12/11/03 by Sun Hee Choi (Korea), Jin Soo Kim (Korea), Jin-woo Park (Korea), Yong-Jick Lee (Korea), and Yeong Jun Yun (Korea)

If someone asks, “Are there any Korean restaurants in downtown”, we would usually answer that there is only “Shilla” restaurant. We had known that other Korean restaurants are located on Aurora Ave. Those are so far from SPU and downtown. We had difficulty deciding to go there by bus to try Korean food. “Kimchi Bistro” is the restaurant to go conveniently for trying light Korean food.

We did not know there is a Korean restaurant near downtown before we visited it. So you do not need to waste time. You go to 4th Ave & Pike St. in downtown where you just take the number 7 bus towards the University District. It takes less than 15 minutes from downtown to the restaurant. You get off the bus stop in front of the Subway sandwich shop after you passed S.C.C.C. When you cross the road, you can find a two-storied building. There are Japanese restaurants, an internet café, a tattoo shop and Kimchi Bistro. It is on the first floor. You had better remember that there is no parking lot. So you should park on the street or in a private parking lot. I recommended that you should take a bus.The foods at Kimchi Bistro are not traditional Korean taste. Most of the foods are Americanized. So there are many American and Korean students of Seattle Central Community College. Korean food is divided into the main dish and side dishes, which are very important for Koreans to have a meal, such as kimchi. For the main dish, Sun Tofu soup and Kimchi soup are symbolize Korean food. Maybe you have heard once if you were interested in Korean foods. If you are the first time at a Korean restaurant, I recommend them to you. Sun Tofu soup (6.99$ and 5.99$ for lunch special) is spicy and sweet. In addition you can choose the degree of spiciness when you order it by asking the server. Most Koreans like it very spicy. If you want to eat traditional Korean style, you must order spicy Sun Tofu. You can also choose the ingredients, which are beef and seafood. Most of Koreans prefer seafood, but the decision is up to you! Kimchi soup ($7.99) is very spicy, because it is similar to Korean kimchi soup. You also choose the degree of spiciness and ingredients, which are beef, seafood and pork. Pork is picked by most Koreans. If you are a vegetarian, don’t worry about it. You can eat it without meat and seafood. Ukgaejang ($7.99), which is a spicy pork soup, and Dakgaejang ($7.99), which is a spicy chicken soup, are far from Korean traditional foods. They are not spicy, unlike their names, since just hearing them reminds Korean of spiciness. Instead of being spicy, they are sweet which American like. I think they are suited for Americans. They have two kinds of Bulgogies, which are famous for foreigners. One is beef Bulgogi and another is pork bulgogi (both $9.99). They are sweet and they are little spicy. Although they are meat, they are different from steak. But sometimes they are overcooked, so be careful. Cuttlefish with pepper sauce and vegetables is also spicy. The quantity is enough to share with friends. You can eat it mixed with rice. It is a pretty good way to eat it deliciously. In addition you can enjoy Japanese food, which is Chicken teriyaki. It is similar to Japanese teriyaki. There are five side dishes, which are Kimchi, Tofu with soy sauce, Tempura with Korean pepper sauce, bean sprouts with Korean pepper sauce and rice. Kimchi, which is a very important side dish for Koreans, is delicious but it is very spicy. Be careful. If you want more side dishes, they are refilled for free. So if you are hungry before receiving the main dish, you can eat only side dishes with rice like some Koreans. It is a cool way, too. For tea and beverage, they offer a cone tea; its taste is good, and different from green and black tea. If you want to drink juice or alcohol, you can order them.

Despite many copies of ancient Korean books and paintings used as wallpaper, it feels like a Japanese restaurant rather than a Korean restaurant. Unlike its odd decoration, which is unfamiliar to native Koreans, the atmosphere is friendly. But be sure that you are ready for eating with Koreans. Their voices are always loud and they are always talkative. Don’t worry if you have company in large numbers. Their tables and seats are movable, which could help you to sit together with up to 10 people. One defect is the restroom. Although the restroom is secured by lock, it is a unisex-bathroom, which might make you feel uncomfortable.

Although the service was satisfying, it needed to be improved. They needed more servers. The current server (one girl) was pleasant, friendly and willing to serve the guests, but seemed too busy to handle all orders when the restaurant was crowded. The server was bilingual, which could make non-Korean guests feel comfortable ordering. They served corn tea and steamed rice for free during the meal. And we could request how we wanted our food to be done. Generally, the restaurant was well organized and clean.

Kimchi Bistro

11:30 am - 9:30 pm
Monday - Saturday

Sun Tofu