The Owl Of Minerva

**Updated Review for Dine-in experience:**
(End of December 2024)
When we arrived at the restaurant, we were pointed to a table to sit at. Menus were placed on the table, and we were asked if we wanted tea or water. That was essentially the extent of the service we received during our visit.

We ordered two dishes of bulgogi—one soup and one not. The first dish, along with the sides (bean sprouts, kimchi, and cucumber), came out quickly, but the second dish arrived about 10 minutes later. Both dishes were bland and overly salty, with very little meat and mostly vegetables, which was disappointing given the price.

As we were eating, the water jug provided to us was only half full. Because the food was so salty, we needed more water, but we had to go up to the counter to ask for a refill ourselves (we were being ignored). When we were done eating, we needed a takeout container for the soup. Again, we had to walk up to the counter to ask for it. We went to sit back down, as they instructed us to do, only for the staff to wave the container at us from the cash register, leaving us to fetch it ourselves. We also had to go to the counter to retrieve the bill and then also to pay (cash). Essentially, we served ourselves for almost everything except having the food delivered to the table by trolley.

There was also an expectation to leave a minimum 15% tip at checkout, and they made sure we did. To be clear, tipping in Ontario is not mandatory—it is entirely at the customer’s discretion and is typically a reflection of the service provided. Under Section 14.1 of Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000, tips are intended as a reward for service. In this case, we didn’t feel any service was provided beyond delivering the food.

Overall, the experience was disappointing. Between the lack of attentiveness, salty and bland food, and the expectation of a tip for essentially no service, it’s not a place we would recommend.

**Original 3 years ago review:** (gave 3 stars):
Ordered off of an app. Packaging was good, portion was good and food was ok. My Kamjatang though was very salty, only had one small potato (about a cubed inch), not a lot of vegetables and mainly just bone (not a lot of meat).

I do wish that instead of the cucumbers they gave kimchi. Even if it is a small portion. Korean cuisine especially Owl is known for their kimchi. There’s no option online to add a small side to order either.

This place was a good first time try via ordering online delivery. It’s nothing like the in-store experience prior to Covid. I’ll most likely only come here again for the in-dinning experience, once Covid has settled. Their in-dinning is the best.

Wheelchair accessibility: No.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Best place to try pork bone soup! Amazing service:) happy new year!🙏🏻

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food is really good!!!! Authentic korean food!! This is the best korean food I ever tasted in Canada. Thank you for bringing food here.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The place has lots of seating and was not busy when we ate there on a Monday night. The server, May, was attentive and did a good job. We were a bit disappointed with the limited selection of banchan dishes compared to other Korean restaurants we've visited. The garlic soy fried chicken was very good, but, in my opinion, the portion size did not match the price.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 4

Friendly workers ! Food is hot and good ! 100% recommended

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pork Soup

I don’t normally leave reviews but with this, i had to. Mid. Everything about it was just mid. Food, service, atmosphere, nothing stood out. As soon as I walked in, the restaurant was completely empty, and that should have been the first red flag. I ordered the Gamjatang soup and it was just so bland. I couldn’t even finish it from how disappointing it tasted. The portion size was not bad for $20, but the flavour was just not present. What really sealed this review being one star was the check out process. My group spent over $100 there, and after paying, we were called back saying that the tip was not included (implying that i should tip MORE than i already did). I get that tipping is important, I’ve worked in a food service job before as a waitress. However, it’s not mandatory in Canada, and pressuring a customer and making them feel guilty is just mind blowing to me. If you guys are so desperate for tips, just include it in the bill. I would not come again, and warn other people from doing so as well.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 1

Excellent service, hot soup food, crispy fried shrimp 🍤, hot BBQ 🔥 and more 😋.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My husband and I had a disappointing experience. While I enjoyed the food, the staff were disrespectful. They pressured us into leaving a tip, which isn’t mandatory at other restaurants. When my husband gave the tip, the staff laughed at him.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 1

A little pricey but otherwise pretty good👍🏻

The food here is so delicious, just like ancient gluttonous food, the food Nan eats😻🫶, Zhongguo𡿨 don’t lie to Zhongguo people, the service is all uninspiring😻👍old and young b beautiful horse riding lion Zhongguo people,😻👍👍 I’ll definitely give it a try, it’s the Chinese version of Guan Shi.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Don't go. This Owl need me mandatory pay them 10% tip. I ate $ 47 and they don't ket me go when I paid $ 51. They said must be $ 53. That is over 10% . That is violated Ontario Consumer Act. I hope related Department should go to investigate them. I paid in cash. I don't think they will file their tax return accordingly. It is unhappy experience and feel like robbery.

Atmosphere: 1

Bad experience for crew, force me to give a tip

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Bibimbop was delicious however for the price i felt the portion was rather small.
There was barely any beef i definitely could have had more veggies and rice.
The picked cucumbers were great.
Only had this dish hence the 5 star

Food: 5

Recommended dishes: Dolsot Bibimbap Bulgogi or Chicken or Spicy Chicken

Absolutely love Owl of Minerva! But I like this place the most because it has my favorite Kamjatang RAMEN! Other places don't have it so I'm glad they do. Excuse my picture, I took it halfway through eating it haha

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pork Born Soups, 2u Kamjatang Ramen, 1u Kamjatang

I really like coming here cause they are the only one close to home with pork bone soup and noodles ❤️ definitely coming.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5