Kang Seo
It’s difficult to find a place when the only sign they have is in Korean characters. I passed by this place literally twice before I realized it was a restaurant. Opened four months ago, it’s a favorite among Koreans and the two times I’ve been, I have yet to see any non-Koreans except me.
This place specializes in soups although there are other Korean staples on the menu. I was floored by the Spicy Kimchi Galbi soup. It is the best in the city. If you’ve been a regular visitor on this site, you’ll realize I was meant to be Korean. That or I must have been one in my past life. I eat Korean more than any other cuisines at any given time. I’ve been to about 90% of all the Korean restaurants in the city and I seriously drive up and down Duluth, Suwanee, and Buford Highway looking for newly opened Korean restaurants. But back to my soup. The broth was so bold and sharp — flavorful, simmered for hours, with chunks of fork-tender boneless galbi, leeks, and pickled cabbage. It is very spicy but not so that only the heat is what you taste. Despite it, the tasy broth shines through. This is truly the best soup ever.
I’m not a fan of Sulungtang (bland milky beef soup) but it’s a yard stick when it comes to milky soups (and yes, they don’t come seasoned). Their version is quite fantastic, too. It has lots of tender beef slices and clear noodles. The broth has the right amount of milkiness, and with a few shakes of salt, becomes a wonderful first course.
Galbi-gi is another measuring stick when it comes to barbecued meats. Theirs has the perfect balance of sweet and salty, marinated for hours, has tender pieces of ribs that are grilled lightly yet perfectly. Quite delicious but on the expensive side. A few pieces will set you back $15.99.
Not very many Korean places serve fried rice (most only serve bibimbap which they also have). Here, there are three kinds of fried rice: beef, pork, and shrimp. I love it that they use dry cooked rice (as opposed to mushy and soggy). They add lots of slivered meat and chunks of egg. The smokiness of this rice dish is enough to whet your appetite. It’s a good filler and goes well with the galbi.
Incidentally, they have the freshest, housemade kimchi with its crunchy veggies and deep, red sauce. They give you 6 at most but if you’re like me, I’d rather go for quality than quantity. This is now one of my most favorite Korean places. Do not miss the spicy soup.
Insider tip:
Right next door to Umaido.
In the shopping complex where Super H Suwanee is located.
The scoop:
Kang Seo
2790 Lawrenceville Suwanee Rd.,
Suwanee, GA 30024
(770) 932-7753
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7 responses so far ↓
1 jimmy // Sep 14, 2009 at 5:05 pm
i want that soup! Looks like another great find Chloe. You are like a Korean food topographer!
2 evanz // Sep 14, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Looks awesome!
3 Sean // Sep 14, 2009 at 5:36 pm
A very bold statement dear Chloe but your reviews have never steered me wrong (ex. that honey pork from Ming’s. I still remember that oh so succulent pig). Will definitely check this place out when I can.
4 Chloe // Sep 14, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Korean Topographer — I like that, Jimmy
@evanz — and tastes awesome!
Sean — when your school is out, we’ll have to make the Korean rounds!
5 Food Near Snellville // Sep 15, 2009 at 10:08 am
Chloe,
Just my ought two, but I’ve thought you must live in or near Duluth, and that’s why you review so much Korean food. In any event, you review further north OTP than almost any other reviewer, and are the only reviewer to have a regular coverage area that overlaps substantially into “near Snellville.” Face it, who else finds places like Gourmandises and Havana South?
FnS
6 Broderick // Sep 17, 2009 at 9:21 am
It looks like a trip to Suwanee is in order — I still haven’t been to Umaido
7 Blanche // Nov 2, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I visited this place on Saturday. I was unable to definitively identify the recommended dish (Spicy Kim Chi Galbi soup) from the English menu titles. I ended up with yuk gae jung, which I don’t think is what you meant to recommend (though it was very good, indeed). Do you have a full Korean name or can you point it out on their menu? I’d love to try it!
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