Kiku Garden

Reviews

• ★★★★½ Kalbi Pork Bulgogi Kimchi Cucumber Kimchi Visited Jan 28, 2015

  Good Korean BBQ & Good Sides Keep Me Coming Back

  Kiku Garden is one of my regular lunch spots and a restaurant I’ve introduced to quite a few co-workers over the years. The lunch menu offers a good selection of Korean dishes, including Kalbi Ribs and Pork Bulgogi plates. The bulgogi here is the juicier style, cooked with grilled onions mixed throughout, which adds plenty of flavor.
  
  The lunch specials come with a selection of traditional Korean side dishes, including kimchi, bean sprouts, pickled cucumber, potatoes, and broccoli. The selection can vary a little from visit to visit, but it’s nice to have several different sides to enjoy alongside your entrée. I’ve brought many co-workers here for lunch, and it’s become a favorite among them. The atmosphere and menu make it an excellent place to meet up with colleagues or even have a business lunch with clients.
  
  As far as the food goes, the quality has been pretty consistent throughout my visits. I’ve never had a bad food experience here, and the main entrées have never disappointed me. Compared with some other Korean restaurants, however, I feel the side dishes could offer a little more variety in flavor, particularly that combination of sweet, spicy, savory, and pickled flavors that makes Korean banchan so enjoyable. The portions of the side dishes can also be a little small during lunch, although the staff will usually bring additional servings when dining with a group.
  
  Service is the one area where the experience can be hit or miss. I’ve had visits where drinks were left empty, sauces never made it to the table, side dishes weren’t refilled, or requested items never arrived. On other occasions, I’ve had waitresses who went above and beyond, bringing additional sides and making every effort to ensure everyone at the table was happy. It really seems to depend on the day and which server you happen to get.
  
  Despite the occasional service issues, Kiku Garden remains one of my regular lunch destinations. The food is dependable, the main dishes are consistently good, and it’s a great option when you want to introduce co-workers or friends to Korean cuisine.
  
  If you enjoy Korean food, I definitely recommend giving Kiku Garden a try. San Antonio has a relatively limited selection of Korean restaurants, particularly when it comes to Korean BBQ, and I’d put Kiku Garden among my top five Korean restaurants in the city.

  — Paul