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Rich Forest Korean-Japanese Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Japanese Restaurants Korean Restaurants Barbeque Japanese, Korean, Barbeque [Edit]
5553 Bloomfield StHalifax, NS B3K 1S7
(902) 431-3955
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
13 reviews for Rich Forest Korean-Japanese Restaurant
13 reviews in English
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Review from Tim B.
Hammonds Plains, NS
2/21/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Ratings seem to vary wildly, partly depending what staff are working. I've never had anything but great service and excellent, authentic food. The doi-sot bi-bam-bap is super, as is the bul-go-ki. It's not generally busy at lunchtime, so it's an ideal venue for a group. While principally Korean, they also serve Chinee and Japanese dishes.
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Review from Frank O.
Dartmouth, NS
11/8/2011
With a heavy heart, and a sick stomach I write this review. Oh Rich Forest how far you have fallen. Rich Forest (RF) was my favorite lunch spot. Exceptional value and exceptional food kept my return frequent , not to mention is proximity to my office.
Over the past couple months I have noticed a steady decline in quality. Both in the food and service.
Today I ordered a simple dish of Pork with Vegetables and Avocado Sushi. I asked to have the sauce on the side.
What I got was a plate of what appeared to be ice cold breaded jerky. No veggies. What I discovered is that the veggies were in fact part of the sauce mixture less than 5 small bits of onions and red peppers in a bowl of brown goo (the container was labeled with a Campbell soup label) The 'pork was a pile of breading with dried undecernable meat inside. Horrible.
The sushi was fair, but poorly rolled and cut, it didn't hold together and the rice was wet.
I hate to nitpick but it bothers me when a successful restaurant becomes lazy.
I ordered lunch for myself and a colleague in the office by calling in ahead to place the order which I was told was going to take 40 minutes for pickup. 40 minutes? For pickup?
OK. I showed up 50 minutes later to find that it still wasn't close to being ready. It took another 20 minutes for the order to be finished. Half the order sat on the counter and was ice cold by the time the sushi was made. Another nitpick, but if it takes you an hour and 10 minutes to make a lunch special and a roll of sushi, while your place is empty there is a problem.
LAST BITCH:
To the cheap ass owners of Rich Forest.
YOUR DEBIT MACHINE IS A PIECE OF CRAP BUY A NEW ONE, While I waited four different customers tried to pay with debit and all four had problems, 1 gave up and paid cash, and two had to try different cards. You are still using the same machine that never worked from a year ago. And for me, always requires four or five attempts to work. Stop being douches and pay for a new one. Your staff (which seems to turn over more than normal) gets the brunt of irritated customers .
Wait. never-mind. The way things are going you won't be in business much longer. Save your money. You're going to need it. -
Review from Rhia P.
3/1/2011
Don't let the appearance of this underground gem fool you. Rich Forest has seriously eclectic decor, but really delicious food. I tend to focus on the Korean side of the menu and have been wowed by their Bi-bim-bap, bulgogi beef, hot and spicy soups, and basically just everything I've ordered.
The tiny dishes of kimchee and other nibbly delights that come with every meal really are the icing on one very delicious cake.
The Asian Grocery upstairs is also a great resource for snack foods, dry goods, and frozen items (including unusual fish and seasoned meats) as well as a selection of household goods. And there's a conventional convenience store too. -
Review from John J.
8/30/2011
Quinpool Location:
AVOID AT ALL COSTS. - Unsanitary, bad food, bad service.
The other day my colleagues and I were looking for the best Korean in town. We saw this had the best overall rating and the website made the restaurant look great. We decided to walk a half hour to the Quinpool location to get some exercise in before eating a lot of Korean BBQ.
We arrived at about 8pm and couldn't have been more disappointed. The place looked like a dump and didn't have the outdoor patio it claimed to, but we went in because we had set out to try it. We thought the food may be better since the rating was so good, and well, it didn't get any better.
The service was terrible. The sever didn't know what drinks they had or what was on the menu. We ordered a few things and they ran out of 3 full types of dishes by 8pm. We ordered and the food came right away, but they messed up our order for 3 people in a restaurant with 6 customers total.
Two of us received our orders and 20 minutes later they informed our other colleague that they had run out of his dish too. They waited till we complained twice before telling us it wasn't available at all! We were at the point where we just wanted to get through this and get out.
THe food was terrible, and flavorless. There was almost no meat in the beef entrees we ordered. We also noticed half way through that flies were in the kitchen and were coming out into the dining area. It was much dirtier than we thought.
We finally left and they messed up our bill. We settled it and got out of there as soon as we could. This place should be shut down by sanitation and their website is completely false advertising the Quinpool location. Wouldn't know about the other one, haven't been there and will never go to a restaurant by this owner again.
I felt sick later that night and had bad indigestion. Another of my colleagues told me about the same issue the next day. -
Review from Breighan H.
Halifax, NS
5/16/2011
Rich Forest is pretty awesome. My visits were separated by about a year, yet most things were consistent. My first time there, I chose Dolsot Bibimbap which is basically a still-piping hot stone bowl of rice and vegetables with an egg if you want it. It's got a bit of sesame oil, but otherwise no sauce, which is a nice option for people with dietary restrictions. A very fresh taste!
This time, I chose Kimchi Chigae. It was spicy, but not overly so. By the end of the meal, we ended up clandestinely mixing this with the Bibimbap for a maximum taste experience. The miso soup was delicious and was complimentary, as was tea. Anywhere that tea and soup are complimentary is tops in my books. Even though I got a very spicy soup that included kimchi, I wished they had served us kimchi like last last time I ate here. I decided not to be greedy. We had more than enough food for the two of us between my dish and my friend's Dolsot BiBimbap. Oh yes, we also had some yam rolls which you really can't go wrong with.
Last time I was there, the place was bustling with a few dates and a few Korean families. It was great to be able to witness the Korean BBQ happening. I love communal meals like that. Not eating meat takes some of the fun from such an experience. Our waitress was extremely nervous and fumbling a lot, but adorable. She just wanted to do her job properly.
The worst part about my second visit was the lighting. Rich Forest is in a basement and there's no getting around that, but I seem to remember the lights being turned down low, parents' basement in junior-high style, but this time they were cranked up. Ugly basement lighting is no fun to eat in. It's worth the gross lighting if you can tune it out because the prices are pretty good, and the food's delicious!Listed in: Vegetable Valhalla
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Review from Jene S.
Halifax, NS
10/7/2011
Odd place but wonderful, amazing, delicious food. A great place to go if you are looking for an experience as well as a meal.
I have eaten a lot of Korean food, both in Canada and in Korea, and this place is the real deal. I had the JjamPpong spicy noodles, which are made from scratch in-house. I saw them putting the dough through a noodle cutter just after I had ordered! Amazing. We got served !free! miso soup, salad, tea, and an array of delicious side dishes. My friend had the Dolsot Bibimbab (rice, meat, and veggies in a hot stone bowl). It came out sizzling and smelling sesame-licious. The rice cooks onto the inside of the bowl and gets crispy, then you stir it all in. The roasted rice smells and tastes like heaven in a bowl. Two of us ate like piggies for less than $25 (did I mention all the free stuff?) but we didn't feel yucky, just stuffed.
Decor at Bloomfield is, yes, folky and eclectic - think Alice-in-Wonderland-meets-your-parents'-cottage. It is definitely its own little world in there.
I'm dying to go back for the Korean BBQ - marinated meats that you get to grill right at your own table.
And I've saved the best for last. Did you know, Halifax, that there is an Asian karaoke in our midst? Yes! There is! Diners at the Bloomfield location have the option of sitting in a second room with free access to karaoke system. My friends and I used to pay $50/hour for karaoke in Vancouver, and in Halifax it's FREE!
This is a great place to hang out with friends, embarrass yourself singing, and eat yummy yummy real food. Satisfaction. I'll be back. -
Review from Paul B.
2/19/2011
This is the location of the second location for the Rich Forest. This place is on Quinpool Road in the old Steamy's location.
OK - this is the toughest review that I can imagine because I have never had Korean food before - ever. I have had Vietnamese and Thai in situ and have never come close to getting anything authentic outside of each of these great countries. I have enjoyed lots of Indonesian in The Netherlands - but never Korean, so I didn't know what to expect. Next problem - this is the first day that they have opened - in fact I was their first customer!!!
So, let me try to stick to the facts. On day one, they had only half a dozen of their extensive menu items available. We ordered spicy beef combo with dumplings - but there were no dumplings yet. Ordered a wine - but there was no wine yet. They did give us a complimentary pot of green tea and two scrumptious avocado sushi rolls. Nice touch.
The food that we did order and receive was very good. Very hot and steamy, lots of veggies, noodles and beef with a bowl of rice on the side. There was some heat in it, but much less than szechuan or Vietnamese com-pho with liberal amounts of added sauce. But it was very tasty and filling. The kim chi tasted as I expected it to, and there was a nice side dish of radish to pick at with the chop sticks.
They provided an abundance of napkins which I always find lacking at most restaurants that specialize in spicy food.
And, oh yes - the credit card reader wasn't working yet so it was cash only - be prepared.
So, we couldn't sample much of their large eventual menu that includes BBQ and sushi, but for the price it was a good lunch. They worked hard to make us feel welcomed and the made their challenges clear up front.
I expect that by opening day things will be worked out and the full menu will be available.
I can still now hold my head high as having, for once in my life, been the 1st customer at a restaurant - not many people can beat that! -
Review from Lyn M.
Elderbank, NS
5/4/2011
I was pleasantly surprised with the Rich Forest tonight. I had read negative reviews and was a bit on the worried side but figured it was worth the try since I had a TeamBuy voucher. My husband sat at the BBQ table (electric vs the gas as the waitress said it was easier to control for 1st time users). We had the combo for 2 ppl and it was enough for 4 easily. It included soup, salad, a special appetizer, usual extras plus the wonderful meats (large selection of beef on ribs, pork beef strips, and chicken). It was amazing! We absolutely loved it and it's not my first time tasting Korean (usually go to Seoul). I can't say enough good things about the food.
Big positive - I mistakenly totalled the cc print out with a 150% tip - the man ran after us to correct it for me. You can't beat that for honesty.
The service - she really tried. She wasn't as fluent in English as the man behind the counter/kitchen but she tried. She was going too fast for what work she had and it made me think she was worse than she was. When more people came in we had to ask for help but it wasn't terrible; we were not in a hurry either.
Now the somewhat bad news....the decor is sad. It is not horrible, just not good. And more importantly the place really could use a solid day of cleaning. It does not deter from the fact the dishes are clean and the tables, cutlery etc. It's just the walls, floors, could really use a good wash down.
I'm going back soon so it was that great a food experience vs anything negative.. -
Review from Kathy J.
Halifax, NS
1/18/2012
After searching city wide for some pho (we were both feeling under the weather) and coming up empty handed because it was Sunday, we decided on Rich Forest Korean-Japanese Restaurant. We ordered the Soon Tofu Chi-Gae, a spicy soup with tofu, kimchi, and seafood. While the soup did have good flavor and a nice kick, it seemed to consist of an entire block of silken tofu. Don't get me wrong, I love tofu but this seemed excessive. However, it wasn't the food that disappointed us but rather the service. We were excited by the 'all you can eat' sides, namely kimchi, a vinegary salad, and some sort of pickle, but the server never came back to see if we needed anymore and we did. Also, with such a spicy soup I was also disappointed with no water refill. Furthermore, my partners dumplings (included with his combo) never arrived and when the server finally came to check on us, we were done. And I may add we were the sole table in the place. I am eager to try more Korean but I doubt Rich Forest will be my first choice even if it is around the corner.
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Review from Lacey H.
5/8/2010 4 photos
During my quest to further suss out the North End yesterday, I stumbled upon this mega corner lot of Asian groceries paired with this sweet downstairs eatery.
I was greeted instantly by a girl working from behind the counter. I decided to just stand and look at a menu, and within moments, a man who was working in the kitchen, came out to chat with me. He was very helpful, explaining the menu and the lay of the restaurant. Coolest part? They have grills built into the table so that you can barbecue your own meat! Pretty crazy.
Since I'm not looking to do any meat grilling, I asked about veggie options. The menu boasts Japanese and Korean food, with a few herbivore dishes gracing both sides of the spectrum. There aren't a ton of meet-free choices, but the ones they do have sound tasty. Kimchi, tempura, stir-fried veggies with rice, along with a few other items make for a few choices if you do happen to be a vegan or a veggie.
The place was cute; a little dark because of the underground nature, but it seemed well laid out with some sweet decor. The prices were par for the course, and the service, from my experience chatting with the employees, would no doubt be attentive and hospitable. I'm looking forward to heading back in for dinner sometime soon. -
Review from Shawna D.
Chester, NS
6/19/2010
I decided to try the Rich Forest Cafe since I happened upon the grocery store months ago.
This is a great little place tucked in on a side street. This place has its own thang goin on, as Lacey said, you can grill your own meat at the table. We did not opt for that , there were young ones with us, and thought it might not be a good idea.
But we did grab some quick lunch, and will go back without young ones to try our hand at Grilling at our table. -
Review from Jennifer G.
Halifax, NS
6/16/2011
I like this korean spot. More clean and tidy compare to other places. I went there for a casual lunch with my friend. The food is tasty and the price is fare. Overall a place I will come for lunch from time to time. I also noticed they have Korean BBQ and maybe I will try someday.
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Review from Ruth D.
Halifax, NS
Updated - 2/24/2010 2 photos
Still dreaming about the dinner and remembered that, not only can you get a great meal, you also get free Wi-Fi. Imagine - a great lunch, lots of big tables (so you don't have to feel guilty or cramped) to spend some time relaxing over a perfect cup of Korean (or perhaps Japanese) smoky green tea and surfing the net.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/20/2010 First to Review
What a delightful restaurant. I could kick myself for not having found it sooner. After all a) I… Read more »
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