Jan Chi Korean Cuisine & BBQ

The weather has turned unusually chilly (high 50s!) in Austin, so I was pleasantly surprised to see some traditional soups and stews that are not offered elsewhere. In this case, tried their Spicy Backbone Soup (Bbyu Haejang Guk) as recommended by the very friendly owner. Didn’t expect much but it was rich and hearty and meaty - just like you would get in Korea. It was a perfect cold weather meal that now makes me want to try out their other offerings because it’s not easy to prep and cook this time-consuming soup (aka gamjatang). Anyways loved the food here and the husband-wife team are just so sincerely kind. Just wish they did something more with the interior (slightly drab and plain) which offers so much space plus outdoor seating that could even accommodate pets. Highly recommended if you’re into traditional Korean cuisine!

I’ve had many types of bibimbap but I really enjoyed this one (dolsot bulgogi bibimbab) because they offer two types of sauces, the standard gochujang (spicy pepper paste) and one soy based for those who can’t handle too much spiciness. When mixed together in the scorching stone bowl, it’s really a delight to eat visually and texturally as the stone bowl imparts crunchy bits of rice that go very well with the fresh veggies and tender pieces of thinly sliced bulgogi. Also loved their fresh banchan variety that make the meal even more satisfying. If you enjoy traditional Korean food, it’s worth a try If you’re in the area.

Stopped in with a friend on a Saturday afternoon around 3 pm. It was pretty quiet at that time, but service and the food were still exceptional. We ordered chicken bibimbap, mixed wings, and mandu salad. I also had hot tea. The flavor and texture profiles exceeded expectations, and all dishes were fresh and plated beautifully. I can't wait to visit again. They also have happy hour weekday afternoons.

Always the sweetest and most attentive staff! Bowls are great, but (sounds crazy!) The chicken teriyaki is my FAVORITE-- it's delicious! That and a Terra beer... LOVE!

The food is delicious; we tried several things, and everything was very good, especially the staff was very kind and attentive.

Very very impressed with this spot. Will definitely be back. Pricing is much cheaper than many of the surrounding Korean restaurants, and the food was fantastic. Only giving 4 stars for the food because the pork belly was disappointing: it was basically just blanched bacon with a very potent pork flavor and not much seasoning. Everything else though was exceeded expectations. We went about an hour before closing, and were the only ones there. Our server was very friendly, and I absolutely loved how she took the time to aesthetically set the table with the courses. The environment was very peaceful, and I will be sure to return during daylight to take advantage of the lunch specials and outdoor patio. The restaurant appeared to be extremely clean and sanitary. I appreciated the simple menu, and how every entree comes with rice and 4 sides. The hot stone bowl for the bibimbap was a nice touch as well; around halfway through, the bottom developed a delicious rice crust that added a wonderful crispy texture.

I stumbled across Jan Chi by doing a Google search for kimchi soup near me, lol! It has since become a family favorite! The kimchi soup is delicious, but we love everything we have tried. The glass noodles, Yang yum chicken wings, and all the ramen options are all soooooo good. I love the family owned business feel that we get and overall.good vibes. They are always very patient and kind to me and my kids and so helpful with great suggestions. I also love the space, it's clean and pretty decor.

I don’t eat a lot of Korean food minus KBBQ, so this place was a treat for me to try out other Korean foods. How is this restaurant not more busy/popular?! It’s a true hidden gem with how affordable and tasty their food is. I’d never expect fried chicken to taste so freaking good but it’s probably my favorite thing here! When we got it we could hear and taste the CRUNCH on the seasoning like it just came out of the pot/fryer. My friend’s bulgogi was delicious and I got the spicy chicken bibibap that came with 4 complimentary sides. The chicken, rice, bean sprouts, and onion combo was amazing and so filling. The sides were all great, especially the chilled mashed potato. I dunno what they do to make this creamless potato taste so good but it was the first side I gobbled down. All in all, a chill and great dining experience and would definitely come back to try other things on the menu.

My husband and I have tried most of the Korean places in Austin. And after more than 10 years, I was shocked that I missed this hidden gem. To start, I took my very small and loud children to this restaurant and was cautiously hoping for the best. Needless to say my kids were not the model of politeness. But the owner was undeterred. She showed extreme patience and was overly accommodating. Fortunately the restaurant is big enough to accommodate folks that do not want to be next to the louder patrons. Also, there is a baby changing station in the restroom. Great for familys. On to the food. Rice was perfectly cooked. The banchan blew my mind away. You could taste that everything was made with care.

The food was fine. The portions were underwhelming for traditional Korean fare. I don't feel we got the value we paid for even if the food was good. The service was fine. The ambiance was plain - so much potential for such a wooded location nestled in the hills. But the sparse decor and cold finishes and the the freezing AC just made me want to get out. If you can find one open when you're hungry, there are better options.

CUTEST RESTAURANT, family owned, and the FOOD IS INCREDIBLE. I got the bulgogi bimpab & my sister got the chicken bimpab. Th bulgogi was a heavenly experience I'm not going to lie. Didn't think austin had good Korean till now! Please check it out. Ambiance is super cute as well :)

I come here so frequently I'm surprised they haven't memorized my order. I always get the dolsot spicy chicken bibimbap and every single time, it hits. The service is always fast and kind. I've come here to catch up with friends, get a solo lunch and even study for exams. I truly love coming here.

In the mood for Korean.. this place is delicious Plenty of parking, clean and cute. They even have a patio overlooking a creek. We ordered: LA Galbi- beautiful setting tender and perfect seasoning for only $25 this is good for 2 1/2 Chicken wing- OMG absolutely amazing the yang sauce looks spicy NOT!!! Just packed of flavor with a hint of hotness so don't be afraid mild eaters 12 pc for $19.95 Service was great just a little slow on the follow up which was ok they are also short staffed. So remember to be patient & kind Will definitely be returning

Had some authentic Korean pork and tofu jigae with banchan here . Tofu and pork were cooked right and the sauce had the right spice level with veggies. The kimchi was great and refreshing! Weekdays are not that crowded here so got a table right away. Prices are right and not very high like a few other places around. Staff very friendly and ambiance was good and light . Will definitely return .

If you're looking for authentic Korean food, this is your place. Came here on a Thanksgiving eve afternoon so it's wasn't too busy. First time trying out the place and MAN, this is going on my list of repeat visits. Was really in the mood for bulgogi, so I ordered the Seoul bulgogi that comes with 4 sides, and my wife ordered the Dolsot Bulgogi bibimbob I didn't choose the sides but was pleasantly surprised at what I got. Loved the kimchi and cucumbers. One of those moments when I didn't realize how much I wanted kimchi until I got it. Each side was just enough to go with everything else. SOOOO much flavor. I felt like I was back in Korea again. Service was good, no complaints. Food came out fast, nice and hot. There was enough for my wife and I to share. Her bibimbop was really good, too. When I first saw it, kinda wished I ordered it, but I was very pleased with my order too. Both of our food and 2 drinks came out to about $50. For Austin, with food this good, that's a deal All in all, I can't wait to try this place again and would definitely recommend

Highly recommend for the friend chicken! The meat is very tender, fully cooked ( you don't see blood) and the chicken skin is very crispy! One order is good for two people but honestly I can eat them all by myself! The sauce is not too spicy and not super sweet which makes you keep eating without feeling too heavy. I will definitely come back for more fried chicken with Korean sauce!

Food: FRIED CHICKEN WINGS [YANGNYEOM] (19.95$) - I loved this one. It is fried to perfection. Crispy, thinly battered so not too greasy or oily. The chicken is juicy and tender, and the sauce is sweet, sticky, and flavorful! Portion sizes are really good too! Big chicken!! GALBI TANG (22.95$) - It was warming and a bit sweet which was nice. The soup was savory and sweet and comforting. The beef was soft and tender too. It also came with glass noodles inside as well. SPICY PORK (18.95$) - The pork was also good. It was not spicy, so don't worry about that if you are not good with spice. The pork was tender and soft, not chewy so that was great. I loved that it was not too oily, but had the perfect amount of sauce for an infused flavorful bite. They give banchan: kimchi, fish cakes, potato, and other sides. Overall no complaints for the food! Service: Everything came out fast and hot. The staff are nice and helpful. Ambiance: Very cozy vibes. Feels authentic and homestyle. Great to go with friends or family or even as a date. Not loud.

Service is amazing right along with the food. The view out the back is wonderful, so I'd love to sit on the patio one day when I'm not working..and when it cools down.

This was my first time eating at this restaurant and definitely will not be my last! We arrived 30 mins before closing and they were welcoming and so friendly! I had not tried Bibimbap before but our waitress recommended it and explained what exactly was in it. The restaurant was nice and quiet, I'd love to see it packed with more people and see them get to enjoy the great food!

Surprising find on Spicewood Springs road, tucked back (almost hidden) in a nondescript strip mall, shrouded somewhat by trees and backing up to a nice quiet canyon/gully area. The food was very good, the service was friendly, and the large (very quiet, on this evening) back patio was a welcome site for my furry companion. Will definately be back.

The chicken was very good!! Just a bit salty for my taste but my fiancé thought it was perfect!! I do have a low salt tolerance so that might be a me problem idk. The flavor of the chicken was excellent. Pork belly was good too! My sauce of choice was the sesame/salt. Their side dishes were good. The main down side is the portion is a bit small for the price compared to other spots I have been to. Great service, very friendly ladies. This place deserves more recognition. There are outdoor seatings too!

I'm no Korean food expert. I've only had Bulgogi rice bowls and kimchi Bibimbob a few times in the past. The first time being introduced was actually from a meal kit delivery service and I loved it. Had bulgogi in LA once and both Bulgogi and kimchi / veggie Bibimbob on Delta flying to Seoul and Asiana Airlines as well. I mention that because each of those meals were tastier and more flavorful than the Bulgogi Bibimbob I ordered from here. Yes, plane food was more flavorful than a restaurant, I'm sad to say. If I were to use one word to describe the bulgogi here, it would be bland. The sauce (gochujang?) was mild as well and not too flavorful. I don't know if this restaurant is toning down the flavors to cater to a broader audience or if this is a different preparation from what I previously had but the flavors were just too muted for me. With that said, the food, while bland, was not bad. So I'll try some other items over the next few months and see if this was a one off experience and update accordingly.

I was impressed by the friendly environment this restaurant offers. Upon arrival, we were greeted with warmth and hospitality when we arrived. The wait for food was not too long (given that there were few people in the restaurant), and it was delicious. Definitely will recommend this to my friends and family.

The food is amazing and authentic! We ordered the fried chicken as an appetizer, which was very tasty, crispy, and juicy. For our entrees, we ordered the spicy chicken bowl, bulgogi bowl, and the bulgogi bibimbob. Everything had great flavor but I must say the bulgogi bibimbob was the best. I could tell everything was very fresh and the bowl it came in kept everything hot. The server was extremely friendly and the atmosphere was very relaxing. The outdoor seating area is beautiful as well. We will be returning to try other items

Food was great! Pork belly is a comfort food and this place didn't mess it up for me. Haha! Service was a bit lacking as there wasn't a whole lot of checking with us happening. Plus, there was quite a challenging language barrier with our server. But she seemed very sweet. We'll likely return as they're close to work and their pork belly was so satisfying.

Great food. Wings were good; but not as spicy as I like ( wife thinks I am insane). Wonderful staff. Enjoyed the ambiance and patio. I just really enjoyed the whole experience.

Love this place for some heartwarming, classic Korean meals! The staff is so welcoming and nice. The beer is very expensive, and food is so warm and cozy!

Props to the other reviewer who complimented the Galbi Tang here. I was in the mood and it hit the spot. The meat was tender and the soup was flavorful without being too salty. My only gripe is that tht wasn't a ton of variety with the banchan but I guess it was decent enough.

This was great. In town for business and looking for something easy and relaxing. We were taken care of very well and felt right at home. The food was great and some of the best I've had outside of Korea. Would definitely go back when in the area again.

It's alright. The portions are super duper small. The bonchon is basically only 1 bite each and they weren't offering refills. The tofu jigae was particularly very small portion. There were literally only 4 small cubes of tofu. I ate everything and was still hungry. My partner ordered the bulgogi stew and his was more food. There was a lot of meat. It was the better order but the meat was really sweet. I tasted a lot of Worcester sauce. There is a lunch special for wings for 11.99 on M-F. But we came on the weekend and the only option was chicken wing appetizer for 17.99... what? My advice to the business, stop being so stingy with your portions if you want people to come back. I never had such a small portion of jigae. It's not expensive to make stew in a larger size.

So glad there's a Korean place around the Northwest Hills area that's open for lunch! There's a decent selection of food and some lunch specials so there's something for everyone. I ordered the kimchi jjigae which I thought was on the spicier and saltier side. My Korean coworker said he thought his jjigae tasted pretty authentic to what he'd get back in Korea, the only thing missing would be the egg they'd poach tableside. Fairly large space and plenty of room if you want to distance yourself from others. Parking is easy and plenty in the plaza lot. I think we all agreed we'd come here again!

I can't believe I've never come here before! Food is really legit, and I'm quite impressed with the quality as well. I will say that the only thing I noticed that bothered me a bit was that when we walked in, there were many tables that weren't cleared and the hostess had to direct us to a corner of the restaurant that had a clean table. My friend and I ordered LA galbi and soondubu. I loved my galbi, and the caramelized onions at the bottom were delicious. $17 is definitely a bit steep for the amount of food I got, but their marinade, rice, and side dishes were good. I love the mashed potatoes the most and their kimchi the least. I tried my friend's soondubu, but it was just okay. It tasted more like a kimchi stew than seafood tofu. Overall, it's a pretty decent Korean place. Service isn't great, but I can tell their food is legit.

Ok, I hate to be a downer but Jan Chi has either gone downhill or appeals to a different crowd. (They have lunch specials that looked like a good deal). I came here for dinner with a friend on a recommendation and we were both pretty underwhelmed. Pros: - Location. It's a convenient spot for a pretty residential neighborhood. - privacy? Intimacy? It wasn't crowded at all and there is also a pretty lit patio in the back. Cons: Food is mediocre. It wasn't bad, but I'd go almost anywhere else... It reminded me of home cooking.. my own home cooking where I'm just throwing things together that sound palatable and the sum is about equal to its parts. The cheesy spicy chicken was exactly that. The seafood pajeon was alright.

If you blink, you might miss the great place! The food is great but also love their dining room and set up. You dont see too many authentic Asian restaurants in Austin with an outdoor dining option. I love the large and spacious the indoor dining room but also the cute covered patio in the back as well - great for those lovely Austin evenings. I have come here a number of times and this place never fails to hit the spot. 1. Haemul Pajeon - makes one of the better ones I've had in the area. They know how to make it crispy and not overly soggy - despite being loaded with seafood and veggies. 2. Galbi Tang - This is my go to dish in most Korean restaurants and the one they make here is my favorite. It's light and flavorful and NEVER overly salty. I love eating it with a side of rice, pajeon and the banchan. 3. Dolsot Bibimbop - I didnt specify which meat because I've almost had them all and they are all great. I do think the Bulgogi can be a tad too sweet for my taste but all others are really good! 4. Chicken wings - sweet and spicy are also great. Most of the time I go to actual Korean Fried Chicken places, but to be a part of the menu - this place doesnt disappoint. The wing's arent overly battered and the sauce is just the right balance of both the tang and pucker of spice with just a hint of sugar. The only reason this place is short a star is that it doesnt always have great dessert options even though they try.

Food is delicious. I came back twice in the same day. Service was great. They are very welcoming and set up your food like it's a work of art. They play very chill music. Perfect for a date night.

On this day before Veteran's Day, the Colonel Hubby and I headed out after work for some hot pot! Our go to lately has been Basil Thai. We rolled up, and, much to our chagrin, they're closed on Tuesdays. Big bummer! We tossed around some possibilities! Pho? Ramen? Thai? Naturally, I took to the Yelp-verse to peruse the possibilities! Short story long, I ran across Jan Chi Korean Cuisine & BBQ! First, my husband lives for Korean, as I'm sure that I've mentioned ad nauseam in reviews past. Second, it was right down the street in the old Hai Kai location on Spicewood Springs. The reviews were good, so I pulled the proverbial trigger. Can I just say that we were utterly charmed? The redo of the place was just right. Dare I say high end-ish casual? Yes. I dare! Lol! The music was perfect. The menu was gorgeously simple and authentically Korean. The beer list was solid. The wine list was impressive! Trapiche? Yes, please! I was pretty sure, right away, that this was going to be a heavy rotation repeat, and it made my heart smile! Team: Local Restaurants Making It Right Now! I wave the flag! The husband ordered his usual Korean fave, Dolsot Beef Bimbimbap, and I, still thinking Hot Pot/Pho/Ramen, went with the Seoul Bulgogi, since its description was thinly sliced marinated beef in special broth. Chris's bimbimbap was as good as his OG bimbimbap at Fort Hood! He had doubts about my choice of restaurant, at first, with his heart being set on hot pot and all, but, after trying it, he started pointing out other things on the menu that he planned to try next time, so he was obv sold! The little side plates of deliciousness were absolutely gorg! And my Seoul Bulgogi, y'all? Holy snaps! Truly good! The broth is sublime! If your belly needs a warm cuddle on a cold night, THIS is the place, and THIS is the dish! So, to recap, a beautiful establishment, a great vibe with a comfortably Austin-feel, an authentic menu, and a lovely beer/wine selection. Nothing not to like! Keep this place open y'all! Pretty please! Give them business!

My husband didn't like their bulgogi and thought it tasted more like Chinese than Korean food. They were sold out of kalbi at 4:30 PM after I drove all the way there. They were understaffed and had no one to answer phone calls. For Korean food with more availability at all hours, I prefer Soha.

We've been customers for a long time but always take out. Our dine in experience this week was awesome! I'm always on a quest for the perfect BiBimBap and when it was served in a superheated cast iron bowl sizzling and steaming, lots of bulgogi and an egg cooked exactly to my liking...!!! It was a rainy day and looking out at their pretty patio and the heavily wooded are it backed up to was so serene! Easy to forget you're right on busy Spicewood Springs! Highly recommend!!

This was a 10/10 service was fast and our server was very nice. Food was also amazing we got the spicy pork & la galbi (short ribs) both were amazing. Definitely coming here again :)

They have a new a menu I order the beef ramen forgot what it was but it was absolutely amazing! I even ordered it again the next day. Literally still thinking about it.

When I first walked in, there was no one in the halls or at the cash register to greet or seat anyone. There were a couple tables with people seated, and someone had to go to the kitchen to get a staff member to come out. After waiting to get seated, we ordered the Seoul bulgogi and spicy pork bento box (lunch special). Both of them were just average and flavors that were easily replicable at home. If I had to choose though, I would go for the lunch bento boxes. Overall, okay food and below-average service.

I can't believe a restaurant in Austin with food this good has so few patrons. Plenty of seating, no wait, and very pleasant staff. This is one of those gems that no one knows about. We had the appetizer of japchea, a delicious warm plate of bean thread noodles witha few veggies. I live how the flavors are absorbed by the noodles. And their wonderfully slippery soft texture is unique and delicious. We shared a bibimbob dolsot, a classic comfort food. The poached egg wasa nice continu compromise between the traditional raw egg is Korea and the fried egg found in many American restaurants. And the crunchy crust is the rice along the stone pot is always a treat. But the star of the meal was the yang yum chicken wings. The lightly dizz spicy sweet sauce perfectly compliments the shatteringly crisp batter. And yes, they starte starte stayed crisp to the end of the meal. My only fear is that this place will close as there aren't enough customers. I want to keep eating here for many years to come.

The fried chicken here is so good! The banchan is also yummy. The only thing I wish they add sometime soon is serving soju. The staff is friendly and attentive. Relaxed vibe as well.

Bibimbop and Spicy chicken and cheese were both excellent! Would visit again. Wonderful small, family business with great service and great, authentic food!

Food was so good I forgot to take pictures the sides were very fresh and tasty service was amazing and the ambiance of the place is good I'm definitely coming back

Decent food- not bad , but not especially great either. Nothing is spicy- even the spicy is kind of sweet. A bit bland.

Ive been craving so good ol korean soup. I usually have kimchi jjigae or galbitang when im feeling home sick, so I started looking for a korean restaurant and stumbled across this place. Came here and ordered the Seoul Bulgagi soup for pickup and it hit the spot. I wish I took photos of the dish, but I devoured it as it was just so delicious. I would definitely come back here again and dine in once we're no longer at stage 5.

I rarely leave bad reviews but in this case I was really surprised by our experience here given the strong reviews in the past and am hoping this can get ownership's attention to focus on some of the fundamentals: To start positively, we were a walk-in for lunch and were greeted promptly and were able to get seated outdoors. We were one of two parties in the entire restaurant for lunch. The waitress had a vibe of also being the owner and she was very kind and took our orders almost immediately but for some reason it took more than half an hour for our food to actually come out despite the restaurant being nearly empty. Service aside, the food was also unfortunately extremely bland. We got the Bulgogi bento boxes and the beef tasted barely marinated and the other sides were also relatively low on flavor. We also ordered a side of Korean Pancake and we ended up not finishing it due to the lack of flavor. The outdoor seating is a very nice area but unfortunately also not particularly well-covered which meant leaves were constantly blowing onto our food (every 2 - 3 minutes). Based on all the other reviews, I'm really thinking we came at an off-day (new chef?) but it'll likely be a while before we give it another shot.

The food was absolutely phenomenal!!!! We had a variety of things, and nothing disappointed us. The lady who owns the place was incredibly sweet and kind, she made us feel so welcomed. The ambiance is very relaxing (good Korean music) and calm. 10/10, loved it all and fairly priced!!!!!!

Came here with a group of friends when they were visiting texas. Wanted food in the patio so we choose this place. The food itself is meh. They charge us 4$ each for just one pot of tea. That was totally unexpected. Also their pancake was full of oil. It was very greasy.....on the good note, out door patio are nice during good weather.

Great good quiet atmosphere moderate pricing with the staff was a little more attentive

I'm always on the search for good, authentic Korean Food. After already trying so many, we decided to give Jan Chi a try. We ordered the Fried Chicken Wings, Bulgogi, and Seafood Tofu Soup. The Seafood Tofu Soup was great, however, everything else was subpar. The Fried Chicken Wings are HUGE. You can choose either 4 or 12 wings (drastic, yes). I recommend if you are interested in these panko crusted chicken wings, go for 4. The Bulgogi was nothing extraordinary.

We went about 5pm on a weekday and surprisingly there was only one other party there so there was no wait. The inside was very nice and the service was great and fast! Everyone loved their food and we will definitely be back!

We LOVE Korean food. This is not it. The Dolsat Bibimbap has zero crispy rice, the LA Galbi was tough as leather and strangely overly sweet, and the Japchae was pure toasted sesame oil. We stopped by three weeks ago 1.5 hrs before closing and were turned away, being told "we have no more dishes." We thought that was a good sign. We were wrong. Best part- we sent the galbi back after having one bite. Server took it off our table, and then we were told we had to pay the $24 for our one bite. Poor server, we felt terrible he had to relay that message. Owners need to get a grip and realize they are throwing away their business with terrible food.

We came here on a Saturday around 1:30pm and there was plenty of seating! Service here is awesome! Everyone's super friendly and very efficient. We ordered the plain fried chicken wings as an appetizer and OMG, one of the best fried chicken we had. The batter is more of a tempura batter. Light, crunch, with a lot of meat still. Came out super hot so clearly could tell it was fresh. I ordered the kimchi soup and my boyfriend ordered the seafood tofu soup. Both were delicious. Came out hot, not to salty, and the broths were amazing. The banchan isn't a lot, but all very good! I would highly recommend if you're in the area and looking for some authentic Korean food :) can't wait to come back already.

Please do not order the chicken teriyaki! The teriyaki sauce was runny and too sweet but the Chicken itself!- tough, dry pieces of chicken breast in a sweet, out of the box like sauce. Kid couldn't chew his way through even a few bites. The spicy pork too was on the sweeter side. The banchan was a huge letdown ! Some boiled egg slices, cucumbers,mashed potatoes, kimchi. With atleast a few really good Korean restaurants around, they need to step up and put in more work!

Delicious food and friendly service! I had the kimchi jjigae and fried chicken wings. Portions were generous and I had left over wings for dinner, double win! I can't wait to come back...next on my list to try is the bulgogi. The restaurant has an awesome deck with lots of seating surrounded by greenery. Thank you, Jan Chi Korean Cuisine.