Koreana - Manchester

We made a reservation at this restaurant, only to arrive and discover that they had not actually reserved a BBQ for us, but just a regular table. I would not recommend this place. We traveled 2 hours from the Midlands for a birthday meal and were disappointed.

I tried the lunch special which included beef bibimbap and meat dumplings. The meal was very satisfying, with the beef marinated well and perfectly mixed with the vegetables. You could also customize the amount of sauce to your liking. The addition of pickles in the bibimbap was unique and refreshing. I wish there were more spinach and less lettuce in the dish.

The dolsot bibimbap was amazing! I highly recommend it.

We had the beef bibimbap and kimchi pancakes. I really enjoyed them all. The staff looked so busy but they were so helpful. After the main meal, I had the ginger ice creams. It was 3 scoops and the real gingers were in them. I absolutely loved it!

Koreana Restaurant in Manchester offers a mixed experience, blending affordability with culinary inconsistencies. While their lunchtime business deal presents an attractive offer, certain aspects of the dining experience leave much to be desired. One of the highlights of Koreana Restaurant is their lunchtime business deal, which provides good value for money. The option to choose either a main dish with a drink or a starter is a convenient choice for those looking for a quick and affordable meal during the workday. However, despite the enticing deal, the execution of certain dishes falls short. In particular, the dolsot bibimbap, a staple of Korean cuisine, missed the mark in terms of taste and authenticity. It's surprising to encounter such a misstep, as dolsot bibimbap is typically a fail-safe dish. The lackluster flavors and improper preparation detracted from the overall dining experience. Another issue worth noting is the inadequacy in service. There seemed to be a shortage of staff available to attend to diners, resulting in longer wait times and less attentive service. Additionally, the dim lighting within the restaurant, exacerbated by its basement location, created a somewhat gloomy atmosphere that detracted from the overall dining ambiance. Despite these shortcomings, Koreana Restaurant does show promise, particularly with its competitive pricing and convenient lunch deals. With some improvements in food quality and service, it has the potential to become a go-to spot for affordable Korean cuisine in Manchester.