Absolutely delicious! I and my husband randomly found this place on Yelp and decided to give it a try. We were welcomed by a gentleman and instantly made us feel like home. The soup was soooo good and we kept telling ourselves to come back to try other items here while eating.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Peter Liu
Very friendly owners! Pretty good soondae.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Laronda Minga
the food was pretty good. had really good and rich flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mano Lujan
My daughter and I found this place and tried it on a whim. WOW!!!! Now, I have spent a good amount of time in multiple Asian countries and I myself went to a Japanese culinary school. I happen to own and operate multiple restaurants too. This place is easy to miss as it's hidden in a small complex. With only a few tables and not much decor, this is exactly what a homey Korean place is supposed to be. It's all about the food. We were greeted and told to sit (all in Korean) and we looked at the menu on the wall. My daughter and I ordered some Black Sausage, Goat Stew and Bulgogi Stew. Everything came out quick enough and we started to eat. And Eat! AND Eat!! AND EAT!!!Everything tasted wonderful. I love the boldness of good Korean food. It's right up in your face. The assortment of kimchee was very good and my Goat Stew was Fantastic. My daughter didn't say much as she was eating non-stop. We were checked on but really left to just enjoy what was presented. This place is on my radar now and I am absolutely returning. As a small restaurant owner I appreciate mom and pop shops. As a chef, I very much appreciate handcrafted food. Do yourself a favor, support this place. Your palate will thank you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kyle J.
Omg the food here is sooo good and amazing . I had the Beef Rib Soup and my partner had the Spicy Cow Intestine Stew and that was SUPER delicious. Every time I come here, it's such a warm and welcoming atmosphere despite the small size. The service is amazing - both the owners are kind and friendly. I HIGHLY recommend South Bay Jinmi for such amazing authentic Korean comfort food. 5 stars all day long....definitely coming back to try all their dishes. AMAZING!
Andy O.
Had to leave a 5* to counter the 1* "I couldn't find easy parking" reviews. Before the details, a few things to be ready for:The mini mall it is in, the restaurant exterior and the interior are all old and not particularly confidence inducing when you roll up. So, as the saying goes, try not to judge the book by it's cover unless you're actually looking for an old, tattered, and small cover. Not a "date" place unless your date is a super cool, unpretentious foodie that is also probably of Korean decent.The grandpa who works the front is friendly and talkative (esp if you speak Korean) but he is working through some health issues so you'll need to have a little patience regarding the speed of service. Most empathetic humans will understand this but apparently that doesn't extend to all of the reviewers on Yelp.This is not a "hey, do you have bi bim bap but without meat" type of place, so only go here is you want or are ready to try some "real" Korean food. That said, the food is "homemade", authentic and awesome if you're into Korean food that you'd find at an established little restaurant in the Korean countryside/small town. It definitely holds it's own to some of the better food you'll find in Korea, especially if you're cool eating "Korean soul food" that includes parts of the pig that most American's don't eat. However, if you're like me who has tried many examples of these dishes in the US that made me want to quickly and forcefully expel the contents of my mouth, their food is seriously awesome and comforting. I ordered the soon deh guk (blood sausage soup with random port intestine parts...) and the gam ja tang (pork backbone with potato soup). Both were great. Tables nearby ordered jok bal (sliced pig trotters) which looked legit and must have tasted good since they were all "oohh, and ahhh" about it. I will say I wasn't as much of a fan of their side dishes. They were also "home made" but a few were not aligned to my personal taste (but that's more about me than on the restaurant itself).Final thoughts: An authentic korean restaurant run by equally authentic people that you don't have to drive an hour for if you live in the south bay.
Tina T.
You won't be able to find the name in front of the business but look for the small hole in the wall with Korean writing outside. Max seating is 10 chairs. The menu is a picture menu with the prices on the wall.I've been coming here for years! The owner is really sweet. It's just her and her husband who stays with her all the time and 2 other employees. Before and after covid her food is consistent. I always get the potatoe pork neck soup and the beef rib soup. I love the fact that she brings out the sides to much on way before the main dish comes out. Every side dish is delicious and I'd be happy just to eat the sides alone with purple rice. Only down fall is the place is small and the tables are tiny for all the food she gives. It gets really hot in there during the summer and sometimes if you come mid day the place smells like cleaning products. Other than that, I love supporting small mom and pop places and the food and service is phenomenal and deserves nothing less than 5 stars. @makeMePrettie approved for taste, value, quality, consistency and service. Highly recommend!
Jo K
Lower quality soondae gook than I expected. Side dishes were not delicious. No provided a napkins.No recommendation.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Danielle G.
Tried this for the first time and had a great time. The owners and employee are very welcoming and the food is amazing. Great service, great homey restaurant.
Hana Jun
I’m Korean and this place is as authentic as it gets.
Food was really good. It tastes very authentic Small, cozy, country style restaurant vibe.
Sally C.
I got a gamja tang and it was really good! The portions are a good size and they do give a decent amount of meat for how much it is. I would go back again! Support local businesses :)
Jimy Shu (Jimy Illustration)
This is the place for true foodies who enjoy good food. It's a really small restaurant but the food is legit and delicious, I was so amazed by the details of the food. At one point I thought I was in the K-drama.I highly recommend this place. It's 10/10.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amy W.
I ordered the soondae soup and it was very filling and refreshing. Seriously huge portions. It included a rice on the side but I could have skipped it. With the rice, it's def enough for two people. It has nice floral notes due to the perilla leaves and chives. Very low sodium and homemade tasting. The couple who runs the spot is very friendly. This is the type of place that you'd feel good about supporting too. I would come back and try their clam noodles, pig feet, and goat stew.
Alyssa C.
I absolutely love the jokbal (pork feet) here. It tastes so amazing and its so tender, with the vegetables. The banchan is also a plus, because the side dishes are simple yet amazing. I used to get takeout from here during covid, but this is my first time sitting inside. When I walked in, it was really quiet and relaxed. They offer either ice or hot tea. I wanted to eat everything but today I was dining alone so I just ordered a small jokbal. They seated me quickly, took my order and went straight to work with the cooking.It was a very simple and meaty meal, no rice but the rice wasn't necessary. It was delicious on its own. I definitely will come again, maybe with someone else so I can order more food!
Absolutely delicious! I and my husband randomly found this place on Yelp and decided to give it a try. We were welcomed by a gentleman and instantly made us feel like home. The soup was soooo good and we kept telling ourselves to come back to try other items here while eating.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very friendly owners! Pretty good soondae.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
the food was pretty good. had really good and rich flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My daughter and I found this place and tried it on a whim. WOW!!!! Now, I have spent a good amount of time in multiple Asian countries and I myself went to a Japanese culinary school. I happen to own and operate multiple restaurants too. This place is easy to miss as it's hidden in a small complex. With only a few tables and not much decor, this is exactly what a homey Korean place is supposed to be. It's all about the food. We were greeted and told to sit (all in Korean) and we looked at the menu on the wall. My daughter and I ordered some Black Sausage, Goat Stew and Bulgogi Stew. Everything came out quick enough and we started to eat. And Eat! AND Eat!! AND EAT!!!Everything tasted wonderful. I love the boldness of good Korean food. It's right up in your face. The assortment of kimchee was very good and my Goat Stew was Fantastic. My daughter didn't say much as she was eating non-stop. We were checked on but really left to just enjoy what was presented. This place is on my radar now and I am absolutely returning. As a small restaurant owner I appreciate mom and pop shops. As a chef, I very much appreciate handcrafted food. Do yourself a favor, support this place. Your palate will thank you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Omg the food here is sooo good and amazing . I had the Beef Rib Soup and my partner had the Spicy Cow Intestine Stew and that was SUPER delicious. Every time I come here, it's such a warm and welcoming atmosphere despite the small size. The service is amazing - both the owners are kind and friendly. I HIGHLY recommend South Bay Jinmi for such amazing authentic Korean comfort food. 5 stars all day long....definitely coming back to try all their dishes. AMAZING!
Had to leave a 5* to counter the 1* "I couldn't find easy parking" reviews. Before the details, a few things to be ready for:The mini mall it is in, the restaurant exterior and the interior are all old and not particularly confidence inducing when you roll up. So, as the saying goes, try not to judge the book by it's cover unless you're actually looking for an old, tattered, and small cover. Not a "date" place unless your date is a super cool, unpretentious foodie that is also probably of Korean decent.The grandpa who works the front is friendly and talkative (esp if you speak Korean) but he is working through some health issues so you'll need to have a little patience regarding the speed of service. Most empathetic humans will understand this but apparently that doesn't extend to all of the reviewers on Yelp.This is not a "hey, do you have bi bim bap but without meat" type of place, so only go here is you want or are ready to try some "real" Korean food. That said, the food is "homemade", authentic and awesome if you're into Korean food that you'd find at an established little restaurant in the Korean countryside/small town. It definitely holds it's own to some of the better food you'll find in Korea, especially if you're cool eating "Korean soul food" that includes parts of the pig that most American's don't eat. However, if you're like me who has tried many examples of these dishes in the US that made me want to quickly and forcefully expel the contents of my mouth, their food is seriously awesome and comforting. I ordered the soon deh guk (blood sausage soup with random port intestine parts...) and the gam ja tang (pork backbone with potato soup). Both were great. Tables nearby ordered jok bal (sliced pig trotters) which looked legit and must have tasted good since they were all "oohh, and ahhh" about it. I will say I wasn't as much of a fan of their side dishes. They were also "home made" but a few were not aligned to my personal taste (but that's more about me than on the restaurant itself).Final thoughts: An authentic korean restaurant run by equally authentic people that you don't have to drive an hour for if you live in the south bay.
You won't be able to find the name in front of the business but look for the small hole in the wall with Korean writing outside. Max seating is 10 chairs. The menu is a picture menu with the prices on the wall.I've been coming here for years! The owner is really sweet. It's just her and her husband who stays with her all the time and 2 other employees. Before and after covid her food is consistent. I always get the potatoe pork neck soup and the beef rib soup. I love the fact that she brings out the sides to much on way before the main dish comes out. Every side dish is delicious and I'd be happy just to eat the sides alone with purple rice. Only down fall is the place is small and the tables are tiny for all the food she gives. It gets really hot in there during the summer and sometimes if you come mid day the place smells like cleaning products. Other than that, I love supporting small mom and pop places and the food and service is phenomenal and deserves nothing less than 5 stars. @makeMePrettie approved for taste, value, quality, consistency and service. Highly recommend!
Lower quality soondae gook than I expected. Side dishes were not delicious. No provided a napkins.No recommendation.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Tried this for the first time and had a great time. The owners and employee are very welcoming and the food is amazing. Great service, great homey restaurant.
I’m Korean and this place is as authentic as it gets.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gamja
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was really good. It tastes very authentic Small, cozy, country style restaurant vibe.
I got a gamja tang and it was really good! The portions are a good size and they do give a decent amount of meat for how much it is. I would go back again! Support local businesses :)
This is the place for true foodies who enjoy good food. It's a really small restaurant but the food is legit and delicious, I was so amazed by the details of the food. At one point I thought I was in the K-drama.I highly recommend this place. It's 10/10.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I ordered the soondae soup and it was very filling and refreshing. Seriously huge portions. It included a rice on the side but I could have skipped it. With the rice, it's def enough for two people. It has nice floral notes due to the perilla leaves and chives. Very low sodium and homemade tasting. The couple who runs the spot is very friendly. This is the type of place that you'd feel good about supporting too. I would come back and try their clam noodles, pig feet, and goat stew.
I absolutely love the jokbal (pork feet) here. It tastes so amazing and its so tender, with the vegetables. The banchan is also a plus, because the side dishes are simple yet amazing. I used to get takeout from here during covid, but this is my first time sitting inside. When I walked in, it was really quiet and relaxed. They offer either ice or hot tea. I wanted to eat everything but today I was dining alone so I just ordered a small jokbal. They seated me quickly, took my order and went straight to work with the cooking.It was a very simple and meaty meal, no rice but the rice wasn't necessary. It was delicious on its own. I definitely will come again, maybe with someone else so I can order more food!