After having Korean food in Seoul and LA Koreatown, this spot serves up a pretty good spicy beef soup (yuk gae jang), especially if you consider where this place is and the surrounding options for Korean food. For spicy heads, if you ask for extra spicy it's still manageable, not crazy. Banchan side dishes were fine. Kimchi was the best out of the 4. The others maybe needed a bit of salt. I heard the soondubu tofu soup is so-so, so maybe try something else read more

Namsan - Yuk gae jang - spicy beef soup - Korean Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

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This unassuming spot proved a great pick up lunch after exploring the local area! The banchan was a nice amount for two people, and my dolsot bibimbap was perfect! The bowl was very hot so the rice crisped perfectly. Don't let the exterior dissuade you. The food is delicious, and the woman serving all of the tables was friendly and fast! The banchan salad was unexpectedly one of the best things I've eaten in a long time! I heard the waitress telling another table the dressing was comprised of sugar, red pepper flakes, vanilla and soy sauce mixed with lettuce from a friend's garden plot! I wanted an entire bowl of it! read more

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A hole in the wall for sure, but totally worth it. Don't judge it from the outside(or inside for that matter. The waitress was friendly and attentive. Decent prices for authentic Korean cuisine. read more

I'd had takeout from Namsan before but recently visited for a dine-in experience. The dining room is definitely a bit dated as others have mentioned, but it was clean and larger than I was expecting. They accommodated our party of six right away. The menu is pretty varied with lots of my favorite Korean dishes like bulgogi, bibimbap, jjajang rice, japchae, and more. They even have some less common dishes like tteokguk and other soups that I don't often see at Korean restaurants in the West Michigan area. We started with an order of fried dumplings, which were crispy and delicious. The banchan offerings included cabbage kimchi, radish kimchi, gamja bokkeum (a stir fried potato side), and sigeumchi namul (sauteed spinach). The kimchi is still spicier than some others that I've had so proceed with caution if you don't like spice. But there are plenty of dishes on their menu that are not spicy! I ordered the stir fried squid, which came out on a sizzling hot plate. The squid was not quite as tender as I was hoping, but it was still very tasty. Nate got the jjajang rice which was savory and delicious and a favorite comfort food dish of mine. Our server was super friendly and funny and even helped us learn a new phrase in Korean 맛있어요 (masisseoyo, "delicious") which is useful since we're traveling to Korea soon! I'd love to go back and try more of the food at Namsan, especially some of the less common dishes they offer. Others in our group really liked the bulgogi. read more

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The food is always amazing! The service is fantastic! The environment is cozy with great food and friendly people. Definitely a favorite read more

Namsan - Bulgogi hot pot - Korean Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

I am absolutely in love with this place! The kimchi is homemade and the spice level is perfect! The fried rice is delicious! The bulgogi is tender and sizzling hot! La galbi is excellent, the flavor is deep and the meat falls off the bone, it is not too fatty! Great cut of meat. The spicy pork is not overwhelmingly spicy. The kimchi pancake is huge! The egg rolls are fried fresh and come out hot with a nice dipping sauce. I love that it is also homemade! The boiled dumplings are slippery but full of flavor. I have gotten the chicken, kimchee, and vegetable fried rice, and honestly, I like a mixture of both! I always am prepared to get half the menu whenever I come here! This is as authentic as Michigan gets in my eyes. Sunny is the name of the woman who is working and she is such a delight! The food is always best whenever she is around. read more

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It's been years since I have been there. The food was not as great as it was a couple years ago. I was highly disappointed.

Namsan is legit. I lived in SoCal and currently in Arizona now so I eat and cook Korean food a lot. It's nice to see they have a good place in Kzoooo! We ordered the bulgogi, tteokbokki, jjajangmyeon, japchae, bibimbap, soy sauce chicken wings and champong to go. I would've liked a lil more flavor in the jjajangmyeon and the chicken wings weren't crispy anymore (not Namsan's fault since we had a 20 min drive back home) but everything was great! I think it was the owner and owner's daughter who helped us at the cashier and they were really nice. My only rec and I hate to say this because I know life is busy and things aren't cheap. But it's in regards to aesthetics. The front door could use a new paint job and it looked like it was going to fall off. The exterior and interior are clean but def could use some sprucing up to look daebak!!! (Awesome in Korean) read more

Namsan - Champong, jjajangmyeon, bibimbap, bulgogi, tteokbokki, japchae and soy sauce chicken wings - Korean Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

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Definitely a rustic vibe. Very nice people who run it. Very accommodating to several funky requests by other folks. Was pretty busy with a private party and took a while to get the order in and made (45 min). I ordered the stir fry pork and it was a family size portion and perfectly seasoned. The bibimbap was a decent bowl with a very small meat portion and not flavorful. I think a mix and match off the menu from the stir fry and bulgogi stir fry with veggies, with extra rice could get to 4 stars for 4-5 people. read more

Food was not so good only the dumplings were good. We ordered the black bean noodles and the seafood ramen. The Roman has 3 pieces of shrimp and the black bean noodles were very watery. Service was good but the place is very outdated and needs a good cleaning. Also I was extremely cold eating and the food was just warm so it sucks. read more

Namsan - The hotel across the street looks like a scary movie - Korean Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

I heard this place is a hole in the wall, dive scene, which I am willing to suffer thru if the food was good but unfortunately it disappointed. We ordered bibimbop which was okay, fried rice was NG No Good and the jajang myun and Ttang Su Yuk was soggy and not fresh. The jajang sauce was grimy, still powdery taste. The Sweet and Sour Sauce normally is served on the side to keep the fried pork pieces crispy but from time it was served to the first bite the dish was soggy. Sigh, I was hoping for good authentic Korean but this was not it. Maybe they have better house specials but I even asked about the Jajang myun being popular and she said yes. NG no good. Banchan was good though so that's why I give it two stars. Sorry Namsan, my first visit was not good. If I come back because I'm craving Korean, I will try to order something else. read more

My go-to Korean restaurant in Kalamazoo for the past 4 years. The place looks a bit old and unassuming but the food slaps and it's authentic. I've tried many dishes. One of my favorites is the Bulgogi Dolsot Bibimbap; it comes in a stone pot that's hot and makes the rice CRISPY. Other favorites are the Bulgogi Tukbaegi when I want some warm, light soup or Bulgogi Ramyeon also when I want some warm soup with noodles. The pure bulgogi dish is great for when I want to treat myself (costs $20.95). The prices are really good for the food. And you always get some Korean Banchan (small dishes) with your meal which are fresh and provide some good variety. Service is always great; I see the same Korean server every time I go there and she recognizes me and my friends and she's always nice and friendly. Sometimes it's just her handling all the customers so I hope the place can flourish so she can hire someone else to help her. read more

My favorite place to eat! Everything I have tried here is fantastic, and the service is always good. It feels like im eating a meal cooked with love! It is a great place to sit down and enjoy time with friends and family. read more

We were really excited to try this restaurant. It's not in a great location, and the building is actually a bit run down. I'm not sure if the woman was the only employee on site, because she was rushing around and apologizing for the time the food was taking. The end of the story for us (my husband, our two teenagers and myself) tonight is that the food was yummy, though a bit pricey for what we felt it was. We were served ever so kindly, and even got 4 extra dumplings on the house, and we will likely return for a lunch! The portions were plenty and we definitely brought home leftovers. read more

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Namsan...more like nam nam. I am thankful I found some authentic Korean food in KZoo. I have eaten in the restaurant and have gotten takeout. The restaurant doesn't have the best interior, but the employees are great! I have always felt well taken care of. I enjoy the "appetizers" that come with each meal - kimchi, pickled veggies, etc. I have had the beef bulgogi and bibimbap and it's been good. The lunch specials are real nice, too - good deal! read more

Namsan - Korean Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

This place has gone downhill compared to when they were opened. I had lunch here and I got kimchi Pork soup. It was so watered down and there were bad parts of pork in it. It was gross. I couldn't eat it at all. The service was bad too. The lady was very impatient even though it was just us in the dining area. This is the only Korean place that's close to my house but the quality of the main dish is just horrible. The banchans , on the other hand, were pretty good but it still didn't make up for the lack of flavor and quality in the main dish. read more

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I ordered big bowel of rice covered with fried egg, beef and veggies. It was super delicious. And felt healthy. Also, we orderd big plate of shredded beef. I couldn't eat much of that because I don't like meat when it tastes like pickles. Also, we orderd dumpling and rice cake soup. My husband liked it but I think it lacks spices. Prices were a bit higher than I expected. and higher compared to the quality. The restaurant need to pay attention to cleanness and how the entrance smells. The lady who served us was nice and cooperative in explaining every dish. read more

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fast service, pretty good food, but a questionable location. definitely don't judge this book by its cover and check it out for yourself. i'd probably come back read more

Namsan - vegetable Bibimbap - Korean Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

I WOULD definitely come here again! If I lived closer it would be in my lunch rotation. Never mind the "hole-in-the-wall" atmosphere reviews should be about food, and the three stars I would give this place are stars they got good food $17 for a heaping plate of bbq pork with rice and sides. McDonald's costs $15 for lunch these days! The bbq pork is spicy perfectly spicy, I think that is brave of a restaurant serving food in the homogenous Michigan landscape I can't get spicy this well done in my local Mexican spots. I am very happy. The table grill was down that was disappointing, and my wife makes better Korean bbq at home. Here the kitchen over cooks it just a bit, probably health code stuff; but they do make a good consistent dish for a reasonable price. read more

The food was really good, i would gladly recommend everyone. Service ehh, she was a bit awkward but it's okay. Ambiance, really really relaxing especially because BTS was playing in the background. I'll for sure come back again. read more

Namsan - 8. Ddeok Bokki 24. Military Hot Pot 36. Fried Rice 42. Jja Jang Myeon Special 9. La Bokki - Korean Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

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i've been to this place around a dozen times, and HOLY MOLY, the food is amazing. prices are a bit expensive, one soda, two entrees, and an appetiser will run you about 45+ dollars, but you ALWAYS have leftovers. little old lady that runs it is extremely nice, and everything else is in veiw. by the way: bathrooms are to the left, and at the door in the back. the ambience is awesome. it's a very inviting and cozy space, and the bench seats immediatley to the right are a awesome place to sit (choose wherever, but being visible from the counter helps in service times). try the seafood bulgogi, or i will call your bank and use my poor british accent to commit wire fraud. (joke). SERIOUSLY. GO. read more

My best friend and I make it our mission to try as many interesting food places as we can and this one did not disappoint. The food smelled so good my mouth was watering the entire car ride home and i couldn't wait to dig in. We ordered the gyoza, the kimchi pancake, and the bulgogi. My kimchi pancake was chewy and flavorful, the bulgogi was tender with a delicious slightly sweet sauce, and the gyoza were crunchy and flavorful as well. The best thing we tried was definitely the bulgogi. The woman who took our order and greeted us when we arrived was so kind and very informative. I suggest ordering for lunch to get the lunch special prices. So glad we tried this place. Come support this local business and you won't be disappointed. read more

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Stopped by during a business trip. Was pleasantly surprised! The seafood pancake had a nice texture but was a bit light on the seafood but still good. I also got the army stew which was good and lasted me 2 meals. Overall a solid place especially considering the area. Would come here again if I'm ever in the area. read more

Namsan - Army stew - Korean Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

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Glad we decided to come to this place when we did. It was a cold wintry night and we were in search of some nice warm soup which we happened to see on Namsan's menu. The seafood pancake was delicious, the tofu soup could use a bit more spice - thought it might have been a bit watery but overall happy we went. What really put this place over the top is Emma's service. Although it was her first day working there, she provided amazing service and made sure to give us everything we needed. read more

Namsan - Seafood pancake - Korean Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

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A perfect place to go on the way from Metro Detroit area to Chicago. I got the soondubu stew. The broth was pretty clear and spicy, but really tasty. The egg was slightly over cooked but I really liked the stew nonetheless. Would definitely recommend if you're in the Kalamazoo area :) read more

Namsan - 11. Soon Du Bu Soup - Korean Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

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The BEST Korean Restaurant in Kalamazoo happens to be hidden gem! The Good: 1. The food is 100% authentic! 2. Under new ownership and management. 3. The food: portions are huge and if you leave hungry then that's seriously your own fault. Everything was cooked to perfection and came out hot. Our server even gave us 4 extra Gyoza! YUM! 4. The service was phenomenal! Our server was very attentive and patient with answering all of our questions. (We had a lot of them...lol!) She was the reason we had a one-of-a-kind experience. 5. Namsan has lots of cool artwork to admire while you eat! 6. Plenty of parking in back! 7. Located on the corner of S. Westnedge and W. Maple St. - in front of the WWMT's studios. 8. The prices are reasonable. *Note* Don't let the location or the outside of the building deter you from experiencing Namsan. Overall: 5 Stars for Namsan! If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind experience then give Namsan a try. read more

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There has been some sort of Asian restaurant in this location for all of my 40 years in Kalamazoo. For some reason I have never been there. The current iteration is Korean. The space is not much to look at. The space is not well used or very well set up, but it's all about the food right. The food delivers. We had appetizers of Steamed dumplings & k-pop chicken, both excellent. Our entrees of bulgogi beef, La galbi (short ribs) and dolsot bibimbap were also excellent. The service was good and the food came out quickly. I very much recommend giving it a try. read more

The place still has "The Korea Sy House" outside but it is renamed but not marked. But really, how many Korean food places are there in Kalamazoo? I ordered a Bibimbap Bulgogi and it was very good. Flavor was on point. It came with the traditional side dishes like kimchi. The (new) owner, who is Korean, is also the chef and owner. She cares that you like your dish. Don't judge a restaurant because of its exterior. I am pleasantly surprised that this 'dive' is actually an authentic Korean restaurant and I will definitely be back. Do note that they only have soda for beverage. read more

Namsan - Bibimbap with Bulgogi - Korean Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

I went here with my friend on a whim, and it was the best decision. We pulled up and it didn't seem like much, but the food is absolutely fantastic. The server was helpful in answering our questions, and the amount of food you get for your buck is outstanding. I ordered the chicken ramen and egg rolls. My friend ordered the Dolsot Bibimbap. So flavorful, and some of the best food I've had in a while. Would absolutely recommend, but beware...that kimchi has some mad spice! A real highlight of Kzoo! read more

Nice Korean bbq place in town. The waitress/ owner was super nice as well. Being alone she made sure all the tables were attended. As a starter she even gave the tables free gyoza to start off as you were waiting for your food to come out. I ordered the Kalbi which came on a bed of onions sizzling on a hot skillet. The portion was good, plus all the other sides you get such a kimchi, cucumber salad, bean sprouts, fish cake and of course rice. Really enjoyed the food. The food came out pretty quickly and didn't have to wait. The only thing was the kalbi was glazed in something. It seemed more of a glaze vs a marinade which is how I usually have it. So there was something a little off but it was still good Kalbi and recommend anyone stopping by to get it! read more

After visiting South Korea myself. I'd fell in love with the dish Jajangmyeon. I had forgotten that we had a Korean restaurant until a friend said we should go. The place is decorated very beautifully and the staff is nice. The food was so fresh and flavorful! I was very happy with my experience! I think my friend got some type of short rib. She ate as many as she could and saved the rest for home. read more

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I have another review on here for Korean BBQ. I didn't really like that -- you can read the review for it. The other dishes were quite good though. So, as long as you stay away from KBBQ, this place is pretty darn good. read more

Third or fourth incarnation of a Korean restaurant in this location, following Bulgogi Box, Taste of Korea, and Korea SY House. Large menu, many options. Table service. You will get the traditional side plates of kinchi and other Korean radishes, pancake, and veg, in addition to complimentary miso soup. Bibimbop comes in 5 varieties and served in either a cold or hot bowl. Many soups, plenty of appetizers. Prepare for a HUGE tv screen when you enter, showing Court TV, soaps, and other cable fare along with your meal. read more

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Charming Korean restaurant with good and authentic cuisine. I had the bulgolgi and it was great! Will definitely return read more

Namsan - Bulgolgi - Korean Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

I ordered Dolsot beef, the food is authentic but the portion of beef is minimal. Ajuma is the only wait staff (probably one of the owners), she was friendly and helpful, the restaurant is a little rundown, but still good to be able to have authentic Korean food in a small town. read more

We just relocated back to the area and were so excited to see Namsan is still around! We tried some new(to us) menu items: the k-pop chicken and the kalbi tang as well as our favorite seafood pancake. the K-pop chicken appetizer was delicious - super juicy and flavorful, boneless chicken in a tomato/pepper paste sauce with just the right amount of kick. the Kalbi tang is going to be my new go-to order during the winter months. It's beef short rib soup in an amazing bone broth that is milky in color from getting all the bone minerals into the broth. They did not skimp on the meat at all and it was very filling. The seafood pancake was delicious as ever. Huge portions and delicious korean food - even though we got takeout due to Covid precautions, they still included all of the banchan (side dishes.) So glad this place is better than ever! read more

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We had great meals with great service. I asked for the spice level to be adjusted and they were very accommodating. I would definitely return. read more

Ordered the Kimchi Pancakes and Spicy Pork via Grubhub and was pleasantly surprised by not only the quality of the food but the sheer quantity! They also included a little appetizer tray as well which was yummy! Can't wait to explore more of the menu read more

Namsan - 32. Spicy Pork Stir Fried - Korean Near Me - Kalamazoo, Michigan

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Food was awesome! Very fair pricing too. Will be returning. I've always been looking for a place that serves authentic jajangmyeon and it was great! Can't wait to try other things! Comment what you recommend!! read more

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My tip: go somewhere else unless you like to waste your time and money on something only look good on menu. I would've put a negative star if I could because this restaurant is something else. Passing by the town and being a big fan of Korean food I found this 4.5 stars Korean place (not sure how they got it) but the food and service are completely blowing my mind. I've had so many Gamjatang before but they made the worst ones. The pork bones they use were totally wrong and has a weird smell. The soup is full of onion to make it look stuffed. The taste is no where near an authentic one. I expect more than just 5 small pieces of meat for a $16 meal. The lady brought us the bill while we were still eating. Excuse me, we didn't even ask for it?! When we paid at the counter, she literally staring at us and watching what we wrote for tip. Honestly she wouldn't have to do this if she has confidence of their food and service. read more