I have been to Seoul Garden several times before and have never had an issue. The food is delicious and the service isn't great, but it isn't horrible either. Just ok- which, since I'm pretty easily pleased, wasn't a problem to me. However, my last visit there will be my LAST visit there! My three daughters and I decided to go there to celebrate my oldest buying her first car. We were in good spirits and happy to just be together. We were seated in the back room, which was fine by us because the main dining room feels a little too crowded to me. Our server came by to introduce herself and take our drink order. Three sweet teas and one water. Seems simple enough. Well, apparently not, because 15 minutes later and we still had nothing to drink. Eventually our server did make it back with our drinks, and she also took our food order. We were pleasantly surprised when our food came out rather quickly. Everyone got their food except my middle daughter. We didn't think much of it, and our server was MIA, so we just kept eating and talking. We had almost finished our food by the time the server came by, and this was only because my oldest daughter waved her down. We asked her about the missing entree, and she said she would check on it. She came back stating that a server had accidentally taken it to another table thinking it was for her order. She said she would put another order in and asked my daughter if she wanted it in a to-go box. I then asked the server if we would be given a discount for the inconvenience, thinking that Seoul Garden, like ANY other restaurant in Raleigh would do, would be taking that dish off the bill. She shrugged and said she would ask. It wasn't long before she came back. She said, "He said no". I asked her, " what do you mean no?" I asked to speak to the manager. About 15 minutes later, the server and hostess both came to the table. I was informed there was no manager tonight, and no one there was authorized to give discounts, but they would be more than happy to offer a scoop of complimentary rice. I laughed in disbelief. Surely this was a joke. I asked her to call whoever she had to in order to gain the "authorization" needed to apply a discount. They both left and about 10 minutes later, they returned. The hostess then informed me it was the server's fault because she forgot to enter the order in and the most they could offer me was $3.99 ( I believe my daughter's dish costs $10.99). I said, "I'm confused. She (the server) told me she put the order in and the dish was taken to another table by accident, and now you are telling me she never put the order in to start with. Which is it?" . They both stood there in silence with wide eyes, like deers in headlights. The server then stated, "Ummmm... don't worry, you don't have to leave me a tip". OMG. Am I in the Twilight Zone? I said, "please call your manager back and tell him I am not satisfied with the $3.99 discount or the free scoop of rice". They both left again. ANOTHER ten minutes later the server returns informing me the manager has agreed to discount the dish 50% and this was final. Final? Like he was doing me some kind of favor! Out of pure frustration we finally just paid the bill and left. This place needs a crash course in customer service and taking accountability when a mistake is made. I am extremely disappointed and will be telling everyone I know about my...
Read moreRating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I recently had the pleasure of dining at a local Korean barbecue restaurant, and I must say, it was an absolutely incredible experience from start to finish! From the warm ambiance to the exceptional service and mouthwatering dishes, this place truly exceeded my expectations.
Let's talk about the star of the show: the food. The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by the enticing aroma of sizzling meats on the grill. The extensive menu offered a delightful array of traditional Korean dishes, each bursting with authentic flavors that transported my taste buds straight to Korea. The attentive staff explained each dish with great detail, ensuring that we made the most of our dining experience.
Now, let me introduce you to the highlights of the meal. The kimchi bulgogi, a classic Korean barbecue staple, was an absolute delight. The tender, marinated beef cooked to perfection, combined with the spicy tanginess of the kimchi, created a harmonious explosion of flavors in my mouth. It was a true masterpiece that left me craving more with each bite.
But the deliciousness didn't stop there. The galbi, thinly sliced beef short ribs, were unbelievably tender and succulent. Grilling them to perfection on the tableside grill was an interactive experience that added to the overall enjoyment. The bulgogi, thinly sliced marinated beef, was another standout dish. The balance of sweet and savory flavors was impeccable, making it a true crowd-pleaser.
One cannot talk about a Korean barbecue experience without mentioning the banchan. The restaurant's assortment of traditional side dishes was beyond impressive. From the pungent kimchi to the delicate pickled vegetables and the addictive crispy pancakes, each banchan added a new layer of taste and texture to the meal. It was a feast for the senses, and I appreciated the variety and quality of these accompaniments.
Now, onto the service. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive throughout our entire meal. They expertly guided us through the menu, ensuring that we made informed decisions. They were quick to refill our banchan and check on the grill, ensuring that our dining experience was seamless. Their warm hospitality truly enhanced our overall enjoyment of the evening.
The quality of the food was outstanding. Every ingredient used was fresh and of the highest quality. It was evident that the chefs took great pride in their craft, as each dish was meticulously prepared and beautifully presented. The attention to detail in the flavors and presentation was commendable and made every bite an absolute pleasure.
In conclusion, my visit to this local Korean barbecue restaurant was an absolute triumph. The delicious and authentic flavors, combined with the exceptional service, created an unforgettable dining experience. If you're seeking a true taste of Korea and a dining adventure that will leave you yearning for more, look no further. This place is a gem that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone in search of the best Korean...
Read moreMy wife and I had been the most loyal customers of Seoul Garden for the past 5 years until several weeks ago after a horrible experience with this restaurant, and I am giving them one star rating because as a business they have failed miserably in handling customer complaints. Being the loyal customers means that if it wasn’t once a week at least we would keep up the pace and be there once every other week. We craved many of their delicacies as the quality of their foods and service had been mostly consistent. Once in a while the soup could be too salty or too spicy. As frequent diners we totally understood that so we would ask the server to make correction. Last time when we were there the Champong was simply too salty. A request to dilute the soup was ignored. The server was slow in responding and left us unattended for a prolong period of time. After several requests, eventually the correction was made. The server explained that the kitchen staffs were very busy. That was not a big deal to us. However, for some reason the management team, maybe the owner, took our complaint as an offense and at the end of the meal had the server told us that we are no longer welcome there. This is by far the most ridiculous response we have ever received from the restaurant. We dine out several times on a weekly basis and have been the regular customers of several restaurants and no business would handle customer complaint like Seoul Garden does. To be honest, I am not a big fan of their food and the reason I went there simply because my wife loves it so I am more than happy to take my business elsewhere. To Seoul Garden management team, if you like to remain in business you should maintain a good business-customer relationship by taking every complaint seriously, in particular, from those frequent customers. To other customers, unless you want to be insulted stay away from...
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