I went to Gaja Korean for the 1st time last night for a friends Bday dinner. I've passed by the entrance hundreds of times over the years and never knew what yumminess was waiting behind the door. It's a very unassuming restaurant but a cool Vibe and atmosphere. Def a place I could come any day of the week and relax with a cocktail. We were a group of 5 so we decided to order everything to share as it's more of tapas style Korean food. Everything was delicious. Literally no complaints from the table. We ordered the Banchan & Kimchi, Scallion Pancake, Brussel Sprouts, Bulgogi, Kimchi Crab Fritters, Glass Noodles, Fries Chicken Soy Garlic & Spicy Pork Bulgogi. Service, food and drinks 5 Stars read more

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The parking here can be a bit hectic as the lot is very small, and fills up very quickly when the place opens at 5pm, so get here before then if possible to avoid the hassle. From the outside, the front entrance is a very plain white unassuming door, but once inside the ambiance is full of personality. Grungy, dim lit, industrial is the vibe. The service was very friendly, everyone has such cool tattoos, and the food was amazing. They serve smaller style portions, so it's easy to get multiple things and share. We got the glass noodles with bone marrow and the braised pork belly. The glass noodles were tender but still had a nice bounce to them, and the bone marrow added a deep warm umami flavor. The braised pork belly was perfectly cooked, slight crisp and very juicy. It came with some lettuce and pickled vegetables to make wraps with. Overall a great hang out or date spot, will definitely be coming back to try the other menu items read more

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I came here to celebrate my friend's birthday. I was lucky in that I found the perfect parking space in the alley where the entrance is. I can imagine at varying times it may be a challenge to find a spot. However, and I understand this is a lot to ask for, it would've been nice to have some form of security around. A man approached me asking me for money and was extremely pushy when I apologized and said I didn't have cash. Especially as a woman, this was very intimidating and scary for me... I worried about my car being broken into since he knew which one was mine, but thankfully it wasn't. I entered the restaurant to a cool, casual ambiance. The waitstaff was attentive and pleasant. Our table shared several items tapas-style/a la carte including: beef bulgogi, Brussels sprouts, glass noodle, scallion pancake, shishito peppers, hedo bap, and I believe one of the pork and/or chicken dishes. I can't remember which, but everything we ordered was tasty! My favorite item was the glass noodles! It was served very elegantly with the bone marrow (sorry I only got a picture of the portion I put on my plate). I'd love to take my husband here soon! read more

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Great Korean restaurant. I thought the food here was excellent. I ordered the Beef Bulgogi and loved it. Also had an order of the Simply Kimchi and it was so good that I couldn't stop eating it. My friend had the Glass Noodle, and although it tasted great, the bone marrow came with very little meat. The location of the restaurant is a bit hidden as it's not on the main road and you have to go in from the parking lot. We came here during the world cup and they were showing the matches on their large screens. read more

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We did not know what to expect from the outside appearance but once inside it was great. We ordered Gaja fried chicken and kimchi both were amazing. Drinks- Beer and a shot. Interesting name but a great choice. There was a wait however it was not packed inside probably short staffed issues. After waiting awhile we saw open seats at the bar and took them without assistance. We would visit again.. read more

Gaja Korean Bar - Terra beer and appetizers - Korean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

The sever was friendly and constantly checking in. The place has a nice vibe! The food is pretty good. We had the fried dumplings, fire chicken and bibimbap. The dumplings and fire chicken were delicious. The fire chicken though is no joke. Be ready to chug water! The bibimbap was aesthetically pleasing but didn't have much flavor in my opinion until I mixed it all together. Don't get me wrong, it's delicious but compared to the fire chicken that I had first, I felt it needed something. I recommend not eating the fire chicken first lol! I also got the perfect vacation cocktail and that definitely did not disappoint. It's Mezcal drink and I only needed one! Overall definitely recommend! read more

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Truly, a hidden gem in the East Atlanta Village! Gaja's entrance is located on the side of the fairly large parking area that surrounds the many shops and restaurants in this area. Despite this, the restaurant was vibrant on a rainy midweek day... Almost full to capacity with patrons. Happy my partner recommended this restaurant! I sat at the bar to place my to go order and was greeted promptly by the bartender. He brought me water and provided the QR code to order. The gentleman next to me was enjoying the Bimibap which looked very enticing, but due to the cold weather, I wanted something warm. Soup was not an option and was directed to the glass noodle dish. The glass noodles were of a sweet potato consistency and included several vegetables. I did not know that the bone marrow mentioned in the description would be an actual marrow, quite large that was discovered once I dug into my dish at home. The flavors exuded were right on point! The portion was also ample for a second meal. Will definitely return to sample the Bimibap on a warmer day and possibly some of the drinks offered. I truly enjoyed the waiting period at the bar, striking up conversation and viewing Misery which was being projected on the wall... A true horror classic. I enjoyed the atmosphere and menu offerings. read more

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This place is really good to grab dinner with your partner or your friends! It's charming, I loved the lighting, it feels very casual and has good vibes. The staff constantly checks how you're doing and they can easily answer any questions you may have. We were a group of 4 on a Saturday night, and, yes, we waited a long time to be seated, so keep that on mind if you want to go during the weekend. Now, food... menu has a little bit of everything (which I really appreciate), service is quick and efficient; in terms of flavor... here's why I'm giving them 4 out of 5... flavors are good, but that's it, you're not going to be surprised or amazed by the taste of the dishes, they're good and that's it. Presentation is very pleasant. Nice neighborhood, option for parking, nice vibes and good food. Definitely give it a try read more

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GAJA'S BAR HAS GOT ME GAGA| DRINKS: 100. VIBES: 1000 (not a typo!!). FOOD: 75. I LOVE the vibes. Slightly speakeasy vibes with the unassuming entrance. Super divey but dark and cool inside. Always a movie playing projected on a blank wall. Drinks are a must, food is a suggestion. There's also an outdoor patio but meh, inside is where it's at. Sit/stand at the bar while sipping cocktails. Otherwise, get in line for a table if you're ordering food. My favorite drink is the Pink Flag - a fun tasty cocktail. I've ordered it the two times I've been to Gaja - it comes out to a super pretty pink thanks to the butterfly pea flower, and I love a gin cocktail. Food is just ok. I'm a regular on Buford Highway, Duluth and Suwanee so while I'm not Korean, I've eaten a ton of Korean food in Atlanta. I did still try to keep my expectations low. We ordered the kimchi for $2 and steamed rice for $1, which hurt my heart since it's usually free and refillable at Korean restaurants. We tried the gochujang korean fried chicken - fried well, but not a huge fan of the sauce. Would probably try the soy garlic sauce next time. I did like the glass noodle which comes with a huge marrow bone, although sadly, there was no marrow in it. The biggest disappointment of the night was the scallion pancake. I've tried Asian savory pancakes from various cultures, including Korean pajeon. This scallion pancake was no Asian pancake I've ever had - reminded me of an American flapjack/buttermilk pancake with scallions. Not my favorite for sure. Overall, Gaja is the PERFECT spot to hang out and grab drinks, and maybe a small snack. But if you're really craving Korean food, Buford Highway or Pleasant Hill in Duluth have you covered. read more

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We had heard a lot of raves for this place, so maybe we had high expectations. The beef bulgogi and the pork katsu were delicious. The Brussels with pork belly were a little one note, as were the dumplings. Their take on an old fashioned was tasty and the pink flag was enjoyable. The vibes are cool as hell and the service was friendly and prompt. This was a solid meal and we will go back but it might not be in our all the time regular rotation. read more

Summary: Mid not really authentic Korean food, but at least there's parking, good vibes, and prices aren't absurd The Gaja Style wings were drenched in sauce and had very little chicken, mostly batter. Despite saying it's a gochujang tofu ranch, it just tasted like buffalo wings. The hedo bap tastes confused. In traditional 회덮밥, the sauce is gochujang with some acid and sweetness. This was close, but not quite there. The fish wasn't particularly fresh. The bibimbop was fine but also nothing to write home about. It was sorely missing the usual spread of 나물/sautéed veggies(?) and felt bland. Shishito peppers were good, but the seasoning fell to the bottom so the top portion was a bit bland. Water is tap/unfiltered, but I don't care about that. The best part of gaja is the vibes. The high ceiling, the lyricless soundtrack, moody lighting, and sort of random Korean signs (one said "eat kosher salami" ?) read more

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I love Gaja. The food is flavorful and there is something on the menu for everyone. Everything is affordable and i love the ambience...super cool yet super cozy. read more

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The cutest hole in the wall bar. Inside has all the right ambience and vibes. Super cute painted murals with the outdoor seating area. All of there food options are great.. tried a good bit of everything and it's always super good. Drinks are crafted well and decently priced. Me and my boyfriend love going here for date night. Service is always very friendly, fast, and helpful!! read more

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The food is a modern take on traditional Korean food. The bone marrow japchae was my favorite it was so good it brings a deeper umami flavor to a very traditional dish. The dumplings were good. The pork belly was my favorite. I would definitely come back. The service was very good. I really enjoyed this dinner. The inside is decorated in a fun way. I would come back read more

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I popped into Gaja Korean Bar this past Friday... and wow. This place is a hidden gem for real. I've walked past it a million times and had NO idea it was even there. The vibe is super cool -- eccentric in the best way, intimate but still lively. They had a movie playing on a projector, which gave the space a whole artsy, underground feel. Now, the menu isn't exactly pescatarian‑friendly, so I couldn't go too crazy, but what I *did* try was solid. The Kimchi Fried Rice was a little on the bland side for me -- I expected more punch since it's kimchi, but the portion was perfect. Most people pair it with their signature chicken dishes anyway, which makes total sense. The Kimchi Crab Cake, though? Absolutely delicious. Packed with savory lump crab, crispy panko coating, and a little lemony finish. YUM. My boyfriend got the Gaja‑style chicken and was obsessed -- crispy, crunchy, tossed in their famous sauce, topped with tofu ranch. He cleaned that plate. Now let's talk drinks. I ordered the Sledge‑o‑matic Lover, and this is the perfect spring/summer drink. Cucumber jalapeño tequila, house‑made watermelon syrup, a splash of lime, a hint of lemon... perfection. It's listed as spicy, but it's really not -- and I'm not a spicy‑drink girlie. This one is fantastic. The service was great too -- warm, attentive, and quick. The food came out faster than expected, everything was hot, and every dish looked beautiful. Gaja really surprised me in the best way. read more

This was phenomenal. My husband and I sat at the bar and ordered multiple dishes to share. Every single thing we had was so delicious, and the food was paced really well. The inside is very cool with exposed walls and a movie on a projector on the wall. I would absolutely come back! read more

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Relaxed, casual, no frills. But no compromises on the quality and taste of the dishes. If I could have tried half the menu, I would have. The fire chicken IS actually THAT hot. But what stole the show was Brussel sprouts. We sat at the bar and got some of the most attentive service, and left feeling we paid for LESS than what we got. The best kinda feeling! Check out this local hole in the wall spot and it might just become a regular for you. read more

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Everything good but do NOT get the fire chicken it's 3 hours later and my mouth still hurts from how spicy it is. The frozen drink was great read more

Gaja Korean Bar - drink - Korean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Seriously, I have eaten and drank here so many times, and I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!! If you feel like you are not in the right spot, you're probably at the door, which is discreet and in a parking lot. Many seating options include a large bar, tables, and booths. My husband even threw me a surprise birthday dinner with 16 friends here. Where do I start with what I like to drink? Well, one would be their slushy. The flavors change, so I always ask what is available that night. I also love a lot of their cocktails, as they are pretty unique. Regarding food, you should know that I don't eat red meat, so I won't discuss any of these items. We regularly like to share when I eat with friends so that we can try out our favorites. We love the scallion pancake, bibimbap, brussels sprouts, fire chicken, and glass noodles (with the bone marrow on the side so my friend or hubby can have it). If I could only eat one thing, it would be the glass noodles. read more

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Gaja Korean Bar is a hole in the wall restaurant offering Korean appetizers and drinks. There is a very grungy vibe inside, which aligns with where it is located: East Atlanta Village (EAV). It can definitely get busy inside, so just be mindful of that as our service, while friendly, was a bit slow Saturday night. We got the Scallion Pancake, Kimchi Fried Rice, Braised Pork Belly, and Spicy Pork Bulgogi. The Scallion Pancake was extremely doughy and salty. The leeks were burnt to crisps (as seen in my photo) and did not taste like a scallion pancake. The Kimchi Fried Rice was a bit salty and tasted more Chinese than Korean. It is hard to describe but the fried rice tasted heavily of soy sauce. I thought the Spicy Pork Bulgogi was alright, but it did not taste spicy. My boyfriend enjoyed the Braised Pork Belly. We wanted to try the chicken, but our server told us a video reviewing the restaurant went viral so the chicken was all gone by 9PM. As for drinks, we got the Permanent Vacation and Gust Sugarman. The Gust Sugarman tasted like yakult as it was essentially soju and yogurt. However, the Permanent Vacation was hardly enjoyable to drink. It tasted heavily of mezcal which left a really bad aftertaste in my mouth. Overall, I was not impressed by Gaja Korean Bar. The food is not that great and I honestly think it is catered to a more American taste palate. This place has an intimate and cool ambience, but that is about it. But to each their own as there are people who enjoy this spot. read more

Gaja Korean Bar - Permanent Vacation and Gust Sugarman - Korean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Gaja has such a cool vibe. I have eaten here a few times now and the food is always the same high quality. I come here for the fried chicken gaja style. They give you a huge portion and I can devour all of it every time. Their cocktail list is also super fun. Service is usually good for the casual vibes. read more

Gaja Korean Bar - Spicy Fried Chicken - Korean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Food is good. The service is great too. I went back to back because I wanted to try the fire chicken and they were out the first time. But I was also coming in at the end of the night. The beef is good. Rice is good. And when I tried the die chicken on thy second visit. It did not disappoint. Hot. But flavorful. I've had hot before and it's been 50/50 on the flavor. Here it is flavorful. On the good side of 50. I would come back for sure. read more

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Short version: I won't be coming back because of Holly (waitress). She stole from me by adding an additional tip that I DID NOT authorize. I visited this restaurant for the second time with a friend on a Saturday evening during Labor Day weekend. The food was fine, and the service from our waitress was overall average--not terrible, but not great. Our bill came to $82.92, and everything appeared to be correct. When the waitress returned to collect payment, I gave her my American Express card and a $20 cash tip. I specifically told her that the $20 was her tip and to charge my card for the $82.92 bill. When she returned with the receipt, I naturally wrote "zero" in the tip section because I had already given her a cash tip. I believed I was filling out the merchant copy of the receipt (see below). I checked my account the following Tuesday and noticed that the posted amount was $97.92--$15 more than the original bill. I contacted the restaurant and eventually spoke with a woman who identified herself as the owner. She sent me a photo of the customer copy of the receipt, which had a $15 tip written on the tip line. The handwriting was clearly not mine. There was absolutely no reason for me to leave an additional $15 tip when the waitress had already received a generous $20 in cash, which was nearly a 25% tip on an $83 tab for what I considered average service. If you zoom in on the receipt, you can clearly see the faint "0" with a line through it in the tip section. Additionally, the $82.92 grand total does not match the handwriting of the $15 tip written on the copy I was provided. The handwriting is noticeably different from mine. I believe the faint writing on the customer copy may have been imprinted from me mistakenly filling in the merchant copy. Especially, Holly likely seen this as an opportunity to get an extra $15. As a business owner, I sincerely hope management looks into what happened during my visit and takes whatever disciplinary action it feels is appropriate. If this happened to me, it's certainly possible that it has happened to other customers as well, and that is obviously not good for business. I appreciate the owner's assistance in resolving the refund, but unfortunately, this experience has left me with no desire to return. read more

Delicious food with a nice urban, atmosphere inside. We loved everything we ordered including the unique Asian drinks! I would recommend this as one of the top spots to try in EAV! read more

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Service was good. Was not a fan of the scallion pancakes. No one makes them like the Boston. The spicy rice and spicy fried chicken was good. Not sure if it was made in old oil or if the spices used didn't agree with me but I definitely got sick overnight. I'm ok not going back here but it was ok. The frozen/slush drinks! All 10/10. Super good. Definitely strong, you need to stir the alcohol in, settles at the bottom. read more

Gaja Korean Bar - Korean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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A Korean themed restaurant... Korean food was very bad and servers didn't even know what the proper pronunciation when we ordered. Scallion pancake is literally an American pancake with scallions on top... anywho cute vibe for a drink maybe but that's it. read more

Gaja Korean Bar - Korean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Sat for 15 minutes, no words from any of the servers. I understand it can be busy, but as a person in the service industry, at least saying, "we'll be right with you" should be the bare minimum. Sitting people down without a single word, not even a smile. Also couldn't even tell if they worked at the place because they were all wearing random clothes! read more

This was probably the best beef bulgogi I've ever had hands down. The Brussel sprouts were also delicious. Typically I'm not a fan of pork belly bc it's so fatty but this was cooked so well I ate every bite. The place was pretty crowded, but we were seated fairly quickly, though it did take a little bit to get our food once ordered. The spot was kinda hidden away, but had a cool atmosphere. It was kinda modern eclectic vibes, and louder inside. The staff were polite, and they did a good job-I think definitely louder volume was part of the more curt feel and the fact they were super busy. Overall the experience was great though and the food alone would have anyone coming back again and again. read more

Gaja Korean Bar - Brussel Sprouts - Korean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Aamir actually rocks. It was busy and he was like such a chiller. I love Gaja and I love Aamir.

The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because the fryer was broken on Valentine's Day so we couldn't order what we came for. We ordered the crispy dumplings, crab cakes and kimchi fried rice. Everything tasted great!!! Our waiter was very attentive and gave us drink recommendations. The drinks were great as well. We'll be back again read more

Gaja Korean Bar - Kimchi Fried Rice - Korean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Had a impromptu date night here, I've been in the past and was happy to return. We were able to be seated quickly. Great service and my favorite, they left the water bottle on the table. It's like a speak easy restaurant as it is so unassuming from the parking lot. It's in an amazing spot within EAV. The high ceilings and well curated Korean decor makes the place a complete vibe. We ordered the Gaja chicken (pictured after we ate 2). Plenty of it and had the best taste and practically melted in our mouth. Forgot to take pictures, but also had the Mushroom Lettuce wraps and the Pork Bulgogi. Both delish and hearty. But WHEN I go back I will always get that chicken. The menu is so solid I will want to try other things again. read more

Gaja Korean Bar - Gaja Spicy Fried Chicken - Korean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Visited on a Thursday evening and it was pretty crowded surprisingly. The host greeted us and we were directed to our seats quickly. The establishment was dimly lit, with the back door kind of ducked off. My friend and I ordered the peach soju (delicious) and the brussel sprouts. They came with pork belly and this nice sweet and spicy sauce on top. They were really good and crispy. For my meal I ordered the fire chicken and it was definitely HOT. It came with a small side of rice (about one scoop). Considering the spice level, I do wish it would've come with more than a small scoop. It also came with a side of kimchi I believe as well. Due to the spice level, I ordered a side of tofu ranch. The texture was interesting, not particularly my favorite, but it helped decrease the spice level. Overall between the great service and food, I will definitely be back. read more

Been here multiple times and I loveeeee the atmosphere the most! It has a brutalist design that feels like you just walked into a bar in the divergent/maze runner-esque series. I must admit the Webber can be a bit bland sometimes but I've had really sweet servers more than the latter. My favorite is the gochujang honey brussels and the dumplings... never disappoint! read more

Gaja Korean Bar - Gin House Drink with lemon, honey, and some kind of flower (I can't remember and it's not online in their menu) - Korean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Really good drinks, service , and food. Love it here! The bartenders were very nice and the drinks were strong

We've visited Gaja a couple of times, and I enjoyed the dining experience here. I would say it isn't an entirely traditional dining experience since it's a bar, it's definitely a bit more Americanized in my opinion compared to other Korean restaurants/bars in Duluth/Gwinnett county. The parking lot is always packed, so keep in mind sometimes you need to find street parking. Also, the entrance is gravel and has uneven ground, so I would not recommend wearing stilleto high heels like I did lol. They have good food options, I had the hedo bap (basically raw fish bibimbap or like a poké bowl) which was really good and had a large serving size, I recommend trying it if you like raw fish dishes with rice/veggie toppings like poké! I also really liked the Korean yogurt cocktail, it was very sweet and the "yogurt" is Yakult. I do think the interior is decorated well and looks very cool, but some of the words don't make a whole lot of sense if you can read Korean. It was also odd seeing typically free-of-charge side dishes at traditional Korean restaurants be put in as a la carte dishes here, like the shishito peppers with anchovies or banchan & kimchi. If you order those, I'd recommend to also order another food item if you're looking for something more filling as your main course. The service is generally good, but every time I visited they were very busy so it took a bit more time for our server to come check on us. All in all, I'd recommend checking this place out, it's worth a visit! read more

Gaja Korean Bar - Korean Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

It was a great vibe. It's in East Atlanta Village tucked away in a parking alley. It's easy to miss. It reminds me of a speakeasy and it gives off the same. I ordered the braised pork belly. It came with lettuce and pickled radish. Very good. The sauce it came with was sweet and very good paired with pork. Service from the bar was good. Their drinks are priced very well and they have a bunch of Korean options read more

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Its really cool, hidden speakeasy vibe that feels perfect for a night out. The atmosphere is top notch, making it a solid spot if you're looking for something different. I'm giving it 4 stars because, while the experience was excellent, there's always a little room to make it even better. read more

Excellent fried chicken!! I'd come back for just this dish. Atmosphere was good too, great for a date or just cool vibes.

I'd never been to, or even seen this place before I came to this spot to check out my guy Mike who does karaoke at a few places around Atlanta. It's literally a "blink and you might miss it" kinda spot. Ambiance/Vibe It's really a no frills, almost hole in the wall kinda spot, but with nicer decor. A few tables, a few booths, a good bar that spans almost the entire length of the restaurant. Minimal, moody-ish decor. 3/5 Service Service was great, readily available and quick. No complaints! 5/5 Food The food service was quick! They were NOT playing in that kitchen! I ordered the Brussels which have pork belly in them, and the Dumplings which were beef & pork. Both were delicious, though I think the Dumplings could use more filling. 4/5 Drinks Again the bar is about 40-50% of the restaurant so you know it's full with ALL the options. Some cute drinks on the menu but I stuck with my old go-to (what my go-to is, is not important - I don't need people stealing my drink cause that's my business lol) but it was great with a good pour and mixed well. I also had a beer, it could've been bigger, feels like it was 10oz but nonetheless, the beer was good. It was a sour, but I forget the name. The only sour on draft. A friend of mine got the handcart and some other drink that is basically an old fashioned. She enjoyed both, but heads up, that handcart is a small, cutesy drink FYI. 5/5 Final Verdict 4/5 Lord Wellington Approved The drinks were good, nice pours. The food was good and came out quickly. The staff were attentive and quick. And karaoke is always a plus! There is an outdoor area but I didn't get around to checking it out so I have no idea what is "giving". But I'd definitely come back. read more

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This cool bar is a little hidden but not too hard to find. Really cool vibes and great prices! $4 beers and great service. The food was ok. The crispy dumplings were my favorite. The scallion pancake was too tick. The gaja chicken was ok. I would still go back for drinks if I'm in the area. read more

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