Koreatown — Restaurant in Mesa

I never imagined I could taste such authentic Korean food in the U.S. The bossam and seonji haejangguk I had here were absolutely phenomenal experiences. First, the bossam was bursting with flavor. The pork was tender, juicy, and practically melted in my mouth. The fresh shrimp sauce and crisp greens served alongside it complemented the meat perfectly, while the special ssamjang added a delightful mix of spice and umami, elevating the dish to another level. Every bite reflected the care and attention put into its preparation. As for the seonji haejangguk, it was the epitome of a traditional Korean hangover soup. The broth was rich and deep, with a wonderfully earthy aroma that wafted up as soon as the bowl arrived. The blood sausage was tender without any trace of gaminess, and the combination of fresh vegetables and seasonings made the soup hearty and flavorful. The spiciness was perfectly balanced, leaving me feeling warm and satisfied with every spoonful. The service was outstanding as well. The staff were attentive, accommodating, and friendly, ensuring a pleasant dining experience. The food arrived quickly without compromising on quality. The restaurant itself was cozy and clean, with a charming interior that gave off a genuinely Korean vibe. This place is more than just a restaurant; it’s a space where you can truly experience the flavors and culture of Korea. I highly recommend it, whether you’re a fan of Korean cuisine or trying it for the first time. I can’t wait to...

So moving from SoCal, I missed my AYCE Korean BBQ places, or even just the tofu houses that were in abundance over there, to my pleasant surprise, Koreatown just opened by the International Market by my house- and boy am I happy about it!

The food here is delicious. The hot stone pots with bulgogi, seafood ( or your choice of meat) is a safe and delicious bet for anyone. I also got the tofu soup with maximum spiciness and it was AMAZING. The flavor of the broth is on-freaking-point here. All the Korean bbq plates are great too. You'll get it on a sizzling cast iron plate whether it is galbi, bulgogi, chicken bulgogi ( they cost about $14-$20)

They also have daily specials, like cheese kimchi pancakes, or combo meat yakisoba and they are always good price ( $8.99-$15.99) and although some might say that's pricey- it's not when you consider it can often serve two and you get all the traditional Korean sides like kimchi, seaweed salad, potato salad etc).

I also recommend that you do not pass up on the pork belly lettuce wraps. It's about $16 and is not only perfect if you are trying to keep it low-carb, but is a great filling appetizer, or meal for 2-3 people. It comes with 2 types of kimchi ( one is sweeter, and the other more of a pickled vinegary style)

Also, you can get $5 sake bombs with your choice of bomber at this place- that's a steal too! And perfect to go with your spicy tofu soup, galbi plate, or pretty...

Conflicted leaving this review but the wait staff need to be better. Walked in during a busy night needing a table for 7 (for dining) Was told I needed to wait 15 mins, as they just sat a bit party, Which was fine. However there was an open 6 person table. I asked if I could sit there (add a chair to the end) and was told they couldn’t sit a party of 7 at a table for 6. Okay that’s fine. Except there was a 8 person table with 9 people (added a chair to the end). On top of that the only table that I could see that allowed more than 6 people had just sat down and was still looking at the menu. Using their logic, I would have to wait for that table to leave which could have easily been an hour+. I understand being busy, but be straight forward, if you can’t seat me then fine don’t ask me to wait 15 mins when reality is you can’t seat me for an hour or done lie about not being able to seat us at a 6 person table if you plan to use a different 6 person table. The attitude of the person telling this to me was just very condescending and left me a negative impression.

I will mentioned that this was a one off incident, normally the wait staff are very good and helpful and I’ve always enjoyed going here. The food is very good the few times I’ve gone. It’s just this one interaction had been...