Minhwa Spirits — Restaurant in Doraville

I started going to Minhwa since its inception, where they’ve hosted their first residency last year (Ganji), when they hosted pop-ups (Dhaba, Salty Smiles) even done a pop-up there myself, and have gotten coffee and tea at their coffee residency Postern. I’d say I’ve gone multiple times each month, and most recently, twice in the past few weeks when they brought in a new chef, Lino of former pop-up TKO.

I can confidently say I can review Minhwa with different perspectives, over the course of time, how they treat employees, customers, and my most recent experiences dining in.

Full disclosure - I’ve never been sponsored nor hosted here, just sharing my personal experiences.

The slew of one star reviews within one day by reviewers who haven’t written other reviews, versus rave reviews over the course of Minhwa’s existence, should make anyone skeptical of their intentions when they all felt so inclined to passionately share their “worst experience ever” (in more or less words).

Minhwa is a shared space that brings in pop ups, hosts community events, and has a killer beverage program serving award winning soju, makgeolli and cocktails.

Excluding my own pop up they hosted back in May (that would be pretty biased of me reviewing my own food but I will attest to my own treatment by the owners and staff below), my experiences with food from all the previous vendors and residencies have been enjoyable.

The service was always timely, and I never remembered waiting that long for food or drinks. Obviously, with some pop-ups catering to a line out the door into the parking lot, the wait is longer, as is the nature of pop ups. But for residencies there on a consistent basis, I’d say a 10-15 minute wait at worst, which is comparable, if not faster than other sit-down restaurants. The host always seated us promptly, and servers kind and efficient.

Maybe in a couple instances, they were being trained on a new menu from a new residency, and having experience on the other side of it, was understandable and not a deal breaker for me to even dock a star.

Which leads me to why I considered doing my own pop up there, after witnessing fellow vendors experience good outcomes being hosted there. I can attest to my own experiences working there - the owners Ming and James were always professional and kind, as were their entire staff helping bus tables, serve food, take orders, and wash dishes. We were in the weeds for a good 3-4 hours straight, and had it not been for all of them maintaining composure, helping us promptly get food out, we wouldn’t have been as successful as we were. Minhwa was a well oiled machine. I’ve worked in toxic kitchens before, where staff scream at each other, and owners belittle staff so it was a pleasant contrast here, and one of my best pop-ups.

Now to the current food from chef Lino. I’ve been there to eat dinner last month, and brunch on Sunday a couple weeks ago. Multiple dishes were shared among a group, everything came out timely. For dinner, we ordered more than half the menu. My favorites were the KFC wings, volcano shrimp poboy, and cheesy fried rice. KFC wings can be a bit on the sweeter side in ATL, and I appreciate Lino’s version being on the less sweet side. If eating with a large group, share a kettle of makgeolli (rice wine, and the strawberry flavor if they offer it). For brunch, I got the chicken and waffles. Being a full house, and sitting outside, the food still got out within 15 minutes or so. Contrary to a one star reviewer saying they’d rather eat at an IHOP, I would not prefer an IHOP over my experience. Or an IHOP ever. Brunch was solid, no notes.

As for my being a regular or knowing the owners/some staff, I can say I’ve been treated kindly and had great food and service dining in, even when I don’t see the owners or staff I recognize, which is around half the time.

I hope the weight of my words and experiences trump the skepticism the bad ones potentially cause, and help others share their honest...

Minhwa Spirits serves up hospitality and passion. Excellent for the person who just wants a nice drink with delicious food, excellent for the cocktail nerds like myself who can revel in their attention to details and practicing high standards for their products. Korean liquors/spirits are not widely considered an elevated spirit of choice, but James (owner of Minhwa) took Korean spirits like soju and makgeolli to the next level- taking even into consideration ABV percentages for their sips vs their mixed drinks. They maintain the essence of Korean spirits in the flavor, noted in the rich body of the liquor (unlike most soju- where it's more watery, Yong Soju has more character and could stand on its own but also elevates their cocktails). They make everything in house (ask James about the painstaking measures they take to make everything fit like a perfect puzzle), and it's palpable in the fact that there is no unpleasant aftertaste (which is so common at most bars and cocktails with their artificial syrups). I had the Matcha Sour, which was a refreshing approach to Matcha, paying homage to the beautiful microfoam of classic matcha by their dedication to their cocktail shaking technique to create a frothy smooth foam on top that creates an effervescent texture when drinking. The house-made Yong Soju paired with the perilla flavors accentuate the natural umami of matcha. The bright citrus pineapple, lime notes brighten up the whole drink and create a nuanced aromatic and textured chilled drink. The Strawberry Fields captures spring flavors through advanced cocktail chemistry- you'll note the scintillatingly clear cocktail with the basil foam floating on top of a see through ice-cube. This milk-punch (a technique to create a more smooth and unctuous cocktail) is "asian sweet" (not too sweet) while capturing the essence of strawberries, citrus, with the tannins of the white peach tea rounding out the sweet notes and creating a very velvety and refreshing drink. A definite slow sip and enjoy cocktail. The cocktail becomes even more refreshing as you let the ice melt over time (much like a good old fashioned) I could not recommend this place more to those who are looking for a perch to socialize with friends over drinks or if you're like me, like to be introverted and need a place to slowly sip and enjoy the nuanced and well thought out Korean flavors of Minhwa Spirits. I never thought Korean spirits could be elevated in this way, and since things are seasonal, you can expect to enjoy new cocktails (and get a bite to eat)...

Minhwa Spirits: A Refreshing Asian distillery for Soju and Gin Minhwa Spirits is making a splash as Georgia's first Asian-owned distillery, and it's definitely a place worth checking out. This exciting new spot offers a unique experience, blending expertly crafted spirits with delicious Korean-inspired food and specialty coffee. The distillery itself is a clean and inviting space, with a modern yet welcoming atmosphere. While indoor seating is somewhat limited, they offer ample outdoor seating, making it a great spot to enjoy a drink and a bite, especially on a pleasant day. Parking is plentiful, which is always a plus. If you're lucky, you might even catch James, the owner, there. His passion and vision for Minhwa are evident, and it adds a personal touch to the experience. During our visit, we started with the Coconut Ube Coffee from Postern Coffee, and it was absolutely fantastic! The creamy coconut and the subtle sweetness of the ube created a harmonious and delightful beverage. We also sampled several of their cocktails, and two stood out from the crowd. The Strawberry Fields, with its soju base, was refreshing and bursting with fruity flavors. The Bokbunja Bramble, crafted with gin, offered a more complex and tart profile, showcasing the versatility of their spirits. It's clear that Minhwa's bartenders are skilled and creative. The food from Ganji Korean pop-up was equally impressive. While we didn't get specific dishes, the fact that they've partnered with such a promising pop-up speaks to their commitment to offering a high-quality and authentic experience. The staff at Minhwa Spirits were friendly and attentive, adding to the overall positive vibe. It's clear they're passionate about what they do and eager to share their knowledge of the spirits and menu. Overall, Minhwa Spirits has done an incredible job creating a unique and welcoming space. They've successfully combined high-quality spirits, delicious food, and a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast, a foodie, or simply looking for a new spot to hang out, Minhwa Spirits is definitely worth a visit. We will certainly be...