"Never say never." Well, if you reference my original review from 7+ years ago, you'll see I said I'd never be back...but after a couple of my favorite Korean places closed in the past several years, I got desperate and decided to give Sa Rang Bang another shot. I ordered the following: Spicy Soft Tofu Soup (Veg), Yangnyeom Chicken, and Dolsot Bibimbap (Beef). I've been refraining from eating spicy foods lately, so it was a bit difficult for me to each much of everything I ordered. I didn't realize the Bibimbap was going to have so much spice in it! I'm used to places allowing you to add your own amount of flavoring / oil. However, everything tasted great, and the banchan (side dishes) all were delicious and fresh tasting. I really like that they use purple rice too, such a nice touch. Interior is dark, without much lighting. The booth seating makes it feel like you're right next to those sitting at the booths beside you (because you are). You'll see people have covered every inch of the place with writing/drawings, mostly in black sharpie. Even the drink advertisement posters have some drawn in additions made to the models. Amazingly, service seems to have turned around. We were checked up on a couple times, but they weren't busy when I came in on 5PM on a Friday night, so maybe that was a factor. We were welcomed with a friendly smile and were also thanked when we left. Such a vastly different experience than what I'd ever seen from here before! Glad I went back on what I previously said and gave Sa Rang Bang another shot. I'll be back soon! read more

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We hadn't been here in over 20 years (moved to suburbs). We were so happy we came back and saw nothing had changed (except all the writing on walls). Its a small hole in the wall. We got there on a Friday around 6:30 and there was open tables but started filling up as it got later. Service was great and the food was still amazing. We went for the fried chicken and Kimchi jiggae and got kimchi pancake. It was alot of food plus the banchan. Added a Cass beer and everything perfect read more

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This is a well-hidden gem in the Sacramento area and a spot you should put on your list. They have a great menu that offers something for everyone. It has a hole-in-the-wall type of warmth that I love (bring your own Sharpie so that you may write on the wall) with the food to match. The staff is super helpful so if you have any questions about the menu, do not be afraid to ask. Everything was tasty and very good but, out of everything, the star of the show for me was the cheese tteok-boki. Probably the best tteok-boki I've had here--texture of the rice cakes was perfect and there was a smokiness that I can't describe but just know it was divine. We ordered so much food but there was still so much I wanted to try. Will be coming back here again and again and again! read more

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A classic Korean staple in Sacramento! Looks like they've gone under new management in the last few years but I'm glad their recipes haven't changed. I think they have the best seafood pancake and spicy chicken. In all my years coming here (at least 15 years), I've probably only tried about a quarter of their menu but no complaints on them. Everything is always delicious but I tend to stick to my classics of the spicy chicken, seafood pancake, bulgolgi, Bossam, or tofu soup to name a few. read more

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So glad I tried this place despite the avg ratings! I read the latest reviews and decided to try--they are spot on. Great food--we had bulgogi, japchae, ttekboki, and fried chicken wings -- all were delicious!! Came with purple rice--which has a more nutty flavor, healthier too I think. Service was great, the waiter was attentive--they accommodated my shellfish allergy too! (Just heads up that most kimchi has shrimp paste in case you're allergic!) The place reminds me of Koreatown restaurants in LA and the food was up there too! Love the writings on the wall, it gave an authentic feel Would definitely come back to try more! read more

Sa Rang Bang - Korean Near Me - Sacramento, California

A solid and cozy pocha. Between 3 people, we shared the 19. Bulgogi and 24. Pork belly with kimchi and tofu. With 2 bowls of purple rice, it came out to $53 before tip. Portions are pretty big but there could've been a little more pork belly. I like that their kimchi is actually spicy and flavorful though, I'd definitely come back to try more menu items. Compared to other spots in Sac, I appreciate how late their hours go. read more

Good service and Korean food. Got the spicy sweet fried chicken, seafood pancake, and spicy tofu soup with beef. Everything was good, but they're skimpy on the protein in their foods. The seafood pancake didn't have much seafood in it. Normally there's squid, shrimp, and I believe another seafood? But this time, there were barely any bits of shrimp from a few pieces. Almost forgot it was a seafood pancake because mainly just saw and tasted egg and veggies. For a $24 seafood pancake, I would hope to have a bite of seafood in every piece. The tofu soup didn't have much beef in it either. Food is good, just hope they don't skimp on the protein again. read more

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Absolutely delicious! The tofu was perfectly cooked--soft, flavorful, and soaked in a rich, spicy sauce. The melted cheese added a creamy texture that paired beautifully with the bold flavors. Every bite was satisfying and full of taste. The side dishes were fresh and complemented the main dish perfectly. You can tell that high-quality ingredients and great attention to detail went into preparing this meal. I truly enjoyed it and will definitely order again. One of the best dishes I've had in a long time! read more

Sa Rang Bang - Korean Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Loved my experience! The staff were super welcoming and greeted us right away. We were able to sit down right away, and enjoy the baseball game on the tv which was a plus. Loved the ambiance of the place as well, it was so comforting. The food was amazing. All our hot dishes came out sizzling and timely served. I definitely recommend trying the tteokbokki, the sweet and spicy wings and the soondubu. I will be back:) read more

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Korean restaurants have come and gone in this area but Sa Rang Bang remains one of my favorites for over a decade. It's tiny, it's cozy, and not much has changed over the years, but the food remains delicious. We came for an early dinner yesterday as soon as they opened. I like how private the booths feel, although some might think it feels crowded. But it's just perfect for parties of 1-4. We came in mainly wanting soondubu but ended up ordering 4 dishes...never a bad thing to have some delicious leftovers! Bulgogi- always a must here! It's tender and nicely cooked, and comes on a sizzling plate which keeps it nice and warm. Omurice- this was our first time ordering this dish here. It's not the traditional Japanese kind and I wish the egg was fluffier but it was a very pretty dish and definitely a good one for sharing. Kimchi pancake- very generous portion size! It's so flavorful and not overly spicy at all, which big chunks of green onion. Beef soondubu- could have been spicier and they didn't ask what kind of spice level we wanted, but not sure if they just assumed mild because we had the kids with us. But overall it really satisfied our soondubu craving on this gloomy day! read more

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I recently dined at this restaurant with a group of four people and noticed an 18% service charge added to our bill. Unfortunately, this fee was not clearly disclosed in advance. If it was mentioned, it was not visible or noticeable to customers before ordering. I understand that restaurants may apply service charges, but they should be clearly and transparently communicated. Adding a significant fee without clear notice feels misleading and unfair to customers. I wasn't clearly informed about the service charge before ordering. This service charge was not clearly disclosed before we ordered. I'm not comfortable paying a hidden fee read more

Sa Rang Bang - Korean Near Me - Sacramento, California

Great food, great service, but it can get hot in there during the summer evenings! It can also get busy at times (showing you how good the food is). Seafood pancake and kimchi fried rice are must haves! read more

Sa Rang Bang - 38. Kimchi Bokkeumbap (김치볶음밥) / Kimchi Fried Rice Seafood Pancake - Korean Near Me - Sacramento, California

This is my favorite korean restaurant! I haven't been here in years but they still have the best seafood pancakes. We were finally able to visit and so we ordered so many dishes but they all came out pretty quickly. We ate seafood pancakes, beef tofu soup, spicy fried chicken, kimchi fried rice and tteok-bokii. Everything was so delicious!! I'm not a fan of tteok-boki but husband loves it and their's was actually pretty bomb! The sauce was thick and flavorful with cheese and hotdog pieces. The server was also attentive, coming by to check on us from time to time. This place is a gem, giving off that little korean hometown vibe. I'm glad it hasn't changed! read more

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I showed up at 11:20, well within business hours (mind you they close at midnight) , only to find the owner already counting cash and preparing to close. There was even a sign stating they accept cash or Zelle ( due to card reader working) which I was fully prepared to use, so there was no issue on my end. What made this especially disappointing is that I'm a regular. I come in often enough that they know my order just by my name. Despite that, I was met with an unwelcoming attitude and a clear sense that my business didn't matter. Closing early is one thing, but the way it was handled left a really bad impression. It's honestly upsetting because I love eating here. Unfortunately, the lack of consideration and poor treatment, especially toward loyal customers, makes it not worth coming back. I won't be returning this place FOR A LONG ASS WHILE!!!! read more

I understand why they are rated the way they are. If you want to have galbitang don't come here, they skimp out on the short ribs and give you a cheaper cut of beef that is more tough and more grainy. If they're going to charge $22 for short ribs in the galbitang they should give customers what they're paying for. Pretty disappointed in the fact they think customers are not smart enough to realize they didn't get short ribs. Also the meat tasted like it went bad, only one of the pieces tasted like that. Would not recommend the galbitang. read more

This is one of those spots you only come across every now and then. It's a rare occasion that you find a restaurant with a vibe like this one. Me and my friends were craving Korean bbq but we had a recommendation to try this spot. It is almost hidden from the outside but when you go inside you are kindly greeted by the staff. The benches and walls are all tagged up by previous customers and it gives it a homey ambiance. We ordered some Korean beer recommended by the server and it was light and crisp so it didn't fill us up too much. The food was so good that I only took a picture of the chicken wings! I forgot to take pictures of everything else but I'll compensate with a review. Spicy chicken wings - we got the whole chicken cut up and it was delicious. It wasn't super breaded and crunchy like other fried chicken but with the flavorful sauce it didn't need to be at all. 8/10 Kimchi Pancake - this thing came out massive looking like a cheese pizza. It's paired with a tangy dipping sauce which is great but I like it just by itself. If you enjoy kimchi you must try this. 9/10 Bulgogi - There wasn't much special about this dish because personally, bulgogi is never amazing but it was still necessary to get! 8/10 Next time going to try the galbi. Raw marinated crab- nobody in my group has ever tried this so we decided to give it a go. The waitress gave us gloves to eat it with and made sure we didn't eat the shell because we thought that's how it was done. It was like nothing we ever tried before. Super soft, spicy and flavorful. Definitely recommend if you are feeling adventurous. 10/10 read more

Sa Rang Bang - Korean Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Everytime we go we've tried something different plus some of our usual faves and it never disappoints. Our usuals are Tteokbokki with rice cakes,cheese, ramen noodles and sausages has the perfect chew in every bite and cheese pull is phenomenal. Spicy Seafood tofu soup is great for rainy days. If you like a good crunch their seafood pancake is one of my favorites along with the fried chicken with the spicy sauce on the side. The restaurant itself is small, but gives a warm and cozy ambiance. Hole in the wall experience. The best part is that they close pretty late in the night. They also serve great selection of soju and beer. read more

Sa Rang Bang - Tteokbokki with cheese, ramen noodles and sausages. Spicy Seafood tofu soup.. some of our favorites - Korean Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Finally had the opportunity to try this spot out since my friends invited me to join them but we didn't realize they are under new management now. The menu now has more dishes (along with a hefty price increase). The hours online do not reflect their actual business hours. We came after work on a Tuesday night since the hours show they close at 12 AM but they ended up closing at 11 PM without letting us know in advance. We were only halfway through our meal when they rushed us for any last orders and to process payment, no to-go boxes offered. Aside from that, the restaurant was pretty cool and comfortable with the little graffiti everywhere and high booths to have more privacy. There was only us and 1 other group dining at the time so it wasn't loud. The food came out pretty quickly after 2 rounds of banchan. We ordered raw baby crabs, rice balls, omelette, galbi, tteokbokki and a few other dishes I forgot. They were delicious and pretty good size serving amount. read more

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One of my favorite late night spots. I keep coming back for their delicious K food options! My go to options include veggie tempura, kimchi pancakes, bulgolgi and seafood tofu soup. Banchan comes complimentary twice and then they charge. No big deal. Love the beverages and the casual atmosphere. Friendly staff and always parking. read more

Love this place!!! The food was amazing. I've been looking for a good Korean spot that has spicy raw marinated crab. I once tried raw crab before in SoCal and didn't like it, but I wanted to so bad and had to give it another try. I'm glad I did cause this place didn't disappoint and I now like it! Another favorite was the bibimap and spicy sausage/rice cake IMO. I ate the bibimap as a left over and it was still fireeee. Although I do wish the spot was a little bigger as its a very small place. We were able to fit our party of 6 but anything more than that, might have to be separate tables so just keep thay in mind. read more

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We returned to Sa Rang Bang after a long time away and it was still as great as we remembered, but with A+ service this time. We were three adults and a toddler, and they had high chairs that fit nicely in the booth. We used to go to Sa Rang Bang often as we lived in Rosemont when we first moved to Sacramento, so this was a nice trip down memory lane. The food as always is excellent. We've ordered takeout from here, and there is a difference. You have to eat in! The food just tastes so much better hot. The only thing I would say is that it was really warm, and getting a stew made it hotter. However, it's definitely worth it. Makes the experience more authentic. read more

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We love this place! Our go-to order is the kimchi tofu stew and the mackerel with purple rice!

Very good family owned Korean restaurant. Ive traveled all over Korea and this restaurant is authentic, priced reasonably and has a unique ambiance that may seem odd, but is actually something you see in K dramas. So dont be off put by the "graffiti" that they have inside all over. read more

I've been coming to this spot for close to 15 years and it's hands down one of the OGs of Korean food in Sacramento. Long before the hallyu wave and before Korean cuisine was mainstream. The kimchi fried rice is legendary and the chicken gizzard is perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. Pair that off with soju and you got a real deal Korean comfort food. It's a no frills hole in the wall place but that's what makes it special. read more

I have frequented Sa Rang Bang since 2022 and it's probably one of my go-to Korean restaurants. I've heard that the restaurant has new management but as long as the food tastes the same, it doesn't bother me. The food prices average $15-$22 per plate now compared to when I first visited, but the portions are still fair. This is a small cozy [mom&pop]shop where each booth feels private and you could even draw on the walls/booths/posters. The hours may be inaccurate but they do open late, just not until 2 AM. I believe their kitchen closes around 23:00 or 23:30 so I usually try to not stop by super late since their hours can be unreliable. Despite their hours being subject to change, I always end up returning because I love the food and the service that comes with it. It just feels so authentically Asian and feels like home (I'm not Korean but the ambience is nostalgic and provides a sense of familiarity). I've received service from the staff that's just straightforward (which may come off as rude to Westerners) but gets your order right and doesn't give fake customer service but I've also had sweet/nice staff that gives off a nice auntie/older sis vibe, but I enjoy the overall experience regardless because it feels authentic. I think there is a gratuity added to parties of 4 or above, but I'm usually here with a smaller party. When it comes to the food, it's always mouthwatering and satisfying. I have not found another place that offers cheese ttbeokki, or makes a dolsot bibimbap how I like it. I love the portioning (not too much, not too little) and it's cheaper than some other Korean places I've visited where the dolsot bibimbap is dang near $30. It's comfort food here for me and a good place to eat with friends and family to bond, to laugh and talk over food, and overall, a create fond memories. I think there's only been one visit where they messed up our soft spicy tofu soup (it tasted too watery and not spicy) but we were able to get it sent back and they made a new batch with no issues. I love their barly [tea] water and so many of their dishes, but of course, I have favorites. If anyone is craving Korean food (that's not KBBQ), I always recommend Sa Rang Bang. The food is flavorful, portions are decent, service is nice and ambience is comfortable. Well balanced. (I'm kinda sad though that they don't serve jjajangmyeon but everything else is still yummy). I actually returned from a trip from San Francisco the other week where I constantly ate disappointing food from various restaurants so when I returned home to Sacramento, Sa Rang Bang was the restaurant I decided to go to after returning; my taste buds were overwhelmed with such joy to have finally experienced good comfort food, I could have cried. read more

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Came here hungry and left emotionally attached. The flavors are bold, the spice is seductive, and the whole meal felt like a slow burn in the best way. Everything we ordered was straight-up addictive--perfectly seasoned, beautifully cooked, and gone way too fast. The vibe is cozy with just enough energy to feel like a night out, and the service was quick, warm, and genuinely attentive. If you're looking for a place that hits hard with flavor and leaves you wanting a second round... congratulations, you found it. read more

First time here and I loved it so much. The seatings are with benches and a little tight but still decently roomy. There's a lot of writing on the wall as you can write on it. The bathroom doesn't flush as I held it down for 20secs and more like followed on the instruction in the bathroom. The food here is sooo flavorful and aromatic. I literally fell in love with my food. The rice was like Thai purple sticky rice just not sticky and I love that even more. My food was just not as tender as I'd like it to be but still good. I love the broth it came in and everything. My boyfriend had the tofu rice plate and that was pretty mid as I felt like they could've stir fry the tofu into the meat. Plus you can make this at home which didn't feel very restaurant-y. The water was ice cold and they give it to you in a jug. Also offer barley tea but I did not drink it. Service was well, just like any other server. (same review by me on Google) read more

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I have not been here in years. When my sister told me she went there a week ago I just had to go there for the chicken gizzards. I ordered the chicken gizzards, sweet and spicy fried chicken with the sauce on the side, seafood pancake, and bulgogi. Everything was so good and flavorful. The fried chicken was crispy. Love that. When I walk in the restaurant it was dark but when sitting at the table with the food the lights were bright enough for us to see. The waiter was nice and greeted us and took our order. The food came out fast. Yes I would come back again! read more

One of the best Korean spot in the Sacramento area. I love going here when you just want that comfort food but don't want to do the cooking of KBBQ! The place still open late and appears to have new ownership? But the vibe is still the same, we went a little early for dinner and it wasn't pack but that's normal, go later and it's always pack! The food still tastes the same, amazingly! We always go for the chicken gizzards and omu rice! We got their sweet and spicy chicken wing - I think that's the only inconsistent item they have but it is still good. We always get some kind of soup and that never fails. Service was great! read more

Best Korean food in Sacramento. The customer service is amazing as well. It's an unassuming place but the food is so good! Will be back soon. read more

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This place is a complete 10 out of 10. Delicious food. Very nice staff. The location is very cute. Makes you feel real at home. Also love that they are open late. read more

I love so many things here. It's a fun place to go to at night and I appreciate how late they're open. More of a fun place to go with a partner or friend. The service is always friendly and chill. I haven't too many favorite things here to name them all but I almost always get the Haemul Pajeon. Stir fry's, soups, chicken, bar food. All great. read more

This is a kind of hole-in-the-wall restaurant that offer delicious authentic Korean food. Every dish we order was full of flavor and well balanced. The only downside is that the seating is pretty tight inside and there is not a lot of space to move around but the food makes up for it. My go-to spot for Korean food that is not KBBQ. read more

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The food service was so amazing! It was fresh out of cooking ! I was looking for a place that stays open when I woke overnight shifts sometimes I gets off at 11pm, searching areas that closes around later time. The ambiance for food services and restaurants service it was amazing! I've ordered AI Tang (Spicy Fish Roe Soup) and my brother got Beef Bulgogi! My soup is perfect amount of spicy and new favorite menu! Would come again next week! read more

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Was recommended by my Aunt and I loved it so much! The food is exceptional and the staff is always very welcoming and kind!

BE AWARE!! They charge service fee to a party of 4 or more to your original receipt (Yup, that's right 4..) They do not advertise this (I had to clarify if service fee was considered tip. It was.). It's very deceptive because when you sign for your credit card receipt they ask you how much you want to tip on top of the already added tip. Essentially tricking you into double tipping for a party of 4 with sub experience. Seating: We had a party of 4. We were planning to order a lot of food but where we sat there was not a lot of room. We asked for a larger table that was empty but they said it's reserved for parties of 5 or more (this is new, we use to get to sit where we want but understandable since this is a small restaurant). We an ordered total of 7 dishes and the small table definitely felt cramped. There's already no elbow room in the seats. Ambience: There's no AC just a fan. It was hot in there and it wasn't because of the spicy food neither. Written stuff on wall was cute though. Service: there's only one person maintaining the front of the house so service may be slow, Which led to him missing some items in our meal. However, he was kind and apologetic.(understandable since they probably expected to be slow on a Tuesday night -- It was not). Food: side dishes use to be more than 6-10. But now there's 4 unimpressive side dishes. Also, they got rid of the roasted corn/barley water! So you just get plain water now. Food portion size is a lot smaller than what it use to be while the price of each entree is of a fancy restaurant. This place use to be the spot, but I think it's because post COVID that the quality for price of the food is no longer makes this place worth it. It's better to just go to an all you can eat Korean BBQ. EDIT: Apparently it's under new management. Maybe that's why this place is sub. ** this review has grammatical and spelling errors because I'm too tired to edit but I still want to express my dissatisfaction with this place** read more

Sa Rang Bang - Be Aware! They add service charge to party of 4 or more. CC receipt will ask you to add tip (A very deceptive hidden double tip tactic). - Korean Near Me - Sacramento, California

Love the new ownership and how nice the people are. BUT they charge auto gratuity after 4 or more people. Also I got home and noticed that the tax is after the service charge, which service charge should not be taxed.... So that's not right! read more

New owner ship as when I came when I was young; more Asian taste here ; we love it; huge size only 30 ish , spicy roe crab salad and boiled pork belly w oyster salad( not too sweet ) ; the seafood pan cake ( nice presentation; size) And they have special for 50% off on weekdays ; be honest they did upgrade their menus compared to 10 years ago. I'm actually surprised here will be my new hang out place again read more

Sa Rang Bang - Seafood pan cake ; boil pork belly n oyster salad; and row spicy crab salad (not too sweet ; crab taste like jelly is awesome ) - Korean Near Me - Sacramento, California

The fried chicken is bomb! I like their seafood pancake as well. Their sides are okay, not given a lot of different sides but still good. read more

Sa Rang Bang - Yangnyam Chicken - Korean Near Me - Sacramento, California

The food here is really good however they are a little on the pricey side. But the kimchi fried rice was definitely my favorite. read more

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