This place should win an award for service! The owner and his wife are super duper friendly. You're always greeted with a smile and conversation if you embark on it. They always remember familiar faces which is a welcoming gesture.
Their prices have gone up about a dollar on some dishes. They are a bit pricier than Koreatown and offer a lesser amount of banchans (sidedishes) but in this part of the hood, they hold up as the best.
My usual consists of either the cold noodle (naeng myun) in the summers or the piping hot tofu stew (soondubu) in the colder months.
The cold noodle is a large portion topped with julienned cucumber, pickled turnip, sliced boiled egg, hot sauce and a slice of marinated beef brisket. You also get 2 side dishes (usually kimchi and hot egg sprouts). The broth is tangy and consistent so I wonder if they make their own. Sometime they give you scissors to cut the noodles.
The last time I was there the piece of beef was missing and some ingredients were subsidized with others. I was a fan of the naeng myun v.1. Not so much of v.2. Too bad I was a pussy and didn't ask where the meat went. I'll just have to visit again in the summer and see what happened. Maybe the cook was having a bad day.
The soondubu is simply amazing and satisfying. Hot and spicy as hell served with a bowl of white rice and 2 side dishes. It does have a decent amount of meat in that little bowl. You can't overdo the meat. I scald myself with pleasure each time I eat it. No regrets.
Did I mention the square of a patio out at the front? Fits about 3 smaller tables and is a great place to have a solo meal to contemplate and watch the Yonge Street madness. While others are stuck in traffic next to you, you can taunt them with the spicy bowl of whatever it is you're eating. I've never noticed the car fumes. I am certain that it's due to long term downtown living that has enabled me not to differentiate any longer what is fresh air and what is not.
All types of friendly folk eat here. From business people, students to out of towners wondering what Bibimbap is. The restaurant is bright, cheery and no frills. Kpop plays in the background which of course makes everything more cheery. In addition, you can tell by the owners that they keep this place spotless.
There's a water cooler/dispenser for you to help yourself from the stacks of bright plastic Ikea tumblers. Bonus, they always have a bunch of current Korean classifieds (though I don't read Korean), NOW Magazine, GridTO, Metro, etc.
I've taken just about everyone I know to this place and have eaten everything off the menu. I forgot to mention, their potato salad is so cute and delicious. Too bad you only get a dallop sized scoop. But I guess that's what dainty peeps eat.
They deserve my 5 kimchi rating as they hit service, food and atmosphere for a Korean 'faster food' joint on the head.