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Kim Ga Nae
Category: Restaurants Korean Korean [Edit]
4260 No 3 Rd#180
Richmond, BC V6X
Neighbourhood: Golden Village
(604) 273-4745
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
7 reviews for Kim Ga Nae
7 reviews in English
-
Review from Johnson C.
Vancouver, BC
12/30/2009
I'm a bit conflicted on this review. Part of me wants to sing the praises, the other part wants to trash this place.
Been here a couple of times for the AYCE Korean BBQ dinner. At $19.95, it's great value. And the food is... surprisingly good... for AYCE. Tons of meat selection (the sirloin is money) and there is a lot of tasty side dishes to choose from - the regular banchan appetizers to jap chae to freshly deep-fried goods. Overall, none of the dishes disappointed and were surprisingly good (for AYCE).
The ordering system is a bit confusing - sometimes putting '1' beside an item on the sheet meant '1 piece' or '1 order'. The waitress said that quantity selection meant per piece but it still seems to vary. However, they seem to make the appropriate adjustments and you always get more than your fill as they don't skimp on the main event - MORE MEAT!
However, the weak point is the service. Arriving at 6:30PM on a weekend, the restaurant was near empty and the waitresses were quick, helped us with the ordering and even helped place the meat on the grill. Unfortunately, as the night wore on and the place filled up, the overworked waitresses were impossible to flag down and my friend had to ask three times before getting her aloe drink. Trying to submit additional orders or getting tea refills was near impossible at the end of our dinner. To be clear, it was not due to a lack of trying, but the waitstaff was clearly stretched too thin to cope with the demands of a full restaurant of hungry AYCEers. Normally, this may not be a deal-killer, but combating a parched mouth with nothing to wash down that grilled meat and watching an empty grill under a strict 2-hour time limit is a bit painful. We were worried with the slow turnaround that we won't get our fill, but my entire group left stuffed and satisfied.
Overall, 3.5/5 stars, but I'll round down. Despite the solid food quality at pretty good value, the interruption of AYCE flow due to slow service is a big no-no (please, please get more waitresses!). Will probably rock if you go when it's less busy so you can get some decent service or going for the ~$13 late night/lunch AYCE. -
Review from Lisa L.
Vancouver, BC
2/14/2011
We are downtowners and it is rare that we venture out. When we do, we like to taste things that are different and, hopefully, good. Kim Ga Nae was our stop in Richmond for Korean barbeque. It was different, but certainly not good.
We chose it because we were hungry, it was one of the first stops off the highway, and the smell wafting into the parking lot was irresistible. But two people totaling approximately $50 for the all you can eat menu was way too much for their dozen or so items, their slow customer service, and their ambiance that felt like a funeral parlour.
The exterior of the location looks like a warehouse. Once inside, you have the option of a la carte or all you can eat. Since the a la carte area of the restaurant was deserted, we chose the latter.
We were then led to the right side of the restaurant, which is dimly lit and poorly decorated. There are stainless steel vents over each ebony wood coloured table. But instead of feeling streamlined or elegant, it feels oppressive and dirty. The dirty is subsequently confirmed when the tables are too sticky to put your hands on and the plastic utensils feel like they have been through one too many uses.
A quick glance at the menu reveals the standard Korean barbeque items: kimchi, gyoza, tofu soup, and a variety of meats. After the tea and water were brought out in unappealing plastic jugs, the first food to arrive were button mushrooms and yams. They tasted dry and just like mushrooms and yams that have been cooked over an open fire. No flavour, no moisture, just mushrooms and yams.
Next came the gyoza, which we could not determine what the filling was, and several rice and chicken dishes we could not match to the menu. By this time, the restaurant's only saving grace was its seafood pancake; it was edible and had some flavour.
When the meats arrived, we were looking for something, anything, that would help the restaurant redeem itself. We were sorely disappointed. With the exception of their chicken and ribs, everything else was flavourless, fatty, stringy, or all of the above. We canceled our second order and left the restaurant as hungry as we came.
The only good thing about Kim Ga Nae?
The waitress (and I use singular) was friendly. -
Review from Edward B.
Vancouver, BC
5/4/2011
This place is horrible. Bad service. Bad food quality. Although it is AYCE, and it's not that expensive, everything is a calamity. It's like if a retarded monkey raped an asexual chicken, this would be it's offspring. That was a bit over the line, but you get my point.
We ordered the seafood pancake and IT WAS COLD. AND IT WAS LITERALLY 5 MM THIN. REALLY?!
Service was fan-fricking-tastic! The server, who was a young lady, was uber friendly! Service was fastidious and precisely correct! And I am a very sarcastic person!
The meat is decent but nothing too special. The only thing I liked was the chicken. Oh wait, they DIDN'T EVEN GIVE US THE SAUCE TO EAT THE BBQ WITH. REALLY?!
Do yourself a favor. Save your money, go eat somewhere else. ANYWHERE ELSE BUT THIS PLACE PLEASEEEEE. -
Review from Raymond O.
Vancouver, BC
8/8/2009 2 Check-ins Here
AYCE. Another chance at nonstop chowdown! Tempation for my tummy!
Korean BBQ smell wafting through the parking lot. Aaah. BBQ heaven on earth. This is a bargain for the endless beef your stomach could take to full capacity. I liked that when I asked how much servings are for the meat, the wait staff quickly shrugs and says "I'll take care of it!" as if saying, no worries, no chance you will overeat or overorder. The meat arrives and it was of just the right portions, not too much but still abundant and plentiful.
Short ribs, being the main attraction for me was a disappointment, I thought the ribs, and other meat dishes, though spiced and marinated well, were tough. My bad for high expectations on an AYCE joint. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the usual appetizers offered, from japchae, oyster cakes, gyozas, kimchis, there was a wide selection of side dishes to endlessly partake of.
I left so full and vowing to myself that I will never eat there again, or any AYCE places for that matter, but yelping about this now makes me all hungry and wanting to eat here again.
Sigh. Discipline and restraint, not one of my virtues.Listed in: When in Richmond
-
Review from Edwin G.
6/8/2009
They are not bad, but not comparable to the BBQ spots in K Town in LA.
Their Friday and Saturday Late night special is a bargain at $12.95. It is all you can eat between 9-11pm... (Who is the fool that said it is unhealthy to eat after 6pm!) -
Review from Jason C.
Richmond, BC
12/20/2010
Food is average, service is the worst I have ever encountered for 20 years living in North America. Everywhere else is a better choice. Avoid this place.
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Review from James P.
Vancouver, BC
5/28/2009
The BBQ here is amazing, the ribs are so juicy and taste excellent... their grills are made of Teflon, so it won't stick and get all disgusting, but it takes slightly longer to cook... most importantly there are BASIC services, unlike the Korean BBQ at Lansdowne... i highly recommend this place...
