Koreana

Korean favourite on the busy streets of Satwa 7 Reviews

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From Time Out Dubai Eating Out 2009

Koreana is easily identifiable by its patriotically coloured neon sign (which the unknowing may mistake for a Pepsi advert, but the owner’s sense of national identity seemingly lessens inside, with a Japanese menu supplementing its Korean counterpart.

Given the restaurant’s basic decor and low-key atmosphere, prices are surprisingly high, but the quality of the food goes some way towards compensating for this. After whetting your appetite with the impressive array of kimchi that’s presented, order a selection of dishes –about two per person should do – and ignore which heading they come under; there are sides big enough to feed an army, and main courses that are much more modest.

Korean food combines Oriental flavours with eastern-European heartiness, and a particularly successful example of this is the rich, potato-heavy chicken stew (a ‘side dish’ that could easily sate three hungry rugby players), and the spicy minced beef (a reasonably sized starter).

If you venture into Japanese terrain, you can’t go wrong with the gyozo; beneath the dumplings’ crispy exteriors lie a meaty filling that’s as punchy as it is soft. Proceedings end with complimentary fresh fruit, which is about all most people could muster the strength to digest after such a substantial affair.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 22 March 2009

• Previous reviews
  • 12 June,2012- reviewed by Penelope Walsh
  • 26 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 06 April,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 02 May,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

User reviews:

Posted by: Tom on 04 Jul ' 12 at 19:37

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

PERFECT if you want to lose weight by making your inner world public. You are better off at Golden Fork around the corner. Food hardly had any meat, and the rice with squid had only ONE squid on it.

Posted by: Technick on 26 Aug ' 11 at 10:51

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Excellent food and service. Very authentic. I am a huge fan of Korean food and would say I am an excellent judge of its quality and authenticity, and in judging Koreana, would highly recommend it to all Korean food lovers. Hmm, might go tonight!

Posted by: sy on 18 Apr ' 11 at 06:19

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

i was there over the weekend with my fiancée. I am a huge fan of Korean food and this place doesn't disappoint me at all.

We ordered Japchae, soondae and naeng myong for dinner. I was very surprise to find them serving soondae and its my favourite Korean food all time. Japchae is a bit oily but it taste wonderful as well.

nevertheless, the food are pretty pricey considering, 2 out of the 3 were non-meat meals. We spent close to 300 dirhams that night.

Posted by: Liz Jones on 27 Jan ' 11 at 11:34

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Wonderful Korean food, just as delicious as anything I ate during my time in Korea. Totally authentic. I had Duenjang-jjige and Kimchi pajon, plus a miriad of delicious and freshly prepared side dishes. Proprietress was wonderful and friendly and sat chatting to me as I ate. Will definitely be heading back there again. One of the little slices of real Korea that you can find in Dubai

Posted by: Annabell on 05 Oct ' 10 at 09:32

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Business lunch
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

As my mother is from South Korea I know how authentic Korean food tastes like. The food at Koreana is definitely authentic and the quality is very good. I have been to the restaurant a few times, the Korean BBQ is always very good. I could also recommend the soups and stews. The staff and the owners are always very polite and friendly. Once, they forgot to bring the soft drinks but other than that there was nothing to complain about. The food is served very quick, just as in Korea. The restaurant is good for business lunch, a date or a dinner with friends.

Posted by: Dr. Raji Mathew on 03 May ' 10 at 17:45

OverallDecorService

FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Business lunch
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Had a refreshingly different and enjoyable meal last night. We ordered 3 different set menu, which was advertised for Dhs. 40 and which has further been reduced to Dhs.35. Also ordered grilled ribs which cost Dhs.70.
There was the standard 4 dishes of condiments brought before the dinner is served.The set meal includes soup, rice/noodles with vegetables and salads, choice of meat dish, juice and to finish off, some fruit, all neatly served. My wife commented that it was a wholesome meal. One of the set meal consisted of tempura and dumpling which I found quite bland. The grilled rib which are mostly thin-cut slices comes with dips and lots of lettuce to wrap the meat.
The privacy the cubicles afford are good for families wanting to have a quiet dinner as also for businness meals and for romantic twosomes but not for those who have come out to see and be seen.
The staff though sweet told us on entering the restaurant at 10.45 PM that they would close at 11.30 which prompted me to joke if we would have to leave the food behind and go. Somehow, the reaction suggested that that is what they would like to do even if they actually don't. The place rarely has a few customers which I know because I work right next to it.
Be warned, they showed us 3 different menu cards. One was the individually priced food items which seems expensive. Then the other is mostly of set set meal and bento box meals. The last was the promotional set food from which we ordered 3 meals.

Posted by: Maarten Elffers on 11 Jan ' 10 at 09:23

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Business lunch

The authenticity and the freshness of the food in this restaurant are absolutely fabulous. Especially the lovers of raw meat and raw fish dishes will adore this place.
Guests are seated in - Korean style - private rooms, so you actually don't see much of the restaurant itself. Excellent for business luches and dinners, maybe even for family meals. If you want to see and be seen, this is not your spot. Korean food lovers, this is the new top spot in Dubai.