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    Bada Kitchen

    4.0 (69 reviews)
    ModerateKorean, Noodles, Japanese
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

    Order Bada Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

    Bada Kitchen Photos

    BADA KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

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    Quiet
    Dogs allowed

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    Brisket Kimchi Jjigae
    Isaac H.

    A great find!! Was craving Korean food and this hit the spot! A lot of parking, a lot of seats, they have a lunch & dinner menu. Got the brisket kimchi jjigae and it was good! Good portion size and it was made perfectly!

    Carmen Y.

    Ate at BaDa because it was the closest Korean restaurant around where we were staying. Since I was having some stomach problems that day, I got their brisket daen jang soup for $20. I feel like it's not worth the price and would recommend getting their jam pong instead. The soup was very salty, but it did have a good amount of thinly sliced meat. Our server was very nice and helpful. She was attentive in refilling waters and giving us take out boxes and utensils for our leftovers. I like the vibes inside the restaurant because they played Korean music videos on their TV, and they have an open kitchen that allows us to watch the chefs work their magic.

    King Pork Cutlet - 10/10!!
    Henry D.

    My friends and I stumbled upon Bada after finding out there was an extremely long wait at another nearby restaurant--and honestly, it turned out to be a happy accident. This spot totally exceeded our expectations. We ordered the King Pork Donkatsu, udon, and bibimbap, and everything came out hot, fresh, and flavorful. The pork cutlet was huge--crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and perfectly cooked. I hadn't planned on finishing it, but it was so good I couldn't stop eating. The bibimbap was served in a hot stone bowl, and the bottom had that ideal crispy layer of rice that adds such a nice texture. You could tell they nailed the temperature and timing on it. The udon had a clean, savory broth and chewy noodles, though I do wish it had a little more seafood to round it out. Service was great--our waiter was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. The place was very casual. The food came out in a timely manner and everything was served piping hot, which made a big difference. Another plus: the parking situation. There was plenty of parking available, which is always a relief, especially since it's located in a corner lot that's easy to get in and out of. Overall, this was a great experience, especially considering it wasn't our original dinner plan. I'll definitely be back--next time, I want to try some of their other Korean dishes. If you're in the area and want good food without the long wait, give this place a shot!

    We had such a great experience for lunch yesterday at Bada Kitchen! The Korean fried chicken was hands down the best we've had in Monterey--seriously 10/10. We tried the Yangyum flavor (sweet and spicy), and while it leaned more sweet than spicy, it was still absolutely delicious. Next time we'll definitely ask for a higher spice level. The Honey Garlic was also amazing--super flavorful, and the chicken itself was perfectly fried, crispy on the outside and still moist and juicy inside. It could've used just a little more sauce, but honestly still so good. We also ordered the pork and veg gyoza, which were tasty, and edamame, which was good but pretty standard. I had the Spicy Tuna Roll and really enjoyed it, and my husband got the Shrimp Tempura Roll, which he said was great too. The portions are huge--we definitely had leftovers! I also got a side of white rice to go with the chicken, and it was just chef's kiss. A couple small notes: the restaurant is a little tricky to find since it's tucked into a shopping area, and the music was a bit loud for my taste. But the service was great, and when we went (around 12:30-1:00 on a Friday), it wasn't too busy, which was nice. We'll definitely be back a few more times!

    My partner and I came back to this place because we saw they had sushi rolls again and we loved them when they had them before--- and they are currently half priced right now--- so go! :) service was great and attentive, server was friendly and helpful, and can't wait to go back because they have ramen again on top of their delicious rolls like when they first opened a few years back. A lot of the Korean dishes are switched off the menu but they have some I think. If sushi or ramen is your interest, it's worth going back again just for those things alone.

    Evangeline E.

    Okay so I'm from the Bay Area and living here I certainly feel the lack of diversity when it comes to food options. Very excited to try this place and it didn't disappoint! I will be honest with prefacing it certainly isn't the most authentic Korean food Ive had. I mean, to not get kimchi as a side is pretty weird. But all things considered it is still good! Came in on a weekday evening and the place was basically empty. Server was very friendly and tentative and we got seated quickly. Place is super clean and cool vibes. We ordered the bimbibap, tofu soup, and fried chicken and everything was good! Loved the crunch on the chicken, and the tofu soup was super flavorful. Prices were decent although I think its more worth it for their lunch specials. I will be back!

    Bulgogi
    Christina C.

    We came for a weeknight dinner and had no wait. Not sure if it's different on weekends. Plenty of parking also on a weeknight. Ordered tofu soup, mandu, fried chicken, and bulgogi. All of it was good and would order it again but the bulgogi. The meat was good but wish there more meat than onions and mushrooms.

    Honey Garlic Soy Friend Chicken. I got a half order of bone in wings with a side of white rice.
    Kayla F.

    My friend and I went on Sunday around 5pm. Super clean and the restaurant was decorated nicely. Got seated right away. Our waitress was sweet and attentive. I had the honey garlic soy, bone in, chicken wings. My friend had the yangyum flavor but boneless. We both had a side of white rice. Both dishes were cooked perfectly and tasted great, lots of flavor. I did think that the drinks were a little pricey so I just had the one. I wanted another but it adds up. I would return again to try more of the tasty food.

    My sad, very sad non existent beef tofu soup!!!  In don't recommend this place!
    Walter M.

    Place was clean and service was courteous. I'm giving those page a bad rating because I payed for beef tofu soup anf it had meager portion of meat so meager it was almost non-existent. I wouldn't recommend those p place if you're trying to get value for your money! This have is a rip-off! I was quite furious I payed for a dish that wasn't worth it! You can check my reviews I rarely give a bad one! Seriously I think this business should throw on the towel! Place was empty but I've never been in a bad Korean restaurant!

    Yangyum (양념치킨) Half size
    Candy C.

    First time coming here, wanted to treat myself to a yummy lunch. Came here and there wasn't hardly anyone which was great with it being a Saturday afternoon. The wings were absolutely delicious, crispy wings, with amazing flavor and tender chicken. The kimchi fried rice was cheesy and flavorful. The egg on top is what made it! My server was Elijah, and he was very attentive and kind. Wonderful customer service. He even held the door open for me when I left. Amazing hidden spot, I will be coming here again! :)

    Receipt
    Stan W.

    I came in for lunch, and was quickly seated. Parking in that lot can be dicey and was fortunate to get a close spot. This restaurant is tucked in between Mountain Mike's Pizza and Buffalo Wild Wings. Walking in, it got quiet, even with the closeness of the street traffic. I did not see any high chairs for kids and the bathroom wasn't the cleanest. As for the food itself, I had the Yangyum chicken. It's like a combination of sweet, sour and spicy on top of the perfectly crunchy fried chicken. I got an order of white rice with a soda (the Hawaiian iced tea was not available). The Yangyum was delicious. I was shocked. I will be back to try other flavors. Price: 29.50 (includes tip)

    Vivian C.

    Gets the job done when you have a Korean craving! Everything was pretty tasty. Loved my Korean tofu soup with the dumplings. We also shared the Korean corn dog which was crispy tho I felt like there could have been more cheese inside. The fried rice was filling but kinda bland even with the cheese. The bulgogi dish was very flavorful and tasty with the rice. Wouldn't mind stopping by again to try other dishes if I'm in the area in the future

    Esther L.

    It's a nope. Food came out not even close to the pictures I saw on yelp. Looks like the quality has been much downgraded from when it was just opened. Nothing is freshly made. The katsu was very dry and thin. Felt like chewing a cardboard box. We couldn't even finish them all because we just didn't want to. And the side dishes were just a joke. All just mass produced packaged cheap salty banchans.. Consider the quality is just like a cheap food court you could find at hmart or ranch99.. I would give the sweet waitress 5 star but the food was just too bad. So sorry to say but nope.

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    5 months ago

    Delicious! The food has good unami flavors and healthy. Very sweet people working here.

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    1 year ago

    Great Korean soups. Amazing food and service. I hope one day they consider bbq self cooking grills!!

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    11 months ago

    The short ribs are super fatty and the meat is covered in gelatin! Super gross. Store bought Korean short ribs are way better.

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    Ask the Community - Bada Kitchen

    What time do they open?

    They open 11:30-2:30pm for lunch then close and reopen for dinner at 5pm!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Bulgogi House Monterey

    4.3
    (79 reviews)
    2.7 mi
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    Finally got to try this place. Last time we were in town, went midweek not realizing it is closed…read moreon Wednesday.... But made it on the weekend. Met the owner who was nice, funny and friendly (we actually arrived a bit earlier than the opening hour for dinner and he opened up early so the little one didn't get restless or cold waiting outside). There is a high char option. Got to try the beef bulgogi with the banchan and it was delicious; the toddler scarfed down the meat and rice so it was a hit. Husband tried the spicy chicken bulgogi and he enjoyed it. We also tried the tea which was good... looking forward to our next trip there

    This place was actually pretty solid! As someone who grew up in the San Gabriel Valley eating…read moregood-value authentic Asian food, I usually avoid Asian food during my travels. But this was just down the street from my hotel and the pictures looked really appetizing, so we gave it a shot. It did not disappoint! Between two of us, we ordered the spicy chicken bulgogi meal and a mandu appetizer. It was the perfect amount of food for us to not have leftovers (our hotel had no fridge). The mandu came first and was very tasty and perfectly fried. The chicken came out as we were finishing the appetizer. The staff had warned us that it would be spicy, but I was surprised that it WAS actually spicy. My tolerance is higher than the average person but I definitely needed a lot of rice for this. I wouldn't say the flavor of the sauce was in line with the Korean food we have in LA, but it was very good in its own right. The staff was very attentive and friendly and chatted with us throughout the meal. The owner's family was eating there too, and since some members of their party were being slightly rowdy, the owner's sister bought us an extra order of mandu for the trouble! We got to chat with her and with the owner. They seem very genuine about wanting customers to have a good experience. If I live close by next time I'm in town, I would definitely want to stop by again to try their other bulgogi meats!

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    Toribashi

    Toribashi

    4.0
    (468 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$
    Healthy dining
    Established in 2018

    We had a craving for ramen while on vacation in Monterey, and Toribashi came thru for us!…read more This restaurant was located in a downtown area, so there wasn't a dedicated parking lot, but it was fairly easy to find street parking. I ordered the Shoyu Ramen which was flavorful with a rich broth. I also know my kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves because there was nothing left in their bowls :) Thank you, Toribashi!

    Welp.. We finally had the chance to return to Monterey.. As we were squeezed for time, we chose to…read morecome to Toribashi tonight. Parking was only mildly challenging, as a space opened up after only a single lap around the block. Inside here, you'll find a busy place with a few tables and individual bar-style (partitioned!) paired seating along the walls adjacent to the kitchen in the middle part of the restaurant. Order up at the self-serve order kiosks, tap in your table/counter number, and they bring out your order in a couple of minutes. We had six of us in our party, and most of us kept it simple by ordering the default Tonkatsu Ramen with different customizable options. Most all of the ingredients in this order were on point - The Chasu Pork Belly was tender, thick and delicious, ramen noodles nothing special, but generally stil on point, as were the bamboo shoots. However, the co-star/centerpiece of the Tonkatsu Ramen other than the Chasu Pork slab should be the broth, but sadly the broth was far far TOO salty which overpowered the other flavors in the broth. Chasu Pork 4.8/5, Tonkatsu Ramen 3.1/5. Service was good as everyone was hustling hard in the kitchen, along with attentive bussers/waitstaff to quickly turn tables. They take good care in wiping down the tables here. If I return, I'll just get the Paitan Ramen like I did in years past, as that seemed less salty. Then again the Paitan soup base begins with the same chicken+pork soup base as the Tonkatsu Ramen. I hope Toribashi will step back up to their former glory.

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    Kuma

    Kuma

    4.3
    (436 reviews)
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    I have been wanting to give this place a try and finally got the opportunity. Unfortunately I was…read morein the moment so I did not take any photos. Everything was really fresh and prepared well. The restaurant has beautiful vaulted ceilings and great vibes. Only note was the music was all over the place but not a big deal at all. We ordered a lot since we were both very hungry and left satisfied. Starters: Spicy garlic edamame - great flavor and not overly done (5/5) Shrimp & Veggie tempura- perfect amount of batter (5/5) Gyoza (5/5) Mains: Chicken Teriyaki served with miso soup, salad, and steamed rice. (4/5) only because the salad while good had a little too much dressing, not a deal breaker. Sake sashimi 5/5 Tiger roll 5/5 Would definitely recommend as a great sushi spot and will be back!

    Sushi was yummy!…read more Happy they had room for our party of 7. Service was pretty prompt even when the place got packed soon after we arrived. Spacious interior and a separate room for private party. Agedashi tofu and the sushi rolls (Aspen, Sun and Whole-Hearted) were delicious and I'd highly recommend for a good variety. I appreciated the freshness of the fish, rice to fish ratio and creativity of each roll. They also have vegan rolls. Prices were a little elevated for the smaller portions of sushi - $18 and up for each roll but they were tasty enough. There's 60 min street parking nearby.

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    Cong N Go

    Cong N Go

    4.3
    (137 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    First time I stopped by was in August 2024 to bring my bb…read moregirl to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I was craving boba & was happy to find something in this area particularly on my way to the hotel. I mean home made boba with quality ingredients? Say lesss... I loved it so much I came back a second time before heading home that trip AND came back a third time this year with my extended family cus I knew it would hit the spot. Honestly, you cannot go wrong with any drink. You can customize the sweetness level and pick from a variety of flavors. I did the giant lemonade for the aunties in the car and it was GIANT lol, it was enough for all 3 of them and my daughter to share. I was honestly surprised to read a few negative reviews because WHAT? The first time I ordered some egg rolls I mentioned to the staff that I think it might have been a bad batch because my daughter and I thought it tasted spoiled maybe? And she immediately addressed the situation and apologized and was truly worried. She told me I got you, the next time I come back but I told her I was from the Bay and she mentioned they moved from the 209. She also ensured us that they make it fresh in house and surprised me and gave me a FRESH new order even though I initially declined. This is a family owned business and they let me feel like family too. I tried the pandan cake on my second trip on the way home and ughhh sooo good. I wasn't gonna do it but I heard another customer come in saying she comes in just for that and I knew I had to try it. It has the perfect sweetness, a little dense but still soft and fluffy. The icing wasn't overly sweet. I'd take a whole cake for my birthday lol. I think I also read another review talking about the donuts being raw? Idk, but it sounds like this person has never had a MOCHI donut lol. Anyways, can't wait to come back for more drinks, more snacks, and that cake!

    To go order: Dry…read morenoodles $18: too expensive. Small salted lavender honey milk tea $5. Told me $1 extra for no ice but offered less ice option. Then charged me less ice $0.25 (without telling me): too sweet and tasted artificial. Pandan cake $9.

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    Ube milk tea
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