First off, the food here was really good. I got the stone bowl bibimbap with black/purple rice, and it had all the right flavors. The portion was generous, and this is in addition to the individual banchan provided. My boyfriend got the kim chi ramen, and he thought this was pretty good as well. I definitely preferred my dish. The decor was pretty nice, better than many of the other Korean restaurants in the area. So why just 3 stars? It was the service. I don't know if one of the waiters was new, but the service was really SLOOOOW. It was not even busy when we arrived, but we had to wait for at least 15 minutes to get seated. That was our shortest wait time of the evening. Everything was associated with a wait--getting menus, placing drink orders, placing the food order, getting the food, and even getting our check. The more aggressive tables, those that literally waved over to the waiter or yelled across the dining area what they needed, had faster service, so maybe this is what is expected? Or it could have been an off day. That's what I'm hoping. I would go back one more to time to give it another try because the food was tasty, but I will have to make sure that I have plenty of time on hand.
(3)
Jane Y.
I'm always hesitant about Korean food if I'm not in a big city but Sura was a nice surprise. I saw the Yelp reviews and I'm glad I gave it a shot. I ordered the Geun Mandu and Mul Nengmyeon to go and it was ready and nicely packed in 15 minutes. The food was fresh, flavorful, and pretty authentic. I loved the Geun Mandu and the side dishes but Mul Nengmyeon was good too. It was my bad for ordering a noodle dish to go. The noodles clumped together but I'm sure it would have been fine if I dined in. The restaurant is spacious, clean, and has tasteful Korean style decor. It looks like a nicer sit down restaurant with a good atmosphere. It was pretty empty when I was there but I came at an early dinner time on a Tuesday. Overall, Sura has good food, service, reasonable prices, and menu selection.
(4)
Benjamin H.
Pleasantly surprised by this little place. The outside doesn't look like much but its deceiving. Inside is a small place with a great atmosphere and modern asian inspired design. All the staff we met were very friendly and even though I got my food to go he promptly brought some delicious barley tea while I waited for my lunch. Which brings me to the food. I got the lunch special that day which was the pork bolgagi. It was delicious. All in all one of the best asian dining experiences in long while.
(4)
Adam W.
Ever since they opened SuRa has been by far my favorite Korean restaurant in the Cincinnati area. They're also by far the most authentic. Everything on the menu is labeled in both English and Korean and, though they do offer some things like chicken fried rice for the unadventurous, they don't shy away from good traditional dishes like ox tail soup out of concern of scaring people off. You can tell they put a lot of pride in the selection of their ingredients. Many things like the dumplings that would normally be from frozen packages in other Korean restaurants are hand made in house. Dishes like kalbi (short ribs) and anything with pork belly in it where the dish hinges on the quality of the ingredients used really shine. The service is always excellent, although the place is deservedly popular and so if you get there during a big rush things can slow down a touch. It's a family run business, the owner and his wife are in back cooking every day and occasionally helping out serving, and one of their sons used to be a server though I'm told he left for college. One or both of them regularly come out into the dining area to check on customers and talk with people. Everyone gets their own banchan, which I find fantastic not because I mind sharing but because the banchan selections they serve are always all tasty and it keeps me from fighting over them. You also get miso with most dishes and, sadly for the actual Japanese restaurants in the area, SuRa's is the best I've had. They serve purple rice with most dishes as well (a mixture of about 80% white rice and 20% Korean black rice) which is a nice touch. In addition to being a nod to tradition, the black rice has higher antioxidant levels than blueberries, so it's good for you too. You can also get boricha - a roasted barley tea - at no charge. Part of what makes the food so delicious, I think, is they don't try to over-sweeten things to cater to Western tastes. A lot of the other Korean restaurants we've tried around here make all of their dishes noticeably sweet and it ruins the complexity of the rest of the flavors. What we get at SuRa tastes like what we got in Seoul. Whether you've never had Korean food and want to start off on a high note, or you like Korean food and want the best of it in the area, you should check them out.
(5)
Jen H.
The flavors were mild and the meats and eggs were overcooked. The staff members were friendly. The meal comes with several condiments and the portions are large. It's a good place for groups. The teas and drinks are great.
(3)
Vincent O.
Ok, so I lied. This is my second time back here within the week after complaining about the service last time lol. But..... The cold weather + hangover demanded I come back for hot spicy soup to ease my churning belly.
(4)
Sarah C.
Yay Korean food! I've tried all the main Korean restaurants in the area (Asiana, Riverside, Korea House, and Sung Bistro), and this one is definitely at the top. I believe that Sura and Riverside are very comparable as far as taste go, but I prefer Sura just because the owners and waitstaff are fantastic. Sura has everything I look for in a good Korean place, except for the price! It's definitely a lot more pricey than what I'm used to paying for Korean, but it seems to be the average, established price point for all the Korean places in town. WIth that said... The side dishes are great. The flavor is spot on for all the standard side dishes I've tried. Their bulgogi is awesome, and their bibimbap never misses. I've been there both with a large group and just dining for two and I have to say, they are super accommodating to groups! Our group had a late night munchie crave and since Cincinnati likes to sleep early, it was no surprise that this place was 10 minutes from closing just as we decided to go. But alas, Sura knows how to really grab customers, and they stayed open just for our group, almost an hour past their closing time! What an awesome place! That alone gives them stars for hospitality! And fantastic food too! Woohoo I love Sura!!
(4)
Bianca D.
Everything here is so fresh, clean, and flavorful. I really love the decor, it reminds me of a cute little k-drama. The prices are reasonable, and I can really appreciate that. To me the quality of food here is better than Asiana because of the ban chan. The banchan at sura tastes freshly made and clean. The banchan at other korean restaurants often taste like they have been exposed to open fridge air for days or weeks and they have this stale flavor and they always lack a crisp texture. I would know! I've waitressed in korean restaurants for years. And let's be honest, if you can trust the banchan of an establishment you can trust their sanitary values and the rest of their menu! And our trust was awarded! Dol Sot bibimbap and mul naengmyun were both sooo delicious! Our server was sweet too :) When I'm craving a taste of home (which i rarely am) I'll go to sura.
(5)
Rachel C.
Ox Tail Soup / fried gyoza / Bibimbap in stone pot. Based off of the little I've tried so far, this place has already earned the title of my go to korean food stop. I was worried I wouldn't be able to find a good home cooked style korean food...first look at their menu had me scared because there were way too many options (there's no way one place can be good at everything)...I asked the manager what they do best...ox tail soup it is....the condiments came out...kimchee was so good I asked for extra...the staff was very attentive and pleasant. Next time I would love to try their jjajangmyeon...(will update soon!)
(5)
Martha C.
I'm fairly certain that had I decided to study abroad in (South) Korea, I would have come home with more than a few extra pounds. Freshman 15, not likely, Korean 30, more likely! In my search for great Korean in Cincinnati, I stumbled upon this place. And, by stumbled, I mean I drove 40 minutes out of my way because I heard they have GREAT Korean food. I'm that much of a fan! So, basic thoughts when first walking in......1. The decorations and layout are SUPER cute 2. Everyone else in here is Korean (that's when you know its good) and 3. OMG, the smell is FANTASTIC! I spent the next hour indulging myself in the BEST Korean food I have ever had! Stone Bowl Chicken Dupbap (what I had) was super spicy and super awesome and the Jjigae that my friend had was AWESOME as well. Overall this place is HEAVEN. If I lived closer, this would be my once a week staple!
(5)
Siddharth P.
Amazing korean food! Tried a spicy chicken hot pot for lunch with the purple steamed rice. Deelish! For dinner, I got the pork bulgoki bbq...! What a dish! You've got to try this place. Some people are saying that there's only one serving of the side dishes, but to me that's good because you want to save your apetite for the main event! :-)
(5)
Matthew C.
This is my go to Korean place. The food is fresh, and flavorful every time. The staff are very friendly and helpful when explaining things for people not familiar to Korean cuisine. I haven't eaten much Korean but of the few places I've been to this the best I've been.
(5)
Kar S.
This place is a gem! I've heard good reviews before coming, but after dining here, I have to agree, this place is legit! I've lived in LA and NYC where there are lots of good authentic korean food, and Sura is just as good! The venue is big, nice and clean. Their menu has many selections, even more than Riverside at Covington or Sung in downtown. Most popular dishes are the stone bowl rice and spicy seafood noodle soup. I ordered the jjamppong (korean spicy seafood noodle soup) and budae jjigae (korean spicy sausage stew). They were both good, but the jjamppong was extremely well made! The waiter later told us usually this dish and jajangmyeon (korean noodles w/ black bean sauce) are cooked w/ a lot of msg, but since the owner's wife and son can't take any msg, they make them with no msg. It took them awhile to figure out the concoction to make them just as good, if not better, w/o msg. The waiter also told us a customer of theirs liked the spicy seafood noodle so much, he asked the owner to make frozen packets of it, so he could take them with him when he moved out of state. I couldn't say more great things about Sura, would definitely become a regular here!
(5)
Alex S.
Delicious freshly made Korean delicacies. Crave this place all the time. The family that owns it is very nice as well.
(5)
Lia V.
SuRa Ra Ra!!! What a great spot. I can't speak from personal experience, but I went with my sister and dad and they both travel to Korea for business and say this spot delivers very authentic Korean cuisine. I just thought it was tasty as can be! All the dishes have so much flavor... it's hard to stop eating. We got a variety of food - the korean pancake with seafood, dumplings, edamame, bulgogi, and squid - all of it was excellent - the flavors were spot on and it was all cooked to perfection. Some of it was really spicy, but still delicious - clears the sinuses! The service is great - friendly and helpful. They have a limited menu of alcoholic beverages, but do have beer and a few types of wine. It was definitely not crowded, probably because of the location. The decor is simple and modern. They also have meals prepared you can buy and cook up at home which I think is awesome. If you want to experience some great Korean food check it out :-)
(5)
Jason G.
This restaurant used to have the option to cook at your table but stopped it, presumably due to a "problem". Nonetheless, you can still enjoy some pretty good Korean food cooked by the kitchen. The dishes are authentic and have good flavor.
(3)
Paula C.
First time eating Korean food. I would highly recommend this place. It cost over $25 for 2 for lunch but you get a lot of food.
(5)
Diana A.
I was pleasantly surprised when I checked out this newer Korean restaurant on Mason Montgomery Rd. I've only been there once and ordered their rice cake dumpling soup - and it was FANTASTIC. The dumplings were HAND MADE in the restaurant, and not pre-bought frozen like ALL THE OTHER Korean restaurants in town. They give each person their own side dishes instead of having to share with others. Hey, I don't like sharing side dishes and so far, all other Korean restaurants in the Cincinnati area make you share side dishes, which is like double dipping - unsanitary. I love their multi-grain purple rice. I will definitely be returning to try their other dishes. They did explain that the dumplings are hand made and served only in the winter. That's fine with me.
(4)
Stephanie S.
Pretty good Korean, though the prices are kind of steep compared to other Korean restaurants in the area. They also don't serve dessert, which bummed me out, because I had a serious sweet tooth. The seaweed salad is delicious and the purple rice is an awesome feature. Even though I got an appetizer as my entree (wasn't terribly hungry), the server still gave me soup and the sides that everyone who ordered an entree receiver, which was cool. The pork dumpling I ordered were delicious and crispy, and for an appetizer, you get quite a few dumplings! Looking forward to coming back and trying more.
(4)
Alex S.
Everyone has their "go to" spot for when they are craving a certain food. I'm Korean and more often than not, I'm craving some Korean food. When that craving hits, Sura is where I go. People argue about what restaurant is more "authentic", and Sura is always in the conversation, but I could care less. All I want is a good meal with tasty food. Sura provides just that.
(5)
Mark G.
I have found my new favorite Korean restaurant. I've lived in Ohio for four years now and in Fairfield there's only one Korean restaurant and it's good but not the traditional that I was used to when I was stationed in Korea while serving in the Air Force. I found this place today and I will drive from Fairfield to eat here any day of the week!!! While waiting for my carry out order I had a very enjoyable and friendly chat with the owner. Definitely a place I will frequently done at and look forward to introducing my family to the experience very soon!!!!
(5)
Audrey C.
Delicious food! So far everything I tried has been great! The squid dupbap is my fav! Their mackerel fillets are amazing. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because during peak hours they find it hard to cope in terms of what you ordered or the food takes very long! But trust me it's worth waiting for!
(4)
Alyona Z.
Very delicious! Would recommend getting the bulgogi with the 5 sides and purple rice and misu soup. Came here during lunch time and was served very quickly. Everything was wonderful from the food to the service. Very friendly staff.
(5)
Xiaoheng P.
probably one of my favorite korean restaurant in the cincinnati. the service there is super nice. one time we went past their closing hour, they ended opening for two extra hours just for us. also if you go in a big group, they dont force charge the 20% tip just because you have a group, which I really like. not that i leave less than 20% but i just like to have that option if i felt like the service was bad. needless to mention their food is really good. my favorites are their bulgogi beef and japchae. and as always, anytime you order a main dish, you get the unlimited side dishes as well, usually 5 or 6 of them. their food is a little expensive, but i think that's just because its cincinnati. all asian food are expensive for some reason. they're very comparable to other korean restaurants like korea house, or riverside. of the three i probably like sura best.
(5)
Jade C.
Just AMAZING! Probably the most authentic Korean restaurant in Cincinnati (Trust me.. I am a Korean and lived in NYC and Atlanta! Also, I visit Korea several times a year). Also their service is supreme! You cannot go wrong with this place!!
(4)
Margaret Z.
This place is a hidden star of Mason. When I first came, I would order a basic stone bowl bibimbap, but then I branched out and began ordering the soondubu jjigae which is INCREDIBLE. It comes out bubbling and bright--paired perfectly with a delicious selection of banchan and purple rice. My salivary glands are activating as I type this, to be honest. This is hands-down my favorite restaurant in the area, and I feel like it's still so undiscovered. Take your friends here and impress their LaRosa's-trained tastebuds with the flavorful wonders of SuRa. It might take some goading and hand-holding to get there, but I believe it will happen! If you are apprehensive about trying Korean food, please read this and go! The waitstaff is wonderful, so ask the waiter for a recommendation for a starter Korean dish--bibimbap is always a good choice! And don't be afraid of the banchan that comes paired with your entree--5 tiny side dishes full of flavor and yum, even if you don't like a few, you're bound to like one! Also portion sizes are pretty excellent. I usually leave pretty stuffed. One time my mom ordered seafood soup noodles (I forget the name), and the bowl was the size of a soccer ball.
(5)
Lexi M.
We were planning to come here for lunch but because of a late meeting, we didn't end up getting to Sura until about 3pm. The open sign was off but the door was unlocked. We poked our head inside to see if we could grab a bite. Not only were we welcomed into the restaurant that was no longer serving, but the service was top notch. Food was excellent! Will for sure come back here for a second visit.
(4)
Susan L.
I absolutely loved it here. Good variety of things on the menu that let me get a little more authentic feel for food back home... I got to order the good-old fashion korean items that not every BBQ place has on the menu. It's a little out of the way for me to drive here, but definitely worth the drive. I'll be back for the delicious food, the wonderful variety on the menu, and the exceptional service! ----------------------------------- Explanation of my rating system - 5*: Epitome of something, the best I've had, would LOVE to go back 4*: Great food and happy to go back regularly, but not the best of the category 3*: Food is fine. I may spontaneously decide to go there based on convenience. But no need to go back either. 2*: If you insist, I guess I'll come along. I'll find something to eat. But I wouldn't have picked it. 1*: No plans to come back. I'll try to talk companions out of going. If they insist, I may come and not eat, or may just see them some other time.
(4)
Zelda R.
The food is amazing!! And the service is spectacular, the waitress Alex was really nice and she made great suggestions!
(5)
Crace S.
My team at work went out for a group lunch. I've driven by Sura dozens of times but never have made my way inside. The decor is nice, modern and clean. I felt very comfortable upon our entrance and the staff was very friendly. Sura has a small hd tv showing a loop of their tasty dishes. They all looked so good. They offer hot tea and an assortment of sodas. I also noticed later in our meal that they have a shelf displaying the wines and beers they offer. The beer selection looked to be all imports from Asia and I doubt they offer any draft beers. Many of the lunch specials come with five sides. We got a delicious sweet and sour soup and four other dishes. The other four were all served cold. One was spicy cabbage which was good. Another was a medley of squash and mushrooms which was also good. The third item was shredded radish and carrots and was lacking in flavor. The last item was an acorn jelly cut into cubes and doused in a salty green bean sauce. I didn't care for the jelly but the green bean sauce did add some flavor as the jelly had absolutely no taste. I ordered the L10 special (shrimp fried rice in a wok). Most of my coworkers ordered the B2 which offers a medley of vegetables and rice and meats of your choice. All lunches came out in steaming hot stoneware. Our food was still crackling just like on a fajita tray. The portions were quite large and a good value considering we got everything for $9 or $10. Again the service was friendly and prompt but they didn't do a great job of clearing off our side dishes and soup bowls. Mind you this was during lunch hour and they were quite busy. They also passed down a bowl of coffee flavored mints as we cashed out. Overall, I had a really good dining experience. We only looked at the lunch menu but I'd be glad to go back and see what entrees they offer during their dinner hours. I did notice they were closed on Sunday which is a bit of a letdown. They also offer the shortened lunch hours (11am to 2pm or 3pm) and then close to prepare for dinner. Overall a great meal with good service in a calming atmosphere.
(4)
Celeste W.
The food is really awesome! I love it, also the environment is very friendly. I will say suitable for couples, friends and family. However, I do wish they put more ingredients in (like more fish in my jjigae). Other than that, no complain! Definitely reccomanded
(4)
Ken T.
My favorite Korean, and overall Asian, restaurant in the Mason area. The food is authentic. You can't get much better unless you go to KTOWN LA. Everything I've had so far is good including, tofu soup (soon doobu), bibimbap (in a stone bowl), and dumpling bone broth soup. A must have if in the Mason area and looking for something different.
(5)
Victoria A.
I had such a great time eating here with my boyfriend when I visited Ohio. I like that the place was spacious, clean and had neutral colors. My boyfriend liked his bibimbap and I loved my chicken dupbap. The portions I think can feed two people each. Our server was very nice. I think he is the son of the owner. He was very humble and gave us recommendations. We had a great time.
(5)
Wu Z.
The taste is good, but the meat in every dish is so little. Literally, you will get one shrimp one mussel and two small pieces of squids in the "sea food" bowl. For the beef or chicken dish, there are probably 5 small meat and this all you got. I have to add extra meat or order 2 dishes.
(2)
Anna L.
The name "Sura" really fits this establishment meaning meals of the king and royal court of the Joseon Dynasty. Fast-forward centuries later, Sura maintains traditional non-Americanized Korean fare in a contemporary setting accented by an elegant maru dining area along the back with an Ikea-like showroom seating area towards the front complete with pillows in the booth. Ambient music in the background helps with the awkward dead silence during off-peak lunch hours. We were seated in the maru dining area which felt like I was transported to a foreign place without the outrageous airfare. We were given lunch menus around 2:30pm, but the nice older man offered a dinner menu for closer scrutiny. Cha-ching! For once I didn't have to ask for a dinner menu during lunch and get an evil glare. As an appetizer, we got a small "bossum" which is steamed pork belly served with salted shrimplings, garlic cloves, jalapeno slices, raw napa, soybean paste sauce and seasoned pickled radish. I've always seen this served with lettuce wraps and I've NEVER had napa raw. It's different, but quite delicious since it's super crunchy and sweet. The pork is so tender that it just melts in your mouth. For entrees, H got seafood ramen which was literally boiling hot with more veggies than seafood. Otherwise, it looked good. I got the bibim nengmyeon (cold noodle), a heaping buckwheat noodle mass tossed in red pepper paste mixed with fresh raw veggies. It was a perfect cool temperature without it being right out of the freezer cold. A tad sweet, but the five banchan sides (cucumber, tofu, potato, black beans, kimchi) paired well with the dish. While it may have been $50 for two people, it was definitely worth it considering the quality of food you receive. Coming from an artist's perception, their use of colors and textures within the meals are aesthetically appealing to the palate. Of course, I hear a Korean-speaking mama cooking in the kitchen, so you know it's gotta be real-deal! Topping it off, they give you this awesome coffee flavored candy over the boring mint.
(5)
Alyssa K.
This place is owned by a husband and wife who are really great people and it shows through the service of their waiters and waitresses. The restaurant owners make it a point to not put any MSG in their dishes so everything you get is really good food made like it would be made at a Korean home. All of the dolsot rice dishes are really good with the crisp rice at the bottom of the bowls. If I had a critique it would be that their Ox-tail soup was not that great. The meat is supposed to just slide off the bones but it seemed like they hadn't cooked the soup enough because the meat was a bit tough to get off. But I can't wait to try more of their other soups - next is soondooboo! Random bit of tid-bit that I learned...The wife is an artist and it shows in all of their simple and yet classic Korean decor. Of all the Korean restaurants in Cincinnati I think this restaurant has the best Korean decor which is often subtle, simple, and still beautiful. They have an elevated seating area and I love sitting up there. There isn't an area where you sit on the floor, but I actually prefer not having to sit on the ground so no complaining here! Lastly, they give each person their own portion of the little side dishes. So everyone gets 6-or so mini dishes of their own portions of the traditional korean side dishes. It's super cute and I don't have to fight my husband for the good sides ;)
(4)
Devon C.
I went with one of my friends who is Korean. The dishes were really good. We tried the Jjambong, Bibimbap, and the Soon-Tofu Jjigae. My friend was really impressed with the food claiming that it was the best Korean restaurant he has found in Cincinnati. I definitely recommend it to anyone who has a craving for some authentic Korean dishes!
(4)
Alexzandra R.
We stopped into Sura for a very quick lunch, we may have had 40 minutes from walking in to final check due to meetings at work. Even on this very short timing, Sura delivered with excellence! The outside storefront is constrained by the strip mall shell, however, the inside more than makes up for it. The dining room has a great atmosphere, very nice thick wood tables and benches able to accommodate groups nicely. Lighting and decor were modern without losing the Korean roots, to me it looks like a present day restaurant that you might see in a Korean Drama. Our group of 7 was an easy fit without moving tables. We received quick service for our very brief lunch with the full gauntlet of soups and sides. The waitress made it look easy. There was lots of menu variety with plenty of vegetarian options to suit just about any dietary need. Very importantly, the tofu was done right! We were told that stone bowl bibimbap is one of the faster things to have prepared if you are in a hurry. Thus, nearly every person at my table ordered accordingly. My meal was exactly what I had wanted and expected and I was delighted that it was executed so well. The vegetables were very fresh and the purple rice crisped perfectly along the stone bowl. While the Sichuan Bistro (next door) is often well regarded for food, the atmosphere at Sura is much nicer. I would highly recommend Sura for a superb overall experience this visit! In all categories, food, service and atmosphere, Sura gets high marks!
(5)
Murry F.
Our first visit to Sura. In a nutshell; Excellent food. Excellent Presentation (the waitress stirred my wife's dish together at the table for Gods Sake!) and Excellent Service. The owner came over to explain the different dishes and the heritage they have grown from. I would highly recommend Sura for a new and different experience right here in Wonderbread Mason!
(5)
Yuan Z.
Spicy chicken stone bowl rice is good. They will have 5 sides, and if you go there during lunch you will have a cup of tea and miso soup. Nice place to go.
(5)
Kevin I.
Ate here last week with a party of 6+1 baby. Food was OK, but not great. I was surprised by the lack of service we received. our server seemed very young and inexperienced.
(3)
Mary Grace C.
My belly is so big I look preggo. :o that is my experience. Every dish we ordered is delish. I even ate what my husband got. Ok bye. Food coma mode on. P.S. the best korean restaurant we've been to so far.
(5)
Elizabeth L.
I'm pretty surprised. This was my second time dining out for Korean food in Cincinnati because I don't really expect to find good, affordable Korean around here. (Not to call anyone out, but K-tucky obviously won't have any decent Asian food to offer, so I would avoid going there looking for Korean food, despite other claims. I just want to say that bibimbap is what Koreans eat when there's nothing substantial to make- so they literally throw all that they have in a bowl of rice. Are you still willing to pay 20 bucks to have them put their leftovers in a hot "stone" bowl?) Anyway. This family has got it down. They know the American style of everyone wanting their own everything, so the traditional side dishes that are known for sharing was actually split up so that each person has their own set of side dishes set in front of them. And the side dishes was as close and as traditional as you can get than the typical Americanized and confused "Korean" side dishes. You'll know what I mean. We both ordered soondubu. If I recall correctly, it was somewhere around $11? I can't remember. But that's DECENT. Obviously, on the coasts, you can find cheaper alternatives, but I can't complain about that here. $11 is great. It was hot, spicy, portions were pretty big. I had a good Korean food fix, so I am grateful for that.
(4)
Vanessa H.
They have good Kimchee Jigae, but other than everything else fails. Who doesn't serve white rice.
(3)
Courty B.
I have probably dined here at least 25 times in the past year. It's slightly inconvenient location-wise, as it's pretty far deep into Mason. I am closer to Sung's (downtown) or Korea House (Montgomery/Harper's), but Sura is worth the exuburban trek. Its food is above or on par with its competition, but the prices and service are much better. I've tried many things, but my frequent choice is tofu bibimpbap in the stone bowl. Tofu absorbs the flavors of the dish and the accompanying red pepper paste better than chicken or beef (even if you're a meat lover, try this vegetarian-ish option!) Plus, it's not vegetarian anymore once they put the delicious egg on top of your sizzling rice bowl! The hot barley tea is a perfect complement to the spicy dish. Portions are large - expect to take half home. It makes Sura an even better value... 2 meals for the price of 1 almost every time! Servers are always eager to please It's a delight to support this business. ..
(5)
David S.
A great place. I get the chicken bulbiby(so?). I ask for it to be extra spicy. It is very good. The soup is great also. Food is very fast.
(5)
Tim R.
A wonderful dining experience! Service was attentive, polite, friendly and un-obtrusive. Good number of tasty options on the menu. Food was great: quality ingredients, nice level of spice, good portion size, tasted fantastic. The kimchi/pickles/side-dishes were quite tasty as well. Others may be better judges of authenticity, but the food at Sura reminded me a lot of the best food I had when I was in Cheonju, South Korea. Delicious! I wish it hadn't taken me so long to finally dine at Sura -- to think I could have been enjoying their tasty food and their pleasant service for the last several years. I've been missing out and settling for less. But no longer! Sura is now solidly in my "Go To" restaurant rotation.
(5)
Aaron B.
I don't think I have ever experienced traditional Korean cuisine before. Nor have I experienced Korean food at all. So I will not judge its "authenticity". All I know is it was awesome. The staff was very helpful making sure I understood everything I was ordering. There is something to be said when the majority of patrons are speaking the language of the origin of the cuisine. Oxtail bone broth soup. Really great flavor and good for you. Get there.
(5)
Tom C.
The best Korean food in Cincinnati. Recommend the stone bowl bibimbap and the bulgogi. Very friendly and courteous service as well.
(5)
Scott B.
my wife and I recently discovered the joy of Korean food. While we are in no way experts, we both agreed this was one of the best dining experiences of our lives. We were happy and excited. The food was off the charts, and the service was fantastic. We will be visiting Sura a lot!
(5)
Lizbeth T.
I stopped by Sura for carry-out, so I can't comment on the dine-in experience but the food is the most important thing, right? And the food is delicious! Some of the best Korean I've had in town. My friends and I really appreciated how lovingly everything was packaged, down to the kimchi in separate little containers so that we could recreate the whole spread at home. Standouts were the seafood pancake, galbi gui and the tofu kimchi dish.
(4)
Ben N.
If you've spent any time reading comments to Enquirer stories and local food blogs about Cincinnati-area dining, and I regrettably can say that I have, you'll sometimes see elitist in-towners castigating terrified-to-venture-inside-the-city-limits suburbanites about how there's no place to eat out in the Cinci 'burbs except "O'Chilibee's." And you can get a good slice of this perspective with OTR-obsessed Cinci Yelp. As an in-towner myself, I can verify, again with regret, that those in-towners are wrong. Those folks need to get of their urban bubble more often, because the Cincinnati suburbs in fact offer far more in the way of authentic "ethnic" cuisine than you can shake a stick at, at least compared to inside the Cincinnati city limits. Sura (SuRa?) Korean is just one more example of this. I really like Korean food, but I haven't had too many opportunities to sample it in the last decade and a half because I've lived in two cities, New Orleans and Cincinnati, that just don't have many Korean restaurants to speak of. The situation in Cincinnati has been improving in the last two or three years, though! We stumbled on SuRa only because we had an errand to run in the northern hinterlands of Hamilton County. (In the process, we also stumbled on its small shopping strip whcih amazingly includes Sichuan Bistro and Phoenician Taverna as well, but those are stories for another day.) SuRa's the real deal, and it's a good bargain, especially compared to slick Sung downtown and sometimes underwhelming Riverside in Covington. The long-ish menu is divided up into rice and noodle dishes, a good selection of bulgogi (unfortunately, law-and-order Ohio does not allow BBQ grilling at the table), stews and soups (jigae and tang), etc. I think SuRa scores pretty high on the Authenticity Meter, although I'm not the best person to ask. My receding memory of great Korean food in Atlanta and New York years and years ago, though, tells me that SuRa might be dialing down the heat a little bit. This especially applies to the banchan, a few of which were disappointingly bland. But the seafood stews and soups I have tried have been really bold and good, and the wife loves an off-menu rice-and-tofu dish (can't remeber its name!) that does push the hot-pepper envelope. Fried dumplings (mandu) were also delicious. Atmosphere is appealingly serene and simple, with low noise levels, lots of wood, and earth tones. Service has been very pleasant and helpful, although it seemed mildly short-handed on a weekend night. Overall, excellent: 4.25 stars.
(4)
Rory B.
The service today was way better than the last time i went to Sura. The food was just as delicious. I need to make it here far more often.
(4)
Robert S.
The menu is varied...lots of soups, noodles, grilled item, bibimbaps, etc. I decided for the bulgogi bibimbap and it was GREAT !! The rice at the bottom of the stone bowl was nice and crispy..just the way I like it... The meat was nicely seasoned and tender... The 5 veggies, the soup and the salad were all good and tasty. I would recommend this place to anyone that enjoys Asian/Korean fare.
(5)
J C.
Impeccable, gracious service to match the exceptional Korean dishes. As an East Coast transplant (of Korean descent), my expectations to discover authentic Korean food in Cincinnati were not lofty. However, I continue to be impressed with all that Sura has to offer. The food is always served hot, and infused with the most wonderful flavors. There has not been one time I have left feeling unsatisfied with the service or the food. None of the other Korean restaurants in the area compare to Sura.
(5)
Joshua D.
Delicious food. Service was great. Ambiance isn't amazing, but it isn't bad by any means. My wife had the bimbimbop...delicious. Rice crisped to the bowl perfectly...she ate the whole thing. I had the Seafood Soon-Tofu Jjigae. It was the perfect spice level for me, but it pushed the envelope. Careful if you're not a spice lover. It had seafood and silken tofu in an incredible broth. I also cleaned my plate : )
(5)
Mr And Mrs G.
MR says ... authentic hidden gem next to a jam-packed Sichuan Bistro. MRS says ... at first I was hesitant to walk in to Sura because next door, Sichuan Bistro is jam-packed. MR wants food and doesn't want to wait for a table. Since we haven't had Korean food in a while and we've been eyeing on Sura whenever we dine next door, we went ahead and deviate from norm. Food was delicious, fresh and just so Korean :) Sura is Simply Unsurpassed Really Authentic Korean food. Fresh, well seasoned meats so tender beef ribs fall off the bones. It's a family owned restaurant. Very good service and hospitable. Can't believe we've been dodging this restaurant for months. Now driving to Mason is to eat at Sura and not just Sichuan Bistro.
(4)
Soojin C.
This restaurant was great! The food tasted good for its price and i couldn't believe I actually found a restaurant like this in Ohio! I ate the galbi, kimchi jigae, soondoobu jigae, and pajeon with my family. The galbi seasoning was good, but it had a lot of bones and not much meat. That was quite disappointing. The kimchi jigae was the best. It tasted like food at home. The soondoobu jigae was disappointing. It taste could have been more strong and dense. The pageon tasted good. This restaurant was great overall.
(4)
M W.
Love the food, the service and the soju! Kumpai! Excellent side dishes, try the seafood pancake appetizer too.
(5)
Jeff S.
We have gone to Riverside Korean restaurant in Northern Kentucky for years. We have not found one up our way as good , but this restaurant is just as good. Outstanding food. They have done a nice job on this space also. This is a restaurant that deserves good business - it makes me ill to see the crowded parking lots in this area for miserable dreck like Frisch's and Olive Garden, while restaurants like Sura struggle.
(5)
Ruthann C.
We love this restaurant. The food and service are excellent. We were rookies to Korean food and the servers were very helpful. Decor is perfect even though it's in a strip mall.
(5)
Raymond L.
I usually head down to either Korea House or to Riverside for authentic Korean but no longer cause Sura's only 5 mins from my house! Opened a little over a year in a strip mall the place is modernly decorated with a touch of Korean decor. The service is really nice and attentive. Our usual is the dolsot bibimbap, wife's is the soondubu jigae. The banchan varies daily and are always fresh and tasty. They even serve the food with Korean purple rice with no extra charge. I really like Sura's and hope they would stay indefinitely. For those that live North of Cincy, come try it you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Harshal P.
Sura is a very authentic and well designed Korean Restaurant in Mason, OH. The lunch is well priced and quantity of food given is very high. In addition to table seating, Sura also has traditional floor based seating as well. The staff at Sura is very kind and offered my Korean coffee while I waited for my food. They even have a few Korean beers and Korean Sake Bombs to drink. I really don't have anything to bad to say about Sura. If you are looking for an authentic Korea Restaurant in Cincinnati, Sura might be your best option.
(5)
Eric M.
I'm not even a huge fan of Korean (tried a handful of places) but this is the best I've had. Lunch service was quick, good menu and a lot of food for the dollar. Will return.
(5)
Joy S.
IF you are looking for great Korean food and service, this is the place!!!! We had been dining at Asiana restaurant and happened to drive by and noticed a new restaurant opening up; Sura. I have to say that it took me this long but I'm finally going to share this place with the world. We have tried their seafood pancake (panjeon) and their bean noodle (japjae) as well as their kimchee jigae and their cold noodle dish and soup (sorry I forgot the Korean name for it). Flavor is robust and complex. We enjoy the side dishes that they bring out along with the purple rice. Owning a restaurant before, I understand what it feels like when you have a mom and pop place. You cater and take more pride because it's your baby. The owner at Sura does just that. We have met the husband, wife and son. The rest of the waitstaff knows us and you feel like you're having dinner at your friend's house. Comfort food and casual dining. Recently we tried Korea House and while the food wasn't bad, it was interesting to compare the flavor and price. Bang for buck, Sura is the best!
(5)
Ryan B.
I recommend this place, especially for lunch. Sitting at the Korean-style seats is best. I like the chicken fried rice. I know, not really adventurous. The hot tea, five appetizer starter, and egg drop soup were great as well. I hope to return and try other options on the large menu.
(4)
joe n.
A great example of an ethnic family run restaurant that stays true to its roots. For someone who does not know Korean food, the menu can be confusing, but the staff is there to help and suggestions are readily offered and welcome. I can not say enough about the pleasnt atmosphere and service. The food we had was very fresh, tasty and a real delight. My daughter was with me and she at first was somewhat reluctant (not a reall food adventurer) but now she is a real fan and will go back anytime. If you don't know Korean food, the server will guide you and even mix your food for you! Just go with the flow and trust that whatever you get will be well done, tasty and not overly spiced. Tasting new food is a great experience when well done, and this restaurant well not disappoint.
(5)
Jessie S.
First time we went there. Foods is fine but the service is terrible. They need to focus on customer not three waitresses cleaning one table. We waited for 20 minutes. We End up of asking them to take our order. No asking how's everything. Need to do more better on the service thank you.
(2)
Mike C.
Unfortunately, I had never heard of this place until I did a search of restaurants near my office. Kind of disappointed that I hadn't been here sooner. I went in for a leisurely lunch today when I had five hours to kill. The interior is very chic, but with a warm, cozy feeling. My waitress was very nice. My only complaint about the service was that there only appeared to be one waitress. Close to noon, the restaurant started to fill out, and it felt like she started to become overwhelmed. Thus it took a while for my check to come, and my water wasn't refilled. The menu looked very authentic. There are lots of dishes that I will be back to try on my lunch break. They do have Korean bbq, which you can grill at your table. The only bad thing is that they don't have all-you-can-eat Korean bbq. Though health-wise, that's probably not so bad. I had the stone bowl bibimbap. It had purple rice, vegetables, tender beef, mushrooms, and a perfectly cooked runny egg on top. I'm not Korean, so I don't know if it's authentic or not, but the hot sauce that you can put on top of it that I've had at some places was a little sweeter, which added more flavor. It may just be a different brand maybe. EIther way, it was still very good. The rice became very crispy because of the bowl, maybe a little too much. I did try to prevent that by trying to mix my rice as frequently as possible when it first came out. But then I just couldn't wait to eat it and forgot to keep doing that as I ate. My lunch also came with miso soup and 5 small dishes of banchan (small sides served in Korean meals). They had kimchee, cucumber kimchee, sweetened potatoes, some type of omelet-type dish, and I think cut of fish cakes. The fish cakes are always my favorite banchan at Korean restaurants. Theirs was good. The cucumber and kimchee were good too. At the end , I was very full. Can't believe I was considering getting an appetizer too, which was absolutely unnecessary. My very filling meal, with tax and tip, was $12. Maybe slightly higher price for lunch, but definitely worth it for authentic food. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Ben C.
I was very satisfied with both the service and food here. I'd say the menu has a good selection of food, I ordered the Kimchi Soondubu, which came in a very nice, big portion served with purple rice. I loved the taste and texture of the tofu, and the banchan was served to us in individual servings for everyone, however I'm not sure if this is consistent because I saw another larger party that just got larger servings of banchan for the whole table. I was also blown away by the service. The lady serving us was extremely nice and caring, it literally felt like my friend's Korean mom was giving us the food. I definitely plan on coming back here again...and again
(5)
Denise F.
I came in for their daily lunch special as advertised on their website, but was disappointed when they did not offer it. The food was still good and the service was great. It took 15 minutes to make my order And while I waited, I was offered hot barley tea.
(3)
Kim D.
Stuck in Mason and looking for an authentic food experience? This place is situated in a plaza, so you're probably not even sure if you should give it a try, or for that matter, if it's even open. I know that I mostly make a judgement call if the parking area does not look full, In fact, I even pulled in and pulled out of the parking lot once, indecisive on whether to enter. I finally decided to try this place and I truly was not disappointed. I had a stone bowl and it was piping hot till the end with flavorful and fresh ingredients. It reminded me 110% of Riverside Korean in Covington- which I have not been to in quite a while! They have booths and tables and a little traditional floor seating. I was impressed by the feeling that I was a special guest. I felt that the owner/chef was spying on me (not in a creepy way, but in a very familial way) to ensure I was enjoying my meal and my visit there was homey. They were ever so accommodating to my daughter and treated her very sweetly, as well. My only suggestion would be to offer a smaller portioned and more basically flavored kids meal. She was thrown off by the egg on the top of her dish and I had to pick around the veggies to get to the delicious chicken pieces. She's a huge rice lover, but again, I had to scoop away the remains of the other food, to get her to eat the rice. In the end, if you're interested in fresh, flavorful food, find some time to visit Sura!
(4)
Jay H.
Went here with two guys from work. We all loved it. I was excited to see vegetarian options on the menu. The food was flavor packed and delicious. Our server was friendly and helpful. I saw serveral things I want to go back and try.
(5)
Alisa T.
The hot pot was great. Friendly staff and good service. Authentic Korean. Must try it.
(5)
SD L.
Sichuan Bistro was closed on Monday so we came here. food was flavorful and plenty of it. Service was slow - one server for the whole thing. That's why they have a sign that they are hiring! But not bad.
(3)
Monaco C.
Their food tastes like homemade authentic Korean food. So awesome!
(5)
Amy C.
Great service and good portion sizes. We had the fish (mackerel), ribeye dish (can't remember the name), and stone bobimbap. Overall, very good, where it's way better than Korea House. We also had the seafod pancake for appetizer, where I thought it was a bit lacking in seafood so really needed sauce to enhance the flavor. Prices were a bit high (compared to Szechuan Bistro next door or Dao down the street). Side dishes and soup were good, but not wow to me. If I could, I'd give it 3.5 stars for being slightly above average Korean (though it's fabulous for Cincinnati). If I were scoring service and ambiance (great seating options here...very cool furniture) only, it'd be a definite 4.
(3)
Holly S.
I have seen a sign out front touting lunch specials for $6.95. Think I will go in an try one soon... won't you join me in supporting a business that is working to bring value-priced Korean food to Mason?.
(4)
Shea M.
....where do I begin? ....well it started off great, nice location, close to hotel, seated quickly, friendly server. We ordered appetizers, drinks, and then they bought out the 5 sides that go with the meals that we ordered. All the meals came out, (we were famished having just spent 7 hrs at Kings Island) except my order was wrong, there were 6 of us, 1 pork bulgogi, 2 spicy chicken bulgogi, 2 beef bulgogi and 1 regular chicken bulgogi ....I ordered the regular, somehow she heard pork, so needless to say, while everyone ate their food, I sat there, nibbling on edamame...then my meal comes out, and its wrong again! ...it's spicy chicken bulgogi...I wanted to cry,(I don't like spicy food) but since everyone was nearly finished, I suffered thru what I could and we left.....the server was sweet and apologetic, but I really feel like it was a complete waste of my money. I would not go there again, I would just try the more popular Korean restaurant 2 doors down.
(2)
Lisa b.
I really like this place... I have only had It to go, but the staff is always super friendly when I come in; the older gentleman (who is likely the owner) even offered me hot tea while I waited last time. The interior is chic and modern, and you can even eat Asian style if you choose. So, I can't bring myself to order anything but the bibimbap because it is sooo good and I crave it. The beef is flavorful, lean and tender, the veggies are perfectly crisp, the egg is always perfectly done (I can't stand underdone whites) the hot sauce is a perfect accompaniment and it's served on authentic purple rice. The kimchi is awesome. The miso is tasty. Oh, and I just found out that if you call about an hour ahead they'll make gimbap for you! Definitely give it a go.
(5)
Alex F.
Very good, one of the best kept secrets in north Cincinnati. Intimate, with the feel of a mom-n-pop shot and quiet, good food and good price. As good as Korea House, without the big crowds.
(5)
Kevin L.
Great selection and quality, coupled with a caring chef / owner who often makes it a point to come by to ask if everything was to my liking. Not only is the food genuine, but so is the owner. Haven't had anything yet that tastes like it was prepared ahead of time.
(3)
Minhee K.
best korean restaurant i ever had in cincinnati!
(5)
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Address :7876 S Mason Montgomery Rd
Mason, OH, 45040
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Elizabeth Y.
Sura is absolutely delicious and one of my favorite spots in Mason. Tucked away in a inconspicuous strip mall on Mason Montgomery Rd, this Korean restaurant deserves more recognition. My parents used to despise Korean food, but after trying Sura, they frequent this restaurant every couple of weeks! I recommend the Kalbi (short ribs served on a sizzling bed of onions) and Japchae (sweet, clear noodles sautéed with vegetables and your choice of meat). The Bi Bim Bop in a hot stone pot is a classic as well. Try it with squid if you're looking to mix it up (no additional charge)!! In addition to their BOMB food, they also serve free hot tea! Can't beat that. If you haven't tried Sura yet, you must pay them a visit as soon as possible. You won't regret it!
(5)Cecilia N.
First off, the food here was really good. I got the stone bowl bibimbap with black/purple rice, and it had all the right flavors. The portion was generous, and this is in addition to the individual banchan provided. My boyfriend got the kim chi ramen, and he thought this was pretty good as well. I definitely preferred my dish. The decor was pretty nice, better than many of the other Korean restaurants in the area. So why just 3 stars? It was the service. I don't know if one of the waiters was new, but the service was really SLOOOOW. It was not even busy when we arrived, but we had to wait for at least 15 minutes to get seated. That was our shortest wait time of the evening. Everything was associated with a wait--getting menus, placing drink orders, placing the food order, getting the food, and even getting our check. The more aggressive tables, those that literally waved over to the waiter or yelled across the dining area what they needed, had faster service, so maybe this is what is expected? Or it could have been an off day. That's what I'm hoping. I would go back one more to time to give it another try because the food was tasty, but I will have to make sure that I have plenty of time on hand.
(3)Jane Y.
I'm always hesitant about Korean food if I'm not in a big city but Sura was a nice surprise. I saw the Yelp reviews and I'm glad I gave it a shot. I ordered the Geun Mandu and Mul Nengmyeon to go and it was ready and nicely packed in 15 minutes. The food was fresh, flavorful, and pretty authentic. I loved the Geun Mandu and the side dishes but Mul Nengmyeon was good too. It was my bad for ordering a noodle dish to go. The noodles clumped together but I'm sure it would have been fine if I dined in. The restaurant is spacious, clean, and has tasteful Korean style decor. It looks like a nicer sit down restaurant with a good atmosphere. It was pretty empty when I was there but I came at an early dinner time on a Tuesday. Overall, Sura has good food, service, reasonable prices, and menu selection.
(4)Benjamin H.
Pleasantly surprised by this little place. The outside doesn't look like much but its deceiving. Inside is a small place with a great atmosphere and modern asian inspired design. All the staff we met were very friendly and even though I got my food to go he promptly brought some delicious barley tea while I waited for my lunch. Which brings me to the food. I got the lunch special that day which was the pork bolgagi. It was delicious. All in all one of the best asian dining experiences in long while.
(4)Adam W.
Ever since they opened SuRa has been by far my favorite Korean restaurant in the Cincinnati area. They're also by far the most authentic. Everything on the menu is labeled in both English and Korean and, though they do offer some things like chicken fried rice for the unadventurous, they don't shy away from good traditional dishes like ox tail soup out of concern of scaring people off. You can tell they put a lot of pride in the selection of their ingredients. Many things like the dumplings that would normally be from frozen packages in other Korean restaurants are hand made in house. Dishes like kalbi (short ribs) and anything with pork belly in it where the dish hinges on the quality of the ingredients used really shine. The service is always excellent, although the place is deservedly popular and so if you get there during a big rush things can slow down a touch. It's a family run business, the owner and his wife are in back cooking every day and occasionally helping out serving, and one of their sons used to be a server though I'm told he left for college. One or both of them regularly come out into the dining area to check on customers and talk with people. Everyone gets their own banchan, which I find fantastic not because I mind sharing but because the banchan selections they serve are always all tasty and it keeps me from fighting over them. You also get miso with most dishes and, sadly for the actual Japanese restaurants in the area, SuRa's is the best I've had. They serve purple rice with most dishes as well (a mixture of about 80% white rice and 20% Korean black rice) which is a nice touch. In addition to being a nod to tradition, the black rice has higher antioxidant levels than blueberries, so it's good for you too. You can also get boricha - a roasted barley tea - at no charge. Part of what makes the food so delicious, I think, is they don't try to over-sweeten things to cater to Western tastes. A lot of the other Korean restaurants we've tried around here make all of their dishes noticeably sweet and it ruins the complexity of the rest of the flavors. What we get at SuRa tastes like what we got in Seoul. Whether you've never had Korean food and want to start off on a high note, or you like Korean food and want the best of it in the area, you should check them out.
(5)Jen H.
The flavors were mild and the meats and eggs were overcooked. The staff members were friendly. The meal comes with several condiments and the portions are large. It's a good place for groups. The teas and drinks are great.
(3)Vincent O.
Ok, so I lied. This is my second time back here within the week after complaining about the service last time lol. But..... The cold weather + hangover demanded I come back for hot spicy soup to ease my churning belly.
(4)Sarah C.
Yay Korean food! I've tried all the main Korean restaurants in the area (Asiana, Riverside, Korea House, and Sung Bistro), and this one is definitely at the top. I believe that Sura and Riverside are very comparable as far as taste go, but I prefer Sura just because the owners and waitstaff are fantastic. Sura has everything I look for in a good Korean place, except for the price! It's definitely a lot more pricey than what I'm used to paying for Korean, but it seems to be the average, established price point for all the Korean places in town. WIth that said... The side dishes are great. The flavor is spot on for all the standard side dishes I've tried. Their bulgogi is awesome, and their bibimbap never misses. I've been there both with a large group and just dining for two and I have to say, they are super accommodating to groups! Our group had a late night munchie crave and since Cincinnati likes to sleep early, it was no surprise that this place was 10 minutes from closing just as we decided to go. But alas, Sura knows how to really grab customers, and they stayed open just for our group, almost an hour past their closing time! What an awesome place! That alone gives them stars for hospitality! And fantastic food too! Woohoo I love Sura!!
(4)Bianca D.
Everything here is so fresh, clean, and flavorful. I really love the decor, it reminds me of a cute little k-drama. The prices are reasonable, and I can really appreciate that. To me the quality of food here is better than Asiana because of the ban chan. The banchan at sura tastes freshly made and clean. The banchan at other korean restaurants often taste like they have been exposed to open fridge air for days or weeks and they have this stale flavor and they always lack a crisp texture. I would know! I've waitressed in korean restaurants for years. And let's be honest, if you can trust the banchan of an establishment you can trust their sanitary values and the rest of their menu! And our trust was awarded! Dol Sot bibimbap and mul naengmyun were both sooo delicious! Our server was sweet too :) When I'm craving a taste of home (which i rarely am) I'll go to sura.
(5)Rachel C.
Ox Tail Soup / fried gyoza / Bibimbap in stone pot. Based off of the little I've tried so far, this place has already earned the title of my go to korean food stop. I was worried I wouldn't be able to find a good home cooked style korean food...first look at their menu had me scared because there were way too many options (there's no way one place can be good at everything)...I asked the manager what they do best...ox tail soup it is....the condiments came out...kimchee was so good I asked for extra...the staff was very attentive and pleasant. Next time I would love to try their jjajangmyeon...(will update soon!)
(5)Martha C.
I'm fairly certain that had I decided to study abroad in (South) Korea, I would have come home with more than a few extra pounds. Freshman 15, not likely, Korean 30, more likely! In my search for great Korean in Cincinnati, I stumbled upon this place. And, by stumbled, I mean I drove 40 minutes out of my way because I heard they have GREAT Korean food. I'm that much of a fan! So, basic thoughts when first walking in......1. The decorations and layout are SUPER cute 2. Everyone else in here is Korean (that's when you know its good) and 3. OMG, the smell is FANTASTIC! I spent the next hour indulging myself in the BEST Korean food I have ever had! Stone Bowl Chicken Dupbap (what I had) was super spicy and super awesome and the Jjigae that my friend had was AWESOME as well. Overall this place is HEAVEN. If I lived closer, this would be my once a week staple!
(5)Siddharth P.
Amazing korean food! Tried a spicy chicken hot pot for lunch with the purple steamed rice. Deelish! For dinner, I got the pork bulgoki bbq...! What a dish! You've got to try this place. Some people are saying that there's only one serving of the side dishes, but to me that's good because you want to save your apetite for the main event! :-)
(5)Matthew C.
This is my go to Korean place. The food is fresh, and flavorful every time. The staff are very friendly and helpful when explaining things for people not familiar to Korean cuisine. I haven't eaten much Korean but of the few places I've been to this the best I've been.
(5)Kar S.
This place is a gem! I've heard good reviews before coming, but after dining here, I have to agree, this place is legit! I've lived in LA and NYC where there are lots of good authentic korean food, and Sura is just as good! The venue is big, nice and clean. Their menu has many selections, even more than Riverside at Covington or Sung in downtown. Most popular dishes are the stone bowl rice and spicy seafood noodle soup. I ordered the jjamppong (korean spicy seafood noodle soup) and budae jjigae (korean spicy sausage stew). They were both good, but the jjamppong was extremely well made! The waiter later told us usually this dish and jajangmyeon (korean noodles w/ black bean sauce) are cooked w/ a lot of msg, but since the owner's wife and son can't take any msg, they make them with no msg. It took them awhile to figure out the concoction to make them just as good, if not better, w/o msg. The waiter also told us a customer of theirs liked the spicy seafood noodle so much, he asked the owner to make frozen packets of it, so he could take them with him when he moved out of state. I couldn't say more great things about Sura, would definitely become a regular here!
(5)Alex S.
Delicious freshly made Korean delicacies. Crave this place all the time. The family that owns it is very nice as well.
(5)Lia V.
SuRa Ra Ra!!! What a great spot. I can't speak from personal experience, but I went with my sister and dad and they both travel to Korea for business and say this spot delivers very authentic Korean cuisine. I just thought it was tasty as can be! All the dishes have so much flavor... it's hard to stop eating. We got a variety of food - the korean pancake with seafood, dumplings, edamame, bulgogi, and squid - all of it was excellent - the flavors were spot on and it was all cooked to perfection. Some of it was really spicy, but still delicious - clears the sinuses! The service is great - friendly and helpful. They have a limited menu of alcoholic beverages, but do have beer and a few types of wine. It was definitely not crowded, probably because of the location. The decor is simple and modern. They also have meals prepared you can buy and cook up at home which I think is awesome. If you want to experience some great Korean food check it out :-)
(5)Jason G.
This restaurant used to have the option to cook at your table but stopped it, presumably due to a "problem". Nonetheless, you can still enjoy some pretty good Korean food cooked by the kitchen. The dishes are authentic and have good flavor.
(3)Paula C.
First time eating Korean food. I would highly recommend this place. It cost over $25 for 2 for lunch but you get a lot of food.
(5)Diana A.
I was pleasantly surprised when I checked out this newer Korean restaurant on Mason Montgomery Rd. I've only been there once and ordered their rice cake dumpling soup - and it was FANTASTIC. The dumplings were HAND MADE in the restaurant, and not pre-bought frozen like ALL THE OTHER Korean restaurants in town. They give each person their own side dishes instead of having to share with others. Hey, I don't like sharing side dishes and so far, all other Korean restaurants in the Cincinnati area make you share side dishes, which is like double dipping - unsanitary. I love their multi-grain purple rice. I will definitely be returning to try their other dishes. They did explain that the dumplings are hand made and served only in the winter. That's fine with me.
(4)Stephanie S.
Pretty good Korean, though the prices are kind of steep compared to other Korean restaurants in the area. They also don't serve dessert, which bummed me out, because I had a serious sweet tooth. The seaweed salad is delicious and the purple rice is an awesome feature. Even though I got an appetizer as my entree (wasn't terribly hungry), the server still gave me soup and the sides that everyone who ordered an entree receiver, which was cool. The pork dumpling I ordered were delicious and crispy, and for an appetizer, you get quite a few dumplings! Looking forward to coming back and trying more.
(4)Alex S.
Everyone has their "go to" spot for when they are craving a certain food. I'm Korean and more often than not, I'm craving some Korean food. When that craving hits, Sura is where I go. People argue about what restaurant is more "authentic", and Sura is always in the conversation, but I could care less. All I want is a good meal with tasty food. Sura provides just that.
(5)Mark G.
I have found my new favorite Korean restaurant. I've lived in Ohio for four years now and in Fairfield there's only one Korean restaurant and it's good but not the traditional that I was used to when I was stationed in Korea while serving in the Air Force. I found this place today and I will drive from Fairfield to eat here any day of the week!!! While waiting for my carry out order I had a very enjoyable and friendly chat with the owner. Definitely a place I will frequently done at and look forward to introducing my family to the experience very soon!!!!
(5)Audrey C.
Delicious food! So far everything I tried has been great! The squid dupbap is my fav! Their mackerel fillets are amazing. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because during peak hours they find it hard to cope in terms of what you ordered or the food takes very long! But trust me it's worth waiting for!
(4)Alyona Z.
Very delicious! Would recommend getting the bulgogi with the 5 sides and purple rice and misu soup. Came here during lunch time and was served very quickly. Everything was wonderful from the food to the service. Very friendly staff.
(5)Xiaoheng P.
probably one of my favorite korean restaurant in the cincinnati. the service there is super nice. one time we went past their closing hour, they ended opening for two extra hours just for us. also if you go in a big group, they dont force charge the 20% tip just because you have a group, which I really like. not that i leave less than 20% but i just like to have that option if i felt like the service was bad. needless to mention their food is really good. my favorites are their bulgogi beef and japchae. and as always, anytime you order a main dish, you get the unlimited side dishes as well, usually 5 or 6 of them. their food is a little expensive, but i think that's just because its cincinnati. all asian food are expensive for some reason. they're very comparable to other korean restaurants like korea house, or riverside. of the three i probably like sura best.
(5)Jade C.
Just AMAZING! Probably the most authentic Korean restaurant in Cincinnati (Trust me.. I am a Korean and lived in NYC and Atlanta! Also, I visit Korea several times a year). Also their service is supreme! You cannot go wrong with this place!!
(4)Margaret Z.
This place is a hidden star of Mason. When I first came, I would order a basic stone bowl bibimbap, but then I branched out and began ordering the soondubu jjigae which is INCREDIBLE. It comes out bubbling and bright--paired perfectly with a delicious selection of banchan and purple rice. My salivary glands are activating as I type this, to be honest. This is hands-down my favorite restaurant in the area, and I feel like it's still so undiscovered. Take your friends here and impress their LaRosa's-trained tastebuds with the flavorful wonders of SuRa. It might take some goading and hand-holding to get there, but I believe it will happen! If you are apprehensive about trying Korean food, please read this and go! The waitstaff is wonderful, so ask the waiter for a recommendation for a starter Korean dish--bibimbap is always a good choice! And don't be afraid of the banchan that comes paired with your entree--5 tiny side dishes full of flavor and yum, even if you don't like a few, you're bound to like one! Also portion sizes are pretty excellent. I usually leave pretty stuffed. One time my mom ordered seafood soup noodles (I forget the name), and the bowl was the size of a soccer ball.
(5)Lexi M.
We were planning to come here for lunch but because of a late meeting, we didn't end up getting to Sura until about 3pm. The open sign was off but the door was unlocked. We poked our head inside to see if we could grab a bite. Not only were we welcomed into the restaurant that was no longer serving, but the service was top notch. Food was excellent! Will for sure come back here for a second visit.
(4)Susan L.
I absolutely loved it here. Good variety of things on the menu that let me get a little more authentic feel for food back home... I got to order the good-old fashion korean items that not every BBQ place has on the menu. It's a little out of the way for me to drive here, but definitely worth the drive. I'll be back for the delicious food, the wonderful variety on the menu, and the exceptional service! ----------------------------------- Explanation of my rating system - 5*: Epitome of something, the best I've had, would LOVE to go back 4*: Great food and happy to go back regularly, but not the best of the category 3*: Food is fine. I may spontaneously decide to go there based on convenience. But no need to go back either. 2*: If you insist, I guess I'll come along. I'll find something to eat. But I wouldn't have picked it. 1*: No plans to come back. I'll try to talk companions out of going. If they insist, I may come and not eat, or may just see them some other time.
(4)Zelda R.
The food is amazing!! And the service is spectacular, the waitress Alex was really nice and she made great suggestions!
(5)Crace S.
My team at work went out for a group lunch. I've driven by Sura dozens of times but never have made my way inside. The decor is nice, modern and clean. I felt very comfortable upon our entrance and the staff was very friendly. Sura has a small hd tv showing a loop of their tasty dishes. They all looked so good. They offer hot tea and an assortment of sodas. I also noticed later in our meal that they have a shelf displaying the wines and beers they offer. The beer selection looked to be all imports from Asia and I doubt they offer any draft beers. Many of the lunch specials come with five sides. We got a delicious sweet and sour soup and four other dishes. The other four were all served cold. One was spicy cabbage which was good. Another was a medley of squash and mushrooms which was also good. The third item was shredded radish and carrots and was lacking in flavor. The last item was an acorn jelly cut into cubes and doused in a salty green bean sauce. I didn't care for the jelly but the green bean sauce did add some flavor as the jelly had absolutely no taste. I ordered the L10 special (shrimp fried rice in a wok). Most of my coworkers ordered the B2 which offers a medley of vegetables and rice and meats of your choice. All lunches came out in steaming hot stoneware. Our food was still crackling just like on a fajita tray. The portions were quite large and a good value considering we got everything for $9 or $10. Again the service was friendly and prompt but they didn't do a great job of clearing off our side dishes and soup bowls. Mind you this was during lunch hour and they were quite busy. They also passed down a bowl of coffee flavored mints as we cashed out. Overall, I had a really good dining experience. We only looked at the lunch menu but I'd be glad to go back and see what entrees they offer during their dinner hours. I did notice they were closed on Sunday which is a bit of a letdown. They also offer the shortened lunch hours (11am to 2pm or 3pm) and then close to prepare for dinner. Overall a great meal with good service in a calming atmosphere.
(4)Celeste W.
The food is really awesome! I love it, also the environment is very friendly. I will say suitable for couples, friends and family. However, I do wish they put more ingredients in (like more fish in my jjigae). Other than that, no complain! Definitely reccomanded
(4)Ken T.
My favorite Korean, and overall Asian, restaurant in the Mason area. The food is authentic. You can't get much better unless you go to KTOWN LA. Everything I've had so far is good including, tofu soup (soon doobu), bibimbap (in a stone bowl), and dumpling bone broth soup. A must have if in the Mason area and looking for something different.
(5)Victoria A.
I had such a great time eating here with my boyfriend when I visited Ohio. I like that the place was spacious, clean and had neutral colors. My boyfriend liked his bibimbap and I loved my chicken dupbap. The portions I think can feed two people each. Our server was very nice. I think he is the son of the owner. He was very humble and gave us recommendations. We had a great time.
(5)Wu Z.
The taste is good, but the meat in every dish is so little. Literally, you will get one shrimp one mussel and two small pieces of squids in the "sea food" bowl. For the beef or chicken dish, there are probably 5 small meat and this all you got. I have to add extra meat or order 2 dishes.
(2)Anna L.
The name "Sura" really fits this establishment meaning meals of the king and royal court of the Joseon Dynasty. Fast-forward centuries later, Sura maintains traditional non-Americanized Korean fare in a contemporary setting accented by an elegant maru dining area along the back with an Ikea-like showroom seating area towards the front complete with pillows in the booth. Ambient music in the background helps with the awkward dead silence during off-peak lunch hours. We were seated in the maru dining area which felt like I was transported to a foreign place without the outrageous airfare. We were given lunch menus around 2:30pm, but the nice older man offered a dinner menu for closer scrutiny. Cha-ching! For once I didn't have to ask for a dinner menu during lunch and get an evil glare. As an appetizer, we got a small "bossum" which is steamed pork belly served with salted shrimplings, garlic cloves, jalapeno slices, raw napa, soybean paste sauce and seasoned pickled radish. I've always seen this served with lettuce wraps and I've NEVER had napa raw. It's different, but quite delicious since it's super crunchy and sweet. The pork is so tender that it just melts in your mouth. For entrees, H got seafood ramen which was literally boiling hot with more veggies than seafood. Otherwise, it looked good. I got the bibim nengmyeon (cold noodle), a heaping buckwheat noodle mass tossed in red pepper paste mixed with fresh raw veggies. It was a perfect cool temperature without it being right out of the freezer cold. A tad sweet, but the five banchan sides (cucumber, tofu, potato, black beans, kimchi) paired well with the dish. While it may have been $50 for two people, it was definitely worth it considering the quality of food you receive. Coming from an artist's perception, their use of colors and textures within the meals are aesthetically appealing to the palate. Of course, I hear a Korean-speaking mama cooking in the kitchen, so you know it's gotta be real-deal! Topping it off, they give you this awesome coffee flavored candy over the boring mint.
(5)Alyssa K.
This place is owned by a husband and wife who are really great people and it shows through the service of their waiters and waitresses. The restaurant owners make it a point to not put any MSG in their dishes so everything you get is really good food made like it would be made at a Korean home. All of the dolsot rice dishes are really good with the crisp rice at the bottom of the bowls. If I had a critique it would be that their Ox-tail soup was not that great. The meat is supposed to just slide off the bones but it seemed like they hadn't cooked the soup enough because the meat was a bit tough to get off. But I can't wait to try more of their other soups - next is soondooboo! Random bit of tid-bit that I learned...The wife is an artist and it shows in all of their simple and yet classic Korean decor. Of all the Korean restaurants in Cincinnati I think this restaurant has the best Korean decor which is often subtle, simple, and still beautiful. They have an elevated seating area and I love sitting up there. There isn't an area where you sit on the floor, but I actually prefer not having to sit on the ground so no complaining here! Lastly, they give each person their own portion of the little side dishes. So everyone gets 6-or so mini dishes of their own portions of the traditional korean side dishes. It's super cute and I don't have to fight my husband for the good sides ;)
(4)Devon C.
I went with one of my friends who is Korean. The dishes were really good. We tried the Jjambong, Bibimbap, and the Soon-Tofu Jjigae. My friend was really impressed with the food claiming that it was the best Korean restaurant he has found in Cincinnati. I definitely recommend it to anyone who has a craving for some authentic Korean dishes!
(4)Alexzandra R.
We stopped into Sura for a very quick lunch, we may have had 40 minutes from walking in to final check due to meetings at work. Even on this very short timing, Sura delivered with excellence! The outside storefront is constrained by the strip mall shell, however, the inside more than makes up for it. The dining room has a great atmosphere, very nice thick wood tables and benches able to accommodate groups nicely. Lighting and decor were modern without losing the Korean roots, to me it looks like a present day restaurant that you might see in a Korean Drama. Our group of 7 was an easy fit without moving tables. We received quick service for our very brief lunch with the full gauntlet of soups and sides. The waitress made it look easy. There was lots of menu variety with plenty of vegetarian options to suit just about any dietary need. Very importantly, the tofu was done right! We were told that stone bowl bibimbap is one of the faster things to have prepared if you are in a hurry. Thus, nearly every person at my table ordered accordingly. My meal was exactly what I had wanted and expected and I was delighted that it was executed so well. The vegetables were very fresh and the purple rice crisped perfectly along the stone bowl. While the Sichuan Bistro (next door) is often well regarded for food, the atmosphere at Sura is much nicer. I would highly recommend Sura for a superb overall experience this visit! In all categories, food, service and atmosphere, Sura gets high marks!
(5)Murry F.
Our first visit to Sura. In a nutshell; Excellent food. Excellent Presentation (the waitress stirred my wife's dish together at the table for Gods Sake!) and Excellent Service. The owner came over to explain the different dishes and the heritage they have grown from. I would highly recommend Sura for a new and different experience right here in Wonderbread Mason!
(5)Yuan Z.
Spicy chicken stone bowl rice is good. They will have 5 sides, and if you go there during lunch you will have a cup of tea and miso soup. Nice place to go.
(5)Kevin I.
Ate here last week with a party of 6+1 baby. Food was OK, but not great. I was surprised by the lack of service we received. our server seemed very young and inexperienced.
(3)Mary Grace C.
My belly is so big I look preggo. :o that is my experience. Every dish we ordered is delish. I even ate what my husband got. Ok bye. Food coma mode on. P.S. the best korean restaurant we've been to so far.
(5)Elizabeth L.
I'm pretty surprised. This was my second time dining out for Korean food in Cincinnati because I don't really expect to find good, affordable Korean around here. (Not to call anyone out, but K-tucky obviously won't have any decent Asian food to offer, so I would avoid going there looking for Korean food, despite other claims. I just want to say that bibimbap is what Koreans eat when there's nothing substantial to make- so they literally throw all that they have in a bowl of rice. Are you still willing to pay 20 bucks to have them put their leftovers in a hot "stone" bowl?) Anyway. This family has got it down. They know the American style of everyone wanting their own everything, so the traditional side dishes that are known for sharing was actually split up so that each person has their own set of side dishes set in front of them. And the side dishes was as close and as traditional as you can get than the typical Americanized and confused "Korean" side dishes. You'll know what I mean. We both ordered soondubu. If I recall correctly, it was somewhere around $11? I can't remember. But that's DECENT. Obviously, on the coasts, you can find cheaper alternatives, but I can't complain about that here. $11 is great. It was hot, spicy, portions were pretty big. I had a good Korean food fix, so I am grateful for that.
(4)Vanessa H.
They have good Kimchee Jigae, but other than everything else fails. Who doesn't serve white rice.
(3)Courty B.
I have probably dined here at least 25 times in the past year. It's slightly inconvenient location-wise, as it's pretty far deep into Mason. I am closer to Sung's (downtown) or Korea House (Montgomery/Harper's), but Sura is worth the exuburban trek. Its food is above or on par with its competition, but the prices and service are much better. I've tried many things, but my frequent choice is tofu bibimpbap in the stone bowl. Tofu absorbs the flavors of the dish and the accompanying red pepper paste better than chicken or beef (even if you're a meat lover, try this vegetarian-ish option!) Plus, it's not vegetarian anymore once they put the delicious egg on top of your sizzling rice bowl! The hot barley tea is a perfect complement to the spicy dish. Portions are large - expect to take half home. It makes Sura an even better value... 2 meals for the price of 1 almost every time! Servers are always eager to please It's a delight to support this business. ..
(5)David S.
A great place. I get the chicken bulbiby(so?). I ask for it to be extra spicy. It is very good. The soup is great also. Food is very fast.
(5)Tim R.
A wonderful dining experience! Service was attentive, polite, friendly and un-obtrusive. Good number of tasty options on the menu. Food was great: quality ingredients, nice level of spice, good portion size, tasted fantastic. The kimchi/pickles/side-dishes were quite tasty as well. Others may be better judges of authenticity, but the food at Sura reminded me a lot of the best food I had when I was in Cheonju, South Korea. Delicious! I wish it hadn't taken me so long to finally dine at Sura -- to think I could have been enjoying their tasty food and their pleasant service for the last several years. I've been missing out and settling for less. But no longer! Sura is now solidly in my "Go To" restaurant rotation.
(5)Aaron B.
I don't think I have ever experienced traditional Korean cuisine before. Nor have I experienced Korean food at all. So I will not judge its "authenticity". All I know is it was awesome. The staff was very helpful making sure I understood everything I was ordering. There is something to be said when the majority of patrons are speaking the language of the origin of the cuisine. Oxtail bone broth soup. Really great flavor and good for you. Get there.
(5)Tom C.
The best Korean food in Cincinnati. Recommend the stone bowl bibimbap and the bulgogi. Very friendly and courteous service as well.
(5)Scott B.
my wife and I recently discovered the joy of Korean food. While we are in no way experts, we both agreed this was one of the best dining experiences of our lives. We were happy and excited. The food was off the charts, and the service was fantastic. We will be visiting Sura a lot!
(5)Lizbeth T.
I stopped by Sura for carry-out, so I can't comment on the dine-in experience but the food is the most important thing, right? And the food is delicious! Some of the best Korean I've had in town. My friends and I really appreciated how lovingly everything was packaged, down to the kimchi in separate little containers so that we could recreate the whole spread at home. Standouts were the seafood pancake, galbi gui and the tofu kimchi dish.
(4)Ben N.
If you've spent any time reading comments to Enquirer stories and local food blogs about Cincinnati-area dining, and I regrettably can say that I have, you'll sometimes see elitist in-towners castigating terrified-to-venture-inside-the-city-limits suburbanites about how there's no place to eat out in the Cinci 'burbs except "O'Chilibee's." And you can get a good slice of this perspective with OTR-obsessed Cinci Yelp. As an in-towner myself, I can verify, again with regret, that those in-towners are wrong. Those folks need to get of their urban bubble more often, because the Cincinnati suburbs in fact offer far more in the way of authentic "ethnic" cuisine than you can shake a stick at, at least compared to inside the Cincinnati city limits. Sura (SuRa?) Korean is just one more example of this. I really like Korean food, but I haven't had too many opportunities to sample it in the last decade and a half because I've lived in two cities, New Orleans and Cincinnati, that just don't have many Korean restaurants to speak of. The situation in Cincinnati has been improving in the last two or three years, though! We stumbled on SuRa only because we had an errand to run in the northern hinterlands of Hamilton County. (In the process, we also stumbled on its small shopping strip whcih amazingly includes Sichuan Bistro and Phoenician Taverna as well, but those are stories for another day.) SuRa's the real deal, and it's a good bargain, especially compared to slick Sung downtown and sometimes underwhelming Riverside in Covington. The long-ish menu is divided up into rice and noodle dishes, a good selection of bulgogi (unfortunately, law-and-order Ohio does not allow BBQ grilling at the table), stews and soups (jigae and tang), etc. I think SuRa scores pretty high on the Authenticity Meter, although I'm not the best person to ask. My receding memory of great Korean food in Atlanta and New York years and years ago, though, tells me that SuRa might be dialing down the heat a little bit. This especially applies to the banchan, a few of which were disappointingly bland. But the seafood stews and soups I have tried have been really bold and good, and the wife loves an off-menu rice-and-tofu dish (can't remeber its name!) that does push the hot-pepper envelope. Fried dumplings (mandu) were also delicious. Atmosphere is appealingly serene and simple, with low noise levels, lots of wood, and earth tones. Service has been very pleasant and helpful, although it seemed mildly short-handed on a weekend night. Overall, excellent: 4.25 stars.
(4)Rory B.
The service today was way better than the last time i went to Sura. The food was just as delicious. I need to make it here far more often.
(4)Robert S.
The menu is varied...lots of soups, noodles, grilled item, bibimbaps, etc. I decided for the bulgogi bibimbap and it was GREAT !! The rice at the bottom of the stone bowl was nice and crispy..just the way I like it... The meat was nicely seasoned and tender... The 5 veggies, the soup and the salad were all good and tasty. I would recommend this place to anyone that enjoys Asian/Korean fare.
(5)J C.
Impeccable, gracious service to match the exceptional Korean dishes. As an East Coast transplant (of Korean descent), my expectations to discover authentic Korean food in Cincinnati were not lofty. However, I continue to be impressed with all that Sura has to offer. The food is always served hot, and infused with the most wonderful flavors. There has not been one time I have left feeling unsatisfied with the service or the food. None of the other Korean restaurants in the area compare to Sura.
(5)Joshua D.
Delicious food. Service was great. Ambiance isn't amazing, but it isn't bad by any means. My wife had the bimbimbop...delicious. Rice crisped to the bowl perfectly...she ate the whole thing. I had the Seafood Soon-Tofu Jjigae. It was the perfect spice level for me, but it pushed the envelope. Careful if you're not a spice lover. It had seafood and silken tofu in an incredible broth. I also cleaned my plate : )
(5)Mr And Mrs G.
MR says ... authentic hidden gem next to a jam-packed Sichuan Bistro. MRS says ... at first I was hesitant to walk in to Sura because next door, Sichuan Bistro is jam-packed. MR wants food and doesn't want to wait for a table. Since we haven't had Korean food in a while and we've been eyeing on Sura whenever we dine next door, we went ahead and deviate from norm. Food was delicious, fresh and just so Korean :) Sura is Simply Unsurpassed Really Authentic Korean food. Fresh, well seasoned meats so tender beef ribs fall off the bones. It's a family owned restaurant. Very good service and hospitable. Can't believe we've been dodging this restaurant for months. Now driving to Mason is to eat at Sura and not just Sichuan Bistro.
(4)Soojin C.
This restaurant was great! The food tasted good for its price and i couldn't believe I actually found a restaurant like this in Ohio! I ate the galbi, kimchi jigae, soondoobu jigae, and pajeon with my family. The galbi seasoning was good, but it had a lot of bones and not much meat. That was quite disappointing. The kimchi jigae was the best. It tasted like food at home. The soondoobu jigae was disappointing. It taste could have been more strong and dense. The pageon tasted good. This restaurant was great overall.
(4)M W.
Love the food, the service and the soju! Kumpai! Excellent side dishes, try the seafood pancake appetizer too.
(5)Jeff S.
We have gone to Riverside Korean restaurant in Northern Kentucky for years. We have not found one up our way as good , but this restaurant is just as good. Outstanding food. They have done a nice job on this space also. This is a restaurant that deserves good business - it makes me ill to see the crowded parking lots in this area for miserable dreck like Frisch's and Olive Garden, while restaurants like Sura struggle.
(5)Ruthann C.
We love this restaurant. The food and service are excellent. We were rookies to Korean food and the servers were very helpful. Decor is perfect even though it's in a strip mall.
(5)Raymond L.
I usually head down to either Korea House or to Riverside for authentic Korean but no longer cause Sura's only 5 mins from my house! Opened a little over a year in a strip mall the place is modernly decorated with a touch of Korean decor. The service is really nice and attentive. Our usual is the dolsot bibimbap, wife's is the soondubu jigae. The banchan varies daily and are always fresh and tasty. They even serve the food with Korean purple rice with no extra charge. I really like Sura's and hope they would stay indefinitely. For those that live North of Cincy, come try it you won't be disappointed!
(5)Harshal P.
Sura is a very authentic and well designed Korean Restaurant in Mason, OH. The lunch is well priced and quantity of food given is very high. In addition to table seating, Sura also has traditional floor based seating as well. The staff at Sura is very kind and offered my Korean coffee while I waited for my food. They even have a few Korean beers and Korean Sake Bombs to drink. I really don't have anything to bad to say about Sura. If you are looking for an authentic Korea Restaurant in Cincinnati, Sura might be your best option.
(5)Eric M.
I'm not even a huge fan of Korean (tried a handful of places) but this is the best I've had. Lunch service was quick, good menu and a lot of food for the dollar. Will return.
(5)Joy S.
IF you are looking for great Korean food and service, this is the place!!!! We had been dining at Asiana restaurant and happened to drive by and noticed a new restaurant opening up; Sura. I have to say that it took me this long but I'm finally going to share this place with the world. We have tried their seafood pancake (panjeon) and their bean noodle (japjae) as well as their kimchee jigae and their cold noodle dish and soup (sorry I forgot the Korean name for it). Flavor is robust and complex. We enjoy the side dishes that they bring out along with the purple rice. Owning a restaurant before, I understand what it feels like when you have a mom and pop place. You cater and take more pride because it's your baby. The owner at Sura does just that. We have met the husband, wife and son. The rest of the waitstaff knows us and you feel like you're having dinner at your friend's house. Comfort food and casual dining. Recently we tried Korea House and while the food wasn't bad, it was interesting to compare the flavor and price. Bang for buck, Sura is the best!
(5)Ryan B.
I recommend this place, especially for lunch. Sitting at the Korean-style seats is best. I like the chicken fried rice. I know, not really adventurous. The hot tea, five appetizer starter, and egg drop soup were great as well. I hope to return and try other options on the large menu.
(4)joe n.
A great example of an ethnic family run restaurant that stays true to its roots. For someone who does not know Korean food, the menu can be confusing, but the staff is there to help and suggestions are readily offered and welcome. I can not say enough about the pleasnt atmosphere and service. The food we had was very fresh, tasty and a real delight. My daughter was with me and she at first was somewhat reluctant (not a reall food adventurer) but now she is a real fan and will go back anytime. If you don't know Korean food, the server will guide you and even mix your food for you! Just go with the flow and trust that whatever you get will be well done, tasty and not overly spiced. Tasting new food is a great experience when well done, and this restaurant well not disappoint.
(5)Jessie S.
First time we went there. Foods is fine but the service is terrible. They need to focus on customer not three waitresses cleaning one table. We waited for 20 minutes. We End up of asking them to take our order. No asking how's everything. Need to do more better on the service thank you.
(2)Mike C.
Unfortunately, I had never heard of this place until I did a search of restaurants near my office. Kind of disappointed that I hadn't been here sooner. I went in for a leisurely lunch today when I had five hours to kill. The interior is very chic, but with a warm, cozy feeling. My waitress was very nice. My only complaint about the service was that there only appeared to be one waitress. Close to noon, the restaurant started to fill out, and it felt like she started to become overwhelmed. Thus it took a while for my check to come, and my water wasn't refilled. The menu looked very authentic. There are lots of dishes that I will be back to try on my lunch break. They do have Korean bbq, which you can grill at your table. The only bad thing is that they don't have all-you-can-eat Korean bbq. Though health-wise, that's probably not so bad. I had the stone bowl bibimbap. It had purple rice, vegetables, tender beef, mushrooms, and a perfectly cooked runny egg on top. I'm not Korean, so I don't know if it's authentic or not, but the hot sauce that you can put on top of it that I've had at some places was a little sweeter, which added more flavor. It may just be a different brand maybe. EIther way, it was still very good. The rice became very crispy because of the bowl, maybe a little too much. I did try to prevent that by trying to mix my rice as frequently as possible when it first came out. But then I just couldn't wait to eat it and forgot to keep doing that as I ate. My lunch also came with miso soup and 5 small dishes of banchan (small sides served in Korean meals). They had kimchee, cucumber kimchee, sweetened potatoes, some type of omelet-type dish, and I think cut of fish cakes. The fish cakes are always my favorite banchan at Korean restaurants. Theirs was good. The cucumber and kimchee were good too. At the end , I was very full. Can't believe I was considering getting an appetizer too, which was absolutely unnecessary. My very filling meal, with tax and tip, was $12. Maybe slightly higher price for lunch, but definitely worth it for authentic food. I will definitely be back.
(4)Ben C.
I was very satisfied with both the service and food here. I'd say the menu has a good selection of food, I ordered the Kimchi Soondubu, which came in a very nice, big portion served with purple rice. I loved the taste and texture of the tofu, and the banchan was served to us in individual servings for everyone, however I'm not sure if this is consistent because I saw another larger party that just got larger servings of banchan for the whole table. I was also blown away by the service. The lady serving us was extremely nice and caring, it literally felt like my friend's Korean mom was giving us the food. I definitely plan on coming back here again...and again
(5)Denise F.
I came in for their daily lunch special as advertised on their website, but was disappointed when they did not offer it. The food was still good and the service was great. It took 15 minutes to make my order And while I waited, I was offered hot barley tea.
(3)Kim D.
Stuck in Mason and looking for an authentic food experience? This place is situated in a plaza, so you're probably not even sure if you should give it a try, or for that matter, if it's even open. I know that I mostly make a judgement call if the parking area does not look full, In fact, I even pulled in and pulled out of the parking lot once, indecisive on whether to enter. I finally decided to try this place and I truly was not disappointed. I had a stone bowl and it was piping hot till the end with flavorful and fresh ingredients. It reminded me 110% of Riverside Korean in Covington- which I have not been to in quite a while! They have booths and tables and a little traditional floor seating. I was impressed by the feeling that I was a special guest. I felt that the owner/chef was spying on me (not in a creepy way, but in a very familial way) to ensure I was enjoying my meal and my visit there was homey. They were ever so accommodating to my daughter and treated her very sweetly, as well. My only suggestion would be to offer a smaller portioned and more basically flavored kids meal. She was thrown off by the egg on the top of her dish and I had to pick around the veggies to get to the delicious chicken pieces. She's a huge rice lover, but again, I had to scoop away the remains of the other food, to get her to eat the rice. In the end, if you're interested in fresh, flavorful food, find some time to visit Sura!
(4)Jay H.
Went here with two guys from work. We all loved it. I was excited to see vegetarian options on the menu. The food was flavor packed and delicious. Our server was friendly and helpful. I saw serveral things I want to go back and try.
(5)Alisa T.
The hot pot was great. Friendly staff and good service. Authentic Korean. Must try it.
(5)SD L.
Sichuan Bistro was closed on Monday so we came here. food was flavorful and plenty of it. Service was slow - one server for the whole thing. That's why they have a sign that they are hiring! But not bad.
(3)Monaco C.
Their food tastes like homemade authentic Korean food. So awesome!
(5)Amy C.
Great service and good portion sizes. We had the fish (mackerel), ribeye dish (can't remember the name), and stone bobimbap. Overall, very good, where it's way better than Korea House. We also had the seafod pancake for appetizer, where I thought it was a bit lacking in seafood so really needed sauce to enhance the flavor. Prices were a bit high (compared to Szechuan Bistro next door or Dao down the street). Side dishes and soup were good, but not wow to me. If I could, I'd give it 3.5 stars for being slightly above average Korean (though it's fabulous for Cincinnati). If I were scoring service and ambiance (great seating options here...very cool furniture) only, it'd be a definite 4.
(3)Holly S.
I have seen a sign out front touting lunch specials for $6.95. Think I will go in an try one soon... won't you join me in supporting a business that is working to bring value-priced Korean food to Mason?.
(4)Shea M.
....where do I begin? ....well it started off great, nice location, close to hotel, seated quickly, friendly server. We ordered appetizers, drinks, and then they bought out the 5 sides that go with the meals that we ordered. All the meals came out, (we were famished having just spent 7 hrs at Kings Island) except my order was wrong, there were 6 of us, 1 pork bulgogi, 2 spicy chicken bulgogi, 2 beef bulgogi and 1 regular chicken bulgogi ....I ordered the regular, somehow she heard pork, so needless to say, while everyone ate their food, I sat there, nibbling on edamame...then my meal comes out, and its wrong again! ...it's spicy chicken bulgogi...I wanted to cry,(I don't like spicy food) but since everyone was nearly finished, I suffered thru what I could and we left.....the server was sweet and apologetic, but I really feel like it was a complete waste of my money. I would not go there again, I would just try the more popular Korean restaurant 2 doors down.
(2)Lisa b.
I really like this place... I have only had It to go, but the staff is always super friendly when I come in; the older gentleman (who is likely the owner) even offered me hot tea while I waited last time. The interior is chic and modern, and you can even eat Asian style if you choose. So, I can't bring myself to order anything but the bibimbap because it is sooo good and I crave it. The beef is flavorful, lean and tender, the veggies are perfectly crisp, the egg is always perfectly done (I can't stand underdone whites) the hot sauce is a perfect accompaniment and it's served on authentic purple rice. The kimchi is awesome. The miso is tasty. Oh, and I just found out that if you call about an hour ahead they'll make gimbap for you! Definitely give it a go.
(5)Alex F.
Very good, one of the best kept secrets in north Cincinnati. Intimate, with the feel of a mom-n-pop shot and quiet, good food and good price. As good as Korea House, without the big crowds.
(5)Kevin L.
Great selection and quality, coupled with a caring chef / owner who often makes it a point to come by to ask if everything was to my liking. Not only is the food genuine, but so is the owner. Haven't had anything yet that tastes like it was prepared ahead of time.
(3)Minhee K.
best korean restaurant i ever had in cincinnati!
(5)