I hate writing terrible reviews. Usually after a bad experience, I shake it off and reserve my use of yelp to recommending good places to fellow food & coffee enthusiasts. However, lunch today at Cafe Arirang was such an upsetting event that I feel I must break my usual habit. I have passed by this place several times during my visit in Belfast, always making a mental note to return. On my last day in the city, I made a special trip just to eat here. Originally I was planning to eat bulgogi, but it had turned raining and cold and I was craving comfort food. I saw "spicy noodle soup" on the menu and immediately ordered that without a second thought. The young man behind the counter was curt and dismissive while I ordered. I was a little off-put by this as I sat down, but was so looking forward to my lunch that I mentally chided myself for being hurt by the lack of friendliness. I've worked service for years and know firsthand that everyone has bad days.
Then I was served an undercooked package of instant noodles in a bowl. I even recognize the brand... Shin Ramyun. Nothing had been added to it. It was literally only what came out of the package (which you can buy at the grocery store for less than £1). I was so disappointed. I returned to the counter and simply asked for a refund. I was then berated and called unreasonable by both the young man and two other people he brought out from the kitchen. One gentleman from the kitchen told me that they buy the bread to make their sandwiches and that this was exactly the same thing. I understand using prepared foods. I could even understand serving packages of instant noodles, but with the addition of ingredients. Simple things you could expect to find on ramen: an egg, or a few boiled veggies, or a small spoonfull of kimchi. Any of this would have sufficed. But this was just sad. Especially for an establishment that says "homemade and authentic" on their menu. When I pointed this out, the gentleman from the kitchen said that only referred to certain things on the menu. When I offered to order one of those items to which it applied and pay any difference in cost between that and the soup, he said no, but invited me to order another dish and pay full price "the next time".
Here is the irony of the whole thing: I actually love that brand of instant ramen (how do you think I recognized it so quick?) Honestly I love all ramen... cheap packaged stuff and gourmet homemade. However, after the exchange with the staff I couldn't face sitting there alone (I was the only patron) for the 10-15 minutes it would take to eat. So I just left. I feel bad about wasting the food and even a little bad about asking for the refund in the first place, but I was honestly just so shocked to have gotten the food that I did.
So why two stars and not one? Well, some of their other food honestly looks good! So go ahead and give them a try, but be wary. Also, perhaps I am the unreasonable one for being surprised at receiving what is essentially cup-of-noddles in a restaurant... so benefit of the doubt I guess. read more