8 ounce Korean Steakhouse — Restaurant in Katy

I visited on 2/21/25 for my birthday. I had originally reserved for 12–14 people over the phone, but due to unforeseen issues with babysitting and fussy kids, the party shrank to 7—which was fortunate, as the restaurant struggled even with that number. We arrived at 7:30 and were seated within 10 minutes. A gentleman—likely the owner or manager—walked us through their process. One notable feature of this place is that the meat is cooked for you, unlike many other KBBQ spots in Houston where you handle the grill yourself. We ordered two large beef combos at $170 each, along with a few extra sides based on the waiter’s recommendation and some soft drinks. For parties larger than six, a service charge of about 15–20% is automatically added. The sides were decent; I particularly enjoyed the pickled radish and green onion salad, although the other sides didn’t measure up to what I’ve had elsewhere in Houston. The meat was good, but some of it came out overcooked (medium well instead of medium rare), which is somewhat understandable when cooking over an open fire for a large group. Our fountain drinks weren’t refilled until we specifically asked, so many of us ended up sitting with empty glasses for 15–20 minutes—a shortcoming partly on the restaurant and partly on us for not speaking up sooner. The biggest issue, however, was with the rice. Despite the beef combo including individual servings of rice among other sides, we only received one small bowl of overcooked rice for our table of 7 at the end of a 90-minute meal. We had to ration that single serving amongst ourselves as if we were back in Soviet-era Russia. Each time we inquired, we were told the rice would arrive in 5–15 minutes, but it never did. When I raised the concern with a female manager (or owner), she curtly dismissed it by saying the rice was complimentary and not charged separately. This response felt patronizing, considering that the cost of everything—including the rice, kimchi, salad, and egg—is built into the $170 per combo price. Later, I expressed my concerns to a male manager/owner. He explained that the rice takes 45–50 minutes to prepare, meaning two batches could have been made during our nearly 90-minute seating. He mentioned that they had experienced a similar issue a few weeks earlier. If you know there is a party of 12-14 supposedly coming, would it not be wise to start cooking the rice so the party can have rice with their meal? If this is a recurring issue from a few weeks ago, should there not be a process in place to address this? He then offered a dessert as compensation, which we declined since we were heading to Somi Somi afterward. Although he assured us that he would “make it right” on our next visit, similarly to how a deer who narrowly escapes a leopard’s den will not venture back into that situation, I do not think any of us in the party would ever return to this establishment. In summary, while some of the food and ambiance are appealing, the service—especially the mishandling of something as basic as the rice—and the dismissive attitude toward our concerns do not justify the high price. For an establishment charging close to $100 per person, the level of service is disappointing. Edit: Owners response says it all. There is nothing free in this life. The free or complimentary item has a cost that is baked into the cost of the paid item. Economics 101. I am upset because my $600 korean BBQ dinner was served to me without rice, and when I brought it up, your response was who cares man the rice is complimentary. Which you then proceeded to double down on LOL. Wish you the best, I will never be back.

Edit 2: Owner original response which has been edited "Response from the owner 10 minutes ago Sorry we do not have comimentay item avaiable. Come on, it is free item.. You complained because you did not get the free items??? Stick with all you can eat place maybe? Business was good lately and couldnt keep up with rice on time. If you visit next time, will give you double free rice next...

Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable experience at 8oz Korean Steakhouse! This place is a true gem, and it serves up mouthwatering A5 steak that will leave you craving more. And let's not forget about their incredible scallops and marinated short ribs—each bite is a flavor explosion that will have you saying "wowsa" with delight. But it doesn't stop there; the team at 8oz Korean Steakhouse, specifically TK and Jay, are exceptional individuals with a remarkable vision. Their love for their employees and the vibrant atmosphere they cultivate in the restaurant truly adds to the overall experience.

Let's start with the star of the show—the A5 steak. Words cannot do justice to the perfection that is their mouthwatering A5 steak. Cooked to absolute precision, each bite is tender, juicy, and full of rich flavor. It's a culinary experience that will transport you to meat lover's paradise. The quality of the steak is truly outstanding and a testament to the dedication and expertise of the chefs at 8oz Korean Steakhouse.

The scallops at this establishment are equally impressive. Fresh, plump, and perfectly cooked, they are a seafood lover's dream come true. The scallops offer a delightful combination of tenderness and a subtle briny sweetness. They are an absolute must-try and a testament to the culinary excellence found at 8oz Korean Steakhouse.

Now, let's talk about the marinated short ribs. Prepare to be blown away by the explosion of flavors in each bite. The tender, succulent meat is marinated to perfection, allowing the flavors to penetrate every fiber. The result is a dish that is both savory and slightly sweet, offering a harmonious balance that will leave your taste buds singing with joy.

Beyond the extraordinary culinary offerings, the team at 8oz Korean Steakhouse, particularly TK and Jay, create an atmosphere that is truly special. Their vision and passion shine through in every aspect of the restaurant. You can feel the love they have for their employees, which translates into a welcoming and vibrant ambiance. The positive energy is contagious and adds to the overall dining experience, making it even more enjoyable.

In summary, 8oz Korean Steakhouse is a culinary haven where you can indulge in mouthwatering A5 steak, incredible scallops, and delectable marinated short ribs. The culinary expertise and attention to detail are evident in every dish they serve. TK and Jay, with their visionary leadership, have created an environment where employees thrive, resulting in an atmosphere that is both warm and inviting. If you're seeking a dining experience that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you with lasting memories, look no further than 8oz Korean Steakhouse.

Overall...

The angry old man who owns this place scolded me while packing up my side dishes to-go right after I dropped over $120 on a meal here. I had asked for TWO side dish refills during my meal and the owner got totally angry and unprofessional about it. I can only assume they are having serious financial problems judging by how he handled the whole thing.

The really odd part is that our server didn’t even inform me about the side dish policy, he just brought me the to-go containers and then sent in the angry old man to bark at me about it because they would rather throw away the food than allow their high-paying customers to take any of it home.

To make matters worse, the meat portions here are already abnormally small for the price, so it’s sad that they are so greedy with the side dishes. The food itself was decent, although the bulgogi was cut too thin and completely fell apart while grilling it.

The owner’s rude response below telling me to “buy sides from H Mart” makes it even more laughable and humiliating for the poor guy.

Listen old man, the “refillable sides” are not FREE at a $100+ price point. Your customers are already getting ripped off on the small meat portions and then overpaying for those side dishes and you know it.

I sure hope it was worth losing a repeat customer over a small side of Kimchi, and in your bitter deranged mind I’m sure it was.

TL;DR… If you want equally good Korean barbecue at a better price without the loud music and drama of being scolded by the financially strapped owner, then stick with old-school kbbq staples in Houston like Seoul Garden because this place is just all about pinching pennies.

8 Ounce thinks their customers are disposable, just like their side dishes are. 😉

Thankfully there will soon be other Korean barbecue options and competition at Katy Asian Town. Let’s see if 8 ounce can even stay in business after they are forced to compete with other locations with better...