Woori Korean BBQ - Lancaster, PA

And we are back!

After a long hiatus due to a company reorganization and a period of unemployment, we're finally back to exploring restaurants and sharing them with everyone. It's good to be back.

After rehearsal yesterday, Midalah and I headed to Woori Korean BBQ in Lancaster. Since it's a BYOB restaurant, we made a quick stop at Fine Wine & Good Spirits at Belmont to pick up a couple of bottles of soju before dinner.

We arrived a little before 6:00 p.m. on a Saturday and were seated almost immediately. What surprised us was how quiet the restaurant was, especially with Dragon Buffet next door doing brisk business. This location was formerly Ichiban, but apparently the owners struggled to find hibachi chefs and decided to transform the space into a Korean BBQ restaurant instead. I hope the crowds find them soon, because our experience was largely a positive one.

After we were seated, I mentioned that we'd brought soju. Within moments, a pair of small cups appeared at our table. Service throughout the evening was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming.

One challenge is that Woori doesn't yet have much of an online presence. Some websites suggested appetizers, additional sides, and desserts were available, but that wasn't the case during our visit.

We ordered two combos: one with flat iron steak and pork neck, and another with ribeye and pork belly. Each combo included a choice of side. We both selected the soybean stew, though kimchi stew and steamed egg were also available.

The banchan included kimchi, onions, fish cake, and salad. The salad surprised us. Instead of the more traditional shredded greens, it was made with mixed greens and an absolutely fantastic dressing. I would happily buy a bottle of that dressing if they ever decide to sell it.

Rice accompanied the meal, and it was especially good stirred into the soybean stew. The meats were excellent across the board. I particularly appreciated the thick-cut pork belly, which was beautifully prepared.

I do have two quibbles.

First, the lettuce. Or rather, the lack thereof. I've had Korean BBQ in the United States, the Philippines, and South Korea, and lettuce for wraps was included at every restaurant I've visited. We were able to get lettuce after asking, but there was a $3 charge for something that is typically included.

Second, there are no vegetables on the menu. The two mushrooms and small piece of asparagus that accompanied each platter don't really count. One of my favorite memories of Korean BBQ in Seoul was a restaurant that served large grilled portobello mushrooms branded with the restaurant's logo. There isn't anything comparable here, and anyone looking for vegetarian options will find very little to eat.

Will we go back? Absolutely. I'd like to give Woori a little time to get fully settled and find its footing. It still feels like a restaurant that's getting up to speed. Even so, the food is good, the service is lovely, and the foundation is there for something special. I'm looking forward to returning in a month or two to see how things have developed.

I think Woori has the potential to do very well here in Lancaster.