Fune in Eatontown, NJ

[wench31]

I just went to Fune for the first time with my husband and daughter tonight for dinner. It was awesome!!!! We ordered the bibimbap, regular size sashimi and the chicken don. Chicken don was no big deal. But, it's good for kids. They gave us korean banchan. They gave us grilled onion and mushroom, grilled salmon with panko crumbs with some spicy mayonnaise on top and also some creative maki sushi that uses cucumbers instead of nori.
The regular size sashimi is larger than a typical deluxe portion elsewhere plus the sushi chef also gave a complimentary sashimi handroll which consisted of tuna, salmon, red caviar (?), and sea legs. Service was very friendly.
I was also told that they have lunch buffet 7 days a week which consists of various maki sushi, Japanese and Korean appetizers and main courses for $11.99 Monday to Saturday from 11:30 to 2:30. Kids under 2 are free. 3-7 are discounted.

I love this place!!!!!

[DJMarilyn]

We tried this place tonight for our anniversary dinner. We quite enjoyed it. As wench31 described above, we also got all the great little starters before our appetizer. This included some kimchee, which my fiance LOVES. Well, he is Korean after all. ;)

For appetizer, I had the simple, yet delicious eel box (eel sushi and rolls), and he got the Red Devil roll (tuna, avocado, salmon) which was quite good. For main course, he enjoyed the bibimbap, while I could barely finish my panko-crusted chicken (I forget the Korean name for it- heh). I forgot to grab a take-out menu when we left. But they have quite the selection there. I'll give it two thumbs up! I'd like to go for a lunch buffet some time.

[bgut1]

I feel compelled to let you all know about my experience at Fune this evening. Based on joon and Marilyn's report I decided to try the Korean offerings tonite. While I've tried the sushi there on occassion (and have never been too impressed) I was seriously jonesing for some korean BBQ and kimchee. I walked into the restaurant at about 9 PM and found it quite empty (pretty much the same way I have found it when picking up sushi). I looked at the take out menu and ordered some Kal Bi (short ribs for the unitiated). The menu describes the dish to be accompanied by vegetable dishes or banchan. Althogh many of the Korean dishes did not have prices next to them I still placed the order. About 20 minutes later I returned and was told the bill was about $24. Although shocked at the price I still paid and drove home. When I arrived home, I was shocked to find the following in the bag: a small container of rice, a small container of cold rice noodles, and a medium container half of which consisted of 6 to 7 small pieces of short ribs along with vegetable garnishes, That was it for $24. No kimchee or any other banchan for that matter. Being rather upset I called the restaurant was told the following: they are a Japanese restaurant (?); they serve banchan to indoor diners but not for takeout; the takeout price and the eat in price for the Kal Bi is the same. Nothwithstanding my disappointment, I was not offered any accomaodation. Instead I proposed to return the uneaten meal back for a refund. Trust me. I wasn't happy to drive back but I was really upset and wanted to speak with the owner/manager. It got even better when I got there. The owner approached me and engaged in a serious heated argument with me. Instead of just taking the meal back he had to open each container to make sure I didn't eat anything. His sole argument was that since they are the only Korean restaurant in the area, ingredients are more expensive and therefore they have to or CAN charge more. I tried to explain that at the many Korean restaurants I've dined in all have provided banchan and its wrong to charge that much money for the little food they provided ( let alone the fact that shortribs are not that expensive). I also noted that it was illegal not to post prices for the Korean items on their menu. Anyway I left and vowed never to dine there again.

[DJMarilyn]

It sounds to me that take-out isn't their specialty. All the same, sorry to hear you had such a negative experience. :(

[bgut1]

Marlyn - I don't have a problem with them even if there take out is bad, I do however have a major problem with the way the management handled the situation (one of the worst I've ever encountered) and IMHO evidences the true character of this establishment.

[DJMarilyn]

They need a refresher in customer service from the sounds of it! Again, sorry to hear. I don't know if we'll ever go back since it seems out of the way for us. However, to date, our favorite sushi place is Ichiban which we may need to go out of our way for if we don't find a comparable alternative up this way!

[joonjoon]

b, that is terrible. :( So sorry to hear about your experience. I've personally never gotten galbi there and don't ever intend to. I'm trying to decide if I should say something to them - I feel personally responsible. :(

[bgut1]

Don't sweat it Joon. Its obviously not your fault. I just thought you and the other Hounds needed to know how what they served me and how they dealt with the situation when obviously I was displeased. Clealry, I was dissastisfied and I would warn other Hounds accordingly. Again, not your fault but thanks for the concern.

[joonjoon]

On the bright side I guess that's the beauty of a place like chowhound. But one of these days I'll have to get you a *proper* galbi dinner. :)

[bgut1]

Thanks joon. I look forward to it.

[chefMD]

that is CRAZY !!!! glad to know because as a transplant here to nj, i have yet to find really good(authentic) asian food and this place was on my list. thanks for the insight.

[bgut1]

Your welcome chefMD. Although not Korean food, try Far East Taste in Eatontown for really good Thai.

[val ann c]

I agree that Far East Taste is wonderful. But don't go expecting typical Thai dishes. Far East Taste does their own delicious interpretations of Thai flavors. They also offer Chinese and Malaysian dishes. Get the owners' advice on ordering. You can get a whole fish.

[chefMD]

whole fish happens to be my fav. anywhere further south ??? closer to toms river ??? i have been to nobi a few times. come on bgut, i know you must have some favs further south.

[bgut1]

As far as Asian, other than Nobi I would recommend the sushi bar at Shogun at Bey Lea. Also the Stella Plaza on Rt 9 has three good restuarants: El Familiar for Columian/Mexican, a sit down Chinese (I forget the name) and the Athens Grill for Greek. For Italian I would recommend either Villa Amalfi or Caffe Italia. Other than those stand-bys, and the stellar Bistro 44, the TR area is pretty bare food wise.

[val ann c]

b,
Where is Stella Plaza? I'm interested in the Greek place. Is it worth a 30 min drive? In the Middletown area, we're limited to "Greek to Me" which is mediocre, IMO.

[bgut1]

val - sorry it ook me so long to respond as I was away. The Stella Towne Plaza is located at 1222 Route 166 in Toms River right off the GSP. While the restaurant is goos, I don't know if I would travel 30 mins each way for it. It kind of depends on how bad you want Greek food. There is another place in TR I believe called Gyros to Go off of Rt 37 West next to the Bank of America. I tried it once and it was very good. You might want to make a trip and try both. Let me know if you need anymore info. Good Luck.

[chefMD]

i knew you'd come through... thanks

[bgut1]

Your welcome ChefMD. Please let us know if you tried any.

[judyk921]

the bibimbap and korean banchan, is that on the regular menu or did you get it special for being korean (which i am assuming)?

[wench31]

That's on the regular menu. I'm not Korean. :)

[joonjoon]

I went for the Bibimbap! I personally prefer my bibimbap not in the hot bowl but it was a pretty solid hot bibimbap. Yum!

And yes, the (limited) korean menu is on the regular menu.

[wench31]

Have you tried their lunch buffet yet? I've been meaning to but haven't got around to it yet. Bibimbap in a hot bowl is the only way I'll eat it and that raw egg! Yum!

[joonjoon]

I'm personally not that into buffets in general, but I've tried their buffet a few times. I'd just rather spend the same 10$ on one tasty meal (like Bibimbap or hwe dup bap) rather than stuff myself with stuff that's mediocre. But I'd say it's definitely worth a try if you're in the area.

[joonjoon]

Glad to hear someone else had a good time at Fune! Also try their hwe dup bap (like a sashimi bibim bap). It's tasty!

By the way, a few years back, Fune used to be Kiku.

[soigne]

I have found, generally, that the better Korean restaurants around Central Jersey have better sushi/sashimi, than the better Japanese restaurants in the same areas.

[tuxedo]

Is this the old Tokyo? Near the Wendy's??

[Barbarella]

No that one was just remodeled a few months ago and is still having it's grand reopening.

[Barbarella]

Where is this place located?

[bgut1]

Cobblestone Village on West Park Avenue in Ocean Township.

[Barbarella]

thanks bqut1 must be near Picolo Italia

[wench31]

yes, it's the one in that same strip mall with Picolo Italia. How is Picolo Italia?

[bgut1]

Its very good. Highly recommended.

[Densell]

Picolo Italia is really good. Don't miss the oysters on the appetizer menu!