Dorothy L.

Chill place to drink and hang out with friends. Seating is first come first serve. There are a few private booths and tables that can easily accommodate a parties of 5-10. My only complaint about this place is the pricey food. A plate of fries was $10!! However, they do provide chex-like snack mix and celery and carrot sticks for free. The last time I was here I went into a rage due to a stupid drinking game - I caused a mini ruckus and didn't get kicked out. Yippee!

Mia S.

This bar. This bar started it all for me! I had no idea my first night to VIP would change my life. I met my now boyfriend of about 3 years there, right there at the bar. Surrounded by young fun people, playing drinking games, constant "cheer-sing" and had soon become accustomed to the clanks of the soju shot glasses. I was just there with a girlfriend of mine and had no idea what to expect. It all started with a drinking game! Friendly people, an openness to trying new things, and a relaxed environment made it possible. He had to make sure I wasn't "crazy" (as guys check for girls in bars I assume) and I had to check he wasn't "creepy." All you girls know what I mean! 3 years later a lot has changed in the bar like our favorite bartender and one of the most kind people, Sung Dae moving on to greater things. If you had a chance to ever meet him, you are in the realm of lucky bar goers. Now I'm not saying that you'll meet the potential love of your life here, but it's a chill bar full of fun people and, hey, you might make new friends, or meet someone special! All in all, great memories will be made. Or not. Soju is known to be a creeper! ;)

Alice H.

Tips: $11 for a plate of fries -------------------------------------------------- I came here with a VERY large group of about 10-15 people and they were very nice about accommodating all of us. He removed one of the wall-partitions and pushed all the couches together which I really appreciated. Overall, it's a great place to have some drinks and snacks with your friends. The snacks are on the more expensive side, but overall not a bad place.

Tina N.

Only been here once for my friend Kristi's birthday! We didn't make reservation, but we came pretty early around 9:30pm and got a booth. Parking is pretty simple with the big spacious lot. The front is a little sketchy in the corner. You show your I.D. to the front doorman and go on in... It's pretty dim inside with loud music blasting (which is on loop, by the way). By around 10:15pm, all the booths were taken up. Comes with complementary popcorn and snacks (carrots and cucumbers). I didn't drink (since I'm allergic) or eat anything, but everyone seemed to enjoy the Strawberry, Yogurt, and Mango Soju that we ordered (~$20 per bottle). Spent about three hours there around people just getting buzzed/drunk. People can literally spend their entire time at the bar. Couches are pretty comfy! Staff is super nice and friendly! Comes by to check on you once every like half hour or so... Good times.

Katherine S.

I've heard a lot about this place and my date took me here. He said it's usually packed like crazy on a Saturday night. I guess everyone knew we were coming and cleared out haha. There's a security guy outside the door, so you need to have your ID out. If there's a table, grab one. About 6 people can fit in each section. If you're just with one other person or by yourself, you can sit at the bar.. It's pretty small. +Plenty of parking in the plaza +Peach soju +They give you some rice crackers and carrots+cucumbers to go with your order.

Kathleen W.

Dare I say that I found decent nightlife in the South Bay? Yes. VIP, you're the winner. I joined a group of friends for their high school reunion at VIP one Saturday night. We were a large group of 15 and miraculously able to stake claim to a table (and enough chairs). Drinks were flowing and several bottles of delicious yogurt soju served up every few minutes. As someone who traveled to Korea and found soju to be absolutely repulsive, I gotta say that when mixed with yogurt, it can be very palatable! :) Some of the highlights: - Cheese corn. Dmitriy S. and I had to see what the hype was and...this dish is not spectacular! Haha. Canned sweet corn spread in a dish, melted cheese on top. Dig in! It tastes exactly what it sounds like so lower your expectations just a tad. - Seoul train soju bomb! Stack your shot glasses of soju on top of your OB beer glasses and try it. You will be officially inducted into the "Ktown show" fanbase. ktownfanblog.com/2012/07… - Random ID check? Sometime before midnight, the lounge turned on all the lights, stopped the music and the alcohol service without warning. Not sure what was going on here, but perhaps there were some underage party crashers who got past the bouncer. All of the patrons were required to produce an ID before the party resumed. - Good EDM and Gangnam style remixes all night. It's just a tad stereotypical to be playing Gangnam style at a Korean lounge, but whatever keeps the party moving! - Free snacks, vegetables, and popcorn are provided to calm your drunken habits. Good times at VIP. Will be back!

Cathy N.

Came here on Saturday for a friend's birthday and the place was pretty packed. Good for large groups looking for a place to drink, hang out, and be loud. We had all sorts of alcohol - couple bottles of strawberry and mango soju, MANY bottles of that green bottle of soju (can't remember the name but it was pretty strong), and then came shots of henny back to back. Fun drunken night for sure. And yes our group became quite loud after that :) The food was also pretty good. We had ramen, Korean chicken wings, kimchi pancake, French fries, and kimchi fried rice. They give complimentary pub mix, carrot and celery sticks, and popcorn as well. Lots of yummy stuff to munch on while drinking. Definitely a fun bday spot!

Christine S.

I've been to VIP a few times, and I don't think I've ever had a bad time. When you drive up the location, you'll probably think the same thing I did (and still do): this place looks hella shady. It's located in the corner of this plaza, and they have a security/bouncer sitting outside checking IDs. Walking in though, you sigh in relief because it looks like a nice Korean lounge. Every time I've been there, it was a full house... sometimes to the point that there are way too many people standing by the bar. Everyone who works here is super nice, especially to the regulars. On days that I go with friends who frequent this bar, we get really fast service and they refill our popcorn and snacks super fast! Their regular bottles of soju is about $12-13, while the flavored ones are about $20-$24 per jug. Sometimes this place can get really loud, but it's all part of the great vibe! Grab your friends and head over to VIP to do Seoul Trains or just enjoy some soju!

Natalie C.

Came here for my friends birthday and had so much fun! It was my first time having Soju and I must say that it definitely sneaks up on you. The peach flavor was my favorite of the bunch. I didn't catch the bartender's name who was working that night but he is a really awesome! I highly reccommend to anyone lookign to have fun even on a Monday night. The fries and the wings are super bomb.

Anna M.

Very Important Place to be to get yo drink on! This place is like home to me. It's a comfortable bar/lounge that plays good music all night. Place is pretty small so I'm not sure how they fit the millions of people that come out at night, but it works and that's all that matters! Staff is SOOO friendly and adorable here. There's always 1 bartender working Sungdae, but he's so very quick to serve. LOVE HIM! People complain about how food is expensive here, but COME ON.. it's a freaking bar. Anywhere will up the prices to you drunk people. It's normal. The food is delicious too! What I've tried: Budaejjigae (spicy spam/sausage soup with assorted veggies and ramen noodles) - This is SO bomb. Option of Large or Regular. The regular is enough for 2 people, but any more than that get the large. Dongtaejjigae (spicy fish soup) - This too is very good. Not fishy at all :) Kimchee Pancake - Honestly one of the best I've ever had. It's perfectly fluffy with enough crunch on the top.. BURSTING WITH FLAVOR. Kimchee Fried rice - Come with an egg on top. Also very good... although I think mine taste a little better ;) FULL bar, but of course most people come here for the Soju. I believe it runs at $12 a bottle.. Standard price for a Korean bar. Bathrooms are kinda icky, but shouldn't stop anyone from coming here. Round up the gang, come here and ENJOY :) Cheers!

Raquel Y.

FLAVORED SOJU!!! I feel like every place that gives yogurt or flavored soju, I LOVE the place! Lol. VIP Oriental is a place where you can eat + drink (my fav) and the food is more on the appetizer type of korean dishes. Great place to hang with friends! - $20/Bottle: We got peach soju, and it was SO sweet and good!! and it got me drunk! Creeper and delicious? Love it. There were many flavors available, such as strawberry and yogurt. - Seafood pancake $14: (4 stars) Not bad! This goes well with drinking yogurt soju since it's fried and can dip in a savory sauce that makes it oh so better when you're intoxicated. yelp.com/biz_photos/ARon… - Spicy squid and vegetables $14: (4.5 stars) Omg this was so addicting!!! I absolutely loved this dish! Squid wasn't too chewy, the sauce was the perfect spice, and the veggies like carrots, onions, and lettuce made it a balanced dish! So easy to eat too with my chopsticks. It was seriously, "Squid. Shot. Squid. Shot" lol YUM yelp.com/biz_photos/ARon… OVERALL: Love it love it love it. Sweet and strong drinks accompanied by delicious korean appetizers? I'm a fan, and I can't wait to come back!

Kim N.

I've been here a couple times with pretty big groups, and we've never had to wait to get seated. The place can probably fit up to 50 people max, so it's kind of a surprise. The yogurt and mango soju were a hit with the girls. Really tasty, and a real creeper too. Pretty cheap too if you split it multiple ways. Complimentary popcorn, carrots, cucumber sticks are nice. My only gripe is that the music is pretty loud so I found myself either talking to only the person next to me, or shouting 'cross the table to get a phrase in. Overall, I'll still come back just cause it's a good late-night hangout spot.

Nhan N.

Foods were bland. Had the fried chicken, fries, and fried rice. All needed more salts and not flavorful enough. We also got peach, yogurt, and strawberry soju and it seem they went a little light on the soju. I had several shots of each one and I feel fine enough to write this review lol. Maybe I have high tolerance? Idk, but I have had stronger and cheaper mixed soju drinks.

Rachel C.

Uhm I think I should just quit soju. But this place is pretty small so you should probably make a reservation. This is not a fancy place at all so if you're looking for a super clean modern looking place you should probably look somewhere else. They have private-ish screened off rooms which is nice for groups of friends and a little privacy. Its a little pricey but I don't remember :x hehehe. They give you snacks and popcorn and its deadly O.O I think I ate like 3 bowls by myself. T.T Overall a good place to chill and drink super casual if you're lazy to get dressed and go out.

Jack T.

I went here with a group of friends starting with around 10 and growing to be like 16 or so. This place is small, and their set up is claustrophobic. I didn't really enjoy it but I can see why some people would. + The Soju itself was pretty good. I'm not a huge fan but it tasted decent + I liked that they gave snacks - The interior design is cool - Claustrophobic table layout didn't float my boat Not my favorite but if my friends wanted to hang out here, I would be ok coming back.

Rainar W.

Came here on a Friday night to hang with some friends. We called about an hour or two in advance for reservations though when we got there it was pretty empty; granted it was around 7:30pm. Later though, there were more people crowding around the bar and the tables in front and behind us. Although it was strange that all the tables on the left side were "reserved" but for the two hours we were there, no one came to claim them. Whatever. Anyways, none of us had dinner before coming here so we ordered: 1. Fried Chicken: received quite a few pieces of chicken although they were on the smaller size and they were so crispy that it was a bit /too/ crispy 2. Fried Potstickers: the potstickers were good although since its fried it was a little oily. 3. Seafood pancake: I only had a piece of the pancake and maybe it's just my piece but there seemed to be not that much actual "seafood" in the pancake. 4. Fish Cake Soup: this was my favorite of all the food we ordered. Although it arrives hot, they also put a portable stove and turn on the fire to keep it boiling. There's plenty of fish cakes and fish balls. 5. Kimchee fried rice: This kimchee fried rice is definitely more on the spicy side. There were small pieces of spam but not a lot. I've had better kimchee fried rice especially at $10 a plate. 6. Grilled Beef: The Bulgogi was good. The marinade was tasty and sweet. 7. Mango, peach and yogurt soju cocktail: it's not very strong and that's how I like it. Everyone's favorite of the three was definitely the yogurt soju. I also like the mango one though I thought the peach one could have more peach flavor. I knocked out two stars because the service was really slow. We waited about 15 minutes just to ask for our water to be refilled and over 30 minutes to get our fried rice. Granted, I gave our waiter some slack because he was the only one working the tables AND he was the bartender and at that point the bar was pretty crowded. So I gotta give him props for even attending us and being polite and as attentive as he could with his workload. The decor leaves much to be desired. When I first came here, I couldn't even find the place cause its in a small little corner, the windows are blacked out and the sign wasn't even on. It looked super shady. Then the walls and bathroom had graffiti all over. The seats and carpet needed some work and for a lounge I felt like it could definitely need an update with some lights, better tables and chairs, nice walls and dividers. Instead, it just looked run down and shady. The food is also quite pricey for what it is. Although I get this isn't exactly the place to get dinner, the prices for the food are about 20-50% more than what I pay for for some of my favorite Korean restaurants (and some that also serve yogurt soju). For the price, it's not really worth ordering a lot of food especially when none of the food stood out. It's still a nice place to hang out with friends to drink soju but I'll probably ever come back when my friends want to come here since there's other places that have better food, as good if not better drinks and cheaper.

Chris K.

I come here once in a while to drink the soju and flavored soju they have. The security guard is a really cool dude who shares his heater outside with you when it's cold and talks to you when you're drunk. The food here is considered fast Korean food. I personally enjoy the popcorn they give sometimes. Great place to come in groups, especially those who have never been to a Korean restaurant or bar.

Xander C.

divey kbar that is always fun! i've never had a bad time here. i love yogurt soju. if i'm ever in the hospital with an IV, i want yogurt soju pumped into it. they have yogurt soju here, therefore, i love VIP Oriental. they also provide free snacks like asian chex mix and popcorn.

Little S.

me and my friend came here last tuesday around 6 for a couple drinks since I'm new to the neighborhood, and let me tell you, this place is siiiiickkk. even though we were literally the ONLY two people there besides the bouncer and bartender we had a blast! jin, the bartender was super nice and helpful and recommended the yogurt soju for us. JIN MADE OUR DAY! he brought out popcorn and veggies and even let us play our own music on the speakers!he was an absolute delight and recommended some other cool bars in the area. I'm gonna try this place on a weekend, but for an empty bar on a tuesday, we had so much fun :) come in on tuesdays and wednesdays when he is working and he'll be sure to show you a good time :)

Eric L.

cool people good bartender - food is good and crowd was friendly if you are friendly to them...

Kathleen S.

First impression of this place: super sketch or what? Located in a plaza next to an OfficeMax literally stuck in a corner with a guy sitting outside in front with a shirt labelled "SECURITY", VIP is actually quite pleasant inside. Really small lounge with several booths and a bar at the end. Started off the night with the classic Seoul train, then soju shots all around. We got the yogurt, mango, and peach soju from what I remember and all of them tasted really good with a nice fizz to it. For $20 a bottle, not bad! Downside of this place: one bathroom for guys and one bathroom for girls. It was annoying as f*** having to wait after you've been drinking a good amount and two girls spend FOREVER in the bathroom and you just have the strong urge to pee in your pants but realize that's socially unacceptable.. Upside of this place: their large sized booths, food, and snacks!! I really liked their little bowls of popcorn, carrots, celery, and rice crackers. So cute! As for their actual korean dishes, one of my friends got a tofu & kimchi plate with pork inside and it was really flavorful. As for the ambiance, it's just really chill. Everyone's just trying to have a good time with good company. Dunno if they always play house music, but that's what I heard last night. Not too loud either which is nice so you don't have to shout across the tables. Fun little hangout spot for dinner and drinks. Great for big groups. Apparently you can ask them for cards also if you get bored.

Rita K.

How do you beat a joint that refills microwave popcorn, some chopped veggies, and Asian crackers all night to your table? PLUS some affordable yogurt soju bottle that can easily get you tipsy after half of bottle for only $20! And the big bottle of beer that can be shared with 3+ ppl for only $11! This is hidden in the corner of a plaza. Upon entering the edm music was blasting and there were a bunch of tables occupied. We luckily got a table after a group left and ended up staying there for a few hrs. The workers were friendly and refilled our snacks upon pur request. Only one downside, the drinks here were pricey for non yogurt soju/beer drinks. Great place to hang with friends to drink/eat/socialize all in one. I would give it 4 stars if I was into these kind of lounges, I only came here for a friends birthday.

Katrina T.

This place is really fun if you go with the right group of people! I came here with a friend to meet his friends and was surprised this place exists! I've been to Korean Bars in NYC, but haven't been to one in CA and I live here... I guess the people I usually hang with never go to Korean bars? Anyway this was a really fun experience! I like that this place is in the corner, and is a super chill place to hang out and drink! The music is bumpin and their soju is the SHIZZZ. Best soju ever! That gets you effed up. I got to try every flavor and was so addicted to it! It is pretty deadly though. You can't even taste the alcohol but it definitely creeps up on you! They even serve food here still so you can get your munchies on too while having a blast with your friends! There are booths are like tables you could sit!

Phuc N.

Great services, decent price, overall I always enjoy coming here for a few drinks with friends.

Tram L.

I've been to this place a couple of times (weekend) and never had a problem with getting seats. Yes it's not the best looking lounge but with the right company, all is well! The first time I came here, we ordered 4 rounds of soju and the bartender was nice enough to also give us 2 Long Islands on the house, yay for free stuff. They also offer various complimentary snacks to much on while you drink, such as popcorn, carrots, and assorted crackers/chips. If you're not sitting at the bar getting these refilled may take some time, but hey, again, they're free. The second time I came here, my party and I ordered a few food items, fries, ddukbokki, and kimchi fried rice. The price is a bit steep and food was good for a restaurant bar, although nothing superb. This place is overall a solid place to drink and hang out with friends!

Elaine N.

Sunday Funday at Vip turned out to be dead as ever. Barely anyone there which meant service should had been fast and prompt. However, slow as a slug to get our food ordered. Took them 45 minutes or more for our wings and fries to come out. Not to mention they did not bring us our drinks until we asked them to. Bad night or bad service in general? I am not fond of this place. Indeed, very disappointing!

Carena N.

You know... I don't think I've ever had a bad night at VIP, but man oh man do those yogurt sojus creep up on you! I've never gotten around to trying much of their food, but I love their yogurt soju! Way more easier to drink than straight up shots, and does about the same job! Despite being the last table all the way at the very end near the door, I love that the service is exceptional here and that they never once made us felt neglected. The waiters and waitresses were constantly checking up on us to see if we needed to order more drinks/food or if we needed some free snacks, popcorn, or celery/carrot sticks! Super, super plus that they're attentive, and they were more than happy to let us do Seoul trains! Hahaha. As everyone has already mentioned, the place looks kinda sketchy cause it's tucked away in the corner of a plaza with a bouncer outside checking IDs. It's really not that bad at all indoors, but the restroom could do some work! It's always so dirty! With the amount of use it gets from us fellow ratchets who have had too much to drink, I'm not surprised at all. Haha. EDM all night!

Steve B.

This place is ok... I wish customer service was little more professional. I always find myself challenging when I need to order something. Well bar tender knows what he's doing though

Laura C.

$20 for a pitcher of soju. Total bill was an even $22. Tax is 10% these days? Aside from that, service was decent, the flavored soju was ok (a lil skimpy on the alcohol), and they have free snacks like cucumber/carrot slices and some Asian trail mix. The place is pretty expensive though...and I thought it was a little hokey that they served the soju in a funny plastic jug with some Asian advertisement on it. Perhaps a Daiso store was having a clearance sale.

Elizabeth V.

I've been here so many times in the past and hadn't gone in a few years. Came back on a random Thursday night because we were bored but did not want to go a bar. I must say, I miss this place! Where else when you look up do you see flying penises? Where else can you get big soju bottles (all flavors which can be mixed with yogurt of course) for only $20? Where else do they have these comfy couches separated from people that makes you feel like you're chilling out in your living room but you have actually gone outside to a bar instead? They also give you snack mix and carrots, which I love to crunch on. I've been here in the past with my friends and have gotten super super rowdy, throwing popcorn all over the place, hanging upside-down over the curtains, etc but they have never kicked us out. Gotta love your K-bars!

Crystal H.

Wow people get dressed up like they going clubbing! Dresses, heels and all. I just went with a summer dress oh well. Definitely a place to mingle while you eat and drink. Get the Budaejjigae!!! So delicious and big portion. The seafood pancake is also good, can't go wrong with it. The cheesy corn was kind of weird to me though. Also tried the raspberry wine and yogurt soju, both were really good, can taste the alcohol too. Place gets really busy and crowded around 10pm, a lot of people had to stand around bar area. We were lucky to get the last table for 4 people.

Mike K.

1) Gawd I feel Old here... 2) ehh What else is open?? 3) Nothing? 4) Another Hennessy and beer please. 5) Another Hennessy and beer please. 6) Anoter Henesssy an ber pease. 7) Anoher henNsy nd beeer pleas 8) henn nd beer plez 9) Hen N' ey and beer prease 10) hen'nd burr....

Michelle K.

Totally feels like a legit Korean bar... well, maybe a legit K-town bar. The clientele (only Koreans around, yo--complete with Korean guys smoking their cigarettes outside). The menu definitely has a Korean bar feel... I think they even have butter corn. They for sure have yogurt soju and the ingredients for so-maek (so-maek: soju + maekju aka beer, often used as a bulju (punishment drink) in Korean drinking games). Essentially, it's a K-town feel bar that I never expected to find in the yay area. Reminded me of my Korea nights, but it's all the way in SJ, so I probably won't be a regular.

Christine L.

An unlikely little Korean bar and hangout spot in the end of a strip mall. Things That Were Awesome: +++Yogurt soju. I'm pretty sure I can finish a pitcher by myself. I seriously don't taste alcohol and then I stood up and the room is spinning. +++Cheese corn. Please do not knock it until you tried it. Something about cheese, man. +++Spicy Rice Cake. Carb and stomach filler of the night. This spicy dish probably saved us from a few potential bathroom disasters. Things That Were Not So Awesome: ---Bathroom. The locks never seemed to work so i nearly got walked in on while doing my business. That or drunks gain super powers to open locked doors. ---Music. Not that it's bad or anything. Lots of EDM, Korean music, and top 40. It's just the placement of the speakers. Keep that in mind when finding seating. Pro tip: Order spicy rice cake. Use leftover hot sauce as dip for other things (chicken wings, popcorn, etc.) before the plate is bussed away. Also come early if you want to have a spot for party of 20 like how some groups roll in for a night out.

Trang H.

VIP is a great place to hang out with your friends. It's a little Korean bar inside of a strip mall that caters to a young crowd, and it is very popular on the weekends. You will NOT find seating if you come anytime after 9:00PM, which is a big bummer, and also a heads up to you my fellow Yelpers. The flavored soju here is nothing short of spectacular. My biggest gripe against all Korean bars is the ridiculous cost for food. Yes, I know VIP gives out free vegetables, Chex mix, and popcorn. HOWEVER... Warning: weird conspiracy theory coming I SWEAR all the Koreans in the entire world had a meeting and all agreed to put CORN and CHEESE together and then charge $10 for it. I guess I'm only bitter because I'm dumb enough to order it...every single time. /facepalm

Edward W.

We came in around 8pm on a Saturday night and we were hoping to sit on the couches, but a large group had already reserved the entire area. We ended up sharing a table of 6 with 8 people although the servers were kind enough to bring us extra chairs. A pitcher of yogurt soju, about 500 ml, is $20 here, which is decently priced. After the alcohol arrives, they bring out complimentary chinese crackers and popcorn. We spent about 2 hours here and went through 3 pitchers. This place is great for large groups if you make reservations ahead of time. This place doesn't have any dice/cards so make sure to bring your own!

Ferdinand L.

What can I say about this place, Its FUN! More or less me and my friends come here just for the various flavors of Soju. Yeah it gets a bit noisy here at times, but the kind of hole in wall nature of the place it just works. There are ton of people here, typically since their main attraction in my opinion is soju, you'll mainly see asians here but if you enjoy asian beverages this is a great spot to be. Just be weary that if it really gets too busy, you won't have a seat to enjoy anything here. So come early or be prepared to stand around for a while.

Dany B.

I like the atmosphere here. I would've never heard of this if it weren't my drinking friends suggesting it since it's own our way home back from work. Truth be told, it's halfway between our work and house. (15 miles to drive home from VIP) Yes, it is a very small place, yes it does get packed, and yes we do just stand there and talk with a drink in our hands. what's so different about going to a club and standing with our drinks? Cool thing is we don't have to pay a cover fee. :D Since most of our friends have friends of other friends that are always there, one of us will pay one time or someone else will pay another time. Let's just say, a new friend is always willing to buy a drink due to friendliness with one another :D Way better than the club, because nothing else is expected except to laugh and have a good time. Even the security guard now knows us. Especially my other friend, since she's there weekly. We have gotten wasted due to multiple pitchers of soju that we lose count, free beers given to our table by other tables & endless shots or other of something. haha. GOOD TIME(S)

Carol C.

This place wins for sketchiest stripmall exterior. I mean, stripmalls at 11PM are already the stuff of nightmares, but these guys are in a dark corner of the parking lot, their sign doesn't work, the windows are covered, and all you hear is...nothing. Stepping inside though, this place is sweeeeeet! Dim, chill, but clean and classy. The servers and bartenders are SO friendly and welcoming (something I find admirable for people having to cater to crazy drunk people on the regular). Drinks are great, there was a lot of soju of the yogurt variety consumed. Lots of free bar snacks - they have a really killer chex mix-y type deal and also freshly popped hot popcorn that magically refills itself. It's wonderful. There are great booths for groups and the music is not loud as to prevent conversation. We got here relatively early and it was empty, but it really got bumpin pretty fast. All in all, greeaaaattt hole in the wall for a chill night out with drinks and friends!

Vivian H.

love this place. no cover fee, cheap drinks all night, hip hop/house, and great parking. what else do you need? always an irish car bomb to start the night and then pounding back the flavored soju. yeah so, looks like a sissy drink, but that shit will hit you hard because it tastes like juice. so many different flavors, like strawberry, pineapple, mango... etc, but my favorite is yogurt. and only $20 a bottle. popcorn and pub mix are complimentary and oh so very nice to munch on between drinks. props to the ONE hardworking bartender. everyone else is either a waiter or waitress. Everyone is super nice here. sad that they dont have a dance floor because they have good music. only this tiny space in front of the bar... but i mean after a few drinks who cares if its small??

Craig I.

Great place to go to with a few friends. I recommend any of the yogurt sojus! The staff also provides small snacks to go with the drinks.

Tim C.

I'm not going to lie...I come here probably a little TOO much. The price for Soju is typical (roughly $10 a bottle) for a Korean bar and most of the people who go here are regulars meaning I've seen the same crowd multiple times. They play the newest in EDM and it's close to Answer if you should ever feel like migrating. To me these two places go hand in hand, it's always one or the other.

Tee K.

It's OK, very cramp inside. Dark n a bit dingy. Im not fond of this type of atmosphere. Food, not good. Very bar type Korean food not very authentic. Bathroom is dark. Wasn't so crowded when I went on a Sunday night. Wouldn't come again.

Tram N.

VIP makes me feel like a VIP. I haven't been here in a while but it used to be the spot when none of my girlfriends felt like killing our heels in mini dresses. I love the owner; he's super friendly. It's too bad that his bartender friend had to leave back to Korea. Seating is first come first serve. If you have a group, come early to get one of the booth areas. If it's your birthday, tell Song and he'll give you a flaming Dr. Pepper ^_^ I don't remember how many times we've received a bottle ($20!!) on the house, but it was very nice of them. I get tired of the yogurt flavored soju. My favorite has got to be pineapple. These things really do creep up even though they taste like juice, but be careful! It does get really loud and crowded with Asians in here so if you can't handle it heat, stay out of the kitchen. I've never ordered any food here as it's super expensive and totally not worth the price or quality IMO.

Amy D.

VIP is the type of spot that would be awesome if I came a few years ago, before I turned into an old fogey. My coworkers and I stopped by after dinner thinking it was a chill spot to hang out and drink some soju on a Thursday night. However, they were two big groups of younger kids (21-25) that were getting too hyphy for us (yes.. I used the word "hyphy".. that's how old I am!!). The music was also on pretty loudly, so we were borderline yelling at each other in order to carry on a conversation. The mango soju ( yelp.com/biz_photos/ARon… ) we ordered was ok, but it tasted bit watered down and didn't seem to have much alcohol in it. A plus is the free snacks they give you- what seemed like Gardetto's snack mix, a Japanese snack mix, cucumber/carrot sticks, and popcorn ( yelp.com/biz_photos/ARon… ) ( yelp.com/biz_photos/ARon… ). I'm kind of peeved because we ordered the sweet potato fries, which never came, but I'm pretty sure they charged us for the order anyway. Ah well, I doubt I'll be back here. Although I am tempted to come back for that cheese corn.. Parking is ample and the staff is nice, but can be hard to get a hold of.

H T.

i definitely felt like the oldest person here when i came, but at midnight, where else are you going to eat in the s. bay other than fast food. the inside is pretty dirty and the music is loud, but at least the seafood pancake and beer tasted fine.

Vicky H.

I came here for my 21th birthday with a couple of friends. I love it!!! The owner of this place was so kind and friendly! We ordered kimchi fried rice, fried chicken, ramen, and of course soju! This place really does get crackin' from what i heard on weekends, so I'm going to definitely go here during a weekend night one of these days!

Connie V.

I had such a blast here with my girls last night! Food's pretty yummy and if you want to be seated privately away from other people, this is the place to go! The only thing I didn't like about this place are the tables. They had gaps and when we spill water or soju, it goes right through and next thing you know, your pants are a tad bit wet. Speaking of the soju, the STRAWBERRY, YOGURT, and MANGO flavors are the best!

Nickie D.

If your looking for a chill night then I would come to VIP to get some soju shots. If you don't want to drive all the way to San Francisco, then VIP is a Korean soju bar to go to. I love how they give you free snacks and aren't stingy about giving it out either. The free snacks consist of pub mix that you can find at Costco, carrot and celery stick with chili paste sauce on the side, and popcorn. My favorite drink to get there is Yogurt Soju because it is the sweetest and the one that disguises the taste of soju the most. Soju is definitely a creeper and since their drinks here are so tasty, you won't know your drunk until your drunk. It will hit you like a train. A bottle of flavor soju including tax is $22 which might seem a bit pricey but I would say it is worth it. All the workers there are super friendly and chill and if they aren't busy, its always fun to strike up a conversation with them since I'm sure they've seen a lot of crazy go down at this place. It's a bit hard to find since the location isn't the best but don't let the outside fool you. I would recommend it to everyone to at least try out once.

Kim P.

Came early on a Friday. The music was good and blasting but it was pretty empty. A staff person said it starts picking up by 9 but it was still less than half full. All good because I was already yelling just to talk to my friend because we were near the speakers. I'd probably have to scream at the top of my lungs if this place was packed. There are some lounge type seating that provides some privacy for your group and there are table seats as well. The service was speedy and friendly. They provided free veggie sticks and popcorn for munching on. We ordered the pineapple soju. It tasted very watered down! I wish they added more juice to it to give it some flavor. We couldn't finish it at all. Overall, ok place to hang. Maybe try something else though...

Lien T.

3.5 STARS I have been to a handful of Korean lounges in San Jose and I would consider Vip being the most casual of them all. I like the relaxed environment and the friendly and hospitable staff. Tables are separated by screens that create more intimacy and separation. Everything is also very inexpensive here. We had a party of about 15+ people and the tab was a little over $300? That's ridiculously good, compared to other places I have been to. My friends and I had dinner prior to coming here, so we did not order too much food. We did order a few snack items and my favorites were the dried fish, kimchi fried rice, and kimchi ramen with spam. The food was decent, considering how inexpensive everything was. Overall, I liked the atmosphere. They play pretty good music too. I would definitely come back to grab a few more drinks with my friends.

Monica F.

Pretty chill place but can get really crowded. Came here with friends, and some were non-asian. And omg. the crowd looked at my friends like they've never seen white and hispanic people before. It was hilarious! maybe because we're all 5'8 in height and taller? one of the servers spilled water on our table, and gave us a free drink. i told him to spill some more but he said No Way ala korean style. cute. Free Popcorn! yay!

Joyce C.

Where do I start. VIP is located in "K-town" of Silicon Valley. Have you ever been to K-town in LA? This is like THAT but less... the concept is the same, but the vibe and craziness and crowd is just so much... less. You come in and sit at a table/booth with your friends and drink to your heart's content of soju and korean beer. They provide complimentary snacks (the Costco pub mix) so you can nibble to your hearts desire. Most people are playing some sort of drinking games at their tables. If you have a big group, it's a good and loud time. If you're a small group and the place is pretty empty, you're basically drinking in a hole-in-the-wall - nothing special. Oh btw, they checked our IDs (we're well over 21) but for you sneaky-deakys who think Asian places don't care... well, they checked! But again, none of us were Korean so who knows.

Rudy W.

Frequented this place far too many times. On a random weekday night, it's the best. Not too crowded, and I can enjoy getting belligerently drunk with people I may or may not care about. Other times, I'm let in without a place to sit, and I'm left awkwardly standing around the bar behind a group of strangers who think you're cramping their style. I really enjoy their flavored soju here! It's got a sweet, smooth taste that isn't too syrupy like most other places.

Audrey C.

Always a fun place to go to drink with friends. This place is kind of hard to find its hidden in a corner in a shopping plaza. There is always a lot of parking though. You get a closed off section for yourself and your friends. A server will come to you and take your order. There's also a bar towards the end of the place. It can be super casual if you want or you can dress it up if all your friends just want to. Me and my friends have tired the yogurt soju, lemon soju, and pineapple soju, all of which taste super good. They give you complimentary popcorn with any drink you buy and you can always go to the bar to get more if you finish ;). Each of these bottles are $20 but they're a pretty big size. I've only tried the kimchi fried rice here and it was pretty good, like any other kimchi fried rice. When you order food you get complimentary veggie sticks with this spicy sauce. Definitely a fun place to come and drink with friends.

Brian L.

After visiting a variety of bars/lounges on the east coast over the past year, I feel as if watering holes on the west, specifically the ones located in the South Bay, will never be as good. VIP Oriental deserves a 2-star when it comes to decor and general atmosphere, but the service (4-star) was pretty good when my friends and I visited the joint on an empty night. Now I'm not sure if the service is as good with a packed house, but when we were there, the bartender checked up on our table quite frequently to make sure we were okay. The bar snacks kept coming as well--no complaints here! I'll probably come back here in the future unless I find a better place that's also open late into the night.

Mikey U.

If VIP Oriental was a girl... If VIP was a girl, she'd be like the meanest girl you've ever known and she'd treat you like sh*t all the damn time. It'd be like she's got reverse PMS and was a total b*tch for 28 days instead of 3. And every time she burned you (and mind you, she burns you ev'er'y time), you swear its the last time... its the last time... ...its the last time this time till the next time. But you keep going back hoping it'll be different somehow. Why? Because you is a probably a sucka, that's true... ...but when its good, its gooooood, it's *ooh-ahh* good. She'll burn you every time, you know that, right? Pick yourself up off the floor. ______________________ Bring the pain. I kinda like it.

Jay R.

Down you some OB Korean beer, soju, get served pop corn and asian munchies with the quickness. You call also can vape up in there and even write on the wall if you want to! For a first time visit this spot was koo. Group of us reserved some tables and got live.

David K.

Came here on a rainy night to welcome an old friend to the bay and actually missed it the first time around. It's hidden in the corner of a normal looking strip mall so yes you're in the right place just keep looking. What words describe it....Korean bar. Semi-private booths with wood slats. Smoking right outside the door. A menu consisting of Soju straight up or flavored (I saw yogurt and pineapple), Bek Seju (Herbal Rice Wine, you'll taste ginseng), Makgeolli (It's Rice Wine, kinda milky and a bit sweet), and your favorite beers OB and Hite. They've also got a bar with the hard stuff. Their menu has a lot of Korean drinkin foods, but they also serve free goodies like cucumbers with gochujang, buttered popcorn, and rice crackers. It seems that mostly people come here in groups and just hang out. It was kinda empty the night we went with maybe only 2 larger groups and a few small groups. The table next to us was having a great time as I noticed there was table dancing involved. We chatted up the bouncer and he admitted it was a really slow night. Overall even though it was a slow night we had a good time...partially due to the dangers of flavored soju suddenly giving you a sneak attack. We ended up having drinks with another group there celebratin a bday. For a place where ppl come with their own groups, I consider the night a success. I'll prollie be back at some point to see what a busy night looks like. Overall it's small, but cozy. If you don't want to go up to the city come with your own group, drink, be merry, dance on tables, but don't be afraid to mingle too. They don't bite...usually.

Thanh T.

I've had some pretty good memories here. Best memories of me playing drinking card games and dice games with some really good friends while drinking soju. This place doesn't really deserve the 5 stars but from my personal experiences and I guess the stars aligning in the skies under my sign I've got some pretty fond memories here. People barfing outside is a common sight, I don't know why, it's just that I've seen it more than I've not. The bathrooms are of pretty low quality, dirty as hell with long lines on any given night. Good looking people come here though, I'll give them that. Met a couple of really pretty girls here through a friend, can't complain about that 'cause it hardly ever happens. The servers are pretty attentive, and oh yeah, free popcorn - win.

Alan H.

Came here because downtown San Jose was not where we wanted to be. Very easy access to get in. Drinks were a little overpriced given the location. I fell in love with the setting. This is where I would want to be to make new friends or just chill and play drinking games with friends. I would probably return if a few friends wanted me to come back.

Jin O.

birthday night out, got seat by the door since it was Saturday night, service was as good as it gets, the gentleman that took care of us was like a ninja, we could barely feel his presence but we weren't short of anything. the wings we ordered were juicy and tasty, shrimp temp was just the perfect beer food. the singing bouncer, a lot of familiar faces, a wonderful night out, definitely worth the $160!

Samuel Y.

This is one of the places my friends choose to come drink, relax, and have a good time. With writings all over the walls, loud music, loud people, its almost like a club without the dance floor at times. The bartenders here are super nice. They will provide you with popcorn, trail mix, carrot sticks and celery sticks with ranch/hot sauce as you drink the night away with your group of friends. I've never actually ordered food from here but I heard its good just a bit pricey. The location is tucked away in a plaza corner but whats nice is that you have plenty of parking spaces available. The only actual complaint I'd have about this place is that the bathroom is disgusting. I feel as though 50% of the time I've been here the bathroom floors have been wet. I'd rather step out into the back and go number 1 in a bush if I didn't have to worry about public urination considering cops do circle the premise from time to time.

Glenn L.

I like coming to this place... if they have a table available of course! I was here last night with several friends and we ordered the yogurt soju, pineapple and mango! it wasn't bad at all they even provided some munchies, not bad i guess. I would've given this place 5 stars but the counch stinks. lol

Nancy T.

Love this place! They give you free little snacks before your food comes such as asian chips, popcorn, and a veggie plate.Their food tastes pretty good. The workers are really nice and the music is AWESOME. I recommend sitting where the couches are! It's a great place to go with friends. Order the yogurt soju really tasty but beware to those who've never had soju.. they really sneak up on you!

Henry C.

random night, got here pretty late, so we weren't in there long. got a couple bottle of beers and some soju. Also ordered some kim chi fried rice and chicken wings. The food was very good, loved the chicken wings. the service was pretty good, parking was plenty, the prices were okay. would def. coming back again.

Angeline H.

I like VIP. The seating is just first come first serve. They give you little snacks to munch on and popcorn. My favorite soju flavors are: Strawberry, Peach, yogurt, and Mango. Can't go wrong with any of those. The fries are good but not worth $10! Ridiculously priced but when you're drunk who cares right?

Kathy M.

This place is good if you want to go and drink with a big party. I came here on a Friday night with a couple of friends which I got seated right away since I came earlier than 10 which the rush starts coming in. The place is kinda small but tables are laid out all around so you can order food and drinks. We ordered the yogurt soju, kimchi pancake and fried rice omelet. The drinks came out right away but the food took about 10 to 15 min to come out which is a long time considering there was really not a lot of people there when we ordered. They gave us free popcorn, carrots and cucumber to start with which was nice. But after we got our food and drinks they never came to check up on us. We had to wave the waitress/waiter down for water. The soju was strong tasting but the alcohol was not a lot because it felt like it was watered down because I drank a whole bottle and did not feel a thing. Also the food and drinks are really pricey for a bottle of soju is $20 bucks. So coming here with a larger group would be more worth it so you can split the bill amongst each other. I would actually never come back since it's not really my scene but I suggest that if you want a table go early!!

Daniel H.

On my most recent visit, I came on a Friday around 9pm and this place was almost empty. I'd say that's a good time to come if you want a booth; otherwise, it'll be packed later after 10:30pm from the other times I've been here. The reason why I haven't yelped this place yet was because I kept forgetting. For first timers, this place will be hard to find because it's tucked away in the corner of the shopping area right next to the Radio Shack. In addition, their sign isn't that big or super bright. Parking will be plentiful. Out of the few times I've been here, we always ordered the Yogurt soju. In fact, the popular flavors, according to the waiter, were Yogurt and Pineapple. There's even a flavor not on the menu which would be the Strawberry-Yogurt soju. It's not on the menu because they need to use two soju bottles for the price of one. Once you order something, they will bring over free snacks which were carrots/cucumbers with that hot sauce you would mix in with bi bim bap, trail mix, and popcorn. I can't remember what we ordered in the past but I thought it was a little pricey. We only ordered the Yogurt soju and Peach soju on my most recent visit. For me, I tasted the alcohol more in the Peach soju versus the Yogurt soju. They don't play the music too loud and this place will get packed later. This was a pretty good place to chill with my friends after work. I'll probably be back in the future to try their other soju flavors.

Chris C.

I'd give this place 3 stars because it's a good place to get yogurt soju and the service is always pretty friendly, but I recently came here with a couple friends and ordered shots of whiskey to start off the night. We got shots of Maker's Mark (my go-to whiskey at bars) and realized right away the Maker's was watered down. I would say at least 30% water. You can easily tell by the persistent bubbles (Any high-proof alcohol does not have floating bubbles). Pro-tip: if you're looking to do shots, get their alcohol that comes in sealed bottles. If you order any sort of hard liquor expect it to be watered down. Otherwise, decent place to get yogur soju.

Vivian V.

Been here a couple more times. Its very fun with groups of friends. Free popcorn and snacks? Why not, digg in! I really do love the atmosphere. They have updated music playing, which is very great. Fast service & always ready to restock your soju & beer. Sometimes going to the bathroom's a trip. Since it's down the hallway in the back of this place. You have to pass the kitchen on the way there. There's korean posters everywhere advertising beer & I'm pretty sure with celebrities& models on them. What's a great thing about this place you don't have to worry about getting hit on. I easily started a friendly convo with a girl I met while waiting for the bathroom. Yea, we were both drinking. LOL. Took a couple of pictures wit her. Said our goodbyes after she had to leave with her friends. This is a good place to drop by & pregame before heading out to a club to dance it off :)

Patrick S.

A little tricky to find, look in the corner for an unlit sign reading "VIP". This is an awesome little Korean spot. I found a lot to like; Soju and beer drinks, Korean bar food, and friendly service. The bartender confided to me that the "small" beers taste better than the giant ones, but this may be a subjective conclusion.

Dano G.

There is plenty of space at the bar to freely walk around and chat quietly with your friends, a group that is diversified in all cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Friday night is the best time to be here. The crowd is mature, and soft-spoken. The interior is well-lit, allowing you ample atmosphere to quietly read your Kindle. All sorts of people, mainly six feet and taller and very diverse in cultures are spread throughout. This is the best place to find an interesting night filled with discussions about the current world economy and political issues. Oh sh!t, this review was for some place else.

Alban N.

Great little hole in the wall bar in Santa Clara. They have alot of little booths for privacy and have a pretty decent menu. When you order drinks, they bring sides like carrots and zuccini with it. Chexmix and popcorn come too. They also let you play kings cup, the only place I know of that has ever done that, since people are usually schwasted afterwards and it is a liability.

Andy H.

This place is grimy..It kinda reminds me of someone's unkept home.. So my friends and I walked into this place around 11pm and this place was packed; sort of like a house party thrown by Asian frat boys. There was blue/green carpet with furniture in desperate need of repair, or better yet, replacement. we were able to find a table pretty quickly and sat down to order. (the couch was extremly uncomfortable). We started with mango cocktail soju, beer, and regular soju, along with fries and cheesy corn. The service was fast and as we drank and played games, I started to forget the ugly decor and started to enjoy the atmosphere. however, there came the moment when i had to break the seal and the bathroom line was so long!! i only wished they had more toilets in this place. a random note: when we first walked in, i asked one of the staff members if there were seats and this tiny little asian with short hair gave me a look as if i was the dumbest person on earth. well excuse me if i've never been here! it wasn't until i asked another staff person, a more personable and friendly waitress that she told me to wait for a table and grab it as soon as someone leaves. as soon as someone left, the nicer lady cleaned the table and took our order, thank god for her!

Jimmy T.

Would not recommend. Ruined the 24th most important night of my life. Will never return.

Leanne P.

I swear I've reviewed this place before! A little over a year ago, I went to VIP for my first time with my homie Chris Z and a few others. I must say, it ended up being an awesome chill spot! We had an amazing time with one of the best servers ever-- Sung! I loved the layout and having our own semi-private spot. Our group of (I think?) 5 ended up getting 5 bottles of soju... MMM! Best hundo we've spent in a long time. I love that they give us little snacks (like the chex mix, popcorn, whatever). I've gone here a few times after that experience, and its always a fun place to be. Love it!

Nga C.

I've only been here a few times, and it's usually never disappointing. Just as Hung L. says, I'll always run into someone I know there. Because I'm always there with great company, good drinks and food, I'm always having a great time. I typically stick to the soju cocktails since I'm a weakling with alcohol. All of them are good, but I'm a bit biased and will always want mango as it's my favorite fruit... The spicy rice cake with ramen is pretty good here... should try dipping the complimentary popcorn in the sauce. My friends thought I was crazy until they tried it; we all agreed that it was great hahah. The sweet potato fries are okay... they were nice to munch on, but one of the ones I got towards the end was covered in sugar. Cheese corn is good too; I think it would be better if there was maybe some mayo in there, but there was plenty of cheese. The food is pretty pricey, but that's kinda what you have to expect at this kind of establishment.

Susan D.

VIP Oriental rocks! Are you kidding me?! I can't believe I've never written a review for it. It's my most frequented bar for night out... we love the bar staff (especially Sang), the other customers, the food and most of all, the DRINKS! Ok ok.. and I agree with Crys B on the EYE CANDY! We almost always go here on group nights out with friends. We have standards that we always order such as the Pineapple and Strawberry soju, the seafood pancake, and wontons. Other things that we throw in occasionally are yogurt soju, fried chicken and cheesy corn. Cheesy corn is my newest find and it is so good! It's literally Cheesy... corn. I forgot to order it last time though... *sigh* Things you should know... * just because it's 'flavored' doesn't mean it won't mess you up! * if you're not Asian, you'll be a definite minority but, who cares!?!?! * they bring yummy treats to your table randomly - I love them all, especially the peaches and popcorn!.. and carrots/cucumber. * they have comfortable couches and seating area as well as table area. If you're there early with more than a few people, you have good chances getting a couch area! * order the seafood pancake, cheesy corn and pineapple soju (my favorites) See ya there!.. definitely. :-D

Peggy S.

Post Korean food vomit is the WORST! So whoever came up with the idea of combining spicy Korean food and flavored soju must be a devil incarnate!! Sure, the couch (and maybe the carpet) smelled vaguely of residual vomit (someone had a little too much fun here - and it's not hard to have too much fun here!), and the dividing shades definitely looked a little shaggy, but when with great company (and a lot of booze), those minor details can be easily ignored. The food here is decent - maybe not their selling point, but who wouldn't want ramen dukbokki after 12 shots of pineapple soju? Plus - keep those chex mix coming while I wait for my fried chicken, please! It is a bit pricey... but as long as I have my drinks and I will sign my life away! I was quite surprised that they were not playing K-pop here. WHERE'S MY SUPER JUNIOR?

Elena N.

I came by Vip Oriental for a girlfriend's birthday in August of last year. She wanted something chill, so we dropped by for drinks and snacks. It was a Saturday night and we got there around 10pm. So what do you drink when you're here?! Flavored soju! We got bottles upon bottles of flavored soju. I think my favorite was the yogurt since it wasn't overly sweet like some of the fruit flavored ones. I don't recall how much the bottles cost since I don't think I bought one the whole night. People just kept putting shots in front of my face. They also have a modest selection hard liquor, but I didn't have any. Well, maybe a shot of Hennessy? Or Johnnie walker? I really don't remember. Fun place to drink. Especially flavored soju. They even let us bring in some doughnuts since we were celebrating a bday. With our huge party, the restaurant seemed fairly busy, so if you don't want to wait for a server, just go to the bar and order your drinks. That's what we did!

Frank L.

Came here with a few friends last night. It was my first time coming to a lounge. I was carded at the front by a friendly guy sitting on a stool. Everything is kind of dark inside because the lighting is dim. It wasn't my cup of tea in particular. The servers were quite friendly and accommodating. They came by and refilled some snacks and cleaned up. In terms of drinks, we got a jar of soju with juice. It was pretty good. I can't really complain about any of the items. We also got a plate of calamari, which was served on a relatively large platter. All the appetizers are made to share, I believe. They do cost a lot though. Around 10 dollars for most food items. It was overall an average experience. One thing that I really didn't like was we sat in a corner which had a speaker blaring all night. It wasn't too bothersome at first, and then the music just kept getting louder. We all had to yell to communicate with one another, which was unfortunate. For a lounge made to socialize, it was way too loud. I had to shield my ears most of the time, and it sort of ruined the experience for me. If you need a place to hang out because you've exhausted all other options, this place seems alright. Otherwise, I'd rather go to a sports bar or fancier place.

Eric Z.

Not mentioning the high prices, it is a good place to spend time after dinner with friends, if you want to play games or cards, or just have a chat. It is more like a place to have a drink instead of a restaurant. So if you are hungry and want to have some good Korean foods, this place is probably not the best one to go. However, if you want to find a place to stay and drink a little with friends after dinner, this place suits your needs. Customer service is good, snacks are good, environment is good(a little loud because of music), drinks are very good! Just make sure you have your ID with you before you enter.

Sarah P.

At first glance this place can be kinda sketch. The name and the fact that there's a bouncer waiting outside PLUS it is completely dark inside and the restaurant sign in front doesn't light up (or maybe doesn't work anymore). So when you approach this place it is just a dark corner so it may be kinda sketch lol. Proceed anyway because this place is great! One of my favorite places to go to for Soju, not that I am an expert though. Not only do they have a good selection, but it also tastes good. As other reviews mention it is pricey here, but I guess you're paying for the atmosphere as well? Tables here are secluded so it's good for groups if you want to privately drink and enjoy your time. Not only that but you get complimentary popcorn and those soy sauce crackers. The really tall gentleman that served us (wish I caught his name) was on point! He was REALLY attentive to our table and every time I drunkenly asked him for a refill on popcorn he brought it out immediately and he was very friendly. I've only been here once but I had such a good experience in terms of customer service and soju that I would return again. I took off 1 star because the price is kind of an issue for me. My party ordered a plate of french fries. I'm pretty sure they came from a frozen bag at Costco, which I really don't mind because I'm positive most places serve frozen french fries anyway. Not only that but this is a Korean restaurant so I don't hold high expectations for the quality of their french fries...but at $8-9 (I think) wow what a rip off! Shouldn't be more than $4 for the amount they give you and for what it is in my opinion. Guess they gotta stay in business somehow.

Stan L.

This place is alright. No cover fee, easy parking and cheap drinks. Make sure you have your ID ready for the bouncer/security. We came around 10:30 and it wasn't too busy, although most of the booths are taken. The couches were comfortable looks like it isn't all that clean. It does get pretty loud with the crowd because the booths aren't separated by walls. If you look up you can see drawings of dicks all over the walls. They specialize in flavored sojus, huge sign right above the hallway that leads to the restrooms. We had the peach yogurt as well as strawberry yogurt ones. They aren't strong so you can take plenty of shots and still be alright if you're an social drinker. Snacks are provided the consists of chex mix and popcorn. Saw that they were known for their cheese corn and wings but we didn't order since we came right after dinner. The place is pretty small and I wouldn't recommend coming in large groups. Each of the couches in the booths can fit about people. When our group expanded, we had to grab some chairs. I did see a small bar, so it'll be alright to come alone when you're down. Bathrooms cleanliness is what you can expect from an Asian bar. Just wished they could've cleared the trash-it was already full early in the night. The locks were not reassuring. I had to make sure that after I turn the nob that the handles from the outside don't turn. Double check before you close the doors! Overall, a great place for a get together with friends.

Michelle S.

A relaxing, comfortable Korean lounge with bottles of flavored sojus plus complimentary snacks delivered to your table throughout the night? Sounds like a good Friday night to me! Although this lounge does not have any private rooms, I felt that our party had enough privacy because the place is set up where people have their own "booths" or "tables" so that your conversations aren't typically eavesdropped by other parties. The couches are super comfy, but only accommodate a party of six. Any party that's bigger than six has to sit at the regular dining tables or you'd have to pull up random chairs to put in our booth, which isn't all that bad. Service was great and the strawberry, yogurt, and peach sojus were great. I would probably come back whenever my friends want to hang out here again. I'd definitely recommend this spot if you want a comfy place to chill on a Friday night.

Derrick A.

This place is now one of my favorite places to grab a drink. Great mellow crowd. Friendly staff. Nice semi private lounge set up. If you are over the downtown or Santana Row crowd, you will love this place.

Janice C.

Holla! I was about to go HAM on dem yogurt soju, riiiight? But .... LENT. !!!#@%&*!!!

Brenda L.

This is a casual bar with dim lighting, restaurant-like tables and predominantly Asian customers. They're known for chicken and soju. You can get the soju with many flavor add-ons like strawberry or pineapple but my favorite is the yogurt. Like your typical bar, they have popcorn as a free snack. Unlike some bars, they also have very legit food options like kimchi tofu, cheese corn and fried chicken wings (pretty much all the yummy stuff you'd crave when drunk and are Asian). I like that this place is casual and has plenty of parking. There's nothing pretentious about the atmosphere and frankly, I always have a good time here.

Sebastian F.

Came here on a Saturday night for late drinks and it was fuuun. Don't expect a fancy-shmancy Korean lounge - it's more a casual bar with brick-interior and Korea-style separated booths. Great for small and large parties. Free snacks come with your drink of choice, most folks seem to care about the YOGURT SOJU ($20), which is a bit pricey, but totally worth the money. It's a slow killer, you'll notice only after 20 shots or so that your tongue isn't rolling the way it used to be. Good stuff. Komawo.

Ee Vonn Y.

This is by far the friendliest and coziest Korean bar-lounge ever! (Although I can't seem to name any other Korean bar.) The staff is very persistent in keeping order, delivering great drinks, and making sure the tables don't become too sticky and dirty. They play a mix of EDM and old hip hop. Come early, and I mean earlier than you normally would because this place is small. Everyone who settles in and finds a booth or set of chairs will not be leaving for the next couple hours. Have fun standing! If you come with a large group of people, and order plenty, you will be given plenty in return. The staff so generously provided my party with two soju cocktail pitchers on the house. Sweet!

Jenny N.

One of the most chillest place to come for Soju and listen to EDM (which is my favorite type of music to listen to). I never leave this place unsatisfied. The security guy Raul in front is just Awesome. Nice and i love how he opens the door for everyone haha ! Coming in and Out! Jessica who works there is very nice and she usually always waits on us. The drinks always comes out consistent and the snacks are always good no matter how simple it may be. The corn cheese was alright. But hey, drunk food is always good. The Kimchi soup was so-so. I prefer to just stick with the fries :D I love that they have seats for everyone. Tables, or couches, or at the bar. It does get super crowded in there on certain days. But sometimes on the weekend, its not as busy. Everyone always have a good time here and I would recommend this place for soju cocktails :D

Richard L.

Cool place to come and have some mixed soju drink with your friends. It had a nice ambiance to it. I would definitely recommend mixing the strawberry and yogurt soju together to create a delicious concoction. My only grip was that someone lit up a joint in the bathroom without sharing.

Brenda N.

Overrated. Came here around 7PM and got seated right away. After that, the service was slow. There was only one waiter serving about nine tables. The food was average. I expected more since the price is higher compared to other Korean lounges.

Sally H.

What really attracts me about this place is that it looks so shabby from the outside especially at night but it is actually a really hip hole in the wall little korean bar! Most of my friends' first impression is that 'that's it?!' because there's one little door in the corner of an empty plaza with black tinted windows. However, once inside, there's usually good music playing and a really cool vibe to it. There's little booths and tables for people to order drinks and food. There's yogurt soju, of course. I think it is a little pricy for the size of the bottles. But they also have other foods and snacks. Usually all the customers will be able to get some free plates of snacks. Great for a weekend get together without going too crazy.

Theo T.

This is one of my favorite places in the Bay. It is tucked away in the weirdest area of Santa Clara and most of the time you just drive past it and don't even know that it is there. It is one of those hidden secrets that even most people in the area even know about, so it doesn't get too crazy busy like most places. It does tend to get busy, but if you get there a little earlier then you can snag a table. People tend to stay here for a long time so there might be a wait. You can either get a table or a couch area, both are super fun. They have quick service, friendly staff, yummy soju, and an overall chill atmosphere. I love this place!

Evelynn C.

Such a cute hole-in-the-wall-bar. On the outside, it looked boring and not super crazy (in the best sense possible) but on the inside it was actually kinda nice! The place was pretty crowded but not so crowded that you can't order your drink for 20 min. It was a good time! We were able to order within about 10min once we got the bartender's attention and although she was nice enough she was not especially friendly. I was here for my friend's birthday and so she needed a lot of water, thankfully the bartender pays attention and I was able to quickly get a cup of water for my friend every time I felt like she needed some! The guy bartender was friendly though! Overall, the two bartenders were pretty good in my book and so I'll definitely come back in the near future. Be careful of drunchies.... Their snacks menu is sooooooooooooooooo pricey. I ordered a plate of $11 French fries ($13 with tip) for my friend to try and sober her up. Although they were pretty good, they were NOT $13 good... Whatever satisfies your drunchies though Loved their flavor sojus!

Peter C.

Local corner hole in the wall type bar that all the local kids usually come to hangout on late nights to get their drinking festivities. Definitely keeps consistent with the Korean bar type ambiance. Dark tinted windows that barely lets in any sunlight tucked away inconspicuously in the corner of a plaza. Loud EDM music blasting till the late night hours, keeping the bass hitting hard to keep your party going into the early AMs. Typical beer and soju selection to company your drunk-munchie foods. Service is under par to mediocre. Usually understaffed with only one bar tender literally running (sprinting) around to help fulfill all the drunk kid demands. Sometimes on a blue moon there is a waitress to help man the table battlegrounds. Service was so slow understaffed, it was clear they were struggling... I was itching to just go up and help them out by fulfilling my own order. Actual food is meh... Definitely nothing to write home about. You can score much better Korean food anywhere within a two block radius of this place. So definitely do not come here for the food, but rather as a place to come kick it with some friends over some soju and beer drinking games. Oh I'll definitely be back for more drunk shenanigans and as an excuse to come see and meetup with old friends.

Alvina L.

Cool small lounge (w/ a bar in the back). There was security out front so I guess it took away from a shady first impression of the place. There aren't private rooms but booths and tables divided up by curtain like dividers, so you and your group can have a bit of privacy. Waiter was really nice and got us menus right away. We ordered some hite beer, yogurt soju, soda and some midori sour mixed drinks. The yogurt soju was pretty good--light and not too sweet or overpowering. Snacks like chex, cucumber and carrot slices, and popcorn were complimentary. Funny story was one of my guy friends walked up to the bar asking for an orange soda, but they didn't have it. Instead, they gave him a sprite and said it was "on the house." Now how rare does that happen to a guy although it was just a $2 soda?? On top of that, they played some interesting ghetto music towards the end haha...but all in all definitely cool place to chill with the group and just wind down.

Tina A.

Came here on a Sunday night with a large group, for food only. Not bad for a place that is known for just their snacks and soju. Budaejigae - a cardiovascular surgeon would total frown upon this dish. salty spicy broth of ramen, spam, and kimchi. there was also tofu. if you're sick or it's a cold rainy night, this hot stewing pot of unheathiness is absolutely delicious Dumpling kimchi soup - not you're typical bone based broth. in fact it was the same broth as the budaejigae - the pepper broth that usully comes with the tofu soup. there was a copious amount of dumplings, enough to share with 6 or 7 people, and the dumpling quality was definitely a step above costco Kimchi fried rice - i would not recommend this dish. first of all it doesn't have a strong kimchi flavor and doesn't have a lot of additives (like kimchi pieces or spam) to make it tastier. what it did have was an extra sunny side egg, however their rice was already soggy and having 2 egg yolks just made the whole dish a lot soggier Fruit Platter - has added simple syrup to make the fruits sweeter. you're not fooling us Service was by a sweet young gentleman, he was very patient with us and was on top of the water refills I would totally come here again, this place is pretty good for groups, it's not a place to be on a date since all items are meant to be shared.

Kelly G.

VIP has it all. Sojo shots/bombs, popcorn & snacks, graffiti on the walls, couches, private table spaces, and potentially korean gangsters. This is one of my favorite places to hang because there isn't anything else closes enough to home and it's always an experience. The staff is really friendly too and they stay open on holidays so you got to give them props for that.

Kim N.

Compared to other Korean-esque pubs I've been to, this place is definitely the loudest. Haha. They usually have loud, club music blaring in your ears when I stop by, but hey, if that's what you're looking for, I'm totally down to stop by with you from time to time! The chicken wings here are definitely a must get. Mmm. Mmm. Nice, crispy and saucy! Also, the decor in here is nice. They got little, private booths separated by semi-wall dividers, and they have couches to lounge upon as you munch and hangout. Having an old fart spirit inside of me pushes me away from dropping by this loud lounge too often though. But I like it! Most definitely happy this is here in the area!

Lena V.

This place is a great place for drinking and munching. It's a korean lounge. The food is a bit expensive and is just pretty good but not that good. I suggest eating at 99 chicken across the street first for their soy chicken wings and coming here after for their soju. I don't remember the waiter/bartender's name but he was awesome! He had really good service and was super funny! I definitely suggest coming here if you want to just hang out and drink. This place is comparable to porno bar in oakland. aka dang sung sa.

Cristal R.

Easily a too contender when it comes to alcohol and snacks but when it comes to their food it's pretty mediocre. Venue: Came here around 10:30 on a Saturday night and found the place decently packed. This place is very much a dive bar, seating can fit around 30-40 people, no windows and has dim lighting. Full bar and mini kitchen in the back. Very casual so no need to dress up. Entree: I ended up ordering the Kimchi and Tofu dish while my friends ordered the Seafood Pancake and Kimchi Fried Rice. The food I have to admit was mediocre, there was some flavor but the overall tone was bland, especially the Kimchi and Tofu dish. First of all the tofu was probably straight from a package to a table and the Kimchi was bland? How can you make kimchi bland? My guess is that they didn't let the kimchi ferment enough to get it's unusually delicious taste but instead it tasted watered down, which explained why it was cooked with Korean bacon (samgyupsal). Yet even then it wasn't cooked correctly since I had maybe one piece of Korean bacon sliced into 3 parts and undercooked. If there is one thing I dislike it's biting into uncooked bacon and chewing on the uncooked fat, bleh! What actually earned the 3 stars was the alcohol and it's service, flavored soju went for $20 a bottle and man it was delicious! In some cases too delicious since it was extremely easy to take. My table ended up ordering 6ish bottles of soju along with 2 large bottles of beer. We ordered so much in the end that they ended up discounting a few things for us which was really gracious of them. Will I come back?: For the soju, a hundred times yes! But I would probably eat somewhere else instead of here.

Michael O.

Cool place to hang out and drink. Haven't tried their food. So no comments there. The crowd of people that go there are pretty chill. Got to meet and talk to a few of them. Really chill people. The only complaint I have is that the men restroom smells really bad.

Arick W.

Not a bad drinking spot. I barely remember leaving here but I do remember having a great time with my boys. Ordered a huge variety of beer, soju, and some weird white Korean wine that tasted pretty bad. The little plates of snacks they give you are all pretty good and go well with the drinks. They comped us this sauteed onion and some tough mystery meat that was super awful. I think it may have been gizzard and had the texture of rubber bouncy balls. It was gnarly. Anyways all the people here were super chill, ended up doing shots at the bar with some random strangers. I'm not sure who even paid our bill at the end of the night but we didn't end up in jail so whoever it was, thanks buddy, I owe you one.

Jasmine N.

Love this place! The workers here are super nice. I love that they give you snacks to munch on while you drink soju. My favorite ones are pineapple, strawberry or the yogurt soju. Delicious and refreshing but be careful... Soju is definitely a CREEPER! I'm also in love with their cheese corn! LOL cheesy goodness!

Ray V.

This place is enjoyable for many reasons, my only complaint is how small and uncomfortable how most of the seats are. The variety of drinks is great and the snacks too. You can have so much fun here that you lose track of the bill. Drinks and food come out quickly. Come here for the soju, stay for the snacks.

Schelly Y.

You would never guess what this place is just walking by. VIP is a bit dark and shady and is located in the corner of a strip mall. They serve a variety of food and drinks and also provide free snacks like pub mix and popcorn while blasting Korean music. It is a good place for a casual night of drinking with friends. This is not a family restaurant.

Jennifer K.

I love VIP. Aka my second home in NorCal. It's not the nicest place to grab a drink, but it's cozy and brings back memories... or memories of no memories. Heh. Come with a group of friends and order a few bottles of Chamisul and Hite to get the night started. Maybe indulge in some yogurt soju or fried chicken wings if you're allowing yourself a cheat day. (But then again, if you find yourself at VIP, then it's probably already your cheat day.) Just go all out! There's plenty of parking since it's in a plaza with Office Max and Hometown Buffet. There's also a karaoke place across the street if you and your friends want to migrate. One of the things that stands out about this place is the service. It can get a little crowded on the weekends, but the staff does their best to get your drinks to you as fast as they can. You can bet that you'll be treated like a VIP at VIP!

Spencer W.

This place used to be a nicer bar to get smashed at with friends, but it's sorta gone down hill. The blinds partitions have gotten beat up, there is graffiti everywhere, couches are lumpy and carpet filthy. Place could use a good cleaning, but the service is usually always great. I recently found out that the cucumber they serve you when you sit down is supposed to help prevent hangovers. I always thought it was strange that they served you a plate of vegetables, but it's to help keep you hydrated go figure. Anyway their flavored sojus here are pretty good, although weak. Get some flavored sojus and regular soju and mix them together.

Ricky N.

It gets busy here so try to come early so you're not awkwardly standing around. Prices are a little more steep than typical Korean joints, so keep that in mind. Mixed drinks are strong and staff are pretty friendly. A lot of these type of Korean establishments treat you differently if you're not Korean. But they were still pretty nice to us. Order the hite and get fudged up.... like I did. Oh yeah, they play awesome music here. I found myself trying to "shazam" multiple songs through the night.

Ashley T.

We ordered the yogurt and peach soju. The yogurt soju was okay. When you drink it, there is a lingering alcohol after taste. The peach soju was pretty good. I really like this one. Also I would really recommend it. They give you snacks for you to munch on. The atmosphere was really chill. It's a good kick it spot. -msashleyytee

Frank L.

One of the more crackin korean bars around...The only other one ive been to in Santa Clara is Answer, which is across the street, and its pretty damn dead there. Anyways they have ur usual fare...pitcher o beer and flavored soju along with korean fusion bar food such as cheese corn...Also, they are one o the few korean bars I know to actually sport a full bar. I think its about 6-8 bux for a shot o henn so its bout standard bar price but still cheaper than a club. Food: Cheese Corn- Cant really mess up on cheese corn...and this is as delicious as any cheese corn ive tried lol. I think some ppl complained it was a lil gooier than other places but i havent noticed so far Omellete Rice- Looks nice but i dont think id get this again. Taste was ok but theres better things on the menu. This is basically jus an omelette with fried rice inside. Chicken Wings- Wings here are solid. They aint too big but not too small. They also are glazed with some kind of sauce... Spicy Ricecake w/ ramen- Last time we got this there was too much ricecake and not enough ramen so we told the waitress to have it so that theres less ricecake and more ramen and they were happy to oblige (im pretty sure ramen is cheaper than rice cake anyway...). Anyways i enjoy gettin this dish cuz its hot and it hits the spot when u drink. Overall this place is my goto for beer n soju. I havent found a better krn bar yet...

Vee L.

This place can get pretty pricey real quick. Be careful! I came here to catch up with my cousins over snacks and drinks. It was completely empty except for one other table the entire time we were here. It was a Monday though, so I wasn't expecting a lot of people to be there. We were sat right away, and our server greeted us immediately. We ordered a picture of Hite, Yogurt Soju, and another bottle of Soju. We also got sweet potato fries, which kind of tasted like thin fries covered in sugar. No complaints there though! We also got the Korean fried chicken. The sauce was delicious, and the chicken was yummy too. You get a lot of pieces for 15. You also get complimentary snacks. Our server checked up on us frequently, and made sure we were well taken care of. After tip it was about $80 for 4 people, which isn't too bad. I left on a good buzz, and with a happy tummy. I would love to come back more often with my friends. It's a great place to hang out, and have some drinks and snacks.

Amanda N.

I must say the pros about this place is that they do have really good food portions are big but the drinks are $10 dollars each for shots nothing new there they could improve on interior decorating. Feel like the interior decoration looks like cheap paper walls that are dark blue, it's kind of stuffy if you asked me. I would not come back but maybe if I'm really hungry I'll stop by.

Huong N.

Spontaneous hangout with my friends and decided to come here cause nothing is open except this place in the area. What we ordered: Ramen and rice cake Kimchi pancake Omelette rice Rice wine Everything was very mediocre and tasteless or very salty. Kimchi pancake was full of flour and that's about it. Ramen was salty. Only good for really late night when drunk not for a decent meal to be full and satisfied.

Amy H.

I came here on a Thursday night and surprisingly, it was damn empty. I guess it was cool but I bet this place is super fun when its crowded and popping. There are comfy couches, free snacks like pub mix, popcorn, carrots, and delicious soju. I had strawberry and mango and they are super sweet. I feel like it is totally acceptable to have these fruity girly drinks when it's soju haha. It is definitely a place that I will revisit if I just wanna chill and my friends want to drink, and I have no option but to drankies with them. OHHH and the best part was that they were playing legit hip hop r&b music like at a friggin club. I literally melted because I was so happy. I read that that it was all EDM which they did include a few but for most of the part, it was all my music. I so happy. Maybe on weekends when its popping with those young asian kids that they bust out the edm. oh well.

Elliot K.

Been coming to VIP for some time now, and each time we go, we always leave with a great experience. This time around, we were showing our friend from out of state around, and made VIP one of our stops. At this point i've tried the strawberry, mango and peach soju. All really good, and i don't know about other people that come in and complain that its not strong, but they always make ours reasonably potent. Not complaining. They also provide carrots/cucumbers, pub cracker mix, and popcorn, complimentary to your drinks, so be sure to ask if you don't get any and/or want more. The food is a little expensive I must say, though sometimes you just gotta have some fries. Other than the traditional korean food, the other snacks are a bit overpriced. All together our tab came out to $34 with tax, which is awesome for 3 people. They play a lot of EDM but really depends on what the workers are in the mood for. You'll get some hip hop at times, and EDM here and there too. The music can get loud if you're sitting in the couch area next to the speaker. The workers have always been really kind, there was a bit of a weird taste to one of our giant beers, and he happily switched it out for us at no charge. I also had an awesome convo about trance music and what it used to be with the gentleman manning the bar, as well as festivals and such. Super dope and friendly guy . If you're looking for a place to eat some late night food, have a drink and listening to good music, definitely make it a point to check VIP oriental out.

Kaje Y.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet. It's probably because I usually blackout every time I come here. After Ju Ju Bee down the street changed management a few years ago, VIP soon became my kbar replacement. Most people I know have a love/hate relationship with soju. It's okay, I do too. Soju tends to kick in just a little bit later, and doesn't have the same bite as cheap vodka, thus, it's very easy to keep drinking. They have complementary snacks. Popcorn, chex mix, and carrot and cucumber slices. They have 3 brands of soju, and quite a few flavours of flavoured soju, but I think i've only tried the yogurt one. The music tends to be EDM. There is usually a bouncer on the weekends, but not on the weekdays... yes, i know this because I occasionally get wasted on the weekdays too. Stop judging me. The waiters are busy running around, and thus service is a bit slow. They are all very nice though and do their best to be accommodating. Just wave your hand and they'll be with you shortly. It's always a fun time here, from the bits and pieces I remember when I'm phasing in and out when blacked out. Parking is never an issue. Never seen cops here either.

Reid Y.

I became reacquainted with my pineapple, strawberry, and yogurt soju friends tonight for a friends birthday. Delicious as usual. We got free potstickers at the end and I'm pretty sure the waiters recognize us now. You gotta love their mix CD - about 12 tracks that were repeated throughout the night (I'm not complaining - isn't Britney's 1,2,3 song fab?)

Av A.

I agree with Lorrie, this place IS ok for the type of thing you come here for: get sloshed while munching on snacks w/ your buddies. Their fruit soju bottles come at $20 each.. sounds steep but it actually provides for about 2 rounds of drinks for 6-8 people? As far as the effect of it goes though, can't really say much.. it was like drinking juice, you kind of almost had to pretend you felt a head change.. lol We ordered a bunch of little things, but what stood out to me the most was the kimchee pancake.. yum. The decor outside is an eyebrow raiser .. and the decor in the inside is.. a shoulder raiser? That is to say, its nothing much. Either way I can see why this is a fav for a lot of people, although I can't say the same for myself. If you're expecting a swank lounge w/ decor to boot don't come here. But if you're looking to get rowdy and be around people that are equally inclined, by all means. Probably wouldn't come back unless I was invited/dragged here.

Jenny L.

Yogurt soju and free popcorn, peanuts and celery? It's great! Dirty benches, graffiti on walls? Ehhh. Music was loud and the place was filled with college kids (or maybe high school kids). I would have loved this place when I turned 21. Maybe I just outgrew the scene, but it's not really my thing anymore. Still, the free snacks are a nice touch.

Christina T.

I like this place because they give free popcorn, celery, and carrots when you drink. Hahaha...no seriously, in all honesty, this place is pretty good. The venue is small and gets crowded during weekends. They serve the bottles of flavored Soju for about $22. I didn't get anything else but the peach and yogurt flavored ones are the best. I tried the strawberry one and it was really bitter or sour, not sure what I was tasting actually. From what I saw, they use Kern's peach juice for the peach flavored one and Yakult for the yogurt flavored one. I'll be back again to chill with friends. My only complaint is the small space but what can you do when you're so popular. :P

Patty O.

Pretty chill place to hang out. It's a little bit on the smaller size. If you get there early enough, you may be able to get a couch to sit on with your friends in a semi enclosed area which is nice; good for group gatherings. There are also tables available to sit on or you can sit at the bar as well. We had sake bombs and yogurt soju. The sake and beer cost $22 not including tip . The bottle of yogurt soju cost $20 and tasted amazing. The bartender said that the pineapple and yogurt soju were the flavors that he would recommend (other flavors are available in varying degrees of alcohol content). They also serve chex mix and veggies along with the drinks which is nice. The bartender that served us was also very friendly which is a plus. Only thing I would complain about is the limited amount of bathrooms available...one bathroom for guys and one bathroom for girls.

Veronica S.

Much smaller than Hue Bar but VIP is great with small groups of friends for just some laid back fun & drinking. I checked out VIP on Yelp before coming in and everyone was raving about the cheesy corn so I asked my buddy to order some....it was freaking delicious. I would come here just for the foods and snacks....all smell yummy and great to pair with Korean drinks (soju and beer of course)... Small place and the lighting is actually brighter than most lounge settings. Better place for sitting and lounging at to drink and eat up with friends~

John-Michael C.

What did you do to your hair? I liked it the way it was before... You know you go some where a lot once they comment on your hair... ;D

Christine L.

OH HAAAAY VIP LOUNGE! Haha, so I'm over at Moonlite Lanes a LOT, or I used to be... and Terence L. who works there mentioned that maybe we should try out this korean bar place near his work! I was super bored at home so I figured sure, why not?? We got there pretty late on a Friday (I think!) and the place was PACKED! We had never been there before so it was kind of embarrassing at first, we totally stood there staring at all the full tables wondering what to do when a very 'happy' gentleman in the booth by the door was like 'hey guys, just take a seat!'. Luckily there was one empty table near the bar so we grabbed it and got a few menus-- first thing I see: YOGURT SOJU. It sounded so delicious!! We ordered a pitcher (or whatever that cute little bottle is) and dove right into the horribly addicting snack mix that they serve here. We got our bottle and started before the rest of the group got here, sadly they had to drive home to SF afterward and didn't join in on the festivities very much. The night ended fairly early, but it was a good night indeed! *couple months pass* Stopped by there again last night! Even though it was a quiet Monday, I wanted some of that good yogurt soju that I had tried, esp since the last time I ordered it at some place in SF, they made it with the sour/tart yogurt instead of the sweet one! We ordered the peach soju which was yum! How can I ever say no to a drink that's so good that it's sippable? In the end, nothing beats original yogurt. Though the place is kind of dark and dirty looking, the friendliness of staff and company of good friends definitely makes up for it. Can't wait to go back :]

Walter P.

2006 Sandra K and Ed H introduce VIP. One awesome night getting to know Ed's friends and slowly getting comfortable at this underground dive bar. I had no idea this place existed. From the outside, I thought it was a massage place with "bow chicka bow bow" action in the back room. 2007 This is our late night spot with close friends to catch up or retreat after work on a Friday. Very low key and great place to unwind after a stressful work week. The couches and wait serve add the compliment of zoning out for the weekend ahead. We got to know the owners and welcomed us back each week. Started experimenting with different soju drinks. There was no such thing as "shooting" them down. Simply enjoy it and let the sweet flavors tantalize your taste buds. 2008 The social scene starts picking up with the help of Yelp. Silicon Valley Yelpers (the SBC) begin bi-monthly visits after dining across the street at 99 Chicken. Most memorable moment was after Grace Y and Hottsauce's 99 Chicken UYE - SBC invades the entire VIP lounge and turns it into a club. 2009 Under the rule of the Evil Dark Lord of the SBC ....John Michael begins his hostile takeover. The end of days as VIP becomes notorious for drunken Yelpers to gather and destroy like mad Vikings at a free buffet. 2010 The onslaught continues........ . . . . . ((((( to be continued )))))

David K.

If you want to get away and just "chillax" with some soju and beers (they have a full bar too) and Korean food, VIP is the place. I still don't know how "Oriental" got into the name or if it is officially called that. I'm going to have to ask Sung-Dae, the main man here at VIP. He is always friendly and happy to see you if you are a regular, so get to know him so he can hook you up with complimentary snacks which in Korean is called "service"... popcorn, fries, kimchi fried rice, etc. It is almost like a food back program. The more you order, the more rewards you get! B) If you've never been here, the entrance looks totally shady but don't worry. Once you get acquainted this could be your favorite watering hole.

Michael K.

This place is good to be loud and drink soju, but if you want to lounge and talk with friends over drinks, then you should go somewhere else. The music is really loud so everybody has to yell. The couch seats were comfortable, but sort of awkward. The yogurt soju was tasty, but super weak.. more like juice. Like with any bar or lounge, the drunker you are, the more fun you will have!

Vicky T.

My long over due review... If VIP was a group therapy psychologist it would be the jedi master of the year since the folks who work here are the most patient saints in the whole entire world...that and VIP always brings out what the subconscious wants to do but won't.. this could also be in part to the copious amounts of alcohol.. I like to think it is "the atmosphere" 1. They have food and alcohol combos 2. Their seafood pancake is one of the few I like.. not too greasy and doesn't taste like flour and seafood.. 3. The people behind the bar are saints... they are super patient, are some of the fastest walkers EVER and keep to themselves... 4. Where ever you turn there is a mini shot glass, a pot or green glass bottle with a cute Asian hottie and the phrase "Feeln Cool" 5. Odd mix of music means grindin' (or as I like to call it "stirring the pot and shaking") 6. The bathroom is reasonably clean 7. Lots of water is available a moments notice 8. Parking is a plenty outside 9. Despite 7 and 8 should have a DD and a back up DD 10. For those of you who don't drink like myself between the music and the food it is a great place to hang with your friends who like to indulge. Can't we just have a "quiet evening" here for once? :-P Most importantly.. VIP is like Vegas.. what happens there stays there (disclaimer: until the pics go on Facebook... get ready to detag!) The one thing I will say about this place is that although they keep to themselves.. do they ever cut people off?

Misha T.

This place looks maddddd sketchy from the outside but once you get inside it's really pretty nice. It's half individual booths with either couches or tables and half tables in the open. You can get your big pitcher bottles of OB and Hite as well as a bunch of different sojus and stuff. The staff is pretty nice and you duk bo gi and chicken wings weren't bad either though they weren't quite as in your face spicy as I wanted. 4 stars for that, but atmosphere especially. Plus you can totally write on all the walls which is fun.

Linda N.

I take back my first review for this place. It's a fun place to go to the more people you have. Even though it's 20 bucks for a bottle, one or two of those can get you buzzin or even drunk if you're lightweight. It gets pretty loud and busy here and it dies down after 130ish.

Amy K.

Pinapple Soju: Check Kimchi Omelet Rice: Check Cute Asian Girls: Check House/Trance music: Check Depending who you are with it can be a good time.

Huan V.

I love this place! They remember my friends and me, always come by to make sure we have enough to drink and free snacks to eat! The crowd is a little too young and usually cannot handle their liquor. Watch out for... the aftermath of being young and stupid.

Janet H.

Upon arrival: Me: Dude... what the $#&%?! This place looks so shady!! Look at that! Friend #1, Jenny: Uh.. Okay guys, I refuse to have another horrible bar experience... maybe we should leave. You can't even see through the windows. Me: You, Eric! Go first!! *shove* Friend #2, Eric: -_____- Psh... stupid girls... Thankfully, Eric bravely guided us wimpy girls into the shady-looking nook and swung the door open. To my surprise, it was lively, cutely decorated with white Christmas lights, hip, and with awesome music. If it weren't for Eric, we wouldn't have stepped foot inside. Thank you, eric. So first off, Yelpers, do NOT be dismayed by the outside appearance... yes, it's in this dark little corner of the plaza with no visible window, but inside is vivacious. It wasn't awkward or anything, and filled with young adults (around 20s) just enjoying the yogurt soju and side dishes like popcorn, chips, and veggies with this dipping sauce. I think one of the employees noticed we were first-timers and gladly held the door open for us and welcomed us in. So four of us made our way, mesmerized by the ambiance, and we finally ordered the pineapple soju ($20 each, and can accommodate 4 people easily). I didn't really enjoy it very much because it just tasted like pineapple juice mixed with soju. Like a screwdriver, but not as tasty... After we finished that bottle, we got a yogurt soju - MUCH BETTER! Very yogurt-y, with a hint of sprite (?), and of course, soju. I'm pretty sure they made the soju from scratch, but it looked like they bought them from the way they stored it in a plastic container. Oh well. Still tasted good to me. Slightly disappointed, though, since the aftertaste was gross... Okay, I loved the ambiance in there. Everyone's just having a grand time, and I definitely enjoyed the music. I really wish there was dancing. Maybe I just left too early in the night because my friends to drink at someone's house just in case we get too trashed. But what I also enjoyed was that NOT everyone was Korean/Asian, or filled with Asian mafias. The only thing I don't like about this place is that there are NO seats... so crowded. However, you can make reservations! Nifty. I might try that if I come with a large group! I can't wait to bring friends here and try more flavors! My other gripe is it's pretty pricy. I'm sure there are other places cheaper... or I can experiment and try making my own yogurt soju. Overall, fun while it lasted. Wish I could've stayed longer, but knowing my friends and I, we would've gotten trashed... so we took the safe route and left. Also... be careful about drinking the soju. It hits you hard.

Farrah F.

I should probably preface that I'm not a drinker. My idea of good alcohol is something like 6 parts ice cream/milk and 2 tablespoons of Kahlua. I hate anything that tastes like alcohol. Henry has concocted all sorts of drinks for me and thus far, the only ones I've liked are the ones he can't recreate. He calls them "Something For Farrah"'s because it's basically just juice, with maybe a smidgen of alcohol. I'm awesome. With that in mind, I went here last night with several friends to celebrate a birthday. Why the eff would I come here if I don't drink, you ask? Because I hadn't seen them in ages and I miss them. :O The place is in the middle of a corner of a plaza, next to an OfficeMax with bars all over the windows. It has its own bouncer to check your ID's at the door. The inside is pretty nice, with somewhat sectioned-off tables, and I think the writing on the wall is a nice personal touch. :P It's a little awkward trying to get out if you're at a table with a bunch of people (it involves a lot of climbing and/or crawling/ducking under the screens, and it's always fun scaring the person sitting next to you when you return to your seat). But anyway, I think I got through 1.5-2 shots of the yogurt-flavored soju (it wasn't bad, and vaguely reminded me of that Asian yogurt drink, but I could taste the alcohol so nope), and promptly joined the water crew and abandoned my shot glass because if I made any progress whatsoever, it'd get refilled. :[ The menu was pretty interesting. Only at an Asian (more specifically, Korean) lounge would you ever find stuff like chicken gizzard and boiled cocoon. The food prices are kinda terrifying. For $9.95, I would've expected the fries to be laced in gold, but for what it's worth, they did give us more than I expected. If they were free, I'd bump this to 5 stars. That said, you're not really here to eat anyway, and I imagine the more drunk you get, the less you care about the food prices. I'm pretty sure you can get as drunk as you need to be for ~$20/person...as long as everyone pays their share and doesn't check out early to avoid the bill. You can make reservations, the staff is really nice, and I was a fan of the free popcorn. I like to be fair with my reviews, and the fact that I don't like to drink shouldn't color my view of this place, as it is a pretty awesome place for friends to hang out, drink and catch up on life. The bathroom doesn't lock though, so uh, be careful with that? Not so sure on the guys' bathroom but I will say it again--I'm envious that they never have a line. It isn't fair.

Sal T.

Great service, great drinks, free snacks, karaoke across the street. What else could you want? 10/10, would come again.

Stine H.

Quite janky establishment, but VIP always guarantees me a night filled with crazy memories! We always encounter interesting people, or have our own mishaps sometime during the night. (CHEERS!! *broken glass*) My favorite time to go is usually midweek, when there isn't much to do...but enjoy some soju or ob with a couple friends. They play a variety of music, from top 40 to korean pop. Constantly refreshing our party with popcorn and veggie sticks. Sometimes we get food on the house! Mmm, skinny fries! Overall, the small lounge and soju prices are decent...but it's the good times they provide that get the 4 stars!

Ryan W.

***********The MEN'S BATHROOM LOCK DOES NOT WORK************* (this was back in the fall so it may have changed since) There SHOULD be a sign letting you know this on the door. Needless to say my stance was not defensive enough while doing my business and someone walked in on me. I'm not sure if he was more embarrassed or me. Now if you swing that way, act innocent and work yo game...but for the rest of us just hope the person is a little tipsy. The lounge is situated in a small corner near Home Town Buffet. Maybe its discrete location is so that only VIP people know about it....but it just looks cheap on the outside. I've only been on a thursday night, and it was pretty empty up until about 10p when a good amount of people rolled in. You need to bring your ID on these days because there is a bouncer. Other nights the server just checks and he probably won't care if a person in your party forgets their license. Complimentary crackers and vegetable sticks are given. BEWARE they only refill the snacks during the slow times....I guess the place really is asian. Don't expect it to curb your hunger at all, if anything the food is a tease. Flavored soju will run at about $20 per bottle and a larger bottle of Hite $11. I have heard this is the place to be on a friday or saturday night if you are asian, have yellow fever, or are pre-gaming before hitting up a club or karaoke spot nearby. Final Note: This is a fun casual place where you don't have to worry about noise level. You'll have some privacy because individual booths have separators so bring a big group and have some fun.

Michelle T.

I guess this is the Asian version of an American bar. Not really my cup of tea but it's good for those people who want to lounge with their friends. Every time I come here though there are massive groups of asians everywhere! They play more hip hop type music. I will say that the Soju drinks are yummmmyyyy! plus they give you like these little snacks along with it. The food you can order with your drinks is pretty decent too. Pricing was fair. Overall nice if you want a chill place to go and hang out with a group of friends with food and drinks.

Badri N.

Long. Overdue. Review. I share a love hate relationship with VIP. I love VIP. It hates me :\ Well, not really - but if I have to capture the relationship in one sentence, that would be it :D After several trips here, I seem to have finally gotten an adequate degree of mastery over soju. As Cobber L. says, stick to the good stuff out of the teapot or the bottle and leave the fruity crap to the fine ladyfolk and you will be fine. In theory. Reality (in all it's glorious distorted and soju warped forms) is very different and varies between people, visits, who you're with etc. etc. In other words, the sheer unpredictability of the experience is part of the major draw of this establishment! Easily accessible, with tons of parking, VIP has fast become one of my favorite places to hang out. Clean, simple decor, ample room to get together with friends (don't expect too much quiet time, especially if the SBC is around!!!), dim lighting, good music, fantastic drinks, good (though expensive) food, clean restrooms... can't really ask for much more from a place and VIP delivers, in aces. Go here and have fun, be sure you can handle your liquor or you're better off with beer and drinks you're familiar with - stay away from the soju train if you don't know how you will react :) ~ 5 stars without reservation for some amazing times and memories (yes, I do have memories thank you very much!!!) #147

Stephanie S.

I've been going to VIP for a few months now and finally am writing a review for them. I love this Korean bar! Ever since moving back home from college, my friends and I have been coming here a lot to drink and hang out. It looks kind of sketch from the outside because it's in the corner of a shopping center, but inside is very homey. There are tables that are semi-private, sections with couches, and a bar. The management, services, and DJ are all super nice. They provide snacks and popcorn for free. We never really order food, just soju (regular and fruit) and beer. We usually end up paying $20 each person, which is pretty cheap for how drunk you get. If you make reservations, make sure you get there on time because they can't save tables for you if you're late! They get pretty busy and packed around 10:30pm so if you want a couch or table, get there early! I went yesterday and now they have a bouncer. Anyways, I love coming to VIP and it's definitely worth the 20-25 minutes from my house. For sure, you'll have a great time. It's a great place to bring friends to chill and drink.

Kelly T.

SOJU: You are like a red neck abusive husband - You try to sweetin' me up and make me feel on top of the world and then hit me hard the next day... I'm still recovering almost a week later Marry me... I'll take the pain...

Peter L.

I've been to a few Asian drinking bars and without the SBC this place would get 3 stars. On one night this was our third location with drinks but it was the most wild! Somehow the SBC is always involved on those nights...lol. If you're already buzzed you come here and think you can still drink. Why? Soju by itself is pretty good, but having fruit juice is something else. It was $22 for a "pitcher" of flavored soju. The mango was like mango juice, very good. The pineapple was like pineapple juice, good. The strawberry was like flavored water, still good. The ginseng is an acquired taste. Oh, $10 for a JW Black Label on the rocks, IIRC so don't quote me - try not to let anyone pour flavored soju into it, yeah? lol. Someone's first time trying flavored soju will not appreciate regular soju. So, this is better for a second timer of soju. The bartenders were attentive in hurried states. Overall, good times if there's group of people. Not so good for dates as your date will be either distracted or lured away by the shenanigans. This is located in the corner of something call Moonlite Shopping Center, with a barely lit sign (even their windows are hardly lit). Hard to find, but once you find it you won't forget it.

Sera P.

Grimy as fuhhhhhhhhh... I'm so sorry if you have no choice but to drag yourself here every weekend. Rating based on experience of nightlife OUTSIDE of San Jose: 1 star Rating based on knowledge of absence of nightlife IN San Jose: 4 stars Sometimes the food tastes like cigarette butts... but it's hardly noticeable when you're wasted. Or you're a drunk smoker so you can't tell what food tastes like anymore. Sometimes the bartender doesn't know how to make "American" drinks... but their Korean beer is always ice cold. Sometimes the underage kids try to buy you a "shot" of soju... but they're kinda cute I guess. Mehhhhhhhhh. San Jose is San Jose. Props to the servers here for being patient with kids who are in absolute starvation mode from being deprived of drunk fun. Poor San Ho kids... Study hard while you can and get to a big city. You'll thank me later.

Steven N.

Thought it would be appropriate to write a review for this place seeing how I used Yelp to narrow down my choices and went through a lot of these reviews before choosing VIP for my birthday. Just celebrated my birthday a few days ago at VIP and wow, had a great experience. Some say that VIP isn't great for large parties, but it definitely worked fine for us. We originally have two of the couch areas reserved but a lot more people ended up coming last minute which actually worked out for the better. A few of us chilled on the couches and most of us just hung around the bar area. We had a party of over 25 people? I made reservations the night before and they were very accommodating. The place is quiet before 10pm and then starts to get busy. Come before 10pm in order to secure some seats. The bartender was great. We had drinks flowing really quickly and he makes some really great drinks. Beers were cheap, I highly reco the yogurt soju - it is delicious. The venue looks super sketchy from the outside but once you're in, it looks pretty decent. We had over 25 people in our party and hanging around the bar area worked perfectly for us. It allowed people to mingle and plus, didn't need to have around at our tables to order drinks. 5 stars. Thank you VIP for my VIP night. You deserve my 5 stars.

Jenny T.

I like to think I'm VIP at VIP.. but who am I kidding? I've been here one too many nights and gotten drunk off soju like a dumbass (laughing at me are you? try 12 shots in under an hour. plus i'm a girl. low tolerance. yea, thought so.) Thumbs up: yogurt soju, pineapple soju, seafood pancakes, free popcorn, pretzels and veggies throughout the night, the lounge overall (I've always been here with good company so we have fun no matter what) Thumbs down: one nasty ass bathroom stall, no stripper pole. Can you put a stripper pole here please? Thanks.

Erica S.

Came here for a friend's bday to hang out and have drinks. Small little place with a bar in the back. There are sectioned off areas with tables, chairs, and couches to lounge at, but it's really a tight squeeze if you're here with more than 6 people. You can order drinks and snacks from the servers. We had beer, fried chicken, popcorn, strawberry soju and pineapple soju. Pineapple one was good, but I'd skip the strawberry one. Cheap place for late night drinks and snacks. It is a place more for the younger crowd. At least they played a good variety of music.

Mona W.

Even some might refer VIP Oriental as 'VIP lounge', this establishment is not an actual lounge bar. It is a Korean drinking place where you have semi-unclosed cubicles with tables. This is not a place to meet new people but a place to hang out with a good group of friends. Waitstaff were very friendly. The decor was a bit ghetto but clean and cozy nonetheless. Drink were really cheap. The total came out less than 10 bux for a good 3 hours there and many of us were having a pretty good buzz. I think their Korean beer are a bit weaker than American ones. We also ordered the non flavored Soju and those were not really that tasty. They was okay if you mix them with the beer but I really would not recommend drinking those alone. I don't like how noisy this place is. It was really hard to have any kind of conversation going. I would much prefer a quiet environment to hang out with friends. Perhaps that's just me.

Jason H.

4.0 Stars Don't judge this place by looking at the exterior because it will definitely amaze you once you walk through that door. You'll be transported to a lounge where chill hip-hop beats play over the speakers and the alcohol just let the good times roll. Best of all they serve flavored soju ($20/container) that is so very deceiving in terms of how "buzz-ed" you can get off of drinking these shots. With the added fruity flavors it almost tastes like drinking juice. Take a look at all the flavors you can choose from: Apple Cranberry Lemon Mango Peach Pineapple Strawberry Yoghourt ...one shot..two shot...three...four...five shot, oh sh*t I think I'm gone... Literally, you can pound these shots quickly without the worry of any bad alcohol taste. Talk to your friends and snack on some of the complimentary popcorn. By the time, you know it you'll be in that awesome "buzz-ed" state. My definite favorite out of the flavors I tried was the Strawberry. If you're having trouble deciding amongst your friends, you just can't go wrong with that flavor. If you're looking to satisfy any late night cravings they have a full menu of Korean dishes to order from. I didn't order any the night that I came so I'll update my review when I do get to try some of the food items. They looked mighty tasty from what I saw on other people's tables. This place can definitely fill up quickly on the busier nights like Friday and Saturday. I highly recommend coming a little earlier around 9 to 10PM to secure a table or a little private area. If not, expect to wait because people tend to relax and take their time once they sit down at a table. == A MUST TRY! ==

Ronnie N.

I like this place. Nice lounge, chill, kickback kind of place without the pretentiousness and competitive atmosphere of an ultra lounge. This feels like a local neighborhood, mom and pop, place for friends to get together, have drinks and eat Korean food. The Soju is tasty and the food is pretty good! Seafood pancake was delicious. It can get pretty damn packed and seating is hard to come by. The place is real small. Only about 5-6 booth areas and about ten seats at the bar. No cover charge, lots of parking. Located in shopping plaza.

Lorrie M.

I think this place is okay for the type of thing you come here for, which is to drink beer and soju with a bunch of your rowdy friends that are super fun when drunk. They have a healthy selection of alcohol of this nature (i.e. soju and beer) and a decent list of little eats that you can munch on esp when the alcohol hits. This place is definitely busy and on Thurs, Fri and Saturdays in the late or early morning hours it gets even busier because it's one of the few places open in the area that serve Korean food and/or soju. They did close one night (I believe Friday?) rather early (12:00 am) which surprised me because I did not expect that they would close so early for such a popping bar. I've never had their food but it smells good. In general, it's not a place I'm highly recommending only because I think the environment is alright and they can't really accommodate a huge party like Hue Bar & Lounge down the street which serves similar food/drink selections but it's not a bad location to chill.

Bryan Z.

Awww yeah, this place brings back great memories. Located across 99 Chicken on El Camino, VIP is located in a pretty auspicious location. The entrance is in a corner and pretty easy to miss. Come early if you want one of the booths, otherwise you'll need a reservation. Price-wise I think it's actually on the expensive side but the cool part is they'll keep bringing out snacks for you as you order more and more drinks. It's like a video game where the more drinks (exp) you get, the more you level up. As you level up, the rewards (snacks) get better and better. I'm sorry, that was a terrible reference but you get the gist. They start out giving you carrots, celery, and trail mix. Eventually you get popcorn, french fries, and fruit plates. Like others have mentioned, the yogurt soju is quite tasty. Flavored soju is always deadly because it's so easy to drink it like juice and then before you know it, you're on your hands and knees outside with napkins from your friend's car strewn about everywhere.

Jason Y.

VIP is a great spot to kick back with a small group. They have sofas with dividers in between different parties, so you get a sense of privacy. Their flavored soju was recommended and my group ordered a jug of the pineapple, mango, and peach. The pineapple was the tastiest and masked the soju the best. The soju came with cheesy popcorn and vegetable sticks. I also ordered a seafood pancake, which was as good as other korean restaurants around the bay. The only downside is that the food is a bit pricy, but it's expected for the nice enviroment

Michael L.

Def a great place to get drunk off of soju compared to the more kickback chill ones in SF. This place is lively with a good number of booths for your party. Great music! Different flavors of yogurt soju mmmm!!! Pretty good service as they check up on you constantly and refill your popcorn. We left right at closing and tried to sober up in the parking lot for a bit before heading home. We suddenly saw a car that drove off from a very wasted girl. She walked up towards my friend as we all were in shocked and started helping her out. We barely understood her thick accent, but we tried to get her phone to call someone to get her. She kept refusing and started to swear and grab my friends purses while the owners of the place observed near by. Thank god after like 15mins they finally came to take care of things and called 911 before things got worst. Brownie points to the owners that came to the rescue and finally took care of shit before it got worst.

Jean-Marc L.

Good place to hang out with few friends late at night. Location is inside a run down shopping center. The good points: free veggies and fresh popcorn and crackers. Friendly owner, relaxing atmospher and courteous owner. Food and drinks are very decent and brought to you in a quick manner. Def like the spicy rice cakes. However it is slightly overpriced for the items you can get at other places. Great late night hangout place.

Emma K.

Love coming here to visit SUNG. He's great with the customers. Definitely my favorite Korean bar! When in doubt, VIP.

Jen H.

Been here a few times on Fridays and Saturdays Where do i start? This is a great place to go if your group of friends like to hang out, listen to music, drink, talk, EAT, and don't like to dance! (that's ME!) If you're here on a Friday or Saturday night... Come early to grab seats! By 10:30pm, there will be no more seats for your large group of asian friends. Pros: Yummy snacks (drunk munchies: popcorn, oriental mix (via costco), veggie sticks), delicious soju (pineapple, yogurt, and strawberry), good music (NON trance !) I can't really comment on their food cuz I never had any. Con: SUPER SUPER crowded--i think they violate firecode! Super smokers need to stay 300 feet from the entrance/building!! other than that, great place to check out ;) My non-asian friends have joined me here, so anyone is welcomes!

Cindy C.

We got down south a little early, so decided to stop by VIP since it's highly recommended by the SBC. As soon as we parked I saw JM outside on the phone... LOL, it's highly recommended and frequently visited by the SBC I see! I walk in, and there were a bunch of Yelpers. Cobber, Badri, and the list goes on. The soju was tasty, and the vibe really cool. We didn't stay long since this was just a pit stop, but I can see how dangerous this place can be and hope to return again soon.

Son C.

VIP Oriental. VIP, no. Oriental, yes as derogatory it is today to use that word. This is the spot for many South Bay Asian Americans who prefer to be surrounded by other Asian Americans. Occasionally however there will be non-Asian American clientele who's down with that soju, or got that yellow fever. Mmm.. Very small location, situated in a large plaza in Santa Clara, VIP Oriental does not provide VIP access to anything besides their popular yogurt soju which lingers and creeps up on you while you least expect it. Tables are hard to come by many times, and there are very few seating. Customers often times go buck wild without any type of provision or regulation. Think of it like a club without the dance floor. Women and men dance in their respective booths, and people drunkenly walk back and forth the hallways freely. I would recommend it if you go with friends who are familiar with this scene. The soju of course is the main thing people gravitate towards this location, as well as its large Asian American following.

Betty N.

I love and hate you, VIP. I love you because you don't mind my loud, obnoxious being. You serve entertaining food (corn and chesse WTF) and you keep the drinks coming. I also love you because you play Rihanna and MIA. I hate you because you charged me $10 a Grey Goose shot. What the heck . . last time I checked I was in MAN JOSE and not Vegas???!! That is total weak sauce. Why did you have to hate on us by taking our GG bottle, too? Threatening to call the cops on us was not cool. Let us be and we will see. I love and hate you. Don't push it.

Melissa T.

VIP! Wowww. This place is cracking. The yogurt soju is a creeper but it is soo good. The music is good and it's a chill spot if you want to just drink and not have to impress anybody. They keep the snacks filled and popcorn and cucumber sticks. Random but when I drink I just need to munch on something yadig? I wanted to get cheesy corn but I forgot to order it. Next time! Oh and come early because the tables fill up quick.

Nichole R.

ONE WORD. CREEPER. The first time I tried soju cocktails, I thought, "This isn't bad!" Well, not after 3-5 bottles and 5 petite Asian girls. My friends and I like coming here every once in awhile when we don't really want to go to a real bar or club, or when someone wants to celebrate their birthday in a low key/cheap place. The last time I came here was the day before Thanksgiving, and only one guy was working. My friend knew him and we all felt bad for him. Yet, he was still attentive and gave great service throughout the night. They play Top 40 songs quite loud, so don't expect to have a nice quiet time here. We usually arrive around 9:30pm because it can get really packed by 10pm on Thurs-Sat nights. When we get our seats, we start the night off with Yogurt soju and a pack of cards until we get pretty tipsy and start talking about how much we love each other haha. As for snacks, they first bring you a little platter of sliced up cucumbers and carrots with a red pepper sauce and a small plate of Utz's Pub Mix that they sell at Costco. We always go through rounds and rounds of both of these. Later on, they usually bring out a bowl of buttered popcorn. So delicious when you are drunk! They have a menu for food, but I have yet to order from them. In the end, my friends and I always can always expect: Asians, alcohol, and a good time.

Derrick C.

It's never fun driving around looking for food after a night out. Good thing you'll never leave VIP hungry that serves an endless flow of complimentary Korean snacks that escalate in awesomeness as you finish each. Or does the food just seem to be getting better the more sloshed you get? No one will ever know.

T. C.

Late night eats are good, the pitcher of fruit juice and alcohol a must order. Very laid back place, with cool people. Go!

N. M.

Chill Spot... Wasn't very busy or amazing in the middle of the week, but I will come back when it seems more active to test it out. The seafood pancake was delicious though!

Julie Z.

I'm giving it 5 stars for excellent ,overall experience at VIP! We came here for my friend's 25th birthday party. You can reserve ahead of time if you have a big group. (we had 18+ group). Free snacks like chex mix type, yummy popcorn (it was warm!) , and carrots and cucumber. The service was great, the waiters would come frequently to refill our water/soju/snacks. Since it was my friend's 25th. the Bartender made her a drink and they played the birthday song! It was so fun, and everybody seemed to have a great time. I loved all their different variety of sojus! We also had huge HITE beer too. It does get loud in there, but its bearable. They play good music and everybody is friendly. THe bathroom was alright, it does get a long line after awhile. We also ordered seafood pancake and fries. The fries were crisp and hot from the fryer. YUM! The pancakes were alright, but decent for me. The highlight for me was the feel of the environment. Everybody had the good feeling and fast service. We never had a complaint. It was my first time, and I thought it went really well. The decor is cute, dim and hut looking. Would i come back? yes

Joon Y.

Black hole of my life. I love this place.

Jamie M.

Awesome place to go whenever you want to party but not want to deal with all the bad that is Downtown San Jose. I've always been more into lounges where I can have a conversation over drinks, and this place definitely does that. It's a Korean Bar/Lounge with some booths and tables. Along with regular mixed drinks, VIP also has different types of soju, from your regular soju, to pitchers of flavored soju. Everything here is priced appropriately. After shot and shot of soju, soju does its trick of creeping up on you and giving you the stanky leg. In addition to the awesome soju, VIP Oriental also serves food! I highly recommend the kimchi fried rice. TIP: Friday/Saturday nights can get really crowded, so either get here early or if you have a big group, call and reserve some space.

Kathy D.

1 star less because of the long wait that my friends and i had to withstand!!! we came around 10:45pm and finally got a booth at around 11:30pm-ish. My friend was drunk off of soju that night.. and busted out what she learned from her korean drama watching and korean friends.. "JOO GOOO LEH?!?!?" she says to the waiter " what?!?!?" waiter responds back " Do you know your friend is telling me do you want to die?!?!" he says " Yes we know. haha " we all say to him " She's GANGSTA!!! IS she KOREA?!?!" the waiter asks us that was probably the highlight of my night... friendly waiters...surrounded by super koreans from around the area i may say... I definitely like the booths better than the tables.. it gives it a more intimate setting and more comfortable.. food was ridiculously overpriced though.. we saw $10 for fries?!??! because I yelped this place, i was looking forward to my free snacks ( damn im asian...looking for free food ).. we got our carrots/celeries/popcorn/chex mix refilled constantly..... i never would of thought i would be munching on those carrots all night long while drinking soju... music was playing all night long.. *hip* music.. but i felt like it got louder and louder throughout the night...maybe it was the buzz.. haha! results of the night: yogurt soju *thumbs up* peach soju * okay thumbs up * strawberry soju *thumbs down* soju and draft beer combo while playing the titanic sinking game *double thumbs up* i think i like soju better than sake now :) I would definitely come back here to chill.. I've lived here for 13 years.. and i never knew about it... how sheltered i've been ............ but NOT ANYMORE !!!!!!!!

Jin K.

Same rating but DAMN good time... DJ came in, we got front table and we FIST PUMPED ALL NIGHT LONG! I seriously think I lost 10 pounds just fist pumpin better than the Jersey Shore crew, LOL.. Seriously it was to the point where other people and strangers joined it, we all did it BIG hahahahah... Did my best when it was t-shirt time to get all fitted, but didn't matter when I was drenched in sweat and soju LOL! But our big group wreaked so much havoc inside AND out... Felt hella bad for the manager, but he was cool... All he said was "YOU GUYS ARE TOO DRUNK GO HOME..." and we were like "nae...." LOL! *fist pump*fist pump*fist pump*

Annie S.

This place is a nice place to go to with large group of friends that just want to chill. There is a guy out at the door that checks IDs before you go in. He didn't used to be there so I guess it's a new policy. I've been here a couple of times, and yesterday I came with 6 others. I tried some of the food here (on the pricey side), and some them are a hit or miss. The fries tasted like they were once frozen and then microwaved before served bleh, but the kimchi jun (pancake) was surprisingly pretty good! Out of all the drinks, the yogurt soju is the most tasty in my opinion. It coulnd't really taste the alcohol in it so it was easy for us to just have lots and lots of it lol. I also had the peach soju which I thought tasted better than the strawberry soju, but my friends claimed that the peach soju was stronger. I don't think $20 is worth it for a small jug of flavored soju though... My other friends got 2 adios motherfucasfdlajsfjkwjlrsflololol and shots of jack daniel, patron, etc., and eventually our total came out to $180... not bad. Service was good, music was nice, and overall it was a decent experience.

Paula G.

The ambiance does not match the price they charge for food and drinks. It's different table separated by a very unfit wooden blinds. I only come here when it's someone's bday, which is always fun. It's the company right? Plus: Kimchee Pancakes - delish.

Bradley H.

Part 2 of the korean lounge scene along with Hue...or Part 1 along with Hue...whatever... I have had some bad experiences here...not with the wait staff...mainly with the alcohol...i guess i've no one to blame but myself. When Hue is full, we come here, if VIP is full, we go to Hue...i've come to realize (since i yelped about Hue a while ago) that these two places are pretty much opposite sides of a coin...which has made me really not favor one over the other. Just watch out...hanging out at these places can put you in for a LOOOONG night! Oh, the cheese corn is good...what the heck is cheese corn? try it and find out... Happy Eating!

Janet N.

The only reason I left off the star was due to the holdup at the women's restroom and my aching body the day after. Let's face it, I'm weak but this place got the best of me, how can you resist the various flavored Soju, the fresh french fries,popcorn, veggie sticks and one of the best snacks so far- pub mix. Yeah walking in makes you feel a bit repulsed, the floors are literally strewn in food and the decor was tacky. After a round, I wouldn't really care anyways. The service was very consistent with putting out little snacks and provided us with waters. I had a great time, don't forget to try throwing popcorn in the air and catching them your mouth for embarrassment and giggles.

Eugene F.

I drank. I turned red. It was a perfect evening. We finally returned to VIP nearly a year after the power went out on our initial visit, and had a great time. Ironically, we were seated at the same exact table that we were last year during our fateful visit, but this time got all the food that we ordered. Drank all the soju-infused fruity drinks that we could have. We ordered five dishes, three carafes of the soju and for the six of us it was ~$24/person (including tax and tip). VIP you've definitely earned those two additional stars! Not too bad, and it was an awesome time.

Julia C.

VIP is a little k-bar tucked into a corner of a sleepy little plaza next to an OfficeMax. Their signs were not lit up when we went, so we were only able to identify the place by the little clumps of people smoking outside. The places we've been frequenting in the city lately have been more dance and music oriented, so it was really nice to go somewhere where a small group of us could gather and lounge and drink and hang for cheap. That said, they had a really good live DJ! Play Porter Robinson and you've got a thumbs up in my book - although I do think I literally flashed him a thumbs up from across the bar. We showed up after a late dinner around 12, so VIP was crackin'. We managed to nab a small table a little later on, and migrated over from the bar to continue our soju+beer, popcorn, & ginormous mound of fries consumption. VIP seems reasonably priced for a kbar from what I remember - and all I remember is throwing in an indeterminate amount of cash at the end of the night. Damn soju. What a creeper.

Francis L.

Excellent party place on the cheap. Specially love their Kimchi fried rice and friend chicken. Somehow I feel biased because you cant really go wrong with korean bar food + flavor soju + friends = no chance of fail. A great hangout place overall. But if you have more than 6 or so, make sure to make a reservation because the place gets packed during friday/sat nights.

Mike R.

Taste: 5 Value:5 Cleanliness: 4 Atmosphere:5 Wait time:4 Overall:5 1 being the worst, and 5 being the best SOJU 20 bucks a head for 8 people to get wasted and im not saying they did but maybe some of them blacked out, that hard core drank for such a cheap price. be kicking it on the couches talkin smack, telling cool storys to your bros, while they bring you snacks. cant get no better. I cant wait to find something equivalent in socal, but havent yet :(

Juliana C.

My cousins LOVE this place. Why? The staff is super nice, the environment is really laid back, and soju cocktails are delicious. VIP is definitely not where you go if you want to impress someone, but if you want to get your drink on without worrying about dressing up, being judged, etc...this is it! It gets crowded and can be a sausage fest, but if you get there early and get a table you won't have to interact too much with the crowds. Only critical comment: Change up the playlist! It's months old and consists of approx 5 songs!

Vivian H.

You learn how to play all these crazy Korean drinking games with soju bottles and such. The staff keeps bringing snacks, which is awesome, and you order more dranks. You lose control of how much you're drinking when you're losing (or winning?) and VIP always means a hot mess/crazy fun kinda night. There may be a language barrier. Bring a Korean friend.

Scott L.

This place cracks me up, it is such a great place for groups of people. Not a place to go to if 1-2 of you, but if 8-20, it's all good. Almost always good tunes too. Owner gives good service and remembers you if you go there fairly often... he's really good about that. Service from staff is good too... and of course they're known for their soju and army soup. Nuff said! To those that say the food is overpriced? it is, but what do you expect? Fun times here each and every time. Yes, it's a hole in the wall dive bar, but that's meant affectionately.

Diana C.

For how often we come here, I can't believe I've never written a review for VIP. We came here before it became such a popular place to drink. So many good memories! We used to be regulars and would come at least every two weeks. VIP gives free snacks (party mix, cucumbers/carrots, popcorn, peaches) and sometimes free food (fries, dumplings) which makes it that much better than other Korean bars in the area. The waiter Soondae is funny and usually pretty attentive. The crowd is hit or miss. I guess it doesn't really matter if you're only there to hang out with your friends. Sometimes it's really packed, and other times it's really empty. They recently got new couches and they're a lot less comfortable than the old ones.

Eunice S.

great service, great soju, good atmosphere, and decent food! What more can you ask for?? :)

Manton R.

Another K-bar (Korean bar)?! Damn straight. Why do I love K-bars? No rules apply. You can look like you're over 21 yrs old and be 19 to drink. You can get in a fist fight and never get arrested. Literally, no law/rules apply and that's half the fun! Ah, K-bars! I do love soju! Yes, it's the most devious and sneaky alcohol. It may taste delicious at first but after about 15 shots of delight, you'll realize you're waking up on some stranger's couch, (hopefully) with your clothes still on. I'm warning you, soju is a creeper. Ok, enough ranting on soju. Here's my review on the VIP. How can I put into words what the VIP is all about? First of all, the VIP is nestled in a corner next to a Radio Shack and an Office Max. Yes, Koreans don't care about location. If you have soju, Koreans will follow . . . like a moth to a flame. The VIP is full of underage kids which can get annoying. They all stand outside smoking their cigarettes looking cool. Once inside, you'll see a dimly lit room full of Asians. The host will squeeze you in even though they might be violating the maximum capacity fire code. You have money? You can drink! I'm not going to lie, the VIP is not very classy, which you all know is my favorite type of bar. It's rugged, run-down, dirtaaaaaay and it can be comparable to a Korean dive-bar. That's the beauty of it. The VIP has character and it's not like a cookie cutter trendy bar. It's a bar where people/friends gather, mingle, drink and enjoy their evening. You can wear what you want and have a good time.

Kristen T.

This place is soooo NOT fun. After having a great time at Toyose last week, I suggested that we head over to another soju lounge in the South Bay. Unfortunately, this place did not satisfy my want for a great Friday night... First of all soju cocktails were 22 EACH. The pitchers weren't even that huge and the mango soju wasn't even all that great. My friend ordered their tonkatsu for $12 and the dish didn't even come with rice.. I'm probably never ever coming back here again.

James L.

Whenever someone says VIP, I admit my head pops up like a dog, turns to the person who uttered it, and my mouth starts to salivate for boodae jigae, chicken wings, soju and OB beer. I have been coming here for over 4 years and do not care that the sofa cushions might contain more bacteria then the blue padded BART seats (second seating area on the right, I wouldnt sit in the pink couch if I were you) MAN I love me some VIP!

Jasmine P.

Tight like a can of sardines! Tighter than a muscle-T. Tight like the nylons Mom used to make me wear... With the breathing space of a coffin. O.M.G.... Where is the breathing room in this joint? I sawer there were so many people sucking my oxygen that I got high just being in here! Is it possible to have too many people regurgitating your oxygen that you literally overdose on carbon infused air? I mean this spot is like... crowing a 20 more sardines into the can and then giving them a drink or two, and expecting them not to flail into one another. But... Perhaps this is part of the mystique?!!! The fact that it's small and contested makes you feel sort of important. Like your in a top-secret, hole-in-the-wall VIP lounge! Great choice of music too... I cannot comment on prices, cuz I'm female! Just kidding... But seriously, this night was on the boys! So, I have no idea how much those crazy yogurt-liquor milk cartons cost! No idea what so ever! The night was fun tho, and the management at one point in the night told everyone to get out. It was the end of the night, and lights had been turned on. Two tables lagged, mine was one of them. But, the big man on campus was cool, guess he knew someone in our group... or just cared about the birthday boy. Anyway he hung out for a while and we later saw ourselves out. Great attitude. Great customer service.

Kim V.

I think this palce would be okay to go to if I came with a group of girlfriends (but since I don't have many girlfriends, that will be unlikely). They've somehow meshed a restaurant:bar together. Looks like a restaurant, but it's a bar, just more tables to sit at. I also try to avoid "Asian scenes" and this is definitely one of those. Also, I was surprised that they allowed you to write on the walls. Straight graffittied out. Yeah, not my scene.

Carolyn K.

The type of crowd VIP draws could be summarized with a wonderful picture sharpied into the wall next to our table. What was this work of art? Something that was shooting something into someone's mouth. Ohh, classiness! Also, people here cannot seem to hold their liquor. Case in point, guy puking into a bowl at his table because he couldn't make it to the bathroom in time. I miss the days when VIP was a homey lounge where a group of friends could chill and drink some yogurt soju with kpop and hip-hop playing in the background. You can't go wrong with hip shaking to Brown Eyed Girls - Abracadabra. Hue may be thinking it's the sh*t like "Yea, I'm a dance club now!", but at least it's got some class. +1 star for the free pub mix, carrot & cucumber sticks, and popcorn they serve.

John D.

I been going here often. Fun place to drink up with your friends, and of course the food is good. gotta try the "kim chi pancake" and the "kim chi fried rice" those are my top two. the food is pretty expensive but its good. so its ok =D music is always good. always be bumpin it up loud on weekends. makes it exciting.

Christina C.

I have heard of this place for so many times but never been there. Couple nights ago, I finally got a chance and went with my friends for a drink. It's Tuesday night, so it's not that busy. I like how they divided the area into a small booth with bamboo curtain hanging which made each group could have their own privacy but still have the open feeling. We ordered Yogurt Soju, Beers and some food. I didn't eat any food because I ate before I went. It's my first time have the Yogurt Soju and I fell in love with it immediately. Fruity, smooth, easy to drink. One interesting thing my friend mention to me that this is a Korean Owned Lounge but most of their customer is Chinese or ABC, not too many Korean people came. Maybe that's why one of the waiter can speak a bit of mandarin.

Lanna N.

First time been here n try!!food is so good n everything is so cheap!!i love it...!

Christopher L.

Came in around 7pm on a Thursday night. The place was empty, but my friend and I sat at the bar to enjoy a few cold ones before a dinner nearby. The complementary pub mix, Utz, from Costco, went perfectly with our Corona Extras. The bar tender very friendly and had an awesome playlist; he even hooked it up with free yogurt soju shots!

Alexander Kiwi L.

decent for a k bar in the south bay.. but then again your options for k bars in the south bay are slim. the soju was good. bartender can make it stronger if you request. seafood pancake good to snack on while drinking.

David K.

Hands down has to be the best korean bar in the santa clara area!!! the service is great, the people that work there are totally friendly. I think its either the owner or the owners son, always greets us with a smile and makes sure we get the table we want. One thing I love about this place that other places dont do, is they hook it up with snacks. Veggies with hotsauce, cracker snacks, peanuts, popcorn and fruit chilled on ice. Why doesnt hues, rumors, jujubees or whatever you call it do that? thats total customer service rite there and this is why me and my friends always come back here! like my gf mentions in her review they are starting to card here a lot more now, the last time i was here a big group of people came in with some minors, they sat down got carded then all left hahaha! (thats what you get for bringing in under aged girls with boba) thats a real giveaway. Anyways if you are still hungry i say go for the fried chicken wings!!! mix the thousand island salad dressing with the korean hot sauce... and dip the chicken in that. YUM! Also, we told them it was my friends bday and they hooked him up with a chilled grey goose shot in a bigger cup of ice with a candle in it, and they blasted this fobby happy birthday song. AWESOME! hahaha If you are looking for a good time, come to VIP, its totally different from going bar hopping in downtown but seriously that gets boring.

Elisa C.

Very small, very asian lounge. The bartender makes my vodka tonic with club soda. When I asked him about it, he just handed me a sprite.... Very crowded in here especially on weekends. And although they play a lot of dance music, there really isn't any room to dance. This is a good place, however, to chat it up with friends and snack and drink some alchy.

Cassey D.

I've been hearing about VIP a lot from two of my friends, so finally, we all went yesterday. There were 7 of us and we were crammed into a small little booth. We would be able to comfortably fit one more person, but 9 would be uncomfortable. That night was pretty slow and there weren't a lot of people there and I heard thats when it's the best night to go. The people who work there were friendly and they take the time to talk to their costumers. (Or Maybe he was friendly with us because my friend was a regular.) we ordered 5 bottles of soju (strawberry, pineapple, 2 yogurts, and a regular bottle) and a bottle of beer as well as chicken and everything came quickly. The drinks tasted so good and unlike the last place I went to for soju, it was served cold. I would highly recommended the yogurt and the strawberry. there other flavors include cranberry, peach and mango which i still have yet to try. I heard not to get the food there, but we were starting to get hungry so we ordered some chicken and it was pretty good! It was crispy even though it was covered in sauce. It was a little pricey for both the food and the drinks, but it's not like the drinks and food are for one person. The portions are enough to share with a group (reminder I came in with a group of 7 people and we were all pretty statistical when we left). One other thing, either bring a DD or have someone who knows how to hold back because these drinks are creepers! Good service, great food, and great drinks all equal to a great night. i would highly recommended this place, but I still need to check this place out on a busy night. But, until then, I say 5 stars =)

Camery V.

I went here a few days ago for my early bday celebration with two gfs. We were just having a low key night sitting at the bar. The bartender and servers were awesome, they kept us entertained all night. Super funny and genuinely nice guys. True, the place is outdated but I suppose it adds to the ambiance that is created. A real laid back place to hang out. I definitely felt like I was in Asia there, but it is a Korean bar. Will be back in the future

Jennifer L.

Nice, chill spot to enjoy some Korean dishes and soju. We always order the yogurt soju and it never fails to please us. Cucumbers and carrots and sometimes rice crackers are complimentary snacks. We always ask for refills and they gladly give us more. A definite must try!

Diana L.

From the outside, this place looks so sketchy! I felt like I was entering an underground bar or something. But upon entering, it's actually really nice. It was really pack when I got there. They even had a live DJ playing music, and it was good music too! Besides from the tables, they have a bar area, and a lot of people kind of just stand around and hang out. I never actually had a chance to sit down and get something to eat or drink their soju, but I will be back for that next time!

Kim D.

Went here with a group of people. I think I'm in love with the yogurt soju. DO NOT I repeat DO NOT get the strawberry one..it's just not good at all. We determined it tastes like medicine kinda. Yogurt and mango were pretty good though. We also munched on the kimchee rice noodle ramen type thing which was tasty. Overall a good time with friends just drinking it up and munching a few snacks. It is a bit "pricey" according to some people but eh..it's not too bad.

Allen M.

My 2nd Korean Bar/Lounge type place and I like it. The thing about this place is that....it's not as flashy as "other" K-Bars so you don't expect much. In fact, going in there with that mind set is perfect because VIP come through in so many ways! I'm pretty sure drinks are cheaper if not equal to "other" spots (I haven't really paid for them yet...thanks FRIENDS! =] ). The vibe is chill. Soon as you go in you see graffiti everywhere...but it's not graffiti, just that fans have expressed their love for VIP all over the walls (quagmire: all riiighhhtt..) LOL Come here in big groups, definitely worth it. The main dude working there seems happy to work there and he talks to you. I told him that his venue was better than "others" and he laughed and agreed and proceeded to tell me and other friends what he thinks of "other" spots. Their calamari and snacks really make me order more soju and OB, lol, good job, VIP. Idk what this place wouldn't be if they didn't offer free snacks.

Nadia L.

So one of my good friends always raves about this place so we ended up coming here last night and had a blast! First off if you didn't know where this place is it would seriously be so hard to find, its like a little hole in the wall next to a giant office max. Parking is plenty so you don't have to ever worry about that being an issue. We got here and got right down to business....ordered hite (huge!) and soju for some soju bombos. Beer was light and soju seriously can get you f-ed but hey its all in good fun. I loved how the complimentary snacks kept coming out. First it was veggies and dip, then a bowl of popcorn and then iced nectarines...so yummy! We also ordered some food, the buffalo wings were cooked perfectly, dip it in some hot sauce and you're good to go. The calamari was also very tasty. However, I was sad when they ran out of the hot sauce cuz it totally made everything taste even better! Overall I loved the liltte private sectioned off areas cute and it made it a perfect place to just chill with a group of friends and have a good night. One major plus: we ended up running into Carol L here and I also made a new friend, Paula- owner of Tartini, looking forward to trying out some fro-yo at her place.

kaela h.

I didn't realize that this place was called VIP Oriental! What's w/ the "Oriental" part? Anyhow, I still remember coming here a number of years ago... maybe 5 years ago when it was just a Korean-Chinese restaurant. How it's changed! This is a good place to hang out w/ friends for some drinks and snacks. The prices are fair so that you don't feel too ripped off. However, you do end up drinking more than you can bargain for sometimes. I wish this place played more Korean music... I mean, it is a Korean bar, right? I would love it if their TV actually played Korean music videos with audio. Okay, I'll stop it w/ my requests. I would definitely take friends there... probably not family. I mean, look @ some of the pics uploaded!

Ed L.

When you are in SJ and you don't feel like risking your life to go clubbing downtown, VIP is a great alternative. It's a restaurant that people treat like a lounge with loud music and alcohol flowing through the place. The place has tables and couches where you can hang out or eat a meal. Very similar to Playground in SF except this place is tucked into a corner of a mall strip mall and you wouldn't notice it unless you were heading there. Good fun atmosphere and you won't get stabbed!

Michael W.

Prompt service and pretty fun. A decent selection of soju and Korean beer. Appetizers were decent.

Joel S.

The Good: Soju. Friendly staff. Hot women. The Bad: The price if you're nitpicky. The Review: It was my first visit to VIP Oriental for my boy Jamie's going away party and it was a great introduction. This place is pretty small, but that made it pretty awesome. It was a Saturday night, and still it didn't get too crowded throughout the night. The bartender was friendly and helpful in picking drinks. Oh the drinks we had. I had my first ever Jaeger Bomb (delicious) and we had a shit ton of Soju. I think we tried almost every flavor. Drink prices seemed to be around $10 each and a pitcher of Soju was a little over $20. Everyone in the lounge were really friendly guys and girls. Just an overall fun time and fun night...I could not say the same thing for the next morning.

Zha L.

My friends and I came here on a Tuesday night, so it was pretty quiet. It's located in the corner of a plaza, and parking is easy to find. The place needs a renovation badly, but the ambiance is okay. There are writings on the wall. Some sofas for the lounge area. It's obvious they're stocked with Costco products. The waiter seated us at the table in a cubicle which was made by a blind attached to a pipe. Then we were given complimentary carrot and cucumber sticks along with Chex mixed with Asian mix. Which you can't refuse to munch on. But I don't think this is the place to eat. The food is over priced! Corn & cheese for $9?! They basically put some corn and topped it with melted cheese on a hot skillet. It was disgustingly good for the first 5 min... But never again! We ordered the pineapple flavor soju (simply pineapple juice with soju) and it was just right for the 3 of us. The drink was nicely chilled and yummy, so it was a creeper. Not bad for $20.

Heidi G.

If you're korean or have korean friends then I'm sure you've heard of this place or have been here. Right across the street from one of my fav korean joints Sui Tofu House. VIP is perfect for some drunken fun along with some yummy dishes. Every time I've been here its been with a group of 15+. Service can get crazy because everyone's always mingling and taking shots of soju everywhere. So be patient, especially on the weekends. Best if you make reservations for big parties. I always have to get the kimchi pancake and cheese corn since I think these 2 dishes are a few of the best they offer here. Everything else I have my mom whip up for me. Lucky me, I know. They offer flavored soju but pretty much they mix juice with original soju so don't think you're getting a crap load of alky because your not. I like to order a large soju and a flavored soju (preferably yogurt soju) and pour out a few shots and then mix a whole bottle of soju with the flavored soju. YES! Stronger shots! BTW, the flavored soju bottles are a little pricey since shots go quickly and for me soju doesn't get me smashed so I can keep drinking while everyone else ends up getting smashed and yacking outside lol. Verdict: Wanna have a fun time but not hit your normal dive bar or club. Well then, hit up VIP to get soju wasted and indulge in some yummy korean apps to help soak up all the alky! Cheers!

Minji K.

We have a lot of history.....VIP and I. Go and make yours!!!

MC C.

I've been coming to VIP for years now and this place is a total find. I love their yogurt soju! I can't wait to hit up this place sometime soon again. Come early if you have a big party or call to reserve a table, they do get pretty busy.

Enza P.

I can't believe I haven't been here more often since I turned 21! I came here for the first time a few weeks ago and it was so much fun! Flavored soju is definitely crackin' nowadays. For my first time here, we shared a bottle of strawberry soju ($22 with tax) and we were initially going to share it with my girlies but they left earlier than we did so between us two, we had a bottle soju. Let me just say, it definitely got me buzzing. I came here again for my homegirl's birthday last week and there was literally 50 of us there for my friend's shindig. We began ordering drinks and just honestly had a great time. A large bottle of beer that can be shared with 3-4 people was $12. I think what's most valuable here is the different flavors of soju. It's a pretty large bottle of soju and its affordable. I bought a round of Midori Sours for my girlies and it was $10 ea. Not crazy expensive but definitely the same price as a typical club so I think I'll stick with my soju or beer. As for atmosphere, super chill. You can dress down or dress up if you're a diva ;) I usually just wear jeans and a nice top. I'll do my hair all fancy though, just for fun. Some of my friends wear dresses but nice dinner dresses not like Vegas Style. Everyone here is just looking to have a good time. They have tables for people to sit at and a few snacks too. The music is good but a lot of times they just play the same playlists over again. The bathrooms here are not very nice, but many bars and clubs don't have nice bathrooms anyway so I wasn't surprised. I was happy with the vibe, drinks, and overall experience. Definitely a place I'd go back to. And, there's no cover charge! Woohoo!

Nick D.

Are you kidding me? Normally I like holes in the wall. But no, I'm sorry. This place really is a hole in the wall. I felt dirty coming in and sitting on the couches there. The graffiti on the wall was humorous and I suppose it adds a bit of character to an otherwise character-less spot. The soju is made just fine and at a not unthinkable price, popcorn is a nice touch. But honestly, I need a little more than spartan booths and weak alcohol to keep me entertained.

Ringo M.

Go here if you want to be surrounded by hella asians. Interior is kind of run down but it has it's charm, I suppose. Beer is okay, but soju is way overpriced. Service is very friendly though, and they offer complimentary bar snacks such as popcorn or pretzels. I also ordered food here once and it was actually quite good. So far I like the kimchee pancake and rice cakes. Pricetag seems a bit hefty but, is very reasonable for the generous portions. Not my first choice in places to drink at, but it's nice to go to sometimes.

Eric N.

Cool atmosphere for small and medium size groups. I always have fun here.

Brandon T.

Came here for a birthday celebration and heard positive things about the soju here. The yogurt soju was indeed good, but I did not enjoy the environment too much - a bit dirty and I feel needed to be up kept better. They do offer complimentary bar snacks (i.e. carrots and cucumber with chili sauce). Would I come back here again? Probably not.

Mark R.

I went back home for winter and had some good times here. I'm not 'asian' per say.... but alot of my friends are and so tonight we went, it was an awesome time. First we had a big group, so the guys in black were super helpful to help us into our seats, which were like benches. The lighting was great, awesome mood lighting to get the night right. we got a complementary round of yogurt soju which was great, we took to the dome fast ^_^. A after that round we got some carrots and cucumber slices and a few little snacks. upgraded to pineapple and it was done!!! It was so fun, popping full of people and we celebrated a total strangers birthday so that was epic. fun times with good people and good friends. for being totally hidden, with the only three letters 'VIP' above the door, it was a great find. had super fun, would love to do it again.... maybe not by myself but definitely with more friends =D

Kyrk S.

the hell? 4 stars? Ya'll must've still been drunk when you wrote these reviews cause this place is anything but a 4 star establishment. It's clearly not the decor or ambiance that is earning this place praise. Tucked in the corner of an old shopping center, you wouldn't even know it was there from the frosted windows and single door. And the inside of the place clearly points to a former life as an Italian restaurant that has been mildly gussied up with some dividers and lights. And, if you're not cool enough to get one of the sectioned off areas, you have to sit by the semi-shady feeling bar. So maybe the food is to-die and reasonably priced too? Yeah, no. I've been to kbars in LA enough times, and this place doesn't hold a candle to them. Sure, I got the cheesy corn cause it was too enticing to say no, but it really wasn't that good. The flavor of corn and mozzarella didn't mesh as well as I expected and there wasn't any sriracha or pepper to liven things up. The kimchi pancake was decent but SJ Omogari's pancakes are much much much better. This one was pretty salty and the kimchi tasted off. Your prototypical bar food, the chicken wing, didn't do much on my taste-o-meter as well. And to make things worse, those wings be tiny!!! Like no bigger than my pinky finger, and I'll admit I don't have the largest hands for a 6 foot male. In the end, the bill for two people came out to be $60 which is pretty expensive. Their large bottles of Hite and OB are on the pricier side - you have been warned heavy drinkers. Yeah, so not cheap, not that great, but I can see why the inexperienced would be wowed by its flavored soju's and big plastic bottles of beer.

Sabrina A.

Well I had the hardest time finding this place, even with my GPS. The light to their sign isn't on, it really is tucked in the corner near the Radio shack - errggg. Luckily my friends were waiting outside when I finally found this place in the tucked in corner of a dirty strip mall. It's kind of small inside but cute. The place itself seemed a little dated and dingy to me. Everything was clean enough though and all but the decor seemed lackluster to me. With laser lights going on . . . and fun music it added to the ambiance on a Saturday night. Booths of sorts with couches/chairs it creates a cozy atmosphere in your personal area. Though the booths are pretty small. Lots of different soju to try and beer, They also bring out little snacks to nosh on. Tasty/novel treats! It's ok but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again.

Bethany M.

I was assured before my first visit to VIP with a certain group of Yelpers (*cough*SBC*cough*) that I would a) dance on the counter AND b) vomit in a plant outside. I did neither. But it was fun all the same. And there's always next time. I sampled a little of everything... the straight up soju, the kettle (a bottle of soju, a bottle of rice wine), and several of the flavored carafes. Taste-wise, the fruit ones were pretty good, but yogurt soju was where it's at. Mmmmm. I recommend a heartier meal beforehand if you're gonna come to really drink, but the food was ok. I grew up hating kimchi, but it was ok here actually, probably because the flavor is relatively mild. The omelette fried rice (fried rice inside an omelette covered with ketchup) was a little weird, but it works. I also tried some chicken part I wasn't too thrilled about, gizzards maybe. Like I said, I wouldn't come here to eat, but it'll do the trick if necessary. Dig the little booths with benches and tables, which have curtains in between. Our group was kinda large so it was nice to be able to pull back the curtains and combine two booths. It's in a little strip mall in Santa Clara. Kind of an odd location. I had some trouble finding it at first. And as we were leaving, we were hassled by some douchebaggy college-aged white boys who were surprised and apparently offended by my presence with the crew and thought they'd try to ignite a race/turf war. But whatever... just adds to the VIP mystique. So, when are we going back?

Melissa M.

Very, very friendly owners/staff! Soju, man.. it's a creeper! And it didn't help that my friend told them to make it extra strong. Anyway, a really cool place to just chill with a bunch of friends. It's small, but there are a few couch areas and tables, and the table area we were at had a small TV mounted on the wall. They gave out free snacks such as vegetables and dip, pretzels and such, and popcorn! We also ordered fries. And a lot of soju. Pineapple, yogurt, strawberry, peach... is that all of them? Because I'm pretty sure we ordered all of them. I really liked the peach one, even though I don't even like peach drinks. I mean it when I say the staff is nice! And funny, too! It may look pretty shady from the outside (blacked out windows and squished between an Office Max and some other store) but don't let that fool you!

Siobhan F.

What a random place. I've heard about it from friends who used to tell me about it because it was walking distance from their house. Not totally a bar, but also not lounge and not a restaurant. Some kind of weird blend of things. I wouldn't order anything but the soju here because the prices are way steep for anything else.. (8-9 per drink!). It's 22 including tax for a carafe of flavored soju which 3-4 people can share pretty easily. The snacks were the best part of this experience.. Popcorn? Chex Mix? Carrots & Cucumbers? I'm game.

Anna G.

This place is a nice little soju place for a birthday celebration. My favorite thing about VIP is that the seats are semi-secluded so it feels like you have your own little area. The music is loud but the last two times I came here (about a month in between), they had the same songs playing. I think this place needs an ipod update =). Food is good and not that bad. They give you a plate good enough for 2-3 people to share with. My favorite soju so far is the pineapple soju. The owner is always present and he is super friendly! This place gives you a lot of little munchies to snack on like popcorn, peaches, chex mix, veggies, etc. However, don't try to ask for mayonnaise since they don't have it haha. if you do, you will end up talking to a very confused waitress. Like another reviewer wrote, this is a good place to be loud and obnoxious =D

Kyu K.

If you are looking for a quiet drinking night, this is probably not the right place. Cuz almost everytime I was here, I saw it gets wild. loudness is the bare minimum description for this place. Wait, I actually was here on Monday night before I think and I remember it was being relatively quiet or maybe that's just my drunken memory. Anyways, for quiet drinking, early in the week is good. But that applies to pretty much anywhere. Ok. For those who hasn't got the idea yet, go to VIP if you want to witness some wild drinking. I usually don't eat when I drink so I don't care too much about food. But I tried their army soup (boodechige) and chicken gizzard (dakddongjjib) and they were both good. Wait. today is monday and isn't there a party there tonight? What a way to start the week. Kettle Battle.

Christine T.

Going to VIP is sort of like dating a bitchy girl. Sometimes, she's nice to you and together, you both have a wonderful night. Other times.. she can be a girl on her bitchest mood. Random outburst and a smelly vag. So what is the point of this disturbing analogy? Going to VIP is like dating a girl on her period. Sometimes you go in for the kill, soju all around. Other times, she'll randomly PMS and the entire night is ruined. Enter at your own risk and remember, girls on their period may have off days, so don't be too disappointed. Give them what they want and you'll both be satisfied. (Preferably ID)

Jen K.

Once again this place proves how much it rocks. The bar staff is excellent (Sang!) and always takes good care of us. Me and my girls love this place, hence why its become a staple in our life it seems. Its just a great place to go out, have some soju, chill and meet some new people (*cough* guys *cough*).

Erica C.

This place is great. Everytime I go there, I feel like part of their family. Service is friendly and fast. They even give complimentary food after a while. It's hard to find if you dont know where you're going, but at least there's plenty of parking. the place itself is pretty small, but private. There's only 1 bathroom for each gender, but its big and clean. It doesnt smell like stale puke and piss like at Hue.

Kaye C.

Went here with the girls Friday night coz of very good reviews on Yelp but it was sorta dissappointing. Firstly, sign wasn't lit up and entrance door was in a corner next to Office Max. We were like, "is there a door or no?", "is there an entrance or not?", entrance seemed a little shady and weird. We entered around 7ish and it was empty except for this one Korean lady in a huge table by herself. Inside was dark and seemed comfy. Tables were divided by little shades for semi-privacy. We took a seat on the little couches but after 10secs, opted for the regular dining chairs coz it stank. Menu wasn't too exciting as well; purely finger foods and drinks. We ordered the lemon soju - and guess what?they had everything else except it lol so we just tried the yoghurt soju (hella awesome!) and some calamari to share. We just finished what we had and had planned on checking another (read better) Korean spot. Nice thing though was little appetizer snacks on the house kept coming ;) and some peaches on ice as we finished our drinks. It wasn't the best dining ambiance you'd want but the server was definitely very attentive. Maybe we were too early coz the place ain't rockin, or maybe it was just always like that - guess I'll never know. Boring? Yes. Prolly ain't coming back.

Kimmy N.

First Impressions: My friend David took me here, definitely a gem hidden in a dead shopping area. Wait, not really a gem, more like a shiny rock. Decor: I don't think this place is focus in decor, but they have some sofa chairs & TVs. It would be a great to have conversations with friends and get wasted, but the music is freakin' loud and overwhelmingly crowded with boppers (teenie boppers?) Service: Due to the fact that I was only with another person, they told me I couldn't sit on the lounge seats. :( On top of that, they had 2 sets of booths that were open, but peek hours are after 10pm and we were there at 9pm. However, the bartender was really fast and nice! Again, going back to the bopper situation, someone stole half of our bottle of Soju! Drunk/Ghetto combination there, but the bartender did give us a new one. SCORE! Taste: This place is pretty good with Soju and food. Soju is so cheap! $20 bucks for SHOTS! SHOT! SHOTS! SHOTS! x10! About my 4th shot and I felt my face heating up, I knew I was drunk and we still had half a bottle left (shared between 2). On top of it, after I took a shot of YOGURT soju (delicious) no stanky face like taking a vodka or tequila shot. It tasted like a sweet pearl tea! Specialty: Definitely a place where you can drink at a cheap price and eat pretty good food too. Not many places serve soju, and the places that do are more for eating and drinking and not partying and snacking. This place is great for budget drinkers like me. Price: $20/person = drunk; $30/person = WASTED! Recommendations: I am really mixed about this place. I feel like the people that go here are 12. They are so loud/obnoxious/sloppy? I shouldn't be talking, I had my moments. In general, the food and drink VIP provides you is great, but the crowd feels a lot younger than normal. It is all in preference.

Alice M.

What? A lounge in Santa Clara?! Umm.. ok.. sure we'll check it out, and if it sucks (despite the Yelp reviews, which said it was cool but didn't clearly define what this place was, just what it wasn't), we'll just end up leaving and driving somewhere for boba. So we go searching for VIP Oriental, and after driving back and forth for awhile, we finally found this little gem next to a Radio Shack in a mini mall. It didn't seem like there were a ton of people and the opaque glass and the shady-ness made it seem like boba was in our near future. We walk in and the waiter automatically asked me something in Korean, and after being seated and receiving menus?, we found out this really is a cool place to go! Very chill, little restaurant-bar, more geared to having alcohol with your food, but has some sectioned off seating and some more open seating on couch things. The waiter was nice and gave us suggestions when we asked and answered our millions of questions AND gave us free popcorn haha. The music is the new pop/r&b/hip hop stuff, and was interspersed randomly with a high-energy Asian happy birthday song for some people in the house hahah. All in good fun and hilarity. The food wasn't bad (albeit a bit overpriced, but hey, that's not really why you go?), and the drinks were pretty well priced. The cocktail sojus (I recommend the yogurt one, because it doesn't taste too alcohol-y) were $20 for a whole bottle! (about 15-18 shots maybe?) All in all, I liked it and it'd probably be better with a big group of friends too!

Marlyn A.

I think this is my new favorite place. I came out to VIP for a UYE on Saturday. Despite the great company that evening, the venue was awesome! It's interior isn't fancy and food is so, so. But the soju is delish! Two stars! I would suggest coming out to VIP for a night out with a group of good friends. Get together and buy a few bottles of soju in all the yummy flavors they come in. That evening I had the strawberry and cherry soju. Strawberry was the best! We ended up getting cherry because all the other flavors were out. But after throwing back a few, taste was low on the priority list. Doing soju bombs are fun with friends, so that's a must! One star! Not to mention, yummy beer. I think if you're not much of a beer drinker it shouldn't be a problem for you because it goes down easy. For food, I ordered the Fried Chicken and my boyfriend ordered the Grilled Beef. I figured the chicken would be a good meal because it seemed to be the popular dish of the night, everyone seemed to have a plate of it. I thought the batter was a good consistency, but I think it could've had a lot more flavor...maybe more salt? But compared to my meal the Grilled Beef had more flavor. The dish didn't surpass other Grilled Beefs (or Bul Gol Gi) I've had at other Korean restaurants, but I think if we were to return another time I would definitely order it again with my soju! Even though the food was just so so, I love the fact that you can order food with your drinks as late as 10pm, 1 star! Towards the end of the night, they serve popcorn. Which I thought was cool! Not too many bars in the south bay offer free bar snacks anymore. So that in it self gave them another star! Overall, I had a great time at VIP. Sometimes clubbing can be a little overrated and a nice lounge type bar is just what I need. Quality lounges like VIP are becoming more rare these days. I hate to give this place such a high review and then see that months later it become infested with people, but I can't help but boast about the great time I had that night. I can't keep this little gem a secret any longer. Can't wait to come back to VIP again with more friends.

Hogan W.

Another drunken escapade with the SBC! Nestled in an inconspicuous corner between Office Max and Radio Shack, the bar was hard to find. I drove around twice before spotting the white glass door in my review view mirror. My navigation said I was in the vicinity but never pinpointed exactly where it was. As soon as I saw some colored flashing lights above the frosted glass and people smoking in the front, I knew I was at the right place. When I walked in at 9:45pm, I saw a spacious bar/lounge. There was a walkway through the middle aisle, booths with couches in the front, dining tables in the back, and a couple more tables separated by wooden blinds giving them some privacy. I heard there used to be clear partitions before the blinds, but some guys broke them. There was also a nice bar in the back with several types of liquor but not as extensive. Across from the bar was a large refrigerator holding OB beer, distilled soju in bottles, raspberry and pomegranate wines, yogurt soju, and some other varieties of beer. [see pic] No language barriers here! After seeing Darryl P, Dennis O, Julia H and boyfriend, and Mikey U, the party was just beginning. We were all waiting for the birthday girl, Anny P, to show up after her dinner at Parcel 104. When I went to order a carafe of Peach Soju, all I had to do is say the words and the bartender lady knew what to make. I watched how she made the drink because I was curious. Their fruity soju is made of a can of Kern juice, Soju from a 2 Liter plastic bottle, and a can of Sprite all poured into a plastic carafe. This combination creates a smooth, sweet, bubbly, and fruity concoction that will knock your socks off once you had at least 3 shots. Once more Yelpers arrived; we definitely had a party going on. Dennis O. also bought a bottle of Raspberry Wine which tasted very rich and sweet. I would imagine after drinking a few shots of this, one would be very tipsy. I also had the pleasure in tasting plain soju with ginseng. It was definitely a liver buster. There was a sweet vodka taste along with a ginseng zest to it supposedly good for your health. I had a few cups of OB beer too. After 12:45am, everyone finally called it quits and headed out to Denny's for some recovery food. Unfortunately, I had set a curfew of my own and had to be home before another round of drinking in San Francisco the next night with some old friends. After eight shots of flavored soju and soju with ginseng, I lost count. Popcorn was complimentary and some people ordered food too. The waiters and bartenders were very friendly. Dancing on the floor was congregated by Yelpers right in front of the bar. Restrooms were clean before all the debauchery happened and I couldn't get in after 10:30pm either because people were taking their time or people were making new friends with their porcelain god. For guys, you can go outside through the back door, and for gals I didn't know what they did. Overall, VIP is SBC's bar of choice and it shows on their refrigerator. I definitely recommend VIP for small and large groups. Drinks are plentiful, food looks delicious, and atmosphere is very lively and upbeat. I can see myself coming here for lunch the next time around to eat everything they have to offer. It's nice to see they have some happy hour specials too!

David H.

VIP is one of those places where you would never go unless someone took you there. It's in a tucked away corner of a strip mall, next to an Office Max, the windows are completely blacked out, and there's a small sign. However, if you do manage to make it in, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the food/drinks. Our staples whenever we go to VIP are a couple big bottles of Hite or OB, some Chamisul, and a bottle or two of Yogurt Soju. Can't go wrong with those. The food is surprisingly good too. The fried chicken wings are amazing (spicy is better and more flavorful than the plain). The servers are generally friendly and many times will give you free appetizers/snacks (e.g. popcorn, trail mix, canned peaches). It can get crowded on Fri/Sat nights, so that's kind of a bummer with a place that small, and the prices are a bit on the high side for a korean bar, but the ambiance is good if you like low-key and you'll always have a good time.

Ngoc H.

I've heard miixed reviews on this place and was a bit effy about coming here for my birthday, but as you can see the four stars pretty much clarified how I feel about the place now. The day before I was going to have my birthday, I came into the bar to reserve a table for about 20 people and talked to the bar manager (Sang). He was such a sweetie. He made sure I got the seats that I wanted and often checked on us to see if everything was okay on the night of my birthday. The best part of the night was the soju. It was so good and tastes just like juice. $20 for a bottle that serves about 16 shot glasses is not bad at all and I like how they separated our seating area away from the others because it gave us more privacy. The only cons were the decor because it was kind of cheesy and I wish they didn't replay a lot of their tracks on repeat the whole night. Overall, I was satisfied and I would definitely come back. It's definitely a great place to hang out with friends and just have fun.

Bee V.

VIP is the reason why i am up at 9AM writing reviews for places. VIP is also the reason why my broke ass won't be able to pay for vegas this friday. lol i had tons of fun last night mainly cause i spent it with my favorite people. we ordered 3 large OB beers, 2 fruity sojus, "spicy" buffalo wings, and fries. our total came out to 111 + 20$ tip. let me start off with the reason why i like this place. plenty of parking, soju never fails, fries are really good, full bar, and great food selection. i dislike this place mainly because: HYPE. 1 year ago i came here and i loved it because their music was korean oriental and service was spectacular. yesterday, the music was on so god damn loud that thinking about how loud it was makes me cringe. they replay their songs all the time so it gets annoying. the last time i came here (before yesterday), it was SO crowded that i couldn't even walk inside. and NO i am not exaggerating. they seem to never ID during "busy nights" and i feel like that's really annoying because i'm assuming they want more customers but i've heard of many cases where parties just leave without paying...and not that i've done that but i'm sure it's VERY easy to do with the massive amount of people they have. isn't there something called max capacity? lol jeez. also, there are always fights OMG i think i've stumbled upon at least 5 fights coming here? this is the reason why i've converted from VIP to HUES. the 4 stars goes to the reasons why i DO like this place..overall, i try my best not to come here on thurs, fri, or sat nights. oh yeah, and the reason why i put "spicy" buffalo wings....they're not even spicy!! they give you pieces of fried chicken wings and on the side (ONLY IF YOU ASK LOL) is a diluted version of siracha. i'm not really sure if it was diluted or if i was drunk and ate that shit like a savage.

Kristel S.

Don't get the food here...just get pitchers of yogurt soju and you're good for the rest of the night. You get unlimited veggies and Chex Mix to snack on too, for free. Great place for groups, and late-night get-togethers. I just wish they were open late and had more tables because the space is pretty small and can get pretty full during weekend nights. The music can also be better.

Andrea A.

Ok, so I heard the name and thought, " I dunno." Then I saw the place from the outside...Oh boy! Looks shady! But once I was in- I had so much fun! Soju is awesome. Never had it before until I came here. The yogurt is my favorite. But beware! It tastes like juice but it will get you messed up if you aren't careful! I learned my lesson! But I had a great time. Love that this place is super kick back. It's not fancy at all. But its great to hang out with friends, write random stuff on the walls, and snack on some munchies while getting your drink on. The server is always the same when I go there and he is really funny. I've only eaten the french fries and chicken wings and they were good. Hope to go back soon! Who's in?

Jenna L.

if you live in the south bay.. this is definitely the place to be at [if you don't wanna waste gas driving to SF :] it gets crowded on Saturday nights.. but it's a small place.. sooo go early and find yourself a table. OR you'll end up standing at the crowded bar area. i like how they have semi private booth sections per table. LOL they should have public karaoke as well ^.^ i notice that they don't check IDs when it's crowded.. just saying. ; ) it is in a dead plaza in the corner.. but you'll see people smoking outside ---- and that is the indicator that you're THURRR :D

Sharon Y.

A tell tale sign for u to find k-bar's is if you see ppl smoking outside of one. Otherwise the entrances are pretty low key and blend in with the surroundings. Stronger yogurt soju here than Hue, BUT the place is kinda small. Waiter did not clean up the couches he showed us to beforehand the last time i came so that was a bit HrmMMM... We had their dduoboki before but the sauce was a bit runny. It's just a switch off usually for us to come to Hue or to here depending on grp call. It's decent enough a place to chill with ppl in the South bay but my fave K-Bar still in Berkeley.

Kevin F.

Soju bombs for 20 bucks? I'm down...down to get drunk. Yogurt soju is kinda pricey, but hey, that what you get for girly drinks. Crowd is always pretty sick, and the owner is hella funny. Plays some popping kpop music. Gombei, and have a good time.

Larry L.

VIP is like a tool. Tool??? Sure, and this will explain all the different ratings it gets even though I believe the service and edibles have been consistent throughout. I mean, how would you rate a hammer if I told you it was a bottle opener? 1 star right? How would you rate the same hammer if I told you your boyfriend is cheating on you and here's his car and I'm chief of police and you won't get in trouble. 5 stars! VIP is a great place if your expectations are in the right place. Come with some friends, have some soju and enjoy each other's company. That's what this place is designed for. I had a good time here. The service was excellent. The soju here is tasty. I haven't tried the food but I saw other people eating and it made me hungry although I've just eaten 30 minutes before.

Chris L.

We usually come on a Friday night, about twice a month after a long week! They always have two bar stools for us and know our order: 1) donkatsu (if one of us has not eaten yet) 2) one bottle of bek se ju (chilled, otherwise, tastes bad) 3) one diet coke 4) plate of fries (crunchy, skinny kind! yeay) They give you carrot sticks to dip in red hot sauce and chex mix to snack on while your food is cooking. They always get my order right. Sometimes the waiter (the skinny one born in 1982) gives us free bowl of canned peaches YUM! Sometimes we get popcorn too. You can ask for rice, kimchi and seaweed if you order a entree rice dish like the donkatsu. Always a plus! Oh yea, if you're celebrating a birthday, the skinny waiter has "Happy Birthday" by Turbo that they always used to play at the Korean club on his IPod that plays the music for this bar.

Vijay P.

Soju, Soju, and more Soju. This place is dangerously addicting. There should be a sign on the door which states. "You automatically plead the 5th amendment upon entering this establishment".

Becca H.

It's good if you're with the right kind of people! Just go and make the best out of it. The guy worker was nice! Cons: Not a bar bar....they just have the soju, yogurt soju, beer, etc. Limited bathrooms. You always see girls lined up waiting to go in. (I just use the mens restroom.) Bouncer- not intimidating at all. Lol Full of barely turned 21 year olds or perhaps the "illegally legal" kind of kids running around there.

Yen T.

VIP use to be so fun/good/cracking. Now it's just ok. You must order the yogurt soju and seafood pancake. I eat a lot of korean food, and the pancake here puts the cherry on top, If it's your birthday double shot of Patron on the house.

Robert S.

I can't believe I haven't written a review yet of this place! I really do adore this place. I like the drinks, I like the snacks, I like the music, I like the ambiance and decor (but which one do I like more?), I like it all. This is a fun place to show up around at about...9, before the main crowd gets there. Post up on a spot, order some yogurt soju, and order some fries. And let it ride man. I will note that the prices seem hecka expensive, for just about everything. If this was...SF, or even Berkeley, I'd get it. But for a strip mall in Santa Clara? It seems a little much. Won't stop me from going here though.

Dennis S.

There's something about this spot that I like. I like: -Semi-private booths (Blinds and Partitions some w./ TV's) -Big tables for big groups -Food -Soju (Yogurt & Pineapple) -Big plastic bottles of beer -Writing on the walls -The roof inside Not to mention, after only coming here once our waiter remembered me and took good care of us.

Jenny L.

I came here for a birthday last year. I did not have a good impression on this place. This place doesn't check your ID. So you can imagine the amount of under-aged drinkers at the place. I think I went on a bad night. Everyone there were under-aged and they were such sloppy drinks. It was very unattractive. The place who owned the place didn't do anything about it. My friend had to step outside to go puke. After she puked, 3 other kids came here and puked everywhere. People puked in the lounge. I had some of their soju, it was tasty. I did not have the food here but I've heard from people who've eaten here said the food isn't too bad. If you're turning 21 or under 21 and you want your under-aged friends to go. This is your place.

Leilani N.

Vip brings back memories... I came here again randomly for a friend's birthday, and there are so many things you can hate about Vip. But then again, you can't come here expecting a "bar." Rather, it's one huge house party. Evidence: -The men's bathroom door has a punch mark on it. -There are no beers on tap; there's nothing on tap! I think they just buy everything from Costco. -After a worker filled a cup of cranberry juice for me, he saw that there was only a couple of ounces left in the container. What did he do? He downed it and threw it on the floor. -After my friends and I were yelling and bringing alcohol outside, a worker chased after us. Did he kick us out? No, he yelled at us to drink inside, and shooed us in. -Dancing with random people when there's no real dance floor? Yes. -What does the sign behind the bar say? No, not "cash only," but "DON'T STOP DRINKING." -And at the end of the night, when we're forced to leave, a worker hugged us on the way out. Man, this place! Special.

Stephan N.

VIP Oriental is a small lounge that serves food and drinks. They also have a bar in the back and a flat screen TV. About six or seven booths line the walls, which is probably why they call it VIP because it feels like you have a VIP booth without dropping a grand. Each booth seats about 6 or 7 people but you can squeeze in more. The music is loud enough to be noticed, but not so loud that you have to scream to talk. Drinks and food items are low priced so the tab isn't going to be bad. The crowd is a bit on the younger side. Actually, most of them look like they came in with fake IDs. In fact, they don't even look like they can drive yet. The parking lot was full so maybe their parents are waiting in the parking lot to drive them home when they are done. Not a bad place to grab some appetizers and talk over juice, or as they call it, strawberry soju.

Daniel K.

One liner -I'm probably too old for this place now. Pros -It's always an option on a weekend night... -I'm glad that they have a security guard here now. At least it will have the kids think twice before they think of doing something stupid. Cons -The crowd will continually be a young 20s crowd. You might feel a little out of place if you fall out of this category. -Don't come here for anything but Korean booze. You'll be paying too much and the "bartenders" aren't really experienced in American bar settings. -The food here got way more expensive. They used to give free fries regularly but I don't think that happens anymore. Now it costs somewhere near $10....yikes...

Stephanie N.

I really enjoyed it here! Five of my friends and I made our way through here on a Saturday night at 10pm and got seated right away (get there early! this place gets packed) The atmosphere here is awesome. It was a nice fun place to catch up and talk to your girlfriends while pounding down shot after shot of soju cocktail. 6 girls and 4 pitchers makes for a fun night. We tried the Cranberry, Pineapple, Apple, and Yogurt. I would say my favorites were the Pineapple and Yogurt. The cranberry was really strong. We got the cranberry and pineapple out at the same time and had mixed shots of the two which were actually pretty good. The service here is good, relative to the crowd. We got popcorn when we wanted and they were always refilling our pubmix! I definitely know what my girlfriends keep wanting to go back to this place. I was pretty good after those pitchers and walked across the street to sing karaoke until 3 in the morning. Awesome.

Carl T.

this is place is awesome!!! And the one man running the show is really nice, super fun and super nice!... I think I said that twice but I'm just going to let my fingers keep typing. Haha. The music is usually to always good. I usually come here and get the soju of all colors and flavors since they're all good to me! My favorite is the yogurt one though. The manager/server/bartender/host/dj/cool guy is pretty awesome. He is very quick with the snackies and super nice. Always a chill vibe and drinks and snackies keep comin!!!! Love it!

Huey K.

VIP Oriental is designed for cliques, not mingling. As you walk in, you'll see several tables that are enclosed in stylish cubicles. There is a bar area, but the stage has already been set: it's not a place to meet new people. Brian F. pointed out another problem: the table slats have space in between them, making it easy for one to spill their drink on themselves. Thus, heed your mother's advice and keep your drinks far from the edge of the table. With that said, I'd recommend coming here with a large group of friends, getting a few bottles of yogurt soju, and talking about Dirty Sanchezes and Hot Carloses.

Elaine S.

I came here for the first time with some friends on a weekday night and it was pretty empty. Granted, we came here pretty empty, but we didn't mind the lack of other people. They give you complimentary snacks with your drinks and the guy was nice to refill them whenever he could. I'm not to impressed with the inside decor as it's kind of shabby inside. I guess I was just expecting more with a name like VIP? The guy working there was pretty accommodating and humorous, but I'd probably just head over to Hue.

Min P.

I like this place a lot! Although people will think it is shady on the outside and sometimes the crowd reflects that more than anything, once you go in you get free vegetables while drinking delicious soju! That is a great combination! You are healthy while actually drinking yourself to oblivion. My favorite aspect of this place is that the flavored soju is so good that everyone thinks that they are sober and downs a bunch of it, but little do they know....it will creep up on them and BAM! There it goes....all those little vegetables.

H T.

3.5 stars. VIP Oriental is a chill little Korean bar in one of the many random strip malls in Santa Clara. I've been here a few times for drinks. It's a bit tricky to locate but it's in the corner next to the Office Max. This place is best on Thurs, Fri, and Saturdays and can get pretty crowded after 10pm. It's pretty small - they have a few tables out in the open bar area and a few semi-private tables/couches. They also can accommodate large groups if necessary (call ahead for reservations). I love that they always have the day's sports highlights on their flatscreen and they have a good selection of music playing. This place is super cheap and has great service, interesting food selection, and a wide selection of soju. They also give you complementary bar snacks for you to enjoy while you're downing your hite. VIP tends to attract mostly Asians and is a younger crowd (early to mid-20s). It's a definite contrast to going out in SF but if you're looking for something chill to do, definitely check out VIP!

T t.

1 star for pineapple soju (this is a million times better than peach) The cheese corn taste like shit The flavored soju is OVER PRICED & tastes like shit! The service sucked ASS The only reason I would EVER come back is the really cool customers!

Christine K.

VIP and I go way back! Okay, not really since I only started coming here when I turned 21, but we have history. I've assembled the old college crew here on numerous occasions. Back in the broke college student days, my friend dared me to finish the remaining peach soju (about 1/3 of a pitcher) and if I did, he said he'd pay for it. Heck, $18 was a lot, so I took him up on he offer. I downed that soju like no one's business. Oh wait, pretty much just like any true Korean would. They were just amazed since they're Chinese :P This place has a very homey feel. I frequent it, oh gosh, must be every 3 months or so. I used to call the main server ahjuhshee (sir/mister) instead of oopa (older bro) and that would drive him nuts. Keke. Not 5 stars because ordering food is difficult. It takes forever to come out and they've taken orders and forgotten about them before. People who drink get hungry. Hungry people do not like to have their orders forgotten. I like it better than Hue. Hue just isn't as homey. I like that soju here is cheap and the longer you drink, the more free snacks you receive. Warning: soju is a creeper. Be careful to make sure you aren't it's next victim.

Joyce L.

I came here a couple of weeks ago with some co-workers. It was my first time so I didn't know what to expect. We got there around 9PM on a Friday night and it was pretty dead. The waiter seemed pretty excited when we told him that we had 10 people coming. They seated us right away. We ordered some yogurt, cranberry, and regular soju along with jugs of beers. They gave us bowls of popcorn and chex mix to munch on. We also ordered a plate of this beef plate. The yogurt soju was delicious. The food was decent. Our bill came up to around $160 for 5-6 jugs of yogurt soju + beer, 1 plate of food, 1 cranberry + regular soju. $160 split among 10 people was not too bad. The service was good and the food was not bad. The atmosphere was chill so definitely a good place to just hang out after a long day at work. Will come back again.

Sokhun K.

I love going to VIP. Food is good and the Yogurt Soju always hit the spot. Always a good vibe there. never fails

Rocker K.

First of all, I'm giving two different ratings since I came here for Anny P.'s B-day party yesterday. For the place itself, it's three stars. It's not your typical bar as they serve mostly Korean drinks and wine here along with Korean beer. They also serve Korean dishes too. The place is small and hard to find. It's in the corner of a strip mall but parking is plentiful. The first thing that I noticed is that the place smelled really bad. On a postive note, there were plenty of seats and the service was fairly fast. Now, as for Anny P.'s B-day party, it was a solid five star event mostly because she's so sweet and awesome! Also, I got to see most of my favorite SBC yelpers there that night. I saw JMC, Kevin N., Badri, Angelo B, Sha B., Anny P. of course, Vy N., and Jakob H. earlier for dessert at Parcel 104 which is a really nice, classy, and upscale place. After that all of us aside from Kevin N. went to VIP to party. Since I'm not familiar with Korean drinks, a few people offered some to me. The koju tasted like juice to me. I mostly drank beer that night since they only had Korean wine and other Korean drinks there. The place was packed. I saw Anna S. Jo H., Dennis O., Jeremy G., Donna Y., and the same people that I mentioned above there. A few people said hi to me, but I don't recall who they are since I'm bad at remembering names and faces if I've only seen someone a couple of times. What I DO recall though is that a lot of people were dancing like crazy and some girls were even grinding with each other on the small dance floor. I even saw three Asian girls that I think were in our group come out of the bathroom. After I told Angelo B. that, he started heading towards the bathroom and then I said, stop, they're not there anymore, LOL!!! Someone brought some Klondike bars and Dreyers ice cream dots to the event which was nice. I didn't have any though since beer and ice cream just don't mix. I talked to most of the people that I knew there and a few people recognized me from other events. It must be the hat that I usually wear, lol. Only one older Indian guy talked to me that was outside of my group. He seemed nice and harmless at first, but before we left, he exposed himself as a pervert. Not literally, but he told me this: "How about going to another bar with me?" I said no thanks since I was going out with my yelp friends to get something to eat. He then said: "Then how about going back to my place for drinks?" OMG!!!! HELL NO!!!! I was a bit too shocked to say much back. This guy was in his mid 40's and there was no way that I'd ever go to some strange guys place as I'm not that kind of girl. I did say that I'm married earlier, so that's just plain nasty and reeked of desperation, ugh! Sha B. gave me an odd look and I I said, OK, I have to go now, bye! lol! I watch the news and know what happens when women go out with strange creepy men from bars and places like that. Next time I'll just stick close by to the SBC crew and not try to be as friendly to strangers at bars especially. ::shudders::

Keehwan H.

This is the shadiest place I've ever been to and I'm from NYC. I went there with a few friends and the server's tone and attitude was so rude that we asked to have a different server. He got so mad that he actually started a fight with us! Another person who worked there joined in!!! The manager was no where to be found. All the other customers ran out. I finally called 911 when he cut my friend's forehead. It was like a bad crime movie happening for real. Once I called the cops, they ran away. I can only speculate about the number of laws this place is breaking as standard practice.

Hung L.

VIP is the place to be! I swear, every time I go here, I always run into an old buddy, whether it's a friend from college, high school, or childhood. And the weird thing is, they always offer to get me a shot or give me some of their drinks! How awesome is that?! Honestly though, this place is always crackin, especially on Friday evenings. And they also play top 40 music now, so that makes the place hella more lively than it used to be. However, that means that you sometimes have to wait to get a table. Be aware that if you come in a large group that it may be a bit of a wait since they only have so many tables/hang out areas here. Arriving around the 9-10pm range is probably the safest to secure a table. The service is legit, despite the fact that they are constantly being bombarded by inebriated folks who keep ordering more drinks/food. $20 for some yogurt or flavored soju is a decent price and isn't all too much if you split it amongst a big group. That stuff is good though, and you could seriously drink it like juice since the soju flavor is masked by the other flavors. And the regular soju bottles of like chumcharu are pretty cheap as well. I dunno about ordering food here though. I feel that it's probably best to eat and pre-drink some before going here, and then maybe order some soju to end the night. Oh yea, they do give you complimentary cucumber and carrot sticks and some of that Costco snack mix too. This place has much to offer. If you are tired of the club/bar scene then you should definitely check it out!

Jennifer T.

This is a great place to go to if you just wanna sit back and chill..with a couple of drinks. My friends and I ended up going here after deciding that we were in no mood for dt San Jose. The workers here are so awesome! They kept refilling our table with those snacks you get from Costco, haha. They're really tolerant too -- my boy friends kept pegging each other with those snacks but they just smiled, ha. And their pineapple soju...soooo delightfully refreshing and yummy!

Denise L.

i cant believe i havent written a review for VIP yet! although i dont go very often now, i used to come here all the time as it was my favorite bar to go to. the futons give it a homey feel, and the service is great. the main waiter/bartender, sungdae is always serving you with a smile! they have the BEST korean bar french fries, and usually they will give it on the house. really good bar food in general (fried chicken wings, army soup, etc). i know it's gotten a bit crazy with the younger crowds, but i still have great memories there!

Wooodis D.

5 STARS!!!! Free Fries, Free Veggies, Free Popcorn, Free Chex-mix, Great Omelet Rice, Great Cocktail Soju, Excellent Hospitality, and always providing our group with a booth or table! This place is truly a diamond in the rough.

Fraulein C.

The prices for their drinks just raised up. Service has been slightly lacking. BUT they remember my drunk ass ALL THE TIME! Sheesh. Thanks for the hospitality by squeezing in a large party of 70+ guests in your establishment. Too bad we had to leave and move the party to another location to better accommodate everyone. Overall, 4 birthdays celebrated under one roof...FUN TIMES! Thank you for the shots. I was still standing after the last 4 days of non-stop birthday fun. Lucky we didn't leave the place trashed. *blinks innocently*

Christopher T.

This place has a diehard following from it's patrons and I'm beginning to see why. I would probably post a better review if I could honestly ever remember the great(?) times I had here. Just kidding. No seriously it's an awesome spot if you're a member of the asian community and your friends come here. If you're new it's a bit... ehhhh But yes for the unique niche community that come here, it is an amazing place full of hard working individuals. The food is pretty darn good too but it's pricey, but are you really going to consider driving to some food place at midnight when you can just pay a few more bucks for yummy korean food? This is my first bar review and I'm not really sure how to critique a bar/lounge yet seeing as how a bar experience is honestly based on the people you bring. Pricing is pretty good, as long as beers are under 5 and drinks under 9, we all good. Seriously I've had a lot of good times here and you guys ought to as well. Happy eating, err drinking, Chris

Jeanne S.

I'm usually not a huge fan of korean bars...I guess I like a little diversity. However...I had a blast here on Friday night. Complimentary popcorn and veggies w/ hot sauce. Yummy yogurt soju, jager bombs, soju and OB beer. This is a nice place to come with a few friends and just chill out. At one point, after most of the alcohol was consumed, my friend said "if we get drunk enough, they will even give us a free bowl of canned peaches...that's when you know you've reached the point of no return".....5 minutes later....here come the free peaches. I even met a guy who shaved my last name into his hair (ok, ok...so we had the same last name. But still) -------Edit------------ I -1 starred originally bc of the lack of *suitable* guys at this establishment. But a boy pointed out to me that this is a +1 for guys. So I added the point back. 4 stars :)

Tiffany S.

Love it here! I freakin love soju! I really like the lounge and chill atmosphere and feeling. Latest music playing, dim lights, couches for bigger parties, little booth like tables for smaller parties, a bar, and tables by the bar. The place is kinda small, in my opinion, but I don't care! I've had the strawberry, cranberry, and pineapple cocktail soju so far and all of them are great! You can barely taste the alcohol and it gives you a good buzz after maybe 8 shots. I seriously can't get enough cocktail soju now... It makes me sound like an alcoholic when I tell my friends I want soju every other day... I like how they provide snacks while you drink. Love the pub mix and popcorn, nto so much of the cucumbers and carrots with some hot sauce (I'd like it if it was with ranch though). They're not stingy with snacks, just ask for more if you want more. I like snacking while drinking... mmmm I also had the fried calamari, but as my friend (Jennifer H.) said it gets old quick. I'm not much of a fried foods type of person, but I thought I'd give it a try anyways. Bad choice. I thought it'd be lightly breaded type of fried, but it's more like tempura fried, deep fried. I'm afraid I'll have a habit of coming here every week.... at least once... sigh.

Andrew Y.

Nothing special here, but not bad ! Food is decent but overpriced, which is expected since its a lounge/bar. i like the seating arrangements, and service was not bad. good place to try if you don't feel like going to your typical bar.

Jeff C.

Simply put, this place is awesome. It's a really good place to just enjoy some time with friends. Tasty flavored soju along with great bar food makes for a good time. This may also be just for me and my friends, but the top-40s music on the same playlist as the k-pop made the perfect soundtrack for the night. I will definitely be coming back here to get some more of that soju! I took 1 star away for the awkward smell in that place...but I got over that quickly as i got progressively more drunk...4 stars!

Hanna P.

This place is cool. I'm just not a big fan of korean bars even though I'm korean. I like Vip better than Hue though. The venue's a lot smaller than Hue but I like how there's semi-private booths to chill in. But since it's a little on the smaller side, it gets annoyingly crowded.

Ivy C.

This is truly a hidden lil Korean bar. Yet, often times it's way more Chinese people than Korean, so don't worry if you're not Korean, or even Chinese. The waiter, Sung Dae is the best waiter there is. We've been going there since like the day it opened almost every weekend, and the guy always remembers your preferences. He usually even brings free plates of fries, dok buk gi (spicy rice cakes), or iced peach slices to the table. Don't worry about not being a regular cuz if you order a lot, you'll get fries sent over to you. So drink up. As for the pricing, it really depends on your tolerance ^^ A bottle of soju is like $11? But one shot of henny will bring you up almost just as much. Remember that alcohol at the bar, like patron, hennessy, grey goose, etc is always well overpriced in an Asian bar, so if you just stick to the soju youre cool. and if you think soju tastes like rubbing alcohol, ask for lemons and squeeze a lil in there, or just order bek se ju (a semi-sweet wine that's great for taking shots.)

Ron S.

VIP: Cafe, Restaurant, &/or Oriental...You choose a name. This place is a hole-in-the-wall from the outside. Located on the side of OfficeMax, you'll find the frosted glass entrance to VIP. If it wasn't for my fellow Yelpers, we would have never tried this joint out! We rolled in about 10pm and had a fun time eating & drinking for a couple of hours. Real casual drinking & appetizers place. Great staff (friendly, but hard to understand English). Decor- dimmed lights, separated booths, dining/coffee tables, sofas, chairs, TVs with Korean shows, & the main bar in bar area... Music- Hip Hop hits, JayZ, and Tupac bumpin' in the speakers was entertaining! Food- What we tried was tasty! Seafood pancakes$10, Fried chicken$10, Fried potatoes $8, and pickled radishes (all great finger foods). Drinks- Yogurt Soju $18 just enough for 3. Very chill & relaxing. Peeps- A younger than I expected crowd. Mostly Asian students with the token white boy occasionally. My ONLY disappointment was the lack of ladies. I brought my GF with me, so I was covered, but my buddy barely had anything to admire in the VIP. It was a sausage fest! Bummer! As the night got later, the noise got louder. It was fun! Great place to get your drink on! Good Times!

Lynn V.

Came here one night with my 3 of my girls and we had such a great time! The lounge is inviting and warm. White xmas lights wrapped around the room and great music played at a perfect conversational volume. There's a bar, open tables, and tables enclosed by bamboo screens for a more private experience. We ordered enough soju, beer, and food to get drunk and satisfy our tummies and the bill was only $80. Service was awesome. The young guy that runs the place always made sure we were taken care of. At the end of the night, he popped popcorn for everyone in the lounge. Cute huh? Having a girls' night out in a safe clean place and only spending $20 each. I'm definitely a fan!

Anna V.

VIP is my favorite Korean Bar in the South Bay. I've been going here for a few years and I always have a great time here. Their flavored soju is a hit and miss - strawberry one is horrible but their yogurt one is the one to order. As for the food? Pretty amazing for a bar. I love their spicy rice cake, sweet potato fries and the ramen. Goes so well with soju and beer!

Steven C.

Friendly attentive staff here beats other korean bars on El camino by far, however Hue has been getting slightly better. The bar itself is decently stocked but who comes to korean bars for regular drinks? Get soju and get drunk. Flavored soju is for pansies :) Come with a group early if you even want a chance to get any seating, the place fills up real fast. Location is hard to spot since its in the far right corner of the plaza, tucked away.

Anna W.

It's always a good time at VIP. The flavored soju here is awesome. I especially love the yogurt flavored one. You can write and draw all over the walls and unleash the inner graffiti-er in you. I think they have DJs here on the weekends too. The owner is pretty nice and friendly. The food I had here was pretty good too, especially the baby octopus dish. Affordable, fun, and convenient for me :)

Sun T.

This is not a place to meet people. Its made for larger parties and whats up with the exterior being blacked out? Call me crazy but I like to be able to look into an establishment first before walking in. Its located on a corner lot so you might drive by it. Prices are average but some the prices of the food was overpriced. Service was attentive. I would go back if I was in the neighborhood and with a larger party. Otherwise I'd hang in SF.

Bryan S.

Out of four stars for food, three stars. Soju was really good. My friend showed me how to mix different flavors with the straight soju for a stronger yet not overly harsh drink. Skillet-grilled chicken gizzards? Awesome. Squid? Awesome. The downside? The price is really exorbitant, and they played that one song that goes "SHOT! SHOT! SHOT-SHOT-SHOT! SHOT! SHOT! SHOT-SHOT-SHOT! EVERYBAADY!" That got really annoying after about the second time it was played. Out of one star for ambiance, zero stars. Again, not asking for much. But don't pretend like you don't want to be found by hiding your place in an obscure dirty corner of a strip mall. Because in my case, it almost worked.

Michelle W.

OK OK, after coming out here a few more times, it's grown on me. I haven't gotten buzzed off the soju here yet, so I still consider it a friend. (If I ever get to the level my girlfriends got to last night, THEN I'll say it's the devil) 5 of us killed 3 carafes - 2 yogurt & 1 pineapple for $60. Our server accidentally gave us apple instead of pineapple......and it didn't taste quite right. He switched it with no problems though. They kept feeding us with popcorn and then canned peaches, mmmm. It was like the more drunk we got, the more food we got. What a way to help customers sober up.

Vivian L.

Today is my birthday, and yesterday was my friends birthday. supposedly we were suppose to celebrate my friends birthday, but by midnight they celebrated my birthday. i was really happy and blessed. it was unexpected!!! but i had a lot of fun!!! They celebrated me with a bottle of soju yogurt. (which i been wanting to try for years.) Also drank pineapple, mango and this one drink.. WHEW AS GOOD AS IT GETS it taste like coffee and they topped it off with flame. spicy and yummy!! till now i have a hangover.. i feel likee yakkkkking!!

Jason J.

This is a small place that is tucked away in a shopping center. You wouldn't expect much from the outside. A small bar, table seating and a spot with a couch that you can lounge about. Nice place for a group of friends to drink and hang out. This place serves food that you can eat while drinking some flavored soju.

Angela L.

FOOD/DRINK: *Ah, I only come here to drink! SERVICE: The workers are nice here ATMOSPHERE: Korean bar with the faux outdoor / Korean alleyway feel, what with the rooftop canopy coming down on both sides of the wall and roll down bamboo sunshades haha. About seven of these semi private seating areas, picnic tables, and lounge seating, then a bar in the back. Pretty small, and bothersome how crowded it gets; but a great place to chill and drink, and snack on peanuts.

Ryan M.

While stumbling upon this place on a Wednesday night, I figured after a few good Yelp Reviews, it wouldn't hurt to take a look at this spot. Entering the premises, we were greeted by our waiter Jin, he asked us promptly what we would like to drink. I figured after a long night, I came to the conclusion to "Surprise us," as myself and Hawk sat in the somewhat empty bar. After a few minutes, he gave us a few good near 30 oz Korean Beers, aptly named OB. After downing the first bottle within minutes, I told him to bring another round. While waiting for the next round Jin also suggested to order some of the buffalo wings, which is quite a favorite to some attendees. All within a time span of 40 minutes, and half and half order of fried and spicy buffalo wings Hawk and I were definitely stuffed to the max. One of the best services, I've received in a Korean establishment. The people are friendly and occasionally might walk into the bathroom while you take a number one. I suggest all my Yelper friends (Korean and Non-Korean) to check this out, it's definitely low key seeing as it's hidden around the corner next to the Office Max. Gam Sap Haneda! (or, however you say and spell Thank You in Korean) =p! P.S. According to Jin, expect more of a sausage fest if anything and also Friday and Saturday are the best nights to see V.I.P. really light up with all its hustle.

David L.

Man VIP IS SOOO COOL!!!! We partied sooo hard everyone got ultra faded!!!! OMG you shoulda seen Whatshername she was tumbling around and puked all over the bathroom floor LOLS!!!! Thats hot. And Whatshisface couldnt even make it to the bathroom and puked right next to the table OMGLOL!! LOL!!!! He dunks he scores!!!! We had soo much fun and I swear everyone in the place thought we were sooo cool!! High five!!! 5 You know a place is rockin when theres puke near the front door. Its the international sign for 'party over here!!!' And the place smelled awesome inside thanks to us. luls =D =D =D =) =o) Davids bottom line- VIP ROCKS! They rock so much that they put up with this kinda stuff on a weekly basis and still welcome you back. 5 stars!!! Its understandable that things can get out of control every now and then but lets return the favor. Maintain and represent properly. I dont like the idea of my personal friends cleaning up your vomit. Theres a proper place for puking....next door in front of Radio Shack. =) Edit: and no...they werent complaining. It just came up in conversation last time I spoke with the manager. /soapbox

Johnny N.

You know you're in the right place for entertainment when everything good about this place stays the same and it's late at night and you find random people dancing on the bar to some mainstream music and also some good Korean music. You also know you're having too much fun when you laugh endlessly at three girls dancing to the Wonder Girl's "Nobody" on the bar, two that could be cute (the dim lighting doesn't help), and the last girl at the end who was pretty fat. No offense intended, but the contrast that the image portrayed was absolutely hilarious, especially compared to the actual Wonder Girls performance. Still a great place to hang, although it can be a little crowded at times, highly recommend a shot of yogurt soju (or twenty). On a side note: Do listen to the Wonder Girl's "Nobody"...it's awesome.

Kristy H.

I came here for the first time last year to pick someone up, but I only went in to use their bathroom. Last night I came to party. Mission accomplished. I don't really know what to call this place. Obviously it's a bar, but it's more than that. It's not really loungey because they play Top 40's (on repeat, might I add) and the decor is pretty tacky and there really isn't a theme. It's perfect for a smaller group of friends because the private "rooms" create a really intimate setting. I say "rooms" in quotation because it's just divided by really DIY-looking room separators and bamboo blinds. The drinks cost the same as any bar in the south bay, but you get much more bang for your buck. My gin & tonic probably had three shots of gin in it. Even the people sitting at the bar had to bulge their eyeballs when they saw him make my drink. My friends ordered the cocktail soju and they tasted so delicious. I swear to god I asked, "Why are we shooting shots of juice?" I didn't taste booze at all. I guess it's kind of a good thing but a bad thing as well. My friends also ordered fried calamari. That was my first time having calamari in stick form. I don't know. It was kind of weird. And really really oily. I don't condone underage drinking, but hypothetically speaking, I'd come here if I was underage. They don't check your ID. Oh, and also, the bathroom is a little on the gross side.

Tetsu N.

I don't usually come out on Saturday nights, so I'd heard of VIP for a long time but had never been here...until last night. Music blaring, but not headache causing, drinks lining the bar one after another, and everyone having an awesome time. Excuse me folks...ummm....there's no dance floor...ummmm....what are you doing? oh well, when in Rome, right? My wife was surrounded by a bunch of guys and getting to her was a little difficult.... Me: excuse me, sorry excuse me... Guy1: Hey, wait your turn Me: yeah, uh....but she's my wife.... Guy2: Yeah, right...Her? With you??!! Guy1: Bwaaahaaaahaaa, that'll be the day Me: Nono, not a fantasy, she really is... Guy3: (talking to Ingrid) So....what's your number? Guy2: (talking to Guy4) Dude, quit pushing.... Me: .... Oh well, with my wife surrounded and me with a lame coke in my hand....what else was there to do but dance? She had a great time, and you can be dang sure we'll be back on another Saturday night (^-^). PS. For those of you who didn't drink with her until the end....she was disappointed. So....we got home....and the drinking and dancing continued for a few more hours. I know what you're thinking....Hubby got lucky....right? WRONG! With that much alcohol...what do you think happened when her head hit the pillow? snoring....that's what happened. Can you believe it?! Great....yippeeee....grumble grumble whine whine can't believe I took her out for a good time and she fell asleep mumble mumble a guys got needs whine whine next time I'm mixing a bunch of water in her drinks mumble mumble,,,,oh shit....you awake honey? *snore* damn....*turns in bed* what was that honey? you awake? *snore snore* awwww bummer....

John L.

walked up to this bar thinking "this bar looks very janky" and went in and I was right "the inside is also very janky." But I thought this must be one of those hole in the wall bars with that hip vibe.The layout of the bar is just plain stupid with barriers in the way to get to friends sitting at tables. While its cool that you can draw on the tables and walls- the male private parts and "call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx to get a blow...." drawn all over really makes you feel like youre back in high school. Paid around 11 bucks for a tiny watered down AMF. Its a great spot to hang out and catch up with friends, but dont plan on raging here. Ive been to way better places. Lots of Asians and house music if youre into that. This is just a lame bar trying to make as much dough- dont waste your time here.

Daisy T.

Shoved in a strip mall corner? Windows covered? Loud bustling sounds coming from inside? Ciggarettes everywhere outside? Yep. That's definitely a Korean bar inside! I've only come here a couple of times and the place is alriiiiight. I don't really care for drinking places like these. Just not my preference. But I do have to say that their yogurt soju cocktail is pretty good. The consistency might take a bit getting used to for those who aren't used to semi-creamy stuff, but it has a nice touch of sweetness. It covers the harshness of the soju the best compared to their other pitchers of soju cocktail. I tried their mango soju. *GAG* Waaaay too much soju kick in that one! They've got a wide variety of Korean food to munch on when you're drunk. Anything from potstickers to soup. It just depends on how hungry (or drunk) you are. But fries always taste GREAT when you're drinking. And they've got crispy fries like McDonald's. =) Sometimes the place can get a little rowdy, but people generally keep to themselves. Always a plus. Nothing like a bad drunk to ruin your night. This place is cool to hang out at every so often, but I don't think i can stand coming here EVERY weekend.

Allen N.

This places is pretty cool and laid back except on Saturday nights. They offer free bar snacks and the alcohol here is decently priced compared to other korean bars.

Dave K.

I've heard about this place for years but never went until the Epic UYE of 2008. We went here after devouring an entire henhouse at 99 Chicken. We proceeded with sake bombs ... many rounds and then creating our own dance floor. I know I was pretty happy from the dancing and drinking but I swear that was like the best Chex mix ever at the bar. They were understaffed but tried hard to serve us. The food there was pretty good, especially the ramen tofu stew and fried chicken. I think we drove the other customers out because we were so flingin' flangin' loud. The place is a bit dark but it has plenty of parking and is right near Moonlite Lanes if ever the mood strikes. Hey, that was a pun!

Mercy B.

I never would have known this place existed if not for Hottsauce and Grace's recent Epic UYE. I saw the sake bombs lined up on the bar - but I couldn't go there. I had already had my soju fill at 99 Chicken across the street. The dimly lit dining areas looked cozy and the food looked good. We'll have to return soon to see if the food is as good as it looked.

Eli T.

Where is VIP? Oh its right here. This place looks like nothing from the outside. Are we REALLY drinking more? (walks in)Oh man...Emerson has just gotten a jug of strawberry Soju. Time to drink and not get wasted! Hmm this strawberry soju taste like water. This strawberry soju is weak! Okay I'll do 4 more shots of this because it tastes like water. Did she just say it'll sneak up on me? The peanuts are tasty! Yummy more! Nom Nom Nom. Are they dancing? Oh baby...time to dance... (outside)What? No way Angelo is here with cigars! Nice! Oh hey here is noe in a VW bug. Why is she grabbing my shirt!? Oh she wants my name tag... I need to go pee. (walks back inside)Aww someone is in the restroom. Oh cool he came out. (walks to the bar area)Oh hey here is Dennis and he wants to drink. Alright time to drink some raspberry wine in shot glasses. Yum yum this taste like grape kool-aid with booze. Dennis is pouring me another! Yummy! Again? Alright! (Empties the bottle in the our shot glasses to finish off the bottle)I think I found one of my favorite drinks! (Walks outside) Noe is leaving? She just got here. What why are they back? Oh no did she just puke? Ewwwww! (walks with bobby, farm, emerson back to the car)

Angelo B.

I had only tried the Army Soup here and I think at this time it's all I need. Where else do they serve this stuff?! I love it! I didn't even order it and it wasn't even hot when I ate it, I blame the soju, seriously. I went here along with 20 to 30 other Yelpers for Grace and Hotsauce's Epic Saturday and I didn't have a chance to try much of the food as I wanted to because someone was calling for a round of sake bombs. What I did experience here was a good time, the staff was very attentive and friendly and the bartenders were always smiling and didn't miss a beat when orders were placed. I'm gonna come back to this place for sure to try out the food as I'd heard that they've got some good fried chicken and I'm still left wanting more of that Army Soup stuff.

Crystal B.

Are you tired of me updating this review yet again? No? Good *grin* For those of you who haven't figured it out, this is my favorite bar in the Bay Area. Now, if you've been with my buddies and I, or my Yelper buddies and I, you may not realize that this is a pretty chill place to hang out, mainly because the two groups above have a tendancy to totally create havoc, and no, it has nothing to do with me, I'm a nice, quiet girl ;) The service is always warm and friendly, but the reason for updating is that this is the bar I chose for my birthday, after dinner and some time playing Pool, we were off to VIP. What do I see when I enter, but the big table all decked out in balloons and a cake, for which I have Susan D. to thank, and the bar provided plates, napkins and utensils. Service was wonderful, as always, so thank you VIP (and Sung-Dae) for making my birthday marvelous! P.S. Susan D. promised to get me drunk for my birthday, but it didn't happen, but not for lack of trying *sigh* But, I was very, very happy that night.

Jennifer L.

*Drinks Hi Soju. Nice to meet you. My name is Jennifer. [Hours pass] Hi Soju. I thought you were my friend. You seemed so nice at first. [Hours pass] Hi Soju. I am officially putting you on my frienemies list. I need to keep my enemies close. This is the story of how I came to know Soju. Through all the stories of my friends Jackie D. and John D. along with many other peeps of the SBC I came tonight ready to meet this new friend. I came prepared of what to expect from the backstabbing beast... and yet I was not prepared at all. Because you see when you first meet Soju, it is very nice and pleasant and welcoming to you. But when time goes on that is when you learn the hard way. And don't even ask about the morning after. *Service/Ambiance Went here for a UYE so our party was fairly large. For smaller groups they do have sectioned off seating. Music plays but not too loud so you can dance if you want but still have a conversation with someone too. It's a chill place to hang out unless you come across some wanksters that want to fight. *Overall Don't say that I didn't try to warn you. Definitely come but do so at your own risk. Rating: 3

Hen A.

south bay crew dinner night...korean bar food inside vip oriental...behind intimidating white frosted glass windows and doors...at corner location with unlit sign..spacious interiors with bar seating and tables around...makeshift blinds to section off privacy...straightforward menu with the basic boonshik type dishes....combination sets available with choice of two dishes and a bottle of soju, or two dishes and two beers for slightly under $thirty... three combinations ordered...one with yogurt soju and other with beers...finding out on third order...able to mix and match food items listed under the different combo instead of settling for preselected dishes...additional orders of chamilsul soju bottles too...arrival of fried chicken wings...lightly seasoned and battered...deep fried and crunchy...side of julienned cabbage and typical pink dressing....sweet tangy ketchup based dipping sauce for the wings...wings are quite good, but the sauce isn't a favorite...the duk-bokee (rice cakes) is quite saucy and good...thick saucing for good rice cake coverage...spicy octopus stir-fry with rice noodles are also delicious...vegetables and octopus tentacles in hearty spicy red sauce slightly sweetened...seafood pancakes good....bulgogi and dwe-ji bulgogi were seasoned well, but the meat sliced bit thin...served sizzling over hot plates...mackeral kimchi stew an odd item on the menu...basic kimchi stew with a can of mackeral boiled together...half of the table eating and other half not even trying...bit too soupy and liking it more if it was heavier with kimchi liquid reduction...an order of the cheesiest of corns...sizzling and cheese loaded to the max...quite good for $ten....most items a la carte $ten to under $fifteen...moderate drinking and heavy on food orders for eight people total $two-hundred-thirty...

Ken N.

My first experience here was kinda lame. The drinks are very pricy. Kinda small place, the sitting lounge could be bigger, it looked like a small hallway with paper walls to section out other groups. when this place gets crowded, it gets too packed. Lots of smokers right at the door. spit everywhere. Aside from that, there has been numerous occasions of underage drinking. The bartender don't care, money is money. =[

T V.

One of my favorite places. I came back on a Thursday night (getting too old for this though) and we were the only ones there!! We did come in before 9pm. We asked the server where everyone was and he said that people don't start coming in until 11pm and guess what? Once that clock striked 11, the place was packed.... Why I love coming here? *bar snacks-popcorn, bar mix and other snacks they throw in from time to time. *staff is super fun and friendly

Jennifer C.

If you're in the mood for some soju or just want to lounge with a few friends, try VIP. People that frequent here are usually 20 something Asians who plan to drink, a LOT. Good place to come with friends and have a few drinks. Not a place to bring your date if you want to impress her, there's the Wine Room in Palo Alto for that.

Carl C.

This was the first time I used yelp to find a new place to go and I really am happy I did. This place has heart and I'll tell you why later. Situated in a corner of a complex next to Office Max, it is completely covered without being able to see inside. Don't let the intimidating exterior to prevent you from going inside (as it almost did for my friend and me the first time). Inside is a very quaint place, dim with lots of Ikea couches and bar seating further in. Drink-wise, I have ordered soju and big liter bottles of Korean beer. I tried a fruit-concentrate soju thinking it would be like the Yogurt Soju that I love, but it wasn't and was more like canned juice and soju. The food itself is a mixed bag through its large selection. Be careful of the Korean character selections as when asked revealed to be butterfly larvae. Other than that, from what I have tried, the fried wontons and fried squid were both really good and plentiful. They give around 20 wontons, and the squid is very tender and well seasoned. I tried the labokki (sp? ramen and rice cakes in spicy sauce), it was not as good as I've had at other places and wouldn't order it again. The thing that keeps me coming back is the free food. Yes, I said it, FREE FOOD. Sometimes, they give fresh peaches in ice and fries (which I assume to be McDonald's fries because of its distinct taste and texture along with the ketchup being that slightly sweeter McDonald's brand). In terms of Korean bar/restaurants, the best I've had is in San Diego called Min Sok Chon with really great food and a nice dim environment for being loud and drink. But this place is great for the bay, maybe I'll try other ones but I really can't pass up free food.

Priscilla L.

I haven't been here in 3 years, but this place is very special place to me, so I decided to yelp this place out. I plan on going here sometime soon for some drinks and some snacks one of these nights. Anyway, from what I remember, the first time I was here...were given free popcorn and the finger foods were delicious and fairly cheap. I remember our server would hook us up with some free appetizers too. Alcohol is at decent price as well. This is a good spot to chill with friends to break away from the club scene. Or even perhaps to take someone out on a date you might say. PS. There's no big meals here. It's just finger food and appetizers.

Samantha N.

You know, whenever my ass decides to go I ALWAYS find a seat. And I ALWAYS have a good time. This place is like...always open. WTF! Whenever me and my friends wanna grab a drink and everywhere else is closed for the holidays...YOU CAN BET THIS PLACE IS OPEN. You save many a people from living sober holidays. MANY A PEOPLE. AND I LOVE YOU FOR THAT. And your soju is top notch. TOP NOTCH.

Stephen M.

good service, good music and decent ambience... drank soju and beer with a whole bunch of good eats

Stephen N.

Music, a relaxing atmosphere, and cool waiters made this place very memorable. My friends would keep ordering drinks and the staff would bring things like popcorn and fruit for us. Four bottles of soju and three large bottles of beer came out to $108. I was busy playing nurse trying to tend to my friends who were knocked out by 12:30. The Men's room definitely showed signs of serious drinking. By this time I don't think any ladies would have wanted to use it. I don't think I've seen my friends in such bad shape, except maybe Vegas. The level of incoherence reached a new whole level. As one of my friends said to me, "I'm sorry, I don't understand sober talk", I've really got to work on translating drunk talk into sober speak. Thanks to the guys who helped carry my friend to my car, without you guys we may have had just rolled him over there. Also a big thank you to the waiter who ran out to give me my credit card when I forgot it. Maybe if I drank I would bump this up to 5 stars, but regardless I had a good time. Sometimes it pays to be the sober one during all this. Except when everything comes out in your car.

Tom W.

One of the only TWO Korean Lounges in South Bay (that I know of) Pros: Soju Korean Lounge Food Cool Crowd Cons: Much Better Ones in Los Angeles...

Zachary H.

If you are hungry in the south bay and like me, you don't get off work till 10 or 11pm, you are pretty much SOL. However, fortunately VIP is open and so is their kitchen (!!!!!!!). Most places that are open at this time, that might at some time suitable for daywalkers, serve food, have long ago closed their kitchen by this time of night. The food is only mediocre, but this place redeems itself entirely by: 1) Lack of competition. There is literally no competition for miles(except for Hue). You would have to drive to Milpitas to find some place that would serve you anything other than a cracker or a small dish of peanuts. 2) Low to midrange prices - I mean, the soft-and-other drink prices are not 'cheap' but they are not overpriced by restaurant standards. 3) Friendly staff 4) Ambient atmosphere 5) They let me park my bicycle up against the bar if it's not too busy

Alerie F.

If you like alcohol that is juicy sweet, you have to try the white peach, apple, or strawberry sojou. But be careful, it definitely creeps up on you. I only had their french fries and carrot and celery sticks which were on the house. This place is not fancy, but is an awesome place to chill with friends and get drunk. One tip: Go before 10 because it gets very busy. Also, BRING YOUR ID, even if you don't plan on drinking.

Christine H.

3.5 stars. Came here last night to celebrate umm.. life!?.. and it was pretty packed for Christmas!! We weren't able to get a table big enough for our party so it was a little awkward but overall we had a good time. We ordered tons of food and drinks..... 2 calamari dishes, 1 fries, 2 fried rice dishes. 4 sojus, 2 hites, and 2 ob's. There were only 5 drinkers and 4 semi-drinkers.. Due to the other large parties, the service wasn't that great as we had to remove our own dishes from the table and pile it on the floor to clear up the table. One thing I've always really loved about the place are the free snacks they provide (veggies, pub mix, and popcorn) and that the bathroom is always stocked with toilet paper, toilet seat covers, and paper towels. Oooh, and the bartender was cool enough to hook us up with a shot of henn. And the music isn't so bad either =) "imma tell you one timeeeeeeee" hahaha don't act like you don't like that song too..

Kat A.

Sure it's a noisy lounge in a sketchy dark corner of a long-empty shopping center, but that's just part of its charm, not to mention the seashell decor and faux roof overhang. Service is quick, especially when you're jonesing for a plate of those spicy rice cakes mixed with ramen (apologies, I speak not a word of Korean). It gets crowded fast, so get there early on the weekends. And do watch out for those soju cocktails, they taste less like alcohol and more like juice boxes after a surprisingly short time.

Stephen N.

I've been here a few times with the GF and her family, they absolutely love it here and so do I! If you're like me, and you love to munch when you're drunk, YOU CANNOT GO WRONG HERE! They provide you with free snacks (popcorn, chips, pretzels, cracker mix) andddd their korean food is delicious as well! For food, I've ordered the fish cakes and fried chicken before, and they are both yummy. For drinks, you're at a korean bar, SOJU SOJU SOJU.

Lu W.

You know what? This place is magic. Maybe a Fengshui master scoped this place out, or maybe it's the gang I hang with. It wasn't my first visit to this place, but the first time I went there I was so trashed beyond belief I don't remember much about it at all. Friends described in lurid details about some intense making out action, but I wouldn't know for sure. Last night I went there with maybe 25 others. Although my system was loaded with a lot of alcohol already, I felt strangely sober. As the night goes on the magic soju (watermelon, strawberry, pineapple flavors are all great) went to work. One babe rolled down her dress and gave us a major teaser. Then two girls locked their lips. I'm not gonna elaborate on the details, but you get the idea. The bar was a simple setup but rather user-friendly. For a Saturday night it wasn't terribly crowded either. It was set up K-club style, so groups have their own tables, or peeps can stand around the bar area to mingle. You wouldn't have known this simple, no-frill place can be such a gem for your Saturday night. A solid 5.

David M.

Not for large groups of Asians and their lame bdays...drinks were good though.

Ziru C.

I think it's so funny that I keep hearing about this place on Yelp now. I used to come here with all my friends and it was always a good time. I've had a lot of good memories here and met a lot of cool people. I'll always look back in it with fondness. This place is so hidden, right in a corner. There are usually people standing outside smoking at night. Inside, the music is bumping with Korean news or what not on the TVs. Little semi-private seating areas make for a good place to just sit and chill as your friends are getting hammered. Even by the bar, people are mingling. Loved getting the popcorn or cucumbers with gochujang (is it?). I think those (the latter) are my favorite to eat there. I have yet to eat actual food at this place, but I have had plenty of drinks. Soju bombs! Or soju with a squeeze of lemon, chased with beer. One cannot leave this place sober.

Jo H.

I would have never known there was a bar/lounge in this random strip mall on El Camino. I've probably driven by here several dozen times. The lights were low with 4 or 5 seating areas. A few couches, some tables and a bar in the back. Music was playing in the background. I think I heard hip-hop, dance music, and some Korean pop songs. I tried soju here for the first time. Good stuff, had sort of a delayed reaction, it kind of crept up on me. It's a chill if you want, drink if you want kind of place... in a random strip mall on El Camino.

niwath c.

Gombei!!! Oh how I love me some Koreans, you guys and your soju. I think to myself, this isn't going to get me drunk. 6 shots of soju later....I love you, I love this place, its so fun...what are we drinking, Soju? whats that? can I have another please!!! Sung-Dae...thats for taking care of us everytime we come in...you make this place feel like the Korean Cheers, where everybody knows your name!!!

Ryan S.

I love this place. Great place to go with small groups with people that like to just chill and drink. The owner and staff are incredibly nice and provide great customer service (be sure to say sup to Song, the owner). It's a small but lively kind of place that is usually filled with an asian crowd. It doesn't attract the wannabe asian thugs the nearby Hue receives at times (don't get me wrong Hue is an awesome place too), but that's a major plus for me. VIP also doesn't have the small club environment feel Hue provides so don't count on dancing here. The soju here is awesome, but be warned, they're creepers. You could start the night here with a bunch of friends with the intent of catching up and relaxing over a bottle or two, but could easily end up living the sequel to "The Hangover"....good times. Recommendations: -Start the night with OB beer and keep the Juice Flavored Soju coming -a shot all around at least every 15 minutes -drinking games, drinking games, drinking games -order food, their food is great and is served family style -bring people that drink, kinda weird having someone there that doesnt drink...it's a bar dude -Designated driver -drunk yet? NEARBY KARaOKE BARS!!!!!

Elizabeth H.

HELLA FUN! Packed away in the corner of a ghetto looking strip mall, this is a fun spot to go with a LARGE group of friends. They have a small "dance floor" (which no one ever uses), a regular bar for those who come alone, and booths with removable partitions to expand or shrink the size. For less than $20, you get a bottle of Soju that fills around 20 shot glasses. That's a great deal. Apparently, the Soju is very delicious and "tastes like juice." o_O It comes in 15 or so flavors too. They serve little snacks, like popcorn and nuts. Have you ever tried bundaegi?? It's roasted silkworm larvae. And yeah, they serve this. WEIRD. It's kind of soupy but doesn't taste all that bad...for looking so goddamn disgusting.

Peggy T.

If you want to: drink lots of beer that comes in large 1.8 liter plastic bottles, drink flavored or yogurt soju by the plastic pitcher, eat microwaveable popcorn like it's some kind of gourmet shit, have (free!)tiny trays of chex mix, AND be able to go to the bar at the back end of the lounge in addition to your table, this is the place for you. This place reeks of ghetto fabulous newly 21 year olds. And if they're not inside pounding as many shots as they can, they're outside smoking cigs like there's no tomorrow. I was one of those hoodlums yesterday. However, the service is pretty fast and reliable despite the fact that there were about a million people packed in the place. The bill wasn't too expensive either. But the best thing about it all: it's pretty much no holds bar. Want to be loud and obnoxious? Go to VIP. Wanna start dirty dancing in the middle of the walkway? VIP is your place. Want to take your alcohol outside even though it's illegal? VIP. Dance on the tables? Make out with other girls? VIP all the way.

A B.

Def a fun place to hang out with your friends for a good mellow catching up time. The place is divided with one side with couches and the other with chairs (both with tables of course). Each is divided with some blinds for more privacy I guess. They serve various soju flavors and I've tried the yogurt and pineapple here. I personally am not a fan of the yogurt but the pineapple is good. Good dishes to order are: #36 which I can't spell out because i'll butcher it. It is a pot of ramen with spicy broth, spam, hot dog slices, mushrooms, green onion and tofu. Very good and they put it on a portable stove so it cooks in front of you. I always feel there is a lack of ramen though since I love my noodles! The kimchi fried rice is very delicious and comes with two eggs on top. Bad dishes to not try ever: I would not order the oysters with noodles. It is a horrible dish just in general; leave it at that. The dried squid comes in a variety. Some are salty and the other is sweet. It's a good munching snack but not a personal favorite to eat. The workers there are super nice! Always so friendly and courteous. Sometimes you may have to remind them for a dish but it may be a little busy so that is why. They also play really good music there!

Leilani D.

Dear Yelp Journal, I must tell you of the insane times I have at VIP. From the lap dances, the drinking contests of Yogurt Soju, dancing, music, and delicious finger foods, no wonder I keep coming back for more goodtimes! But honestly, I would not have found this place without the help of my ASIAN CREW, lol I'm Filipino, and my friends are an eclectic mixture of Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, and any "-ese' in between. When we first pulled up with my girlfriends, I was like "Um...is that it?" as I pointed to a lit corner of the plaza next to Radio Shack. By the asian smoking crowd outside, I realized we had arrived. I walked in to see semi-private areas filled with people laughing, eating, drinking, and dancing. It was a Friday night, and it was packed in this small space! But I was not disappointed by the selection of appetizers, and the variety of the flavored sojus available. Let me tell you that those flavored sojus sneak up on you!! LOL Many a birthday party was celebrated here with a person in the party being literally dragged out after passing out! All in good fun yes, but be advised to watch your shoes as they might be covered with sweet alcohol or sweet vomit. If you are lucky you will see the rare "white girl/ white guy" but mostly asians are what I've seen to pack this place. Just remember to have fun, eat, drink, dance and be merry!! Best, LeiLei

John H.

After being disappointed at Sporty's bikini bar, we headed here for our fun. 3 Soju's and 1 chumcharu split amongst 5 guys with me being the lightweight = a doneski John. =D Good Soju, great crowd, good times. I shall be back. PS Good ass carrots.

Nicole M.

Black hole anomaly in the middle of Santa Clara. Vodka is twice the proof, Jack bottles are on steroids, fries are $10 and regulars get charged double. I still had fun, (it was the pepole I was with tho)..... just ask my hangover.

Jenny C.

This would be a great place for pregaming prior to going somewhere else...more happening... :) or if you just wanna hang with friends and play drinking games. I had soju for the first time here and I think I wanna try the flavored ones next time. I was also introduced to soju+beer. Sounds nasty but tasted ok. I guess it's similar to the idea of a sake bomb except you don't chug it. They served us popcorns, munchies type of snacks, and even healthy stuff like carrot and cucumber sticks with some sort of asian gooey soy sauce-ish sauce...most of the tables are for big groups, some couch areas separated like cubicles... Very friendly bartender. He taught us a korean drinking game with the soju bottle cap haha. I'd love to try the Korean "bar food" they serve there ;)

Chuck N.

I went for a 2nd time to this Korean "bar/get together spot." The service is absolutely impeccable. They are incredibly nice and always checking up on you. We ordered the mango soju pitcher happy hour combo $35 (along with about 10 chicken wings [very average and plain, I didn't like them ]much) and some mackarel tofu kim chi hot soup [not bad, but makes your breath stink and it's just fish tofu soup, nothing special]). They kindly brought out free chex mix, ree cucumbers and carrots, and free peaches as well. The last time I went here a year ago they brought out free popcorn too. The place was surpsingly packed as always. It's a solid spot to go with friends, but be prepared to pay quite a lot (Korean food and drinks are always very pricey). The food is very average. The soju very average as well and not that strong. It's the service and environment that's top notch.

sherry t.

Great peach soju with a big punch. Fun staff who ensure you're having a good time. Loved the complimentary pub mix from Costco and the carrots and celery sticks. Best seafood pancake I've ever had. No idea why it took me so long to come here. Gets busy quick. Come early or reserve table.

Rainbow B.

The yogurt soju has a good kick. The service seems friendly. But not attentive. The food is just alright. Not the best soup something something goe dae gee... But decent. prices are a bit overwhelming. Considering their huge plate of fries comes to a whopping 9.95. Soju cocktail--- the yogurt one--- was 20. Not bad. So I guess there's a give and take in pricing. I heard "free snacks" from yelp and friends... but all we got was some cucumber and carrots and gardettos/chex kinda mix. Then later (after we ordered the soup) we got some seaweed and kim chi. Oh and after it hit about 9pm, they played this obscene song five times in a row. hahaha. At this point, we were dancing in our seats for... a good 20 minutes to the same song. They played some softy korean music, but then would change it to ******@#))@#&)$*@# songs. I guess the x-rated versions of 106.1 and then some. Enough about pricing and service... and quality of food.... and ambiance... Good times equals priceless. So much so that after the soju galore, we decided to go dancing on a sunday night. Though it virtually does not exist, considering it's Sunday. CHEERS.

Lily N.

Katsu + (2) cheesy corns + dukk boc gee + 1 bottle of soju + 2 soju cocktails = $125 amongst 5 people They play the typical top hits and to tell you the truth, i like it! 4 friends and I sat at one of the small tables that's 6 feet away from the bar and we did well. We had a great time. I'd definitely would want to try one of the more private booth areas that has the christmas lights surrounding them for the ambiance. I could see it being a good place to gather close friends to chill drink and eat. They serve gardetto style snacks, popcorn and some veggies with hot sauce which is cool. We ordered some dishes. I didn't like the duk boc gee. I prefer mine with a kind of thicker sauce. This one was a little runny and you could see the pepper flakes since the sauce wasn't that thick. I like the duk boc gee better over at Han kook and Galleria. The katsu was only ok. I prefer thicker cuts and this was more breading than actual meat and it came out a bit cold. The cheesy corn, yea its $9 but it was THE BEST. Aw hell yea i know its just corn on a hot sizzling skillet with cheese all over the top but come on, you can't tell me that doesn't sound good already. All it needed was some mayo and tabasco but itself was good and how the corn was toasting in the skillet. My friends loved it so much we ordered another one. The service was cool. For food you have to get up and go ask to order it since its a bar and it can get pretty busy so theres just people everywhere. It's not a huge place. More like a long wide hallway, but its not annoying. No space to dance unless you dance in your designated private seating area so i can't imagine it getting too hot in here.

Neety P.

I was the only brown person in here and quite possibly one of the tallest, but I didn't feel out of place. Good, strong flavored soju. The staff is SUPER nice and I love the free little muchies (snack mix, veggies) they give you to snack on. We asked for more snack mix - they ran out so he brought us peaches....so sweet! The crowd is young, but I'm there strictly for the soju. Ambiance is not that great compared to places like Hue, but I'd still consider coming back here.

Michelle Denise P.

This place may look a little sketchy based on it's exterior look, but once you walk inside you feel a whole lot better. This little cafe has a great feel to it. It's very laid back and has a lot of different seating areas for people to just hang out, chill, and have fun getting drunk off of some soju. The service is great and the soju is deceptively addicting. You just keep drinking more and more because it tastes good. You don't even realize you're drinking alcohol. Their costco pub mix is good too :P I haven't tried any of the food yet. But once I'm living back down in SJ I'll make sure to do so.

Jessica N.

My very first time here was in 2007 with my best friend! We came here with a bunch of friends and had a really great time! I'll never forget that night. We had so much soju to drink, it was ridiculous! I must say though, the pineapple soju is my favorite! Even after 2 years, it's still my #1 choice! This place is really small and cozy, but don't let it fool you. I also like their appetizers! Yum! :) It's always fun when I'm here, ALWAYS!

Hellen D.

I like coming here for a more personal group hang out place. They have curtains or blinds that you can put down and make your area private. Sometimes I do want to peek at the other tables through the blinds. The soju selection here is bigger than some other places I've been to. It can get a little crowded because it's not as big as other Korean bars too. OH, Free popcorn is a great tummy filler while drinking all that soju too!

Brent A.

VIP is tucked away in a corner of the shopping center here, and very easy to miss I might add. The decor is very bland, but there are private areas for groups. Of the Korean lounges places I've been to, this one isn't one of the best ones. I would much rather go to Hue down the street, or even better hit up Spot Lounge in SF, but it isn't that bad of a place as I still would come here. The service was extremely quick, but we didn't see the waitress too often. I didn't mind because whenever we really needed anything, we just had to stand up and call her over. I much rather prefer the service-button at Hue to this method. :-) The prices here are fairly standard as far as soju and such drinks go. They do offer food, which I didn't try, so that could potentially add some stars to my review for them, but I don't really plan on going back at this point.

Phil D.

This place is the place to be if you and your friends want a place to relax and snack on appetizers and pound afew beers..All I got to say is OB beer and Soju is always a thumbs up for me. The last time I was there, it was for my birthday, and we all know what that means..All im going to say is that I fell into the bush outside of VIP and got silly stringed in the back of my friends pick up..I had silly string falling out of my body randomly for the next week and a half. In the end, I always had a blast at VIP

J B.

I read all the reviews and decided to check it out last night. I love it! We were starving and didn't expect the full menu of yummy Korean food! Buffalo Wings, Kim Chi Pancake, French Fries, and Gizzard. It was all good! They must have a good deep fryer b/c everything came out so fresh. The fries were like McDonald fires but better. For $9 french fries it was a huge plate! Gizzard is kinda weird b/c it's cut into little pieces and fried with onions. And to wash it all down we ordered the strawberry, yogurt, and peach soju. Peach was the best. The atmosphere is comfy w/ couches and your own personal private area. Get there early b/c around 10:30 you won't be able to get a couch area. It's in a shopping plaza so keep your eyes out for it. It's in the same plaza as the Home Town Buffet in Santa Clara.

Tramy V.

I would have never known the little door in the corner of this strip mall was a cool little korean bar. The drinks are cool, but the food was bad. We tried the seafood pancake, and it was mushy and the seafood didn't taste very fresh. The complimentary Chex Mix and carrots/cucumber sticks were decent. Service was okay. Music is a little too loud here to conversate. This is a nice place to just hang out and drink. We tried the yogurt soju and it was cool.

Chris K.

Alright boys and girls, you ready to party?? So I'll admit i haven't been to other korean bars around the area (hue, rumors) but i have to say, i love this place. Ever since i've come back from korea, i've been craving that same bar experience. While its not necessarily the same, this place delivers well. I've been here on several occations. The food is good, the drinks are flowing, and the music is bumpin. The place itself is fairly small, it has couch seating on the right and larger tables on the left and in the front. Aside from the tables at the front, most of the areas are kind of split and isolated from each other, good or bad, you decide. There are a few TVs playing random korean stuff, but the music is straight up american. They give you complementary snacks, cucumbers and carrots with gochujjang(the korean chili paste) and some snack mix. If you go enough, they are usually good at recognizing you, espeically the dude with the glasses. They might hook you up with "service" stuff like maybe a few sodas or fruit. Simple, but thoughtful. Drinks are reasonable $10 for soju, $18 for yogurt soju, $20 for baek-seju, etc.....oh how i miss $1 soju in korea *tear. The thing i really like about this place though is the FOOD. FRIED CHICKEN WINGS- crispy, but not too greasy, some of the best i've had in america. KIMCHEEBUCHINGE (korean pancake) fried perfectly, sauce is awesome BUDAEJJIGAE (Mixed spicy soup w/ramen, kimchee, hot dog, ricecake) - This is simple, but really good with drinking, comes with its own stove TTEOKBOKKI - (rice cakes with spicy sauce) - good, but the taste gets old fast, share with a big group There's a big variety on the menu, but i recommend the top 3, especially the chicken. If anything were to bring this place down, it would be the bathrooms (sometimes dirty), and the price (its a little expensive), otherwise, go nuts here. Bottome Line: Great korean bar food, good drinking environment, accomodating staff. Highly recommended.

Chris K.

If you're constipated, come to VIP and drink "Yogurt Soju". It might take you about an hour to get a table on a Friday or Saturday night. So, if you're stuck during those times, I suggest that you go to Walgreens and pick up some Turbo-Lax.

Thomas C.

Price: Prices are a bit steep for a bar and the drinks can add up, but I've never been disappointed. Service: Like I said, never been disappointed mainly because the awesome service received by the bartendars. I'd go back just for the VIP service alone. Taste: Drinks are drinks... but the food is also mighty tasty. Bring on the green bottles, OB/Hite beer, the cocktail sojus (all of them are good), and don't forget the cheese corn! Atmosphere: It's a very chill environment. You can sit at the bar, sofa/lounge, or tables. The excitment varies, but I always have fun. What You'll Remember: The good buzz, good service, and cheese corn! Comment: I'm not spicing this place up because I'm Korean because there are plenty of K-bars around that area that I don't approve of. This place probably isn't what you'd expect initially, but it will grow on you. You'll definitely want to go back. Cheers, T-Chung

Kenny P.

I guess this is the place to be for all Asians in the area on a weekend night. Just came back to this place last night for an old friends b-day and had a pretty decent time. Rolled up in here around 11pm to find the place packed as I was expecting it to be. Had a little beer to begin the night and later ended up buying a bottle of original yogurt soju, cause I wanted to get pretty drunk with the b-day boy. Had a crazy like 6-7 shots in like 1.5 hour period with a glass of beer at the end. Man, was I wasted. Luckily didn't yak that night. Prices seemed to have increased I guess cause that bottle of soju was like $22 w/o tip. I think I'd give the place another star if the drinks weren't so damn expensive. Service is ok, just sucks that they don't have a bigger place with more lounges available. Come early for those or you won't get one.

Nick B.

This is gonna be a 3.5 stars that gets rounded to 4. We came to VIP after meeting some friends at 99chicken (way overrated IMO). The bar was actually a lot bigger than I thought it would be. Lots of tables and couch sections. A good amount of space around the actual bar. There weren't any tables ready when we got there at 10ish so we headed to the bar. Started off with 2 bottles of Hyori Lee Soju (forget the name sorry), a big bottle of Hite and a big bottle of OB. By the time we got all of our beer they found a few couches and moved us over. AWESOME. Once we moved, We order a few bottles of yogurt soju - FREAKIN GREAT, a bottle of Mango Soju - pretty good, some more Hyori Soju and a ton of OB. WHY THE HELL WAS EVERYONE DRUNK EXCEPT ME?!?! Anytime I drink sake, it hits me like a ton of bricks. Having our own couch area is cool but it takes away from the social aspect of being at a bar. You can talk to your friends but feel cut off from everyone else. There is always a line for the bathroom. I made a bet with a girl there for a bottle of Soju - I won and she flaked. WHACK. We did get 2 free99 plates of fries, which was cool. I think VIP is a cool place to start your night just make sure you get out of there early enough to hit any other bars you might wanna go to.

Peter G.

$10 for some fries?!? Are you serious?! Get the hell out of here, its 2009. To sum this place up in 4 words: Hole in the wall.

Rob C.

shady looking from the outside -- of course not even close to Ktown, so no use comparing. basically a soju bar with mainstream pop/hiphop music and laser lights couple couches, "booths" divided by venetian blinds, pretty small place haven't had the food -- standard bar menu like cheese corn all right if you come hang with friends and have chamisul. free snacks come out regularly gets a little loud and crowded

Teresa B.

not my taste. everyone there seems young..everyone seems UGh. they place is crowded with people that just dont mesh well with me. the line to the bathroom is always present...and it gets WAYYY to crowded.

Gio G.

Don't let the name fool ya! Fellaz if you got a wad of cash and "semi" with your horomones-a-ragin'...then this is not the place to be. It's a Bar/Restaurant/hang out. I took a star out because it's not nearly as fun going without at least one Korean-speaking Korean with you. THe snacks are good (I ate some yummy Caterpillars!) and the Soju pours like the Falls of Niagra. Good thing there was a late night Korean Karaoke spot across the street, cuz I drove and needed a few more hours to kill the buzz! Had great times here, and will have more! Try the Caterpillars! =)

Valerie G.

So this place is literally around the corner from my house. Had I planned on getting hammered and walking there Id have no issue in finding my way home. I had heard about this place a few times however never took the initiative to actually check it out. So when a friend wanted to grab some drinks and suggested this place I was down for the cause. Its a chill environment in which you can tell many people in their mid 20's hang out at. Plenty of wall art from patrons surround you and you are even given personal booths that are someone secluded for conversation. The service was good no complaints and an even better thing about this place was the "Yogurt Soju". What felt like power hour flew buy when the bottle was empty and I still wanted some more! I plan on coming back here and lettin loose but I am glad I finally ventured in here.

Diana T.

The servers were very attentive, given the fact that we were the only patrons at the time. The food and drink department however were not so great. The soju did not have great flavor and the food was inedible. I would not be returning to VIP lounge and would rather visit a soju bar in the city.

Jonathan C.

Nicest people - ever. Hole in the wall bar. Cannot find, especially if you've never been here. With the helpful assistance of the friendly staff at 99 chicken, we found this place. A shady looking sign stating V I P covers the door, but that's where the shadiness ends. The interior's a nice chill lounge, with all sections nicely separated and a bar in the back. For a group of 5, we had some yogurt soju, peach soju. Good stuff, a bit too weak for my tastes, but combine that with the teapot of lemon soju I had at 99 chicken before hand, and I'm good. But! The kicker - fresh popcorn. I was craving popcorn badly. I wanted popcorn. Buttered, fresh. They gave us one bowl to start. Devoured in no time, along with the yogurt soju. But before we wanted to order the peach soju, out comes a huge bowl, heaping, full of fresh popcorn. That's service! With the house pretty packed and people waiting for a spot, they gave us more reason to stay! The rare 5 stars, just for that little attention to detail. Definitely will be back.

David Y.

My friends and I have a fascination with Korean bars for some strange reason... stranger that most of my friends aren't Korean and maybe even stranger, my white friend really loves K-bars ;) I've been to this bar 3 times so far and each time it wasn't too bad. It's rather small, but it has a loungy feel to it compared to some other places. They got bunch of couches near the front right side of the bar and long tables on the left side and towards the back of the bar. And they primarily play american hip-hop through their speakers. The music isn't so loud there where you can't hear yourself talk, and I like that; I hate having to scream at people multiple times just to say "Hi." Their flavored soju drinks aren't too bad. You don't really taste the soju much, so it'll definitely creep up on you after 10+ shots or so. When drinks are ordered, they give you a plate full of trail mix, a small plate of carrots and cucumbers, and a bowl of popcorn, and they're pretty good about refilling those. There's also a bar in the far back corner. They don't have a huge stock of liquor back there, but they got the basic ones like Jack, Johnnie, Patron, Absolut, Grey Goose, etc. The drinks weren't overly priced too. We had a party like 15-20 people and in the end, we split the bill with everyone and it turned out to be a little less than $20 a person. There was a lot of drinking to be had that night, and therefore, I had a good time there and the employees were really friendly, too.

Donna Y.

Soju is evil but taste so good. First time for me and here and now I see why everyone gets drunk here. I think that's what happens when you are at VIP. Its a cute little lounge/bar. Had alot of fun. Will I be back? Good question...it is possible. I think next time I will take it easy on the Soju.

Jennifer H.

AUGHHHHH! I HATE CROWDED NIGHTS!!! no place to sit. i tried coming friday, crowded, then saturday, crowded again!!! im coming at 9pm sharp to avoid this annoyance. this was so f-ing retarded. i had to go to hue, and that place stinks like alcoholic throw up! blech. i'm guessing since school is out, all the children are back to get fuckedup. vip has made me a sad girl this week.

Christine E.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am saving my 100th review for a special place. Now, I claim to be a SANTA CLARA girl at heart. Life has taken me to different parts of the world, most recently three years spent in New York and a year in Washington, DC but there's no place like home. With that being said, allow me to push for small business owners here on my turf by writing this review (my 100th!) for VIP-Oriental on El Camino Real in the best city-Santa Clara...HOLLA! My younger brother (who I claim 100% credit for introducing Yelp to and getting him to write Yelp reviews), Marlo, would often rave about this place to me as this is the joint he and his buddies frequent here in the SC area. With a difficult exam behind me, the rest of the summer to recover ahead and a handful of cousins visiting, I thought "Hey, this could just be the spot to celebrate!" I walked into this bar once just to scope it out and thought it was a nice set-up. Semi-private rooms as you first walk in and then an open bar area towards the back of the restaurant. I'm all about discovering local hidden gems that are just that...LOCAL HIDDEN GEMS. Places 1) that are owned by local peeps, 2) that no one else (or at least the mainstream doesn't) knows about, and 3) where you could have a genuinely awesome time! This place fit all my criteria! When we got here, all the semi-private rooms were full. But, it didn't matter much b/c we had a group of 20+, so the open seating area towards the back of the restaurant worked out just fine. My brother and his buddies were in our group and they seem to have a pretty tight relationship with the manager (Sundai?) and other wait staff. My eyes were bulging and my mouth was salivating at the sight of the OB beer (plastic) bottles and flavored soju's (aka "juice"). Now, for those of you who went to law school with me in the 'Cuse, you know I could throw it down with our beverage of choice, SOJU (hey, it's just like rubbing alcohol!)! Man, being at VIP, brought back memories of good times. Here, we ordered the kimchi pancake (which is similar to my all-time favorite seafood paejun). It was like re-living good times from law school at our favorite hang-out in the 'Cuse, aka "Chorong House" where we lived off of seafood paejun, soju, shortribs, kimchi chicken and more soju. What also made VIP so awesome was how incredibly hospitable the staff was there. It was a trip watching my brother and family friends make their way on top of the bar's countertop to dance! Uhhhh...can I have another shot, please?! What was also great, was as we ordered more and more drinks, they kept the snacks and munchies coming, which I think was on the house. It was all gooood! What was even better, was the fact that they permitted my brother and his buddies to bring inside their freakin' home-made beer-bong, where I had my first ever beer-bong experience at the age of 27 (I guess you could say I was a "good" girl in college)! Now that I'm back in the South Bay for at least the next year or so trying to figure out my next step, I anticipate coming back to this place. It's laid-back, chill. You don't have to fight with crowds to get in, or dress to impress. You can drink, talk story, laugh, have a good time, which is how every weekend should be!

Vu P.

VIP, hrrmmmm what can i say about this place......O! TOO MUCH DRAMA FOR MY BABIES MAMA!!! I used to enjoy coming here but lately there has been too much drama and stuff here. The service is great but i would avoid it if possible. too many asians in one place with liquor cant be a good idea...actually it might be illegal somewhere! haha jk but seriously this place is fun to go to but just not lately. maybe ill let the fire die down a bit

Ken N.

Good if you're looking for a clean place to just relax and hang out with friends. Very chill. I mean very chill. I'm just used to more lively environments. My only gripe is the pricing. It's a bit more than I thought it would be for drinks and snacks. There's no bar so everyone is seated at tables. Has a restaurant vibe to it. Everyone pretty much minds their own business. Not really a place to go meet new people if that's what you're looking for.

Jose T.

Nice place to come with some friends and kick back. The main thing we usually order here is the cocktail soju's and nothing else. A few bottles between a couple people will get you good unless you're that beastly (those drinks are creepers btw). The spot is real laid back unless its packed, but as long as you got a table or a couch area you'll be cool. Just beware of those crazy gangsters trying to cause some trouble sometimes. Anyways, they also give you free snacks with the drinks, like trail mix, peaches, and other stuff. The bartenders are all pretty cool too! The music is a toss up depending on when you go, I usually like it unless they got some crazy trance stuff going on.

Jay J.

A decent place for a drink, but there was almost zero service when I got there last time. The drinks taste great and the price is decent. It was a bit chaotic for my first visit but it wasn't bother me giving it a great rating. I would say this place is good for friends reunion and a relax night after the stress.

Zaydian A.

VIP is a great place to bring a small party and chill. Best thing about this place is the Soju & Yogurt shots. It's $20 per bottle, which usually serves 14-16 shots. They also have a decent selection of snacks & appetizers, but really you come here to drink, not eat.

Nicholas R.

Great little place to hang out. Good location, and deceptively shady looking from the outside, the inside has a bar area, and a section of private booths and tables. The food is decent and they have a good selection of American and Korean drinks. That alone isn't what keeps me coming back though; the service in there is great, the staff is friendly and provides free snacks. Great atmosphere with a DJ and good times.

Lily L.

$20 for soju? That's pretty ridic.

Cliff S.

I know its a K-bar but damn this place draws a ton of wannabe thug asians. Place gets very packed too and service is alright. I do like the weird little appetizers they bring out and having their watered down soju was a kick. Also OB isn't so bad! Its a good place for groups that is about it. I don't know if I'd come back again I just don't get the appeal. Their bar is tiny and the bartender was clueless or doesn't know English. I wanted to order a couple shots of LC's (liquid cocaine) and the guy gave me two straight shots of henny? Come on?! On top of that it was 20 bucks.

Lyn Y.

Wonderful service - fast, friendly, and efficient. Their flavored soju is stronger than jujubee, which is my preference. The atmosphere is a little ghetto (and young, seems like people in their early 20s?), but fun. The loud rap music that they blast can turn off some people. Very nice place if you don't mind the music.

Christine N.

If you're into affordable, fried food and yummy soju, this is the place for you! I went here for a friend's birthday, and he is pretty much a regular at this place, so he did most of the ordering. We had the seafood pancake, two orders of KFC (korean fried chicken), kimchee fried rice with egg, plus LOTS of peach soju. The food came out quickly, and was totally delicious. The chicken was crispy, and the seafood pancake wasn't too oily. The best part was probably the peach soju - very potent, and you know you get your money's worth! The only thing I suggest is arriving EARLY if you want to get a table. Our party got there around 7:30 pm, and luckily we beat the mad rush for tables around 8. From the outside it looks a lil sketch, considering it's tucked away in a corner next to Office Max, but inside, even though it's very casual, it's still pretty roomy, and the bathrooms are clean. Overall, made for a great birthday dinner for my friend, and I can't wait to go back! More peach soju please!

Huy P.

Cool Korean bar/lounge to chill, every worker is nice and the soju is good. It just gets too crowded sometimes and we can't get seated so we leave.

Kristina M.

I always feel like a VIP when I come to VIP. It's been a while since I've been here but my brother in law took us here a few times. We usually got some soju and a few beers but we always got something on the house. Like popcorn, fries, or Asian peanuts/crackers. The service is always good, obviously, but it isn't the best location. The prices can get a little high also, but like I said its been a while since I was last there.

Alex C.

Not nearly as spacious as Hue nearby, but a good, lively atmosphere where you can sit down with your friends for a drink. Not a place for mingling. The cheesy corn you may read about will likely be strewn about the floor if you come late. A telling sign of good times.

Alan C.

your own bordered off area, pretty good food, pretty good drinks, and friends!? perfect spot to just chill before going out to another place, or staying here all night. Venue is at a random strip mall, entrance seems kind of shady, but once you're inside with your friends, its all good. all you need is the chicken/beer/flavored soju, and youll be set. I tried some of the other dishes and they seemed pretty mediocre. try this place out!

Christine V.

Don't let the exterior of this place fool you. It looks quite shady but once you open the door, it's all gravy baby! We went here for a friend's birthday and had a blast! Food was awesome, yogurt soju is still giving me that yucky hangover, and they played top 40s which got the party started. Full bar set up too. Good times, we'll be back fa sho.

Brian T.

The service here is fantastic. There's no doubt about that. The people there cater to your needs without question or hesitation. I hate giving low ratings to places with friendly people, but I just can't give this place anything more than 2 stars. I just can't! The one impression that continues to stay in my head is how extremely odd it was to have them blasting old school rap music (Bone Thugs N Harmony, Tupac, etc.) in a Korean bar. It's a Korean bar...play some Korean music! In addition, they played Korean music videos on their TVs (no sound though). Huh? Having hardcore rap blasting through the speakers and playing sappy romantic Korean music videos is a bad combination. I had an audio visual panic attack. Half of me wanted to bust some heads, while the other half felt like crying tears of endearment because the guy gave his eyes to his blind girlfriend (...y'all know what music video I'm talking about!). To say the least, it felt weird and uncomfortable. The fruity soju was decent, but it could've used more kick. I didn't get to try any of their food, but I didn't feel adventurous at the same time. Yes, the place is small. Yet, the place suits its name. You're given VIP treatment. However, I'd rather chill some place else with half the quality of service.

Justin G.

I was first introduce to VIP by my cousin who swears he's a regular and knows the owners out here. If I may say that its a pretty fun place. We usually order fries and Kimchee pancakes along with peach soju and extra soju and a couple large OB's. Thye even let us bring our beer bong and we chugged the night away. AHHH trying to relive college life in this professional world we now live in is wuite fun.

Kerry T.

Wanna Drink but Downtown just seems to much for you? VIP is a great place to hang out with friends and share a couple of drinks. The soju here is pretty good, well how hard is it to mess up when all you are is mixing alcohol and juice. It's great place to master kings cup and any other type of drinking game. Also nothing else beats beers and soju with popcorn and cucumber sticks. The staff here is friendly and you're always greeted when you enter. Also they remember faces and who you are. This places has the feel of drinking at friend's place without having to clean up afterwards.

Brian T.

Went on a Friday night around 7PM and stayed til a little after 10PM. Me and a friend were the first people there. We sat in a couch section (mine smelled a bit like puke...) and were treated pretty well by the waitress. Ended up buying the calimari and a huge bottle of beer. Beer was good, but calimari wasn't so great - stopped after a few pieces, and it was quite pricey. The place never got too crowded. The whole time, there was never more than 3 groups in the place - yeah, not very exciting. What I found annoying about the place was - and this may have just been that night - the music. They put on a Jay-Z cd that just looped the whole damn time. It's bad enough to hear the whole CD of one artist your whole visit, but to loop it is just ridiculous. Bottom line - wouldn't come back unless friends were already deciding to go there.

yong c.

This place isn't all bad. A lot of people come here and I'm not sure why because its just a rectangular hole in the wall - nothing really special about it. They need to dim the lights - kind of like Hue - too bright in there. 2 stars because a really bad experience - I found a hair in my cousin's food and I was just really disgusted. They didn't really seem sorry. The waiters are kind of like sharks - my friends were drunk and they kept bringing us soju even when we didn't order it and later I found out my friends didnt order it too - must have mistook a high five or something as a heads up for more soju.

Stephanie C.

All my friends LOVE to go to these K-bars (most of us aren't even korean) but I guess is from our tradition back in the college days... I LOVE this place. THe waiter i believe his name is Sung gets a long GREAT with my boyfriend. They even serve my favorite gehran jim!!! I ordered it and they thought i was korean hahaha... but yes... very good k-bar... awesome ambiance inside... outside looks extremely ghetto but don't let that keep you away! OH and they serve free food "on the house" haha. Now if only they can open one closer to san mateo...

becky s.

VIP is one of the three K-bars to choose from in El Camino. The inside is nice. I really liked the dim atmosphere. This is just my personal preference but I don't like how the seating areas are blocked off by blinds. I like Hue's set-up where you can see everyone in the bar. How come K-bars these days don't play Korean music? Whenever I go they play American music, maybe b/c most of the ppl that go here are Chinese. I personally think that K-bars charge way too much for beer and drinks so try to come with a crowd of ppl, not really a good place for a date.

Pam S.

I've been to this bar a couple of times, and it's a great find. This place looks like a hole-in-the-wall from the outside, but once you walk inside the atmosphere is very clean, welcoming, and friendly. The place isn't overly crowded, so it's great if you have a large group of friends going out together. Most importantly, the service is fantastic! Lots of freebie snack foods with your drinks, like popcorn, peaches, cucumbers, kimchee, etc. Highly recommended!

Regan C.

Difficult to find, because all it says is VIP on the outside. Not to mention, its right next to an Office Max. But once you find it, its a pretty cool place to drink soju and just chill. The bartender was very nice and served up some great tasty mango soju. Their food was very tempting, but I was too full already. I'll try it next time. All in all, a cheap way to get a good buzz.

omar b.

from the outside looking in...blacked out windows, cheesy signage, okay...who uses the term oriental anymore?? AAHHH!!! it has been some time since going for a wink,wink massage... i was so disapointed. not only was this just some cheesy bar, the food was just aiight, but the ammonia odor was just too much.

Marlo E.

The service is absolutely great here. If you're just looking for a place to chill and drink up with your buddies, this is the place to go. I must admit the place is really AZN, but if that's your scene, then enjoy. I definitely recommend getting the different flavored soju's as well as the kimchee pancake if you wanna get your grub on.

Liss I.

If you love a great hole-in-the wall, this one is as awesome as it gets! We went on a friday night, the staff was fun and attentive, the DJ was excellent, and they let us draw on the walls! Soju was absolutely delicious! Come to this place with a crew of your favorite friends and you'll agree with me, VIP was more fun than any other bar I've been to, ever!

Ro C.

So I've been here twice thus far and have really enjoyed it. VIP is fun, unpretentious, cool, chill and everything in between. What's not to like soju? You can have them in all kinds of flavors. Pineapple, yogurt, peach, strawberry, lemon, or straight to name a few. My faves are the strawberry and yogurt flavors. A clean place for a super casual Korean bar. The owner and people who work here are nice and will totally cater to your table. I haven't tried any of their appetizers but will definitely be back again. It tends to get crowded but it's still fun regardless and they play good music. Bathrooms could use an extra stall since the line can get long. Oh and there's even free popcorn, celery/carrot sticks, and pub's mix to much on.

Nelson B.

This is an excellent place to drink, eat, and hang out. The waiters are friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed. We had the Yogurt Soju cocktail (split between 3 people) and a Kimchi Pancake (quite yummy). They also gave us carrots, cucumbers, and peaches on the house. :) I had a great time here. I highly recommend it.

Holly B.

We found VIP in the armpit of an Office Depot parking lot, and it looked like crap from the outside, but I knew that probably meant it was awesome. And I love K-bars. I can't think of anything better for a thirsty white girl than an affordable neighborhood bar where you can always expect some kind of free food with your drinks. I normally automatically head to Hue across the street just because I know the Soju drinks are good and I enjoy the disco ball and big tables, but I was looking for a new place to throw a birthday party for my bf so I called up my Asian friends to check the place out. We realized this place had a nice bar/lounge feeling with the tables and couches and little divided table areas and we liked the free popcorn, veggies, peaces on ice, and party mix. I was worried the K-bar guy would be put off by a whitey trying to reserve tables for 25 people in a place that doesn't normally do reservations, but the guy happily told me no problem. When the big birthday party group showed up on the Saturday night, he ran out to greet us as usual, and to my big surprise bypassed my handshake with a big hug. I could tell my friends were impressed. I ordered 6 flavors of Soju and 4+ rounds of beer and he happily brought everything out and kept the appetizers going strong all night. We all had a great time and drank more than our fill and it only cost about $25/person at the end of the night, which was a miracle. I wonder if he threw us some free drinks in the hopes of us coming back?

S S.

The place isn't that great but the drink-soju is. I just love the pineapple soju!

Jeremy H.

Great place to hang out with friends and drink. Bottle of soju and ob for $24. Can get crowded and may be difficult to find seating.

Katherine P.

I really like this soju bar. It really is tiny and hidden (next to an Office Max) and only locals really know about this place (helps if they're Korean too ;) ). This place is great for large parties (the last time I went was for my boyfriend's birthday and we had about 20 people there). The service is laid back but friendly, there are many choices in comfort/bar food (traditional hot Korean snacks as well as good ole fries) , and they stock good Asian beers (OB) and soju (chamisool). There is also flavored soju (yogurt and the like) for the less refined soju drinker (like me!). This place is a bit hard to find, but there's plenty of lot parking and the ambiance is dark and private inside. Great for a Thurs/Fri night drinkfest =D

akzidenz g.

a pretty shady korean cafe. drunks and college kids everywhere. dirty bathrooms. waiters that make out w their customers. customers that dance on the tables. rave music blasting. there was major drama and fighting when we went. it was pure entertainment. maybe this is how san jose rolls...?

B B.

it is not bad. yogurt soju is pretty good.....but the fruit flavor is not strong enough to cover the soju....taste pretty nasty. the food there is not cheap, but taste very good. good for friends gathering....

Kai G.

Been here couple times, they have never been that busy of the times that I have been here. The staff is indeed pretty friendly. They have a small bar area w/ booth type seating along with tables. I'm surprised that they didn't play korean or azn music, they played english hip pop music.

Rosavida C.

They're always so crowded.. for a very good reason. This is the first place we go to when my friends and I feel like soju... but when it's crowded we go to Rumors. I mean, this place has really good hot pot, as well as other appetizers/dishes, and the atmosphere is really chill. Hope you get a chance to try it sometime!

Blair N.

This place is a favorite among many of my friends and this really is a pretty good bar to go to if you can't stand going to DnB's and being er, civilized. Nights can get pretty crazy here because some people bring their friends and their mothers with them. Haha, I am guilty as charged and I have been part of the group with 20+ people in it. Almost all of the flavored soju is awesome and it's only $20 a pitcher. Soju is a creeper so don't underestimate it. Their free "food" is just like Chex Mix and crap I think I've gotten at Costco before. I think they also give you some cucumber slices or something. People get loud and drunk and crazy. The end.

Allen T.

I like this place. It's not fancy but it's not at all ghetto. The drinks are priced reasonably for a Korean bar and the yogurt soju is pretty good. The kicker here is that they actually give you some free food too when you order alcohol here. at a korean bar that is unheard of.....I recommend this random place as it is hidden next to an office max

kim p.

I went here for a triple bday party last night, i agree with Mimi that this place is a little bit small. i was with a party of about 15 and they could barely accommodate us. On top of that, it was so crowded and the other group that was a club so they were dancing like skanks and being really obnoxiously loud. The servers were super nice and they were always attentive. Even when the cops wanted to come in to check if there were underagers, which we had like 2 ppl with us underage, they went outside to man the situation to keep their customers. Food and drinks are alright, this one kimchee hot pot smelled like arse though...yikes. But I do like the atmosphere and the music i just don't like the crowd that shows up there.

Annie D.

Ehh, wouldnt be the first place i would choose to come. the soju was ok, but this plum wine drink they had was pretty yummy. at the beginning they gave us nuts at the bar, at the end we had popcorn. Had their fries, can't go wrong with fries. Other than that, the experience was ok, i did feel like a kid though, the environment seemed young. Im in my 20s too... maybe it was all the card playing and yelling over it.

Matt K.

Discovered by a friend, we decided to have our Thursday Night Drinking Club (TNDC) there. 3 big bottles of yogurt and peach soju later...we were throughly wasted. We also had popcorn, carrots & cucumber wedges served with korean hot sauce (odd but good), french fries, as well as that pub mix that you get at Costco. Total Bill: $66!!! This is one of the cheaper Korean bars that I have been to. It was kinda dead when we got there, but filled up about 1 hour later. Place looks kind of seedy but the service is friendly.

Maria C.

nice place to go with friends, and run into old acquaintances! i like their booths AND THEY HAVE REALLY GOOD POPCORN. i didn't believe my friend at first, but it's really good... like the pop it perfectly or something? not sure what their secret is...

Molly M.

I think others have done an excellent job describing VIP. It was a different experience for me going to a bar in a strip mall. It was ghetto, yet fun at the same time. If I'm ever in the mood to do shooters (yogurt soju) all night long, then VIP is the place!

Tu-anh D.

This place is completely hidden, I never knew it existed and i pass by it all the time! The service is absolutely amazing and super friendly. I liked that alot. Food wasn't too bad, we ordered the fried rice. Music that night was not too bad either; a couple of times my friends and I just wanted to just get up and start dancing. Soju wasn't all that bad either =)

Danny P.

annyeong! a cozy little place, it looks a bit scary on the outside. super duper nice server that greets you with a genuine smile every time. great service from him (it's always the same guy every time). the food is good with above average portions. they give you so much more here compared to Hue down the street. if you're drunk or just want some nice fatty food, try the duk bogi with ramen. yummm. oh and they give you little fruit dishes or popcorn at the end of your meal, kind of like a "thank you." veryyy cute. of course, the soju is good too. 5 stars for this place.

Richard T.

Food is pretty expensive here but its open late night and has nice little areas to hang out. They will give you little treats like popcorn or nuts to eat while you wait for the food or order drinks. Nothing too special about this place but I haven't ever been unhappy with a visit here. If its past 10pm, this is your spot for korean food and some soju.

April D.

This place is great. I didn't know what to expect when my friend said we were going to VIP one night. I thought it was going to be some bar in downtown San Jose, but no it was next to Office Max. We get there, and the place is so nice. It's a modern Asian styled bar with each booth surrounded by thin bamboo wall and tents. The servers are super friendly. My roommate got this beer called OB, which was pretty good. I bought chicken wings, and they were overpriced. The good thing was that they did have free snacks (kettle corn and party mix). I was enjoying the party mix and the pickled raddish more than the chicken, which was good, but nothing different. Everyone says the music was great, but I couldn't really tell, because all I heard was a DMX song right after the other. I was hoping they would mix it up a little bit. Other than that, I enjoyed it. I wish they had something like this in my area.

Tony W.

This place is alright for drinks only. Not food. The food sucks. I do appreciate the free nuts, pretzels they give you. Also the carrot sticks. I have been here a few times drinking soju until the early morning hours. Nothing much to look at in this place. Usually korean people bring their own friends.

Patrick D.

yo this place is sick! i got my Asian on in a mean way. slammin soju and pumping fists HARD. Get some of the cheese corn and chicken wings to go with the booze. good times. BTW I was the only non Asian there.

Rachel T.

I don't go to Korean bars EVER.... but I went with my boyfriend and this place is awesome cos... they don't care what age you are, you can probably drink as a 12 year old. Awesome place to get together with you friends and get drunk. I remember I did get drunk here... damn that was in high school. I would go again though, it was fun. The location is random, and hard to find if you've never been there. I thought I would feel so out of place cos everybody would be Korean, but it wasn't like that at all

Sandra H.

The first time I ran across this place was to go to radio shack. My bf told me that he goes to this place often, and just by first appearances, I was like EW. But the next day, we went with another couple and as I walked in I was very surprised. It was cleaner than any other korean bar I've been to so far, and more modern (not like those traditional looking ones). It was a good different. The service was good and their rapoki was delicious. After having some soju with lemons (it's really yum) with lots of snacks, I was truly a happy camper.

Vince T.

I've only been inside once, but that one time was enough for me to have a pretty smashing good time. We had a few bottles of OB, the peach and yogurt soju, and some peaches. The booth we were at was nice and cozy, yet secluded enough from other tables so that we had some privacy. I think we had a problem with the peach soju though, so we talked to the management about our little taste bud dilemma. They switched it out for another yogurt soju at no extra cost, which kept the night going strong. I will definitely come back with friends to this spot.

Mike V.

Nice service, food was ok, yogurt soju was my favorite...great place to chill with friends and get drunk without hating the taste of the shots...

Brian P.

This is my 2nd home! Sung the service is great, He remembers us everytimes we come and gives us the same great service busy or not! Great food, and beer. OB and Hite are a must when you go. I love the complimentary food that they give you. I drive from Millbrae To sunnyvale just to drink! that's how great it is!

Jr. Jun W.

I just came from this place a little while ago. It was pretty dead today when me and my friend got there but I guess you can say they had good service. I cant really give a full review yet because I need to come to a place atleast 2 or 3 times until I give my final review but ill just give it 3 stars for now only because there wasnt many people when i got there. Cant really say much about the food yet since we only ordered calamari and beer.

Irene B.

I think this is one of the better Korean bars around the Lawrence/El Camino area. The atmosphere is chill and surprisingly they aren't blasting K-Pop from their speakers, just some good 'ol hip hop. Other than the questionable couches with mysterious stains, the in inside looks better than what'd you expect from surveying the outside. It is in a random location, and quite hidden from view if you're on El Camino, but thanks to my San Jo homies I've been enlightened. Haha... Anyway, the food is not bad for a sool jip. They serve you some complimentary cucumber and carrot slices with spicy dip along with a small plate of snack mix upon arrival. As for food off of their menu, I've tried their Oh-Deng Gook (fish cake soup...it comes out with a portable gas stove..awesome!), Kim-Chee Bookum Bap (kimchee fried rice...total Paula Dean style and just a mess of buttery goodness), Chicken Katsu (medium-sized portion ), La-Boki (rice cake w/ ramen noodles in spicy sauce...large portion), and of course the Cheese Corn. We always get the same server (Sung-Dae) who's super jolly, and likes to give the DD plenty of H20. Cheers to VIP! Edit: Haha...I was just talking to a friend and he thought that I should add that VIP is set-up so that your tables are a bit closed off. It's a bit hard if you want to holla at the ladies/fellas. That doesn't really change my rating, but if that's important to you then keep that in mind! :P

Christine B.

Alriiiiiiiiiiiight... a cool bar where my girlfriends and I can chill. The hosts are accommodating and friendly. They could use some other music besides rap though.

Kristine N.

Dukk Boki is good!!! Good korean bar food type place. Never lets me down when I crave Korean Food at a weird hour.

CK K.

This is another lounge I hang out at. The first thing I know is that the lighting is pretty bright. Most of the furniture are bought from IKEA. HAHAHA... *pat on the back for the observation. The seats are not the most comfortable seats. Anyway, I came with a bunch of friends. We had a lot of drinks and occasionally the server would bring out some free snacks like fries. This is a small place though. If you have a really big group more than 15, I guess you better go somewhere else. I will definitely come back for more. A++ for being near to my place!

Dang-Khoa H.

This is probably one of the better Korean Bars in the area. It's in a plaza so there's plenty of parking (unlike Rumors). They have a full bar, but of course it's not the best looking bar compared to Hue. Though it's nice and cozy. Service is good, music is good, sometimes they have weird things playing on the TV. But over all it's a pretty good place. The items on the menu are fairly priced, but actually pretty good, especially the fried chicken wings.

Peter L.

This place was ghetto. I can't believe I came here, it's not how I roll. From the outside you wouldn't be able to tell what the hell this place actually is. Inside smelled like sweaty socks, not so pleasant. Soju tasted like rubbing alcohol, seriously, what's the deal? People threw up in the restroom, gross. If I have to say one positive thing about this place it would have to be the waiters/waitresses. They were attentive and speedy in service.

Eater O.

This place is very ghetto. Look at the pictures online. It is located in the corner of a shopping courtyard next to a radio shack and some other stores. The lettering on the outside of the place is in big block letters above a door which for all intensive purposes could harbor an illegal gambling racket behind it. The inside smells of Korean food, but there is a strange background smell of socks and sweat which lingers from the dirty couches. One which was stained with a crusty whitish material... yuck! The food and liquor is cheap though, but the food is definitely ghetto as well. The liquor is advertised as soju but is probably everclear or another cheap substitute. I fear there is methanol in the mix (go blind my friends). It is cheap and cheap is good if you're in the mood for that. But I prefer a non-smelly, non-sketchy place.

Mimi T.

I don't know what ya'll are raving about. This whole in the wall place is sooooo tiny. I went with a group of friends, maybe 10 of us, and we were scattered because there was nothing large enough to seat all of us. The Soju was ok... not great... pluses for the fact that the bartenders were super nice, even though they don't really speak or understand English. Another plus is for the fact that it wasn't super loud, and for the fact that i didn't hear they high pitched voices of little asian girls

David N.

I've been here a few times and it's a fun experience if you can get a table. We couldn't find a table once on a Friday or Saturday, so we just left after 15-30 min. The other times, it was a very enjoyable experience. The food isn't bad. It's a mix of fried rice, ramen, kim chi, and other random korean food. The soju(sp?) is awesome. It's not terribly expensive. The service was excellent. Our waiter/server came by to check up on us every 10-15 minutes. If you kill enough time there, they give you freebies. Very, very cool. Conclusion: A nice place to hang out with a group of friends .

Vivian L.

Went here with Tiffany K. on Monday when we decided to be adventurous drinkers. It took us awhile to find VIP because we were going by the address number. We turned into the Office Max plaza across from 99 chicken and finally found it. First impression of the place was super shady. I had thoughts like "Oh, that's it?" and "Shit, this is seriously the place?". Tiffany and I looked at each other and decided that if this place sucked, we could always go to good 'ol 99 for some chicken and OB. After you walk in, this place is actually pretty nice. It was pretty empty while we were there but I liked having the place to ourselves. The peach soju was excellent. The bartenders were ultra nice and even brought out snacks to munch on like cucumber and carrot sticks (no it's not ketchup on the side, it's hot sauce!!! woo!) and popcorn. As said before...they play some oldschool music. Damn, I haven't heard those songs since middle school. Overall, this place is awesome and I can't wait to go back!!

T. K.

My friends and I went here on a Monday night ( I swear I'm not an alcoholic) to celebrate her last day of work. From the outside, VIP Oriental looked hella sketchy- blacked out windows and in the corner of a plaza. However, the interior was clean and nice. The staff is nice and efficient. We had peach soju and dried fish and squid. The dried fish was good, but the dried squid lacked flavor that we were expecting. I'm definitely coming back with friends.

A C.

the enclosed booths are nice and private. they provide complimentary snacks. if you order food, it tends to take awhile for it to finally come out. a great place to hang out with friends.

thien h.

cool place to hang out at night the drinks are pricey only by youself but i like it beer is good chips nuts popcorn food is cool

sophia c.

i don't remember much of it except- restrooms were clean the night i came here to drink. the snack foods were good too... something pancake, maybe kimchi? i wanted to try their soup, but "the kitchen was closed" by the time we ordered. darn. anywho- good times. great service. wonderful friends.

Yay! My new found home for soju. Tucked away at a little corner in the Office Max/SaveMart Plaza off El Camino is a little korean bar that really stands out on it's own. I was very pleased to be greeted with a cozy but yet hip vibe. Bamboo/Pottery is first spotted right when you walk in and an aisle of private tables seated to the left and right to have your little rendevous with your friends. It's not modern looking compared to Hue, but the atmosphere is a lot better. Music isn't much of an assortment, a lot of rapmy friend kept dancing in her chair and requesting to go to downtown and dance (possibly it was the soju doing the talking). The service was very quick and so much nicer thanks to Hami and Jinoo? (correct me if I had mispelled their names). It was them two who made everything so much fun and worthwhile. Friendly staff even though it was these two people running the place which isn't like Hue (they have young girls waitressing and pressing a button to catch their attention). My girlfriends were celebrating a birthday for someone and we didn't want to just drink soju, but to also eat. We ordered the pancake fried riced, spicy fried chicken wings (11-13 wings), and french fries along with free complimentary snacks of veggies to dip, popcorn and pretzels. We also ordered a bottle of soju, pineapple soju, strawberry soju, and a yogurt soju. Prices on the menu are a bit pricey that's the only difference that I didn't like. I didn't get the total of the tab because I was too busy talking on the phonebut I gave a big tip to them for the help and taking pictures of all of my friends. I'll definitely come back here.

Andrew F.

Seriously I'm buzzed.- not drunk b/c I semi know what I'm doing.... I think lol! :-) I shouldn't be writing this review, huh? O.K. I'm gone. But I have to write this review before I forget everything. l drank mango and pineapple soju with my friends ( i drank like 1 and 1/2 bottles honestly and at least 4 shots of vodka) - about 7 bottles were brought - $22. a bottle of soju, (i got hooked up on the vodka). We also ordered fries, some fried kimchi, and calamari. Pub mix is free when you order a drink. We could have gone with the 2 dishes 1 soju combo for $35 but there were no seats available until 45 minutes or so after we arrived. My friend tried to get me to take a shot with the fine lady behind me, who looked like she was just waiting around- I should have, but I'm like Raj from Big Bang Theory - I need a few drinks before I can 'get my game on" lolll \\ a great time, a little cramped on the tables and bathroom, but the place was rockin' --- hot ladies all around. what more could you ask for. the servers were attentive/nice and man... it was just a great time. doesn't get better than this. bring a group of friends and just enjoy yourself forget about the shady entrance. inside, its a party where you can get down down down down down.... dowwwwwwwwwwwwwn downnnnnnnnnnnnnn JUST GO!!!! ahahah im goneeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :-) bed time :D baby are you down down down down down. OH! one more thing - you know you're drunk when you think the bartender is wearing no pants when she is - shes actually wearing skin colored pants - about 7 of my friends had to confirm she had pants.

Sarah Y.

This is my favorite spot for yogurt-flavored soju. The "yogurt" is yang3 le4 duo1, for those of you who are Mandarin speakers, a.k.a. my favorite childhood drink, and the soju drinks come in a variety of flavors (original yogurt, strawberry, mango, etc.). Get a pitcher of each if you can - they're all good! This is a great spot with nice private booths to hang out with friends on a chill night (where you don't feel like driving all the way up to the city). My only gripe is that the music is a bit too loud on Friday / Saturday nights, making it difficult to hear or hold a conversation. I had to ask the waitress to turn down the volume the last time I was there. On Sundays, though, it's a lot more chill (and emptier), making for a more relaxed place to kick it with friends. I actually prefer coming here on Sundays, but it's always a good time at VIP!

Hottsauce S.

So was that an actual dance floor or are we just so money that we CREATED our own dance floor?

Bay Area Eaters ..

Let me contribute to all the positive reviews written here. This place is awesome! I have to say that I love old dingy korean bars filled with sketchy old men. This place ain't like that. A lot of korean bars I've been to aren't very friendly to you if you're not korean, and neither Ami or I is. But we went into this one and were greeted by friendly hello's by the staff and quickly shown to a seat. The place looks fairly plain from the outside, but the atmosphere and decor on the inside is warm and friendly. The semi-private seats are great if you can get them, but it can get full quick on the weekends. There's a nice selection of flavored soju's and snack like foods as well as some slightly heavier fare. Definitely a great place to just hang out with a bunch of friends. Go and down some of the pineapple soju!

Dennis O.

So heading here from 99 chicken took us only a few minutes since it was just across the street, it's in the middle of a Korean plaza with the usual Asian stores like cellphone stores, hairdressers, beauty products and etc. You would'nt really know there's a lounge in the corner since there are no windows, the door looks like something you'll see from those giant refrigerator rooms. As you get in, the place has good-sized booths and nicely lighted. It's a Saturday night and it's not too busy. I assume it's because of the location. This area isn't really known for it's night life. Most of the drinks are a bit on the fruity side, Im not really a big drinker of Soju but I tried a couple and they are fairly light. I'm usually pretty careful with rice fermented liquor because they are either difficult to swallow (the kind that goes down your throat like gravely sand) or just too light and you won't know what will hit you till later on the night. I ordered a bottle of Bohae (not sure how they spell it) but it's a bottle of Black Raspberry wine which is drunk with shot glasses (huh? Wine in shot glasses?). It was only 15$ for the whole bottle so I bought one to try it out. A bit sweet, a light buzz but enough to get me dancing with everyone. At least the music wasn't in Korean, or else I wouldn't have a clue what I'm dancing to. Luckily, with the sheer number of friends dancing drunkely in front of the bar, you can dance safely without fear of criticism of how badly you are at dancing modern tunes! I believe we can make a mosh pit already with the gyrating bodies of several drunk men and women of Yelp.... (Who touched my butt???) I saw a few dishes out and this is a first time I have ever seen a hot pot with ramen and slices of SPAM, it looks good though. The servers were very good to us, very helpful. Nice place to head to if you want to go somewhere and relax with a few friends without worrying about having enough room for 5 to 30 friends...

Ed H.

I can drive home from here blind folded.

Gov B.

I was the only white guy there. Problem? Not at all. After attending a UC and living in Japan for a year, I'm accustomed to blitzing a bar full of Asians, executing a well-timed Gaijin Smash, and gulping shots of oddly fruity liquor while the bartenders cower in fright and awe. But seriously, it was fun. The entrance is literally a hole in the wall: Find the Office Max, look to your right, and seek out the flashing "OPEN" sign above the door with a simple "VIP" plastered on it. Open this door to find a small (maximum occupancy: 49), well-illuminated (too bright to make out in the corners), and slightly upscale ($6 beers) lounge with loud background music. That's not to say the music was bad. To his credit, the music man played an R&B cover of Bohemian Rhapsody. Can't go wrong with Queen. Only two things would improve this joint: 1. A dance floor 2. Greater occupancy limit Otherwise, good ol' Korean fun!

Renee R.

LOVE THIS PLACE!!! I hate how it gets too crowded and you can't get a table but when you actually do get a table its great. The soju is delicious a whole variety of flavors such as strawberry, pineapple, peach and more.. just thinking about it gets me drunk haha. Beware though the soju tastes so good that before you know it your wasted. Throughout your stay there the waiters bring you goodies...they start off with gardetto chips then vegetables partnered with this delicious red sauce followed popcorn and the fries and when they want you to get the hell out they send out fresh delicious fruit. Service is great here I'm amazed on how much crap they take considering there's soo many drunks around there. Anyway its a great environment and they play great music.

Grace L.

Don't judge a book by its cover. Once you go inside, the interior is awesome. Couches to lounge in or table with a little more privacy. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I've been here on two occasions and I've had good experiences both times. They provide you with snacks and if sometimes they'll bring you food on the house! The noise level is decent. You can hold a conversation with someone sitting across from you. Check this place out if you're looking for a place with a lot of Asian people, friendly staff, or just in the area!

Cynthia T.

Came here with a small group of friends and had a blast. Enjoyed all the randomness about it. I loved how when the bff asked for a hennessy on the rocks the server asked if he wanted it with ice. Hilarious! The random munchies they provided, popcorn, carrot and cucumber sticks, and cracker mix. Not too sure the cucumbers and carrots go well with drinking, but still ate some.

Robin S.

We go here for Soju and Korean apps every once and a while. I like the seafood pancakes.

Terri L.

This place is great! I've been here a couple times and each time i leave VERY happy. The food comes out fast and is delicious. I don't think i've had anything here that i haven't liked yet. one of my personal favs is their kimchi fried rice. wow! let me tell you, i could finish the whole thing if i didnt have to share! also, their flavored soju is great. i like the strawberry flavored one. yum yum! this place is super fun with a big group of people.

Kolina T.

I love this place. The sofas add to cozy and casual ambiance and facilitate conversations with friends (though I suppose soju would have that facilitating effect with or without the ambiance). One of the waiters there likes and remembers Nelson B. who once asked for the check in Korean (the waiter called him the "VIP of VIP"), so he sometimes hooks us up with free snacks if it's a slow night. Friday/Saturday nights get pretty busy, but we've always been able to call ahead to reserve a booth for 10pm. One drunk patron tried to pick a fight with us once--it was strange; we are NOT the type that would ever instigate a fight. But the bartender seemed familiar with the guy and was able to pull him away and defuse a potentially bad situation. 5 stars for friendly, attentive waiters and pineapple soju!

John D.

This is a very dark, chill place to hang out with a group of people. They play somewhat loud but not music. There are sectioned off seating areas to give some privacy to people. There is even a bar too. The food here is of a decent nature. nothing too great and nothing too bad wither. The French fries are good here. They come in plenty but I guess if you're paying 10 bucks for them, they better come in a large number. There was a ramen soup type of thing, which I think was first made in the Korean military, it wasn't too bad but not awesome either. The seafood pancake wasn't as great as people have boasted about this place either. They give tons of little snakcs on the table too. There is popcorn, seaweed, nuts, veggies, and peaches too. The people who work here have always been nice too.

Daniel D.

What can I say? I love vip. The 1.6 liter beers are funny and functional. The staff is welcoming and very friendly. The snacks are a nice touch too. A great bar -- whether you are Korean or not (I am not). I plan to be a regular.

Tammy T.

The place is okay, I am giving the 4 stars is for the service. They truly taking of care of you when you are there. They paid attention to you.

Gene P.

Never been to a Korean bar before, so I decided to check this out one random Wednesday night. It turned out to be a good idea. We walked inside and were promptly greeted by the staff and took two empty seats at the bar, in which we were greeted by a polite foreign bartender named Jin. This being my first time in a Korean bar, I asked him to suggest a drink. He slammed down two 30 oz OBs. If this was the standard to Korean beer than I was impressed. It went down smoother than any beer I've ever had. My only complaint? They played aggressive rap (2-pac, Eminem, Notorious BIG, Lil Jon, etc.) while people around us were playing Korean drinking games. I guess it's passable on a Wednesday night because there is no worry for bumping into people, but let's say this happened on a Friday night. Aggressive music + drunk egotistic males = chaos. I have yet to go on a Friday night so I'll just stand by what I say, and this place is great overall. P.S. Be careful with the bathroom door lock. Sometimes it locks even when you have the lock turned most of the way into the "unlock" position. I found out the hard way. =X

Brit C.

Service: Waiter was really nice but started to neglect us when it got busy. Venue: It was stinky when we first got in, and then, after about an hour it was thick with the smell of food. Ventilation, people. Food: The Chex mix was awesome. That's all I ate. I did see the prices; outrageous compared to the Korean restaurants I've been to in NoVA. Alcohol: I came here for Soju and it made up for all the other stuff =) Ambiance: This is the type of place that you go with a group...a big group.

Ginger L.

Scary from the outside but a fun environment to chill with friends. They give you free snacks and the service is very attentive. The fries are delicious and the yogurt soju was weak. We got there on a Saturday night around 10pm and the place was half full. Crowds of ppl started around 11ish but they were all guys....what a sausage festival!!! Private booths divided by waist high walls or blinds that were literally tied on a bar. Furniture and pillow were dirty nasty. I couldn't completed get comfortable but the company and conversations were good so I got over it. Definitely a good place for big groups who want to get their drink on. Very nice waiters, didn't rush us even though the three of us were hogging up a booth that could have probably sat 6.

Conan T.

Looking for a place outside of the usual ghetto dtsj scene, our girlfriends found this place to go kick it on a Saturday night. They've got drinks and food all night long. PErfect right? Despite the drunken, belligerent, and underage crowd, I might've locked this in as my new spot if it were not for the fact that the waitress handed us our bill that charged us an extra 30 bucks or so on top of what was really ordered.

Myra G.

A great place if you want a casual night with some friends. Nice private enclosed areas for your group. Went on a Saturday night, usually gets busy after 10:30pm. Soju is good. My friends and I ordered the Yogurt, Mango, and Peach, which all were good. The only drawback is that they blast the music so loud that you're practically screaming just to hear each others conversations. Oh and service was good, once you've tracked the waiter or waitress down.

Kim F.

One of my favorite Korean soju bars. It's pretty tiny, hidden in the corner of a strip mall. It's one of the few places that I can go without any Korean people in the group and not feel like we're being snubbed. They have a pretty extensive food menu, and serve soju, beer, and brandy/cognac. Their cocktail soju comes in a smaller pitcher than most other places, but it's pretty strong. Every time we've gone there, there is a super friendly server guy who gives us hugs (well, the girls at least) and seems to know everyone who comes in the door. There's also a waitress who's half Chinese and half Korean and is super nice too. They have a bar up front, some tables and best of all, two groups of cushy couches around low tables. If you go before the rush (it gets pretty full around 10:30-11) you can nab a couch. They aren't as ample with the "service" - complimentary food - as Rumors over on Homestead, but they're so nice and I love the comfy couches (which they recently got new cushions for) it makes up for it. I've even gone there with just one other person before and we took up the couches for hours and they didn't mind. Oh, oh! And I forgot to add, that their kimchi pancake is delicious. MMmmm.

Sung S.

Let me give you a real damn review for VIP. First of all I didnt know it was called VIP oriental... that is soo orginal. haha Ive been coming here for over 3 years now....im not proud of it cuz that just makes me an alcholic. Recently this place has been packed on friday nites. So if you decide on coming here on a friday nite... i would tell you.... hope u like standing up. The prices are like any other bars, the food is a little pricey. I think they best value is the sodas which are like $1. I was damn surprised. The service is good... you just have to order alot of beer and soju, then the homeboy sung dae will come and hook us up with some food. Some of the chicks that work there are pretty hot so if you drunk... you might think they are like models. Overall pretty chilled environment and nice place to relax. Loud music so dont expect to get much conversation in. Just play those drinking games and its all good.

Jean P.

Overall great place to chill and hang out with friends. I like how there's a bar at the end with dining tables on one side and sofas and coffee tables on the other. Awesome place to lounge, enjoy some soju, and munch on some snacks and chicken wings. I find it a better alternative to hang out here after going to 99 chicken numerous times. The staff here are very friendly and accomodating as well.

Karen L.

This restaurant is pretty good. really expensive. we had a plate of french fries for $10. their flavored soju was great though and that's what we came for. I've never been to Korea, but i think they had pretty authentic dishes. seafood pancake was good!. ALSO, While we were enjoying our time, the waiters kept giving us complimentary snacks. popcorn, fruits, chex mix. IT WAS AWESOME.

Karen L.

My favorite Korean bar probably, although I haven't been to many. The owner and staff are cool, always helpful. Food and drinks are decently priced. I really like the Korean pancakes there! Be weary of the Soju, it's a creeper! Love the extra snacks they hand out for you to munch on :)

Ryan C.

I never see much Koreans here. Can't really call it a Korean bar.

Jackie D.

this just happens to be the hang out place of choice by my friends. when i hear "kbar," i know my friends want to go here. normally, we come in large groups, at least when i go. there are usually about 8 of us maybe more. the last time we went we got a table near the door. it was a tight squeeze since we were placed in between the wall and a partition. the seating is all sectioned off. to get out, if you're sitting in the the inside, you have to bend under the partition and into another section to get out..or make everyone get up so you can get out. the people here are normally nice. they give you little snacks to munch on while you sit and drink. we ordered soju and beer. some of us got some food too. fries, kimchi ramen...and i think that's it? the night was filled with munching on food, drinking, and idle conversation of things we did in high school, gossip about friends, and crazy dreams involving present company. this is a good place to just hang out with the friends. probably not my first choice but still good nonetheless.

Evelyn T.

Better places exist. I might have been spoiled by places in Ktown in LA, so my dissatisfaction could be biased. I thought this places was expensive, the food mediocre, and seating was way crowded. Then againnnnnnn.... it's a Korean bar, so I can't be froo froo. I just wish ONE aspect stood out...like if the food/soju was really good or something.

Marilou A.

I have yet to walk out of VIP's doors sober. I love this place because it's freaking cheap, its open on national holidays, the staff is nice, and the soju/beer/food are all quite yummy. Extra kudos for the free popcorn, the mystery red sauce, the cucumbers and carrots, and the nuts... and you KNOW it wouldn't be the same without those 2Pac jams blaring in the background.

Jennie N.

If you love soju and late night food, this is the place to go. I've been to V.I.P. twice and each experience has gotten better. Depending on the day you go, it can be super crowded and you might not have a place to sit. Don't let the exterior of this place scare you away. Once you come in, its a really nice chill place. The menu there can be quite pricey, along with the drinks; however, for a late night Korean bar/lounge I would have to say that it ROCKS! The staff there is friendly which I'm a stickler for. Foods that I've tried so far FRENCH FRIES = nummie! FRIED RICE = Buttery sensation in our mouth! SEAFOOD PANCAKE = nummie!

Rogerio F.

Soju drinks that really creep on ya. Come with friends and you can't go wrong. Our party of 15 or so paid a total of $80! yesss!... happy times.

Quyen N.

Great service... LOVE the cheese corn. On the weekends I normally call for reservation though just to make sure we get a booth - or a table. We've had to stand and use the cart they use to keep the napkins as our table before. It was fun - but I still prefer to sit.

tinarsaurus L.

My bar of choice.. mainly because they give you free snacks. Also, their fried chicken wings come out piping hot! It's a really loud and social place but you can still chill at a private table... Free snacks, beer, good chicken wings, and tables..all I could ever ask for in a bar/lounge.