Julia S.
Yelp
I was violently craving some kalbijjim and I saw that Dam So was only a mile or so away from my hotel, so I scurried on over. Given that it was a Saturday night during peak dinner hours, I was expecting there to be a line out the door.
Dam So is very small and kind of easy to miss if you're not looking for it. There are only 7-8 tables inside, and very minimalist but modern design inside.
Surprisingly, from the time I walked in to the time I walked out, I was the only person in the restaurant! But this was both good and bad, I got fantastic service (with offers for additional banchan), but I also felt like the staff was staring at me the entire time I was eating, which made me a little bit uncomfortable but I am certain they had good intent
I really appreciated how the servers were kind enough to check in with me about the taste of the food
Dam So's Kalbijjim (soy braised beef stew) features perfectly braised potatoes, mushrooms, rice cakes, and seared beef. It comes with a side of rice, kimchi, and pickled radish (usually served with KFC). While on the pricier side ($40CAD), it was a fairly large portion, and definitely enough for more than one person. As much as I wanted to finish everything, I was only able to eat about half my rice and like 2/3 of the kalbijjim. It was very rich and flavorful -- definitely tasted like it was prepared with love by someone's grandmother (note: there were no visible 할머님s in the kitchen).
Dam So is definitely a modern Korean vibe - expect limited banchan offerings and soft pop English music in the background. It's a great place to go for a special occasion, when you're willing to spend a little more for a satisfying meal in an intimate environment.
Despite other reviews, I thought the portion sizes were more than fair and even a bit much for a single person (probably intended to be shared!)
And taste wise, I'd say it's on par with other famous restaurants like 대호 in San Francisco, that ALWAYS has a line out the door.
If you're looking for attentive, kind service, and don't want to spend your evening making a line for other establishments on Robson St, give Dam So a try!