This is my favorite Korean Restaurant in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area because: 1) the food is very yummy. They have a variety of hot and cold dishes to choose from 2) the meat is of good quality, as in, your bul go gi will not have gristly pieces that you can't chew. 3) The ambiance is nice. It would be a nice place to take your parents or date to dinner. 4) The lunch menu on weekdays is affordable. Although, I'm usually so full that I have a serious case of lethargy afterwards.
(5)
Lucianne S.
Walking into this restaurant I remembered visiting a Korean/Japanese place in El Cajon, CA, similar to it in appearance and I wasn't sure I'd find what I was looking for. I was wrong - good thing! The aromas greeted me as I entered the dining room, and I could see the cooks dressed in uniforms rather than street clothes and was impressed. I was craving a bowl of hot broth and settled on the Mandu Guk ($14.95), a traditional Korean soup with beef and pork dumplings and rice cake. I loved the side dishes (please see Tiffany C.'s review) especially the kimchi. The broth was delicious; the meat inside the dumplings was plentiful and assembled with glass noodles and thinly sliced veggies; the egg drop into my bowl was a nice touch. I had about six large dumplings. I skipped all the dumplings' breading because they were enormous and I was happy enough with the filling. I was plenty full when finished. I think they are priced a little high but I watched (and inhaled scents of) other tables' servings and decided it's due to portion and quality. It's worth it. I'll go back on my next trip to try their Japanese side and a more adventurous Korean dish after seeing other reviews of The Korea House.
(5)
Andrew K.
I always enjoy the sushi I get here, and the k house noodles are great. The owners are very friendly, and are always in the restaurant and engaged which is really rare these days. It's a little pricey but I find the food definitely worth it.
(5)
John M.
My family and I are big fans of Korea House. Their food is great and is a unique find in the land of cookie cutter chain restaurants. We are always warmly greeted. It is often the default choice when we cannot decide where we want to go because we know we will walk away happy and full.
(4)
Omar K.
This restaurant was fabulous! The service was great, and the food was great too! I was expecting some mediocre food, but this was delicious! Reasonable price! I would recommend this to anyone.
(5)
Bryan B.
It was nice to find such a great ethnic restaurant in conservative boring Montgomery, it's a good excuse to visit my parents! Korea House doesn't have the charcoal pits at your table like some Korean restaurants, it's fun to grill (burn) your own meat, but it's also nice to not smell like smoky meat for six hours when you're done eating. The only other complaint was the lack of OB beer or soju, which is sort of like sake and very popular in Korea. (They do serve beer and wine though) The Bulgogi was good and the Dolsot Bibim Bap was really great. We ordered a kid's chicken finger meal for our daughter and she didn't touch it, she was mooching our food instead. Compared to some places where you get 12 or more Banchan dishes (side dishes), it was a bit disappointing to get only six but they were good choices (creamy broccoli, fish cakes, the best egg and bean sprout pancakes i've ever had, mini shrimp, sweet potato, and kimchee) and I imagine if they did more, they'd end up throwing away a lot of food left behind by picky eaters The service was fantastic and the manager and our waitress were obviously happy to explain the menu and Korean food in general. The decor was modern and open and the atmosphere very friendly and welcoming, it bums me out to think that a restaurant like this is probably having a hard time competing with Applebees and other bland suburban chain restaurants (though luckily Montgomery has some other pretty good restaurants and few chains) If you're skeptical about trying something new, you're never going to have a chance to try Korean food in such a friendly, unpretentious environment. Kimchee is admittedly not for everyone, but there are plenty of milder dishes (Bulgogi is a good place to start) and you're cheating yourself if you don't give it a try. The nicely-designed menu has photos of many items, the staff is very accommodating, the prices are very reasonable, and this is is the perfect place to try Korean food for the first time. (We didn't try the sushi, but I don't know why you would, with so many other great dishes on the menu.)
(5)
Stace M.
Be careful if you think you are going to use your Living Social deal. Fine print allegedly states you must have a reservation. But here's the catch...if you are going to require a reservation (which is ridiculous for this type of place) at least join the 21st century and get on Open Table. Seriously?! We were there anyway, what difference did a reservation make. You can keep your "deal". We won't be back. Horrible customer service move for many. I know of at least two other tables while we were there that had the same issue and won't be back either.
(1)
Diana A.
We come to this place about 5-6 times a year bec/ I'm Korean and crave Korean food. Please do not compare to restaurants in NY and LA, bec/ that's just not fair. The food is decent and mostly good. Their decor, however, has been downgraded. I've always appreciated their clean modern look in the past. But now, they have a side dish take out cooler sitting on a wooden pallet right by the dining room and a "doggie-bag station" right in the dining room with boxes and plastic bags exposed. It appears to be creeping slowly toward looking like a hole in the wall mom and pop restaurant, which it really is not, or never was. With their high prices (their prices have increased recently), they should maintain their more upscale look and move the clutter behind the scenes. I would have given 4 stars but the high prices of their menu items are really not justified and the clutter in the dining room is really not acceptable for a restuarant of this quality and price.
(3)
Janice A.
This was one strange experience. My SO and I arrived on a pleasant Saturday evening, Groupon in hand. As we entered we saw the dreaded hand written note taped on the Wait to be Seated sign. The hostess informed us we must have a reservation 30 minutes before seating in order to use the Groupon. Ok, no problem, we're not savages, we can wait 30 minutes even though we were really hungry. I asked if we could wait in the bar, or at a table and order drinks to help us through the 30 minute wait. No. That's right, no. No waiting, no restaurant making that much more money, no good will, just no. We left and strolled down the strip spotting a Which Which. We went in out of curiosity and ended up ordering a bahn mi, splitting it in lieu of the appetizer we would have ordered at Korea House if only we hadn't been banished. The score so far, Korea House - 2 ( drinks and apps.), Which Which a resounding +1, we LOVED that sandwich and now they have 2 new happy customers. After devouring that fresh, crunchy delicious sandwich we walked over to Mirage, the Mediterranean restaurant we've gone to a half dozen times. I eyeballed their amazing looking desserts, proudly displayed in catering containers, at the front desk. We returned to Korea House where the hostess had undergone a startling transformation. Smiling broadly she informed us our table was ready. Our waiter, while being knowledgable and helpful, ignored us after ordering which was ok since we didn't need anything. My SO ordered a sweet and sour chicken that tasted like any sweet and sour chicken from a carryout. I had a forgettable shredded beef dish. We realized we had erred. Everyone else had a bowl meal and that's what we should have ordered. But alas and alack, between the bizarre refusal to make more money from us and the high prices we won't be back. But we are eager to try those bowl meals at a different Korean restaurant.
(2)
Rowena B.
I had a groupon for this restaurant and my husband and I went to try it out so we went there for lunch.Yes my mistake that I did not call for reservation because that's what's stated.When we got there on a piece of paper written that we needed reservation if we are using groupon I thought it was not an issue, the restaurant was not packed and not as busy there were lots of vacant seats. When the hostess found out that I have groupon she was so rude and very unprofessional and decided to lecture us that next time we need to call for reservation if we are using groupon which in this case I would never go to that place again. There are lots of nicer Korean restaurant in Cincinnati area with professional staff , authentic and great food like Sung Bistro in 7th street, Asiana in West Chester and Riverside in New Port Ky. Those are the places that I would go to not this joint... Their hostess or maybe she is the owner too , lack of professionalism , yes again I agree it was my fault that I did not follow direction but she does not have to be so rude about the whole thing.
(1)
Sheila C.
It looks like I'm in the minority here but I've had much better Korean food (even in Cincinnati). I ordered the Bulgogi, my favorite Korean dish, and was sorely disappointed. I'm not sure if they were just having a bad night but the dish was cold, the food was flavorless, and my beef was GRAY instead of brown. Go to Chung Ki Wha or even Korean Riverside for better Korean food in the tri-state.
(2)
Suz M.
Ah, Mae Woon Tofu Bokgum, how do I love thee? Quite well, in fact. This is the dish I crave. The tofu is perfection and the sauce is the perfect sweet, yet smoky combination. I'm sure I'd like other items on the menu, but I can't get over the deliciousness of this dish. It's probably a good thing, too, because they don't have too many other vegetarian dishes; however, I'm quite okay with that. The BF ordered some soupy dish with a beef rib. He liked it a lot. I wasn't sure what to expect from the interior based on the pretty basic exterior at the end of a strip mall. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the expansive interior and full-service bar. Service can be hit or miss, but the food more than makes up for it.
(4)
Sanjeet G.
Korea House is probably the best Korean restaurant I have tried in Cincinnati Pros: 1. The food is delicious, I enjoyed the hot stone bowl bimbimbap as well as their kalbi and bulgogi 2. You can imbibe in some Soju Cons: 1. Definitely one of the pricer korean places around 2. The service staff aren't the friendliest and most inviting people around
(4)
Caroline W.
I really want to like Korea House more than 3-stars, it's owned and staffed by friendly people but there's a few things keeping me from giving them a 4 or 5 star review. Let's start with the good: As I mentioned it's owned and staffed by friendly people, but the restaurant is also warm and nicely decorated. I like the Korean dolls and paper window covers and in general the restaurant is well kept. The restaurant is big and even has an outdoor patio area. The presentation of the food is nice and the food isn't too bad either. But then there are the few complaints I have. Primarily, the food is good but not great. It's over sweetened I assume to appeal to "American tastes" but this causes it to lose some of it's authenticity (which, speaking of, there are some non-Korean items on the menu as well as some staples ones missing.) The food is expensive too, which I guess I can understand to some extent but is borderline not-worth-it to me. To top it off, they nickle-and-dime you on refills for tea water and banchan. So, the place is good and if you are interested in trying Korean food it's a good place to get acquainted. I still go to Korea House every so often because it's nearby but if I want authentic Korean I'll have to go for a bit of a drive elsewhere.
(3)
Chris H.
I've eaten here 3-4 times. The last two times it has been only because I have had a restaurant dot com certificate. Their food isn't bad but there are a few things that should be said. Price- This place is rather expensive. Maybe because of it's location, I'm not sure but when compared to other Korean places in the tri-state there are better values. Their sushi is good, but nothing special. Ban chan (Korean side dishes) - Not only are their prices on the high side but they are extremely stingy with the ban chan. You are given a few (3-5) ban chan side dishes to share. They are sample sizes, like you would get at Sam's club on a weekend. C'mon, the side dishes are an integral part of any Korean meal, no need to be so stingy with them. All in all if you've never been here it is worth a try I guess, but if you are wanting a good Korean meal, at a better value, it is worth the drive to any of the other local spots.
(2)
Alex L.
So I guess I should write a review for this place since I go here fairly often. Korea house is not exciting but it's one of the few places with decent Korean food in Cincinnati. The services is generally good and the wait is not bad so we'll go straight to the food. Their menu has a pretty decent selection and while I'll say that I order many of the same things it's generally not bad. However, I have similar gripes as my friends. It really is significantly more expensive than many other places I've been to. Whether it's a Cincinnati factor where they feel they can charge more since there's nothing else in the area or not I'm not sure. The fact that they change for refills on the side dishes is another thing that sucks. Generally at Korean places, unless you go completely overboard, the side dishes are generally never-ending. Either way, its a decent option for Korean food for the area.
(3)
Jessica L.
I consider this the best Korean food in Cincinnati. The food is fresh and hot. The staff is friendly and conversational. I went during lunch and my bimbimbop pot was piping hot and the goodies still cooking when it was brought to my table. Just how I like it. The waiter mixed the bowl to my spice level and it was goooood!
(5)
Trisha K.
Korea House has great atmosphere, service and food. They have a nice Dak Bulgogi, Mae Woon Dak Bokgum, Bulgogi and Dolsot Bibimbop (ask for extra egg and your own red sauce to add extra kick..mmm!). They have great stone bowl lunch specials, which come with soup or salad and 5 sides. I LOVE LOVE LOVE their hot Date Tea with pine nuts. LOVE!
(3)
Maura H.
The waiter was really helpful...we had never been to a Korean restaurant so he made a lot of suggestions and we liked everything we ordered. The stone bowl was great, I'll definitely be back to try the different variations they offer.
(4)
Manveer S.
Went to Korea House for dinner last night. We sat down with no wait at 6:30pm on a Friday. It was starting to fill up as we left. The food was great. I had the kal bi (beef short rib) and my wife had the jeyook bookgum (spicy pork). I love both dishes, but the kal bi is my favorite. It was well-executed and delicious. Even the meat on the bone came off cleanly and was easy to eat (sometimes it's chewy to the point of being inedible). The ban chan was pretty good too - especially the kimchi, fish cake (?) and potato. Service was friendly and the food came out quickly. With all that said, we probably won't be back very often. I arrived hungry and was still fairly hungry when we left, despite eating every molecule of the meal as well as some of my wife's. We looked at ordering some appetizers or desserts we were done with the entrees, but didn't see anything we wanted. The total came out to $58.36 before tip, which is pretty pricey for Korean BBQ (this included a large bottle of Sapporo and a glass of riesling). They also serve sushi here - a Cincinnati trend which continues to perplex me. What does sushi have to do with Korean food? It's on par with Riverside Korean in Covington. Both have great food but skimpy portions. I guess I've been spoiled by the all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ places with an assortment of high quality meats for $20 in southern CA...where you have to roll yourself out at the end of the meal.
(4)
Rebecca C.
An Asian restaurant in Cincinnati? Let's start with five stars. My friend has set up a dinner for our group of 10ish. I arrive to find 3 of my chow mates already seated. Seating us on a Sat night before the entire party arrives? + 1 star. We are now at 6 stars. The exterior of the restaurant has signage that boasts sushi as well as Korean food. The name of the restaurant is what? I open the menu to find yes, sushi. -1 star for serving sushi. I know my Asian, and you can't play me like that! Reading the menu in depth, I find that prices are double what I normally pay (same restaurant class) for the same food. Maybe it's a Midwest thing. -1 star for that. I order an iced green tea and bulgogi. Iced green tea= less flavor than water. Bulgogi=ok but worse than Korean fare I typically eat. -1 star for meh good They didn't do the individual stone pot rice with the water in the pot mixed with burnt rice!! -1 star for not doing a traditional Korean custom at Korea House. Come on!! At the end of the night, the waitress is kind enough to allow split checks. +2 stars for being awesome It's all over and no free yogurt?? (typical of Korean fare I am used to at home) -1 star Ok, ok, so I'm a snob and keep comparing my experiences to my pre-existing set standard, but hey, that's all I know. Anyway, back to my math. That's the story and rationale behind 3 stars.
(3)
Edward L.
"Definitely my favorite go-to in Cincinnati" Truth to those words. Being raised in Cincinnati for a large part of my life, I have found Korea House my go-to when I come back to the nati. Owners are the salt of the earth type of people who treat me like fam whenever I go back...also helps that we buy numerous bottles of flavored soju and take back shots of patron before putting down some porkbelly and soondubu cheegae. Korean plates are delish (bibimbap - extra rice, extra chamgeeluhm, extra egg) sushi is glorious and service is on point. For a Korean joint in the nasti nati, Korea House is phenomenal. Till next time, Eat up Cincinnati.
(5)
Liz L.
As a traveling businesswoman, I find myself in the most obscure - yet interesting - places for work. That was definitely the case when I found myself in sunny Cincinnati for a week-long trip. First thing on my to-do list was to find some good eats fast. And thankfully Yelp steered me in the right direction - and that was directly to Korea House. Situated on the end of a strip-mall, my client and co-worker were a bit skeptical pulling up. But, I know better than to judge a book by its cover. Some of my most memorable dining experiences were in places that were less than desirable, often times unsanitary, and most definitely violating a few health codes. As soon as we walked in, I was quickly greeted by a smell all too familiar, a little too cozy. It was the charred, smokey smell of some Asian-spiced meat. Man, oh man. THIS was going to be good. After we were seated in a cramped booth, my two partners-in-crime and I skimmed over the many, many items on the menu. My co-worker asked lots of questions since this was his virginal Korean food experience. Knowing this, I made sure we picked some favorites - kim chi, bulgogi (beef with sweet glaze), jeyook bookgum (pork bbq), and dolsot haemul tang (seafood soup). Done. I have to say, as far as strip-mall restaurants located in small midwest towns go, this one takes the cake. I mean, really, this place delivered on authenticity AND taste. There are places in K-town Dallas that don't compare to this little gem. The jeyook bookgum was a stand-out with its tender meat yet slightly burnt ends from the sizzling plate. The banchan was spicy, perfectly fermented and replenished often throughout the meal. Why am I not giving a full 5-star rating? Well, I usually reserve that rating for truly remarkable places. AND, the fact that Korea House has inconsistent, and increasingly forgetful service. I mean, how many times can I mention that I need some water because I'm thirsty and additional bowls? The prices are decent - not too high, not too low. The decor and ambiance reminds me of walking into a small, quaint neighborhood joint or visiting one of your favorite aunt's place. If your aunt was Asian and had burning incense everywhere. All in all, I would go back, because where else in Cincinnati can one find true Korean food that will satisfy the gluttonous meat-fest you sometimes crave? Where else would you go if you wanted to try something that's a little daring? Next time I'm in Cincy and looking for a little taste of home, I'm going to a little house called Korea House.
(3)
Michelle L.
Perks to this place being Restaurant.com certificate friendly, good customer service, and authentic menu. I have a personal pet peeve for Korean restaurants that limit the number and amount of side dishes (ie. more Korean fusion/modern places downtown...), and I haven't had a problem with asking for more side dishes (though based on reading other reviews here, this has not been consistent). Downsides being that if you're expecting comparable experience/meal to Korean restaurants in other cities (coasts, K-towns, etc), you will find Korea House overpriced and nothing to write home about. Definitely my favorite go-to in Cincinnati though, and I appreciate the staff's knowledge and ability to describe the menu to patrons, both Korean-food veterans and newbies alike.
(4)
Karina M.
Much love to Joel J. for this awesome recommendation. The decor is contemporary Asian, clean lines in blue, black, and off-white. Our server (sweet Jamie) knew that we were newbies and recommended the house specialty, Dolsot Bibim Bap. Served in a super hot stone bowl, this concoction of rice, veggies, beef, and fried egg is served with a spicy chili sauce to excite your tastebuds. You must stir this dish as soon as it arrives to prevent its contents from scorching (thanks, Jamie). Their luncheon items are so reasonable. Ranging from $7.95 to $14.95, each dish is served with ginger salad or miso soup and five Korean mini-appetizers. These small dishes include marinated cucumber, kimchee, black beans, fish cake, and vegetable omelet. With such an array of delectable offerings, I feel Korea House will become a weekly lunch trend.
(4)
Paul K.
I had to try this restaurant because it is so close to my place, and I heard some good things about this place. Also I needed comfort food as I don't really cook Korean food that often at home. I was impressed by the decoration, I think they did a real good job considering many Korean restaurants don't give too much attention to decor and presentation. The service was really good, too. I did not have any trouble or wait too much for something with my server. And the food, I should say they are really good. But I have to say my impression of the food made me think they try to focus more on non-Korean customers. I mean, they are very close to authentic Korean food, but there is little twist. I thought the foods were little too sweet and not spicy enough (My friends and I shared spicy tofu soup, kalbi, and assorted raw fish bibimbob). The side dishes were sweet overall, even the kimchi. So overall, I liked my first experience and will go back to try some other dishes. Oh, I think they are little overpriced. They could be more generous in portion for that price of kalbi and raw fish.
(4)
Aaron C.
Wow, I have no idea what I ate here but I was good. I am pretty sure it was some kind of chicken dish. I do recommend that if your food comes out in one of those molten hot bowls to stir quickly and frequently. I didn't and my rice was slightly burned and I can not stand that burnt taste. I thought prices were reasonable, $25-$30 for a couple, and the quality and portions were also good.
(4)
Dennis H.
Good but more expensive than I'm accostomed to for Korean (check menu online to set ur own expectations). Kal Bi and Bi Bim Bop were both delicious, not so good that I'd make a special trip here vs some other places but definitely a decent option for Korean in cinci.
(4)
Mr. Met s.
having travelled to los angles, sf, and living in ny - i have had my share of korean food. I must say finding a good korean restaurant in the outskirts of a small city like cincinnati was quite a delight. yes, it's kinda expensive. we tried the korean "pancake" - which was great, but honestly quite simple to make. Semi fried eggs, mixed with scrumptous shrimp and squid(just a few pieces)and vegetables, etc. 13.95, served as appetizer. yes, there's only a few banchan, but it was good though and not expired like some places i've been. (we had kimchi, fried soy stuff, bean sprouts, radish, and something else) the chicken bulogi(not the full hotstone) had loads of chicken and honestly though not actually burnt under a stove, was 3.50 cheaper than the dolsot that we also ordered. (Generally it's only a dollar cheaper for non-hot stoved versions in many places) **the real hotsone(like dolsot) is actually cooked under on a stove, whereas the cheaper ones(8+ up) are placed on a stone bowl. But i gotta say their dolsot was great. the rice was nice and not overly crispy nor 'wet'. Our nice waitress also mixed it for us. Though expensive 2.25, we had a nice ginger tea. Which was very revitalizing but small. So overall, a very authentic place. A dim decor. Cavernous ceilings. Welcoming service. A must try. Opens for only a few hours in the afternoon, gaps off for dinner.
(4)
Philip G.
I love Korea House... I've done some soul searching and come up with a factor which may be the reason I go back almost weekly. Haemul Pajon - I could stop the review right there because I would go back just for that appetizer.... This Korean 'pancake'(only semblance of a pancake is the round shape) which has shrimp, mussels, crabmeat, calamari and scallion is tasty and can easily feed 4-5 people as an appetizer.... That being said, I usually share it with 2 others and have no qualms about eating more than my fair share. I've only had a few dishes at the restaurant but they have been very good. My coworkers also are big fans of the place and have enjoyed the random dishes they've order as well. The wait staff is attentive which is good because occasionally I get a bit overzealous with the spice and make my Bibim Bap a bit too hot thus requiring an abnormal amount of water. One word of warning.... This place is in the back corner of a shopping center and can't be easily seen from Montgomery and you may not see it from the road.
(4)
J K.
Korea House may be one of the better Korean restaurants in Cincinnati. They offer numerous dishes, and as a frequent customer, my complaints are never about the quality of the food. But coming from Los Angeles, there are some things that disgruntle me. 1) expect to pay double of what you'd pay in los angeles 2) expect to get tiny portions of the side dishes without refills 3) most shocking of all, expect for them to charge you extra for spicy sauce with bimbimbap. The last item was very unusual, considering this had never happened before. Service is usually friendly, but sometimes on the slow side. All in all, I'll be back again, but mainly because of the lack of options in Cincinnati.
(3)
LiLian B.
It was our 1st time here so we decided to go with their #1 and #2 bestsellers. They were both delicious! My only complain is the portion of their side dishes..as a kimchi lover, the 2-3 small slices of lettuce left me less than satisfied. So they get minus 1 star for that. We didn't order alcoholic drinks but you can get beer and white/red wine for just $2 during their happy hour which I think runs mon-fri from 5-7.
(4)
Robert M.
A truly authentic Korean place. Very unusual from the typical Asian food. Also has sushi. A little expensive, I think they have raised there prices recently.
(4)
Joel J.
in this mid-west town known for its industrial kings, General Electric and Proctor & Gamble, you will surprisingly find a FANTASTIC korean restaurant. the korea house is located in the cincinnati suburb of montgomery (northeast) ... pretty close to the kenwood mall. the menu is highlighted with their #1 most famous dish, dol-sot bibimbap and their 2nd most famous dish, kal bi. You're albe to order all of your favorite korean soup dishes, bbq (cooked in the back though), fried rices, pancake dishes, etc. the only items missing from their menu is mul naengmyun and dduk boki (sp?). their sushi is the best in cincinnati as well. generous portions of the freshest fish compared to the other chinese/japanese restaurants (including benihana). there are weekly special menus (the blue insert) that helps give some variety in your order. try the kimbap...seriously, it is so good my take-out order: sushi/sashimi combo A & haemool pajun for $38.00
(4)
Eric W.
Another great Korean restaurant. The soups are great, but my favorite is the Mae woon Dak Bokgum. The menu is so big that I could seriously eat here every single day.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Yang W.
This is my favorite Korean Restaurant in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area because: 1) the food is very yummy. They have a variety of hot and cold dishes to choose from 2) the meat is of good quality, as in, your bul go gi will not have gristly pieces that you can't chew. 3) The ambiance is nice. It would be a nice place to take your parents or date to dinner. 4) The lunch menu on weekdays is affordable. Although, I'm usually so full that I have a serious case of lethargy afterwards.
(5)Lucianne S.
Walking into this restaurant I remembered visiting a Korean/Japanese place in El Cajon, CA, similar to it in appearance and I wasn't sure I'd find what I was looking for. I was wrong - good thing! The aromas greeted me as I entered the dining room, and I could see the cooks dressed in uniforms rather than street clothes and was impressed. I was craving a bowl of hot broth and settled on the Mandu Guk ($14.95), a traditional Korean soup with beef and pork dumplings and rice cake. I loved the side dishes (please see Tiffany C.'s review) especially the kimchi. The broth was delicious; the meat inside the dumplings was plentiful and assembled with glass noodles and thinly sliced veggies; the egg drop into my bowl was a nice touch. I had about six large dumplings. I skipped all the dumplings' breading because they were enormous and I was happy enough with the filling. I was plenty full when finished. I think they are priced a little high but I watched (and inhaled scents of) other tables' servings and decided it's due to portion and quality. It's worth it. I'll go back on my next trip to try their Japanese side and a more adventurous Korean dish after seeing other reviews of The Korea House.
(5)Andrew K.
I always enjoy the sushi I get here, and the k house noodles are great. The owners are very friendly, and are always in the restaurant and engaged which is really rare these days. It's a little pricey but I find the food definitely worth it.
(5)John M.
My family and I are big fans of Korea House. Their food is great and is a unique find in the land of cookie cutter chain restaurants. We are always warmly greeted. It is often the default choice when we cannot decide where we want to go because we know we will walk away happy and full.
(4)Omar K.
This restaurant was fabulous! The service was great, and the food was great too! I was expecting some mediocre food, but this was delicious! Reasonable price! I would recommend this to anyone.
(5)Bryan B.
It was nice to find such a great ethnic restaurant in conservative boring Montgomery, it's a good excuse to visit my parents! Korea House doesn't have the charcoal pits at your table like some Korean restaurants, it's fun to grill (burn) your own meat, but it's also nice to not smell like smoky meat for six hours when you're done eating. The only other complaint was the lack of OB beer or soju, which is sort of like sake and very popular in Korea. (They do serve beer and wine though) The Bulgogi was good and the Dolsot Bibim Bap was really great. We ordered a kid's chicken finger meal for our daughter and she didn't touch it, she was mooching our food instead. Compared to some places where you get 12 or more Banchan dishes (side dishes), it was a bit disappointing to get only six but they were good choices (creamy broccoli, fish cakes, the best egg and bean sprout pancakes i've ever had, mini shrimp, sweet potato, and kimchee) and I imagine if they did more, they'd end up throwing away a lot of food left behind by picky eaters The service was fantastic and the manager and our waitress were obviously happy to explain the menu and Korean food in general. The decor was modern and open and the atmosphere very friendly and welcoming, it bums me out to think that a restaurant like this is probably having a hard time competing with Applebees and other bland suburban chain restaurants (though luckily Montgomery has some other pretty good restaurants and few chains) If you're skeptical about trying something new, you're never going to have a chance to try Korean food in such a friendly, unpretentious environment. Kimchee is admittedly not for everyone, but there are plenty of milder dishes (Bulgogi is a good place to start) and you're cheating yourself if you don't give it a try. The nicely-designed menu has photos of many items, the staff is very accommodating, the prices are very reasonable, and this is is the perfect place to try Korean food for the first time. (We didn't try the sushi, but I don't know why you would, with so many other great dishes on the menu.)
(5)Stace M.
Be careful if you think you are going to use your Living Social deal. Fine print allegedly states you must have a reservation. But here's the catch...if you are going to require a reservation (which is ridiculous for this type of place) at least join the 21st century and get on Open Table. Seriously?! We were there anyway, what difference did a reservation make. You can keep your "deal". We won't be back. Horrible customer service move for many. I know of at least two other tables while we were there that had the same issue and won't be back either.
(1)Diana A.
We come to this place about 5-6 times a year bec/ I'm Korean and crave Korean food. Please do not compare to restaurants in NY and LA, bec/ that's just not fair. The food is decent and mostly good. Their decor, however, has been downgraded. I've always appreciated their clean modern look in the past. But now, they have a side dish take out cooler sitting on a wooden pallet right by the dining room and a "doggie-bag station" right in the dining room with boxes and plastic bags exposed. It appears to be creeping slowly toward looking like a hole in the wall mom and pop restaurant, which it really is not, or never was. With their high prices (their prices have increased recently), they should maintain their more upscale look and move the clutter behind the scenes. I would have given 4 stars but the high prices of their menu items are really not justified and the clutter in the dining room is really not acceptable for a restuarant of this quality and price.
(3)Janice A.
This was one strange experience. My SO and I arrived on a pleasant Saturday evening, Groupon in hand. As we entered we saw the dreaded hand written note taped on the Wait to be Seated sign. The hostess informed us we must have a reservation 30 minutes before seating in order to use the Groupon. Ok, no problem, we're not savages, we can wait 30 minutes even though we were really hungry. I asked if we could wait in the bar, or at a table and order drinks to help us through the 30 minute wait. No. That's right, no. No waiting, no restaurant making that much more money, no good will, just no. We left and strolled down the strip spotting a Which Which. We went in out of curiosity and ended up ordering a bahn mi, splitting it in lieu of the appetizer we would have ordered at Korea House if only we hadn't been banished. The score so far, Korea House - 2 ( drinks and apps.), Which Which a resounding +1, we LOVED that sandwich and now they have 2 new happy customers. After devouring that fresh, crunchy delicious sandwich we walked over to Mirage, the Mediterranean restaurant we've gone to a half dozen times. I eyeballed their amazing looking desserts, proudly displayed in catering containers, at the front desk. We returned to Korea House where the hostess had undergone a startling transformation. Smiling broadly she informed us our table was ready. Our waiter, while being knowledgable and helpful, ignored us after ordering which was ok since we didn't need anything. My SO ordered a sweet and sour chicken that tasted like any sweet and sour chicken from a carryout. I had a forgettable shredded beef dish. We realized we had erred. Everyone else had a bowl meal and that's what we should have ordered. But alas and alack, between the bizarre refusal to make more money from us and the high prices we won't be back. But we are eager to try those bowl meals at a different Korean restaurant.
(2)Rowena B.
I had a groupon for this restaurant and my husband and I went to try it out so we went there for lunch.Yes my mistake that I did not call for reservation because that's what's stated.When we got there on a piece of paper written that we needed reservation if we are using groupon I thought it was not an issue, the restaurant was not packed and not as busy there were lots of vacant seats. When the hostess found out that I have groupon she was so rude and very unprofessional and decided to lecture us that next time we need to call for reservation if we are using groupon which in this case I would never go to that place again. There are lots of nicer Korean restaurant in Cincinnati area with professional staff , authentic and great food like Sung Bistro in 7th street, Asiana in West Chester and Riverside in New Port Ky. Those are the places that I would go to not this joint... Their hostess or maybe she is the owner too , lack of professionalism , yes again I agree it was my fault that I did not follow direction but she does not have to be so rude about the whole thing.
(1)Sheila C.
It looks like I'm in the minority here but I've had much better Korean food (even in Cincinnati). I ordered the Bulgogi, my favorite Korean dish, and was sorely disappointed. I'm not sure if they were just having a bad night but the dish was cold, the food was flavorless, and my beef was GRAY instead of brown. Go to Chung Ki Wha or even Korean Riverside for better Korean food in the tri-state.
(2)Suz M.
Ah, Mae Woon Tofu Bokgum, how do I love thee? Quite well, in fact. This is the dish I crave. The tofu is perfection and the sauce is the perfect sweet, yet smoky combination. I'm sure I'd like other items on the menu, but I can't get over the deliciousness of this dish. It's probably a good thing, too, because they don't have too many other vegetarian dishes; however, I'm quite okay with that. The BF ordered some soupy dish with a beef rib. He liked it a lot. I wasn't sure what to expect from the interior based on the pretty basic exterior at the end of a strip mall. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the expansive interior and full-service bar. Service can be hit or miss, but the food more than makes up for it.
(4)Sanjeet G.
Korea House is probably the best Korean restaurant I have tried in Cincinnati Pros: 1. The food is delicious, I enjoyed the hot stone bowl bimbimbap as well as their kalbi and bulgogi 2. You can imbibe in some Soju Cons: 1. Definitely one of the pricer korean places around 2. The service staff aren't the friendliest and most inviting people around
(4)Caroline W.
I really want to like Korea House more than 3-stars, it's owned and staffed by friendly people but there's a few things keeping me from giving them a 4 or 5 star review. Let's start with the good: As I mentioned it's owned and staffed by friendly people, but the restaurant is also warm and nicely decorated. I like the Korean dolls and paper window covers and in general the restaurant is well kept. The restaurant is big and even has an outdoor patio area. The presentation of the food is nice and the food isn't too bad either. But then there are the few complaints I have. Primarily, the food is good but not great. It's over sweetened I assume to appeal to "American tastes" but this causes it to lose some of it's authenticity (which, speaking of, there are some non-Korean items on the menu as well as some staples ones missing.) The food is expensive too, which I guess I can understand to some extent but is borderline not-worth-it to me. To top it off, they nickle-and-dime you on refills for tea water and banchan. So, the place is good and if you are interested in trying Korean food it's a good place to get acquainted. I still go to Korea House every so often because it's nearby but if I want authentic Korean I'll have to go for a bit of a drive elsewhere.
(3)Chris H.
I've eaten here 3-4 times. The last two times it has been only because I have had a restaurant dot com certificate. Their food isn't bad but there are a few things that should be said. Price- This place is rather expensive. Maybe because of it's location, I'm not sure but when compared to other Korean places in the tri-state there are better values. Their sushi is good, but nothing special. Ban chan (Korean side dishes) - Not only are their prices on the high side but they are extremely stingy with the ban chan. You are given a few (3-5) ban chan side dishes to share. They are sample sizes, like you would get at Sam's club on a weekend. C'mon, the side dishes are an integral part of any Korean meal, no need to be so stingy with them. All in all if you've never been here it is worth a try I guess, but if you are wanting a good Korean meal, at a better value, it is worth the drive to any of the other local spots.
(2)Alex L.
So I guess I should write a review for this place since I go here fairly often. Korea house is not exciting but it's one of the few places with decent Korean food in Cincinnati. The services is generally good and the wait is not bad so we'll go straight to the food. Their menu has a pretty decent selection and while I'll say that I order many of the same things it's generally not bad. However, I have similar gripes as my friends. It really is significantly more expensive than many other places I've been to. Whether it's a Cincinnati factor where they feel they can charge more since there's nothing else in the area or not I'm not sure. The fact that they change for refills on the side dishes is another thing that sucks. Generally at Korean places, unless you go completely overboard, the side dishes are generally never-ending. Either way, its a decent option for Korean food for the area.
(3)Jessica L.
I consider this the best Korean food in Cincinnati. The food is fresh and hot. The staff is friendly and conversational. I went during lunch and my bimbimbop pot was piping hot and the goodies still cooking when it was brought to my table. Just how I like it. The waiter mixed the bowl to my spice level and it was goooood!
(5)Trisha K.
Korea House has great atmosphere, service and food. They have a nice Dak Bulgogi, Mae Woon Dak Bokgum, Bulgogi and Dolsot Bibimbop (ask for extra egg and your own red sauce to add extra kick..mmm!). They have great stone bowl lunch specials, which come with soup or salad and 5 sides. I LOVE LOVE LOVE their hot Date Tea with pine nuts. LOVE!
(3)Maura H.
The waiter was really helpful...we had never been to a Korean restaurant so he made a lot of suggestions and we liked everything we ordered. The stone bowl was great, I'll definitely be back to try the different variations they offer.
(4)Manveer S.
Went to Korea House for dinner last night. We sat down with no wait at 6:30pm on a Friday. It was starting to fill up as we left. The food was great. I had the kal bi (beef short rib) and my wife had the jeyook bookgum (spicy pork). I love both dishes, but the kal bi is my favorite. It was well-executed and delicious. Even the meat on the bone came off cleanly and was easy to eat (sometimes it's chewy to the point of being inedible). The ban chan was pretty good too - especially the kimchi, fish cake (?) and potato. Service was friendly and the food came out quickly. With all that said, we probably won't be back very often. I arrived hungry and was still fairly hungry when we left, despite eating every molecule of the meal as well as some of my wife's. We looked at ordering some appetizers or desserts we were done with the entrees, but didn't see anything we wanted. The total came out to $58.36 before tip, which is pretty pricey for Korean BBQ (this included a large bottle of Sapporo and a glass of riesling). They also serve sushi here - a Cincinnati trend which continues to perplex me. What does sushi have to do with Korean food? It's on par with Riverside Korean in Covington. Both have great food but skimpy portions. I guess I've been spoiled by the all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ places with an assortment of high quality meats for $20 in southern CA...where you have to roll yourself out at the end of the meal.
(4)Rebecca C.
An Asian restaurant in Cincinnati? Let's start with five stars. My friend has set up a dinner for our group of 10ish. I arrive to find 3 of my chow mates already seated. Seating us on a Sat night before the entire party arrives? + 1 star. We are now at 6 stars. The exterior of the restaurant has signage that boasts sushi as well as Korean food. The name of the restaurant is what? I open the menu to find yes, sushi. -1 star for serving sushi. I know my Asian, and you can't play me like that! Reading the menu in depth, I find that prices are double what I normally pay (same restaurant class) for the same food. Maybe it's a Midwest thing. -1 star for that. I order an iced green tea and bulgogi. Iced green tea= less flavor than water. Bulgogi=ok but worse than Korean fare I typically eat. -1 star for meh good They didn't do the individual stone pot rice with the water in the pot mixed with burnt rice!! -1 star for not doing a traditional Korean custom at Korea House. Come on!! At the end of the night, the waitress is kind enough to allow split checks. +2 stars for being awesome It's all over and no free yogurt?? (typical of Korean fare I am used to at home) -1 star Ok, ok, so I'm a snob and keep comparing my experiences to my pre-existing set standard, but hey, that's all I know. Anyway, back to my math. That's the story and rationale behind 3 stars.
(3)Edward L.
"Definitely my favorite go-to in Cincinnati" Truth to those words. Being raised in Cincinnati for a large part of my life, I have found Korea House my go-to when I come back to the nati. Owners are the salt of the earth type of people who treat me like fam whenever I go back...also helps that we buy numerous bottles of flavored soju and take back shots of patron before putting down some porkbelly and soondubu cheegae. Korean plates are delish (bibimbap - extra rice, extra chamgeeluhm, extra egg) sushi is glorious and service is on point. For a Korean joint in the nasti nati, Korea House is phenomenal. Till next time, Eat up Cincinnati.
(5)Liz L.
As a traveling businesswoman, I find myself in the most obscure - yet interesting - places for work. That was definitely the case when I found myself in sunny Cincinnati for a week-long trip. First thing on my to-do list was to find some good eats fast. And thankfully Yelp steered me in the right direction - and that was directly to Korea House. Situated on the end of a strip-mall, my client and co-worker were a bit skeptical pulling up. But, I know better than to judge a book by its cover. Some of my most memorable dining experiences were in places that were less than desirable, often times unsanitary, and most definitely violating a few health codes. As soon as we walked in, I was quickly greeted by a smell all too familiar, a little too cozy. It was the charred, smokey smell of some Asian-spiced meat. Man, oh man. THIS was going to be good. After we were seated in a cramped booth, my two partners-in-crime and I skimmed over the many, many items on the menu. My co-worker asked lots of questions since this was his virginal Korean food experience. Knowing this, I made sure we picked some favorites - kim chi, bulgogi (beef with sweet glaze), jeyook bookgum (pork bbq), and dolsot haemul tang (seafood soup). Done. I have to say, as far as strip-mall restaurants located in small midwest towns go, this one takes the cake. I mean, really, this place delivered on authenticity AND taste. There are places in K-town Dallas that don't compare to this little gem. The jeyook bookgum was a stand-out with its tender meat yet slightly burnt ends from the sizzling plate. The banchan was spicy, perfectly fermented and replenished often throughout the meal. Why am I not giving a full 5-star rating? Well, I usually reserve that rating for truly remarkable places. AND, the fact that Korea House has inconsistent, and increasingly forgetful service. I mean, how many times can I mention that I need some water because I'm thirsty and additional bowls? The prices are decent - not too high, not too low. The decor and ambiance reminds me of walking into a small, quaint neighborhood joint or visiting one of your favorite aunt's place. If your aunt was Asian and had burning incense everywhere. All in all, I would go back, because where else in Cincinnati can one find true Korean food that will satisfy the gluttonous meat-fest you sometimes crave? Where else would you go if you wanted to try something that's a little daring? Next time I'm in Cincy and looking for a little taste of home, I'm going to a little house called Korea House.
(3)Michelle L.
Perks to this place being Restaurant.com certificate friendly, good customer service, and authentic menu. I have a personal pet peeve for Korean restaurants that limit the number and amount of side dishes (ie. more Korean fusion/modern places downtown...), and I haven't had a problem with asking for more side dishes (though based on reading other reviews here, this has not been consistent). Downsides being that if you're expecting comparable experience/meal to Korean restaurants in other cities (coasts, K-towns, etc), you will find Korea House overpriced and nothing to write home about. Definitely my favorite go-to in Cincinnati though, and I appreciate the staff's knowledge and ability to describe the menu to patrons, both Korean-food veterans and newbies alike.
(4)Karina M.
Much love to Joel J. for this awesome recommendation. The decor is contemporary Asian, clean lines in blue, black, and off-white. Our server (sweet Jamie) knew that we were newbies and recommended the house specialty, Dolsot Bibim Bap. Served in a super hot stone bowl, this concoction of rice, veggies, beef, and fried egg is served with a spicy chili sauce to excite your tastebuds. You must stir this dish as soon as it arrives to prevent its contents from scorching (thanks, Jamie). Their luncheon items are so reasonable. Ranging from $7.95 to $14.95, each dish is served with ginger salad or miso soup and five Korean mini-appetizers. These small dishes include marinated cucumber, kimchee, black beans, fish cake, and vegetable omelet. With such an array of delectable offerings, I feel Korea House will become a weekly lunch trend.
(4)Paul K.
I had to try this restaurant because it is so close to my place, and I heard some good things about this place. Also I needed comfort food as I don't really cook Korean food that often at home. I was impressed by the decoration, I think they did a real good job considering many Korean restaurants don't give too much attention to decor and presentation. The service was really good, too. I did not have any trouble or wait too much for something with my server. And the food, I should say they are really good. But I have to say my impression of the food made me think they try to focus more on non-Korean customers. I mean, they are very close to authentic Korean food, but there is little twist. I thought the foods were little too sweet and not spicy enough (My friends and I shared spicy tofu soup, kalbi, and assorted raw fish bibimbob). The side dishes were sweet overall, even the kimchi. So overall, I liked my first experience and will go back to try some other dishes. Oh, I think they are little overpriced. They could be more generous in portion for that price of kalbi and raw fish.
(4)Aaron C.
Wow, I have no idea what I ate here but I was good. I am pretty sure it was some kind of chicken dish. I do recommend that if your food comes out in one of those molten hot bowls to stir quickly and frequently. I didn't and my rice was slightly burned and I can not stand that burnt taste. I thought prices were reasonable, $25-$30 for a couple, and the quality and portions were also good.
(4)Dennis H.
Good but more expensive than I'm accostomed to for Korean (check menu online to set ur own expectations). Kal Bi and Bi Bim Bop were both delicious, not so good that I'd make a special trip here vs some other places but definitely a decent option for Korean in cinci.
(4)Mr. Met s.
having travelled to los angles, sf, and living in ny - i have had my share of korean food. I must say finding a good korean restaurant in the outskirts of a small city like cincinnati was quite a delight. yes, it's kinda expensive. we tried the korean "pancake" - which was great, but honestly quite simple to make. Semi fried eggs, mixed with scrumptous shrimp and squid(just a few pieces)and vegetables, etc. 13.95, served as appetizer. yes, there's only a few banchan, but it was good though and not expired like some places i've been. (we had kimchi, fried soy stuff, bean sprouts, radish, and something else) the chicken bulogi(not the full hotstone) had loads of chicken and honestly though not actually burnt under a stove, was 3.50 cheaper than the dolsot that we also ordered. (Generally it's only a dollar cheaper for non-hot stoved versions in many places) **the real hotsone(like dolsot) is actually cooked under on a stove, whereas the cheaper ones(8+ up) are placed on a stone bowl. But i gotta say their dolsot was great. the rice was nice and not overly crispy nor 'wet'. Our nice waitress also mixed it for us. Though expensive 2.25, we had a nice ginger tea. Which was very revitalizing but small. So overall, a very authentic place. A dim decor. Cavernous ceilings. Welcoming service. A must try. Opens for only a few hours in the afternoon, gaps off for dinner.
(4)Philip G.
I love Korea House... I've done some soul searching and come up with a factor which may be the reason I go back almost weekly. Haemul Pajon - I could stop the review right there because I would go back just for that appetizer.... This Korean 'pancake'(only semblance of a pancake is the round shape) which has shrimp, mussels, crabmeat, calamari and scallion is tasty and can easily feed 4-5 people as an appetizer.... That being said, I usually share it with 2 others and have no qualms about eating more than my fair share. I've only had a few dishes at the restaurant but they have been very good. My coworkers also are big fans of the place and have enjoyed the random dishes they've order as well. The wait staff is attentive which is good because occasionally I get a bit overzealous with the spice and make my Bibim Bap a bit too hot thus requiring an abnormal amount of water. One word of warning.... This place is in the back corner of a shopping center and can't be easily seen from Montgomery and you may not see it from the road.
(4)J K.
Korea House may be one of the better Korean restaurants in Cincinnati. They offer numerous dishes, and as a frequent customer, my complaints are never about the quality of the food. But coming from Los Angeles, there are some things that disgruntle me. 1) expect to pay double of what you'd pay in los angeles 2) expect to get tiny portions of the side dishes without refills 3) most shocking of all, expect for them to charge you extra for spicy sauce with bimbimbap. The last item was very unusual, considering this had never happened before. Service is usually friendly, but sometimes on the slow side. All in all, I'll be back again, but mainly because of the lack of options in Cincinnati.
(3)LiLian B.
It was our 1st time here so we decided to go with their #1 and #2 bestsellers. They were both delicious! My only complain is the portion of their side dishes..as a kimchi lover, the 2-3 small slices of lettuce left me less than satisfied. So they get minus 1 star for that. We didn't order alcoholic drinks but you can get beer and white/red wine for just $2 during their happy hour which I think runs mon-fri from 5-7.
(4)Robert M.
A truly authentic Korean place. Very unusual from the typical Asian food. Also has sushi. A little expensive, I think they have raised there prices recently.
(4)Joel J.
in this mid-west town known for its industrial kings, General Electric and Proctor & Gamble, you will surprisingly find a FANTASTIC korean restaurant. the korea house is located in the cincinnati suburb of montgomery (northeast) ... pretty close to the kenwood mall. the menu is highlighted with their #1 most famous dish, dol-sot bibimbap and their 2nd most famous dish, kal bi. You're albe to order all of your favorite korean soup dishes, bbq (cooked in the back though), fried rices, pancake dishes, etc. the only items missing from their menu is mul naengmyun and dduk boki (sp?). their sushi is the best in cincinnati as well. generous portions of the freshest fish compared to the other chinese/japanese restaurants (including benihana). there are weekly special menus (the blue insert) that helps give some variety in your order. try the kimbap...seriously, it is so good my take-out order: sushi/sashimi combo A & haemool pajun for $38.00
(4)Eric W.
Another great Korean restaurant. The soups are great, but my favorite is the Mae woon Dak Bokgum. The menu is so big that I could seriously eat here every single day.
(5)