Kimchi Garden - Berkeley

This restaurant can be hit or miss when it comes to food quality. I've visited several times and will definitely order their tofu soup, japchae, and hotdogs aga... read more This restaurant can be hit or miss when it comes to food quality. I've visited several times and will definitely order their tofu soup, japchae, and hotdogs again. The tofu soup is generally good, though its quality can vary. Unfortunately, the kimchi and seafood pancake fell short of my expectations; the pancake was quite mushy, suggesting it might have been undercooked or that the batter wasn't mixed properly. On a positive note, I do appreciate the generous amount of fillings they provide. If this place is conveniently located for you, it’s worth a visit for their main dishes, but I wouldn't suggest going out of your way for it, as I wouldn't expect top-notch Korean cuisine.

Kimchi Garden offered an excellent experience. There was no need for direct interaction—you simply place your order at the kiosk and decide whether to dine in o... read more Kimchi Garden offered an excellent experience. There was no need for direct interaction—you simply place your order at the kiosk and decide whether to dine in or take out. We shared the Kimchi fried rice and beef Kimbap (Gimbap), both of which were absolutely delicious and packed with flavor. The atmosphere was fantastic—clean and comfortable. We really enjoyed the K-pop music playing in the dining area; it added the perfect touch to our meal. Kimchi Garden has quickly become one of our new MUST-visit places whenever we're in the Bay Area.

I would advise against visiting this restaurant. Although the food was outstanding, I had a troubling encounter with the staff, who physically assaulted me. I c... read more I would advise against visiting this restaurant. Although the food was outstanding, I had a troubling encounter with the staff, who physically assaulted me. I cannot support a restaurant that treats its customers like this. To clarify, if you don’t have a phone or a means to provide a number when placing your order, the staff may respond aggressively. Food rating: 5/5.

The hot dogs at this restaurant are tasty and affordably priced between $4 and $5 each. You can sprinkle them with sugar and choose from a range of sauces. The... read more The hot dogs at this restaurant are tasty and affordably priced between $4 and $5 each. You can sprinkle them with sugar and choose from a range of sauces. The menu is conveniently accessible on a tablet, where you can also select your seating area. Once your order is ready, they'll call your number over the microphone. However, I did find the seafood pancake a bit undercooked, probably because the staff was busy trying to prepare everything quickly. Additionally, the kimchi lacked fermentation time, which impacted its flavor.

I was pleasantly surprised by my experience at Kimchi Garden. The food exceeded all my expectations. It’s a counter-service setup where you order at the counter... read more I was pleasantly surprised by my experience at Kimchi Garden. The food exceeded all my expectations. It’s a counter-service setup where you order at the counter and then find a seat yourself. Beyond that, everything was outstanding. I tried the tteokbokki, and it was some of the best I’ve ever had. They also seem to be famous for their corn dogs.