Super cute small family-run Korean spot in Astoria! Good service, great calm vibes, and reasonable pricing make it a great option for authentic Asian food in a neighborhood that lacks options. Had a smattering of apps along with some soju, and it was a good time. Food was good but it was more the authenticity and casual good vibes that boost the rating up. The banchan was solid, nothing exceptional, and for $4 was a bit steep. The chicken was also similar, good but nothing standout. The spicy rice cakes though were really good. Only complaint is that it was pretty lacking on rice cakes - it was half fish cake (which tbh I prefer but maybe not everyone does). I can tell the food quality is good though, so I'd be eager to try more of their signature dishes, such as the Bulgogi. Definitely worth a shot if you're in Astoria craving Korean food! read more

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I ordered this via door dash so I can't speak to the ambience or service inside per se. I ordered the Galgi Bibimbap with Ban Chan, Buns, and a side of Kimchi and a side of rice. Turns out I did not need the additional sides of rice and of Kimchi as far as amount of food goes, however I think I liked the flavor and "kick" of the side of Kimchi over the Kimchi that was in the Ban Chan..... The food was pretty good! As I mentioned it came via door dash and the dasher was on a scooter and it was a few miles away so by the time it got to me it was only warm and not hot but that isn't really something the restaurant can do anything about. However I did ask for utensils to be included and I think that is something the restaurant has control over and I didn't get any utensils so there is that.... read more

KAL - Galbi Bibimbap, Buns (2), side of Rice, side of Kimchi - Korean Near Me - Astoria, New York

Love the authentic Korean flavors here, especially the bulgogi. In the summer, the watermelon soju is a must! Fast service and cozy/intimate ambiance. read more

The place might be tiny, but totally worth it. We arrived on a cold evening to enjoy some comfort food. Initially, we were sat right by the door and I asked if we could please be moved further away, because I was still dressed in my coat and gloves, and knew that would not be the most comfortable while eating. We were easily seated elsewhere and we warmed up even more with soju. For dinner, I thoroughly enjoyed the bulgogi. I ended up taking a sizable portion home for leftovers, too! He had the kimchi fried rice, also a large portion, and tasty! I definitely can't wait to go back for my bulgogi fix! read more

My friend and I ordered delivery from here and it was not a bad spot in Astoria for Korean food! We got their soondubu and bulgogi combo as well as their seafood pancake. When the order came, we also received some banchan, which was really nice to enjoy with our meal. Portions were good, the bulgogi was well-seasoned, and the seafood pancake came with lots of seafood (I just wish the pancake also came with sauce). Would love to check this restaurant in store one day! read more

Service was really nice and the music is low, which is great because I can actually talk to people. I was desperate for Korean food so I came here - normally I wait until I'm in Flushing or Fort Lee. Honestly, it's a 3 and I could give it another star because it's in Astoria. I will say I would order the bibimbap again, lots of veggies although the spicy pork was cold. The soybean soup was salty and devoid of the deep flavor, but the tofu stew was passable. Cash will allow you to bypass tax. read more

KAL - Bibimbap, soybean soup; tofu stew - Korean Near Me - Astoria, New York

coming here filled me with regret as ive been frequenting this area for the past 3 years and been missing out on this place that whole time. its easy to miss walking down the street and when i stopped by it was empty so expectations were low, but every part of my experience here was comforting and made me feel appreciated. the service was amazing and I was offered refills on banchan twice which i took up. i got the army stew and they give you the ramen on the side so it wont overcook if thats not your preference. dont expect a fancy meal here but everything tasted like a comforting home cooked meal. read more

KAL - army stew - Korean Near Me - Astoria, New York

This place is small but serves up hearty food. They have coat racks so you can hang up your belongings. I really like the bibimbap a lot. The service is solid as well. Great place to get your Korean food fix in Astoria. read more

Go for the lunch special! It's so nice to have bubbling hot soup this time of year. I actually took home leftovers of my bulgogi and japchae rice bowl since I got full quickly. read more

KAL - Lunch special - Korean Near Me - Astoria, New York

I've been to KAL numerous times now, and it's become a local fave. Usually it's been great, but our experience last night was not great at all. First off, I went with my parents, we're Korean, and it's a pretty small local spot, so I'm pretty sure they recognize us, and we've given them a lot of business. Our usual waiter wasn't there last night, and he's the main reason I've given such glowing reviews. His service is wonderful, above and beyond. He always makes sure we're taken care of and have a good experience, which I truly appreciate. However, he wasn't there yesterday, but another man and woman were the only ones serving. I had never interacted with the man before, and not so much with the woman, but I think they're the owners. I couldn't help but notice the service felt cold and dismissive, in stark contrast to the service to the white American guys at the next table. I think there is a silent undercurrent amongst Korean culture so not get friendly vibes or service from other Koreans. I've noticed it at other Korean restaurants and from other Korean people. When service feels cold or dismissive -- especially from your own community -- it hits differently. It's disheartening, and it leaves a residue that makes you not want to repeat the experience. I hope they can improve this, at least for the sake of the customer. The Food: We ordered the bulgogi and tofu stew combo, which we have gotten other times and was good, but this time, the tofu stew was not great. I think it's a taste preference, but it tasted just like a spiced soup but not like a real tofu stew. I ordered the kimchi stew, and it hardly had any kimchi. It was tasty but again mostly just a hot soup with a few bits of kimchi, a couple squares of tofu, mushroom, and onion. Maybe there was a different chef, but we were not impressed with the stews, especially since we went particularly for that tofu stew on a cold night. The bulgogi was fine. For a dinner night out, at full price, in a place where Korean community is small, we wished for a familiar warm welcome and the comforts of delicious Korean food. The vibe was a little different and disheartening. I hope the service can be improved so that we feel more welcomed next time. I don't work in the restaurant business, but I think the food and the service should be good, so guests don't have to leave feeling like this. read more

This is a spot for non-Koreans to get an introduction to Korean food. Definitely catered towards an American palette so I won't be going back. Service and vibes are good though. read more

5/5 kimchi jeon ($17) : Never had it w/ cheese on top. So good! 3/5 Tofu stew ($18) : Asked for very mild, but still way too spicy. Good otherwise. Wuda liked more variety of seafood tho like mussels & clams. 3/5 Grilled mackerel ($18)- decent Banchan: 4/5 Kimchi - crispy, not too fermented 5/5 radish- mild, very good 3/5 potato- good 3/5 bean sprouts- standard 1/5 broccoli- so bland read more

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Needed a quick dinner last night and ordered soondooboo+bulgogi combo and bibimbap. I wasn't able to finish the soondooboo because it was too spicy for me. I don't have a good tolerance for spice but after adding more rice, that's all that was needed to enjoy it. All the vegetables were seasoned perfectly for the bibimbap, awesome service! read more

Intimate spot. Definitely small but good things happen in small spaces. The staff is warm and inviting. They make a lot of their ingredients from scratch and it pushes their food over the edge. read more

Small and quaint place, staff is so attentive. They moved us so we wouldn't feel the draft from the door and food is very affordable. It is definitely worth a try read more

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We wanted to try a different Korean restaurant to see what's out there. This is a small place for a quick bite. I had a spicy seafood ramen. Hubby had Soondubu and Bulgogi. Their Bulgogi differed from most places, but the taste was quite good. I liked my ramen soup, but the small shrimp turned me off. The seafood used in the ramen soup was very similar to the frozen seafood in a packet. However, the Soondubu tasted pretty good. Yunis was the server and did a good job. It's worth the try. read more

Ate here today for lunch and dinner by myself on a frigid and icy Tuesday afternoon after work as a substitute paraprofessional at P.S. 234 Q. I had brought both the kimchi seafood pancake and grilled short ribs dish that it had tasted really good and delicious. The service there was also attentive and pleasant. Finally, I would definitely eat and come back again next time. read more

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The waiting staff at this small restaurant are very pleasant. The food is very good. Only bad thing is hard to find parking. You need to try this place out for yourself. read more

(4.5/5) Second time back at KAL and I am not disappointed!! The interior was as cozy as last time I came and the banchan was just as delicious too (perfect amounts of salty, sour, and spicy). This time I got the Samgyetang which is a chicken broth served with a whole small bird stuffed with jujube dates, ginseng, rice, and other hearty ingredients served in a hot stone bowl. My only qualm was that the chicken tasted a little bit dry. It was the perfect meal for a winter day and I also had leftovers to take home. The service was great too -- they let me go out to an ATM to get cash and then return! Highly recommend KAL if you're in Astoria. read more

KAL - Bulgogi Japchae - Korean Near Me - Astoria, New York

Just a wonderful experience good food nice place fast service it had it all and is family owned wonderful lunch specials read more

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Mmmm it's such a cute spot - pretty small and casual but lots of people were ordering online. I'd say more of a 3.5 We ordered the bulgogi soup and the kimchi soup and the pancakes. I probably wouldn't order the bulgogi soup because I wasn't expecting it to be that sweet (shoulda stuck to soondubu) and I would've liked the soup more boiling hot. I enjoyed the scallion pancakes and the banchan and the services as good. Overall, it hit the spot but not sure when I'll be back next. read more

Hmm 3.5? Well, 5/5 for the staff that was working that day but 3/5 for the food. My friend and I came here on a Thursday night for dinner. We were greeted by a very friendly staff and seated right away. I ordered a bulgogi omu rice and my friend ordered army stew. We were both underwhelmed by the food, which we were very surprised about because of all the raving reviews, also we traveled all the way from Brooklyn just for this. We both thought that the dishes we had were not flavorful, very bland. But because of all the good reviews, I am wondering if it's just an off day (different cook?), who knows. The staff member that was working that night though, he's super friendly and attentive, and we love his big smile. He paid attention to every customer, although it's a small place, it's actually not easy to do. He always appeared when we needed something and we did not have to wait around or look for him. Once customers leave he immediately sprays and wipes down the tables. read more

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I want to go back and try the other menu items here, but I wasn't too impressed with the donkatsu. The pork was a bit dry and the breading was kind of just there, not adding too much. The sauce was good though! Also, I did like that they gave you a decent amount of banchan with it, as well as rice. Overall, pretty decent but I wouldn't seek the place out for their donkatsu over some other place. The service was fine but the space was pretty small. Decorated nicely though. read more

A hidden gem for amazing Korean food! This restaurant is cozy and narrow with decently priced food. There isn't too much seating though - about five 4-seat tables and three 2-seaters. The chairs were kinda uncomfortable, and the cushion wouldn't really stay in place. There also wasn't much space at the smaller table for all the food and side dishes, so it was very cramped. Aside from the poor furniture choices, the food was well worth the discomfort. First, there's a simple QR code to scan for the menu. The menu is simple and each dish has a corresponding photo. The special combo was very worth it, as it came with two dishes. I got the 'Bulgogi or Spicy Pork + Tofu Stew' set. The tofu stew was incredible. The broth was so flavorful and addicting. Plus, it came with lots of ingredients - tofu, mushrooms, egg, and kelp (?). The bulgogi was also very flavorful and sweet. It came out on a sizzling plate so make sure you let it cool down a bit. And ofc, every Korean restaurant has unlimited banchan (side dishes). Normally I only like one or two at other restaurants but I liked every single side dish that I literally cleaned up the plate. read more

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Food was yummy and flavorful. The sides were crunchy and fresh. Rice cakes were cooked well and had a good level of spice for me. Noodles were maybe a little bit too oily but it had a good amount of seafood. I ordered delivery and the food was quickly made and delivered. read more

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KAL is a casual Korean spot about 6 min walk away from 30 Av station in Astoria, and I stopped by with a few friends visiting the city. I was looking forward to good Korean food and it was just alright. Nothing was memorable for me and the portions were a little smaller than I expected. read more

I went on a Saturday for lunch and got the cold noodles. For $15, it was delicious! It came with 4 side dishes and the flavors were amazing. The only complaint is that the noodles is too soft, I wish it had more of a chew to it. read more

KAL - Korean Near Me - Astoria, New York

We loved Kal! everything is great, we are lucky that is very close to our home. We have eat there many times, they service is great too read more

KAL - Korean rice winde - Korean Near Me - Astoria, New York

Good Korean food! The interior can get pretty busy nights so keep that in mind. I've ordered from here twice, once done in and once carry out. Both times, the food was quite tasty, with lots of sides and plenty large portions (that lasted .5 of another meal later). During my dine in, I came with two friends, one of whom actually grew up in Korea. Service was nice and relatively fast (less than ten minutes for food ). While (according to him) Kal took a few liberties with certain dishes, on the whole it was pretty accurate. I got the army stew, which was super filling. Would recommend if you're in the area! 4.5/5 read more

The dinner options here are worth trying. I'm coming back for more! All the employees display real job pride. This place meets every expectation. This restaurant outshines others nearby. read more

It was a cute and clean little hole in the wall place. Not super memorable but standard NY food and service. Portions were a bit on the smaller side. The service was professional read more

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Tried the Galbi Bibimbap, the galbi was tough and the ratio of vegetables to rice was off, there was more rice than vegetables. We did however enjoy the fried beef dumpling. Service was good, they have a bathroom too! read more

I think the food quality is high for Korean Food, especially in Astoria where Asian food is not the dominant. Their Korean Short rib was a thick cut, which was extremely tender and juicy. The seafood pancake was thin and crispy, with good amount of seafood in there. However, the usual Korean appetizer (kimchi, etc) only comes with the combo or add-on, which I find a bit odd for a Korean restaurant (usually always free to start). But they are good quality as I got to try them from the combo. Space is a bit tighter, but offers an authentic Korea atmosphere. It was an enjoyable experience. read more

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The bulgogi was so tender and flavorful. The soybean soup was a bit salty to my liking but still enjoyed the potions overall. Service was top notch, our waters were always filled and the waitress was so nice and knowledgeable about the whole menu. The restaurant although small was literally a nice cozy environment; like a home away from home and + points for the Christmas music. read more

KAL - Bibimbap Soybean Stew - Korean Near Me - Astoria, New York

We were greeted and given menus and asked about drinks. When I said water our server asked if we wanted sparkling water or tap water. Nice touch . I asked for some help with the menu because I had an idea what to order, but needed a little help. Our server was very friendly and helpful. We started with Crispy Tofu which was covered in a delicious, slightly sweet and spicy red sauce. The texture was silky and had just a slight crunch. The Spicy Pork Buns were excellent but not as spicy as I would have liked, but we had the Banchan dishes to add more crunch and spice flavor. The Banchan dishes were bean sprouts, broccoli, kimchi and pickled radish. The Beef Bulgogi had a very nice , slightly sweet flavor and the pieces were thin. I would have liked a bit of sauce with it, because when eaten with the rice it felt a bit dry. My favorite dish was the Tofu Stew with mushrooms. A little spicy and so flavorful. It is a small restaurant but set up very nicely. read more

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The chicken soup is very good and healthy ( got a wait time around 20mins ) Watermelon is very fresh Peach ginger tea is alright Fried Croquettes is okay. Place is small. Definitely coming back for the soup. Service is great . read more

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This is definitely a hole in the wall. I walked right past it and had to turn on Google maps to find it. We placed our order online and was very early for pickup. I believe I spoke with the boss and told her I'll wait in the car since my kids were there. Little did I know, she brought the food out directly to my car within 5 minutes. What great service! Food was good. Only wish the portions were a little larger but I'm a big eater. read more

KAL - Bulgogi - Korean Near Me - Astoria, New York

mmm i really wanted to like this place but it was just okay??? not the best korean food in the area :( the food: i got ddukbokki (spicy rice cakes) and donkatsu (fried pork) - the donkatsu was okay and i especially liked the sauce! but it's not served with shredded cabbage or anything like i'm used to it coming with. also, the ddukbokki was the biggest let down for me - it's superrrr watery and doesn't have much flavor. the space: small yet cute space with lots of polaroids of their community! the service: attentive read more

KAL - Korean Near Me - Astoria, New York

Ordered: Special Combo: Bulgogi + half Tofu Stew (~$20): comes with one bowl of rice and daily banchan; I chose seafood tofu stew Aya's take: The portion of this combo is decent for the price paid. I'm a big fan of tofu stew and KAL's broth is pretty spot on compared to other authentic Korean places. Bulgogi is one of my favorite Korean meats and despite being served on this sizzling plate, I would say over half of it was onions. I liked the combination of the meat and stew, and it kept me full for quite some time! Very small indoor dining but they can accommodate maybe 4-5 small parties. read more

KAL - Special Combo: Bulgogi + half Tofu Stew (~$20) - Korean Near Me - Astoria, New York

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It's a small restaurant that is very intimate, small tables and chairs, which I liked. I loved the food options but they didn't really hit the way I was hyped. Out of everything I tried, I liked the tofu soup which was great. Mackerel was meh, I think you can skip tbh. The presentation was super cute,loved the side dishes and the service was also pretty good. Overall worth trying out in the neighborhood! Lots of options to choose from. read more

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