Susan C.
Yelp
TLDR; Just go and eat here!
Was running ragged doing Labor Day shopping, on the verge of being hangry when I suddenly spotted this place while at a stop light. My husband (particularly critical of the restaurant scene, hard to please), our kid (indecisive, moody teen), and I (completely normal) waltzed in and were greeted promptly by a beautiful waiter.
The restaurant is very clean, spacious, laid-back and cozy. We chose to dine in and were seated, given menus and drink orders were taken. Seamlessly done within the span of mere minutes. The menu is limited to a few popular and safe Korean dishes, easy to read, has pictures and descriptions of the food items, and I found it pleasant to not be overwhelmed by endless choices (as is the norm when in a typical Korean restaurant, imo).
What we ordered:
Japchae - I LOVE japchae and this was made perfectly. The mushrooms, the bell peppers, the spinach, the beef, the glass noodles! What's not to love? I was in heaven. One of my ultimate comfort foods.
Chicken Katsu - We're more used to pork katsu but this was very tasty and the chicken was surprisingly moist. Huge serving over rice and I was happy to see the kid inhale half of it.
Small fried chicken combo - We did the half and half (soy garlic & spicy). The main reason the kid only ate half of their chicken katsu was because they were also inhaling the fried chicken and mumbling about how good it was. Lots of compliments from both the kid and husband about this dish. I knew Korean fried chicken was something special, something transcending KFC/Popeyes/American fried chicken, and this was proof. Amazing, amazing deliciousness. Covered in glaze but still crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Loved the two flavors too. The spicy is quite bearable (2-3/10 imo), stays on the tongue, pleasant build up and doesn't overwhelm the rest of the flavors.
Takoyaki - Love. This. Many restaurants can't make this right--oftentimes the interior is too undercooked and all I can taste is liquid batter. They cooked this very well here and it was very tasty, and there were several pieces of delicious octopus in each ball. I took some home and they were still so delicious after getting cold.
Bulgogi sliders - The picky husband loved this. He asked to hold the coleslaw on the side, thinking it would be better without, but ended up adding the coleslaw to it. The crunchy freshness of the cucumber and coleslaw played really, really well with the beef and spicy mayo.
Received cubed, picked radish as a side to the fried chicken. This is probably the only thing the kid didn't like, but I'm someone who lives for banchan (small Korean side dishes) and I enjoyed it.
The owner (I think that's who he was?) came around and checked in on everyone (literally everyone, even those patrons just picking up an order) with a kindness and energetic exuberance that blindsided me. Him getting us water and more drinks while making light banter was the icing on the cake, and it really made us feel welcome.
Early on, I had noted in my mind that if I had to find anything that was "meh" about this place, it would be the semi-loud music as it was difficult to hear the waiter and even my table mates (plus I like to eavesdrop on your conversation, yes you)... but that issue resolved itself shortly after that thought without my mentioning. So now if I HAD to find something "meh"... perhaps the size of the diced pickled radish? Really?
Bathroom was pleasant and clean. I liked the scented diffusers and candlelight in the mens restroom (womens were occupied by a noisy, defiant little kid and their exhausted mother, whom I sympathized with but didn't bother to wait for).
Clean and bright, well decorated establishment, wonderful staff, AMAZING food.
I've been to too many MN restaurants (overhyped, hipster, gastropubs, etc you name it) over the last couple of years and I have often left disappointed or just plain irritated at the food and service. I'm so effing tired of this and I'm glad many of those restaurants are now gone. This realization only came after I noticed how much I enjoyed the food and dining experience here at Bonchon--it's been a long time since I had such a positive reaction to a restaurant in MN. My husband who has been in the restaurant business from the front of the house to the back and is always critical (call it sensitive) about every aspect of it had only good things to say, and that speaks volumes.
Five stars to this awesome restaurant and their staff and food.