We have been regular patrons of Nagwon for over ten years. While we occasionally try new places, this unpretentious all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurant, priced at just $40 per person, remains our favorite due to its exceptional value and tasty food. The dining experience is self-service, allowing you to choose from a variety of meats including marinated or plain galbi, pork belly, bulgogi, shrimp, marinated chicken, or squid, which you can cook right at your table. Don’t forget to pick up some banchan (vegetarians will find plenty of options), which features lettuce, samjang, garlic, sliced peppers, steamed egg, and five different types of kimchi. Sit back and prepare for a delightful barb...
The food is absolutely outstanding! The meat was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, perfectly enhanced by a delightful smoky aroma from the coals. The lovely Korean couple who runs the restaurant also operates a food truck outside Tyler on the Temple campus, and they shared that they'll be reopening the truck on January 10, 2022. I definitely plan to visit! They were incredibly warm, attentive, and sincere. To top it all off, they surprised our table with a lovely sweet cinnamon tea at the end. Overall, it was a perfect 10 out of 10 for this Korean dining experience!
The couple who runs the restaurant has limited English skills, but they are extremely attentive, assisting you with cooking and slicing the meat. It may take some convincing to show them that you know how to grill! Despite this, they truly care about their customers. The decor is pleasant, though not exceptional, and it's arguably the quietest restaurant I've ever visited—it's always peaceful and never crowded. Overall, it's definitely worth a visit from time to time.
The food is delightful, and the service is exceptional. The owners are exceptionally welcoming, and I hope more people find their way to this restaurant. While it may not be the most remarkable Korean BBQ experience, it offers a fantastic all-you-can-eat option for the price. The galbi short rib was especially tasty, and the side dishes were quite satisfying (although the steamed egg was a bit overcooked, it was still enjoyable overall).
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Since it was my birthday, we brought a cake, and the staff kindly allowed us to store it in their fridge until we were ready for dessert. We ordered three types of meat for Korean BBQ: pork, seafood, and beef. All were well-marinated, tender, and packed with flavor. We also enjoyed kimchi pancakes, steamed dumplings, and japchae noodles, all of which were delicious! Overall, it was a pleasant experience with some delightful moments.
Overall, the restaurant had a charming and cozy vibe. There was no background music, and we did encounter some difficulty finding the owners when we were ready to settle our bill and leave. Due to this lack of engagement and the absence of DIY cooking, I decided to rate it four stars instead of five. Nonetheless, I will definitely be returning!
We also tried the seafood pancake, which was huge and absolutely delicious. Overall, we ended up with a lot of food, most of which was quite good. However, it was a bit frustrating that our waitress didn’t refill our water throughout the meal. In summary, the meats were flavorful, the sides were decent, and the pancake was outstanding.
This unassuming restaurant is a delightful find. Our meals were full of flavor, and they serve the best jap chae in the area. Although the service isn't as speedy as at some other places, and you might leave smelling like smoke from the BBQ, the quality of the food definitely makes it worth it.
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As someone with selective tastes, I typically steer clear of new dishes, but I decided to give this restaurant a try, and I was pleasantly surprised! I'm rating it a solid 12.5 out of 10. What a fantastic place!
I've been here twice now and I really love the food; everything is so flavorful. The service is also very quick and efficient.
