Han Woo Ri
371 S Limestone, Lexington, KY, 40508
Han Woo Ri Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Lexington for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lexington for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lexington for healthy meals suggestion.
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Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 3:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Emme C.
Good food. Very affordable.
(4)Samara B.
I love, love, love spicy bulgogi. I've eaten the other menu items, but the spicy bulgogi is by far my favorite. It's thinly spiced pork, covered in a spicy red marinade. The pork is tender, hot and flavorful and served on a hot iron plate. Also on the plate is potato and onion. It is served with kimchi and white rice. I have tried the sushi and have found it to be over priced and not very good. Stick with the Korean dishes, you can't go wrong.
(5)Olwen C.
Delicious Korean food that's affordable and presented nicely. I've had most of the dishes on the menu and enjoyed everything. The soup bowls are wonderful and spicy. At dinner, everything is served with miso soup and a salad with a delicious ginger dressing. Oh, and a side of Kimchee. I love it! They also serve sushi, and appetizers, they even have a soft shell crab on the menu and it is delicious.
(5)Thien-Nam T.
Not bad soon doo boo given that it's in Kentucky. They only have one kind which is seafood. Unlike soon doo boo that I'm accustomed to in California, they do not allow you to crack the egg into the soup, but they do it for you. The sides include salad, kimchi, sliced potatoes, and miso soup. It's a dollar extra for dinner. Lunch price is $7.99 for the soon doo boo. They are closed between lunch and dinner hours. I have yet to try their bibimbap, but service is good and atmosphere is nice.
(3)Sarah V.
The food here is tasty. I love the broccoli and tofu, as well as the dol sot bi bim bap. I'm dropping my rating to two stars after our group was treated very rudely. We came in with a group of seven people. There were three empty tables. The waiter said they couldn't seat seven. "Just push those tables together?" we suggested. "Hold on, let me check" says the waiter. Uh, okay. He goes in the back and comes back after a few minutes, saying "Sorry, she forgot to plug in the rice cooker, we're out of rice." This sounded like some B.S. because the rest of the restaurant was full of people dining, with plenty of rice in sight. You just don't plug in your rice cooker in the middle of the lunch hour with a full restaurant? Hm... It was our thinking that they just didn't want to serve our party. To be clear, we've eaten here with our whole team before: they can definitely handle a party of seven... if they want to.
(2)Brian S.
I've been here about 4 times, each time ordering bulgogi for lunch. It's often busy here, being so close to UK's campus. I think the beef is good, as is the kimchi the bulgogi lunch includes. Miso soup cup is the starter. I wish they'd add another side dish though. Maybe I'm just greedy! Some Korean places will include a tangy sauce along w/ the beef. I've grown accustomed to that and always notice when it isn't offered, as is the case here. Kind of small and tight, so it doesn't feel like a place you'd want to spend a long time reading or working over lunch, as they may want the table. Good option if you're around campus.
(4)Raj P.
I went to this place as an invitation from a good friend. He said and I quote "I only brings my good friends here, so you should feel special." This place is a hole in the wall establishment, located right next to University of Kentucky's campus. It's definitely in a prime location for foot traffic. This place is fairly small, so keep that in mind if you have a large group of people. The decor is simple and tasteful, and the music is casual. The menu is small but it makes sense. They focus on their strengths and honestly you won't be disappointed. I asked my friend what he suggested and he said "Everything here is amazing!" Their menu has authentic Korean BBQ and other dishes, as well a nice selection of sushi. I started out with an order of a Dragon Roll: Crab, avocado, eel, shrimp. This roll was expertly made, not only did it make for a wonderful appetizer but it allowed me to get a taste of what was to come. Bulgogi: Thin, tender slices of beef are marinated with soy sauce, sesame oil, and other spices. Sautéed potato's and onions. It is served with a bowl of white stick rice. This was amazing, the flavors just jumped off the plate. The dish had several layers of textures and flavors that I just couldn't stop eating it. I wanted to try their dessert options but I was too stuffed to eat anymore. This restaurant is epic, I'm surprised I didn't hear about it until now. I highly recommend everyone to at least try this place out. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Nicole D.
What a great spot. Food was very good. The steamed dumplings were amazing. So was the bulgogi. The only negative is the parking. It also should be known to get there early to beat the crowds because this place gets packed very fast.
(4)Lucas I.
Everything was going great...until the Spicy Tuna Roll. The fish did not taste fresh at all, and came from a package that had been frozen (for what tasted like forever). When politely addressing the issue, the chef (and owner) became defensive and extremely rude. She told us it was fresh from the package, and that her other customers liked it. Not only this, but she asked us to leave, because she would not be making our other food that we ordered. If you cannot handle criticism, you should not own a restaurant. We are never going back to this place. P.S. Do NOT let the packaged fish sit in your fridge for that long...By serving fish like this, it brings about unwanted health issues.
(1)Houston H.
In town on business and stopped by for the Dol sot bi bim bod (did I spell that right?) and it was awesome. Great cool little place.
(5)Earl J.
I love this place. I have eaten here a dozen times over the years and always enjoyed it. The food has always been good. The dumplings and the Korean beef are my favorite. They have changed to where they are like a traditional restaurant where you order at your table and pay at your table. This is a good change as I never did like ordering and paying at the counter. They are very quick on serving you as well and are friendly in their attention to you. Food is authentic. Yum!
(5)Iris T.
Super authentic food! It reminds me of my hometown. Price is reasonable. It's a clean and warm place to hang out with friends. I had the spicy tofu soup. It is authentic!! I'll say Korean food in General is not that stunning. But this place worth a 5 star just for its authenticity.
(5)Elaine D.
Everything I've had has been excellent. Pillows of steamed dumplings -- yum! The beef or spicy pork bul go gi are delicious. I would prefer a larger bowl of their flavorful miso soup with more tofu, in place of the salad, which is a little skimpy. Next time, I'll ask. Very affordable. Love this little gem!
(4)Megan M.
I've tried several items on the menu and all have been very tasty. Usually I've had to wait for a while when they're busy but it hasn't been terrible. I only wish they had the assortment of condiments/accouterments that usually come with entrees of Korean cuisine (relishes, black beans, etc)
(3)april w.
This place does NOT have Korean BBQ. They do have Korean and Japanese food, like chap chae, bulgolgi, sushi, stone bowl bibimbap, kimchi, seaweed salad, miso soup, etc. Food is very delicious, but they are currently very short on staff (as in lots of hiring signs), so service is very slow. It took 25 min for our food to come out (we were a party of 2 and the place was only 1/4 occupied). Staff was nice though.
(4)Marine A.
After a long hike at red river gorge, we were more than ready for a delicious meal. Good thing we picked Han Woo Ri, because that's exactly what we got. We started out with the steamed dumplings which were very good. Eight large dumplings served just right, not overly chewy and very flavorful. Then we got the Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap as well as the spicy pork, both excellent. The pork and onions were a bit greasy which was probably the only set back, but overall perfectly seasoned. We finished off with a tasty desert, the green tea tempura ice cream. Overall the food was quite tasty, extremely affordable and the service was fantastic.
(4)Anastasia U.
THEY DO NOT OFFER GLUTEN FREE-DO NOT TRUST THE OTHER REVIEW! Not a good experience-we were in lexington during the derby as we were just moving to the louisville area. I found a review on yelp saying they were gluten free-so we went one night-what a mistake! The owner (I assume) is a lady who hardly speaks english and had no idea what gluten was-she thought it was rice. Two youngs men were the waiters and they didnt have a clue what gluten free was-they actually asked me if I could explain it. I ordered a hot tea-Jason got a diet coke-we ordered one sushi roll and left. We asked if they could modify some rolls to make them gluten free-they were absolutely against it. Do not go here if you are looking for gluten free-or any knowledgable service.
(2)Candice K.
There are few times I wiuld give an authentic Korean restaurant a so-so review, this is one of them. Han Woo Ri is cute, has a good location, great service and good enough food. However, the pricing was a little outrageous for what they serve you, and its not the most comfortable environment for a family. I also feel like the ingredients and menu were slighlty Americanized compared with the delicious and rather large variety of foods I ate while growing up.
(3)Steven W.
The name and reviews sounded promising, but this place didn't quite live up to the hype. The menu was pretty lack luster (much of it was fusion and sushi) and they were really skimpy with their kimchi. Having just come back from Korea where kimchi is the staple side dish I was disappointed. They also served no bap chan (side dishes) aside from kimchi! Oddly enough they only had Japanese beer. No Cass or Hite! Admittedly Korean beer isn't the best, but come on. Not having Korean beer at a Korean restaurant is a sin! If you've never had Korean this place will be fine, but if you're accustomed to a good selection and great taste you should look elsewhere.
(2)James M.
The food is AWESOME! The staff has always been friendly and prompt. The atmosphere is clean and sophisticated. The prices are very reasonable.
(4)Shirley R.
Food: Definitely has some authenticity to the taste, and flavor was excellent. I ordered the Bi Bam Bap, and was very happy with it. Over the course of the year, had multiple items, and was always satisfied. Mild westernization of the dishes, but once again - very mild. Careful, if at the latter end of the lunch rush, multiple items will not be available. Ambience: Clean, small, basically a converted house. Nothing special in terms of decor. It's meant to be a rush-hour restaurant, and the inside serves this purpose well. Staff: Staff were friendly and helpful. Other: Is in a structure that is shared by other venues/businesses. You order at the cash register in the back.
(4)Alvin L.
In the heart of Big Blue Nation lies a discreet Han Woo Ri. Having tried many Korean restaurants around the nation, this restaurant is still my gold standard for Korean food. I have been a frequent customer of this establishment for some time now. The food quality remains consistent. The Jap Chae, Bim Bin Bap (sp?), Pa Jun, BuGoGi are typically what I order. Those dishes are amazing, really and truly. The staff is always very friendly! While it has been noted by other yelpers, they management is VERY stingy with their Kim Chi. They treat the pickled cabbage like it's gold. The staff knows it. I asked the staff for some extra kim chi and they notified me the owner likes to keep the kim chi "give away" to a minimal. However, the two servers (won't say who they are for fear of them getting fired) went out of their way to get me more! One would distract the owner, while the other would reap a harvest of Kim Chi into a bowl for me. I dig the team work! They since late 2011, they have remodeled the place. Looks nicer and now the menu offer sushi. Sushi is so-so, but it hits the spot if you are on Limestone, otherwise, head on over to Seki on Broadway. The pitfall of the Han Woo Ri is the seating and lack of staff. Management will not allow two (2) people to sit at a four (4) top (that is a table that can seat 4 people). They rather you wait until a two (2) top becomes available. I get why they do it (to maximize profits). But seriously? At times, the restaurant doesn't have enough staff on the floor. One time I went for dinner with a friend and there was ONE server for a PACKED house. Needless to say, the service was slow. I do not blame the server, he had to clean, take orders and expo. Bless him... Han Woo Ri is still a fantastic place despite the "Kim Chi Nazi" trolling around and the weird seating. If you are in the mood for home cooked Korean food, Han Woo Ri is the place to go. Tip: If you want more Kim Chi (yes you do, you are at a Korean restaurant), help the staff by keeping an eye out for the " Kim Chi Nazi". She is the owner, an elderly Korean lady. If she's comes out, signal the staff however you can. GET YOUR KIM-CHI !!!
(4)Christiaan T.
Wow, my taste buds are speechless Sushi rolls awesome and bibim bab was great. It's a small place and a great atmosphere.
(4)A H.
What a wonderful little family restaurant in downtown Lexington near the University of Kentucky. They are SLOW (family run!) but very GOOD. The bulgogi was great. We came as a group, and the owner offered complimentary edamame appetizer and small kimchi plates while we waited for our main dishes to arrive. Beautiful stylish restaurant. Warm. Inviting. Friendly.
(5)Sarah B.
Update- this has become my absolute favorite restaurant in Lexington. My favorites are the Soon Du Bu and the fantastic roll. The mochi on the dessert menu is also fantastic. Every visit has been spectacular! This restaurant was excellent! I loved the atmosphere (kind of Indie-Chic).. The server was nice, and we didn't wait very long for our food. Everyone in my group was happy with their food (I can't remember the names of everything- one seafood soup, one beef and potatoes dish, one seafood and tofu sauce that you pour over rice, and one roll of sushi). The cinnamon tea was a little too sweet for my taste but my boyfriend liked it. I was very happy with this place and definitely plan on returning!
(5)Ann L.
Got a parking spot out front of building with free parking. Good. Welcomed by friendly servers who never let our glass get half empty and kept table cleared of dishes and stuff. Good. Cute & quaint. Good. Brought out 3 little apps before we even ordered and all three were fresh and delicious. Good. We ordered the Crazy Boy roll and Dol Sot Bip em Bab. The owner came to our table to stir the bowl. Both dishes were AMAZING!! That's the best roll I've ever had. Awesome. The server said the owner enjoys coming out and stirring the dish, she makes some special sauces and makes the dishes. Passion. The price was so reasonable too. Affordable. The experience left me very satisfied and ready to go back soon. Favorite.
(5)Carolyn H.
Cute atmosphere, clean and excellent service. Really stellar. But the food was just okay. Kimchi and soup come with every entrée and both were good. I had the sweet potato noodles and veggies with rice. These were like cellophane noodles but sweeter. It was the tofu and broccoli in oyster sauce I wasn't impressed with. It was too heavy on the soy and much too saccharine. I would ask them to go light on the sauce next time or, better yet, order something else altogether. Very reasonable prices, though and in a very cute little area of Lexington near other shops and downtown/UK campus.
(3)Cory B.
This is my favorite place to eat in Lexington. Even though the quality of service and overall environment has decreased since their recent expansion, the food here remains to always be a truly gourmet experience for me. I love their Dol Sot and deserts. I wish they'd bring back the free tea and the (in)famous "You buy with cash get one free can drink!" sign, but I suppose that'd just be too perfect. So even though a lot has been lost externally speaking since their golden days, Han Woo Ri remains one if the best values for taste-filled experience in Lexington. Hopefully their new waiters will become more experienced and management won't go on to expand...again.
(5)Joe M.
In Georgetown Kentucky Toyota for some training, always search out highly rated Asian restaurants to eat at when out of town on business, this is where Han Woo Ri fits in nicely (in Lexington, Kentucky). This is Korean food and they do it well. The rice, yes rice, is awesome. It is a pet peeve of mine when white rice (sticky rice) is not cooked properly and of the cheaper variety...not here. Ordered Bulgogi and is was quite similar to the versions I experienced in Hawai'i...ono grinds brah! The Kim-chi was delicious and the grated potatoes on the plate was a nice surprise, half cooked yumminess. Thanks for providing an authentic Korean meal in Lexington Kentucky, seriously!!! Not fine dining, typical small mom and pop feel and cheap as it gets for the quality and portions...service was on par. I would highly recommend giving it a try, this is not fine dining by any means, but...oh it's so good!!!
(4)Cherrie X.
The menu has a lot of varieties, we've had some food that couldn't be found in other Korean restaurants. Food tastes average; the place is small but lovely.
(3)Alexandra M.
Love love love the food and appreciate the atmosphere and service. One of my very favorite places to eat! The best surprise is the cinnamon tea. I've never had anything like it anywhere else and it is fantastically delicious and comforting. Do try it!
(5)Kim B.
I love this place!!!! The service is excellent and the Del Sot Bibimbap is by far in my top 3 favorite dishes I have had anywhere. Be certain to try the shrimp tempura. I'm convinced these are some type of angel shrimp they are so light. The servers are awesome and Ms. Kim is the gem at the helm of this little Korean House of Wonder. I cannot imagine how hard this one little woman works everyday to put out the amount of food she does and the consistent quality is amazing. I was hooked after my first visit. If she isn't busy she is more than happy to visit and I find her willingness to share her cooking techniques, tips, and stories of her home demonstrate a generosity of spirit that is often common among those that love to cook and cook for those they love. Go see Ms. Kim and let her share the love!
(5)Sofiana H.
Super dank. My only complaints are that they are super stingy with the kimchee..like it's cabbage bro. Cabbage is cheap. Also, when I went in they said they were too busy to make me sushi. Um. Ok. I ended up going with the bulgogi which was super greasy and delicious.
(4)Lan L.
It was a little hard to find the place, as it shared a small two-story building with a couple of other businesses. And you will be, very likely, a little disappointed if you are used to those authentic Korean restaurant in big cities. The menu was really short and the ingredients were very limited. However, when considering how remote the area was, it's not hard to see that the owner had already tried her best to make everything taste right with the limited materials. The steamed dumpling was nice. The complementary dessert was a pleasant final touch to the entire meal, as it looked absolutely beautiful and tasted pretty good.
(4)Kyle J.
My favorite place in Lexington. The food is all freshly made and is delicious. Support this small business! I recommend the Bul Go Gi, Pa Jun, or Dumplings. You also get unlimited soup and a side-of-the-day with your meal.
(5)Karen W.
Great service, delicious food! My gramps is in town from San Francisco and thoroughly enjoyed his bulgogi and fried green tea ice cream!
(5)Chad C.
Nice place to eat right near campus.
(4)Jeff R.
Next to campus. Fantastic food. Have only been once since it changed to sit down service, but it was still very good.
(4)Paul W.
Without doubt, a hidden gem. Amazing food, friendly staff and ownership, and good prices. Well worth a trip off the beaten path.
(5)Jenny H.
I came here with my boyfriend about a week ago. It is a small place - think it used to be a house, now converted to a restaurant. You order at the front and then they bring your food to you. I ordered the bi bam bap in a stone bowl, which was good, decent portion, but there was hardly any meat. My boyfriend ordered the bulgogi - which was tasty as well, but there wasn't very much meat either. Our meals each came with a small dish of kimchi, which was authentic tasting, and when we asked for more, the waitress very nicely brought us an extra dish. They also served a miso soup before our meals which wasn't very good. It was cold, and nothing in it - no green onions or tofu, but the main problem was that it was a little cold. My main issue with this place is portion size. The bi bam bap will fill me up and I would say I eat a regular amount for a girl, but the bulgogi wouldn't have done it, at least not for dinner. Also, they didn't serve the typical array of korean pickles which is one of my favorite things about korean restaurants, but it is a bit cheaper than most other places.
(3)Kelsey S.
Dol sot bibim bab was great! Perfect for cold weather when you don't want to eat soup! Sushi was just ok... Come here for the Korean dishes! Top dinner off with Mochi or tempura ice cream! Service is quick and friendly! Atmosphere is cute!
(4)Qiaoling S.
Reasonable price for tasty korean food! The hours are not so great, wish they are open late!
(4)David H.
When we walked in, I smelled the delightful scents of roasted meat and spice! These guys did it right for there location. Small kitchen and storage space means narrowing alot of things. There are 14 tables with 42 seats in the small but warm and comfortable eating area. It is also very clean and well lit. Afterall, I want to see what I am eating. The kitchen area is also small so a lot of the dishes use similar items but with very different taste. Beef is the meat of choice here and the Beef Bulgogi was delicious. It is served with rice, kimchi, and what I believe is a simple Ban Chan or Korean potato salad. We next had the dumplings. They are HUGE and tender steamed pockets of joy. The stuffing is a mix of pork, potatoes, carrots, scallions, and sweet potato noodles. The dipping sauce is very light being slightly salty and sour. Lastly, we shared the Soon Doo Boo. It is a spicy seafood soup with silken tofu. Silken tofu, BTW, is the proper tofu type to use for soup. It included a egg, squid, and shrimp. It was also served with rice, kimchi, and Ban Chan. It was served boiling in a stone bowel and was very warming insde on this cold day. Once again I must say that this, like many other restaurants I frequent, makes most of the food as you order it so be patient. Food is to be enjoyed and shared. If you are in a hurry go to CrapDonalds for a death sandwich. If you pay cash, you get one free can drink!! The girl that took your order, also does the serving and table busing so once again be patient and tip her well. To order, go up to the counter. You order and pay at the same time so when your ready to go, you just go. I like that. We will be going back again for lunch.
(5)Ryan N.
Yes, they don't have *that* many options on their menu. But the Bul Go Gi was actually very good. It came with a cup of rice, a bowl of broth, and the entree. The beef was tender and seasoned well. Tip: They have canned sodas there for a dollar, but if you pay for your meal with cash you get one for free! You pay up front, and they bring you the food. The dining room isn't exactly huge or that impressive, but it doesn't need to be. The service is quick, simple and friendly.
(4)Lee P.
The kalbi (Korean grilled/broiled beef ribs) were very good. The portions was bigger than I expected. Very generous, tasted good, and came with plenty of sides, including kimchi. The atmosphere is clean and bright; love it here. The Korean tea is delicious. The service is great and it's conveniently located next to UK campus. Beware the lunch crowds. It has taken 40 minutes to get food at this time of day.
(4)Shane B.
I've been eating at this little Korean establishment for about 4 years now, and never have I had a bad meal. In fact, never have I heard anyone complain about the food at all! They've recently made several aesthetic changes, some for the better some for the worse, but through it all the food remains solid. The service has slowed a bit, whereas you used to be able to waltz up to the counter and be greeted, you must now sit and wait to be seen (which, when busy, can result in the intoxication smells increasing your hunger x100!) So there are some setbacks with the new changed, but it looks great, the food remains UH-MAZ-ING and the friendly atmosphere is unchanged. I would recommend this establishment to anyone who is looking to expand their pallet beyond the norm. Oh, and try the Bulgogi, it's amazing!
(5)Jenn M.
My husband and I had lunch here and can't say enough wonderful things. The service was excellent and very quick. The miso soup and kimchi that come with each meal are outstanding; the kimchi especially- it's crisp, spicy and very fresh. The Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap absolutely stole the show. I noticed that nearly everyone around me had ordered it as well. It is served in a "hot pot" with sticky rice, vegetables, well-seasoned ground beef, potatoes, and topped with an egg. Though it sounds like a strange combination, once you mix all of the ingredients and add the special spicy sauce that is to accompany it, it is seemingly perfection. The restaurant is extremely clean and has the freshest ingredients. I highly recommend it!
(5)Jason A.
Han Woo Ri is one of my favorite places to get lunch in Lexington. I work on UK campus, and I go here about once a week. The menu is a bit weird in that everything is just listed like they are equivalent items. For instance, their dumplings are listed right along with their spicy pork entree. (The dumplings are more like and appetizer) So long as you don't make the mistake of ordering an appetizer when you were trying to get an entree, you will probably love this place.... If you don't, then you have poor taste in food! Seriously try this place, it's great.
(4)Halide T.
this place is my go-to restaurant for comfort food.... korean style ! small, cozy place with a small menu of 10-15 items, most of which are prepared really well. many items can be served vegetarian. My favorites from the menu include the sizzling bowl of bibimbap (rice, meat and vegetables) , korean dumplings , korean-style pancake and spicy soft tofu-seafood soup.. all come as good-size entrees, along with a small cup of soup and kimchi. enjoy a free cup of hot korean tea along with your food.. Expect to leave this place happy and satisfied... and smelling like the korean food !!!
(5)Emily D.
Has to be my favorite restaurant in Lexington. I have yet to be disappointed by this place: the food is delicious, the people working there are helpful and friendly, and the prices are great. Everything on the menu is fantastic, but I particularly love their Tofu Broccoli and Jap Chae. Just a warning: there's usually a single woman working the register and serving, and it can get pretty busy during lunch and dinner rushes (especially lunch), so be prepared to spend a little time in this lovely restaurant. Other than that, though, I love it from the top of my heart. Also, the visiting professor working in my lab is South Korean, and he says the food is both authentic and high quality.
(5)Elyse C.
I loved this place. The atomosphere and service fit the food--i felt like my korean neighbors had invited me to dinner and i was chilling in their living room. The other reviews are accurate about the food and hot tea. Awesome!!! Good food, good service--i had high expectations after reading the other reviews, and they were met, maybe exceeded.
(5)Stephanie L.
I go here for a lunch date with my mom every time I am back in town. It's one of the first places I want to eat. This is delicious Korean food. I've had almost everything on the menu - pancakes, dumplings, sticky rice cakes, sushi, bulgoki, bi bim bap - all of it is consistently delicious. But by far my two most favorite dishes are the bi bim bap (steamed veggies and marinated beef over hot rice) and the bulgoki (Korean bbq beef). Everything comes in large portions and are reasonably priced. Parking is convenient, they have a lot right behind the store, and the location is extremely close to school. Usually when I go back to Lexington I make sure to spend a whole day around campus and then grab lunch here and afterwards I walk off my food coma at any of the awesome independently owned stores around this area (CD Central and sQecial are right next door!) The cinnamon tea is also mind-blowingly delicious - sweet and spicy and so potent you can drink one cup for hours, just keep adding ice cubes to tone down the spiciness. I brought two friends here from out of town, they agreed it was some of the best Korean they'd had.
(5)Elliot C.
Great food. Dumplings and the steak are super. Great value.
(4)Robbie M.
Gimme an over easy egg that cooks over the perfectly contrasted combination of sesame and sugared meat against a rainbow of delicately steamed vegetables and I will give you a smiling, happy woman. And I smile often at Han Woo Ri. The atmosphere is intimate and casual and the food is so good that I don't care that it takes a bit of time at lunch.
(4)Shanshan C.
Yes. It is a quiet good Korean restaurant. It is also by the campus of UK. Environment is good too, clean and ease, with big enough sunlight. It is also very cheap
(4)Kirk H.
Everything was tasty, but I thought portions were small and prices were high. Not sure why previous reviewers said it was inexpensive. It's not. 3 entrees, an order of dumplings and 4 drinks was $50. We had Number 1, Number 2, Number 3 and Number 4. No. 1 was the typical sweet Korean beef with rice. Tasty but small portion and it was $8.99. Number 2 was kind of a fried rice thing, with a tiny amount of beef and lots of veggies for $9.99. Number 3 was a veggie fried rice type dish, my veggie daughter was not impressed. Number 4 was 8 tasty steamed dumplings, but for $8.99?!?! In New York City dumplings are like 8 for $1 for pete's sake! It was okay, but I won't go back. My wife loved the hot cinnamon tea.
(3)Nick W.
Really good. Haven't had good Korean in ages. Was a bit disappointed in the pickles. There is such a strong fermented vegetable tradition in Korean cuisine, and all I saw representing this was some kimchee and some sandwich pickles that tehy had then drenched in a mustard sauce to hide that they were regular sandwich pickles. Otherwise though the bul go gee was tasty, although the spicy bulgogee wasn't really all that spicy. the dumplings were fantastic though. And considering what you pay, it's pretty good. Not much in the way of parking as it's near campus. I'll definately go back there though.
(4)Hana T.
Really cute little place in UK land. Only a few things on their menu, but I appreciate the simplicity. I've tried their spicy pork dish, mandoo, kimchi jjigae, and soondubu jjigae. All really tasty and authentic!
(5)Sonya C.
Just driving through on my way to Virginia this was definitely worth the drive from hwy 64. They have gluten free, dairy free & vegetarian options. The cinnamon tea is a bit sweet but has amazing flavor. I had the Dol Sot Bi Bim Bab and it was delicious and the kimchi added a nice bit of spice. Obviously a popular place to eat, but pleasantly not overly loud. I'm debating on getting a cup of cinnamon tea to go.
(4)Joseph B.
The food really is good and well priced, and the location is convenient. Dumplings, bibimbap, etc. all make for a happy diner!
(5)Chrissy A.
First time in an authentic Korean restaurant. Food was awesome and service was great! My husband spent two years in Korea and he was very pleased with the authenticity of the food. We will definately be back!
(4)Wayne B.
Awesome food every time! Orders always accurate. Staff very friendly
(5)Lisa R.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Lexington, and probably one of my favorites of all time. Everything I have ever had has been delicious, and more importantly, it is authentic. Every entree costs about $8 and is served with soup and pickled sides. The menu may be small, but everything on it is done to perfection. I only wish there were more vegetarian entrees, but they are accommodating. Great place, and the location isn't half bad, either -- It's located right across the hall from an awesome yarn shop and downstairs from a really cool, quirky store!
(5)Jenny R.
We tried this for lunch, and I was so happy with the Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap. Very tasty, and the place is so cute. Small and cozy, but very bright and cheerful. I felt pretty happy after leaving here. I'm not an expert on Korean food, so I can't say too much about how it measures up. But I can say that everything tasted fresh and really well prepared.
(4)Ka T.
I went to this place again and had to add another star for consistency. The staff is very night and very accommodating even though i came right before close.
(5)Jaclyn W.
I got the bim bop and LOVED it! I also really liked the red sauce that came with it =-] However, the decor was more country cafe. Also, they offered no ice for water.
(3)Sean B.
One of my top restaurants in Lexington. I am so glad we found this place. The only complaint is that I wish the Pa Jun (Korean style pancake with seafood, onion, garlic, & green onions) was offered as an appetizer not a meal. Not big enough for a meal so I end up pretty much ordering two meals, which is a little pricy.
(5)Andrea N.
Wow! I just tried this place for the first time a couple weeks ago. It was sooo good. Don't let the country decor throw you off, it is really good Korean food :) We got there a little late, they closed right as we were finishing our last bite. Even so, the food was delishious and service was very friendly.
(5)Rory W.
This is great pedestrian traffic stop for people visiting Lexington. It's located near the bookstore. Parking is via meters which is free on the weekends. This is a casual Mom & Pop store with basic fresh korean food. The kimchi here was fantastic. I even thought of trying to order a jar of it from the owner. It's not as strong as some can be, less fermenty. So if you're looking for a quick bite, good food, nothing fancy then this is the place for you.
(4)Chris D.
Great! My girlfriend and I have been working our way down the highly rated and cheap yelp-reviewed restaurants. This one has, by far, been the best so far. Fresh ingredients, good prices, and a simple yet exciting menu earn this place its first four stars, but the woman behind the counter that took the trouble to tell us how to best eat our meals earns Han Woo Ri the fifth. This is my new favorite restaurant and I can't wait to head back.
(5)Brad F.
This is one of the few authentic foreign food restaurants in this Midwestern town. The bul go gee is the most popular dish for obvious reasons. Everything comes the way it would in Korea: with soup and several pickled sides. Modestly priced and open only during peak hours, this place is one of my favorites.
(5)Erik W.
If you want a dine-in experience at this nice little no-frills restaurant, make sure to go before 8:30. We got there at 8:40 and were told that it was only take-out from 8:30-9. Still we were undeterred, and picked two different meals from the menu. I ordered #5 Spicy Bul Go Gee, which consisted of tender sauteed pork strips in an only mildly spicy chili oil sort of sauce. My girlfriend ordered #3 Jap Chae, a dish that resembled glass noodles but made from sweet potato. Both came with rice, spicy Kimchi and what I believe was a pickled cabbage salad. The food was delicious and reasonable. Next time we will go early enough that we can sit and eat our food fresh out of the kitchen!
(4)Cameron M.
Great authentic Korean with friendly staff. Helpful with recommendations and food comes out quick. Great price around 8-9 $. First time at the restaurant and will be back.
(4)Peng S.
this is definitely one of my favorite places, the Bul Go Gee and the BiBimBop is great, authentic, and does not carry the rediculous tax that asian restaurants charge around here because it's a small kentucky city and they have not competition. the place is clean, and delicious, and they have crush by the bottle, it's the jam!!!!!
(5)adam C.
Great food for not a lot of money. Everything was very tasty, and the staff was friendly. Definitely for people looking for something more authentic, not BD's Mongolian Grill.
(5)Christopher L.
First great warm and wonderful service; Second, we are on a road trip, I still don't know about the Parking; Third, Bim Bi Bon is 8.0/10.0. Tofu soup is spicy enough, they use the spicy season, which is not perfect but good enough for such price. Cons is the dishes, kimchi is not quite authentic but still decent. Ice cream is good.
(5)Heather S.
I really liked the food here, but was not impressed with the service. My brother in law and I had dinner here last night. I cannot have gluten and asked the waitress what items were gluten free. She had no idea what gluten even was, even after I specified that gluten was "wheat" and "flour". She still wasn't able to give me a definitive answer. It always surprises me when someone who works in a restaurant doesn't know what gluten is, but ok. I ordered a dish that seemed safe. Our food took forever to come, with no update from our waitress. She also seemed to only want to fill up my brother in laws water and not mine. We had to flag down another one several times just to get edamame and to ask about our dinner was. Our food finally came and was very good. The service was ok, but I think there is some etiquette that one waitress in particular could work on. All in all, I would give them another chance, hopefully next time the service is better.
(3)David L.
As a displaced Bay Area native, I tend to be pretty snooty when it comes to ethnic food (though Lexington's local food culture has its own strengths in many regards). Han Woo Ri, however, hits the spot when craving Korean -- it's location right next to UK campus makes it really convenient if you ever have business near the university. Its dishes are priced affordably, and like most places here, the portions are very generous as well. Menu-wise, there's a mix of dishes depending on your familiarity, but I'd recommend giving the Bibimbap/soft tofu dishes a try if at all possible. The converted house setting also gives the place a relaxed ambiance, good for having conversations. Whether on a dinner date or just having lunch with colleagues/friends on campus, this place proves quite good. Just one warning, though -- if you have to drive in, this entire area's sort of messy to find parking in.
(5)Q H.
Great little place for some good Korean food. The menu is never going to change, and there are no specials, so don't expect anything new or creative. There are a dozen standard Korean dishes done well. Simplicity and consistency are the name of the game here. Definitely worth a visit, and easily one of the best lunch spots in this area of Lexington.
(4)Rachel H.
A very popular place amongst friends. As aficionados of all things Korean, my friend and I paid a visit as soon as we discovered it was here in Lexington. This was a few years ago and I have been here several times since with friends and family. Each person with whom I have dined enjoys the food and wishes to return. There is no issue with consistency here. The food is always good, warm, and fresh. The bulgogi comes out steaming on the hot plate, the kimchi is the perfect amount of spicy, the miso soup is flavorful, and the rice is sticky like it should be. The location is great as it's downtown and on the UK campus. There is street parking and also parking lot right to the side. I would recommend this place!
(5)Mike R.
Went to lunch there while visiting our son for UK week this year. The steamed dumplings were the best I've had since I was in China a couple years ago. I'll definitely go back regularly.
(5)Dennis W.
This was my first Korean food experience, and I admit it was pretty good. I tried the spicy bulgogi. It was served with a shredded potato and carrot mixture, and a side of steamed rice. Being on an iron skillet, the dish was extremely hot when it came out. The seasoning and spice level was quite nice; not too hot that my mouth was set afire, but not too mild that it underwhelmed me. The potato/carrot bed seemed to lack its own flavor, and I thought it could have been left off completely since there was rice but I'm not complaining. I'm not a fan of connective tissues on meat (fat, gristle, bones, etc.) so I was a bit turned off by a couple pieces of the pork that were really fatty. The atmosphere was stuffy. Although the place looked nice, it was packed and the seating was very close to one another. That's to be expected I suppose since it's a small establishment, so it wasn't a huge bother. The one thing that I didn't get was who my waiter was. There were a couple of guys working and it seemed that both of them covered all of the tables, even though one was introduced as our waiter. I just wasn't sure who to tip - it was a bit confusing. Overall, I enjoyed it here and the food was pretty good. I look forward to going back and trying something different next time.
(4)Tia T.
This is the most authentic Korean restaurant in lex..love the food.. 4th visit to this place with hubby and friend... Had great time.. Had "bi bim bop" before And tried "jaapche" today and loved it.. Will be back:))
(5)Jeff B.
Good food and friendly staff. Eat lunch there regularly. A little difficult to get parking on campus, but convenient to downtown crowd. Never a disappointing experience and a unique flavor for Lexington.
(4)Jesica L.
I've been here a few times and in general, this place is great. It's small but has a decent ambience with delicious Korean food. I love their bulgogi and potato cake and haven't deviated from that. In general, their service is decent but on my last visit, it was more crowded than usual and our waitress was terrible. We waited for 30 minutes before our food was served and received no update from our waitress, no apology, nothing. After waiting and flagging down another waiter to come get her, she said our food was coming and literally ran away as I was speaking to her mid sentence. The table next to us received their food sooner than we did and sat down 15-20 minutes AFTER we did. Later, the chef came out and said the food took so long because of the steamed dumplings we ordered. Um, we didn't order any dumplings. I honestly think they gave the table next to us our food. Then, I asked our waitress for a to go container for my husband's soup. She said they didn't have any to go containers for soup, that they just put it in a plastic bag. Okay that's fine, I tell her, I just need a container to put my husband's soup in so that I could take it to go. She repeats that they don't have to go containers for soup and brings me a styrofoam box that cannot possibly hold liquid. This experience won't deter me from coming back here but I'll make sure not to sit in her section.
(3)Nick B.
I always enjoy the food here. I have had the BiBimBap, a korean soup, and bulgogi and they were all very tasty. I have also tried the sushi and it was presented very nicely. I love how they bring KimChee and miso soup with dinner entrees. The dinner portion is a dollar more than the lunch portion and it comes with the KimChee and Miso soup. I havent eaten here at lunch so I am not sure if the entree is smaller or not. Would definitely recommend!
(4)Kevin M.
Absolutely impressive in service and quality, taste and presentation of the food. I had the bibimbap. Highly recommend!
(5)Joe H.
Excellent stop for sushi. Smaller place, not commercial. Very good rolls, particularly the shrimp tempura. The parking isn't great but that's to be expected on campus. Highly recommend.
(5)Elena G.
Yum! Stopping through Lexington after a day of bourbon tour and happened upon this Korean place! Great food! Little hole in the wall place, unassuming, with fantastic food, great staff, and quick service! Would definitely recommend this place.
(5)Hánnah M.
Small Korean restaurant with delicious, authentic food. This restaurant is not your typical Korean place that serves lots of ban chan (little side dishes)- it's a nice place to go for a quick casual lunch or dinner. The menu is limited but all of the items are great. The dol sot bi bim bop (hot stone rice bowl with veggies, marinated beef, egg, spicy sauce) is delicious and as good as you'll find anywhere. The veggie tofu dumplings are surprisingly great- i don't typically order vegetarian items but they were satisfying and delicious. Large portions, low prices. Lunch served with kimchi and miso soup. Usually very packed inside but the wait has never been more than 10 minutes for a table. Love this place!
(5)Dennis L.
The service was great. Steamed Vegetarian Dumplings are Delicious. Try the Potato Korokke, Soft Shell Crab! It is a small cozy restaurant. Located in the building just left of the McDonalds. You will not be disappointed.
(5)