Korean food in South Carolina. There were not many Korea food options and we were craving some soup and something spicy. We ended up here at Mama Kims and got seafood soup, jajamyeong, and some spicy pork. It's a self serve experience, you go up and get your own menu at the register, grab a table yourself, and order at the register. If you are dining in, they give you a dine-in number which they will use to determine the table you are sitting at. You also clean up yourself. So this isn't much of a service experience, but it is great if you are craving korean food. Low key inside was dark and kinda ghetto and there were flies bugging us, but the food was good and the portion was good. A very casual place to just chill, vibe and eat nonetheless. Theres also plenty of seating in the fornt and the back. read more

Mama Kims - Inside - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Went to Mama Kim's with a friend, both ordered chicken teriyaki bowls. Got back home and opened the bowl to find a FULL CICADA in one bowl and a wing in another. Immediately threw out the one with the wing, and walked back with the other. When we showed them the bowl, we were shown complete disrespect from one of the workers. He accused us both of lying and for some reason thought we had planted the cicada there. He continuously told us to stop talking, got aggressive, loud, and didn't apologize one time. They gave us new bowls, but still the ridiculous and aggressive attitude from the worker was unreal. Still cannot believe a worker treated two customers like this after we found bugs in our bowls. read more

Mama Kims - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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One of the worst restaurant experiences I've ever had. Went to Mama Kim's for the first time with my friend and when I opened up it there was a cicada the size of my finger and my friend had a wing in his. This was the chicken teriyaki bowl that we both got and when we went in with the untouched bowl to show him we were met with attitude and disrespect. We were accused of lying and being idiots. When explaining what happened we were met with multiple rude comments after walking out. Never going back and they need new workers. read more

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Spicy and delicious Ramen soup. Very friendly staff. Always a destination when traveling through Charleston. Great location and fun dining experience. read more

In a great location as you walk down King Street so it makes for a nice option for a quick stop as you're window shopping (or forreal shopping :)) Very quick to get your food out. I certainly appreciated that. Serving size was average compared to what I'm used to. Price was fine. The food was pretty good. I noticed more people ordering the Japanese options rather than Korean dishes during my visit. I chose a Korean mixed rice and enjoyed it. As for the sides, their two kimchis were great. Didn't love the third option (non kimchi). The only downside for me was the service was lacking. While quick, didn't find them to be friendly. No one ever comes to check on you so make sure you have everything you need as to not need to wait in line again. Drinks are self serve. Will likely visit them again and would recommend the food. read more

Mama Kims - Bimbimbap - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Walked in and was greeted by the nicest staff! First time here and everyone was incredibly kind and helpful. Ordered the beef ramen and the spicy pork bulgogi! The food was phenomenal and came out hot and fast! The restaurant is so cute and homey. 10/10 recommend!!! read more

Mama Kims - beef Non-Spicy Beef Flavored Ramen Spicy Pork Bul-Go-Gi Lunch Miso Soup - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

If you need a break from southern cuisine, then try this establishment. SO had the chicken teriyaki and I had the steak and shrimp combo. Bottom line, the service and food were very good. read more

Mama Kims - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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You got a good amount of food for the price you pay on the lunch menu. Very filling. The cashier was very friendly and assisted with the menu when ordering. You received a number plate. Staff brought food to you. Indoor seating available in the front of the place as well as additional in the back. Accessible restrooms for customers. Bright red walls and a television playing Sunday football while dining in was a plus. read more

Mama Kims - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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This place was my favorite place to eat the whole trip! It is a small little restaurant but the staff was friendly and the food was delicious!! It is also reasonable pricing especially for Charleston. read more

Mama Kims - This was the Hibachi Chicken and Shrimp! - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Great portion & great prices! Would come back again. One of the workers saw I was super hot & fanning myself so she directed me to a cooler area in the restaurant. Every worker I encountered was friendly. read more

The first time eating at Mama Kims. I had the Teriyaki and Steak with fried rice. It was delicious. Large portion size. Service was quick . Parking can be difficult. Downtown Charleston area. But if you are spending the day downtown check this restaurant out. read more

Mama Kims - Chicken and Steak & Chicken Lunch with fried rice and vegetables. - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I was so happy to find a Korean restaurant in downtown Charleston. My husband and I came here twice during our visit in Charleston. We shared hot stone bibimbap and grilled beef bulgogi. The food was delicious and the side dishes were great. Good service. read more

Mama Kims - Beef bulgogi with Korean side dishes - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Had to walk a few blocks for this place. The shut king st down on 2nd Sundays. Who knew?!?! It's pretty basic Asian dishes. I thought it would be different. I guess the best thing is location c of c kids don't have to travel for decent hibachi. Onion pancakes were different. Chicken and rice were dry as hell. Nothing special to see here other than convenience. read more

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Food is always outstanding and made with love! Forever will be in my top three favorite downtown restaurant!

the food was not very flavorful. the gyoza and my chicken teriyaki was not flavorful even with the yum yum sauce i dipped in it. the first time they forgot my broccoli so they gave me a new one for free which was nice. the place was chill, nice music. read more

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My friend and I were walking through this area and saw that this place had Korean food, so we stopped by to get take out. I got the Bulgogi Bibimbap and my friend got the Green Onion Pancake. We waited inside for our food, wait time wasn't bad. Interior is kind of dated. I liked the Green Onion Pancake. The pancake is pretty thick, but I like how much pancake you get per bite. It was tasty. The sauce for the pancake was good, maybe a little too salty but good nonetheless. My bibimbap had a couple of sides, but I was disappointed at the amount of bulgogi beef I had. For the overall price of my entree, it felt too expensive to pay for half a serving of beef. The bibimbap tasted okay to me. Alright but not amazing. Overall, I'd give this place a 3.5/5. read more

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Walking along King Street, you almost miss it, but it's worth dropping in. The Staff / Service was very friendly and pricing very appropriate. You pick up a menu and order and the window, find a seat and wait for them to bring your meal. Ambiance isn't anything to write home about, a bit unkempt but the Food is authentic. The bowls are ok, BulGoGi is yummy though the green onion pancake with pink sauce was my fav. The kimchi is as authentic and tasty as it comes :) Thank you Mama Kim. read more

Mama Kims - Steak & Mushroom Bowl, Shrimp & Broccoli Bowl, green onion pancake with pink sauce and a side of kimchi. - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Ughhh I wish I could give this place a better rating since the ladies seemed sweet, but it was just okay. I'm often in Northern Virginia or Ellicott City Maryland and I'm surrounded by hundreds of amazing Korean restaurants. I fly to Los Angeles several times a year and have tried dozens of Korean restaurants in the West Coast as well. I tried the Tteokbokki here (rice cakes) and it was just alright... a little too sweet for my liking. Another thing that caught me off guard was the pricing - almost everything was damn near $20 a dish. How does a small mom & pop charge that much for regular Korean food. The rent must be high for them to tax the food that high... you guys should still support this small business if you have money to spend; the Noonas are very nice! read more

The place is so run‑down. I was really disappointed when my husband brought me there. Just by looking at the bathroom, you could tell the food would be subpar. I also couldn't believe the owner charged us extra for the small dishes -- in NJ, you usually get unlimited small dishes. It also felt like many customers weren't familiar with what authentic Korean food should taste like, which might explain why the quality didn't seem to be a priority. read more

I had mama Kim a lot when I was in college at CofC and there habichi is really good. I had the japchae for the first time as well as the green onion pancake. Both weren't bad but they weren't my favorite. The japchae usually comes with beef. But I got it without. (They don't let you substitute a protein) which is fine. It was filling and came with an unnecessary side in my opinion. The saucy was too salty in my opinion snd was overpowering. The green onion pancake is different from other Korean pancakes I have had. It's usually crispy and this one was fluffier. Overall I have had better unfortunately. read more

Mama Kims - Japchae - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Food was so amazing! I had the sundubu-jjigae and it was delicious. I want to recommend to everyone! Mama Kim brought the food out to us herself and she was the sweetest. read more

Mama Kims - Soon-Du-Bu-Jjigae - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

My husband thought the hibachi was not very good, "C for quality," is how he described it. The bi-bim-bap was alright; not as good as 843 in North Charleston. The edamame portion is a rip off... you get way more at a nice sushi restaurant for the same price. It's the type of place where you order/pay, then get your own beverages/forks/napkins/etc., and find a seat, bus your own table... as in no service besides bringing your food to the table. Not going to be a regular but would come back if downtown and craving Korean food. read more

Intended to go to King street Foods which is next door. I guess I wasn't paying attention....anyway, ordered some edamame which was excellent, and a spicy pork rice bowl. I should have taken more time to look at the menu but I was a little confused as this was not the menu I saw online, duh. Decent meal anyway. I'll try next door next time :) read more

Ordered scallion pancakes expecting what I'm used to and got a pancake very thick. It came with soy sauce not a sauce that usually comes with it. Not a pleasant texture at all. Shard it and thoughts were the same. Nope. read more

Mama Kims - Scallion pancake? - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Amazing food at a great price. Definitely go with the spicy pork bulgogie, it will leave you sniffling

Great food and kind service. The miso soup is one of the best I've ever had! I would definitely recommend

Ambiance is not great. Dark inside and not the cleanest. You order at a window and they give you a number for your table. You get your own drinks and they bring the food to your table when it's ready. Beef bulgogi was just ok tasting and had some chewy/fatty pieces. My daughter had some soup and said it was flavorless which was a disappointment. Not a place we would go back to in the future. read more

Came all the way from Greenville to eat again at Mama Kim's. Ordered like always the spicy pork bulgogi. Was disappointed with the size of the food. Compared to last year the portion shrunk. The taste was the next shocker for us. It had a bad siracha flavor. THAT doesn't belong into Korean bbq!!! Never going back again!!! read more

Mama Kims - Spicy pork bulgogi. 12-18-23 - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Amazing food and such friendly staff. Enjoyed every bites. Definitely recommend trying out

The chicken bowl was life changing 10/10 I would eat 14 of them. The service was also amazing

Disgusting & Dirty! Food was mediocre & expensive for what we received. Parking was a pain. Not one good thing to say about this.

Stopped at Mama Kim's for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. I ordered a bibimbap and my companion a chicken bulgogi. We also ordered sodas as there is a machine where you can pour your own. My go-to soda is diet coke and I was disappointed that it was totally flat. I dont like non-diet soda and there were no other alternatives so i ended up just drinking flat soda. The food was rather disappointing. The kimchi and side dishes were tasty for the mains were rather bland. I had to ask for additional bibimbap sauce to have any taste on the food but, but it was not great and the egg was overcooked. The place is not very well taken care of and could use some renovations. For the price, there are a lot of places downtown with better food and ambiance. read more

Mama Kims - Chicken bulgogi - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Great food! The atmosphere is ok when you walk in but don't let it deter you. The Korean bulgogi is bomb! Generous amount of meat!

Food is good, more veggies needed though. Quite dirty, rags on the floor by where you order. Food came out fast and hot. Small quantity for $17 read more

I'm from Orange County in Southern CA and was vacationing in S Carolina for a week. My daughter and I were craving Korean food and we came across Mama Kim's while shopping on King Street. The service was great and the food amazing and authentic. We had the bulgogi and kimchi jigae. Both were delicious and as a native Korean, born and raised in an area of CA that is a plethora of Kfood and culture and raised by my grandmother, a Korean immigrant, I can truly say that this was as authentic as you can get. Don't hesitate to try Mama Kim's!! read more

Mama Kims - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

The best food we had in Charleston!! The service was amazing as well! Please stop by this gem. Thank you!!

Great food and quick service. The food tasted very authentic and was priced fair for downtown. Check this place out.

Really good food but a little too expensive. The price is on par with a traditional hibachi restaurant and this is mostly a take-out joint. The staff was friendly and they obviously have a sense of humor. read more

Mama Kims - Hey, I get it! - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Good experience at Mama Kims. The prices are alright. We ordered bibimbap and it's good but not out of this world. Hit this place up if you want quick no fuss service. But the people who work there are good. read more

We ate here for lunch and it was just what we were hoping to find! Lots of delicious Korean flavors in my pork bulgogi and my husband's chicken bulgogi with fried rice. I got white rice, which was sticky enough to use chopsticks with ease. Plenty of fun sides to enhance the meal: spicy zucchini, kimchi, plus sprouts and marinated veggies. Lunch was under $40 and we left quite happy. read more

Mama Kims - Pork Bulgogi, white rice & sides - Japanese Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina