I love when I walk into a restaurant and the aroma makes my mouth water.
Walking into Cafe Korea did just that...and it wasn't just because it was lunchtime and I was hungry.
This is a quaint and cozy place, able to seat maybe 60 guests total. It was clean, bright and the service I received was attentive but not overbearing at all.
Definitely a locally owned, "mom and pop" restaurant, and I love it when they are well managed and offer fantastic food.
I had the Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap lunch special. It was delicious! Much better than even those I've had in SoCal where I'm originally from. I can't wait to try the other lunch and dinner offerings in the near future.
Will become a regular at Cafe Korea, no doubt!
I was out here in business and thought it would be hilarious to see what kind of Korean food was available in Indy. Â It just so happened that the one that got the best reviews was a mile and half from my hotel - awesome! Â I have to say I wasn't expecting much - I love going to korean or sushi places in the midwest for comedy purposes because usually if you're not on the west or east coast it's crap. Â All of that said, this place is the real deal. Â I had the grilled mackerel and it was phenomenal. Â The banchan was great and the little pancake they brought out was cooked perfectly! Â (I like mine a little crunchy). Â Although the menu is not very large, what they have looks really good. I didn't realize until after I ordered that they had Salang Tang as a special (not on the menu) Â so it looks like they toss in some other stuff as well. Â Do yourself a favor Indy people and check it out!!!!
Review Source:Awesome food! Â We lived in Korea for a few years back in the 70's. Â My dad loves the food, so we took him here recently for his birthday. Â Food was awesome, Kimchee is great, owner and waitress were very nice. Â They even prepared a traditional Korean birthday dish, a nice dessert plate, and sang happy b-day in Korean!
Review Source:I am a fan!
Living around the country in cities with a high Korean population, I wasn't expecting much when I walked into this joint, and I'm glad to say I'm blown away.
1) It's clearly a mom-and-pop joint, and I have an inkling to help local business succeed in my community.
2) It's in a strip mall, but it's definitely not a hole-in-the-wall. It's minimalist- inspired/designed.
3) The service is slow, so only come here when you have a leisure afternoon.
4) The food/flavours are great!
My sister and I had the different versions of Bibimbap which is a signature Korean dish which translates to "mix rice" or rice with vegetables. My sister also commented that this is probably a great way for kids to eat veggies, as everything is incorp. and not an afterthought of veggies on the side.
In all, I highly recommend here, if you're in the Indy area!
We stopped by here for lunch as part of our international lunch tour. We heard good things and boy they were right! The food is fresh, tasty and presented in a stimulating way.
I started with the ginseng tea, it was nice, not overpowering - went well with the lunch.
Dol Sol Bi bim bap came with the best miso soup I've ever had; lots of miso, small tofu chunks and green onion, perfectly seasoned. The entree came in a sizzling hot bowl, rice on the bottom - beef, veggies and egg on top. What an amazing and fresh array of flavors! Highly recommended. The side of kimchee was spicy and authentic. Happy ending; the meal included watermelon chunks for dessert - a perfect sweet ending.
The decor is sparse but pleasing, the service was friendly - good at suggesting menu items if you ask, she stopped by a few times and was available if you needed her. We saw they had a nice beer and wine selection if you're in the mood for some drinks.
We will be back - best Korean in the greater Indy area!
Korean mother-approved! Every time my parents come to town, my mom wants to have Korean food, but she HATED Mama's on Pendleton Pike and I didn't know of any other places. Â Thank goodness for Yelp. Â I saw the good reviews and was still weary since my Korean parents can be pretty critical of restaurant food, especially if it claims to be Korean, but happy to say the food was excellent! Â It's a small place in a strip mall and my dad was worried it would be too "Americanized." Â They could use some more staff, since it looked like it was the hostess/owner, maybe a male relative and mom in the kitchen. Â The owner is very nice and apologized for the slow service since it was a busy Saturday evening. Â I thought the food more than made up for it. Â There are the many Korean staples--bulgogi, kalbi, bibimbop, and lots of spicy soups, little sides (banchon were small but spot on), but there were also some tasty surprises. Â The seafood pancake was a nice crunchy appetizer--yeah it has imitation crab meat in it, but it came out piping hot and sliced up like a pizza, since it was as big as one too. Â Kalbi was juicy and tender and cooked just right, with a little char, and served up atop a bed of smooth little hot rocks to keep the meat cooking (ingenious!). The sea bass was a large portion, also served on a bed of hot rocks, with a crunchy char around the edges and a sweet miso glaze. Cute little bundles of lightly pickled shredded veggies wrapped in a thin sheet of turnip and drizzled with a sweet sauce were made to look like little squid-shaped spring rolls and made for a refreshing palate cleanser. I wish this place were not so far away--my mom wants to go there again the next time she's in town. If you've never had Korean food, this is the real deal, but I wouldn't really recommend it if, like the guy sitting at the next table, you don't like rice...
Review Source:I love this place like I love my momma. I started tearing up as soon as we walked in.. just the sound of the Korean ladies laughing and talking about their day made me feel like I was back at my momma's house. Yes, I'm still very much homesick even after 2 and half years of living in Indy. I've tried my best to recreate my mom's cooking by either watching tons of "how to cook Korean food" on YouTube or long phone conversations with my mom ("MOM, just move here, I have a extra room!!") but it's never the same. Cafe Korea some VERY close to my mom's cooking and that just makes my heart full.
The ajima (older married Korean woman) that took our order was so nice, very funny and always checked to make sure we were doing okay. She kept telling me that I wasn't feeding my fiancé enough because he is so skinny. That's definitely something my mom says to me all the time. :P Dillon ordered bulgogi and I ordered yu ke jang extra spicy (spicy beef soup). We also ordered mandu (dumplings on the menu)---even though I have bags full in my freezer there is nothing like freshly handmade mandu. Our meal came with panch'an (various side dishes like kimchi, sprouts, seasoned spinach) and also a Korean pancake (on the house!) that was made out of sweet potato, carrots and zucchini.
We left with full, happy bellies and I was feeling a little less homesick.
Tip: If you are an ice drinker, you should try the Korean ice tea. Has a rice flavor and is really refreshing.
Just moved to Indy and this is the first Korean place we went.  The lady who served us was awesome! I would go back just to talk to her! The food was good too.  On top of the banchan she also brought us a vegetable pajon (pancake).  When I told her I had an interest in Korean language, dramas and music she said things to me on Korean and told me  the reply.  She cracked me up saying I was a stalker because I know when Lee Jun Ki gets out of the army :D  My husband got tofu steak with cheese, which I thought was gross, but he liked (I don't think tofu and cheese should go together). I got dol sot bi Bim bap with tofu instead of meat. All good!
Review Source:No canine on the menu...dammit
...but...excellent food....clean comfortable surroundings...superb, friendly, knowledgeable service...overall a great dining experience.
Have only lunched....and I can't pretend to know "authentic" Korean..."authentic" a word bandied about dangerously...much like the Republicans with "Freedom".....yes...you should be free to lose your house...free to not be able to include your children on your health insurance....free to bomb the heck out of any country we wish...and I am a registered..but disgusted with the current crop....republican.
Anyway...don't know if they use authentic anything...but its fresh...and delicious...and they are not timid with the spices !
Plus the hilarious "Seoul Food" neon light is reason enuf !
To paraphrase Three Dog Night...I've never been to Korea, but I really like the food! Cafe Korea offers what I've been told a very authentic menu. This review is based solely on the lunch experience, because I only work near there but eat there about once a week. Â That being said, everything on the lunch menu is incredibly delicious and will fill you up without requiring a nap upon leaving. Â The lunch prices are also very reasonable (around $10 including tip). Â My personal favorite is the spicy pork box, but if you're in the mood for seafood, the sauteed squid or the grilled mackerel are both fantastic. Â Another great feature at lunch is that each menu item is accompanied by salad with ginger dressing, miso soup, and traditional Korean sides such as kimchi and bean sprouts. The woman who serves the food is always friendly and is very helpful if you're unsure about a certain dish. Overall, highly recommended for the Asian food seeker, and if lunch is any indication I'm sure dinner will not disappoint.
Review Source:The owner is so nice! My b/f and I have been here twice for lunch on a saturday. We don't ever order appetizers, but she (Korean lady in her early 40's ish) would always serve us her pancake appetizer on the house. Super nice of her. It's served hot and delicious. It's not because she had some laying around.
She can always change the level of spicyness even when the menu says its really spicy.
She checks back on you. Asks you if there is anything else you need. Service is quick. Food comes out quickly.
Food tastes great. My b/f loves the seafood soup dish and I've tried a variety of the soup dishes too. Very good quality. Very authentic, b/c I can't even tell what some of the ingredients are. But they're good.
I wish there was more selection on the menu though. The store is very small. They do have flat screen tv and bar area. There is no BBQ. And prices start around 10 bucks-15 for a lunch entree. It comes with the side dishes, unlimited. It all looks fresh!
Definitely go try! I have not tried Mama's or Bando Restaurant before. I have tried E. Miracle which is down the street also on Allisonville. THey have BBQ.
So the only reason why I'm giving this place 4 stars it's because I've lived elsewhere - but this is by far the best authentic Korean food I've had in Indy. Forget e-Miracle, forget Mama's in Pendelton (I think that place is ok but way over priced and grimy).
Cafe Korea makes ALL their own kimchi and sauces meaning NO MSG. Their restaurant is also very clean, modern, and bright.
Recommendations:
Dol Sot Bi Bimp Bap
Korean Pancake (ask for Mozerella Cheese on top!)
SoonDuBu (sour tofu soup)
Five Stars and worth it! Â When I walked in, there were already two Korean families dining in the restaurant so I knew that was a really good sign! Â I ordered the dumplings as a starter, and the short ribs for my wife. Â The short ribs were awesome. Â They showed up on a sizzling hot plate, which was piled high with a layer of hot river stones which are then covered with the short ribs. Â The hot stones kept the marinated short ribs sizzling hot throughout the whole meal! Â The server was awesome...she recommended the spicy squid which was out of the this world good! Â I wouldn't let the server take the dish away because I kept drizzling the sauce on my rice since it was sooooo tasty! Â We also tried the vegetable pancake starter which was also delicious.
Review Source:5 stars. Please read the rest - some might discount but I had a fun - and we live and learn.
Sunday dinner - early - filled up while I was there. One waitress - small place but a bit of patience might be needed. She hustled.
Friendly place - from the start.
I ordered Fresh fish bowl - (hew dup bap) - she confirmed that I knew what that was - and I mentioned I was also considering the sauteed squid. It was her favorite - and I switched - raw fish dishes should be amazingly fresh - and the lack of endorsement concerned me. Both dishes are spicy - again confirmed - I like spicy foods.
Next arrived a complimentary portion of the seafood pancake sans seafood but with a little cheese. I loved it - the real seafood pancake appetizer was explained to be the size of a medium pizza - and should be for 12.99 - I saw one later and can confirm - it would be a great table of 4 appetizer. I will gather friends and have the true seafood pancake soon.
Dinner came with small ginger dressing lettuce salad - nice. Small Miso soup - also nice. And the usual Korean accompaniments  - I am not an expert on those - seemed nice but you will need to judge.
Oh the soup - the two soups on the tray destined for the next table were dropped on my table as I asked a question - I was alone and no damage done - all part of the fun for the evening.
Then the squid arrived - a large portion of squid and some veggies in a spicy red sauce. My initial reaction was spicy but could use a little more kick - stupid me - cumulative heat is the best and this one built on itself and was splendid. Exactly what I was after. Plenty of tasty tender squid. And the veggies were properly cooked too.
How does one man have such an experience.
The food was really good - the Korean crowd that formed over time suggested that the food is authentic. A good number of options on the menu.
I will return. And bring some friends.
Now for the last item - Â I got the bill and it was higher than expected. They appear to charge for soda refills - I had several while enjoying the spicy food. Water next time.
But in the end - I love interesting food and energy - this place has both and it is an independent. We need places like this. 5 stars - try it and then go back.
Friend and I met for lunch today at Cafe Korea, having read great reviews on the Indianapolis Restaurant Scene blog. Â I had the beef bulgogi, friend had the Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap (really hot bowl of shredded veggies, beef, rice and egg with hot sauce). Â Both lunch specials came with a tasty little mixed lettuce salad with ginger dressing. Â The bulgogi was served in a bento box with a potsticker, one slice of sushi, a few veggie tempuras and rice. Â And of course we had the little sides of kim chee, sprouts, spicy cucumbers and a green that might have been spinach. Â It was all very tasty, the people who work there were very gracious (I don't know who was the owner and who was a server, but both women were very helpful during a busy lunch rush.) Â I look forward to going back.
Funny side note - the wind was blowing so hard, and their door is a little sticky - several people tried to open the door and couldn't, gave up and started to walk away. Â The owner and server would run out and open the door for them. Â So if you think the place is closed, pull harder!
When was the last time I couldn't find a negative about a restaurant? Like never. Until now.
Been in Indy 16+ years and gave up on Korean after a trip to a disgusting slime pit on Pendleton Pike years ago. Relegated to dreaming of authentic cuisine while eating generic kimchee from Saraga.
Outing to CK three nights ago and was floored. Like tears of joy floored. Aberration? Maybe... but return trip last night equally impressive (tried two nights ago but realized, with hand on door ready to enter, that both wallet and purse were left at home...effin a). When was the last time I planned a return for dinner two nights in a row... and actually followed through? Like never.
Waitress Jin fun and doesn't hesitate to help.
Owner very nice and visited table side on second visit.
Food wonderful. Mung bean pancakes, seafood pancakes, spicy squid, dumpling soup, dol sot bi bim bap, spicy tofu soup, freebie sides are all a must. Os beer ice cold.
Only ding... Carpenters CD playing entire time Saturday night... weird.
In my quest to find a real negative I'm do'in lunch there tomorrow!
I have found a new favorite lunch spot!! I love the sign " Seoul Food" and that it is on many levels. I was in the mood for seafood so I ordered the spicy squid with vegetables. With that I received a salad with, it seemed, the same dressing from Kazan the Japanese steak house. It was very good. After the salad I was served a traditional miso soup a traditional kimchee and 3 non tradition small appetizers. All of which were exceptional. When I received my lunch special I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was more like octopus than squid. I love octopus! And I love spicy. I ordered it extra extra spicy. The heat was tasty and not overwhelming. Usually I order off the dinner menu because lunch special menus are usually small orders. Let me tell you this, I am feeling very full right now and all for $11. Food was great service was great I would definitely recommend and I will definitely be back to try more!! I hear the Korean pancakes are the bomb!!!!!
Review Source:This was such a delight! I was a bit skeptical when my friend, Terry Kirts, who is the food critic at Indianapolis Monthly, suggested we go here. I was like, well, I'll be a sport!
To my surprise I loved it. It's not the best in atmosphere, but the food is really good. I had number 7 or 8 on the lunk list, the hot one, and it all comes in this cooked bowl with a fried egg on top, which again, seemed rather odd but it worked all together and was oh so yummy. It was just enough. The lunk menu is a bit more than your average place; mine was $10, so it's not a cheap dining out, but it's worth the money/try.
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