some food away and I barely was able to get through 1/4 of the bowl before I was so full I thought I was I going to have to be wheeled out.

Now onto the atmosphere. This place is busy for a reason. The signs all around and catchphrases add greatly to the atmosphere, which is a mix of crude humor but in a clean way. This place has personality that you just have to see.

Lastly, we get to the service. Cameron was our guide on this journey of overindulgence. His recommendations are spot on. He knows the food, and if you give him a couple details of what you like, his recommendations will not disappoint. His drinks are so smooth you forget you are drinking alcohol, if you’re old enough. If you want a server that can cut it up with you, make you feel at home, and give you service that is not overwhelming, but he’s there when ever you just start think you would like something, he’s your guy.

This is definitely one of our must go to places when we come to Chattanooga! Go to Kai bistro! It will not disappoint!

I also forgot to take pictures before I...

Kai Bistro: A Korean Culinary Delight

Nestled in the heart of the city, Kai Bistro offers a vibrant and authentic Korean dining experience. On our recent visit, my wife and I were thoroughly impressed with both the food and the service.

Appetizers:

We started with the Korean Cheese Corn Skillet, which was a flavorful, albeit familiar, experience. The dish reminded us of cheesy Mexican street corn, but this didn't detract from its appeal. The bread served alongside was a delightful touch, and they graciously offered to bring more when we ran out before finishing the dip.

My wife opted for the Mini Bao Buns, which she found delightful. The pork belly was cooked to perfection—succulent without being overly fatty, providing a great balance of flavors and textures.

Main Course:

For the main course, I indulged in the Korean BBQ Platter, which was an absolute highlight. The platter featured a generous serving of 10oz beef Dino rib, 6oz brisket, and 8oz thin-sliced ribeye, all expertly grilled Korean BBQ style. Each cut of meat was tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor, making every bite a joy. Notably, the platter also included a side of the Korean Cheese Corn Skillet, so I would recommend skipping the appetizer if you plan to order this hearty meal.

Overall Experience:

The food at Kai Bistro was outstanding, with each dish showcasing the rich and diverse flavors of Korean cuisine. The service was equally impressive, with attentive and friendly staff ensuring a seamless dining experience. Whether you're a fan of Korean BBQ or looking to explore new flavors, Kai Bistro is a must-visit.

Highly recommended for anyone seeking an exceptional Korean...

First, expectations have to be tempered. If you are looking for simply "authentic" food, go elsewhere. This is clearly a fusion place that attempts to elevate their dishes and add their own style of each.

Once you have that mindset, you will enjoy Kai Bistro. I'm going to start with the food since it was the high point. Our table enjoyed it all. Everything from the Bao apps to the ban chan tapas to the meals of Ramen, Kim chee fried rice and Pork Katsu were all great. They only lost a star here for not having the app or the main dish I had been looking forward to trying available on Friday night. That is pretty disappointing not to be fully stocked at the beginning of the weekend. Serious fail there, and as the guy who used to make sure a restaurant is stocked for the weekend rushes, I am judging them for it.

Service was great...almost. Our server did her job well, but another server took two of our entrees to their table, and those cost us time while they were rush remade. Our server was on point at informing us of the mistake and time to remade orders, but we had already watched it happen and knew. There's no fault on her there. No stars deducted because she handled other guys' ineptitude. 2 stars lost on service for server theft of our order and time. Our server deserved 5 stars, so I'm sad he messed that up for her.

Great atmosphere here, love the wall art and the house cocktails, but whoever picked the chairs for the interior should be beaten with one of those uncomfortable metal torture devices they had us sitting in until they rethink that choice. 3 stars for those terrible chairs alone deducted on...