| rev:text
| - I'm starting off the new year with my first official review of a Korean restaurant which fittingly is Ka Chi's newest location (they have 3 now). Several years ago, I went to a Korean restaurant with a group of friends somewhere on Bloor St W. near Christie Pits (the name and exact location escapes me). That was close to 10 years ago and no one really knew what to order so our experience was slightly disappointing and I didn't go back again thinking Koreans only ate spicy cabbage (known as kimchi but spelling can be kimchee or gimchi but what the heck, just say it and everyone knows what it is). Tip of the day: if you want a better first time eating experience when dining at a new food place that has a foreign menu, bring someone who knows what to order :)
A few years ago, my friend who is non-Asian (Ok he's white as snow and I'm just trying to be politically correct - screw it) moved and lived in Korea for 3 years. Upon returning, we met up and he took me to Ka Chi on Bloor St. It was my introduction to the bibimbap dish and it was yummy. Since that positive experience, I tend to order the hot stone pot bibimbap dish every time we eat at a Korean restaurant. The Ka Chi on Bloor was my first experience at their restaurant. The dish was excellent as I chose the thinly sliced beef (chicken, pork and vegan were also available), comes in a very hot stone pot with rice plus veggies, then topped off with an egg and reasonably priced (I recall being $8-9). The service was mediocre but my friend did mention not to expect top notch service but i would give them 4 stars overall at that time (haven't been back so perhaps their ratings have changed?). Place was quite busy considering it was a Saturday at 3pm in the afternoon but a bit far from my normal stomping grounds so I haven't been back since.
Later in the winter, we heard they had opened a new location closer to me in Chinatown/Kensington on St. Andrew St. I took my friends there and introduced them to bibimbap. My second experience was a tad disappointing as they didn't even fill the stone pot half way with food. I seem to recall my initial experience being better. Service was again average so my rating drops a notch to 3 stars. I have since found several places which offers better quality, value and service so I've been avoiding Ka Chi ever since.
A couple of days ago my friend wanted to go and told me they opened another new location in Chinatown a few months ago on Dundas St. W. (I think it used to be a Japanese restaurant called Shima). I mentioned that I preferred other places but he said their pork bone soup was great so we went to try it out. I wasn't in the mood for soup so I opted for the bibimbap... I should have gone for the soup. The bibimbap was again not very good value with only half a bowl but it was ok tasting. Next time I'll definitely try the soup. Not sure why they got 2 locations in Chinatown cos I didn't know we Chinese folk liked Korean food so much?? If I had to choose between Chinese or Korean restaurant, I would select Chinese as there is a much wider selection of dishes on a typical menu. Overall, another 3 star rating again for service, food and decor is nothing fancy.
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