Cham Garden Korean BBQ — Restaurant in Lakewood

I debated on leaving a review of this place. I hate leaving bad reviews for places because I understand that both people & the businesses they run have bad days. So im telling you my experience.

Short story …. It’s a all you can eat buffet but you have to have 2+ people in your party to partake The food on the to go menu is good. The place is small inside. Buffet bar is the lobby so any to go order people have to wait outside or in the car. They never make my egg correctly that comes with my bowl and this is after 10+ visits - that’s a lot of chances with a simple request. I won’t be returning after my last visit.

Long story with explanation I’ve been here 10+ times to get food to go since they only allow parties of 2 or more to eat inside. I even asked if I payed for 2 meals would they let me eat inside and they still said no. So I’ve always gotten my food to go. The food is good really good but each time I placed my order I asked for the egg in my beef bulgogi bowl to be not runny. Fried hard. Overcooked. Well done. Just not runny. Each time I check and the egg is runny and I have to show them and ask them to do it again. They do fix it but every time thats just a wasted egg and wasted time. Eggs are expensive right now! I thought it was a simple request. The very last time I went and it will be the last time I go. I called my order in and again asked for my egg to be fried hard. She said ok. I waited the 20 mins and go inside. Now the inside is very small it’s like 8 tables and in the lobby of the restaurant is the food bar with all the marinated meats and sides for your meal if your eating inside. So if you don’t call your order in from jump and order it in person they ask you to wait in your car. When I go in to get my food the place is packed and the lady is on the phone. She already looked flustered when I walked in. I waited for her to finish and when she addressed me I told her I already called my order in and gave my name and asked her to check to make sure that the egg is fried hard. She said ok went in the back and came back out with my order. She assured me that she checked and the egg was fried hard. I normally check my food before leaving but the place was packed, the lady looked flustered and she assured me herself that my egg was fried hard so I left. That’s my fault but I made it all the way home and my egg was runny. I called to let her know and she went in the back an asked her cook who said they fried it hard. I drove back just for the principle of it. Y’all say y’all fried it hard but it isn’t and I want you to see it. I didn’t walk in angry. I didn’t get loud or cause scene. I didn’t throw my food. She saw me apologized and offered to remake it personally herself. That was okay with me so I waited. But I’m thinking come on now every time I order my egg is runny when i asked for the complete opposite of runny and i have been here so many times with the same problem. When she came out she apologized again but then added in there that they had a customer once complaining that a overcooked egg causes cancer so they don’t do it anymore. Which I thought was a weird business decision to make off of one customer but as she was talking I quickly looked around and it was no signs up, nothing on the menu online or when I asked for the fried hard egg when I called my order in I wasn’t told eggs are not made to order. An apology and remaking the egg would of been enough but that excuse was the cherry on top. Well that and the fact that after 10 visits not one time has my egg been cooked correctly. It’s a simple request. I’m a paying customer. My order should be just as important as everyone else. Fried hard egg or not. Everyone eats their egg’s different. I never heard of a hard fried egg causing cancer but okay. So I’m leaving this review to tell you my experience. And after 10 chances I just won’t allow myself to go back. I’ll find another place...

I dined at Cham tonight with my family. We had 8 people and racked up a bill close to $200. From start to finish, the food was average and the service was laughable.

First of all, only 2 people in our group had ever been to Korean BBQ, and the rest of us were visibly confused. Absolutely no one offered help, and when someone in my party asked directly, she was blown off. It was obvious from the start we weren't a priority. We shrugged it off and continued with our meal because the food was decent.

Further into the meal, I ordered a $12 bottle of wine. After trying and disliking it, I offered it to everyone else in my party but no one cared for it. A total of about 1 shot glass worth of wine was drank. My boyfriend politely asked for the bottle to be taken off our bill, and with an eye-roll from the staff, it was done. 5 minutes later the owner approached our table and told us he absolutely had to charge us for it. After going back and forth for a few minutes, we took the bottle back with no intention of drinking or paying for it. When it was time to pay, we [still politely] told them we were not going to pay for it. After giving us the run around about how it was against the law not to charge us for it/ ordering food or drinks at a restaurant is a risk you take etc, we are now also BANNED from ever coming back! Some things said to my family and I: "We're not running a charity here." "We are here to make a profit." "What is a business if it's only focused on making the customer happy?" "We didn't expect a tip anyway." "We will call the police if you don't pay for the wine."

These people lost 8 customers and a large tip over a single drink. It was handled terribly. I've worked in food service and have my liquor license, and taking $12 off of someone's bill because they didn't care for something may be annoying or inconvenient, but is not against the law in any way. I understand it may seem like an inconvenience at times, but I most likely would have ordered another drink and DEFINITELY would have left a 20%+ tip if the situation was handled correctly.

Business is not about the short term. Losing a few bucks here and there in order to make the customer happy will pay off in the end. But instead my family was disrespected, told to never come back, and left astounded at the incompetence displayed by this embarrassing business owner.

This place and the service was an absolute joke. We made it a point to stay calm and treat the business with respect, because almost everyone in my party has worked in customer service, my family has owned a successful business for 10 years, and I've worked as a waitress for 3 years, so we know how it works and how service people like to/ should be treated. How we were treated in return is astonishing. The signs posted in the entry way stating there must be at least 2 adults dining (you can't go alone so don't try) and there is a 75 minute limit on the buffet should give you an idea of how stingy these people are. Spare yourselves of this joke of...

Cham Garden Korean Barbecue is a popular dining establishment that specializes in Korean cuisine, specifically known for its Korean barbecue offerings. Located in an urban setting, Cham Garden provides a vibrant and inviting atmosphere for patrons to enjoy a unique dining experience.

Upon entering Cham Garden, guests are greeted by a modern and stylish interior that blends contemporary design with traditional Korean elements. The restaurant often features sleek and comfortable seating arrangements, including tables with built-in grills for the Korean barbecue experience. The space is adorned with tasteful decorations, creating a warm and welcoming ambiance.

The main highlight of Cham Garden is its Korean barbecue menu, which allows diners to personally grill a variety of meats and vegetables right at their table. Each table is equipped with a grill where guests can cook their chosen meats, creating an interactive and social dining experience. The menu typically includes a selection of high-quality marinated beef, pork, chicken, and seafood options, ensuring there is something to suit every taste preference.

In addition to the barbecue offerings, Cham Garden also provides an extensive menu of classic Korean dishes. These may include popular items such as bibimbap (a mixed rice dish with various toppings), bulgogi (grilled marinated meat), kimchi (fermented cabbage), japchae (stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables), and various types of banchan (side dishes). The menu is often complemented by a range of soups, stews, and hot pots that showcase the diverse flavors of Korean cuisine.

To enhance the dining experience, Cham Garden offers attentive and friendly service, with knowledgeable staff members who can assist diners in selecting their preferred meats and guide them through the grilling process. The staff is typically well-versed in the nuances of Korean cuisine, providing recommendations and ensuring that guests have an enjoyable and satisfying meal.

Overall, Cham Garden Korean Barbecue provides a delightful and immersive dining experience where guests can savor the flavors of Korean cuisine, engage in interactive grilling, and appreciate the vibrant atmosphere. Whether visiting for a casual lunch or a celebratory dinner, Cham Garden offers a memorable culinary journey into the world of Korean barbecue and other traditional...