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The Owl of Minerva
Categories: Restaurants Korean Food Specialty Food Ethnic Food Korean, Ethnic Food
3229 Highway 7Markham, ON L3R 3P3
(905) 477-7275
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
21 reviews for The Owl of Minerva
Review Highlights
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"Best pork bone soup in town." In 11 reviews -
"...are always a plus: kimchi, pickled seaweed, and spicy..." In 4 reviews -
"and some chicken bulgogi." In 3 reviews
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Errol S.
Markham, ON
1/30/2012
My girlfriend and I came here after I read some reviews about how good the pork bone soup is so we came to try it out. After we left the restaurant to grab some bbt we noticed the popularity of the soup exploded as you can see posters of 'try out new pork bone soup for only $4.99' are on there windows.
Damn they were right. It was delicious. There was plenty of meat in it and the soup tasted so good that my gf used it in her bibimbop. Even though the soup had kimchi in it it wasn't spicy at all which is what we like (you can ask for more spice or mild). The bibimbop didn't have as much beef as other places we've tried. There are just 3 appetizers they serve. Radishes or glass noodles would be nice but they don't have them. there are so many other menu items i'd like to try and we'll definitely be coming back sometime soon.
Overall the service is friendly and they serve our food quickly. They are an authentic Korean resto with a lot of traditional dishes. I'd be a regular here for sure if this was closer to where I live. -
Review from Jarita L.
Markham, ON
4/17/2012
This place always makes consistently good food. All the dishes are pretty simple (same sauces, different combination of ingredients), but they are all tasty.
My favourites are the pork bone soup, tofu soup, spicy squid, and the beef bulgogi. Again, not much variation in the menu but always consistent. Their Finch location is probably the best. -
Review from Michael L.
Richmond Hill, ON
3/26/2012
Came here with my parents and my gf to introduce the 'rents to the joy of korean food. If only there was a Buk Chang Dong in Richmond Hill! Settled for some Minerva. That being said, the quality for the food is pretty decent with prices matching other korean places as expected.
We ordered a seafood and noodle dish for 4, I cannot remember the exact name of it though =/. Spicy level of the food was a bit lacking given that korean food is my go to food for tongue numbing awesomeness. Like my earlier statement, there are places that I feel do the mainstays of pork bone soup and bibimbap at a price point and quality level that exceeds Minerva. That being said Minerva isn't a terrible option either and I will and have returned since.
Total bill wasn't too bad for 4 people and we did leave with leftovers and full stomachs so no complaints there. -
Review from Jimmy L.
Richmond Hill, ON
2/22/2012
BEST KOREAN RESTAURANT EVER!!
I come here whenever I find the time to. The kalbi is so good that I order it twice just to satisfy my cravings. It seems like the quality of their food is much better than other korean restaurants. Place is a bit crowded though. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
"Extra Spicy"...... Why I always get that look when I request that? And my Extra Spicy always comes out tasting so lame....
The Owl of Minerva is not exception.
On a rainy, cold and windy afternoon, eating a Hot and Spicy Pork Bone Soup ($7.99) seems to be natural...so I decided to have one of those.
As a single diner, I was stuffed at the only single table at the corner... right next to the counter with like folded chairs right beside me... yes I felt cramped.... yes I felt ignored.... but I kind of expected that....
How's my Pork Bone Soup? Thick and garlicky and full of spice. I don't find the pork bone too meaty. I wish I have purple rice to go with it....
Banchan here were not the greatest..... I would have asked them not to bring me any aside from the kimchi.
I ate and I left without even having any eye contact or verbal communication with anyone.... the only time the waitress spoke to me was that they only take Visa or Debit when I tried paying with my Mastercard........... -
Review from David D.
Markham, ON
11/22/2011
Comparatively with the many Korean restaurants around, Owl of Minerva's menu doesn't offer much. But what it does offer is traditional Korean dishes that tastes great. I grew to love Korean food when I first stepped into their first restaurant in K-town.
It's a small cramped restaurant and waiting at the front can get quite awkward.
For the meal, there are only several appetizers that are brought to the table. (Not as much as Nak Won) I love the kim chi that they make though. I usually stick with the famous pork bone soup. It comes steaming hot and the broth is so flavourful, it's hard not to finish the bowl. There is plenty of meat and cabbage for you to eat and devour. Best pork bone soup in town!
Note: Is it traditional for rice to be served in metal bowls? It's the work of science that heat conducts throughout the bowl. I can never pick it up when it is served to me. -
Review from D'Arcy L.
Terrebonne, QC
2/23/2012
Had a very nice dinner here tonight. Ordered the Japchae and Kalbi! Prices are very reasonable. Although the menu isn't very big there will be some Korean dish that should serve your appetite well! 3 banchan dishes aren't anything exciting but are adequate. Staff is cheerful and pleasant. Sure I'd return!
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Review from Henry F.
Markham, ON
Updated - 10/25/2011
I must say I had high hopes for Owl of Minerva, since the one at Yonge and Finch is fantastic (food at least, not the "ambience" and "Cleanliness"). I had their famouse Pork Bone Soup. This one at FMP was small, and the meat wasn't boiled for a long time...so needless to say, getting the meat off the bone took a long time, and it just took the "joy" of eating pork bone soup out of it. There isn't much kimchi dishes either.
I would pass on this location and make the trek to the Yonge/Finch one, or go next door to Nak Won.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/26/2010
I went for lunch on a weekday, and I must have caught them off-guard because the Pork Bone Soup was… Read more »
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Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 1/29/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I am updating, and giving owl 4 stars. Because we come so often, they now remember me and my "crazy request" for a raw egg. Today, our server asked me right away "Tofu soup, Seafood with egg?" I coud not be more pleased.
Plus their Kimchi is good, and I enjoy cutting it with the scissors. The mother makes it every morning. Plus it is family run and they are really, very nice.
They really need purple rice.
4 Stars.Listed in: Associasian Eats, Markham Asian Eats., Sarang hae yo Soon Tofu
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/7/2010
First Markham Saturday Afternoon we had to stop for somewhere to eat. I really wanted Korean, so we… Read more »
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Review from Jonathan L.
Richmond Hill, ON
1/2/2012
Really good food, but the selection kind of sucks. They are really understaffed and it is impossible to get a seat here on the weekends. The food is just ok, and the price is not cheap.
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Review from Edwin A.
2/24/2011
Chicken Bulgogi on a hot plate was A+ .. tastes a little sweet and spicy. Served with side bowl of rice. Not too much food but satisfying.
The Beef Bibimbap though was not that great, very bland, not served hot even in the stone bowl? need to spice it up with the rooster sauce.
A lot of people had ordered the pork bone soup, so we'll have to try it another time.
I don't frequent Korean restaurants that often .. off the top of my head
I've gone to Joons (yonge & sheppard) and 2 Kachi locations (spadina and bloor st) , Seoul Garden at pacific mall , Sariwon (yonge & clark) as the basis of my comparisons.
Service can be a little more friendlier and more attentive but the place is clean and the the bulgogi I ordered is ok so I'll try it again sometime. -
Review from Erwin M.
11/22/2010
Pork bone soup seemed to be the specialty here but I wanted to try something different so went for that sweet/spicy noodle dish with squid (cant remember the name! grrr...) and some chicken bulgogi. I was not disappointed with my choice and was quite happy to try something so interesting and tasty.
With the Korean staff, customers, and kpop shows on tv, I have to deduce that they serve pretty authentic Korean cuisine. t I actually found the non stop boy and girl band performances quite entertaining making my meal a memorable one.
Prices are pretty standard. around 10 bucks average per dish and you have the option to get bigger orders that serve 2-3 for $20. Not a bad deal at all. I'd recommend this place to anyone who wants Korean food. -
Review from maverick m.
Toronto, ON
11/21/2011
Glad I tried this place. Servers speak cantonese but the food is authentic korean. Tried the pork bone soup and enjoyed it. There's the option to chose noodles instead of rice with the soup which is a nice option. Would return here for a quick, inexpensive meal ($6-$7 per dish, lots of 1 dish meal options).
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Review from Ed C.
North York, ON
10/31/2011
Over the years, I have been to many authentic Korean restaurant and have to give The Owl of Minerva that their Pork Bone Soup is still the best in Toronto. Great service too.
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Review from Ping p.
Markham, ON
10/5/2010
Best pork bone soup.. Yum
Good and fast service. Great food.
The place can use some renovation (new chair) but it doesn't bug me as a regular customer -
Review from Joanne W.
6/24/2010
My friends and I call ourselves the "Oolong Papa Family" (long story). Anyhow, obviously, we enjoy food.. Back when we were in Waterloo, we would always go and get Korean food at the local Korean restaurants.
My friend was in desperate need for Kamjatang (pork bone soup - or as my other friend calls it "PBS"). Anyhow, we head to the location at First Markham Place since it was a) in between my friends and I; and b) better parking.
It's your typical Korean place. Appetizers are always a plus: kimchi, pickled seaweed, and spicy turnip (my favourite!) Two of my friends order the kamjatang, one friend orders the bulgogi, and I order a different dish from the usual: the ojingo bokeum. Basically, it's stir-fried spicy squid. I've been having a squid/octopus affinity in the last few months, so I had to try it.
I thought it was great. However, I asked for mild, and it still seemed pretty spicy. I wonder if it's because I'm becoming more weaksauce in terms of spicy food. Nothing really TOO special, but it was a good dish to fill me up.
My friends said the kamjatang was really good. Better than the one located at Yonge and Finch. The meat apparently just fell right off the bones, and there was a lot more meat -- so they were happy about that.
Service wasn't bad either -- they were quick to come by with more appetizers when we requested for more. Cheap food and quite filling! -
Review from Craftlover K.
Markham, ON
3/23/2009
I love Korean dishes, especially the Beef ribs, It's really yummy.
Personally, I can't take hot dishes, but still love their hot soup, it's very delicious !!
I think they are very cheap in price, but reasonable.
Because one dish is not enough for me, I found that their size of the rice bowl is way too small for me. I am a real rice lover, I wish they can give me one more bowl of rice free!
I wish they can renovate the interior design of the restaurant, it's a bit old.
If you don't mind about the environment, food is good and yummy!
And their service is good too, the ladies who work there are just very friendly. -
Review from Elaine K.
6/7/2010 2 photos
I love this place.
I probably go here once every two weeks for lunch and get the pork bone soup.
The service is great, the pork bone soup is AMAZING and it's cheap. The only thing that bothers me is the terrible Korean pop show that have on the TVs.
Update: I just tried their cold wheat noodle soup. A little sweet and sour, came with slices of pork, half a hard boiled egg and pickled cucumber. The noodles were really slippery and soft (in a very very good way). Perfect for today's 42ºC heat!! -
Review from Patrick T.
Richmond Hill, ON
4/9/2011
Most if the dishes are good value in light if the price. The LA Kalbi was the weakest dish we tried as many places serve better beef kalbi but at higher prices.
If you are into spicy food, the pork bone soup is what really stands out here. However, it is best only when they load it up extra spicy and the pepper really brings out the real taste of the meat. Served mild, it's more pedestrian.
If you're really into beef kalbi, this place is not for you. But if you want spicy pork bone soup. This is the best in all Toronto. -
Review from Virginia L.
Markham, ON
11/28/2011
I have tried many places for Pork Bone Soup and I always go back to Owl for pork bone soup because it the most tastiest one. I also love their Chicken Bolgogi but i think there is too much vegetables compared to chicken.
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Review from Ashley c.
Markham, ON
12/18/2011
one of the best korean restaurants i've tried in the gta region . their menu is small but i really love the food there . service is great as well
