Sura Korean Bistro & All You Can Eat BBQ of Dallas — Restaurant in Dallas

My boyfriend and I decided to try Sura for KBBQ since neither of us had been before—and we regretted it.

We were seated upstairs where all the BBQ tables are. The restaurant was clean, and the serving staff were polite and attentive. However, it was surprisingly empty for a Friday night… maybe that should’ve been our first warning.

We ordered the Prime AYCE menu because my boyfriend wanted the King Oyster mushroom and NY strip, and I was craving Naengmyun. Their menu system is a bit complicated:

Clear circles = Order from the tablet Black circles = Self-serve at the buffet Red circles = Order from a server (This was confusing—more on that later.)

The Good As mentioned, the staff were kind and attentive. The hosts (possibly the owners) were also polite. Each table has a tablet for easy ordering. Marinated meats and side veggies were self-serve at buffets. The NY strip or prime ribeye (not sure which we got) was delicious. It arrived frozen, which some might dislike, but to us, it seemed fresher. Definitely the best thing we ate. My Naengmyun was solid—good flavor and a perfect portion size. The other meats were okay.

The Not-So-Good The girl who seated us explained the ordering system, but she spoke very softly and was hard to understand. We missed some details, which led to confusion. We spent a while trying to figure out why we couldn’t order certain items from the tablet, then searched around the buffet before realizing we had to ask a server for red-circle items. Minor mix-up, but frustrating.

The Bad The food (other than the NY strip/prime ribeye) was just… bad. The ssam mu (radish wraps) tasted off—like cleaning agent or soap. The fried fish and shrimp tempura had a thick, bland batter, and the fish/shrimp inside was mushy. The poke salad was ruined by a strong ginger dressing that overwhelmed the flavors. Without it, it might’ve been decent. The California roll was not a California roll. It was just imitation crab mixed with some mayo-like condiment—mall food court level at best. The poke salad and ssam mu were inedible for us. The rice (self-serve buffet) was empty, so we didn’t even get any.

Overall We spent way too much money on food we couldn’t eat. The staff were great, but even that couldn’t make up for the disappointment. I’d like to believe this was just an off night, but the way some dishes were prepared makes me think...

It's rare that I'm so moved by a restaurant that I review it the same day. My party of two ate at Sura Sunday evening, 4/13, and it was stellar.

We were heartbroken when our favorite Korean eatery, Koryo Kalbi, closed and then returned with a very different theme and menu. I'm sure their current offerings are just fine, but all the dishes we loved from their huge, fascinating menu are gone.

So, we set out to find a new favorite. I've never eaten a bad Korean meal, so this proved to be quite a fine adventure, as Royal Koreatown is packed with good food and service that tends to be acceptable or better.

For years occasionally shopping at Komart, I eyed Sura, but we never made it there until today. Canvassing the area online for a new place to try, I checked them out after dismissing many other choices and was stricken by their AYCE menu.

What a tantalizing concept with all those choices. How did I overlook Sura for so long? I mean, we've eaten at the neighboring fried chicken place several times. Silly me.

We were immediately greeted graciously by a kind gentleman I assume is the proprietor. Upstairs we went to an AYCE rampage. Everything, right down to the condiments, was stellar. The sesame oil was a nice touch. Banchan was quite good.

Our server Kevin was distinctly friendly and effective. I don't think any empty plate sat on our table for more than 3 minutes. He watches over that dining room like an eagle.

For what we enjoyed, the bill was almost embarrassingly scant. I've paid twice as much for half the pleasure many times.

On the way out, I had a quick chat with the proprietors and they simply radiate humble good will, appreciation, and grace. These are the exact types of fundamentally fine people I enjoy giving money to.

I've been chasing great food around the world for many years. As shabbily-dressed rock and roll white people, the quality of service we've received in our adventures has...well, let's just say "varied." Here, we were treated like family.

Among all that great food we've enjoyed over the years, I can't think of a meal I've enjoyed more than our Sura experience. It now stands tall on a list of the best 15 or so places ever we've beheld.

Thank you, Sura. See y'all next time. It shan't be long from...

Disclaimer: Honest post. I love Korea, have many korean friends and speak korean, though im not of Asian decent.

Unfortunately if you're not Korean they will not serve you as well as they serve Koreans. I've been 8 times to give a confident review.

4 times with Korean friends 4 times without korean guest.

When dining without korean friends: seating, order placed, food brought out. No refills or checking on us. (Meanwhile they run multiple times to other tables with Korean guest in which I experience the same service when my Korean friends are with me)

Closing Hours are at 10pm. A non-Asian couple walked in at 9:30pm and they were turned away because the kitchen was "closed". After the non-Asian couple walked out, a korean family walked in and noticed the hours on the door. Stood there for a moment with sad faces. One of the group members walked in and said if they are still taking customers. They lady said yes and seated them.

When ordering any of the Bulgogi Skillets, you are supposed to get the side dishes and 1 refill of side dishes. With each order. When I'm with my korean friends each person gets the side dishes or at least refill 3 times due to multiple orders.

However when I'm not with korean friends. For example there were 3 of us and we each ordered bulgogi with the side dishes. Which means we should have gotten the alloted number of side dishes. They only brought 1 set of side dishes and only wanted to refill 4 side dishes. Mind you we paid for 3 bulgogis.

Another time without korean guest we ordered 2 bulgogis. They brought out 1 set and charged us $15 for another set of side dishes.

Even still I will return for cleanliness and food quality. But the racial fairness and integrity...