I still consider this the best Korean restaurant in Tampa. Whenever I need to taste the motherland food, I trek out to South Tampa. I've been going to Arirang for many years now and over the years have made friends with the owner, Misook. Misook welcomes you in with Korean hospitality and takes very good care of you so you have a great dining experience. Oh, right, I'm half Korean so I can say this with the highest level of truth. In fact, I felt this always offered such a good and close to traditional as possible, experience that I've been taking my mother there for many years too (and also to expose her to her native language because that's needed sometimes lol) Now, let's move onto the good part; the details: Conditions of the other Korean restaurants in the area are less than desirable but Misook keeps her restaurant clean. The restrooms are clean too. There's ample parking there, not a huge place but many orders go out for delivery so it shouldn't be too packed. You'll find she plays Korean music so you'll be exposed to a more authentic experience. The decor isn't overkill but does offer things she's brought from Korea to add her personal touches. You'll even get the metal chopstick, which is generally used over there (Korea). Now I'll move onto the food and this part I can offer a behind the scenes perspective as I briefly worked there to help her out when she was short staffed. Misook uses her mother's recipes and makes most of the food from scratch (apart small general things like noodles LOL). The yakimandu omg delish. Bulgogi and Galbi, you won't regret it. Hell, she even makes her own soy sauce. You'll be served traditionally so several small side dishes such as kimchee, bean sprouts, pickled radish, rice, etc. The bibimbop, omelet fried rice and kimchee pancake is to die for. Portions served are generous portions. If you want to keep it traditional, everything is generally shared. Misook is mega friendly and always ready to make suggestions to help out if you need it. Don't forget to try the cinnamon tea-super yum! The prices aren't cheap but not sky high either. I'd say it's a pretty good medium for the quantity and quality you receive. All in all, I'm sure you'll find a pleasant experience there from start to finish. I actually will not set foot in any other Korean restaurant in Tampa (there's only a few) and hold my loyalty to Misook because of 2 main reasons-the environment and the food quality. The only part you won't receive in your Korean dining experience is the steamers. It's standard in Korea to have steamers built into the table to cook your meat on right there at the table. I will say though, it's not necessary and you'll receive freshly cooked meat. Here you'll find a causal dining experience so it's unnecessary to get fully gussied up, unless you so please. I'm pretty sure you'll have a great experience dining here and would be shocked if otherwise. Enjoy!!
Barrett B.
How do you know that you have a good Korean Restaurant? Simple dishes like the Soon Dubu Jigea. It's basically tofu soup but it's so much more than that. The name doesn't tell You how soft the tofu is, how amazing the flavor is and how great it is if they put an egg in there (which they did). If their jigea is great, everything else will be. Let's get to the dumplings, or the Mandu. The crunch you get when you bite into it when you order it fried, ensures that the inside is still juicy and not burnt or over cooked. The dumplings themselves were a tiny bit over fried BUT they were delicious. The ban Chan or side dishes. In Korea culture, your food is served on separate dishes and it really compliments the meal, giving each side its 'own room to breath' so too speak. When you mix them and put them in the rice they give you, that's when it all starts coming together. Pun intended. That, though is how you start building the flavors and it's glorious. The pork belly My oh my. How I missed you! On a bed of onions, converted in sauce, this pork belly was amazing! Chewy but soft and tender. Flavorful, from the marination and the texture had my salivating as it came to the table. This is a must if you come here The mackerel Nothing to write home about. We asked if it was the whole fish and the waitress said yes. Whole fish to us is the head and tail and everything. They Just flayed out and cooked it before they gave it to us. It looked like two fillets that could have been store bought. It's presentation was very nice but cooking a fish whole has a much better taste than this. At least they tried. That's it for my review! 4 strong stars for the whole thing. And we will be coming back once I recuperate from the 2 hour drive. Enjoy the photos!
Brian Fleske
This place is a jewel and serves great food! Outstanding service and very clean as well. Please do yourself a favor and visit this place if you're in Tampa! Authentic and very well priced. I always have to ask for a box to take home leftovers.
Brandie M.
So I'm still trying to understand korean food pricing here in Tampa. From what I understand there aren't a lot of Korean restaurants here so I'm assuming that is what is driving the prices up. Coming from the DC area and having Annandale (Korea town) to compare prices to, I was surprised to find that one roll of kimbap was $11-12 dollars. I couldn't believe this!! I didn't realize how expensive it was until after I put my order in and I am not one to cancel or inconvenience an establishment off of my error. Ultimately, I paid 36 dollars for 3 rolls of kimbap which would have easily been around maybe 20 bucks up north. Guess I will be making mines at home from now on.
Sarah K.
I love Arirang restaurant. It's more than just the food, Misook and the Arirang crew are warm, helpful, and treat customers like family. On to the food - for Korean food lovers who don't love gluten, Misook uses gluten free soy sauce, gochujang and doenjang - I think she'd mentioned once that some of her sauces are home made. My favorite food is doenjang jjigae, fermented soybean paste soup. I rarely order it from restaurants because I am usually disappointed, however I gave it a try at Arirang and was pleasantly surprised. The stew was flavorful with a generous amount of bean paste in the broth. Banchan (side dishes) are amazing, cucumber kimchi is my family's favorite. Highly recommend this place!
CJ캐롤 Y.B.
We drove little over an hour to check out the place. Since it was my son's birthday dinner we ordered his favorites... dumplings, kimchi pancake, gim-bap, beef bulgogi, pork bulgogi & galbi.... it was delicious!! Food was great & service was awsome! We'll be going back for more!
Bryan Peterson
Fantastic hidden gem in South Tampa/Ballast Point area. Best Korean food in Tampa and the owner is one of the nicest women you’ll ever meet!
Joe Pezzulich
Very good Korean food. They are Korean, not Asian fusion. Nice selection of soup and noodle dishes.
Alyssa V.
Bibimbap is bomb from here but sadly can't say the same for the rest of the things I've tried, but hey could just be me as I'm not a huge Korean food enthusiast which is why I'm generously giving four stars. the bibimbap is the best though so get that for sure.
Beau Dusenbery
This is my go-to spot for some of the best Korean cuisine in Tampa! The food is always fresh and delicious. The owners are very friendly and make you feel right at home. My family loves this place!
Definitely a place worth stopping over, the food is good and fresh, the prices are reasonable and it is always well organized there. Fantastic work.
Ari J.
Best service, best food ever. Todd was super courteous and helpful. He even packed up our to-go plates! Highly recommend the Japache and the Kimchi fried rice. Todd brought out some cool/cold sides and they were delicious too! It was the first time I tried Korean food. 10/10. Definitely returning.
The Tyler Ward Project
Holy cow!!! I can’t explain it. Just go. Order the Hot Stone Bowl!!!
James Sherrell
LOVE this place! Head chef is a Korean woman that loves what she does! She has remembered me since the first time I went and is always sweet and happy and the food is amazing! Definitely get the ginger tea! Best ever
Nicholas Damon
very tasty Korean food, easy to order online and pick up, staff were friendly too, I look forward to eating inside when the pandemic is over as korean is always better at the table!
I still consider this the best Korean restaurant in Tampa. Whenever I need to taste the motherland food, I trek out to South Tampa. I've been going to Arirang for many years now and over the years have made friends with the owner, Misook. Misook welcomes you in with Korean hospitality and takes very good care of you so you have a great dining experience. Oh, right, I'm half Korean so I can say this with the highest level of truth. In fact, I felt this always offered such a good and close to traditional as possible, experience that I've been taking my mother there for many years too (and also to expose her to her native language because that's needed sometimes lol) Now, let's move onto the good part; the details: Conditions of the other Korean restaurants in the area are less than desirable but Misook keeps her restaurant clean. The restrooms are clean too. There's ample parking there, not a huge place but many orders go out for delivery so it shouldn't be too packed. You'll find she plays Korean music so you'll be exposed to a more authentic experience. The decor isn't overkill but does offer things she's brought from Korea to add her personal touches. You'll even get the metal chopstick, which is generally used over there (Korea). Now I'll move onto the food and this part I can offer a behind the scenes perspective as I briefly worked there to help her out when she was short staffed. Misook uses her mother's recipes and makes most of the food from scratch (apart small general things like noodles LOL). The yakimandu omg delish. Bulgogi and Galbi, you won't regret it. Hell, she even makes her own soy sauce. You'll be served traditionally so several small side dishes such as kimchee, bean sprouts, pickled radish, rice, etc. The bibimbop, omelet fried rice and kimchee pancake is to die for. Portions served are generous portions. If you want to keep it traditional, everything is generally shared. Misook is mega friendly and always ready to make suggestions to help out if you need it. Don't forget to try the cinnamon tea-super yum! The prices aren't cheap but not sky high either. I'd say it's a pretty good medium for the quantity and quality you receive. All in all, I'm sure you'll find a pleasant experience there from start to finish. I actually will not set foot in any other Korean restaurant in Tampa (there's only a few) and hold my loyalty to Misook because of 2 main reasons-the environment and the food quality. The only part you won't receive in your Korean dining experience is the steamers. It's standard in Korea to have steamers built into the table to cook your meat on right there at the table. I will say though, it's not necessary and you'll receive freshly cooked meat. Here you'll find a causal dining experience so it's unnecessary to get fully gussied up, unless you so please. I'm pretty sure you'll have a great experience dining here and would be shocked if otherwise. Enjoy!!
How do you know that you have a good Korean Restaurant? Simple dishes like the Soon Dubu Jigea. It's basically tofu soup but it's so much more than that. The name doesn't tell You how soft the tofu is, how amazing the flavor is and how great it is if they put an egg in there (which they did). If their jigea is great, everything else will be. Let's get to the dumplings, or the Mandu. The crunch you get when you bite into it when you order it fried, ensures that the inside is still juicy and not burnt or over cooked. The dumplings themselves were a tiny bit over fried BUT they were delicious. The ban Chan or side dishes. In Korea culture, your food is served on separate dishes and it really compliments the meal, giving each side its 'own room to breath' so too speak. When you mix them and put them in the rice they give you, that's when it all starts coming together. Pun intended. That, though is how you start building the flavors and it's glorious. The pork belly My oh my. How I missed you! On a bed of onions, converted in sauce, this pork belly was amazing! Chewy but soft and tender. Flavorful, from the marination and the texture had my salivating as it came to the table. This is a must if you come here The mackerel Nothing to write home about. We asked if it was the whole fish and the waitress said yes. Whole fish to us is the head and tail and everything. They Just flayed out and cooked it before they gave it to us. It looked like two fillets that could have been store bought. It's presentation was very nice but cooking a fish whole has a much better taste than this. At least they tried. That's it for my review! 4 strong stars for the whole thing. And we will be coming back once I recuperate from the 2 hour drive. Enjoy the photos!
This place is a jewel and serves great food! Outstanding service and very clean as well. Please do yourself a favor and visit this place if you're in Tampa! Authentic and very well priced. I always have to ask for a box to take home leftovers.
So I'm still trying to understand korean food pricing here in Tampa. From what I understand there aren't a lot of Korean restaurants here so I'm assuming that is what is driving the prices up. Coming from the DC area and having Annandale (Korea town) to compare prices to, I was surprised to find that one roll of kimbap was $11-12 dollars. I couldn't believe this!! I didn't realize how expensive it was until after I put my order in and I am not one to cancel or inconvenience an establishment off of my error. Ultimately, I paid 36 dollars for 3 rolls of kimbap which would have easily been around maybe 20 bucks up north. Guess I will be making mines at home from now on.
I love Arirang restaurant. It's more than just the food, Misook and the Arirang crew are warm, helpful, and treat customers like family. On to the food - for Korean food lovers who don't love gluten, Misook uses gluten free soy sauce, gochujang and doenjang - I think she'd mentioned once that some of her sauces are home made. My favorite food is doenjang jjigae, fermented soybean paste soup. I rarely order it from restaurants because I am usually disappointed, however I gave it a try at Arirang and was pleasantly surprised. The stew was flavorful with a generous amount of bean paste in the broth. Banchan (side dishes) are amazing, cucumber kimchi is my family's favorite. Highly recommend this place!
We drove little over an hour to check out the place. Since it was my son's birthday dinner we ordered his favorites... dumplings, kimchi pancake, gim-bap, beef bulgogi, pork bulgogi & galbi.... it was delicious!! Food was great & service was awsome! We'll be going back for more!
Fantastic hidden gem in South Tampa/Ballast Point area. Best Korean food in Tampa and the owner is one of the nicest women you’ll ever meet!
Very good Korean food. They are Korean, not Asian fusion. Nice selection of soup and noodle dishes.
Bibimbap is bomb from here but sadly can't say the same for the rest of the things I've tried, but hey could just be me as I'm not a huge Korean food enthusiast which is why I'm generously giving four stars. the bibimbap is the best though so get that for sure.
This is my go-to spot for some of the best Korean cuisine in Tampa! The food is always fresh and delicious. The owners are very friendly and make you feel right at home. My family loves this place!
Restaurantji Recommends
Definitely a place worth stopping over, the food is good and fresh, the prices are reasonable and it is always well organized there. Fantastic work.
Best service, best food ever. Todd was super courteous and helpful. He even packed up our to-go plates! Highly recommend the Japache and the Kimchi fried rice. Todd brought out some cool/cold sides and they were delicious too! It was the first time I tried Korean food. 10/10. Definitely returning.
Holy cow!!! I can’t explain it. Just go. Order the Hot Stone Bowl!!!
LOVE this place! Head chef is a Korean woman that loves what she does! She has remembered me since the first time I went and is always sweet and happy and the food is amazing! Definitely get the ginger tea! Best ever
very tasty Korean food, easy to order online and pick up, staff were friendly too, I look forward to eating inside when the pandemic is over as korean is always better at the table!