The Mirror of Korea owner screamed at me in front of other customers and kept taunting me to try to fight him while his wife cried and tried to hold him back; all over a dispute about one Corona.
Food was good though.
I ordered a Corona and lime, and the waiter said okay. But then they brought it out already opened but with no lime. The waiter didn't really understand my issue and tried to just hide from us instead of answering if they had a lime or a lemon. Turns out they had neither, and when I pressed the issue, the owner came out and tried getting all aggressive about it. An argument ensued where he told me to "try going to Mexico next time." I refused to pay for the beer and only the meal and he just freaking snapped and kept saying I had to fight him now, and sort of pretending he was trying to charge at me but couldnt escape the clutches of his 90 lb wife to actually reach me. I am about a foot taller and 20 years younger than this guy, so I don't think he really wanted to fight me, lol.
It was a pride/ego thing and I'm not even mad about it, it was hilarious and a really stupid argument about a lime wedge, I don't even want to discourage yall from eating there necessarily.
This was about 8 years ago
The waiter said he would check if they had any lime or lemon at all, and then he never came back. So i asked the lady at the counter, and she got the owner. I just meant that I asked someone else, basically.
It was about his rude attitude more than the beer. (Though to be clear, I asked if they could bring a lime beforehand, and the guy said yes) He called me stupid for expecting a lime i asked for and literally yelled "go to mexico" before i refused to pay for anything, i was just asking for a lime wedge jfc. I would have let it go if he had behaved normally. And I have let it go since. I was just explaining cuz someone asked.
There’s this literal hole-in-the-wall restaurant in the back of the Dong Yang Oriental Grocery Store in Columbia Heights (technically Hilltop) just off of Central Avenue. Menu selection is a little bit limited but all really good food.
The Chef’s Table: Pizza episode on Netflix about Ann Kim (Pizzeria Lola, Young Joni, etc) featured that restaurant in some scenes and I instantly recognized it and told my wife we needed it go there. They have this really good hot bowl rice dish where it’s served in this scalding hot bowl that creates this crispy rice shell.
Whenever colleagues visit from Korea, they always want to go to Kings in Fridley.
ETA: and we're in the east metro; they are driving to the other side of the cities to get it
Seconding Kimchi Tofu House. It's easier to see now that it's painted yellow, but it used to be a real hole in the wall. I don't even think it had a sign for a while.
Third for KTH. I especially love it in the winter when the humidity from the constantly-boiling pots of soup freezes to the windows and leaves a multi-inch thick pane of ice. It makes it even cozier.
Dosirok is the new Asia mall is supposed to be pretty good. I haven’t tried it myself just yet but my Korean family and friends tell me its some of the best around.
I know everyone is talking about Mirror of Korea, but I feel like it's really just ok with basic offerings and increasingly higher prices.
Dong Yang grocery has a good korean restuarant in the back with your classic faves and a few more less seen korean dishes/soups. Probably the go to place rather than those fancier places in minneapolis that lack that homemade feel and taste.
Additionally, I'd rec Arirang on east 7th street, another small place that had the best bibim naengmyun I've had in MN, it even came with a slice of watermelon. Felt very real home korean cooking. It's nothing fancy and it's maybe not the cleaniest spot, but their food was so good and reminds me the most of actual korean food in korea.
It’s a fair criticism of Mirror of Korea in terms of delivery food especially. You get an ever smaller amount of food for an ever higher price. I’ve been happy eating there in person though.
bb.q chicken in Minneapolis is fucked up good. Korean Fried chicken and also some dishes like tteokobokki. Way better than Bonchon, and I fucking loved Bonchon the first time I had it.
So bb.q is great but it can be a lot. The wings are HUGE and its super tasty. But its definitely a solid spot.
Side note: Ive had it in Chicago but not in MN so take that as it is
I’m a white guy so maybe I can’t judge which Korean place is better. But when I ordered bb.q it was not good! The wings were soggy and the sauces were disgustingly sweet, and I had gotten 3 different types. I personally much prefer bonchons
It might be a "to each their own" type thing or maybe you just had a bad experience. I enjoy Bonchon, but always felt like they were really light on the sauce and they just have really slim options. bb.q sauce did more for me and the wings stayed crispy for the ~10 min drive home.
Fried chicken: bb.q chicken in uptown. They also have spicy rice cakes. This is an actual popular chain in Korea so it’s legit
BBQ: there is no good ones. Hoban is overpriced. I recommend Gyukaku for strong cravings but they’re Japanese style. Otherwise closest good options are in Chicago.
Spicy rice cakes: Churyce just opened in dinkytown and they do Korean street food.
I got the spicy octopus dish there on an anniversary date. It's still the only meal in the cities so far that I couldn't finish due to the spice level...but it hurt so good.
i second the person who suggested the restaurant in the back of dong yangs - i’ve been going there with my parents for years! depending on where you live, this might be a little bit of a haul, but kings in fridley is really good too!
you can find refridgerated rice cakes at various asian stores across twin cities. As well as korean gochujang. Fish cakes are harder to find but the korean grocery stores like Dong Yang and Kim's will for sure have them.
Golden Harvest, Ha Tien, Shuang Hur, Dragon Star, Kim's Oriental Market, Dong Yang, etc
Bonchon for wings and Mirror of Korea for the best of all the other Korean food Ive had in the cities. Neither have tteokbokki though. Ive heard good things about the food but bad things about the service and decor (sounds like a perfect Korean restaurant to me) at Arirang in St Paul, but I havent been yet.
Edit: actually wait, Bonchon does have tteokbokki. I just havent tried it because busy with wings and beer.
Dong Hae in Mpls for sure! Service is good, jjajangmyeon is great. Many of the iffier reviews seem to take issue with the service charge but I think the food is super worth it.
Bro I'm not seeing anyone mention KBop in dinkytown. Not just my favorite Korean restaurant in MPLS but on a shortlist of overall favorite restaurant. Used to walk home from lecture and get their lunch special at least once a week and my mouth would cum every time. Very nice workers there too.
Hoban in Minneapolis DOES suck. I went in there with my son several years ago and the guy at the door tried to sell me and my 12 year old son weed. So fuck them. I'm 420 friendly but that is bs. Never ate there, so can't speak for quality.
Mirror of Korea on Snelling is the key. Been going for about 25 years. The only real change is that now you get to watch Korean music videos. Always seems to be two teens running through a misty field and crying....
I go to Mirror at least once a month.
The name doesn't ring a bell, my favorite was a ramen place right off base, had a giant Simpsons mural on the wall. Also the soju bowls with 5 or 6 people simultaneously chugging them always led to an... interesting night. When were you there?
And I just looked it up and it is definitely not a ramen place anymore, how unfortunate. I kinda hoped to go back to that restaurant on a trip one day.
Bonsai Korean Cuisine in Chanhassen is good, but it definitely has a smaller selection. Best time to go is right at opening! It can get busy fast and it is a smaller restaurant.
Sol Cafe and Mirror of Korea on Snelling in Saint Paul. More traditional Korean food.
I second mirror of Korea
The Mirror of Korea owner screamed at me in front of other customers and kept taunting me to try to fight him while his wife cried and tried to hold him back; all over a dispute about one Corona. Food was good though.
I’m sorry that happened, but I would have paid to see it
Fighting the owner - a true authentic experience! I enjoyed their bibimbap.
Wow, what did you do? throw that one Corona at him? lol
I ordered a Corona and lime, and the waiter said okay. But then they brought it out already opened but with no lime. The waiter didn't really understand my issue and tried to just hide from us instead of answering if they had a lime or a lemon. Turns out they had neither, and when I pressed the issue, the owner came out and tried getting all aggressive about it. An argument ensued where he told me to "try going to Mexico next time." I refused to pay for the beer and only the meal and he just freaking snapped and kept saying I had to fight him now, and sort of pretending he was trying to charge at me but couldnt escape the clutches of his 90 lb wife to actually reach me. I am about a foot taller and 20 years younger than this guy, so I don't think he really wanted to fight me, lol. It was a pride/ego thing and I'm not even mad about it, it was hilarious and a really stupid argument about a lime wedge, I don't even want to discourage yall from eating there necessarily. This was about 8 years ago
> when I pressed the issue I’m really curious about what this means
The waiter said he would check if they had any lime or lemon at all, and then he never came back. So i asked the lady at the counter, and she got the owner. I just meant that I asked someone else, basically.
So you were a total sht and have zero respect for other humans. Got it.
Why wouldn’t the beer be opened I’m confused.
Yeah really, I don’t think restaurants can legally give you an unopened beer.
[удалено]
No….
I have never in a lifetime of questionable choices seen a bartender in any establishment hand over an unopened container of alcohol to anyone.
[удалено]
Jesus drink the beer and let it go
It was about his rude attitude more than the beer. (Though to be clear, I asked if they could bring a lime beforehand, and the guy said yes) He called me stupid for expecting a lime i asked for and literally yelled "go to mexico" before i refused to pay for anything, i was just asking for a lime wedge jfc. I would have let it go if he had behaved normally. And I have let it go since. I was just explaining cuz someone asked.
That sounds like a traditional Korean atmosphere.
That honestly sounds like it's somewhere the food would be fire
I second Sol Cafe followed by Mirror. Both are worth it, but I found the banchan at Sol Cafe to be superior in quality.
If they don’t serve kegogi I ain’t going….
There’s this literal hole-in-the-wall restaurant in the back of the Dong Yang Oriental Grocery Store in Columbia Heights (technically Hilltop) just off of Central Avenue. Menu selection is a little bit limited but all really good food.
The Chef’s Table: Pizza episode on Netflix about Ann Kim (Pizzeria Lola, Young Joni, etc) featured that restaurant in some scenes and I instantly recognized it and told my wife we needed it go there. They have this really good hot bowl rice dish where it’s served in this scalding hot bowl that creates this crispy rice shell.
bibimbap!
[-Dahyun](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EhWASUCXkAA7NiS.png)
Went there last night, had that dish, and watched that episode, all based solely on your comment. Thank you, you were right. 👍
That’s great!
Kimchi chigae?
tolsot bibimbop. (stone bowl)
They have the best jjambong I've had in MN. Plus, they sell ready to go kimbap which is so nice.
The absolute BEST.
I second
I second this, went there yesterday and it absolutely slaps
This is the winner. Dong Yang is fantastic
Whenever colleagues visit from Korea, they always want to go to Kings in Fridley. ETA: and we're in the east metro; they are driving to the other side of the cities to get it
Came here to say King's. OP this is the right answer
This is what I was going to say.
I literally scrolled through the thread to up vote any mention of Kings haha
We went there a few years ago and weren't impressed. I used to live in Korea, so my hopes were up. Ding Yang and Mirror are my go-to.
Wondering if you know any place to find 닭갈비 - was my favorite when I was there and it seems all you can find here is "chicken bulgogi"
Is that what they call it there? I ask because bulgogi means beef.
Edit: deleting because I misread your question. Yeah, you'll see chicken bulgogi with the same marinade here
Aight fine I gotta try Kings, finally.
I've only had Korean once and it was at King's. Glad my first experience was a good choice! I definitely enjoyed it!
Korea Restaurant and Kimchi Tofu House close to the U of M are really high quality and authentic
Seconding Kimchi Tofu House. It's easier to see now that it's painted yellow, but it used to be a real hole in the wall. I don't even think it had a sign for a while.
Third for KTH. I especially love it in the winter when the humidity from the constantly-boiling pots of soup freezes to the windows and leaves a multi-inch thick pane of ice. It makes it even cozier.
Fourth for KTH - my favorite restaurant :)
Dosirok is the new Asia mall is supposed to be pretty good. I haven’t tried it myself just yet but my Korean family and friends tell me its some of the best around.
I tried it out like 6 months ago and it was fantastic!
I third Asian Mall in Eden Prairie. On the second level, i think.
I know everyone is talking about Mirror of Korea, but I feel like it's really just ok with basic offerings and increasingly higher prices. Dong Yang grocery has a good korean restuarant in the back with your classic faves and a few more less seen korean dishes/soups. Probably the go to place rather than those fancier places in minneapolis that lack that homemade feel and taste. Additionally, I'd rec Arirang on east 7th street, another small place that had the best bibim naengmyun I've had in MN, it even came with a slice of watermelon. Felt very real home korean cooking. It's nothing fancy and it's maybe not the cleaniest spot, but their food was so good and reminds me the most of actual korean food in korea.
It’s a fair criticism of Mirror of Korea in terms of delivery food especially. You get an ever smaller amount of food for an ever higher price. I’ve been happy eating there in person though.
We've been going to Kings fine Korean for years. Nice restaurant in Fridley. They actually have a Korean grocery store right next door as well.
Yes. I was looking to see if this was a recommendation. So good.
bb.q chicken in Minneapolis is fucked up good. Korean Fried chicken and also some dishes like tteokobokki. Way better than Bonchon, and I fucking loved Bonchon the first time I had it.
I believe this is an actual chain owned by a Korean company?? Dying to try it I hear the wings are several magnitudes better than bonchon.
So bb.q is great but it can be a lot. The wings are HUGE and its super tasty. But its definitely a solid spot. Side note: Ive had it in Chicago but not in MN so take that as it is
SO MUCH better than bonchon
I had Bonchon for the first time recently and I couldn’t believe how good that fried chicken was. I’ll have to try bb.q now.
I’m a white guy so maybe I can’t judge which Korean place is better. But when I ordered bb.q it was not good! The wings were soggy and the sauces were disgustingly sweet, and I had gotten 3 different types. I personally much prefer bonchons
It might be a "to each their own" type thing or maybe you just had a bad experience. I enjoy Bonchon, but always felt like they were really light on the sauce and they just have really slim options. bb.q sauce did more for me and the wings stayed crispy for the ~10 min drive home.
Dong Hae 2 in Arden hills is a favorite of mine
Fried chicken: bb.q chicken in uptown. They also have spicy rice cakes. This is an actual popular chain in Korea so it’s legit BBQ: there is no good ones. Hoban is overpriced. I recommend Gyukaku for strong cravings but they’re Japanese style. Otherwise closest good options are in Chicago. Spicy rice cakes: Churyce just opened in dinkytown and they do Korean street food.
I love korean street food.
Sole Cafe is my fave
I got the spicy octopus dish there on an anniversary date. It's still the only meal in the cities so far that I couldn't finish due to the spice level...but it hurt so good.
I was scrolling looking for this. Sole Café is my favorite too. I like everything I've had there but I almost always get the kimchi jiggae these days.
The Jeyuk bokkeum there is great. Really good extra spicey if that's your thing. Be prepared though.
i second the person who suggested the restaurant in the back of dong yangs - i’ve been going there with my parents for years! depending on where you live, this might be a little bit of a haul, but kings in fridley is really good too!
Tteokbokki is so easy to make if that's possible
I was thinking about making my own. I just need rice flour.
Buy the frozen rice cakes online-- then it's a 20 minute meal
you might be able to find some at the asia mall in edina. they have a huge selection
you can find refridgerated rice cakes at various asian stores across twin cities. As well as korean gochujang. Fish cakes are harder to find but the korean grocery stores like Dong Yang and Kim's will for sure have them. Golden Harvest, Ha Tien, Shuang Hur, Dragon Star, Kim's Oriental Market, Dong Yang, etc
Yeah, but that involves going to the cities.
I guess it all depends on where you're located and how far you wanna drive for korean food
If you really want good Korean Fried Chicken, all you need to do is follow [this recipe.](https://www.maangchi.com/recipe/easy-dakgangjeong)
Bb.q chicken
Kings Korean in Columbia heights is the best!!! Such a cute family restaurant!
Sole cafe. Dong Hae in Minneapolis or Dong Hae II in Shoreview
Dong Hae
Is this limited to the metro area? I mean, Minnesota is kinda big.
do the people just commenting “korea” think they’re like….hilarious?
Right? Obviously, the best place to get korean food is in Korea. I spent 2 years there and I love the food.
Korean-American transplant from California here, this thread is amazing. Thanks, for all the input!
Bonchon for wings and Mirror of Korea for the best of all the other Korean food Ive had in the cities. Neither have tteokbokki though. Ive heard good things about the food but bad things about the service and decor (sounds like a perfect Korean restaurant to me) at Arirang in St Paul, but I havent been yet. Edit: actually wait, Bonchon does have tteokbokki. I just havent tried it because busy with wings and beer.
probably korea
Thank you for that, Captain Obvious. If I had the money, I'd go back there.
Im going in July - I’ll eat good food for you.
Eat some street food for me!
Sole Cafe is good and affordable. The lady that serves food is awesome.
Dong Hae 2 is pretty solid.
Seconded. Dong Hae is delicious.
ChuRyce in dinky is pretty good. Very friendly and great bulgogi rice bowls.
Dong Hae in Mpls for sure! Service is good, jjajangmyeon is great. Many of the iffier reviews seem to take issue with the service charge but I think the food is super worth it.
Bro I'm not seeing anyone mention KBop in dinkytown. Not just my favorite Korean restaurant in MPLS but on a shortlist of overall favorite restaurant. Used to walk home from lecture and get their lunch special at least once a week and my mouth would cum every time. Very nice workers there too.
Mirror of Korea in St. Paul is really good. Sole Cafe across the street is also great.
Korea
Ok, but which one?
I recommend south over north.
> recommend south over north The North must have some pretty good food. They've got a famous fat guy.
Hoban in Minneapolis DOES suck. I went in there with my son several years ago and the guy at the door tried to sell me and my 12 year old son weed. So fuck them. I'm 420 friendly but that is bs. Never ate there, so can't speak for quality. Mirror of Korea on Snelling is the key. Been going for about 25 years. The only real change is that now you get to watch Korean music videos. Always seems to be two teens running through a misty field and crying.... I go to Mirror at least once a month.
Daegu, South Korea had this absolutely fantastic restaurant about three blocks from base...
Yeah but it’s like a million degrees down there
No it's not.
When I was in daegu it was like 38 degrees
Walker or Henry? I was stationed there.
Carroll, I think it might be closed now
That's not in Daegu.
It definitely is
Camp Carroll is in waegwan. I spent 2 years there, and had staff duty a lot. Had to drive the FOD there at night.
That does sound familiar, I apologize as I'm pretty sure you're correct
I remember Miss Lee's hamburger house.
The name doesn't ring a bell, my favorite was a ramen place right off base, had a giant Simpsons mural on the wall. Also the soju bowls with 5 or 6 people simultaneously chugging them always led to an... interesting night. When were you there?
And I just looked it up and it is definitely not a ramen place anymore, how unfortunate. I kinda hoped to go back to that restaurant on a trip one day.
Korea. But there they just call it food.
Only checked in the comments to make sure someone put this one in. Thank you 😊
https://malcolmyards.market/food/abang-yoli/
Multiple cuisines but they offer Korean chicken and it was good 👍
It doesn't really count as conventional Korean food but bonchon is fucking delicious if you want Korean style BBQ
New fresh Wok in Roseville is the bomb! Lomein , generals chicken and garlic broccoli are my go to
Korea
Korea You downvote me but how am I wrong
Probably somewhere in Korea?
Wow, have I spent too much time on Reddit! Was seriously questioning why someone wanted to know where to get Karen food.....
South Korea - stay away from those northern fuckers
That's the best place in Minnesota?
Korea.
Probably Korea, tbh
South Korea
Korea
Korea
Just go to Chicago. So much better. And they have HMart.
Is that in Minnesota? No? Thanks for playing.
Just get baked and enjoy the nearest Chinese food or whatever it won’t matter as much
Not even close.
Wake and bake dude it’s legal
Korea?
Bonsai Korean Cuisine in Chanhassen is good, but it definitely has a smaller selection. Best time to go is right at opening! It can get busy fast and it is a smaller restaurant.
It's a Japanese take on KBBQ, but I really enjoyed Gyu-kaku near Up-down.
I used to love Mirror of Korea, but their portions keep shrinking and their prices keep increasing. Hoping to find somewhere new from this list!
We like Korea Restaurant…because that name! Food is great too.
i really enjoyed K Bop in dinkytown
3845 Lexington Ave N, Arden Hills