Coming from San Francisco where there is plenty of amazing Korean food, I was prepared for disappointment and ended up being pleasantly surprised at how good and authentic the food was here.
The restaurant is located at the end of a strip mall and definitely won't be winning any awards for ambiance. However, what it lacks in the decor department, it more than makes up in food quality. Â
We shared the scallion and kimchip pajun (Korean pancake), bulgogi in a bowl, and kalbi.
Pajun: Very good. Next time, I'd like to try one with beef. $12.95
Kalbi: Very well marinated and grilled. Served on a sizzling plate with onions and mushrooms. $14.95
Bulgogi in a bowl: A ton of thinly sliced grilled marinated beef in a broth with glass noodles, enoki mushrooms and vegetables. Comes in a clay bowl which is so hot the broth is simmering when they bring it to the table. The broth was delicious -- richly flavored with a hint of sweetness and the bulgogi was tender and perfectly marinated. A great value for $12.95.
One of the reasons I love Korean food is the Pan Chan, which are all the complimentary little side dishes that come with your meal. The pan chan here did not disappoint! It probably varies, but we got bean sprouts, diced potatoes, broccoli, julienned daikon, shredded cabbage, and of course, kimchi. We asked for a second round of pan chan even though we were stuffed.
Many others have complained about the slow service. We didn't have that problem, but I will note that we showed up around 2:30pm so the restaurant wasn't busy at the time. I was actually surprised at how many people were there. In fact, a steady stream of people came in while we were there. Given what I observed, I'd avoid coming in during peak dining times. I definitely will return!
BTW, if you're looking for a Korean Karaoke bar, there's one right next door to Hoban called Do-Re-Mi. For those who haven't done Korean Karaoke, it's awesome because you can rent a private room for just you and your friends, order food and cocktails to be delivered to your room, and pick all the songs you want to sing. You don't have to listen to a bunch of strangers sing while waiting for your request to come up and, more importantly, you only humiliate yourself in front of your friends.
Why isn't there more Korean food in the twin cities?! WHY?!
Ok, anyhow, Hoban is pretty solid. The atmosphere isn't exactly special or fancy or anything, but the food is good and that is what counts, especially when the pickings are so slim for Korean...I would say they deserve 3.5 stars...
The service was good and we only had to wait a few minutes for a table even though it was quite busy. It seemed like they had a lot of take-out orders going on. the bulgogi was good, and they give pretty decent sized portions of both the meat and the rice which was nice.
I would definitely go back here if it wasn't so far from my house. It is quite a hike...
Best Korean restaurant in Minnesota.
Being that it boasts the largest menu of Korean food in the Twin Cities, one could initially suspect that perhaps only a handful of the dishes might be executed well. I will be the first to attest that, from my countless experiences here, the latter could not be a more inaccurate assumption. There's nothing I've tried here that I've disliked. Not only is the quantity impressive, (portions are such that you will never leave with anything less than a distended stomach indicating the most desirable end result of having had a greatly substantial and satisfying meal) but the quality of the food is a big contributing factor of what helps deliver such great authenticity. The flavors and textures, which contrast perfectly, are almost always on point. If they are not, specify your preferred taste and they will gladly cater to it.
Some faves/must-try's, to name only a FEW...
Spicy wings- even though they're not actually spicy, they just taste awesome.
Dolsot Bibimbap- hot stone rice bowl with meat and veggies (Comes out sizzling so that everyone will look at you with interest and envy when it comes to your table)
Kalbi- Korean BBQ short ribs (Don't feel bad if you finish the entire plate yourself. It would be more work to try to NOT finish it)
Bulgogi- thinly sliced beef marinated and then barbecued/grilled. (This can oftentimes be a good introductory option for many Korean food newbies who are unfamiliar with Korean cuisine and may be unsure of what to order).
Side dishes or "panchan" (if you are wondering what the several small dishes encroaching on your table space are doing there) are customary to serve at Korean meals. They consist of cold, pickled/marinated veggies such as radish, bean sprout, potato, cabbage, and of course kimchi. You will earn the respect of all the Korean staff at Hoban if you are open enough to indulge in the crunchy, spicy goodness that is kimchi. The panchan/side dishes may be mistaken or misinterpreted by some to be appetizers but actually serve as more of an array of accompaniments that help to incorporate a contrast between hot/cold temperature, spicy/sweet/sour flavors, crunchy/soft textures into your meal.
It doesn't hurt that people tend to enjoy being allowed the opportunity of trying a little of a lot of different things rather than simply eating a large portion of only one thing. What other nationality's cuisine supplies you with such a variety of side dishes for free with every meal?!
If someone wanted to try Korean for the first time, I would direct them here.
If someone knew good Korean food and wanted to know where to get some, I'd tell them to come here.
In either instance, Hoban will not disappoint.
I've been dining at Hoban since I was a wee lad, before they remodeled.
Speaking from an adopted korean's perspective, specifically from one that has returned to Korea and had their biological family cook for them, I wasn't expecting traditional flavors; I was wrong.
Being that it was my girlfriend's birthday, we decided to go all out. Â Here's what we decided to stuff our faces with.
The seafood hot pot for two
Pork bul go gi  (spicy thinly stir fried pork and onion)
Galbi grilled ribs  (marinated grilled bone in ribs)
Yuk Hwe jang  (raw mincd beef with raw egg served over rice with assorted mixed pickled vegetables)
Ja jam myun  (thin what noodles tossed in a black bean sesame oil sauce)
Soon do bu  (a seafood infused soup with egg an tofu)
The galbi and pork bul go gi with the soon do bu came out first. Â The soup was boiling hot, as it should be and the plates of grilled meat were still steaming. Â Our server, a pleasant Korean young lady, began cutting our galbi ribs and asking us about our night etc.. She accomplished the task efficiently, we could tell it wasn't her first time. Â If I remember correctly her name was Tarey.
I had to pace myself, because I knew the mountain of food ahead of us wouldn't fall easily if I kept enjoying the grilled meats.
After about ten minutes the seafood hot pot for two came out along with the yuk Hwe jang and the cha jam myun. Â The cha jam myun was not to oily with the right amount of bean paste, just how I remembered it. Â The yuk Hwe mixed well and with a little of the spicy red paste was delectable and smooth. Â The king of the courses was the seafood hot pot, the bowl came out to size of a small paella pan, bubbling, attached to its own gas flame beneath to ensure continued muddling of the flavors.
We dived into the cha jam myun and I began on the yuk Hwe, my girlfriend doesn't like raw meat and other raw products as much as I do, so she stayed her spoon. Â We let the seafood hot pot sit for a bit as I watched the broth take on a darker red tone and the smells become stronger. Â When I finally did have some, I felt like I was back home.
Mussels, soft shell crab, octopus, shrimp with the heads still on, in a spicy broth? Â What more does a Seoul ^_~ need on a cold Minnesota winter evening? Â
I made myself finish the yuk Hwe because I knew it wouldn't keep well, but we ended up taking everything else home, side dishes included. Â The birthday girl was fond of a pickled cabbage dish that was served, when I informed our server she promptly went back in the kitchen and grabbed us another side to go, score.
We waddled out of that restaurant with my stomach full, my wallet not crying and enough food for lunch and dinner for the next few days. Â My fellow Yelpers, if you have not had the experience that is Hoban, make some time in your schedule, wear some stretchy pants and bring some friends so you can all order different things. Â You'll be surprised by the authenticity and the flavors.
We started with some apps...
The Man Doo (fried dumplings), both the meat and veggie variety, got praise from others at the table, though I declined as fried food is just not my thing. We also ordered the Kimbap, which is designed like sushi (seaweed/rice rolls) but the main ingredient is thinly sliced and savory beef. I don't even like beef but it was moist and flavorful and lacked toughness that even I was pleased.
Moving on to the entrees...
I ordered the Seafood Dolsot Bap, a rice bowl with a fried egg (gooey eggs always make everything tastier), some miscellaneous Korean veggies and the seafood, some measly excuses for shrimp (they were about the size of my pinky nail) and tentacles. I was hoping for more flavor in this dish. Apparently you are supposed to drown your rice bowl in the Sriracha-type sauce in the red ketchup bottles.
I did absolutely love all the side dishes of fermented, pickled, boiled and/or seasoned veggies (sprouts, potatoes, cabbage, cucumbers...) that seem to be traditionally served in little communal dishes. I added this to my rice bowl for some flavor. My single grip about these really tiny side dishes was that I was forced to share with others at the table.
My BF got the Bul Go Gi, meat prepared on the grill. Like the meat in the "sushi roll" app, this was also tender and tasty (it must have been incredibly garlicky based on the intense odor that overwhelmed our fridge after we had brought home the leftovers).
Hoban is located in a strip mall...
and the interior is also what you would expect from a strip mall joint. However, the atmosphere was pretty lively and warm and service is good. On a Friday night, it was very busy, with lots of big parties, many of which seemed to be celebrating.
I did like Hoban, but I am not certain it is worth the 30-40 minute drive for me. Â I really do want to give 3.5 stars and so I am rounding up.
When I was in MPLS for business last month, a girl friend and I came here on her sister's recommendation. I've eaten at a lot of Korean and KBBQ places for the better part of a decade all over - and the level of customer service here was fantastic. Could be because the staff here was more Americanized.
We ordered a few things including the seafood panjun ("pancake") to start - had a good assortment of scallops (my favorite), squid and mussels. There was about 7 sides of panchan (would have liked more and more variety) but it was a sufficient amount. We also had the Kalbi - which was deliciously tender and plenty! Didn't even finish half and took the rest to go.
Definitely enjoyed this place and will want to come back the next time I am in Eagan again.
OK, so I stopped in here for lunch after shopping at Hockenbergs. Â Hoban is often talked about on Yelp, so since I was in the area I thought I should give it a go.
When I entered I was pushed off to the side with a woman that had bags of food and was trying to pay for them.  The hostess asked if I was dining in and went  back to processing the woman's credit card.  A waiter walked up and asked if I was dining in and invited me to a table.  He asked me if I wanted the buffet or the menu.  I opted for the buffet, even though my inner foodie said no.
The buffet is a short steam table filled with chicken wings, tempura veggies, a stainless steel cylinder filled with some kind of soup, about four different entrees and rice.
I grabbed a plate with some of the food and a bowl with some soup and headed back to my table.
The soup was flavorless. Â The vegetables in it had texture but no flavor. Â The rest of the fried appetizers in the steam table were nothing to write home about but at least they were not greasy. Â The chicken wings tried to be like Korean chicken but failed.
The one entree that stood out was the chicken bulgogi, which at least had some red pepper paste that made it tastey. Â It flavored the steamed rice which helped to fill me up.
From the noise from the woman in the booth next to me, I am glad I didn't order the seafood soup. Â She had to send it back to the kitchen three times before they got it right.
Pretty good Korean food. Â I go here at least once a month. Â I usually go for the lunch buffet but have gone for dinner and ordered off of the regular menu several times as well. Â The owners are great and very friendly but the wait service is mediocre.
Off the regular menu I usually get the Chicken, Pork, or Beef Bulgogi, or the Chap Chae.
If you go for the lunch buffet, I find that the food seems to be better between noon and 12:30, I think it is more fresh tasting and hot.
I thought the food here was very good. We shared the pork bulgogi and kimchee chigae, as usual, but opted for the tuna in the soup. I wasn't sure if I'd like the kimchee chigae with tuna, as sometimes Asian fish dishes are a bit strong for my taste, but this was mild and flavorful, with pieces of flaked tuna floating in the broth, and additional fish cakes that were mild and yummy. The bulgogi was off the hook, with not even a little bit of extra oil in the dish and the ideal spice level...pork bulgogi perfection. Banchan were standard and nothing to write home about...I think if the dishes had been better chilled, I'd have liked them better. They lacked snap. Still, not a deal breaker.
Review Source:This would have been 5 stars if I had liked their banchan a little more. Â They definitely give you plenty, 7 dishes but none of them really sparkled for me. Â They weren't bad, they just weren't remarkable. Â
We ordered the pork bulgogi and kimchi chigae with tuna. Â I thought both were terrific and would recommend them highly. Â I especially appreciated that the bulgogi was not swimming in oil as so many of them are when we order them around the country. Â The spice level of both was spot on and the flavors fresh and bright. Â We were delighted by the service and would return without hesitation. Â Another good Korean restaurant hunted down thanks to the Yelpers out there!
Moshiso!!!
I came to town to visit my dad and he had been raving about this place! When I asked what his favorite was, he couldn't decide on which was his favorite, and now I can see why!! :)
I think we arrived at JUST the right time because 5 min later, the entire place was packed. This is obviously the go-to place for fantastic Korean food in the area. And here's why:
- The service was on spot. The servers were extremely friendly. The owner walks around to personally check on you to ensure you enjoy your food.
- The pan chan was good variety and fresh!
- The ojingeo bokkeum was effing phenomenal. Plentiful in squid, and squid that tasted fresh in texture and flavor!! I think this was the star for me that night
- The kimbop was also good...we cleaned that appetizer up in a hurry
- Chicken bulgogi was great!! The right amount of marinade before cooked.
I constantly seek great Korean restaurants since I like to take a break from cooking it myself. And growing up as a Korean/American I've learned that not all Korean places are created equally. From all of the places that i have been to accross the country which feature the same type of menu, this one certainly has stood out as the best. (From West coast, to the Midwest to the East coast)
Hoban is certainly a gem and I'll be back on my next trip to Minnesota!! :)
Okay. I super love this place. The first time my husband and I went together, he asked to come back the next night. No joke!
It's a bit americanized for Korean but it doesn't miss a beat and brings out the best in Korean food. My favorites are the Yookgaejang and kimchee fried rice. My mother in law had the chicken bulgogi and it seems as though it changed her life! I had a bite and it was absolutely delicious.
However, skip the traditional beef bulgogi. No bueno.
I drag my husband to Korean restaurants every opportunity I get and this is the place that finally got him to "crave" Korean food versus just going to make me happy. Looks like Hoban continues to help our "happily ever after!"
One word to sum up this restaurant: Delicious! Â Who knew Eagan has such an awesome Korean restaurant? Â Certainly, not this girl. Â I went here with Rachel C and I knew I was store for some great Korean since she couldn't stop raving about this place and I was not disappointed. Â
I had the one of the Bap, I can't remember which one though. The Bap is served in a hot stone bowl with rice on the bottom topped with vegetables, beef and an egg. Â My favorite part of the Bap was the crunchy rice on the bottom. Â For people that are not into spicy food, this dish would be safe for you. Â I actually added quite bit of the fiery sauce at the table to bump up the heat level.
The service here was outstanding. Â Rachel C asked the server if they made a dish that she had when she was living in South Korea. The server advised that they did not make it since it took so long to cook ,and even went a step farther to describe the cooking process so she could make it at home if she wanted. Â Our server also answered her questions about the karaoke place next door regarding prices. Â There is a discount for renting a room to do karaoke if you eat at the restaurant, but I can't recall how much of discount that our server said. Â
Between my Bap and Rachel C.'s dish, the total bill was a little over $20 which is not bad considering the amount of food that you get. Â I will definitely be back to eat here when I have yearning for some Korean food.
Food
It's ok. Not the best I've had. But considering that this is MN, I would say this is better than most.
Location & Parking
It's located in a plaza, so parking is very easy
Settings
It's clean and always table available. There is no outside seatings
Service
They're not very fast. The few times I was there my guests and I had to wait about 10-15mins before the waitress come by to get our order
Price
This is more expensive then Boston.
Verdict
Hmmm... No. I've learned how to make Bibimbap, so I'm all set
This place was great. I grew up eating Korean food at a friend's house, and this took me back. Â I had the dolsot bibimbap and some kimbap, both of which were delicious! I also got to try the kimchi fried rice which I would order too. Â
The staff seemed really friendly as well. The manager came by to ask how our meal was. The service was great. I will definitely be back here to try more of the food! Maybe next time to rent a karaoke room?
I am not a connoisseur of Korean food. Â "I know what I like." Â We ate at Hoban four weeks ago on our way home from the Festival of Nations. Â A whim. Â I was stunned at the change since we had last been there -- years. Â It was remodeled (a few years ago, apparently) and it's lovely inside. Â Spacious. Â Light and bright. Â
I loved the Chap Chae, my companion loved the Bul Gogi. Â What's to say? Â (See my first sentence.) Â
The service was excellent. Â Helpful. Â Cheerful. Â Not overbearing. Â Just right.
You should go.
I came here for the first time the other day and didn't know what to expect. Â I walked away pretty happy with my experience. Â The ban chan was great. Â There were many different side dishes, so I'm surprised to read other reviews that mention there being a lack of. Â We got the seafood pancake and the kimbop...I'm a fan of eating "street" food at restaurants. Â Both were good and there was plenty of food for two-three people. Â It was the tiniest bit on the oily side, but not so oily as to be overwhelmed with a sesame oil flavor. Â
The service was GREAT. Â Our server was friendly and kind. Â We didn't have to wait for refills or to have our plates cleared away. Â
The prices were higher than I'm used to paying in Seattle; but that could be because there are tons of Korean places where I am. Â
I'd go back and try more things.
I'll be the first to disclaim my knowledge of Korean food is minimal at best, but thus far I have enjoyed Hoban on every visit. As a result of admitted ignorance, I'll keep this one short and sweet.
The menu is large, the banchan are plentiful (and additional will be provided upon request) and tasty (especially the shoyu potatoes, kongnamul and kimchi) and the service is generally pretty friendly; efficient at worst.
The price tag might be a bit higher than some of the other Korean joints in town, but still reasonable, and it becomes an afterthought after imbibing upon a Korea brewski or two.
The location is nothing special, as it's anchoring a nondescript strip mall in suburbia, but you Eaganites are lucky to have a good one in your neighborhood.
Meh... not my favorite. Â Came here with a large group for birthday. The service was ok but our drinks were never refilled and they never took away any of the old plates which made our table super crowded. Â
Tried the spicy chicken soup which was not that great and just the soup cost $30 alone. Â It wasn't horrible but not good enough to warrant the price and since they didn't remove bones from chicken it was a death trap to try to eat.
BF got the black bean sauce noodles and he didn't like it, the noodles were different than the ones we are used to. Â Got a better version of that dish in the food court in the korean grocery store back in LA. Â Also the chap chae noodles were strange mix of chinese and korean noodles, not the best. Â
The pancakes were good, we got the green onion and veggie kind. Â They do have a karaoke place next door which makes for a fun night out but unless I was already in the area I don't think I'd venture out here. Â If you want to get your korean food fix try kimchi tofu house, kings or even try green spoon's fusion style instead.
I love Korean food, have had the best that LA and NYC offers, and this sets the bar in the Twin Cities of how rich and satisfying this cuisine can be. Â First, it covers all the bases: Korean style BBQ, yummy dumplings, seafood pancakes, intense soups, and marinated and pickled veggies.The flavor notes are deep, and the Kalbi ribs are best I have ever had.
Review Source:Korean food is definitely one of my favourite cuisines and Hoban delivers!
The food is adequately savory, spicy, and hot. Â A few side dishes were provided but very few - like 4. Â I think they had the potatoes, bean sprouts, kim chi, and maybe something else. Â I don't think there ever was an offer to refill the sides and we didn't ask, oh well. Â They were pretty good :)
My husband usually orders bi bim bap and I usually order the spicy seafood stew. Â So, this is what we ordered since we were both starving. Â We also ordered an extra entree, Jap Chae ... yes, we were thaaat hungry! Â I loved the food! Â Who knew you could get such fantastic Korean food in the 'burbs?! Â
Unfortunately, this restaurant is located faaaaaar from where we live. Â We live on the West side and Hoban is all the way in Eagan - waaaay out East.
Service was pretty friendly. Â
We'll definitely come back if we are in the area.
Safe, comfortable, and easy. Â Been going to this Korean food joint with friends and family for years. Â I remember when it was just a little hole in the wall with not much to look at. Â Now, it's a respectable looking joint that's had a bit of a facelift. Â When the kimchi craving sets in, this is where we head. Â Food is pretty consistent & service is always friendly. Â
Some of my favorites include:
Dolsot Bibimbob - my usual...
Japchae
Bulgogi
Mandu
*the assortment of kimchis and sides that come with your meal are worth the trip alone.
Never had Korean? Â If you like seasame oil and spicy, then Korean is the food for you.
I'll keep this short and sweet.
The food here is very good.
The service is bad enough that it can ruin your evening. It is so bad I am convinced they do it on purpose rather than blame incompetence.
IF they could get a clue on service, this could be a top restaurant in the Twin Cities. Â But they have no clue. Â jeez...
I felt a little Asian tension when I walked into the place. Yo the war is over! Sam sung and Sony can live in harmony!! Plus here in the Midwest no one can tell us apart anyway and think that we are all Hmong (no disrespect to my Hmong peeps)!! But I digress.
This place is like the Korean version of the Joy Luck Club. The servers seemed more interested in serving their friends than taking care of their customers. They were either sitting in the booth chatting or disappeared into the kitchen. I waited to be seated for about 5 minutes and then finally I was sat by one of the workers friends who was walking out the door with her kids. I sat there for about 15 minutes before I was acknowledged. The restaurant was not busy at all, there was maybe about 4 booths used when I arrived.
Long story short, service was not very good unless you were related to one of the servers.
The food:
The food was very authentic. The menu seemed to have everything I could want minus Meat Jun (a Hawaii Korean dish)
Their lunch menu was decent with tons of offerings for 7.95. A word of caution, I would stay away from their 7.95 lunch buffet. It was very limited and very lacking. All they had on the buffet cart was Kim Chee Chigae, Man Doo, Vegetable Tempura, Spicy Pork (maybe) and a few vegetable dishes.
I ordered Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap. It was nothing great. I have been to Korea several times and have always lived near a core Asian populous so I know my standards are high on authenticity.
Here were the issues with the dish:
1. The stoneware was not hot enough. The rice did not burn (that's the best part of the whole dish!)
2. They gave me the dish with a fried egg on top of it where as you usually crack a fresh egg into the dish and mix it into the rice and vegetables.
The side dishes were very good. My fave were the daikon kim chee, shoyu potato and the garlic bean sprouts. Â
Overall:
The service was blah
The food was authentic especially for being so far away from the motherland
The price was a bit steep.
10.95 for Kim Chee Chigae
10.95 for Dol Sot Bi Bim Bap
16.95 for Kal-bi
If I lived here, it would be my spot for a Korean fix but this place wouldn't last if it was on the west coast.
Legit. Â It's like mamma's kitchen is next door.
Having moved here from St. Louis, also crappy for Korean food, I wasn't very optimistic. Â However, whenever I get the chance and feel homesick, I usually make my way over to Hoban. Â I'm usually not much of an appetizer guy, but try the mool mandu. Â It's steamed dumplings. Â I usually get the soon doo boo jji gae too. Â That's a soft tofu soup. Â Just write it down and show them the words and they should understand.
A couple of buddies and I were out for a boys' Saturday night hanging out and BSing and drinking beer. We decided to make a nice base by going out to a highly recommended Korean place by my good friend's place.
This restaurant is in a strip mall and it was about a quarter full on a Saturday night. Â We decided to get three dishes and a few appetizers and just split the bill three ways. It turned out pretty reasonable actually since we didn't get any booze.
I ordered the seafood pancakes, which is actually an egg based pancake with tons of awesome amenities. VERY good! A little pricey at $16, but it was large and perfect. I would have liked a little Sirachi on the table, but soy sauce had to do.
My friend ordered a beef based broth soup, which was tasty, just nothing too special I thought though, not bad, not great. It came in an iron bowl though I think, that kept it boiling hot.
Little rice dishes came with everything as well, it was real cute. These little stainless stell bowls of rice.
My buddy ordered some potsticker type deal which was tasty and the dipping sauce was pretty awesome as well.
The coolest thing about this place is that with every mael, they bring out about 6 garnishments in separate bowls to share. Stuff like sprouts, ginger, potatoes,. just fun little things to add onto your plate, almost like food baubles. Real cool
Overall, a fantastic place with lots of good laughs and plentiful food at a reasonable price for a fun night out. Our service was great and very polite and helpful. You can't ask for a better Saturday night out with friends and laughing your rear end off.
Here's the deal...the food is really really good....BUT so so so over-priced! Having grown up on the West coast where I can head to the Bay area of San Francisco for some of the best Korean food at rock bottom prices I was shocked to see how much they charge for some of the items on the menu. But we were hankering for some Korean food and decided to give it a go.
First off I should mention I'm not in any way new to Korean food......my mom is Korean.....I have been to Korea and I really really really enjoy the food. Hoban served some very tasty and authentic Korean food, so I have no complaints there. What I do have to complain about is the price.....
We ordered the Tuk bok ki, which is served family style in a giant skillet with a stove top burner brought out to the table. Â This is a common street food dish that is popular with young college kids because you can eat cheap and get a lot of food. This is like the macaroni and cheese dish of Korea....kids love it! It came out wonderfully and delicious just like it would in Korea...but this dish contain absolutely nothing more than....cabbage, rice cakes, fish cakes, noodles, and green onions all swimming in a spicy sauce and for absolutely no reason should this dish cost $30 BUT IT DID! I couldn't help but feel ripped off.....
We also ordered some Kim Bap which looks something like a Korean sushi roll. It's rice with meat and veggies rolled into seaweed paper and sliced. It's served with a soy sauce based dipping sauce and is one of the simplest things to make at home.....we paid $12 for it....very tasty but there again a little pricey.....
Lastly, hubby ordered some Soju which is a small bottle of alcohol that you can buy in the Korean markets of San Francisco for about three dollars....they charged $10.95.
I realize this is Minnesota and Korean food is not overly abundant so if you wanna try a new cuisine this place really does serve authentic and delicious food but anywhere else this place would go out of business for charging their customers too much.
My favorite Korean restaurant in Minnesota! Although I really wish the Korean restaurants here were like ones in the Flushing in New York or in Chicago, this isn't bad for not being able to cook your own meats.
I've been here countless times and the place has never failed me. Great food, great service, and although it's a little on the $$ side (don't come here if you're expecting to spend just $10-$15) I keep introducing people to this place.
Must try's:
-soju (korean alcoholic beverage)
-spicy wings
-seafood pajeon (korean pancakes w/squid, green onions, shrimp, mussels, scallops, and oysters w/a soy saucy dipping sauce)
-kim bap (korean version of a sushi roll w/eggs and meat)
-dolsot bi bimbap (sizzling clay bowl w/rice, veggies, fried egg, beef, and hot sauce)
-beef and octopus hotplate (noodles, rice cakes, beef, veggies, seafood, and a tangy/spicy broth on a large griddle like hotplate good for sharing w/a group of people)
Those are to just name a few, but I honestly haven't liked something that I tried here. and I try to order something new every time. Next door there is karaoke so sing your hearts out! And you can order apps while you're singing also!
Heard this place was great, and it did not disapoint.
Service was great (although we may have been the only customers there) for a Sat. afternoon.
Had the OB beer, very smooth for a rice beer.
Ate a Hodge Podge of different things and they were all very good.
I would come back here again.
This is probably my favorite place to get Korean food in Minnesota. Â There is always lots of seating, the menu selection is huge, and pretty much anything you choose is going to be amazing.
They always serve Banchan (those little dishes full of pickled veggies and other goodness) with your meal. Â For apps I recommend the Man Doo and the Bin Dae Tuk. Â It's hard to pick a favorite entree, but the Bulgogi never fails. Â If you're a rice fan get the Dolsot Bibimbop and if you can't get enough of Kimchee get the Kimchee Bokum.
Order a Hite or some Soju and you're set.
I like this place. Â the atmosphere and the look and feel of the restaurant is pretty nice after the remodel / expansion that they have done. Â
Mostly been here lately for the lunch buffet lately since its close to work. Â Its good and while the selection is kinda small? - i don't go to buffets ever except for this one .
They have two or three things on the buffet that I really like and I usually only eat those. Â Tempura veggies, bulgogi are two of my faves.
I have had the Bibimbop here as well, and I would have to say that I am a fan.
They give you an assortment of kim-chi with every meal and you can eat as much as you want of it :).
We have been going there for years. Favorites include Bibimbop, Kalbi and of course, Bulgogi. Their Shrimp Tempura is great, and comes with batter-fried veggies. Hoban is very popular, and has expanded it's room recently.
The buffet during the week is not very good, and does not provideu much of an introduction to Korean cuisine. Their website, however, is outstanding and features good photos and explanations of all dishes.
Really good Korean. Â My wife really enjoyed the side dishes and the Kalbee Tang soup. Â I'm not really big on Korean food, but I really liked the Sweet Potato Tempura and the Meat Jun. Â Kind of like an omlette with Bulgogi in the center.
The place was clean and nicely decorated. Â I'll be eating there again.
Not being all that familiar with Korean food, I had a hard time deciding what to order. Â I walked in with my heart set on something lighter, but didn't really see anything that seemed particularly light. Â However, the website has lovely pics of some of the dishes. Â Next time I will do some pre-dining prep. Â
I settled on the seafood bokum. Â It was ok. Â I think it's hard to cook seafood correctly when it's stir fried like that. Â The scallops were a little overdone and octopus and calamari were a little rubbery. Â Ok, I know those things typically are rubbery, but they were a little more so than usual. Â The hubby had the Bulgogi in a bowl and it had really great flavor, but be ready for a lot of meat. Â For an appetizer we had the Man Doo (fried dumplings) and that was tasty. Â
I think my fave part was all the little bowls of pickled veggies that they serve you on the side....not so much for the taste (although they were good) but more so for the fun factor of trying a little of this and that.
PS - The silver chopsticks were back!
We tried the seafood hot pot for two and it was pretty good. Â Not to many hot pot places around here so I'd recommend it if you're looking for one. Â
A lot of seafood and the broth is pretty good. Â I didn't try any of the other dishes but watched other tables and everything looked above average. Â
The side dishes were also a plus.
Despite the mediocre service we received, the food was great! Â I've had Korean food before, but never really enjoyed it, until I heard about Hoban Korean Restaurant. Â The interior decor wasn't horrible...it could have been worse, but it was fine. Â Clean, warm, and still inviting. Â The waitress was really into cleaning her tables that she forgot to give us the menus, so I went up and grabbed them myself. Â That was probably the most annoying thing, but was forgiven when we had the food:
Appetizers:
Man doo - Korean fried dumplings...tasty!
Spicy wings - That was seriously some delicious wings!
Entrees:
Seafood bokum - stir fry with an assortment of seafood in it. Â Spicy, but good
Bulgogi - a staple dish in a Korean menu, very tasty! Â Next time we should try it with the lettuce wraps.
Kalbi - another staple in a Korean menu, the short ribs, tender and yummy goodness!
Yuk Gae Jang - a hot and spicy sour soup that was addictive. Â
Was disappointed that there wasn't any desserts. Â There were 4 of us there for a while munching the night away...something about Korean food that makes you nibble at it all night even though you're full! Â We practically finished everything...we were pigs!
I do recommend it if you're looking for some Korean goodness. Â AND, I haven't been...but they do have a karaoke place next door and it looks pretty cool! Â One of these days we'll go and check it out. Â We spoke to the guy about it and he said they are busy during the weekends and that you would need to make reservations. Â It looks like a pretty cool experience, very private...in the way that they are private rooms for you and your friends to rent. Â $30 for a small room, and $60 for the bigger rooms. Â It's called Do Re Mi Karaoke if you want to check it out.
Known as the regional benchmark for Korean food for good reason. Although bland in its decor and sadly lacking hibachi grills at any tables, you could probably point to the menu with your eye closed and score a treat. Their treatment f chicken bulgogi is a delight, and bibimbop is even more fun to eat than it is to say.
Remember, kimchee makes you a more well-rounded person. Â ;)
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