M G
Google
So my wife and I saw when riding by that a new spot had taken over where Million Crab used to be, so my we figured we would check it out. We’re big fans of hotpot and Korean BBQ, and with the weather being nice, we decided to take the motorcycle out for a ride and give Shinhwa a try.
The restaurant is located in a strip mall with several other smaller businesses, but parking wasn’t an issue, there was plenty spots. As we walked in, I was surprised by the transformation from the last restaurant. They had big-screen TVs mounted on two walls playing videos, which added a nice vibe.
Right off the bat, we noticed the host at the front didn’t understand English very well, and we ran into the same issue with a few other staff members throughout our visit. That made communication a little difficult. We chose to only do the BBQ option and skip the hotpot this time.
The grill at our table was already set up and ready to go, which was a nice change from other places where you have to wait for staff to start it. We placed our order using the tablet at the table, and shortly after, we saw a robot deliver our food to our table, since we weren’t there the server put in on our table. I do like the robots it’s a nice touch adds to the vibe.
Before we cook we went to the bar to see what sauces they carry. However upon our arrival we realized the sauce bar wasn’t as great as we had hoped. They expect you to mix your own, but there weren’t any ratio guides or directions to do so, and most of the sauces were oil-based. I did however find one that worked well enough, but it wasn’t ideal.
We tried a variety of items, one surprised us was the salmon, which you don’t find at every Korean BBQ place. That was a hit. The cumin chicken, on the other hand, was way too heavy on the cumin. It completely overpowered the chicken, and I had to drown it in sauce just to make it manageable. Thankfully, a lot of the other items were well-seasoned and flavorful.
They also offer a selection of wines, beers, fruit juices, and teas. I ordered the strawberry drink, and it was actually really good.
Now, the pros:
• Plenty of parking, thanks to the other businesses not having much foot traffic.
• Lots of food and drink options, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
• Ordering is easy with either the QR code or the tablet at the table.
• You can start your own grill without waiting for staff, which is a nice change.
• Spacious seating and large booths—great for families or groups.
• Ice cream bars are included for dessert, which is also pretty cool.
But now the cons:
• Language barrier was an issue with several staff members.
• Throughout the meal, staff kept walking by and staring, which felt awkward. Not sure if they were checking on us or making sure we weren’t sneaking food out (they do have a strict no-to-go policy).
• You’re required to pay before eating, and the tip option is at the beginning. We didn’t feel comfortable tipping before knowing what kind of service we would receive, so afterward we had to go back up front to leave a tip by card, which was inconvenient.
• When the grill top needs changing, it took longer than expected. They have to go to the back to grab a new one, so you end up sitting there waiting. Other places we’ve been to usually bring replacements with them, so it’s swapped out instantly.
Overall, it was an interesting experience, but not one that would bring us back. Between the communication challenges, awkward service, and other small inconveniences, it just didn’t live up to the standard we’ve come to expect from our favorite BBQ spots.