$ - inexpensive
Korean
Good variety of Korean cuisine on the East Bank near the U of MN
Although it has a fairly dull name they have a good veg selection, at prices that are hard to beat in the Twin Cities. The servers have always been friendly and helpful in finding menu items that are meat-free . If you look at the menu at first glance, you may think there is nothing there for a vegetarian or vegan, but they are more than willing to prepare most of the meals without meat and eggs. Korean food rarely, if ever, uses dairy products, so no worries there. If you let the servers know you're vegetarian, they will bring out the panchan (side dishes that automatically come with most meals) that are animal-free .
- Buffet
- Kid-Friendly
- Large Group-Friendly
Added by peaceofrice on Dec 24 06 (updated Jan 7 07)
Reviews
Loved it! The most accomodating Korean restaurant in Minnesota for vegetarians. The server even went to the extent of saying that they will try to make most everything on the menu vegetarian. Obviously the dishes that consist solely of meat would not be able to make this transition, but by-in-large many of the soups, rice and noodle dishes can easily be made both vegetarian and vegan.
Most every Korean restaurant brings out an assortment of side dishes that are refillable throughout your meal. When I was there in the summer of 2006, I didn't let them know I'm vegan and they brought out mostly all veggie-friendly side dishes except one was dried anchovies. I was there in December of 2006 and let them know I'm vegan so they brought out just veggie side dishes. Instead of the dried anchovies, they brought out very tasty tofu. Other side dishes include potatoes, bean sprouts, and of course, kimchi (fermented spicy cabbage). All are prepared with tasty seasoning. Ja Jang Myeon, a noodle dish with black bean sauce is good, as well as Jap Chae, made with clear potatoe noodles. I tried the Den Jang Chigae, a soup that came out bubbling hot and was made with tofu and other veggies. It often has pork, but they made it without with no problem. Other Korean restaurants in the Twin Cities have told me that they cannot always prepare the menu items free of meat and seafood (probably due to the food being prepared earlier), but so far Korea Restaurant has been more than willing to do so which is why I keep going back. Not to mention the price is the best compared to other Korean restaurants in Minnesota. The lunch buffet is also very good. You can get that on weekdays only. There are enough veg options on the buffet to make it worth your trip.
This place is pretty veg-friendly as far as Korean restaurants go, which is to say they have 4-5 veg entrees, as opposed to 1. The trick to having a good experience here seems to be to get the right server.
The tall young woman (the owner's daughter, IIRC), is really good about making sure the vegetarian stuff has no seafood, no eggs, and serving you only veg side dishes too. The other server I've had there, a not-quite-as-tall young man, brought me a dish full of shrimp and oysters.
Anyway, about the food ... I really like the Tofu Jorim, which is about a pound of tofu fried with onions, scallions, and shredded carrots, topped with a nice spicy sauce. I love tofu! The Soon Do Bo (tofu stew) is also really good, but make sure to request it vegetarian (no seafood).
The Goon Mandu dumplings are good as well, and the tall woman says they have no eggs. They have a lunch special of six dumplings for some ridiculously low price like $3.50. Some dumplings, rice, and side dishes would make for a delicious ultra-cheap lunch, though I haven't had a chance to try that yet.
It's no Hangawi or Franchia, but if you're curious about Korean cuisine but you've been frightened off because of its veg-unfriendliness, this is your best bet in the Twin Cities.