SSAMJANG Korean BBQ — Restaurant in Vinings

At the bustling Korean BBQ restaurant, Chewy stood out as a remarkable server and chef, creating an unforgettable dining experience for every guest. From the moment patrons entered, his warm smile and enthusiastic greeting set a positive tone. Chewy's passion for food was evident in the way he shared the menu, providing insightful recommendations that showcased the restaurant's specialties. His knowledge of the different cuts of meat and accompanying side dishes made guests feel confident in their choices, enhancing their overall experience.

Chewy's culinary skills were equally impressive. As he expertly grilled marinated short ribs and spicy pork belly at the table, it was clear he had a deep understanding of timing and temperature. With each flip of the meat, he demonstrated a finesse that brought out the flavors beautifully. The sizzling sounds and enticing aromas captivated diners, making the meal feel interactive and engaging. Chewy’s attention to detail ensured that each piece of meat was cooked to perfection, achieving that ideal balance between tenderness and a satisfying char.

Beyond his cooking expertise, Chewy's service was exemplary. He frequently checked in on tables, ensuring everyone had everything they needed while maintaining a perfect balance of attentiveness and space. His friendly demeanor made guests feel at ease, turning a simple meal into a lively social event. Whether it was refilling drinks or offering additional sides, Chewy was always a step ahead, anticipating needs before they arose. This proactive approach fostered a sense of care and commitment that elevated the dining experience.

Guests often commented on how Chewy made them feel like part of the restaurant family. His genuine interest in their enjoyment transformed casual diners into loyal patrons. He would share stories about the origins of the dishes and personal anecdotes that connected guests to the culinary traditions behind the food. This storytelling aspect not only educated diners but also created a warm atmosphere, making each visit feel special and memorable.

By the end of the meal, patrons would often leave not just satisfied but delighted, thanks to Chewy’s exceptional service and culinary prowess. His ability to combine excellent food with top-notch hospitality made him a standout figure in the restaurant. Many would return not only for the delicious Korean BBQ but also for the experience that Chewy uniquely provided. His dedication to his craft and his guests truly embodied the spirit of hospitality, leaving a lasting impression that made the restaurant a beloved...

This has been by far the worst kbbq I’ve ever had. While the inviting atmosphere is appealing and the staff friendly, I cannot recommend this restaurant to anyone who cares what their food tastes like. I went with my girlfriend and we ended up spending $40/person for AYCE and after automatic 20% gratuity and tax, $102.

Bulgogi and Hawaiian Beef: Texture of the meat was indicative of a long marinate, but wayyyy too soft- almost mushy. Flavor was good but the texture threw me off.

Ssamjang Steak: Quite literally the worst meat I’ve ever tasted. I cooked it to a medium and the meat was dry and had a texture akin to when someone washes it under water (from experience in my childhood). The taste was also not appealing.

Garlic Pork: The best meat out of everything I had today and it was still only mediocre. There was a LOT of garlic and I did like it- however it made me wonder if it was garlic with pork or the other way around.

Marinated Pork Collar: Average, flavor was good but not mindblowing.

Salt Marinated Beef: Below average and the texture became hard and dry because it’s a salt marinate. Brine with beef is not my preferred combination, let’s just say that.

Sides: Typical kbbq sides, average and expected.

Ordered Sides: Had fries, galbi patty, ramyun, and tteokbokki. The fries were great- nice and crispy with a soft interior. However, this is a kbbq restaurant. Galbi patty had great flavor but very filling. Ramyun was good but the broth got watery in the second serving. The tteokbokki had a very strong gochugaru flavor and the texture felt a bit grainy- which is expected but we paid $102 for all of this.

Overall, very dissatisfied and take your...

We have been frequent visitors of Ssamjang and truly enjoy the food but were completely disappointed in our last visit

We called ahead, checked on wait times and specials. We saw the $40 AYCE for February Mon-Fri, which the hostess mentioned was available, but I wanted to double check given it was Saturday night. I asked no less than 3x if it included today (Saturday) and was even placed on a brief hold while she checked and confirmed it was available. We were planning on going to Kang’s in Duluth but we are located much closer to Ssamjang so thought we’d save some time.

My wife and I arrive, there was a 30 minute wait. I noticed that the restaurant was less than half full, but understand they may have been understaffed, so had no issues in waiting, just odd that it was fairly empty for a Saturday night. The Yelp waitlist had 0 people on it.

We noticed a similar size family was seated ahead of us (4 people while we had 3), no big deal. We wait 15 more minutes, 0 customers left and 0 additional tables sat. We were seated at a table that had been empty since our arrival. No big deal, I understand limited staffing

We chat with our server and he said “everything on the menu is available except the AYCE”. We asked if he could clarify with his manager given our discussion over the phone. No exceptions

At this point, we were frustrated by the many little inconveniences that we got up and left. In addition, most of their combo meals have items manually crossed out with a sharpie.

This place was great when they first opened but quite disappointed in the continued decline. ...