KOA Kitchen - Chippendale

I should have checked the rating and reviews on here beforehand. It was a chilly midday, I felt like a hearty soup so went with their spicy soup. It was incredi... read more I should have checked the rating and reviews on here beforehand. It was a chilly midday, I felt like a hearty soup so went with their spicy soup. It was incredibly sugary for what it was and lacked ingredients. I was utterly disappointed.

**** AMAZING FOOD!!! Would strongly recommend to everyone wanting some good hearty korean food. Staff are so friendly and welcoming. Dont judge this small shop... read more **** AMAZING FOOD!!! Would strongly recommend to everyone wanting some good hearty korean food. Staff are so friendly and welcoming. Dont judge this small shop by its cover.

One of the dilemmas in being adventurous is getting food that is really bad. Eating out in our city is not cheap either. This is why I rely on food reviews to g... read more One of the dilemmas in being adventurous is getting food that is really bad. Eating out in our city is not cheap either. This is why I rely on food reviews to get my meals sorted out. Koa was one of these restaurants near my girlfriend's workplace. My girlfriend and I ordered kimchi rice and sweet and spicy chicken. The kimchi fried rice was sweeter than what kimchi would normally taste. The fried chicken was just frozen chicken pieces. Nothing fanciful. There were a couple of comments who mentioned that I am harsh with reviews. No, I disagree. I have expectations on my food and having a great meal after a hard day at work is fulfilling and gratifying. I don't rate a restaurant because of bad service because the guy could simply have a bad day at work unless they consistently exhibit unacceptable service, which is rare in Sydney. As tastes and preferences are subjective, I rate restaurants and cafes on how they prepare the dishes, present them, store them or source them and whether the dishes are creative or authentic. I am/was a chef by the way. And there is no such thing as a perfect meal.

During the winter, I was feeling cold and craving kimchi, so I ordered Kimchi soup with rice and eggs. It was the best thing I had ordered, warming me up and th... read more During the winter, I was feeling cold and craving kimchi, so I ordered Kimchi soup with rice and eggs. It was the best thing I had ordered, warming me up and the flavor of the soup base was fantastic. It satisfied my kimchi cravings 100%. I wanted another bowl but had to resist.

This restaurant offers authentic Korean "home-style" food. The ddeokbokki tastes just like my mother's and the staff always greets me with a big smile. I highly... read more This restaurant offers authentic Korean "home-style" food. The ddeokbokki tastes just like my mother's and the staff always greets me with a big smile. I highly recommend trying their ddeokbokki, as well as their gimbap dunked in the sauce.