Chez Bong

Hands down, without a doubt or competition, simultaneously one of my favorite meals and most memorable dining experiences I had during my short work trip to Montreal. When I searched up “Korean food in Montreal” during my intense craving for warm, comforting, asian food in a new city, this place popped up on multiple lists, recommendations, and Google Maps. After a long day and a light stroll through Old Montreal, I finally had the chance to(and was determined to) come here on Friday evening. I was kind of concerned that I wasn’t going to get in because 1) I’ve had multiple occasions of restaurants turning me away well before their closing time in Montreal (Which is still a mystery I’m) trying to solve 🤣😅, and 2) Well, it’s Friday night! Luckily, I was able to get in after a short 5-minute wait, and although I was a lone wolf and would be perfectly content with being tucked away in the corner with a small table to myself, the (who I later found out to be) Owner ended up seating me in a big table by myself- felt kind of guilty, but also so kind! The drinks and the food came out very quickly, I wont touch on the beer, because beer is beer lol, but the Spicy Pork Grill….first of all, the HUGE portion that only came out to $21?! In this economy? Secondly, the intense sizzling sound as the dish came out of the kitchen was enough to claim its #1 spot, but above all - the rich marinade without being too salty, the onions that cut through and help balance the fattiness of the pork, the perfectly cooked warm and fluffy rice…I honestly can conjure up the taste and how the dish made me feel just through writing this review. I had intended to pack 1/2 of it to go for my hotel room later, I promise, I did. I ended up walking out with a full and satisfying belly and a completely empty plate 🫣🤣 When I was paying, I chatted with the owner (well, the daughter of the owner), who told me how she used to live in Vancouver (I’m visiting from Vancouver), and just generally a bit about the history of the place. I feel such warmth and comfort from the food and hospitality - which, when you’re in a city/ place for the first time, is truly an irreplaceable feeling. The reviews speak for themselves, but please support local businesses, especially ones like this with great food, good people, and a big heart. 💛

Every dish I tried was full of flavor, beautifully prepared, and absolutely delicious. The food was honestly some of the best , I cannot wait to come back. I will definitely recommend your restaurant to everyone I know—it truly deserves it! :)

Delicious food and fast service. Long line on a sat night but it circulates relatively quick. Their galbi grill is a must-try🤩

Everything was absolutely amazing. We went twice on two different days. Tried Korean food for the first time. Jap chae. Sweet and sour chicken. And two more dishes. Everything was yummy. On the look out for Korean eateries around us already. The service was super helpful kind and humble. Fully recommend.

If you’re looking for an authentic Korean restaurant in Montreal, this is a great option. It’s located right in Chinatown, so it’s quite easy to find and accessible by metro. The menu is diverse, featuring traditional Korean dishes like bibimbap and tempura. Prices are reasonable, and the owner and staff are very friendly.

I tried bibimbap and kimchi jjigae but it was disappointing, bibimbap tasted too sweet and kimchi jjigae was too bland. Servers were nice and the service was great the food was not the best.

I was genuinely excited to try their bibimbap, but what I received was beyond disappointing. The portion size was shockingly poor, especially the beef. The bowl was overwhelmingly filled with rice (about 40%) and vegetables (around 50%), with barely 10% beef — if that. It wasn’t even sizzling as advertised, and the beef was so scarce I could barely taste it. It felt like I paid full price for a bowl of leftover vegetables. Speaking of which, the vegetables didn’t even taste fresh — they were bland and had the texture of something that had been sitting out for too long. The entire dish felt like a careless, low-effort attempt at what should’ve been a flavorful and balanced meal. The beef portion was so small I could count the pieces — it was honestly insulting. One star is generous. If I could leave a negative rating, I absolutely would. Save your money and go elsewhere

The place looks sketchy at first because of the staircase but the inside is cozy and good service. We took a fried rice skewer which was very delicious. The kimchi soup lost some points because of the taste, not spicy enough. We also took a beef japchae which was very flavorful but there wasn't enough beef, only like 6-7 pieces. However, will definitely come back to try other dishes.

Another small, yet busy establishment that delivered unmistakably and was definitely worth the wait. The food was delicious and was served promptly after orders were taken. The only thing I noted was that they could probably accommodate more groups if they split some of the 4 tops into 2 person tables. This would decrease the wait time and get people in and out quicker when there's a rush. Otherwise, I would definitely recommend this place and would frequent it if I lived in Montréal

A bookstore owner recommended this to me, and if I trust anyone, it's people who like books. Located in Chinatown, Chez Bong is pretty unassuming and located underground. It's very casual. Even at lunchtime they were slammed, so I took it as a good sign. They brought out complimentary potatoes to nosh on, and our food was out quickly. My boyfriend had tofu bibimbap which he said was really good, and I had tofu, pork, and kimchi. I loved the kimchi, which was perfectly spicy. The portions were HUGE. The US gets all the heat for big portions, but in Canada they're huge too!

Yum! The toilet was not in order. Be prepared for that. However. Let's focus. Good service. They know their stuff. Loud music but hey. It is not a speak easy.

I went there with a friend on a weekend, bad mistake. Line was all the way outside. Meaning the business is booming! They're famous for their stone bowl that got egg, vegetables and cook right on top of stove. The location in Chinatown is quite small, as it was family owned. The ambiance is pretty good. Maybe I'll try going there during lunch next time.

Listen, the people here are very nice, It used to be ok but after the last few times I would say at best I could call it mediocre. A shame because it used to be ok. In any case remember this isn't by any stretch of the imagination real korean food. It's a fast food version made to get you in and out as fast as possible.

Authentic Korean fare in the heart of Montreal! For even the most seasoned eaters, Chez Bong doesn't disappoint. Their beef mandu was exceptional as was their bulgogi.

Very average korean food. I prefer mon ami in Somerland over this one If you are nearby I think it's good to go for a bite but otherwise nothing too special about this place.

If you're looking for the best bibimbat, don't look no further you've found the place. In a simple restaurant were service is quick you can taste good Korean food. The prices are good, and the mood relax. Ne chercher pas le meilleur bibimbat en ville : vous le trouverez dans ce resto. Le service est rapide et bon et l'atmosphère relaxe à un prix raisonnable.

Though I've only been here a handful of times, my friends are seasoned veterans, so I'm extracting a bit from their numerous experiences here to add to this review. For a Wednesday night, Chez Bong was still pretty lively. When we arrived, there was no lineup, but there were only two free tables. The interior is cosy, and the decorations are very typical Korean restaurant. One of the key features is the TV on the wall playing Korean music videos. The washrooms could use a bit of work; apparently, the girls' is much better than the guys'. We ordered japchae (13, I think?) and bulgogi (23), intending to share both plates among the two of us. The potato entree was finished quickly, and we were told that refills are $2, so we ordered another plate. I wasn't a huge fan of the kimchi, but it's never appealed to me in general, so I can't comment much on that. The bulgogi came within 15 minutes, but the japchae took about 30. Service was a bit slow in general, but the owner took off the price of the extra potatoes when we went to pay, and we didn't really mind in the first place. Definitely a restaurant that keeps us coming back - in the end, the food is still satisfying and filling.

If this place could have a location where I live I would be there every day. I have never had korean food that was this good. We kinda ordered a lot of food but it was so good. My stomach is growling currently thinking about the delicious prawns we had. It's a tad hard to find they have a small space but find it and go!!

Love their potatoes side dish... I always order a big plate of it. Good kimchi Everything on the menu I tried is good. Service is good and friendly. I like it. I go eat there whenever I am in the area

Chez Bong, an awesomely small, intimate KBBQ (Korean BBQ) makes me happy. We arrived a little late (1 PM) for our reservation but the place was close to empty, and essentially ours. Wood walls and Korean pop music greeted us. We ordered KBBQ (prices were average), and selected our meats, then two portable BBQ grills were brought out. Our server (Davina) got us an assortment of marinated meats (chicken, beef, and pork), cooking them on the grills, periodically flipping each morsel over. Onions and pepper slices were placed directly on the grill for us too. The bulgogi was good, not too sweet; everything was delicious. This is leisurely cooking for sure, not crazy-fast. Wish they had a greater variety of banchan - we received three plates: greens, slaw, and kimchi. Bowls of a slightly-spicy, tangy soup, as well as lettuce, were also brought out. Take-out is offered but we cleaned our plates. Friendly Mrs. Bong Lim Lee, the owner, processed our credit cards. Chez Bong was a welcome reprieve from a rainy morning. (Heck, we smelled like BBQ when we left. Yum.) Recommended.

When I first arrived in Montreal back in 2014, I was craving for homemade Korean meals. After going through a lot of disappointing Korean restaurants, I finally stumbled upon Chez Bong. I was hesitant to try this place as it was in the middle of Chinatown, and I was hoping for a good, traditional Korean meal. This was the first Korean restaurant I liked in Montreal. So far, I've tried their soft tofu soup (a bit under seasoned), bibimbap, and their jjajangmyeon (Korean-Chinese dish, black bean noodles). Although their soft tofu soup can use more love, their jjajangmyeon is really what won me over. Overall, a solid choice for Korean food in this area!

The bibimbap I ordered was pretty good. Came here as a group to this place not knowing where to eat and it was very cold outside. The service is pretty good. P.S The bathroom was kind of creepy.

I took the shrimp non heated bibimbap and it was delicious. The best rice i've eaten so far in my life. The portion was generous for the price The décor is pretty traditional wich is nice

Chez Bong is probably the best Korean Restaurant in Montreal in my opinion. It's always fairly busy inside and they always have K Pop littered on the TV's for your enjoyment. The service is pretty good and the food is authentic down to the chef and owner who's usually in the back swamped with orders. It's easy to get a table and your food usually comes out pretty quickly. I've had a few things here including the bibimbap, soy bean soup, seafood soup, korean bbq dishes and even the soju. Everything also always comes with a nice selection of side dishes and sometimes they give you free soup as well. The food is very tasty and on par with some of the best places in Toronto. I would say the portions are a little smaller than I would like, but the quality definitely makes up for it. I really enjoy this place and would definitely be back when I'm in the Chinatown area. It's located downstairs beside the jewelry store, so it's a bit hard to find. A great find if you're in the Montreal Chinatown area looking for some Korean food!

If you are looking for simole cute little place with Korean food, you have just found it. Bibimbap is delicious (you can add or excnage shrimps or tofu for porc or chicken and without egg +tofu it is a great vegan option). Try the tempura vegetables as well, they are listed as appetizer, but are enoigh for a whole meal. Beer (Tsing Tao or Asahi) is for 6.50 & the have wine and sake as well. The staff was super sweet & smiling the whole time. I would be happy to come here soon again!

ATMOSPHERE: It's a little restaurant that's kind of hidden but you can't miss the banner outside. It's kind of underground so be careful going down the steps (especially in the winter). The inside gives you the classic homey, family-owned restaurant vibe. FOOD: I really liked their bulgogi bibimbap. It had just the right amount of seasoning and the portion size was bigger than I expected! Very tasty. The glass noodle dish was decent as well. Their little appetizers consist of kimchi and potatoes although I wasn't a big fan of their kimchi... PRICE: Pretty good price for a Korean restaurant. From what I remember, I'd say the meals were around 11-15$. SERVICE: Their service was very good. The staff is friendly!

Great place, really fast service and always good! I've been to this korean restaurant a couple of times now and it is aways tasty and lots of flavors! The first time I went I wasn't sure about the place because it was in a basement and outside wasn't the prettiest. But once you're inside, you forget about it all. They usually don't do reservation but they told us when to come so we don't have to wait. That was really nice of them, since we were 8. It's decent price and great portions. Can't say anything wrong about them.

Pretty decent korean restaurant. I've been here for lunch a couple of times and always leave satisfied. I really like their kalbi dish as it comes on a hot sizzling platter with a bowl of rice and also like to have their spicey calamari dish. They usually give you a soup that's included at lunch. The service is a bit on the slow side especially if you hit this place up on a Thursday/Friday and I've asked for an extra helping of kimchi once (usually the free side dishes) and they charged me for it without notifying me...So I'm giving this place 3 stars.

Nice to see a good restaurant busy during a Tuesday lunch hour. I had the tasty bibambap, but the star of the show was the potato appetizer (banchan). The friendly and generous staff make this a 5-star delight.

Last time I've been to this place was more than 4 years ago, but I hadn't developed much of an appreciation for Korean food. I just so happened to be around the area with my grandmother today (who's a very difficult eater btw) that I remembered the place to have varied types of dishes. On my second visit, I was yet again definitely pleased with the quality of service that I received. Perfect for a winter outing, portions are generous. Plus they offer side dishes such as kimchi and if I recall correctly marinated daikon as well? For additional side dishes such as potatoes, they're inexpensive as well, being 2.30$ for each, so everything is very much worth the price. I had a dolsot bibimbap with beef while my grandmother had japchae with chicken. The staff was also very welcoming despite the place being super busy when I went. They always had a smile on their face and were all very polite. I also love the overall vibe in the restaurant, it gives out a "chalet" kind of feel to it. So for food, service, location and interior design of the restaurant, I give it a 10 out of 10. P.S Even main dishes which are exclusively made out of pork can be replaced by chicken, so don't be shy to ask for it. My grandmother is Muslim and they were definitely accommodating.

When it comes to Korean food, I'm really not hard to please, so I throw 5 stars at them if they meet the major points: food, service, atmosphere. I was with a group of 8, some of which were Korean food virgins. Everyone was really happy with their meals. I ordered the japchae (which was exciting because it isn't always served as a main dish) and while it was a little saucier than some I've had, it was still tasty as heck. We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share and they were all very good. The seafood pancakes were off the hizzay. The waiting staff were very friendly - our waitress was patient with me when I attempted to order in Korean :) We over-ordered bottles of soju, so I was pleasantly surprised they took one back. Some places wouldn't do that, I'm sure. And the atmosphere was very clean and tidy. You gotta love the screen of k-pop videos too. Great dinner conversation piece :)

While visiting Montreal last summer, me and a buddy of mine came across this almost tucked away jewel of a spot. I remember it was hot that day; their air conditioner was so refreshing as were the ice cold Tsingtao beers we started off with. Me being a grass fed animal, I ordered a Tofu and veggie Dolsot Bibimbap which was simply amazing. The kitchen had no problem modifying my order with Tofu. To sum it all up, it was prepared to perfection. Staff and atmosphere was very nice. The place was clean and the service was fleet. I would highly recommend this spot to anybody looking for a Korean restaurant in the Chinatown area.

Food: I've had better Korean food in MTL, worse? that I'm unsure. Despite the colorful presentation, everything was bland, except being salty. What about the typical Korean food aroma and the homey feel like it was mommy's food? euh... lacking? the banchan were NO good and never went to a place where only TWO banchan were offered... so un-Korean T.T Service: Not very friendly, no smile, no thank you... O__o Price: actually quite expensive when you think about all the other choices around~ Ambiance: For sure the location is huge success factor here, conveniently located in Chinatown and being the only Korean restaurant in the area... However because it's situated in a basement - no windows (kind of creepy), old cafeteria chairs... not my favorite place for sure~

My friend and I always come to this place anytime we are in Montreal. I was here in March and it was just as good as I remembered. The portions are great, the food is authentic and delicious. The service is efficient, the interior reminds me of a number of Korean restaurants I've been to in Korea; a slightly dim but very chill vibe overall. Best thing is the side dishes for me (banchan); they are so good and they keep it coming. Can't go wrong coming here for your Korean food cravings!!

Chez Bong has been around for 8yrs!!! I've passed by so many times and never even gave it a second look. One night I stopped in front of the window to see what's up... Eventhough it's a small restaurant, and a bit on the dingy side as are most Chinatown restaurants, it has quite an extensive menu... Like you would see in a small NYC joint or Vegas... That's when I decided to try it out. Having tried out few Korean places in mtl, I was not expecting much. Korean food in mtl is sorely under represented... But Bong turned out very well. You only get 3 side dishes here, a bit on the lesser side. Other places usually average 4-7 a couple of places in NYC give u up to 12. Although there's only 3, they are all exceptional, marinated potatoes with sesame oil, pickled dicon radish and Kim chee. We had four dishes, pajeon, short ribs BBQ, beef broth soup and nakgi bokkeum. By far the best dish in the house is pajeon (korean pancake)!!! crispy on the outside, I think it's the first time I've had crispy paed jun. Inside it's cooked through but soft, not pasty like you get sometimes, in some places, you know, you've had it before... This is the best pajeon I've ever had The second best dish here is the beef broth soup, wow the broth is very very fragrant, this stuff has been brewed by someone's grandma with lots of time on her hands...The waitress told us it is broth is kept brewing all day until it is served... the flavor is all there, reminds me of Pho... Korean beef broth soup is an acquired taste, I usually find it too bland, but this place makes it nice. You know the soup is good when you're happy just sipping the broth...oh yeah the soup had dumplings in it too if you were wondering, but really the broth shines. The nakgi bokkeum (squid in spicy sauce) was disapointing, since it's actually one of my fav korean dish, i was hoping to find go to nakgi bokkeum in mtl, and not have to go to nyc for it. But sadly this one is just a little on the sweet side. And the squid was a bit tough... The BBQ was good but average, frankly all bbq tastes the same, the ones that stand out are grilled on wood charcoal, which gives it a nice smokey flavor. Sadly this one wasn't grilled on charcoal... other than that, it's hella cheap and definitely a good eat, and comforting. It's enough to hit the spot when i crave korean, now i don't have to go to nyc and LA for good korean. next up I will try the bibimbap and the jiggae

It's a nice place. Delicious beef Bibimbap ! Also the service is very good and fast! Will come back for sure

Great little spot with delicious food and friendly service. Although their sundubu is not as spicy as I'm used to, their potato salad served as banchan is delicious. This is a perfect spot to have a lunch with colleagues or friends. Definitely will be back there again!

I would not go here Ordered the soft tofu stew with seafood and found it horrendous. Kimchi chicken stirfry was expensive and ok It just wasn't worth going to .

This place is GREAT! We usually use yelp to find a good place to eat when traveling, but last night we were hungry and didn't have Internet access so we just walked to Chinatown and chose this place at random. It was a very smart choice. The service was excellent, food was delicious, and the price was right. Highly recommend.

Me and two of my friends came to eat here on a Thursday night. Service was quick and professional. The staff was really nice, and were smiling and kind! I love the condiments especially the potatoes. The prices are affordable. We had ordered the regular sizzling beef bulgogi, served with rice on the side. I love when it came sizzling hot to my table, but I believe the beef was already overcooked. Unfortunately, it was very tough to eat. I would come back, but maybe just to try out the other items on the menu.

I came to the restaurant with my family and they said they can't serve us cause the restaurant was closed. So, we asked if we can take an order out to go. They said yes and we ordered our meal. Then, we waited FOR AN HOUR to get our food. Might as well have let us stay and eat there if they are gonna make us wait an hour for our food. Then, when the order comes there are no side dishes or kimchi. In one of our orders, we ordered the tofu kimchi bokkeum and there was NO TOFU in our meal. WHAT THE HECK. They said the reason we had to wait was because there was no rice... in a korean restaurant... This is the worst service I have ever received. Never come back here.

I am a big fan of Korean food, so when I was walking around Chinatown, couldn't make up my mind what to have and saw this place, my eyes lit up and I went in right away. What a mistake...to begin with, the kimchi was way over fermented, so it was super sour, lacked the aromas that a decent kimchi would have and had the wrong texture. The stir fried dish that I ordered did not taste like a stir fry dish, more like boiled then mixed with the Korean pepper sauce, the flavours weren't mingling like they're supposed to, at all. I reckon that unlike T.o, there aren't many great Korean places in Montreal, but at least some are decent. Not this place though.

Very warm and cozy ambiance. It feels like home when I first entered. The server was really nice and the food came pretty fast. The Jap Chae was the star of the three dishes i ordered. It was cooked perfectly and the flavor was superb. Will go back anytime for that. The bibimbap and stir fried pork and kimchi were excellent as well, but lacked the impact that the jap chae gave to me.

I went to this Korean restaurant with two friends a few days ago and we didn't remember any dishes we ordered. A restaurant without any memorable food...

I love Chez Bong. At first I thought it was a smoke shop, but it turns out its an underground Korean eatery that serves up some tasty Korean food. Its on the pricy side, but the quality is consistent and based on how many Koreans eat there, I'd say it's pretty authentic

One of the best Korean restaurants that I have eaten in for a long time. Great food and great service. Wish that I could return tomorrow.

Two words, Kim Chee. Two more words, Korean BBQ. My husband having lived in Korea for a number of years, nearly fell out his chair when he tried the kim chee. It's the real deal, not the half-marinated napa cabbage they call kim chee in the U.S. My friend that was with us had been craving the self-cook Korean BBQ since the one in her town had closed a few years back. The restaurant is on the outskirts of the Chinese Quarter on a lower level from the street and a bit easy to overlook if you're not looking for it. The interior is unassuming, typical Chinese Quarter decor. There are two BBQ tables and the rest are standard dining table. The service is competent and efficient. The food is very good. We received 3 banchan of pickled julienne radish, kim chee, and a savory marinated potato. We ordered 2 additional dishes of kim chee, it was that good. We even purchased some kim chee to go! The prices were really good compared to Korean restaurants in the U.S. We will definitely come back to Chez Bong the next time we visit Montreal.

This is the first korean restaurant I've ever tried. In my opinion, they make the best bibimbap in town. The other dishes are also really good, I've never been deceived coming here. This is the absolute korean restaurant I would recommend.

The food here was very good, and I would certainly go back. I tried the korean-style pancake appetizer, which was delicious, and the bibimbap which didn't disappoint either. Service was fast; great for a work-week lunch.

Popped here to this quaint little basement restaurant. Service was a bit of a miss - the waiter kinda felt like he was busying all over and not that attentive and really rushed our order, wanting to swipe the menus back off our hands. Foodwise, was so so, the BBQ beef was quite tasty, the other hot and spicy tofu soup was rather bland and an instant noodle could've been more flavoursome. The atmosphere is reasonable with the aforementioned wood panels and it would be good to come with friends. Portions were kinda small too and the sides of kimchi etc were put out for all of us to share - we felt cheated out of more here. Service charge of 15% was automatically added to the bill and appears to be calculated on the post tax amount. Not sure if this is right or custom but there we go. We won't be coming back here.

Its downstairs so look for the sign Decent Korean food I had the Dolsot Bibimbap and Gun Man Doo (fried dumplings) It was good and a small selection of traditional sides Hey its just fast food!

Very basic Korean food but nonetheless excellent. I went there for Bulgogi, pancakes, BBQ and of course the sides dishes. But not worries, you will have plenty of other choices. Moreover, the restaurant feels very familial, very simple and the service was very friendly. Note that I went there on a late weekend afternoon and did not wait long at all. I never felt like writing such a straightforward review before and it makes sense to do so for such a simply good spot such as Bong. Perhaps one of the best Korean spots in Montreal after all.

The best Korean place i have found in Montreal so far. Went there 2 times and it was delicious. Staff is friendly and service is quick. They have BBQ (but not all you can eat) and all kinds of Korean dish. The Kimchi is very good. Too bad, they don't have Hite beers... Love that Korean beer. The only thing missing to make it a 5.

It's a pretty authentic Korean restaurant, cozy and traditional Korean family decor, cozy ambiance. Just the table was low and the chair was too high which wasn't too comfy.They only offered two banchan, sweet potato and kimchi, both are beyond average. I ordered tofu seafood stew, hot and spicy, tastes pretty good, but the shrimp inside seems to be preserved in refrigerator for a long time...and the other one was stir fried rice cake which had a sweet and spicy taste, and the rice cake was all tender and chewy, good! Just it had some vegetables that don't usually go with rice cake like green pepper, which was a little weird. Moreover, the rice cake was written in the appetizer area but it's more expensive than a main dish...and they don't have too many choices on the menu

Very good quality and taste! Stopped here for dinner on a Sunday night. Ordered the Jap Chae, Dumpling Appetizer and Bulgogi ti share between my husband and I. The traditional side dishes were more then enough to fill-us-up, the jap chae was just right, the bulgogi was the most succulent, tender and easy to eat beef I've had in a Korean restaurant in a LONG time... Well done! We tipped this family heavily for the excellent service!

Nice atmosphere for a basement restaurant, and not at all what I expected. Ordered their bibimbap and it was absolutely wonderful. A bottle of Soju was the perfect side. Very friendly service and great prices are sure to keep me coming back.

Nice space, waiters are friendly. However, my friend received her meal more than 5 minutes after me which is unusual in a restaurant. I had lots of bibimbaps in other Korean restaurants and this one was definitely not the best one I had...Would not go back, but was ok for a cheap night out.

General Tao and I had a night on the town and there will not be a second date. The food made me rethink my life choices. The rice was cold, the chicken was soft, but at least the stone bowl was hot hot hot. Would probably eat again if desperate. At least they didn't charge for water.