Reviews & Ratings for Bonga Korean Restaurant

05/14/12

Deterioration of Food and Service in the Past Year

by houstongirl007

My boyfriend and I were discriminated against when we dined last Saturday, May 12, 2012. I can't call them racist because -- I'm Korean-American! (My boyfriend is white American.) I even ordered in Korean. But due to my American accent and being considered American, we were treated differently from native Korean customers!

BEWARE: if you get POTATO SALAD covered in MAYO as one of your "ban chan" (side dishes that come with every Korean meal), you are not getting the authentic set of ban chan.

I asked the waitress in Korean if she had any other sides. She answered in Korean that she did, and when I asked why she didn't bring them out in the first place, she answered: "We have Korean set of side dishes and Americanized set. We give Korean set to Korean customers."

I said, "What? I'm Korean! I'm speaking to you in Korean! I came to a Korean restaurant to eat Korean food!" She replied, "Next time, please ask for Korean side dishes when you order." How were we supposed to know to ask for the "Korean set"? We didn't know 2 different sets existed!

Then, she brought only one new Korean ban chan to our table, the fermented perilla (sesame) leaves. This showed that they have other ban chan in their kitchen, but do not bring it out based on whether you look AND speak native Korean. My mother, who is native-born Korean, ate at this restaurant with her native friends and attests to getting the more traditional sides. My coworker ate here recently and received the same treatment I got, the potato salad set. (Sure, there's the basic kimchi, etc. but no perilla leaves, no bean paste peppers, no acorn jello!)

What's more, the Galbi (beef ribs) and Bulgogi (BBQ sliced beef) were t-o-u-g-h. If you want to EXERCISE YOUR JOWLS, chew the shoe leather listed as beef on their menu. I literally had to spit mine out.

I told the owner. Believe it or not, he said: "You cook too long. Korean BBQ should be medium-rare for tender." (Oh, so now you gonna lie to me? I've eaten tons of tender, charred Korean BBQ my whole life!) Did not offer us any apology or to comp or exchange our meal. I reluctantly got a to-go box and later gave it to the neighborhood stray. I really did. I should have left the restaurant without paying, but ended up paying $53 for shoe leather, "potato salad," and discrimination based on national origin! If you're American or anything other than Korean immigrants, forget about it!

07/09/07

The best Tofu Soup in town!!!

by muselady74

This place is very clean w/ nice customer service. Have best side dishes ever!!! You will love it! ^^

• Pros: Two Thumbs up!