new Korean restaurant across from Dunkin' Donuts

[she-of-emeralds.livejournal.com]

Has anyone tried this place?

Comments

[nonelvis]

If you mean Meju, then I was there a week and a half ago. The food was beautifully composed, but my husband and I agreed the flavors lacked punch. We ate off the small plates menu, so it's very possible that the main courses are a different story -- but the kimchi supplied with the banchan was too mild as well, in our opinion, which didn't exactly bode well for spicy flavor in the mains.

The basil gimlet, however, was awesome ... once it finally arrived. Staff were really nice, but the bar was very backed-up (perhaps understaffed?), and we didn't even get our drinks until at least two of our small plates had arrived.

Any recommendations for other Korean joints within walking distance (1-1.5 miles of Ball Square) are welcome.

[teko.livejournal.com]

Reviews on Chowhound have said pretty much the same things. Folks there have complained about bland food, nice-but-slow service with banchan being brought out after entrees, and surprisingly high prices. I keep hoping they'll go back to the comfort food they promised to serve when they announced the place.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Yeah. this was my experience. Blander than I wanted it to be, and slow, and the banchan very slow.

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

There's Buk Kyung in Union Square; not sure how far that is from you. Also Cho Cho's in Porter Exchange.

[nonelvis]

I've heard good things about both, but only Cho Cho's is within walking distance. Thanks!

[thedonk.livejournal.com]

It was okay, but expensive for just okay.

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

I appreciate this kind of review. Even for people without food allergies, it often matters if a restaurant has its act together and can pay attention to detail. Language barriers can complicate things, of course, but that doesn't seem to be an issue here.

[mzrowan.livejournal.com]

As someone with gluten intolerance (and a partner who's vegan, and another who's lactose-intolerant) I very much appreciate reviews like this!

[3rdragon]

I will say that they were okay about lactose. And I'm pretty sensitive.

(And I thought it was tasty, if not somewhere I would go when footing the bill myself.)

Have had multiple good experiences

[hiddenbear.livejournal.com]

My wife an I have been there four or five times now. Each experience has been really good. The highlight has been the staff ... extremely nice, and they remember us each time we return. Sometimes they are a bit slow (on busy nights), but the last time we went the food was brought out very quickly. We've been very happy with the food. The banchan changes slightly each time, which makes it more interesting.

I like things mild, so the food has always met or exceeded my spice desires. My wife likes things spicier, so there have been a couple times where she wished there was more spice ... probably something we just have to remember to ask for.

I agree with a few of the posts about the drinks ... every one I have had has been really good! Even when they only had soju and didn't yet have a full bar license.

[mem-winterhill.livejournal.com]

It was spendy. We thought the service was good. I want to go back for the other stuff soon, we just had a few small plates. One was a really interesting mushroom combination.

But I cannot stop thinking about the scallion pancake. I dream of it now.

[nathanjw]

I went there about a month ago with my wife and 2.5-year-old, early on a Tuesday evening, when it was fairly quiet. We all enjoyed it, even if Mr. 2.5 would only eat some bun and pork and a few other little bits - we happily ate everything else, including the unusually structural-scallion scallion pancake. It was not the spiciest Korean food I've ever had, but that was fine.

We would totally like to go back, which I think is the bottom line for a restaurant review.

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

I've enjoyed most of the things I've had there, especially the pork buns, and found the drinks lovely. I found the prices to be comparable to (or even bit lower than) Saloon, Posto, and Painted Burro; which may read high if you're expecting prices more typical of Asian restaurants, which tend to run a bit lower. I've been twice and would definitely go again.

[myselftheliar.livejournal.com]

I also has a gluten issue at Meju they were very apologetic but by then it was too late. They did not seem to adequately understand that soy sauce contains gluten.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

The tastiest thing we had there was the scallion pancakes with kimchi. That was quite good but you can't really make a meal of it. When they first opened they offered lotus root chips that were wonderful, but they were absent from the menu the last time we went.

I'm kind of ready for whatever restaurant is going to open next.

Korean Restaurant

[myfafo.livejournal.com]

It seems to be a little bit expensive :(