Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Spoon Korean Bistro in Berkeley

4.4 (199) 933 Ashby Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710, United States

Categories

Korean restaurant

Location on the map

Berkeley, Alameda County, California, US

Phone: +1 510-704-9555
Site: http://spoonashby.com/

Opening hours

Monday:11 AM–10 PM
Tuesday:11 AM–10 PM
Wednesday:11 AM–10 PM
Thursday:11 AM–10 PM
Friday:11 AM–10 PM
Saturday:11 AM–10 PM
Sunday:11 AM–10 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.4

199 Reviews for Spoon Korean Bistro 2024:

Review №1

2023-04-29 03:27:03

Food was wonderful. We stumbled upon this spot and was happy to see every table had lots of food filled to every edge. The food was piping hot and quickly made. Seems like they run pretty bare bones serving inside and out but the staff were as attentive as they could be given how busy of a night it was. Nearly forgot my leftovers and the server came after us to make sure we got it before leaving. Would definitely go back for more.

Review №2

2023-09-09 04:50:38

Amazing, amazing, AMAZING! I came here whilst visiting San Francisco and came back the next day! The food is absolutely DELICIOUS and some of the best Ive had! Not to mention service is wonderful and everyone is so nice! Overall the place is so heartwarming. I can tell the food is made from the heart, and definitely worth the money! My family and I were even given lollipops when the check came out, which was just the cherry on top! Would definitely recommend!!

Review №3

2023-07-21 00:35:54

The owners [? at least the very kind 어머니] offered tea to go, when we had missed the hours to eat in & was very understanding, gentle, & gracious. We had a rough day & she was awesome. Thanks, Auntie.2nd review: Uncle that makes Kawaii Sushi is so cool and kind. Very hospitable, skilled chef!! We had the most delicious mountain of food here. Thanks again, Spoon!

Review №4

2023-04-03 22:13:27

Wow, have not been here in a while and shame on me. Fantastic, delicious, and satisfying!! On the door they advertised some fresh toro tuna, sublime and thick slices that cut with a spoon. Meal comes with a six dish assortment of pickled and marinated vegetable sides and a hot small soup with seaweed, a big hit on a cold day. Got a spicy rice cake drenched with a great spicy broth and slices of fish cake. That would make a meal but I needed more and also got the dolsot bibimbop, rice dish with assorted vegetable in a hot stone bowl that sears and gives the rice a crunchy crust. I got that with spicy pork belly slices. Another outstanding dish. The server was very attentive and everyone all smiles. 5 stars and I will be back

Review №5

2022-06-13 17:26:14

Sorry guys and gals, I know Crash Landing on You is like one of the best Korean shows ever made right? I simply cant get into watching it! Maybe its too cheesy?However, Im always up to eating some cheesy corn and a hot bowl of kim chi stew!Spoon is a great spot in Berkeley for some casual Korean food. Good soups to warm the tummy and the soul. Order some deep fried wings and wash it down with bottle of Terra beer! Lots of patio sitting and indoor sitting as well thats great for the warmer days weve been having.

Review №6

2023-08-05 03:59:03

Great food great service great atmosphere everyones so nice and the food was amazing I highly recommend the kimchi burrito its really good overall its an amazing restaurant its run by amazing people and everything was spectacular

Review №7

2023-04-03 19:05:56

Taste as good as it looks, when the meat is cooked correctly it just about perfect!They give you the whole spread of sides and generous portions! Also a decent beer selection🫡Great location right off of San Pablo and close to the climbing gym. Deff worth a quick visit or a big meal.Try all the pickles/KimchiUpon a second visit I second my judgement it holds up!

Review №8

2023-08-12 16:24:25

Went here twice during my 5-day visit in SF/Berkeley, had the best spicy beef stew ever. Service was super friendly, attention to details that is beyond average bistro level, generous in portion, and they have a cute little patio seating area.All the staff were super friendly, always had a genuine smile on their faces, and they give you a lollipop upon checking out! A place worth visiting and re-visiting if you ever crave for Korean food

Review №9

2023-02-16 05:42:53

Surprisingly liked the sushi more than the rice bowls - just wish the rice had been cooked longer to get the sticky/crunchy texture at the bottom. We will be sure to come back on a warmer night to sit in their nice patio outdoors, though they do have heat lamps.

Review №10

2023-05-20 22:07:33

This place has wonderful food, a large selection of soju. Very friendly service. Highly recommend this place

Review №11

2023-03-17 23:40:09

Tofu pockets are rice/veggie wrapped in tofu skin. Was very good. Wish there was more of it in one serving. Service was excellent - friendly and attentive service. Clean place. Water tasted good for once in a restaurant.

Review №12

2023-06-20 19:19:51

I really enjoyed the bibimbop with mung bean pancake and would for sure go back to try other tasty sounding dishes

Review №13

2023-07-26 05:00:55

Door dashed food was good and spicy and we got extra spicy, but they didnt give us one fork spoon for over $105 worth of food. Would have gave 5 stars if not for that but customer service is as important as food. Cant blame the dasher when all the food was in the large bag

Review №14

2023-12-02 20:12:38

This place is great. They have a wide variety of unique appetizers, good entrees, and the food is always tasty!

Review №15

2023-07-29 07:49:07

맛있쒀여!!!@Yall gotta try this korean food, its might tasty!

Review №16

2020-09-01 19:00:59

One of my go-to places for outdoor dining this summer is Spoon Korean Bistro! They offer BOTH Korean and Japanese food. A lot of their dishes are super refreshing; perfect for this summer heat ☀️。。Spoon Korean Bistro📍Berkeley, CA🥗 Chicken Bibimbap🍱 Bento Box: chicken bbq, spicy tuna roll

Review №17

2021-05-26 00:25:18

To say Spoon is delicious would be an understatement. Simple review, go here and eat. Nice outdoor patio area too. Great staff. Why are you still reading this review? Go eat some Spoon!

Review №18

2023-07-13 02:49:22

Been coming here for years, and its one of my favs. Spoon has lovely food from sushi to porridge, friendly service, and is a great place to dine outside even when its a bit chilly. Bonus: Dogs are welcome when dining on the patio.

Review №19

2023-07-17 21:42:10

Too sad to see what used to be an awesome restaurant take a 180 degree for bad…. 🫠The egg for bibimbap is supposed to be sunny side up so yolk gets mixed it… well, it’s rock hardOther dish on the table was pork ramen: they forgot to add pork and on top of that the egg was also hard and came apart on the soup…On the other hand, their ginger tee is as good as I remember from previous owners 👍To sum up, I would rate this place with 0 start of that were possible 👎

Review №20

2022-12-18 13:17:05

UPDATE- The sanitizing/cleaning/ wearing masks is no longer happening. (They were doing an excellent job of adhering to the social distancing mandates, by taking temperature of patrons. Sanitizing surfaces and wearing masks.) Good spacing between tables.The food! My go to dish here is the dol sat bim bob. The stone bowl crisps the rice just so while the brightly colored vegetables connects my eyes and taste buds I always enjoy two different proteins the spicey pork and short ribs. Their pan chans are delicious I especially love the fish cake, cucumber and kimchee.

Review №21

2022-02-12 17:23:31

Ive tried their Korean Noodle Soup, Bento Box, BBQ plate, Bibimbap, and Tonkatsu. There is one thing in common, they need to stop overcooking their meats and turning it into jerky. Their meat makes this place unbearable. I sort of dread every time someone suggests this place. And the prices are pretty expensive for what it is. The only tolerable main dish was the Tonkatsu and I only found one tolerable dish after five visits. Ive tried their Chicken Wings appetizer which was good but was too sweet for me. However, I do quite enjoy their side dishes and vegetarian gyoza. The one redeemable quality of the food here.

Review №22

2018-10-28 21:33:53

Kid friendly Korean joint with legit food! They even have a kid bowl (small portion bimbimbap). Has a nice little patio seating. I got spicy beef soup which came with some glass noodles. Service is good and friendly. Food is healthy and yummy! Definitely would come back again

Review №23

2021-09-21 06:00:59

The food here was flavorful and delectable! The ambiance was also nice. We sat outside, under the olive trees and lights with our dog Rosie. So for all you dog friendly peeps this place is for you. Family friendly but we also had amazing adult beverages. She had the unfiltered Saki and I the Asahi. We’ll be back and you should too! Cheers 🍻

Review №24

2020-11-08 00:16:43

This is probably one of the best Korean food in Bay Area the food portions was generous and the quality was great. Their Bibimbap with spicy pork belly was really delicious and the chicken wings was way better than Bonchon.

Review №25

2022-08-04 22:42:52

Delicious, traditional Korean food. Enjoy the small plates that come out filled with the works before the main course of the meal. I particularly enjoyed the Dolsot Bibimbap, the leafy outdoor seating, and the friendly service. I’ll be back!

Review №26

2023-05-20 22:56:53

Service and food were great. Highly recommend

Review №27

2020-10-22 20:26:39

Tried the soft tofu soup and the veggie tofu pockets here this time around. Very fast service and large portions. Would certainly visit again once the pandemic slows down.

Review №28

2023-02-28 19:44:38

Amazing food! I came over with my boyfriend after checking out the Urban Ore warehouse because this place is very close and we love Korean food. We had Bibimbap with BBQ pork belly, spicy beef stew and a seafood pancake. It was all on point and full of flavor. I definitely hope to come back here when I’m back in this area!

Review №29

2017-02-20 22:46:55

Excellent variety of dishes served here. We usually get a ramen bowl. They are served with all the fixings such sprouts, broccoli, tofu, and a few spicy looking things that I have not tried. Also love the seafood onion pancake. Hot and crispy and delicious.

Review №30

2021-04-06 03:44:25

Love this place. Used to come here a lot few years back. Great food, really good service and good menu too! If you want to try Korean food- do give this place a shot! I have tried their spicy ramen noodles and their stone bowl and both were delicious.

Review №31

2019-06-17 22:03:30

Dolsot Bibimbap, the beef stew, and the Kimchi stew are my favorites. We alsoalways get a Kimchi pancake when we go. Love the service and the food is great either for a late breakfast or for lunch /dinner.

Review №32

2022-11-05 19:12:29

Spicy food! Great service! Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious atmosphere

Review №33

2020-01-01 23:38:03

1st time here, was really good. Great flavors. The spicy chicken wings were not really spicy bit was still good!

Review №34

2020-10-16 15:35:35

Food was great and staff were very caring. There is a nice outdoor seating and at first I thought Ashby St will be very noisy but I didnt even hear anything. One of staff was kind to took a picture of us with my mobile phone and then brought a disinfecting wipe so that I can clean the phone.

Review №35

2021-09-17 06:38:38

We had a great time! Food was gorgeous, and so was the outside dinning! The corn cheese was bomb! Will come back again.

Review №36

2019-07-01 18:36:21

Good food, solid service. They stay true to alot of the classics youd expect and while they dont have hotpot they do have several hot bowl dishes. Great for a quick bite.

Review №37

2023-05-02 15:12:37

Will never go back. The Shrimp Tempura was literally box frozen prawns from the freezer. Miso soup not even properly mixed from the packet and all of it was pretty expensive, especially for a place with one coat of paint on the wall and a bathroom you could smell from the table. The other stuff we ordered was ok, but nothing could make up for the bad.

Review №38

2023-08-17 04:37:52

Not the flame-table kind of Korean restaurant - they serve prepared dishes, with the regular banchan sides. Good for kids too. They have a sushi restaurant within a restaurant too, called Kawaii, though theyre building out a space for a separate sushi restaurant in the building behind them.Friendly staff.Theres more outside seating than inside seating, with heaters for when it gets chilly in the evening.Prices went up mid 2022, but whose didnt?

Review №39

2022-10-05 01:39:39

Great food, super friendly staff. The outdoor seating area is cute and dog friendly

Review №40

2023-05-17 23:17:52

Great food. My cousins and I loved it!

Review №41

2022-12-28 04:17:49

Nothing i received was edible. The beef was low quality and overly sweet. The sushi was falling apart in the box, it was not rolled properly. The gyoza was at least two days old, inedible and cold. The supposed salad was tired braising greens with a nondescript tiny amount of salad dressing poured over them in the center. The rice was old and cold. I didn’t feel it was safe to eat food that was this mishandled by untrained workers. This restaurant should close. They don’t know anything about food preparation. Caviar should refuse to subject their customers to this insult.

Review №42

2017-01-30 18:25:42

Great service! 15-20 minute wait. But, the food made it totally worth it! Would go again! Had the seafood pancake, chicken ramen soup and the kimchi fried rice with tofu.

Review №43

2022-03-27 21:57:53

Good eats with indoor and outdoor patio seating.

Review №44

2023-08-15 00:35:16

An interesting menu with lots of items new to me. Good value for your money.

Review №45

2023-11-21 20:32:54

Decent Asian food in the food desert. Get the job done kind of restaurant.

Review №46

2022-06-02 03:48:04

So I was out at work with some colleagues in Emeryville and they said they were hungry. I knew just the place! Spoon is an amazing place that once you know about you will tell everyone they need to try it. The food and service are amazing. They prices are so good that my colleague got some to go for dinner. If you are looking for a spot that takes it to the next level this is it.

Review №47

2023-06-28 04:08:29

Casual, reasonable price, great food and service…spicy Korean noodle soup was delicious and huge

Review №48

2022-02-27 21:47:09

First time here definitely satisfied our itch for tasty Korean eats. The spicy pork belly was fantastic, and an unexpected treat was the Job’s Tears tea with almond and barley. Trust me: it’s light, sweet, and a lovely beverage experience.

Review №49

2017-08-27 14:28:21

The cast iron bowl was amazing. The food was hot and delicious. Good sized portions. Would go again.

Review №50

2017-06-14 20:09:30

This place is great. I go every time Im in Berkeley. They are also super friendly to our pups on the patio. The bibimbap is delicious.

Review №51

2018-10-25 23:39:06

This is one my fave local Korean restaurants prinarily for lunch. The banchan, soups, bibimbaps, and panckaes are good.

Review №52

2023-06-22 14:02:27

Excellent food. Best Ramen around. Great service and presentation

Review №53

2018-08-03 23:02:18

Kimchi Fried Rice Wrap with Tofu - really good, although could have a little more tofu.

Review №54

2021-09-29 04:07:55

So I just had the Korean barbecue for the second time.Both times it was piled high with thin sliced beef and so many delicious side dishes, all for 21 bucks.Its the absolute best, most massive Korean meat feast for the price ....with tons of veggies too. What a blessing!

Review №55

2023-04-17 20:01:39

Great korean in berkeley.In the midst of a tough time of supply chain problems they have consistency delivered the very best of traditional Korean flair. A diamond in the rough and just simply wow.Sadly the sushi is not worthy of trying. It looks like the management may have changed.

Review №56

2022-06-16 05:04:37

The food tastes like a cleaning product. I feel nauseous from the taste. The banchan has gone really bad and it has a strong cleaning product taste. I had to throw away my whole plate because I put the banchan on my plate.This place doesnt obey health and safety guidelines.Their food has most likely been cross-contaminated.

Review №57

2021-07-19 17:07:17

The service is terrible. I was there yesterday for lunch. One skinny waiter is fine but the other one is very unfriendly with mean tones. The spicy ramen is just like instant noodle. The seafood pancake is the only thing I think is good. They really need to either change that waiter or give him additional training otherwise they would lose more customers.

Review №58

2023-02-18 23:53:59

Food was amazing, fresh and healthy. I’m Korean and hate how some restaurants overdo the sugar/oil. Great BonChon, fresh vegetables, big portions.

Review №59

2018-09-26 23:59:27

Delicious food! I had the rice bowl and the most amazing chicken wings and pot stickers. They have 5 levels of spicy, for me medium was the way to go. They have a few parking spots right outside but you have to be lucky to get one at lunch time. They have a lovely outdoor area full of trees. Super friendly and helpful staff. I highly recommend it!

Review №60

2022-01-16 04:31:07

Today, I ate outdoors and ordered seafood pancake and rice porridge with vegetables. The food and service is always good here. I originally wanted to order a special roll, but it was not available because they were fulfilling a big catering order. I was a bit bummed, but Ill have to come again.

Review №61

2021-06-09 02:48:23

My breakfast was delicious. I ordered the egg juk porridge and finished the whole thing and all the side dishes... Im not usually such a big eater, but there was no way to stop when it tasted so good. Ive been meaning to come here for years and my only disappointment was that I waited too long to eat here.

Review №62

2017-12-06 11:46:13

Pretty small, humble but cozy atmosphere, can be a little chaotic when busy but it rarely get that busy. Food is great! Very authentic. My only complaint is that there isn’t a lot of consistency with the spiciness of some of the dishes - sometimes they’re not spicy at all and sometimes they’re definitely Korean level spicy. I also wish they had a veggie or green onion mung bean cake rather than just plain or with meat/seafood. But this is one of my Korean husband’s and my favorite places to dine

Review №63

2022-05-28 03:04:40

Best Korean East of the Bay!Update: this place is a gem that I discovered by mistake. The food is amazing and more importantly authentic. My personal favorites are the Kimchi Stew and Bibimbap. Other notable mentions are Miso Stew,Korean noodle soup and Seafood pancake. Service is ordinary, go with very low expectations and you will be fine. There is one gentleman though who offers impeccable service, if you get him, you’re lucky! The ambiance and decoration aren’t very desirable either. But would I give it 5 stars despite all of what I said? It’s the food… it’s amazing!

Review №64

2021-05-28 20:48:32

The food is really legit Korean. I especially like the shredded beef spicy soup. They also give really healthy portions for cheap. The one downside is a sometimes very disaffected staff, but in attitude only, the actual service is good.

Review №65

2018-08-25 05:18:28

The Service was excellent. There is gluten free options. There was a woman well versed and able to help pick The correct items. The Food was fantastic and gluten free. the drinks were awesome. The ice cream was so tasty! The decor is quaint. Hard to find parking but worth it. Outside seating is amazing. Had a great time and going back!

Review №66

2017-12-12 23:39:17

$20 for a BBQ meal, but well worth it. Awesome lunch!

Review №67

2022-04-04 01:14:57

This isnt good Korean food, its just above mediocre. Kimchi fried rice has barely any kimchi in it. Kimchi pancake has barely any kimchi in it. Their sides are not so tasty. Their standards appear to be pretty low, and it seems like they skimp on more expensive stuff like kimchi, and fill in with rice and flour. Disappointed.

Review №68

2014-10-04 03:54:39

This was a wonderful experience! I have been there about 4 times, with my girlfriend and with my children. The flavors are authentic as reported by my Korean-American girlfriend who grew up with dishes like these. The service is excellent and the prices are reasonable for such excellent food. I recommend it for anyone; you wont be disappointed.

Review №69

2019-03-10 04:34:01

Excellent service! The staffs pretty much rotate to check on each customers table from time to time to refill the tea or etc. I ordered a Kimbaab (awesome fresh taste) and tofu soup. It was heart-warming for a cold, windy, rainy day and I finished the soup till the very last drop :D

Review №70

2019-11-15 03:44:23

Good food, good service..but the restaurant should be remodled!...

Review №71

2019-01-31 04:55:50

Excellent taste, diner decor. This is a great place for takeout. Excellent taste, quality, and freshness. The menu is fairly limited, but has enough range to find something you like. They will dial the spice level down on request. Eating in here isnt my favorite because it tends to be quite noisy, and the decor says diner, while the prices say restaurant.

Review №72

2019-01-30 23:49:21

I had an amazing experience here! It actually ended up being the largest tip percentage-wise Ive ever given at a restaurant. It was my first time at the restaurant, and the waitress was very helpful in helping me decide what to choose. The food was amazing -- the kimchi and fish cakes that come on the side were the best Ive ever had. If I lived in the area, Id definitely become a regular.

Review №73

2019-01-09 20:07:58

Decent food. The wings were yummy and nicely seasoned. I love the tangy sauce that they use. The ramen was pretty good, not high level stuff like I have had other places. Next time, I will get non spicy though. The mild had a strong kick to it!

Review №74

2019-04-09 09:33:47

The food here is phenomenal! They have spicy ramen, such a treat for when youre feeling on the sick side. Their fried wings are so very yummy as well! Not sure what their mild sauce is, but its very good!

Review №75

2023-07-22 23:22:35

Kimchi stew is elite and the app wings are amazing

Review №76

2021-03-10 00:29:00

We have been going here many times over the years and have seen what to appeared to be multiple turnover of owners. The current owners have produced some great food and service, beyond that of their predecessors. Prices are reasonable for the quantity and quality.The menu contains some Korean staple dishes as well as some street-like dishes/appetizers and should have something for everyone. The haemul pajeon 해물파전 is the best I have had outside Korea. Its cooked perfectly (not over/under fried like so many other places) and has the right amount of seafood and veggies inside.Their decent patio (asides from the the noisy adjacent Ashby Ave) has been an essential destination throughout the pandemic. The only criticism I would have is that it would be nice to have a few more Banchan 반찬 (side dishes) with the meal, but that is very minor as the ones they do have are generally great and the meal portions are generous and dont require supplementation.

Review №77

2022-05-09 03:47:01

Really good food, really good portions, really good price. We ordered the kimchi fried rice, california rolls, chicken teriyaki rolls, and curry Ramen and it was BOMB. Will come here again. 5 stars.

Review №78

2017-03-18 19:33:51

Authentic Korean food. I really enjoyed their Soft tofu stew.

Review №79

2020-02-04 05:24:16

Amazing food, great price, and friendly service! I cant wait to go again!

Review №80

2017-03-29 03:23:51

I come here every now and then. Their meat served with rice is what I always get, my friend always get the bibimbap and my husband always gets their soup. My children gets the kids menu which is a great balanced diet with the chicken, rice, fruits & vegetables. I order the Korean BBQ Ribs or the Spicy Pork all the time, its really good, and the service is great. Many people come here during lunch so its best to come before 11am before the rush comes. Service is good and I enjoy coming here for dinner being served by beautiful people.

Review №81

2018-04-17 00:08:45

Small little cafe but great food and friendly service. Friendly and unbelievably fast! Bibimbop was outstanding, though it was definitely as hot as a thousand suns. Not spicy hot (unless you want it to be), the stone bowl just seems to harness all the heat and it keeps it hot for a very long time.The hot sauce/BBQ however WAS pretty spicy, but also incredibly flavorful and made everything better. I wanted to try everything, but I had to settle for coming back another time. Maybe tomorrow!

Review №82

2020-02-12 17:38:34

Its pretty good. The bowls are great according to my dining companions. They looked and smelled great. I had the souffle, which was burned on the bottom. The place is nice, clean, casual, and they are busy!

Review №83

2020-01-06 01:21:53

The restaurant was completely empty and they staff wouldnt let us sit at a table away from the door. My dad requested any other table that could accommodate us that wouldnt be close to the door because it was too cold for my 18 month old daughter. The staff refused even though the entire restaurant was empty. Absolutely ridiculous.I have eaten here twice before without incident and though the food was great. Unfortunately, the service is atrocious--even to children.

Review №84

2021-02-26 03:25:42

My wife, myself and 2 friends ate at Spoons last week. It was our second time and the food was delicious, tasty and ample. My wife had bibimpo in hot stone, I had spicy bbq chicken while our friends had spicy Korean soups. Everything was great! Delicious as Korean should taste like. We have eaten at many Korean places. They served so much food my wife and I are eating 3rds. The side dishes are authentic and generous: kimchi, broccoli, cucumbers.Excellent place with street parking, outdoor seating, heat lamps. Very good service. Just off Ashby between 880 & San Pablo. I highly recommend Spoon.

Review №85

2019-01-01 21:34:44

Ate there early on weekday; there was no wait to be seated. The watriess and waiters were very nice and attentive. The food was decent and tasteful. The tofu soup tasted bland, the beef was okay. There wasnt much flavor. The bibimbap tasted better than the tofu stew in my opinion.

Review №86

2021-02-11 20:36:36

Love this place, always reliable. BBQ plate is huge - enough to share. Their little patio has heat lamps and nice lights - a great option until we can inside again.

Review №87

2018-03-10 22:35:16

This is one of my go-to restaurants in Berkeley. The food is flavorful, the service is pleasant enough, and the food comes out pretty quickly. The portions are a nice size, but sometimes the sticky rice comes out burnt in their clay bowl dishes. I cant say how busy it is during the weekend, but weeknights, you can always get a seat. I wish the outdoor seating was available during the evening, but the view isnt from the patio isnt something to brag about, so I wouldnt say you are missing much. The location is a little awkward to get to. Though it is visible from Ashby Avenue, the entrance isnt very clear from the street, which only makes it awkward when you are describing the directions to a Lyft or Uber driver.

Review №88

2017-10-26 04:57:53

I love this place! The food is delicious and plentiful, the people are nice, and there are several large yet inconspicuous utensils on the walls. Also conveniently located near the climbing gym, so I often come here with friends after climbing. Dont miss it!

Review №89

2016-11-10 17:30:19

I eat here embarrassingly often. Its right be my gym, so I go after climbing on the regular. The food is great, and theyre not kidding around with their spice levels, which is nice. Its fairly inexpensive, and the portions are large. They do have a hard time keeping your water filled, but everything else is good enough to make me forgive them.

Review №90

2022-04-24 16:35:32

The hours on google were not what the business was actually running so we showed up right before closing. employees were so friendly, and kind, and willingly sat us which we were thankful for! would return, would recommend, the bimibop was *DELISH*

Review №91

2018-03-25 00:57:50

Excellent Korean food and reasonably priced. Staff were really helpful and friendly. Explained the various food combinations without been intrusive. Indoor seated area was limited so expect to have a wait in busy times but well worth it. If I lived in the area the Spoon would certainly becom a regular for me.

Review №92

2018-07-24 07:15:35

Absolutely amazing. I got full for a good price and it was delicious. Would highly recommend to everybody.

Review №93

2016-06-12 22:41:09

Amazing Korean food served traditionally with lots of sides. Beautiful presentation and truly mouth watering. Delicious and healthy! This is easily one of the best restaurants in Berkeley! I would recommend getting the Kimchi Fried rice

Review №94

2022-02-05 18:35:20

Delicious food and friendly people. Host/server went out of his way to make sure my to go bag was packaged such that I wouldnt have a mess at the end of my bike ride, and the bulgogi was perfect.

Review №95

2016-12-12 03:19:50

Kid friendly. Delicious. Nice folks. But when it gets busy, the wait is long. But its worth it 🍜

Review №96

2016-09-05 00:14:47

Fantastic Bibimbap! Cozy and casual atmosphere makes for a relaxed and comfortable experience - add to that memorably delicious food with caring service and youll have a new favorite food stop - Spoon Korean Bistro. (If only I lived nearby!) I just happened to drive by this place while visiting Berkeley for the morning during a weekend vacation. When I saw it, I remarked on how much I loved bibimbap when I was in Seoul on a few occasions. A Berkeley local with us in the car said Spoon was quite good, so we looped back for lunch before leaving the area to cross the bay. So glad we did! The flavors, colors and sizzling stone bowl really took me back. Excellent. This is Korean comfort food. It was instantly one of the culinary highlights of our Bay Area adventures. If youre a local, youre lucky; if youre passing through, you wont want to miss this. Im hoping I get a chance for another visit someday.

Review №97

2023-08-01 02:46:13

Closed Monday, 7:30pm. Yelp says it’s open. 😡

Review №98

2015-09-12 21:20:57

We have been coming her for years and its just some of the best Korean bbq Ive had. The place is small but very manageable. The workers are super friendly and there is enough on the menu to keep you happy. Would recommend to anyone.

Review №99

2021-05-13 18:06:33

They have a very cute outdoor seating area. Food is always amazing, and fast! We often go there before/after shopping at Berkeley Bowl.

Review №100

2020-07-12 18:36:07

Covid review.Location: Good, right off Ashby with a good amount of parking. The downside of patio dining is that it is also right next to the Ashby traffic.Service: Efficient!Food: This feels like the most deficient part. The chicken wings are saucy but stringy... Definitely not KFC quality. Kimchi tastes like it came from a supermarket. Not much banchan. Tofu stew is average in taste. All in all, nothing stood out.With all the Korean places around this one feels uninspiring in comparison.

Review №101

2019-05-22 05:41:16

Had Korean BBQ here with our team, not bad. Seems the waiter cannot remember who ordered what, we had only 8 persons, and didnt move our seats. Also the foods didnt give us at the same time, so when some of us eating, others can only watch, which is very weird.

Review №102

2023-06-18 00:06:28

Great staff, great food. Love the Kimbap

Review №103

2014-01-14 20:32:16

I started eating bibimbap when stationed in Japan for 3 years, and I have sought it out ever since. This place has a great grasp of service, sides and the main dish is tasty too. Giving it a try will not result in disappointment if you like Korean foods.

Review №104

2019-04-30 20:51:35

Ordered the tteokboki with mozzarella, fish cake kimbap and bulgogi.Tteokboki was extra cheesy and wonderfully gooey with a hint of spiciness. The kimbap was had a great fresh taste and was not too oily. The bulgogi was okay and the banchan selection was not that great.The servers were really friendly and overall we had a good experience.

Review №105

2015-11-12 22:15:21

Generally solid place to get Korean food. I particularly like their bibimbap and kimchi fried rice, as well as the noodle soup (which has nice noodles).Service is generally good. The place is not that big and can get crowded at times, especially when the outside tables are not available, but Ive never had to wait a particularly long time.

Review №106

2016-11-22 04:50:59

This little cafe is one of my favorite comfort food spots. Ill drive across town just to pick up some porridge when Im sick. The flavors are traditional but the menu is explanatory for people who dont know whats in bibimbap or how to customize it. The food is well made, the kimchee pancakes for example are always perfectly crispy, and they make a lot of their own banchan and package some of it for sale (I love the cucumbers!)

Review №107

2019-08-04 02:25:17

So I found one Korean restaurant which actually serves good Korean food! Their menu explains dishes well and portion, service and taste is absolutely fabulous! I kinda hate the ice cream at the main door because I cant resist it. Damn you, gotta eat that ice-cream too lol

Review №108

2022-07-27 05:31:34

Toasty bibimbap. Many options for soju. Yes. Do it!

Review №109

2021-04-03 01:08:54

Kim chi fried rice with spam! Yes spam! Its good. Also enjoy their hot ginger and honey tea very much. Cant wait to try again soon.

Review №110

2018-02-09 04:50:29

Dont come here. Its too good. You wouldnt feel comfortable with all the tasty Korean dishes and drinks. And with your moral opposition to low carb options I cant imagine you standing for their delicious BBQ pork salad. Do you even like Korean food?

Review №111

2016-03-26 04:49:37

Very small restaurant with little seatings. Im glad we went when it wasnt that busy. The parking lot nearby wasnt hard to find either, though the restaurant itself was located in a hard to find spot... The food here is ok. We didnt order the right dishes. We ordered the tofu soup and the rice cake soup which was a let down. The seafood pancake and the spicy pork were good. Good service, also.

Review №112

2018-08-23 19:35:55

Spoon is always a good spot for a hot lunch. The staff is nice and attentive. The food is always good. The Spicy Pork Belly is the best thing on tue menu. And the kimchi is delicious. Not all kimchi is good but this is best I have ever had😋

Review №113

2015-12-23 15:55:06

Had a solid lunch here, not super authentic Korean but satisfying and a deal nonetheless.I ordered a beef bbq combo, which for $11 came with bulgogi, rice, salad, broccoli, and egg soup. The order came out quickly and cooked and it was a good quantity of food. The salad had some Asian style dressing, the rice had a little bit of furikake on top, and the bulgogi and broccoli banchan had a little bit of sesame seeds on top.The food quality was decent, although the bulgogi was slightly plain and a little cold. The banchan and sides were standard. The egg soup came out a bit later and was rough rather than the velvety texture that I prefer, and wasnt salted enough.It was a good stop to grab something quick before going into the heart of Berkeley. It has a very casual cafe ambiance with seating inside and outside. Theres only a few parking spots and a lot risk towing by a private company. If Im in a rush for Korean I might stop by, but would opt for more authentic places before coming back here.

Review №114

2016-05-03 05:11:55

Nice Korean place. Tried the sweet potato glass noodles and the Korean Ramen - both hit the spot! They have a nice shaded outdoor area on a warm afternoon or evening. Overall a good spot.

Review №115

2018-07-13 05:03:56

Excellent Korean food. I always get a kimchi pancake which is crispy and savory as an appetizer.They have delicious flavors teas, my favorite is the Citron which is strongly citrus flavored with orange rinds steeping at the bottom. Also the Jobs Tear is great, its fairly thick and nutty, its kinda like a liquid breakfast, hard to describe but great on a cold day.Usually for the entree I get one of their stews/soups because they are so flavorful, hearty, and delicious. My favorites are the soft tofu stew (soondooboo) and kimchi/miso stews, make sure to get a fresh egg cracked into it! They come out boiling hot in a stone bowl. Ive had friends get the bibimbop which is good too.

Review №116

2023-11-21 04:26:13

The best spot in East Bay.

Review №117

2018-06-20 04:38:05

Best Korean food...my top favorite!

Review №118

2021-09-02 00:46:56

Burnt/ over-smoked BBQ pork belly, it turned black and tasted bitter, very disappointed.

Review №119

2016-03-22 21:05:52

I really like Spoon. There is a large variety of tasty Korean dishes to choose from, and you get a bunch of sides that they are happy to refill. My favorite is the Spicy Udon soup. Skip the chicken in any of their soups though, its always dry as drywall.

Review №120

2023-03-04 02:51:29

This is a small place that makes Korean standards. The food was fine, service was pretty good.

Review №121

2023-03-29 19:38:34

Some gluten free labelled options here, and delicious! Love the japchae

Review №122

2016-11-06 03:17:27

Eight and a half months pregnant and craving some rice porridge!! Luckily Spoon Korean Bistro had jook! You can choose different types, such as pine nuts, black sesame oil, or abalone. For $2 more they add a bunch of chicken or beef. I ordered the black sesame oil and added chicken, which also came with a variety of banchan (korean side dishes), all just for $11!The food came out quickly, and was absolutely delicious! The jook came with a red sesame spicy sauce that tasted like heaven!The service was awesome, and they had a nice cozy atmosphere. Come here, youll love it!

Review №123

2017-09-19 16:15:42

The plum tea is a must! Its delicious! Also if its just two of you, the kimchi fried rice wrap is enough for two. And I definitely recommend the crab cakes as an appetizer.

Review №124

2016-07-10 18:06:40

Great casual Korean food. I highly recommend the chicken wings and bulgogi. Would probably not do Kalbi here, since there are better places that really focus on Kalbi. Their soups are also excellent at Spoon.

Review №125

2018-02-21 02:49:10

I love this place.it was easy to park outside, beer was ice cold and the food was delicious. I had spicy beef stew. The homemade soy sauce was the best thing I have tasted on rice!

Review №126

2019-01-31 21:22:20

Seriously amazing. The food is all unreal, and theyve got vegan and vegetarian options. The mung bean cakes are UNREAL and the sides and pickles they bring with the entrees are delectable.

Review №127

2018-08-28 01:02:10

Authentic Korean food with great portions. We had the spicy rice cakes with ramen, kimbap and spicy pork. Hoping to go back and try their chicken wings.

Review №128

2018-11-25 20:51:17

I eat here quite often and its a place I bring my parents to. Tasty food and excellent service all for a reasonable price. One of my go to Korean places in the area! I prefer these to Bowld

Review №129

2018-01-27 09:02:09

We ate at around 8:30 pm. There was a table where they sort silverware and a second table that was completely open, otherwise the place was at full capacity. We were told to wait because the completely open table was to seat four people, so we waited outside in mid 40s weather. (to their credit, they did turn on a heater for us) Shortly after we were seated, another party of 2 was seated at that table, after pulling the two half tables apart. Regarding the food, their ramen is literally instant ramen, better to save your money. The beef tofu stew was ok. I’ve previously had bulgogi which was also ok.

Review №130

2014-12-17 19:34:22

They have the best KFC chicken wings. Crispy and with a sweet/spicy glaze dusted with almond bits.Also get the kimchi pancakes: best ones Ive had. Not too greasy, just enough kimchi and scallons. Its a great dish to share.Last but not least, Jhap Chae Fried rice is one of the best dishes there. Nicely seasoned and cooked to perfection.Highly recommend Spoon for good home cooked Korean food!Parking is limited and lunch time is always packed. So prepare yourself!

Review №131

2021-09-24 01:06:03

I generally like this place but they charge an EXTRA 2 dollars to NOT use soy sauce on a dish in order to make it gluten free. Which is a totally ridiculous charge!

Review №132

2017-07-25 06:14:31

The bonchan is just ok, but the real attraction are the main dishes. The seafood pancake is super crispy and yummy. Ttekboki here is amazing too. Just the right amount of spice and chewiness.

Review №133

2021-02-07 21:42:11

Ate a delicious lunch outdoors with heater. Seafood pancake, chap Chai and caterpillar roll. I love this restaurant. Very cordial service as well.

Review №134

2014-09-04 03:05:03

I love this cozy little Korean spot! Located right off of Ashby and 7th, they make my all time favorite Kimchee Fried Rice. Add in chicken and jap chae and youll put this over the top.Also must tries:Beef Fried DumplingsKimchee PancakesSpicy Chicken Wings

Review №135

2021-08-26 21:30:31

Side dishes are OK, but with the price it’s not OK to have rotten veg and suspicious double-fried (surely the driest) pork chop

Review №136

2017-07-13 00:16:58

Variety of Korean dishes. Quirky ice cream and other sweet treats. Love the kimchi pancakes, soft tofu stew, bibimbap, and banchan. Service is a little spotty but servers are pleasant.

Review №137

2022-04-02 04:55:06

Service was great; food was good. A tad overpriced for what I expected to pay which is why it’s missing a star. I would come here again.

Review №138

2017-09-15 17:22:31

Yummy! If you like bibimbap and other traditional Korean mainstays at lunch, this is a great spot... and dining outside is fabulous so you can soak up the balmy bay breezes and a little kiss of sun.

Review №139

2015-04-19 07:20:02

Tried the BBQ and the bibimbop. Both were very good. Kimchi pancakes were a great start. The chicken in the chicken soup was pretty dry and tasteless, though.

Review №140

2018-09-01 04:22:11

The wings were amazing! The kimchi fried rice wrap needed more flavor but was really interesting and creative with the mozarella cheese.

Review №141

2021-08-19 04:04:08

Dang even the leftovers were amazing. Love the outdoor patio vibes. I was excited to try it but,California roll > Real california roll fyi

Review №142

2016-04-18 21:43:30

Great, cheap Korean food. Somehow always found myself here after not being able to decide what to eat. Simple environment, good food, reasonable prices.

Review №143

2017-06-17 03:21:02

Oh! They had since real good food ! Extremely satisfying. Perfectly flavored! And their side dishes were done very tasteful as well .

Review №144

2018-02-25 05:06:13

I enjoyed the bibimbap was the pork belly was fatty with not much flavor. I will be back, but try a different meat next time. Great service!

Review №145

2022-03-24 02:27:07

Still very heavy into the COVID 19 restrictions. We circumvented it by eating outside. Great fast meal. Very authentic

Review №146

2020-12-04 21:45:20

I am a long time customer of Spoon and love their food but have been twice in the last 6 months to find STAFF IN KITCHEN WITHOUT MASKS. Come on guys, we are in the middle of a pandemic!

Review №147

2019-06-09 02:10:06

Nice place with great service and wonderful food. I had the dolsot bibimbap and it was fantastic. Amazing flavors and textures abound. Would de reccomend for lunch and dinner.

Review №148

2020-02-26 19:29:13

Great food and fast service. Try the pancakes!!

Review №149

2019-04-07 00:11:56

Chicken wings were not spicy at all even ordered spicy. The side dishes were all vegan and food was average so not going back.

Review №150

2018-06-16 17:52:51

Good food, decent prices. Not very creative or unique, but doing familiar dishes well is something to be proud of. Will come again.

Review №151

2017-12-27 22:13:56

Came as a work lunch. Got the Kimchi Fried Rice. It was good.

Review №152

2019-01-23 23:25:39

Awesome little spot for authentic korean food. Cold day? (Korean chicken noodles or ox tail soup)Basic lunch? (Stone beef beebimbap)Dinner? (Short ribs, rice, kimchee)Thank me later

Review №153

2017-06-03 23:10:52

Food that makes you think you died and went to heaven, with tons of options! All the best traditional Korean plates. Great service and great prices. Eat here TODAY.

Review №154

2016-12-12 20:20:56

Really like this place. Good Korean food without having to go into Temescal. Service is overall okay... but somethings can be slow.

Review №155

2018-12-09 06:15:15

Lunch to go with a a friend. The food was nicely packed and the taste was good. The portion of the food was huge! Definitely gonna go again!

Review №156

2020-10-26 20:02:10

Great outdoor little Korean restaurant with other Asian delights. Clean, safe, good cleaning protocols. Great service and yummy food.

Review №157

2017-04-23 15:36:10

Best authentic Korean dishes in the East Bay at a reasonable price! Good ingredients, solid service, great outdoor seating!

Review №158

2019-03-14 09:56:17

Best Korean in Emeryville!!! Amazing!

Review №159

2017-09-13 03:52:53

The bibimbap was excellent and the service was great!

Review №160

2018-12-22 21:06:19

My family loves this restaurant. Really good Korean fusion food. Very good service. Nice outdoor seating area.

Review №161

2018-09-12 18:07:02

Great food and service

Review №162

2016-11-13 02:08:40

Service was good, taste and quality of food were on point. Best kimbap I have had in a long time, I recommend the spicy pork.

Review №163

2017-12-18 05:20:01

BBQ Beef Plate is tender and delicious, and comes with steamed egg, rice, and salad on the side. Lots of food for about the same price as other places in Berkeley.

Review №164

2021-03-14 18:04:44

Banchan on point, appetizers on point, main dish (dolsot bibimbap) on point. The prices are justifiable in my experience.

Review №165

2020-11-29 03:19:38

Ordered 2 orders of fried potstickers. Paid for 2 orders of fried potstickers. Got home, no potstickers. It doesn’t get any more simple than that.

Review №166

2017-09-10 00:39:10

Authentic Korean dishes and drinks. Yum! Wish there were more parking though. Its a cozy cafe with outdoor seating.

Review №167

2022-04-11 01:24:03

This place has amazing food, if you are in the area you should go, you wont regret it.

Review №168

2019-12-30 22:51:56

I really like their rice BBQ plate. Also the bibimbap is great, with plenty of meat!

Review №169

2017-11-13 01:16:35

Nice variety on menu and great place for a tasty meal. Really close to Berkeley Bowl West so perfect to stop off while grocery shopping.

Review №170

2017-09-17 23:16:53

I went and had the Pork belly it was really good. So good i went back the next night. Service wasnt as good honce the 4 instead of 5 stars but the good is great

Review №171

2017-08-21 04:38:58

The food is just OK Korean food, I would give it three stars, however, the service is good and the seafood pancake is great and they deserve one additional star.

Review №172

2018-05-07 13:13:47

Great spot for Korean food, it taste very authentic, its clean, fast great location. Nice outdoor patio !!

Review №173

2019-01-07 00:09:22

Great service, food, ambience. Delicious and quick service.

Review №174

2019-03-10 00:01:22

Came here for a casual group lunch. Everything tasted great. Reasonable prices. Would definitely come back.

Review №175

2020-03-09 19:25:30

This is one of the best korean food places in bay area, the decorations are a little quaint but the food and service are great!

Review №176

2017-10-25 21:15:44

Outdoor seating is nice. I like their food. No complains. convenient stop near highway exit

Review №177

2020-12-21 03:08:45

If it werent for these small businesses killing shelter in place orders, it would be even better to come here for outdoor dining.

Review №178

2021-04-08 07:04:25

I will never eat there anymore. Unpredictable service. They smile one day and service you. Next day, one smarta..s comes out of kitchen and tells you new rules, and dont service you. Bye 👋

Review №179

2013-08-11 22:21:06

Reminds me of restaurants in Korea. Nice little spot with delicious side dishes and main dishes. I usually go with their Kim Chee Fried Rice with egg and a meat dish.

Review №180

2018-05-23 08:44:51

Great food. We got the kimchee fried rice, bulgogi and shortribs. All great options!

Review №181

2018-07-12 22:37:22

The Kim-chi soup is very tasty. The bulgogi was bland. The tradtional Korean sides are all good.

Review №182

2020-09-05 14:50:49

Best in the bay i would say. I really would love it if they make an all you can eat menu as well

Review №183

2017-12-19 14:46:12

Delicious! Had the spicy pork and was not too spicy small indoor seating with outdoor patio area too

Review №184

2018-01-24 15:02:35

Pricey if you just want a quick bite for lunch. After tax and tip total came to about $17-18 for a dol sot bi bim bap

Review №185

2016-02-17 09:02:20

Really great go-to spot for quick Korean Food. We love the guys here and definitely recommend the bibimbop.

Review №186

2019-01-16 04:58:44

Yum! Everyone enjoyed their dishes, I had the spicy Kim chi soup and loved it. I will return.

Review №187

2016-10-11 14:47:22

Great food! Generous portions too! Staff is very friendly and attentive.

Review №188

2019-07-29 20:07:34

Love this place, especially the Kimchi Fried Rice. Big bowl of comfort food.

Review №189

2021-05-17 21:07:42

Like it foid was good. 1st time tasting Korean food. Service was goid too.

Review №190

2021-05-25 14:06:48

A complete treat. Great Korean food. A lovely patio. Attentive service.

Review №191

2021-05-22 04:41:16

This place is not doordash driver friendly. Cashier had too much attitude for me to not login to my account and leave a review.

Review №192

2019-03-09 17:29:55

Their porridge is very special and the rice soup had full of garlic flavor.

Review №193

2016-12-22 16:18:21

Great service and the food is really great! They are fast and efficient. Lots of food per serving too!

Review №194

2017-10-20 02:47:10

Thank you so much for being kind and letting me use you restroom when I was in dire need. I didn’t eat here my first visit but I’ll definitely come back.

Review №195

2019-03-20 03:18:45

Good korean food. Not too pricey, the spicy bbq is great!

Review №196

2018-05-30 23:28:23

Best Korean food in the East Bay. I highly recommend it to anyone in the area or visiting.

Review №197

2015-02-09 03:50:36

Excellent experience. Service was great. I asked for hot and got it lol. Sweated out the deliciousness. Will definitely come back

Review №198

2019-05-23 20:46:15

Great food and service. Wonderful value. I would happily eat here again.

Review №199

2017-06-13 19:29:28

Soo good! Flavorful and fresh. They even give you tea while you wait for your take out : )