HanBop Kitchen 한밥 — Restaurant in Lake Forest

Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo.

4/5 stars

I automatically deducted half a point because this was my first time here and I only tried the lunch special. However the lunch specials I tried were phenomenal! Total bargain. Based on these alone, I would definitely recommend and return. I got the spicy pork and my sister the bulgogi lunch special. The side dishes we were served were mashed potato, pickled celery, and bean sprouts. My favorite was the pickled celery, definitely a must try. In the box, we also had a salad, tempura rice noodle wraps, a dumpling, fried chicken bites, and an egg roll. The salad was generic just chopped iceberg and what seemed like a higher end store bought ranch. The egg roll was meh, not salty, not sweet, slightly overcooked, but not burnt. Very typical kitchen prep egg roll. Even though these sides didn't hinder the overall quality of the meal, they also didn't add anything but color and volume to the set so I deducted another half point. There were also pickled spring onions served as a palette cleanser for the set. The onions were sensational and paired beautifully with the meats. These almost overpowered the meats as the star of the show, since they fulfilled their role so perfectly. As for the meats themselves. The spicy pork was delicious. I would have preferred a little more char to mine, but compared to that of other spots, perfectly adequate. The bulgogi was atypical, above the norm. Off the top of my head, I can't recall what herb or spice was used, but something was added to the meat to give it a freshness that I haven't seen before in a bulgogi marinade. Most of the bulgogis I've tried are just sweet, almost to a point that it's overwhelming. Whatever was added to this recipe....tantalizing. It definitely stands out from...

Craving some real-deal Korean food? You gotta check out this hidden gem in Lake Forest. It's a cool, quiet spot that's just perfect for a cozy dinner date or a small gathering. The vibe? Bright, energetic, and kinda modern. The staff? Super friendly and always ready to help, making the whole dining experience even better.

Once you've made your food choice, they'll serve you four small dishes of kimchi to start off your meal. If you're into these kinds of starters, I think you'll really enjoy them. The food portion is just right for one person, and the price is pretty moderate - you definitely get your money's worth of delicious Korean food. The presentation is traditional, with food served in stone plates and pots. And if you're a tea lover, they've got you covered with a mid-size flask ready for you.

The place has a mom-and-pop feel to it, and because of the traditional way they serve food, you might walk out with a slight whiff of Asian cuisine on your clothes and hair. So, if you're all dolled up for a fancy event, you might wanna hold off on your Korean food cravings. But hey, don't let that stop you from coming back. Trust me, it's totally worth the visit. And you know what? I know I'll be back soon for more authentic...

The REAL deal authentic Korean Restaurant.

This was a rare find in the OC area. Korean food selection and quality has steadily been improving here in the OC but no where close to what they have in LA (the og Korea Town).

First thing you will notice is the openness of the well lit restaurant and clean environment. Definitely designed so that they can see their customer and serve. Second, the quality of Kimchi speaks volume. You know it's a good Italian restaurant when they serve you amazingly fresh bread with high quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Kimchi is like that in a Korean restaurant. It means they care about what they put on the table and profit is not their priorities but quality is.

Their Cold Noodle is out of this world. Must try, I finished a full bowl even after my main dish. It's that good. Every dish was well thought out and prepared with utmost care. Top quality ingredients and freshness could not go unnoticed.

Feels like home cooked meal made by your mother on your birthday.

Thank you for the wonderful and flavorful experience. Hats off...