Hoban Korean BBQ — Restaurant in Minneapolis

This could have been an off night, or new staff or something. But we had horrible service. Definitely not a good Korean bbq spot. First, no one attended us at the entrance so we didn't know what to do. We were finally seated and had a our drink order taken. The host came around and asked us to move tables with no explanation why. I asked him why we needed to move and what the difference was with the new table and he walked away. 5 minutes later server comes to ask us to move and she explained they messed up someone else's reservation so they needed our table. We place our order at the same time. They were out of 3 things that we tried to order, and they were out of some of the beers they had on the menu. We then of course understand and move to the new table. Waitress tells us about our new server. A new friend had joined us and was waiting to order a drink. New server didn't show up forever. After about 50 minutes of being at the restaurant they finally brought out the side dishes and the fried rice side we ordered but not the rest of the food. We mentioned that we've been waiting for half an hour to order a drink. He says hes not the server but he'll send the server. She didn't come for another 10 min. By this time we're starving. The table that replaced where we were first seated (about 12 people) got their food before us. We waited for about an hour and a half before our food was finally brought out to us. Mind you, this is raw meat, not even prepared or anything. How the hell can it have taken that long when I still have to cook my own food. We thought at first maybe they didn't tell the server that she had to take over, but no, it was clear they brought out the side dishes and fried rice and she took the drink order. No help, no explanation, no anything on how to cook the food, or order, or anything when we had explained we've never been to a place like this. We were pretty fed up and just wanted to leave by then end. And it took another 20 minutes to just get the bill and pay. I had to walk the credit card to her because she wasn't coming around, she was cleaning stuff. Food was ok, but nothing special. I'm definitely being nicer in my review than the way i felt that night. Possibly the worst service I've ever had. I'm hoping they were just very short staffed and struggling that night and that's its not a common thing. They didn't really apologize, except for one quick time she said sorry for the wait. As a server, I would tell they guests i'm so sorry for the wait, we're doing the best we can...etc etc..., i would apologize a few times and take something off the receipt to make up for it some way. They didn't do anything. If this is common, they really could use a new staff manager to whip the customer...

Went with friends and had a great time. The waiters were prompt, nice, and very helpful. As it wasn't my first time eating kbbq I knew what I wanted, however my friends were new to the whole experience and our waiter gave them recommendations that they truly enjoyed.

Reasonably priced menu and both the quality and quantity of food was great. Cooked and uncooked foods arrive to table within a reasonable amount of time. And the waiters check in without being overbearing. Our water and complimentary sides were consistently taken care of without much prompting.

Sans reservation we were seated within 20 minutes, but I would recommend that you do put in a reservation as the place definitely became busier during our time there.

It is a very lively place, so expect that if 1) you're sound averse, and 2) concerned about covid. However, the staff is masked and promptly clears and cleans each table. There are dividers in the tabled area, and booth seating is staggered as much as possible based on restuarant volume. As I am still concerned about covid myself, I very much appreciated this dedication to staff and customer safety.

As mentioned before the menu is reasonably priced for kbbq, as a group of 3 we paid ~$130 (an app, 4 meats, bottle of sake) inclu. gratuity.

Should I be in the mood for kbbq in the future I will be returning to Hoban. I also would highly recommend this place based on my experience.

Other details: went on a Sat. before 6p in March, sat in the back by the kitchen, place is neither cold nor warm, you will be grilling your own food for bbq option (just in case you're unaware of the traditional kbbq experience), everything from the floor to the lighting is very clean, lighting isn't overbearingly bright, for personal utensils you recieve chopsticks and a spoon (idk if forks are available), there are a few tables and chairs at the front for parties waiting to be seated. Parking easy to find, 2h of street meter was enough. No rush: they aren't forcing you out for your table/rushing you through...

UPDATED POST COVID 19- Review on Delivery Delivery rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Obviously, many of us have gotten the hang of ordering food and having it delivered. Hoban provides the best packaging and food. We would seriously order and pay the price for the level of attention in packaging and the flavors. (Way better than Hoban Eagan)

For multiple bags they label name and Bag 1 of 2 which prevents incomplete orders being delivered. Side dish packaging- 👍🏻(see photo) Labeling food containers 👍🏻

Review Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️ FOOD: Moved here from California so I'll try to be fair on rating their bbq and service. Their food tends to be more on the sweeter side in marinade. For 1 order of Wang Galbi (Long rib) and 1 order of Black Pork Belly, I felt it was priced on the higher scale from a portion perspective. We also ordered the Seafood Korean Pancake or Pajeon. If you've never had this before, then this will suffice but I thought it was battered up with not as much/enough seafood that I'm used to.

We tried the YukHwe or Raw beef with egg aka Steak tartare. The crisp pear slices help clean up the heaviness of the yolk and balance the sweetness.

SERVICE: I think there's a lot of room for improvement. Better communication from and between the servers. It's obvious that the servers are overwhelmed during and thankfully the owner or manager stepped in but it was disappointing to see certain sides or accompanying dishes not make it out on the table the first time. I think sesame oil with salt and pepper should always be placed on table. If there are 2 guests at the table, offering 2 sets of garlic/jalepeno peppers/pepperbean paste is given. To place 1 and expect it to last between 2 guests is being a bit too frugal IMO.

CONCLUSION: This is probably the priciest Korean bbq for 2, I've ever seen. It's not a weekly place I would go to eat considering the value and service. I would recommend they improve their service to alleviate the burden of their high prices upon...