665070 Thu Nov 05 18:55:47 -0800 2009 17 10 Florida 0 5159796 Where are the best Korean restaurants in the Tampa Bay area? Thu Nov 05 18:55:47 -0800 2009 152043 TampaAurora 1 5160283 I spent some time in South Korea, and haven't yet found any really good Korean food yet in the bay. The three restaurants I know of off the top of my head are: Matoi - 602 N Dale Mabry - mediocre, more of a sushi joint. Sa Ri One - Cypress near Dale Mabry - OK, not mind blowing or super-authentic ?? - On waters, west of the veterans, south side of the road - Ironically this was my favorite of the three, but I can't remember the name and google isn't helping me out. There's also one out by USF I believe, anyone eaten there? Best Korean in FL that I've had is in Orlando, called Shin Jung. Sometimes hard to get in there because of all the Korean people waiting to eat, which is a good sign. Fri Nov 06 04:36:57 -0800 2009 5159796 1115783 askdrtodd 2 5160602 The real and original name of this Korean restaurant is Han Il Kwan, but when they moved from their old Cypress St. location to Waters Avenue they changed the name to Ginza... "Japanese Steakhouse" believe it or not... I'm not sure what that's all about, but they are my 'go-to' Korean joint! They have a nice lunch-time Sushi, and hot & cold Korean, buffet for $12.00 or so, as well as a full Korean menu... Nice folks and real good food... Fri Nov 06 07:20:30 -0800 2009 5160283 10783 Mild Bill 3 5162296 Ah yes, Ginza. It was the best of that trio, for sure, but still honestly the best I've ever had in FL was in Orlando, hiiiiighly recommend. Fri Nov 06 16:34:05 -0800 2009 5160602 1115783 askdrtodd 4 5162676 the boys had lunch today at Ginza and definitel enjoyed it Fri Nov 06 21:07:51 -0800 2009 5162296 60784 rhnault 5 5163197 Yes we did... Yes we did... Ya like my De Niro? Sat Nov 07 08:26:48 -0800 2009 5162676 10783 Mild Bill 2 5160775 I sometimes get sushi at matoi. sa ri one was okay, i agree with the assessment above. Fri Nov 06 08:16:38 -0800 2009 5160283 13633 andy huse 2 5160808 Sa Ri One offers a good lunch bento box of Korean favorites at very reasonable prices. Has anyone been to Rice on Hillsborough? They are supposedly the only place in the Tampa Bay area with authentic Korean grills at the table. Fri Nov 06 08:25:50 -0800 2009 5160283 40749 laboheme 3 5160835 I went a couple of years ago and thought it was overpriced and not that exciting. It is a buffet and they bring out the grilled meat. Fri Nov 06 08:32:18 -0800 2009 5160808 60784 rhnault 3 5162998 Sa Ri One and Rice on Hillsborough, while not as good or as authentic as what you got in S. Korea, are the best that I've found in Tampa Bay. Thanks for the tip in Orlando (Shin Jung). I grew up in Hawaii and ate Korean food every week. I would definitely drive to Orlando to get my Korean comfort food. Sat Nov 07 06:29:20 -0800 2009 5160808 1122471 FlyinHawaiian 1 5167299 Ate at Ginza for lunch buffet today and was sorta disappointed, the food wasn't bad but there was hardly a selection, they had rice, miso soup, a chicken dish I didn't recognize, bul go gi, seafood pancakes, tempura sweet potato, a couple different kim chis, a seaweed salad, and a bunch of sushi that was all made with salmon/tuna/snapper/fake crab. It seemed dumbed down and americanized to me, but maybe I was just expecting too much. I think after eating at Jin Ho for the Indian Buffet last week I saw how great ethnic lunch buffets can be and was just underwhelmed with this one. Nothing was specifically bad, but absolutely nothing wowed me or made me want more. Mon Nov 09 10:17:36 -0800 2009 5159796 1115783 askdrtodd 2 5167474 Right... That's all it is.... If you go in there for a casual lunch expecting that ----- Sushi & stuff for $12.00----- you can find happiness... Everything tastes good and feels fresh---- although sometimes it's better stocked than others... You get a tasty sushi fix, not a profound experience, and enjoy some other fun stuff... The combo of their juicy Bulgogi & that nutty sticky rice is really tasty... The usually available sliced fish cake in the cold-bar is really good, as well as a few other items... It's just a good lunch if you're in the area.... With lunch buffets, I usually go in expecting less than this---- and if it's better it's a bonus... Mon Nov 09 11:10:20 -0800 2009 5167299 10783 Mild Bill 3 5167556 gotcha. if that's the case, there is no better deal in town than Jin Ho! At 8.95 that is an amazing deal and completely delicious food. Mon Nov 09 11:36:13 -0800 2009 5167474 1115783 askdrtodd 4 5168113 isn't it Jai Ho? Mon Nov 09 14:18:05 -0800 2009 5167556 60784 rhnault 5 5168629 yes. sorry about that, I was in Korean mode haha Mon Nov 09 17:10:48 -0800 2009 5168113 1115783 askdrtodd 6 5168689 I really want to tyr the Indian place Mon Nov 09 17:37:28 -0800 2009 5168629 60784 rhnault 7 5168867 do it! do it! do it! trust the askdrtodd, it is mucho yummy. Mon Nov 09 18:50:50 -0800 2009 5168689 1115783 askdrtodd 1 5171488 Soul of Korea is near USF, I think, but I've yet to try it. When I went to Sari One, some time ago, I thought it was wonderful! Soul of Korea (813) 989-9030 7612 N 56th St, Tampa, FL Tue Nov 10 18:17:44 -0800 2009 5159796 156855 cheddarcheese32