Teyah Parent, features editor

At first, I was not sure what to expect going into my meal at Korea Restaurant. I had never been before and the name isn’t all that descriptive, but it very quickly turned into a place that I will return to with as many people as possible. 

First of all, it’s not fancy at all. Located at 211 Oak St SE in Minneapolis, the space is fairly small. The setup is straightforward and there’s nothing about it that screams “trendy restaurant.” But honestly, that’s kind of what made me like it right away. It was relaxed though a bit cramped, but the food aroma from the kitchen filled the entire place. I ordered beef bulgogi, and it came out perfectly cooked and still sizzling, which immediately made it feel worth it. It was extremely filling, but not in a heavy, regret-it-later kind of way. More like the kind of meal that just hits, especially if you’re hungry. The small side dishes, banchan, were honestly one of the best parts. Almost every dish comes with a select three to five small sides. Each one was fresh and different. Nothing felt like it was there to fill space. I found myself going back and forth between everything, which made the whole meal feel diverse without it being complicated. The restaurant also provided metal chopsticks instead of the usual wooden ones that most Asian restaurants provide, which made the vibe more sophisticated to me.

The service was also solid. It did not take long to get seated when the place was half full, and the staff was very nice to people when the restaurant was full, giving estimated wait times for a table. The food never took too long; I noticed that each time I went, no matter the capacity of the restaurant, nobody was hovering or checking in every five seconds. I never felt rushed, which made it easy to just sit there and enjoy everything. 

If I had to point out downsides, the biggest one is parking. The restaurant has a very tiny lot with maybe 8 actual spaces for a car to fit, and even then you have to do crazy 100-point turns to try and get out of the spot. It’s not the cheapest place ever, as most dishes are $18-$26, but based on the portion size and how good the food actually is, I take my broke ass there anyway.

This isn’t the kind of spot you go to if you’re looking for a big, flashy night out or something super aesthetic. It’s the kind of place you go when you want something warm, reliable, and actually satisfying. The food feels real, the atmosphere feels real, the music they play is relaxing and fun, and that’s what makes me continue to go back. It’s consistent and comforting. And honestly, that kind of place is harder to come by than it should be.

I didn’t really know what to expect walking into the Korea Restaurant at 211 Oak St SE, Minneapolis, for the first time, but it ended up being one of those places that I would take everyone I know to. 

First off, it’s not fancy. At all. The space is fairly small, the setup is straightforward, and there’s nothing about it that screams “trendy restaurant.” But honestly, that’s kind of what made me like it right away. It was relaxed and a bit cramped, but the food aroma from the kitchen filled the entire place. I ordered beef bulgogi, and it came out perfectly cooked and still sizzling, which immediately made it feel worth it. It was extremely filling, but not in a heavy, regret-it-later kind of way. More like the kind of meal that just hits, especially if you’re hungry. The banchan (the small side dishes) were honestly one of the best parts. Almost every dish comes with a select 3-5 small sides. Each one was fresh and different. Nothing felt like it was there to fill space. I found myself going back and forth between everything, which made the whole meal feel diverse without it being complicated. The restaurant also provided metal chopsticks instead of the usual wooden ones that most Asian places provide, which made the vibe more sophisticated, I think.

The service was also solid. It didn’t take long to get seated when the place was half full, and the staff was very nice to people when the restaurant was full, giving estimated wait times for a table. The food never took too long; I noticed that each time I went, no matter the capacity of the restaurant. Nobody was hovering or checking in every five seconds; I never felt rushed, which made it easy to just sit there and enjoy everything. 

If I had to point out downsides, the biggest one is parking. The restaurant has a very tiny lot with maybe 8 actual spaces for a car to fit, and even then you have to do crazy 100-point turns to try and get out of the spot. It’s not the cheapest place ever, as most dishes are $18-$26, but based on the portion size and how good the food actually is, I take my broke ass there anyway.

This isn’t the kind of spot you go to if you’re looking for a big, flashy night out or something super aesthetic. It’s the kind of place you go when you want something warm, reliable, and actually satisfying. The food feels real, the atmosphere feels real, the music they play is relaxing and fun, and that’s what makes me continue to go back. It’s consistent and comforting. And honestly, that kind of place is harder to come by than it should be.