Made last minute reservation a little over an hour before closing time but the food was still phenomenal I had the hot pot bibam something w shrimp and Korean fried chicken and it was delicious I will be back for happy hour!! would of been 5 stars but service lacked because of the last hour we came in but still everyone was pretty nice
I don’t know if the chef was having a bad day but the food was very disappointing. We ordered the Southgate fries which taste good for the first few bites, but after you’ve had some, the salt kicks in making it difficult to eat them without gulping down a ton of water. The vegetable steamed dumplings or mandu had an unpleasant sharp taste and smell to them. The tofu and mushroom bao buns were okay (I liked the tofu one better) but the tofu tacos were our worst dish of the night. The tacos could have been so much better if only they marinated the tofu in some gochujang but instead they served us bland tofu (seasoned sparingly with salt and pepper) topped with copious amounts of unseasoned coleslaw and salsa verde (how is this even Korean). I am giving two stars because the servers were really nice and attentive but with all the good things that we heard about the food, we were let down by our overall experience.
This place is special. On a nice corner in Philly and it has one of the top 2 burgers in the city. Right there with Rex. The kimchi burger was so damn good and it was not spicy at all. The kimchi just added flavor. Had the pork bao buns as well which were great. My friends and the ramen and bimpap bowl. They have a pretty good happy hour special and delicious Sapporo on tap. Definitely try it out.
I ate here for dinner two nights in a row, enjoyed both times - and would go back! I dined outside, which had a curtain dividing diners from the road (great), space heaters for when it became chilly (great) and a quiet cafe feel (great). The inside was packed and hopping - with a cozy, local bar scene. The server was prompt, patient and attentive - giving me time, suggestions and attention. I enjoyed everything ordered from the bibimbap to the bossam (forwarned, it's lettuce wrap dish), and spicy cukes, kimchi and kimchi fries. When choosing, I recommend the pork over the beef. I agree with other reviewers that the food is a little bland (given how flavorful Korean usually is). But the food is still delicious and recommended. The beer list is extensive and well priced. Cocktails are very interesting - recommend the Bold Fashioned - but pricey. I felt welcome and very happy during my stays. Recommend.
It makes me sad that this is how Korean food is introduced in America. I went for happy hour, got their soy wings and fries. The whole point of Korean fried chicken is for it to be sweet, salty yet crispy but all I could taste was salt. So much salt. And as for the fries, it was completely soggy. They drenched the sauce and it was just wet garlicky potato sticks. Their soju cocktails were good and other drink offerings were solid, but if you want authentic Korean food this is not the place.
I went to Southgate for the first time for a first date back in 2019. Three years later and the food is just as delicious and consistent as it was my first time there. Most recently, I got the Seoul Chicken sandwich and a Southgate citywide. The bao buns and banchan are also phenomenal. It was an excellent start to a great night out celebrating a friend's birthday!
Nice, cozy restaurant to enjoy Korean American fusion dishes! I tried their vegetable fried dumplings and their dolsot-bibimbap (hot stone pot bibimbap). Their prices we reasonable and their service was fast. A popular place for locals and students alike! Definitely worth a visit if you enjoy Korean dishes!
We went on a weeknight with friends. Got a few of the happy hour specials and then stayed longer. Everything was delicious! Drinks were fun - we loved the surprise of the mystery beer and trying the soju! The BEST part was our server - he was amazing! Already making plans to go back!!
I have loved next door to these guys for the past five months. My biggest regret is not visiting them earlier. Dolsot Bibimbap.. a masterclass on how temperature enhances your culinary experience. Food is perfect. A haven for vegetarians.
Pretty good happy hour! The kimchi burger is spectacular.