The RDU Buzz

By Madeline Cook

Seoul Garden

At Seoul Garden, it’s best to come hungry!  This delicious Korean Barbecue can be found at two locations – in Raleigh and in Cary – and you won’t want to miss it!   We weren’t sure what to expect, having gotten this recommendation from a friend and being fairly new to Korean cuisine.  But we were looking to bring some excitement to a Tuesday evening, and the thought of simmering soups, bibimbap and flavorful sides was hard to pass up.

Within moments of arrival, the aroma of fresh ingredients, well-seasoned sauces and charbroiled goodness confirmed exactly why Seoul Garden proudly claims nearly 100 five-star reviews on Tripadvisor and comes highly recommended by foodies around the Triangle.  The hostess sat us immediately (though the barbecue tables were a hot commodity around dinner time, so keep this in mind if you are looking for that ever-entertaining, cook-your-own Korean BBQ experience!) and we got to studying the menu.

On a rainy evening after a long day, the warm atmosphere and kind service at Seoul Garden was exactly what we didn’t know we needed!  The only “problem” to speak of was choosing just one of the tempting dishes on the menu... all the more reason to plan your visit with friends who are willing to share!  Before our entrees arrived, a beautiful spread of banchan arrived at our table – seven individual and totally unique dishes ranging from macaroni salad, pickled radishes, cucumber salad and broccoli were brought to our table.  Our waiter must’ve noticed our newbie delight, and explained that banchan, or “side dishes” accompany Korean meals, and are meant to be shared among the table.  We were encouraged to request seconds (and thirds!) of these delicious bites and we happily did.

The soft tofu soup, perfect for offsetting the chilly air outside, was served at a steady boil in a clay pot, hot enough to cook the egg which accompanied it and soaked up all the savory flavors as the yolk took shape within the broth.  The sizzling chicken teriyaki was nothing short of a work of art… both in presentation and in flavor!  And we can’t offer enough praise for the veggie spring rolls with tangy sauce. [Photo: Teriyaki, Spring Rolls, Soup]

You won’t have to wait for dinnertime to enjoy a meal at Seoul Garden.  The restaurant opens at 11AM and offers lunch-sized variations of most dishes on the full menu.  We wouldn’t be surprised if a visit over lunch actually turned into leftovers for dinner, thanks to Seoul’s generous portions.  The impressive speed of service we encountered will have you on your way with a happy heart (and belly)  in no time, though you’ll likely want to relish the experience of dining at Seoul Garden for as long as possible as we did.

Seoul’s Raleigh location can be found at 4701 Atlantic Avenue, and the Cary location at 815 West Chatham Street.  The next time you go to Seoul Garden and try something wonderful (better sooner than later!), let us know!