Cafe Korea's New Far East Location: Great Food, But Some Growing Pains Cafe Korea has officially reopened at 1452 N Zaragoza Rd Unit A-900, and as someone who missed their Northeast location, I was excited to visit. The space is larger, parking is easier, and the menu still features those comforting Korean staples--but there are some definite hiccups that need attention. First impressions: each table comes equipped with a portable butane grill, which is impressive considering the cost to run them. But while the grills worked well, the ventilation is poor--expect to leave smelling like smoke, and brace yourself for the heat. The restaurant was already uncomfortably warm, and with summer just starting, that's going to be a serious issue for both diners and staff. Service was, unfortunately, disorganized and inconsistent. While the staff were friendly, they seemed overwhelmed and underprepared. There didn't appear to be table assignments, and we often had to wave someone down for water or more banchan. At one point, I saw groceries being brought in through the back--suggesting that even the kitchen operation might be scrambling behind the scenes. Now, to the food--still the highlight. The banchan was delicious and clearly homemade, and once we got a refill, they were generous with portions. The meat quality was excellent, and we were able to share a BBQ set among two adults and two kids and still leave satisfied. But the price point? High. Our modest lunch totaled around $60, including charges for water. A friend who went earlier in the week paid $70 for a seafood pancake and galbi--for one person. With Gen Korean BBQ opening nearby offering all-you-can-eat options, and other local Korean spots like Tommy's Express and Garlic 1% serving equally fresh meals at lower prices, it's fair to question how sustainable this model is. Final Take: Cafe Korea still delivers on flavor, but the overall experience is rough around the edges. Between high prices, spotty service, and a sweltering dining room, it's hard to fully enjoy the meal. I want them to succeed--but to compete in today's Eastside food scene, they'll need to iron out the basics fast. read more

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Fantastic lunch spot. We stopped by for lunch on a random let's try something new and really enjoyed this place. The service was very good. If we ran out of ban chan they were there to get us a resupply. I ordered the kimchi stew, and it came out just like I like it - spicy and piping hot. The stew had plenty of kimchi and plenty of beef. It was super good. The container of rice that it comes with was plenty. Liz went with the bulgogi, and it came out fresh on a hot skillet, well seasoned, and generous serving size. It also ce with a container of rice. The ambiance is kinda dicey, but to be honest, I was focused on eating the delicious food. I would return, and invite as many friends as I can. read more

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This really good! I give it 10 stars. Had the Dalpan Bulgogi and some kimchi. Definitely going back! Good service friendly.

Food potions were great. My husband and I shared a beef bulgogi which came with a side of rice. We ordered an extra side of rice and split bulgogi plate. We also got banchan which was free & had a great variety! They are affiliated with Korean restaurant from NE side of town which is also excellent: I wish this restaurant much success food was fresh and delicious. read more

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This is an authentic and great hole in the wall type of restaurant. You can taste iconic dishes like bibimbap, bulgogi, and Korean BBQ. These dishes all offer a great introduction to the bold flavors and unique spices of Korean cuisine and Cafe Korea offer delicious food. The service is rapid and efficient. Nothing too fancy but very pleasant. Will definitely be back this is a real gem for El Paso. read more

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I was happy that I got to eat authentic Korean food in the middle of El Paso. We ordered beef combo for two. Food amount were generous. The owner guy were very kind and servers also nice, they helped grilling the meat the whole time. I really liked the quality of their service, for that price of the food? Beyond reasonable. Thank you!! read more

Waitress was horrible never went to our table to ask if we needed anything and the sides they give like little cups kimchi and bean sprouts were so small I thought it was for 1, person but nope it's for 2 people and very upset at paying 26 dollars for entree and rice and had to pay 8 dollars for extra little cups of cucumber kimchi and bean sprouts ! Price to expensive for what they serve and bulgogi was horrible only white rice was good and I had a bad feeling when I saw how empty place was so always go with your instinct ! read more

Very authentic experience, kind staff with a lot of recommendations. Will be back. Great food read more

Cafe Korea - Spicy Pork Hot plate - Korean Near Me - El Paso, Texas

This place gave me mixed feelings. I love Korean food, so it had been on my radar since it opened up on the East side of town. We previously tried landing some, but it was packed and had a wait time. That's a good sign right? We went back and finally landed it for lunch. The location was super hot, not to mention when we ordered 2 waters we were given 2 water bottles priced at 2.99, huge red flag. I asked our server for tap and she said they had none. Pretty upsetting considering the sweltering conditions inside. She took our order and proceeded to bring us some complimentary sides like kimchi, tofu, etc in small ketchup like containers, enough for one or two tastes per side. Asked for additional kimchi and it seemed like it was such a burden on them to refill the small containers. They brought out our food quite fast, really good flavor profiles. However our waitress didn't check up on us for the next 30 mins after. Horrible service, horrible climate, alright food. Each of our plates were valued at around 20-25 usd and the portions were so small. Quite disappointing. Safe to say it's a one and done spot read more

Cafe Korea - 25 dllr pork plate. With more onions that meat lol - Korean Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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Delicious and huge portions! Will definitely be back again and again. So glad we have this on the east side read more

Cafe Korea - Beef Big Meat with Broth Bulgogi - Korean Near Me - El Paso, Texas

I was genuinely so impressed with all the dishes we ordered. The quality of the ingredients, the flavor, the great service - it all makes me want to go back. They also have a nice vintage Korean vibe in the restaurant, they have tv playing Kpop music and nice decorations. My favorite was the Korean bbq beef with the unlimited amount of all the side vegetables. read more

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Not an expert but it tasted great. The service was also very nice and attentive. Only downside is that they only have bottled water.

I really wanted this to be a great experience but I came to the conclusion that It'll do for a craving, but it's nothing special and a bit overpriced. There are also no weekly lunch specials. In my opinion, their spicy soups and stews are their best items. (Mixed Sundubu). Their banchan is not very fresh or flavorful. The kimchi especially, is just too sour. Even here in the 915, Han Il Gwan had amazing banchan by comparison. It's a bit more expensive and nowhere near the taste or quality of ingredients as similar Korean restaurants in larger metropolitan areas like Dallas or LA. I'm tired of the excuse, it's good for El Paso! Everyone in this joint is Korean, there's no reason why it can't measure up. Service was also very lacking when I went. read more

Average quality of Korean food IMO. Tho it's close to the airport, it's still not too busy. Order quick and serves quick too. I'm just visiting here and not sure about how things usually go here.. but only providing bottle water and Charged tea is going a bit too far I feel like? read more

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Takeout night! My husband picked up the usual Korean favorites. Authentic and delicious, no problems with the order. Looking forward to next time! read more

Our first time eating at Cafe Korea and it did not disappoint! We were attended to almost immediately and the food came out so fast and steaming. The food was delicious!! Will definitely go again! read more

Cafe Korea - Beef Bulgogi - Korean Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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The place to go in El Paso for spicy beef soup. The service is always amazing and the three little doughnut hole treats at the end always make my day. The bulgogi is a must! And so is the seafood pancake. I think I've eaten here once a month for a year now, it's that amazing. read more

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Bulgogi Grilled Beef and Beef Ribs along with Bonchan dishes, eggrolls. Everything was delicious! The meat was flavorful and tender. The waiter and waitresses are very customer focused. Bo Chan dishes have free refills. We did not leave hungry! We'll be back. read more

Cafe Korea - Bulgogi Grilled Beef and Beef Ribs along with Bonchan dishes. - Korean Near Me - El Paso, Texas

If you're craving Korean food in El Paso, Cafe Korea is the place to go. First of all, the service here is excellent! Our group was greeted right as we walked in, and our waitress was very friendly and brought our food out quickly. We started with the banchan, which consisted of 7 dishes with an impressive variety of flavors. I don't know the names, but my favorites were the fish cakes, cucumbers, and cold noodles. We also shared the seafood pancake appetizer, which was a bit expensive but very tasty. For the main course we ordered the bulgogi (beef), and while I did enjoy it the meat was slightly dry, and the flavor was good but not as strong as we are used to. We also ordered the subdubu, or "spicy stew containing soft tofu" with beef, which I had never tried before. It was delicious! The tofu in the stew was the softest I've ever had, and the broth itself was filling without being too heavy. I highly recommend this spot for a dinner out with friends! read more

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We were greeted & sat right away, but after that took over 10 minutes to get our drink and food order. Definitely over priced for the amount of bulgogi they gave with my meal for $22. After our food was brought nobody checked on us. This was on a weekend during lunch time, it wasn't too busy and there were 3 servers and 1 manager? Maybe? read more

My first Korean food in El Paso. Having grown up in Los Angeles, I had access to some of the best Korean food outside of Korea. Cafe Korea was a reminder of how comforting home cooked Korean food can be. We started with the tteokbokki. It had a great flavor and amount of spice. It was a particularly cold night so I got the soon tofu with beef. It was an incredibly generous serving! The side dishes were great, and when I requested more kimchi, the server brought a heaping amount! Will definitely be coming back to try the rest of the menu when I get homesick read more

Cafe Korea - Tteokbokki - Korean Near Me - El Paso, Texas

3.5. Good, friendly, and fairly tasty. Wanted to like it slightly more than I did, The meal was above average. The main course was served with a respectable Korean appetizer spread. It was good; it just wasn't compelling. Hot tea? Yes, but it wasn't barley tea. The location and dining room are modest. Servers are enthusiastic and hustle but are spread too thin. Good not great -- a microcosm of the El Paso food scene. read more

I love supporting local business. This review may reflect a disappointment in my expectation versus the actual experience. It is the same price as other Korean barbecues that I have been to, but not the same experience. I have been to many Korean barbecues in multiple different cities. The banchan come in small, plastic containers (the kind you take home sauces in). The flavors were good, and the quality of the banchan also good. But, I only was brought one serving of each. I could've eaten at least 3 of some of them. I am a big eater. I don't necessarily have the appearance of a big eater. I'm not overly slender, but I'm also not overly large. I only mention that to say it's possible that the wait staff didn't consider that I would want more because of my size. But, I hadn't eaten all day, and I arrived there about 4:30p in the afternoon. I chose a Korean barbecue specifically because I wanted limitless banchan (they claim to offer) and limitless meat options which they do not offer. So, it was markedly different from other Korean barbecues I've eaten at. In reference to not being offered more of the banchan: The person who cooked my brisket as they finished did say to me after stating, "Oh, you will sleep good tonight," (possibly insinuating I'd eaten enough and should be more than satiated)--"You didn't want more?". I didn't appreciate the assumption that I shouldn't want more when they finally offered more at the end of the meal. As soon as I emptied one of those little plastic cups, someone should've asked me did I want more as I was eating my meal. That is the customary experience in a Korean barbecue restaurant for me. The soup and steamed egg at the beginning were perfection. I ordered the brisket and got one serving. One of the wait staff cooked it for me, which was not necessary, but I didn't have much choice. I was served raw garlic, and raw jalapeños that I couldn't put on the device they were using to cook; which is not a grill in the table as one typically sees in a Korean barbecue. The method of cooking really wasn't problematic for me at all, only that I wanted to cook it myself, the fat didn't get the burned edges, and I had no seasoning to put on it as has been customary in Korean barbecues that I have been to in the past. I've never been to a Korean barbecue like this. It may be helpful to advertise they are a Korean restaurant. Not to say that you shouldn't give it a try because, the flavors were comparable. If you've never been to a Korean barbecue, you wouldn't know the difference. If you have frequented Korean barbecues, this does not operate as every other one I've been to. It's close tho. Maybe they're just getting started? The ambience is meh. Dinerish which isn't bad. read more

Cafe Korea - Brisket, banyan, steamed egg, raw jalapeño & garlic, dipping sauce, romaine, & white rice. - Korean Near Me - El Paso, Texas

Korean food! This place was authentic and delicious, hands-down. We ordered the Bulgogi that came in a hot pot, with a scoop of rice with a fried egg on top, shredded lettuce, and mung bean. The flavor was on point. Not too sweet/not too salty. We ordered the vegetable pancake, which was crispy and also delicious. We ordered the Chap Chae which was the best I've had in a long time, it had hints of smoke from the wok, perfect amount white onion, green onion and meat. We loved every dish. We saw that other tables were enjoying kalbi, cooked on a single burner. Next time I'll try that. My only tiny complaint is that they only brought out 3 side dishes. Sweeten potatoe, cucumber kimchi, and Takuan. I did eat 2 portions of the cucumber because it was really good. If you are in the northwest, it's worth to stop in to eat real authentic Korean food.here!! read more

Cafe Korea - Chapchae and 3 side dishes - Korean Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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Received good customer service. All customers receive miso soup with their meal, a great touch. Yakimandu was good option. The Beef bulgogi was great came with a lot of sides. Definitely this location get a lot of customers during lunch time. read more

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Needs Improvement: 1) #13 & #14 are half the portion size of typical Korean dish. 2) Since they profit more off below average plate size(s), then they should re-invest in decor, tables and chairs to increase ambiance. Great things: 1) Sweet is freshly made and Baptist Sweet 2) The servers are 60mph to ensure you get what you need fast 3) friendly environment but has major potential to be a go to spot with a little extra creativity from owners!! I have been on a Korean Chicken crusade-- eating Korean in Dallas (Royal Ln and Loop 12), Duluth, GA, Miami, FL and recently added El Paso, TX read more

We ordered the Korean BBQ & orange chicken. The portions were fine and the food was good, especially the orange chicken! Pros: Seated quickly and server was kind and helpful. Food was and portions were fine too. Cons: they only carry bottled water and it's the same price as the soda. Prices were a little high, IMO. Also, I was turned off by the way the manager gestured at the server (shooing hand rapidly) & hurried her to go take a payment as she attempted to take our drink order. This was done by a manager/owner (idk - someone with more authority). But that was a bad taste. read more

Cafe Korea - Korean Near Me - El Paso, Texas

Yes, you should come eat here. My expectations were exceeded. By far one of the best Korean meals I've had. The food was absolutely delicious and it was soooo much food for such a good price. Food and meat was high quality. We had the beef brisket and pork belly combo with steamed egg for two people. The combo comes with so many sides and a soup. We were stuffed by the end. Everything was so tasty. Service was friendly and fast. The staff even showed us how to cook the meat and eat the foods. A zero judgement zone. A great experience. Definitely a hole in the wall, don't skip out on it! read more

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It was my bestfriends, boyfriends birthday and he was in the mood for Korean food. Our usual spot was closed on a Monday. So, we were looking for a Korean place that was open. I wasn't sure about trying something new. But, MAN am I glad we did. The food was crazy good as well as the service. I am afraid to say I now have a new favorite place to get Korean. I am dying to try other things on the menu. We got the Korean pancake, ribs, Spicy Pork and Pork Belly. Everything was absolutely amazing! Also got Kimchi-Jjigae to go for my daughter. She said it was the best she's had. Highly recommend this place! read more

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I've been here a few times and love the service as well as the food. You can't go wrong with that. During lunch, there are several specials so I encourage you to check out this place, at lunch or any other time. Several options are available and if you are looking for a Korean dosh not on the menu or offerred. They may have the sode dosh you are looking for. You kust never know. I have tried the bulgogi as well as chicken bulgogi. Both are great meals and you get your main dish as well as many side dishes. Make sure you stop by and check out what this place offers. read more

Cafe Korea - Bulgogi lunch special - Korean Near Me - El Paso, Texas

Cute place tucked in the corner. Welcome and self seating ok. Lots of choices. Real Koreans are cooking the food, so authentic Korean food. It's pricey $$$ but the food is delicious and worth every penny. We had kalbi omgzee broke da mouth was so good and when we were done eat the mamason brought us some sugar doughnuts. 1 order is enough for 2 read more

Cafe Korea - Kalbi - Korean Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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Although the food was average, I didn't appreciate the waitress telling us that we didn't order enough food, that the plates were single serving. The food arrived and it was a typical family serving. So instead of spending $40 to $50 for the two of us it was $90! $110 with tip. We are here looking at El Paso real estate and staying at Paso del Norte and really can't take leftovers. The banchan was meh and we heard other patrons complaining of the lack of banchan. Apparently, banchan is limited to what and how much you order. The rice wasn't typical Korean style, a cheap substitute. The haemul pajeon (Korean seafood pancake) was very good, but doesn't make me want to go back if you are going to deceive your patrons. read more

As a west-sider, I really dislike driving to the eastside, but this restaurant has made the drive worth it. I never thought I'd find such good korean food here! Ambiance - A bit shady on the outside, but the inside was bigger than expected. Plenty of seating and all the customers were speaking korean to the staff (always a good sign!) Service - There was a bit of a wait despite already sitting, but I think it was because there was only one server at the time. It wasn't a big deal, but was a bit annoying when it took 10 minutes for me to get the check and leave despite having my plates cleared already. Food - Had the ddukbokki, tofu seafood soup, and some ribs. Decently priced but with ginormous portions. Flavor-wise, this was definitely comparable to the korean restaurants I've had in Dallas and that's saying a lot (look up korean food in Carrollton). Overall, I'm so happy to have found such a great korean restaurant in El Paso for all of my korean cravings. Not only was the taste fantastic, but the pricing was reasonable especially since the portions were so big! Will be back. read more

Cafe Korea - Korean Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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Easy to find. Close to home. Staff is super friendly. There is plenty of seating. It's a little dark, but not too much so. Prices are high in my opinion but comparable to other Korean restaurants in El Paso. Having been to Korea twice, I love bulgogi. This place has hands down has the best spicy pork bulgogi in town. I order it almost every time I visit. Surprisingly, the chicken wings here are delicious as well. I expected little dried out wings, but the sauce on them is excellent and has the exact amount of kick. Messy to eat, but good! I've tried many other offerings from the menu and thought they were ok. Spicy pork bulgogi is where it's at. The kimchi side dishes are also tasty. read more

Cafe Korea - Miso soup - Korean Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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Wow, this was fabulous. Real mom and pop. Better than you can find in a souped up fancy pants Korean joint in the San Francisco Bay. Korean Beef was juicy and delicious, sides were high quality, you can tell they give effort on every dish. I'm only in town for a couple weeks, but i guarantee I'll be back at least once or twice before I go back home to the Midwest. There are some complaints on here about serving size. I ordered dumplings for appetizer, then Korean beef for dinner. You get a pre appetizer soup broth bowl. Entree rice side bowl, 7 side cups. It tastes fabulous, this ain't Panda Express. Even though I do like Panda Express. I took half my entree home to go and they gave me some tofu and another side to-go. $37. I indulged and was well satisfied. So there...And that's the bottom line cause Stone Cold said so... read more

The food here is phenomenal! Service was extraordinary. One of the workers kept going above and beyond to make sure we were having a good experience. The restaurant looks simple but the food was anything but. Absolutely recommend this place! read more

We got free miso soup, food was good , good portions and got refills on the side dishes , right across from Walmart . This is a go to spot if you miss Korean food . Parking is limited . The staff were super friendly, I saw the waitress helping the other table cut and grill the meats for them. Free mints when you pay your bill, I was a bowl with some lollipops at the front. read more

Cafe Korea - Korean Near Me - El Paso, Texas

Accidentally found this place on thanksgiving day as many others are closed. Ordered combo c, pretty good for a hungry two adults one kid family. Staff is very friendly. Thanks for opening on thanksgiving day. read more

The best Korean (and Philippine and ... ) seems to be near military bases. In not-rich neighborhoods. In funky buildings that obviously used to be something else several times. Here's one. No, not a bad neighborhood, just working-class El Paso, so don't be afraid to park in front. Yeah, it needs a coat of paint on the outside, but you'll be comfortable as soon as you walk in. Most of the menu is mostly familiar if you spend any time in basic-good Korean places, so don't look for something you haven't tried before (mostly - there are always a couple of ??? items that mostly go to the Real Koreans in the best of these places!). We chose Bulgogi and Dolpan Bulgogi. Not the same. One (can't remember which) is more soup-like, while the other is served in a sizzling bowl. They're different and they're both excellent. Three of us shared an order of each, and had we been three hungry guys, it wouldn't have been enough. As it were, we were one hungry guy (moi) and a contingent of less-hungry women made up of my wife and daughter. We ended up bringing part of the sizzling dish home. It was outstanding as leftovers. Yum. The store was reasonably clean, if been-a-lot-of-things-before careworn. The service was good. It's not quite on a main drag, so follow your electronic gadget to the front door. Go there. read more

My first experience with Korean food and this place was delicious!!! Okay, we arrived on Saturday night after dark and I'm not going to lie, from the outside, I wasn't sure about this place. But once we open the door, the smells were amazing, and the staff was ridiculously friendly and attentive. Couldn't have been any nicer. We did Korean hot pot, combination C and it was delicious. One of the older women who worked there came to the table, repeatedly to help us and show us how to cook things and explained what the side dishes were. Everything was fresh and so delicious. We especially loved the kimchi, and the beef. Also the start you off with a delicious miso soup. I would definitely recommend this place. Cost for four of us was around 100USD. Free parking. Ask for recommendations if you aren't sure. The whole staff was so helpful. read more

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