Each week, Mondays are dedicated to providing you with a restaurant review from a place in Houston or from around the country. This week, let's keep it local.
Seoul Garden
9446 Long Point Road
Houston, TX 77055
The Rundown: My buddy Lim introduced me to Korean food several years ago. At least twice a year we dine at Seoul Garden in the Spring Branch District of Houston. Recently, the Houston Press did a "Top 10 Places to Eat on Long Point" feature. Somehow Seoul Garden did not make the list. Maybe there was some crack passed around the office that day. ***Correction***Just got a great plug from the peeps at Houston Press. I looked back at the "Long Point" feature. I made an error. Turns out I was the one smoking crack...Seoul Garden did sneak onto the list at #9. How about I still cry foul that it wasn't higher? My apologies.
The Food: I love Korean food, and although my experience with it is fairly limited, I can say Seoul Garden definitely brings it. Korean eating is a social experience. If you have a party of six+, count on the good people of Seoul Garden giving you one of those private dining areas. These private areas give you the freedom to get a little loud. And once the sake starts flowing, the volume goes up a few decibels. You start off with complimentary plates of food. Various items such as pickled seaweed, kimchi, roasted potatoes, and sprouts adorn the table. For me, all of these tasty treats are excellent...well, except the kimchi. That's an acquired taste. We usually eat family style, and with Lim ordering... the food comes out in droves. Everything from zucchini pancakes to marinated beef, to spicy octopus, to hotpots. You just go from one thing to another (with shots of sake in between).
The Price: For some reason I never look at the prices and I really can't remember the amount of cash I hand over to Lim. Seoul Garden is not cheap, but it is well worth it. The quality of food is excellent, the place is very clean, and the social experience is not to be beat.
The Overall Opinion: This is one of my favorite places to eat in Houston. I consider myself very lucky to have a friend like Lim. He has shown me the finer things in Korean cuisine.
Helpful Hints: Very casual place. They also serve sushi. The parking lot is a dump, but the inside is nice.
6 comments:
Korea Garden across the street is actually better, in case you want to further your education on Korean food.
I do, I will...thanks for the tip. There's so many great places to eat in that area.
It is always best not to remember how much cash you hand over to Lim on any occasion.
Try Nam Gang at Long Point and Gessner, as they have something different: charcoal burning table-top grills.
Anonymous is right: I was gonna mention Korea Garden myself. Check out their spicy beef and leek soup sometime. It's a great Korean dish.
Also, after you eat, head south on Blalock a bit, and look for "Super H Mart" on your left. It's one of my favorite grocery stores in town. It's primarily Korean in focus, but you can find all kinds of goodness in there! I was in there Monday and picked me up some delicious kimchi (keep on trying).
Super H Mart also has the best supermarket soundtrack in town! A playlist comprising David Bowie > Prince > Cameo > T. Rex > The Grateful Dead > REO Speedwagon would not be atypical for any given shopping excursion. So fun!
They also boast a terrific fresh seafood counter and stock durians. Try a durian, if you haven't yet. It's a singular experience and one that I recommend again and again. Exquisite.
If you like the frozen durian, head a little farther south, until you reach I-10. 99 Ranch Market sometimes stocks fresh durians. But I digress. For that is another story...
...as is Polonia (Polish food), also on Blalock (but north of Long Point). I'd bet you'd enjoy reviewing that place, too.
Thanks for another fine review. Keep up the great work! Happy Eating!
Thanks Blake for all the recommendations. Looks like I need to pay Korea Garden a visit. H-Mart is one of my favorite places to go in the city. I do all my asian cuisine shopping there. And I've been telling people it's one of the best seafood counters in the city. Thanks for following the blog. I appreciate it!
To anonymous...I've heard nothing but great things about Nam Gang. I'll make it happen.
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