San Maru Korean Restaurant

If you’re gonna rush your customers, don’t even bother to welcome us in or take the orders.
We walked in and the server (or owner) handed us the menu from behind the bar and told us we can sit wherever. The second we sat down she came to us with two glasses of water and told us kitchen closed in five minutes so we were rushed to order.
Food was served after 15 minutes except for dessert. I would give a four star on food if the steamed egg doesn’t have huge pieces of egg shells in it.
We spent ten minutes eating before she came back to us to ask us to pay for the food, and also asked to serve us our dessert because “they want to go home and rest”. (So why would you take us and not inform us) Right after she brought dessert up, she started asking if we need to-go box while we didn’t even finish our food half way. We took the boxes, kept eating the dessert so it didn’t get melted.
At the same time I overheard her “kindly” asking the two girls from the other table to wait for their car ride outside after they finished eating. At that point as the only customer in the restaurant we felt extremely unwelcome, and the water was never refilled. My glass is completely empty (I regret from my heart to even tip 15% with service like this) We started packing the food that we didn’t get a chance to eat. The second we did that, the lady just came to our table and started picking the dishes. My dessert was not finished, she did not ask but put all the dirty plates on top of the dessert. WITHOUT ASKING IF WE WERE STILL WORKING ON IT. This whole vibe she’s giving us is that if we don’t leave in one second she would call the police on us for trespassing.
We were there for about forty minutes and we had twenty minutes to eat before getting “kindly kicked out”, which is the most unique one and only experience I ever had with all the restaurants I’ve been to. All I have to say is if you allow me to dine in and order I should at least have a reasonable amount of time to finish my food without feeling rushed or treated rudely.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

The food is great.
You should try the Bing-Su (a dessert similar to ice cream)
I also favor the Beng Beng bowl. (It's not authentic but it's good)
The rest is pretty authentic and well made.
The seating is a little bare bones, and it can get cold in the winter, since the main door opens right into the smallish dining area.
Definitely worth a visit. We go nearly every time we're in Champaign.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beef Bulgogi, Bengbeng Chicken, San Maru Chicken Wings, Shaved Ice

The best Korean food in the state, hands down. The service is exceptional and welcoming. Lucky to have this gem.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Seolleong-Tang, Chicken Katsu, Beef Bulgogi, Naengmyeon, San Maru Chicken Wings, Jabchae Take Out Box

+ JJamPPong was available although it was not shown in menu
+ Side dishes
+ Diverse menu items (but nothing stood out)
- Servers were not attentive. They did not ask for refills of side dishes.
- Pricey for the taste of foods

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

Visited for the first time a couple of weeks ago and per friends’ recommendation I ordered the beef bulgogi. It was the perfect comfort food! I also thoroughly enjoyed my strawberry soda. Our server was very attentive and welcoming.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

I go here quite frequently due to its proximity to my work. Every time I go service is excellent! They fill my water, bring me extra sauce, etc. before I even ask. They go above and beyond with their service and preparing their dishes. Quality food for a good price. My go to is the chicken katsu box, such a filling meal with healthy side dishes. I love San Maru (hence why I eat there multiple times a week!!).

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Really nice little Korean restaurant. Food was amazing!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Highly recommend this place if you want to experience authentic taste of Korean food with fair price. I have visited with my parents-in-law, wife, and two little kids, and all of the three generations are 100% satisfied with the food there (lunch special - 4 different soups and chicken/pork cutlets). In addition, you will experience high quality service of the careful and attentive owners/servers there.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken Katsu, Katsu

We came during weekday lunchtime. The server was very friendly and attentive. I love their lunch special——many options at fair prices. I ordered the beef soup. Rice was included. The food tastes like homemade dishes and not too salty.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I really enjoyed the pork bulgogi and ojingeo bokkeum (spicy stir-fried squid), but the flavor of the kimchi jjigae didn’t quite suit my taste.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everything was great! Not a big place so it was quaint and comfortable!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

“Excellent restaurant with a cozy atmosphere and exceptional service. The food was delicious, espe
cially [mention a dish]. Definitely recommend and will be back!”

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very authentic Korean food. Tastes very good. Servers were nice

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: 비빔밥 bibimbop

The food was very good and the service was fast despite the restaurant being crowded

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place is my go to for Korean food. It’s delicious. It takes a while to get your food, though.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bengbeng Chicken, Beef Bulgogi, Red Bean Snow, Mocha Bingsu