Korea Garden Restaurant — Restaurant in Whitpain Township

This is located in a strip mall in Blue Bell on Route 202. My wife and I were here for lunch on Saturday with a friend. The restaurant was largely empty but for a large Asian group. We were promptly recognized and seated at a large table - a table that would hold 6. Considering that I had just met my friend after a gap of only 12 years, we didn't spend the first few minutes looking at the menu and were understandably not ready to order. Our server did check in periodically but she was polite when she found that we weren't ready.

In the end, it took us a few minutes to decide because it was a large menu. I settled on Shrimp Bokkum Bap (Fried rice with shrimp & vegetables) while my wife went for a fried shrimp tempura bento box. My friend went with the chicken tempura bento box.

Before our entrees came out, there were various munchables provided for the table and I found some of them quite enjoyable. However, the entree itself was a bit disappointing because I found the shrimp fried rice quite bland. I had to get some hot sauce and with the sauce mixed in, the dish was much more enjoyable. My other complaint about the dish was that it had far too few vegetables - it was largely a ton of rice along with many small pieces of shrimp (the size that are used for shrimp salad). Pictures next to the "Bibimbap" section of menu had suggested that the dish would have more veggies. My wife's bento box was no different from other bento boxes I have had in the past - a little bit of everything - fried shrimp tempura, some fried veggies, a few pieces of sushi, some garden salad, and some japchae. Portions were substantial enough that she couldn't finish it all and I had to help her and even then we didn't finish everything. My friend also finished only about 1/2 - 2/3rd of his bento box. It says something though that he didn't feel like taking with him what was left over.

Overall, this place meets the basics I suppose but it doesn't stand out. Service was decent but not exceptional. I had to get off the table to request the hot sauce because there was no one to be seen. Portions were huge but the taste itself was nothing worth writing home about. And finally prices aren't too low in general. The bento boxes which are a part of the lunch special, and priced at $12.95 - 13.95 are a good deal. The entree items themselves however start at about $15-16 and aren't too cheap.

In the end, I might be willing to give this place yet one more shot but only because I am really really craving Korean food. And this time around, I will be sure to order better and...

UPDATING MY REVIEW: 03/12/2025 KOREA GARDEN REOPENS WITH A NEW LOOK AND JUST AS WONDERFUL AS BEFORE . Korea Garden had changed names for a little while but decided to reopen under the name Korea Garden, and I am so happy it didn't close for good. I can not say enough. Good things about the family that runs this restaurant and the food that they take time to prepare. If I could eat there 7 days a week I would.Everything is fresh and full of flavor . I have even been enjoying some of the things that have a little spice. It works, and you can always cut it down using some rice. Go for the appetizers. They're dumplings, vegetable pancakes, corn cheese, and the main dishes are amazing soups. Stews, trust me, you won't be disappointed. Go check out the newly renovated restaurant. Private rooms for parties just cannot recommend it enough..

When I 1st left a review 3 years ago we had had a very unpleasant experience with Korea garden Restaurant in Bluebell . But fast forward to March 6th of 2022.. My friend and I went for dinner and from the moment we walked in we were greeted by the nicest staff the servers were attentive and really nice.. The food came out really fast. I can't even say enough wonderful things about the experience that we had. The flavors of the food I can't even describe they were just so wonderful. It's nice to give this place a second chance it was nothing like it was 3 years ago this experience was incredible and I can't wait to go back and bring...

We had a pretty bad experience last night. We made a "reservation" at 1:56 PM for 6:30 PM that didn't seem to mean anything when I told them at 6:25 PM. ⚾ First strike. They still had a table available so that's okay.

When we got to our table, we waited around 30 minutes to place our order. ⚾ Second strike, but I understand that they seem to only have three employees for the cooking and serving for the entire packed restaurant. They told us that they're short staffed.

The only reason why I'm still writing this review even with the understanding is because we were the first ones in a small room that can hold 4 tables. Every other table got their soups and food first before us. It seems that you need to be Korean in order to get preferential treatment. The customers seemed to know the people working there, but that's a slap in the face when we there first by an hour and we drove 45 minutes to try the place out. We didn't get our soups and main meat for the BBQ until 8:10 PM. We didn't leave until after 9 PM. ⚾ Third strike and you're out.

At least the food was really good and that's why it's not a one star review, you just need to be Korean to be serviced first and well when...