Bawi Korean BBQ — Restaurant in Springfield

EDIT: General Manager reached out to me and was very apologetic and are fixing the problem and I really appreciated him taking the time to make things right!

My name is actually Grace Mathews, but I want to start off by saying I have never wrote a one star review in my life. This was a go to “to go” place for me. I have gotten their chicken bowl with sweet chili sauce dozens of times. I was a loyal customer here. I told many people how good their food was. I had been wanting to sit down and try it so my boyfriend and I did that tonight. Our hostess asks us if we’ve ever been there, I explain Ive gotten it to go but have never sat down to eat. She tells us useless things that really don’t matter like what sides were on the table and the sauces and then shows us where to locate the menu and that our server will be with us quickly. When we finally get the menu on his phone, our server comes to our table and tells us we have 4 options of meat to choose from in the first hour and 2 in the second hour. They never ever tell us how much this will be or any other details. I assumed this was going to be exactly what the bowls I get were going to be for SIX dollars, but the only difference was we were going to cook it ourselves. They are very sketchy here, she never asked us what we wanted she just told us we had 4 options of meat to choose from. Meat portions were extremely small, and the rice was cold and horrible. Just bad sides in general. I then ask if I can get a side of sweet chili sauce, the waitress looks at me like I’m insane and points to all the sauces on the table and I explain that I want this one that’s more orange. She then tells me that’s not available for this dinner and says it’ll be 50 cents extra charge for each one. COMPLETELY OUTRAGEOUS. My boyfriend and I at this point are getting suspicious and want to know how much all this is going to be. I ask another lady working there who was not our server how much all of this was going to be and our server comes back out and tells us that it’s 25 PER PERSON. I’ve never heard of something more bizarre in my life. We could’ve gone to nakato or a million other places with 10x more food that tasted 100x better for WAY less. So I tell him we should make a good amount of meat to take home with us for that price. Our waitress comes back out and asks if we want more meat and I clarify to her if this is all included in one price and IT TOOK HER THAT LONG to tell us that you are not allowed to take any food home with you and that if there is excess meat left over that you will be charged. I’ve never ever heard of such a thing. FOR $50 for TWO people. And you can’t take food home?! And will be charged for extra food?!?? I can’t even wrap my head around it. Never once did they tell us this when we sat down and explained it was our first time, no they waited till it was too late. I would’ve gotten up and left had we known all this information before hand. How people come here and enjoy this, and come back I have no idea. I was a loyal customer getting to go orders and now I will never ever be back. It was the most outrageous experience eating out I’ve ever had. We were both very frustrated and felt completely scammed by this place. If they would’ve told us you could not take any food home with you and you would be charged for what you don’t eat, and how ridiculously expensive it was, we would’ve gotten up and left. We told them we’d never been there to sit down to eat and they took advantage of us. Horrible horrible place. Never come here unless you want to be ripped off. I would give zero stars if I could. I can’t say enough...

Update We decided that after so long we would give this place another try. The concept was the same as before, but we were definitely treated better the second time around. Our waitress actually paid attention to what we asked for and the grill worked properly.

For the price and how the grill works I still cant give it kore than 3 stars, but that is a huge improvement from our original visit.

Would we go back for another visit? Possibly, but there are so many better places in Springfield that it will be a while.

OriginalThere are a lot of great comments about this place here, but this was not our experience at all.

First, this is an interesting concept. I'm not huge on paying so much for food I have to cook myself, but it sounded interesting.

The decor: The inside of the restaurant is a little dark (lots of black everywhere) but it isn't so dark that you can't see. The tables and booths, are a little low and with the grill in the center of the table the legroom can be a bit small if you are taller.

Restaurant: The place is clean. I had no issue with The cleanliness of the cooking surface as they seem to either change them or clean them very well between customers. A word of warning here though, they turn the cook surface on for you, so you are at their mercy. We asked about it because around us we could hear food sizzling on the grill top, but at our table it seemed to do nothing more than warm the food.

The food: This was why we really came, but we actually left disappointed. The beef items were tough with many of them just tasting like soy sauce. There is no seasoning for the meats past what they put on. The brisket was very thinly sliced, but frozen. With the heat issue at our table this dropped the temperature a lot, but the brisket itself tasted old and bordering the point of being bad. Without the grill surface heating properly our chicken couldn't be consumed. No one wanted to test that out and run the risk of getting sick, plus while we did get chicken we never actually ordered it, either time it came to our table. The sides are out on the table when you arrive so don't go in expecting them to be warm. Many of the sides are pleasant though. Your meal comes with sherbet at the end which the two people with me commented was actually the only good part of their meal.

Service: We definitely didn't have the great service everyone talked about. Our server brought us the wrong food several times. We all ordered water, which comes in a plastic container for you to pour into tiny cups, but took way too long to refill. We were told a cart would come by to refill any side items that we would like more of, but we actually had to ask every time as we never saw anyone with this mystery cart. When we did ask for more, one of our party members were scolded about what the dish was, even though she correctly identified the dish to the server. The food to cook took too long to arrive, or drinks were almost non existant and the server could rarely be seen. Several times as we were telling what we wanted she would nod her head and start to leave as we were speaking.

Overall I gave it a 1 star, it is the worst food in Springfield, and by no means do I give it a recommendation. Every experience is different, but this wasn't good...

Bawi Korean BBQ in Springfield, MO, is a hidden gem that offers an extraordinary dining experience, combining the rich flavors of Korean cuisine with an inviting and lively atmosphere. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted by the friendly staff and the irresistible aroma of grilled meats, setting the stage for a memorable meal.

Ambiance and Service: The ambiance at Bawi Korean BBQ is a perfect blend of modern elegance and cozy comfort. The decor is stylish yet welcoming, making it an ideal place for any occasion, whether it’s a family dinner, a date night, or a gathering with friends. The staff at Bawi are exceptional – attentive, knowledgeable, and eager to ensure you have the best dining experience possible. Their warmth and professionalism make you feel right at home from the start.

Food Quality and Variety: The true star of Bawi Korean BBQ is the food. The menu boasts a wide array of traditional Korean BBQ options, each more tempting than the last. The quality of the meat is superb, with options ranging from tender beef bulgogi and marinated short ribs to juicy pork belly and spicy chicken. Each cut is expertly seasoned and cooked to perfection, providing a delightful burst of flavor with every bite.

In addition to the main BBQ selections, Bawi offers a fantastic assortment of banchan (side dishes). These include classics like kimchi, pickled radishes, and savory potato salad, all of which are fresh, flavorful, and constantly replenished. The variety and quality of these side dishes add depth and complexity to your meal, ensuring that every bite is a new and exciting experience.

Unique Features: One of the standout features of Bawi Korean BBQ is the interactive grilling experience. Each table is equipped with a built-in grill, allowing you to cook your meat to your exact preference. This not only guarantees that your meal is prepared just the way you like it but also adds a fun and engaging element to your dining experience. Additionally, the restaurant’s excellent ventilation system ensures that you can enjoy your meal in a smoke-free environment.

Conclusion: Bawi Korean BBQ in Springfield, MO, is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the vibrant and delicious world of Korean cuisine. The combination of high-quality ingredients, exceptional service, and a welcoming atmosphere makes Bawi a standout dining destination. Whether you’re a Korean BBQ aficionado or a first-time visitor, Bawi Korean BBQ promises an unforgettable culinary journey that will leave you eager to return.

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