Seoul Garden Cary

Daisy Jane

2 months ago

★★★★★

It's been a couple of months since we were here. We've been coming here since the place changed the name to Seoul Garden. We immediately noticed some differences. Menu is different, no familiar faces, no customers either. Friday at noon would seem weird to see only one other table in the restaurant. We couldn't order our usual dishes so we proceeded to try the new menu. Soontofu and galbi hot stone bibimpa. No egg in the soontofu. There were only 2 small pieces of galbi (with bones) in the bibimpa but it's a $22 dollar item on the menu. Again, the flavors were not bad but really didn't feel like anything was worth the money. The banchan (small side dishes before the meal) were never refilled through out our meal. Unfortunately, whenever restaurants change hands, quality and consistency usually suffers. We do hope this place makes it but we won't be back again.

Ni Hao, Kai-Ran

2 months ago

★★★★★

There are moments in life when you walk into a restaurant and think, “Ah yes, this will either be transcendent or a financial mistake.” That was me stepping into Seoul Garden. First impressions were confusingly solid. Plenty of parking. Actual space between tables. The kind of breathing room that makes you wonder if you accidentally made a responsible dining decision. The staff had that no nonsense, authentic energy that says, “We know what we’re doing, and we will not explain it twice.” Respect. The menu looked beautifully unapologetically authentic. Unfortunately, it also looked like it had been priced during peak inflation under a full moon with vibes of “you will pay it anyway.” But I committed. I ordered the Galbi hot stone bibimbap because I believe in treating myself, even recklessly. Now, presentation was excellent. Dramatic. The sizzling stone bowl arrived like it had something to prove. Steam rising. Colors popping. A generous invitation to customize with gochujang and mix to my heart’s content. And yes, the flavors were good. Balanced. Comforting. Legitimately satisfying. But let us discuss the galbi. Two. Two pieces. Two delicate, almost symbolic pieces of meat in a bowl that cost over twenty five dollars. I have seen garnish portions with more confidence. It felt less like a serving and more like a sample. A tasting flight of beef. I kept turning the bowl, wondering if the other half was hiding under the rice like a shy woodland creature. Was this secretly A5 wagyu. Was I unknowingly consuming the deal of a lifetime. Was each piece blessed individually by a grill master monk. I may never know. What I do know is that I was emotionally prepared for at least four pieces, the difference between pleasantly fed and I might need a snack later. The frustrating part is that the dish was good. The rice crisped beautifully against the hot stone. The vegetables were fresh. The gochujang customization scratched the control freak itch in my soul. Everything worked except the generosity. By the end, I was not angry. Just mildly betrayed. The kind of betrayal where you nod politely, pay the bill, and whisper, “We could have gone to Himalayan Range,” on the way to the car. Would I go back. Maybe. The foundation is there. The flavors are there. The ambiance is fine. But next time I am either ordering something that cannot emotionally disappoint me or bringing a microscope to locate my galbi. Three and a half stars. Good food. Questionable meat math.

Brian Martinez

2 months ago

★★★★★

Have always bought from Seoul Garden since 2019 in Raleigh and now Cary, it seems its under new management, food is nowhere near the quality it was before and the dish i always purchased is not the same, less portions and it is not a chicken bulgogi as stated. Rubbery chicken as well, tossed it.