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oChef » The Korner Store – San Francisco
The Korner Store - San Francisco
Photo from The Korner Store
The Korner Store at a glance
San Francisco Excelsior
- 🥢 Korean Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 18 of the guests
#169 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#1 Korean Restaurant out of 36 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
229
Reviews
92.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Lively atmosphere
- Great service
Frequently criticized
- Long waits
- High noise
The restaurant The Korner Store is a vibrant Korean restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s lively Excelsior neighborhood. You’ll discover a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for a memorable dining experience.
This spot, known as The Korner Store Bites & Vibes, offers an inviting ambiance, making it an ideal destination whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner with friends. Prepare to enjoy a unique blend of flavors and good vibes.
Overview: Introducting The Korner Store
The Korner Store offers a lively spot where the vibes are consistently good, making it a popular neighborhood hangout. Guests often praise the friendly staff and the overall casual and fun atmosphere that sets the stage for an enjoyable outing.
While many appreciate the experience, some guests have noted that the noise level can get quite high. Despite this, it remains a place where many find themselves returning for the engaging environment and welcoming feel.
Excellent
8.6
out of 10
229
Reviews
92.6%
Satisfaction
14
negative
3
neutral
212
positive
The Korner Store earns a solid 8.6 overall, reflecting a generally positive experience for most diners. This is further supported by an excellent 92.6% customer satisfaction rate, indicating that the vast majority leave pleased.
These insights are drawn from 229 customer observations, with a strong lean towards positive feedback (212 positive remarks versus just 14 negative). Diving deeper, the Service stands out with an impressive (8.8), closely followed by the vibrant Ambience (8.7).
The Food also performs well (8.5), offering a range of options that hit the spot. While Value (7.7) is considered good, it’s slightly lower than the other aspects, suggesting room for minor improvement in perceived cost-benefit.
What people like
- Lively, fun atmosphere
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Delicious Korean food
What people don't like
- Occasional long waits
- High noise levels
- Unwelcoming service
The Korner Store presents itself as a vibrant spot, particularly appealing if you’re seeking a lively atmosphere and engaging Korean bar food. With a Recommendation Score of 8.7, it’s clear many find it a worthwhile destination for a fun night out, especially for its unique drinks and energetic setting.
However, be prepared for potential waits and a bustling environment that can get loud. If you prioritize a quiet, swift dining experience, this might not be your ideal choice.
But for a casual, spirited gathering with good food and drinks, it’s certainly worth considering.
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Verdict: Our expert take on The Korner Store
Food (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines! With a fantastic 8.5 score and an excellent 92.4% customer satisfaction, its clear diners are loving whats on offer. Out of 118 comments, a whopping 109 rave about the delicious, home-cooked Korean style street food, unique cocktails, and flavorful dishes like popcorn chicken and kimchi fried rice.
Many found the Korean bar food to be spot on and the drinks, including Soju, to be exceptional. However, a few diners (7 out of 118) did note some areas for improvement. Concerns were raised about the fries being a small quantity and some spicy sweet fried chicken arriving cold and soggy.
There was also an isolated comment about a Soju drink suspiciously tasting like water. While these instances are few, they are worth noting for a consistently great experience.
Food
118
Reviews
92%
Satisfaction
7
negative
2
neutral
109
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Unique cocktails & Soju
- Delicious Korean food
- Flavorful bar food
What people don't like
- Food arrived cold
- Small portions
- Watery Soju drink
Often praised
- foodthe food just hit the right bar-chow spot
- Korean foodMy experience at this restaurant was incredibly fun! It's a unique place to enjoy best class delicious Korean food & drinks, complete with music & dance lounge vibes. I thoroughly enjoyed both the authentic & creative Korean dishes and the lesser-known premium Korean drinks.
- cocktailsAll the cocktails are soju-based and the concoctions are absolutely amazing
- drinksIt's my go-to place when I want to "go out" without leaving the neighborhood. The food is good, the drinks are good, and the vibes are good. What more could you ask for?
- menuThe menu offers a wide variety of options
- sojuThe staff were friendly, the music was great, and the vibes were down to earth. Sometimes you just need the ultimate Korean trifecta: fried chicken, soju, and beer. I will definitely be back!
- cocktailThe staff were friendly, and the casual ambiance was flavored with Korean fun. It's a perfect stop for a snack and a cocktail when you stroll along Valencia street.
- fried chickenThe staff were friendly, the music was great, and the vibes were down to earth. Sometimes you just need the ultimate Korean trifecta: fried chicken, soju, and beer. I will definitely be back!
- kimchi fried ricekimchi fried rice with a fried egg on top, and it was so delicious
- original fried chickenand original fried chicken. Did not disappoint.
Frequently criticized
- foodFood is so mediocre
- food qualityit was cold and soggy
- friesThis has never happened to me before. We ordered some fries and they were very bad, and also a small quantity. I only left a tip for the waitress who treated us very well.
- quantityThis has never happened to me before. We ordered some fries and they were very bad, and also a small quantity. I only left a tip for the waitress who treated us very well.
- regular menubummed I could not access the whole regular menu
- sojuordered a soju that suspiciously tasted like water
- spicy sweet fried chickenspicy sweet fried chicken, it was cold and soggy
If youre looking for a vibrant spot with genuinely delicious and unique Korean food and drinks, this place is definitely worth a visit. While there are a few minor hiccups reported, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youre in for a treat, especially if you enjoy flavorful Korean bar food and creative cocktails.
Service (8.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 81% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With a fantastic score of 8.8 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 90.4%, its clear guests are well taken care of. Many of the 47 positive remarks highlight the friendly and attentive staff, skilled bartenders, and the owners exceptional hospitality.
However, not every experience was perfect. A handful of the 5 negative comments mentioned issues like slow service and long waiting times, with one specific incident involving a less-than-friendly interaction with a man at the bar and difficulty reaching a manager.
Service
52
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
5
negative
0
neutral
47
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Skilled bartenders
- Welcoming owner
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Poor bar interaction
Often praised
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a fun spot with great food and friendly staff. The Korean bar food was particularly delicious.
- serviceWe had such a fun time at the Korner store. The service was amazing and we loved everything we ordered - gyeurin jjim, fried chicken wings and kimchi fried rice. We are definitely coming back!
- ownerIt's super easy to share, though the Kimchi Mushroom dish was harder to share, it was quite the unique dish. The owner came and hung out with us for a bit in the middle too and then gave me birthday shots, which was so much fun! The live DJ was also super fun.
- ServiceService:5
- attentive staffvery attentive staff
- bartender CesarThe staff are legends, consistently optimizing the menu. I especially want to give extra hats off to the amazing bartender Cesar, who will definitely make you a delicious cocktail every time.
- bartendersMy experience at this restaurant was spectacular. I came for the evening buffet, and the bartenders were great. The food was exactly what I was looking for, hitting the right bar-chow spot.
- birthday shotsIt's super easy to share, though the Kimchi Mushroom dish was harder to share, it was quite the unique dish. The owner came and hung out with us for a bit in the middle too and then gave me birthday shots, which was so much fun! The live DJ was also super fun.
- conversationThe food was fantastic, and the staff were super kind. The owner, Ania (I apologize if I've misspelled your name!), was beyond awesome and kind to all of us, engaging in fun conversation and getting to know us. Although it's quite far from where I live, I absolutely want to come back!
- customer serviceThe customer service is truly exceptional
Frequently criticized
- food wait timeFood does take a while to come out
- man at the barI do not recommend it. The man at the bar practically kicked us out for not consuming as he wished. I observed they did the same to several other customers.
- managerTried reaching to the manager and nothing happened
- serviceExtremely bad service, worst I’ve experienced in years
- waiting timemade us wait an hour
If youre looking for a place where youll feel genuinely welcomed and well-served, this is definitely worth a visit. While there might be occasional waits, the overwhelmingly positive interactions with the staff and owners make it a standout choice for great hospitality.
Ambience (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 79% of the guests
If youre looking for a lively spot, the ambience here is definitely a highlight! With an excellent score of 8.7 and an impressive customer satisfaction of 96.2%, guests consistently rave about the "music, " "vibes, " "fun spot, " and overall "atmosphere. " Based on 51 positive remarks out of 53 total, its clear this place delivers a super fun space with great music and infectious energy, perfect for a good time.
However, its worth noting the single negative comment among the 53, which points to the "noise level. " One guest mentioned it "can get loud inside, " so if youre seeking a quiet, intimate setting, this might be something to consider.
Ambience
53
Reviews
96%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
51
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great music
- Lively vibes
- Fun atmosphere
What people don't like
- Can get loud
Often praised
- musicThe music was bumpin' all night.
- vibesIt's my go-to place when I want to "go out" without leaving the neighborhood. The food is good, the drinks are good, and the vibes are good. What more could you ask for?
- vibethis place is nuts for the vibe
- atmosphereThe atmosphere of the place was great too and lively!
- hangout spotIt's a cool hangout spot!
- placePerfect place to hang your hat
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambienceambience was lively
- casual ambiancecasual ambient flavored with Korean fun
- casual and fun atmospherethe atmosphere is casual and fun
Frequently criticized
- noise levelIt can get loud inside
If you love a vibrant, energetic atmosphere with bumping music and a fun crowd, this is absolutely your spot. But if you prefer a quieter evening for conversation, you might find the lively scene a bit much.
Value (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 14% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a good score of 7.7 and a solid 83.3% customer satisfaction. Many folks (5 out of 6 comments!) found the prices to be quite reasonable, highlighting generous portions, the fantastic buffet deal, and even free street parking. It seems you get a lot for your money here!
However, its not a perfect score across the board. One customer felt the food quality didnt quite match the price, describing it as mediocre, especially when considering other nearby dining choices. This suggests a slight divergence in opinion regarding the overall value for money.
Value
6
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Generous portions
- Free parking
What people don't like
- Mediocre food quality
Often praised
- buffetthe buffet is a great deal
- free street parkingFree street parking
- pricesI particularly enjoyed the drinks; my Spring in Seoul cocktail was very refreshing with its cucumber flavors. The food portions and prices were generous, with the french fries and boneless chicken being enough to serve three people. I also appreciated the unique option to purchase Korean convenience store items on the side, ranging from drinks to snacks.
- reasonably pricedThe drinks are reasonably priced
- reasonably-priced spotreasonably-priced spot
Frequently criticized
- priceWe were only there for less than an hour and couldn’t enjoy our time there at all. The food was so mediocre for the price, especially compared to the neighboring spots.
If you're looking for generous portions and a good deal, especially with their buffet and reasonably priced drinks, this place could be a solid choice. However, if you prioritize gourmet food quality over price, you might want to manage your expectations or explore other options nearby.
How are the prices at The Korner Store?
You’re looking at roughly 33 per person – reported by 18 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Korean Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While many guests spend in the $21–$30 range, there’s a good mix, with some diners opting for a more premium experience, pulling the average up.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 18 reviews.
A comparison of this restaurant’s value for money against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Korean Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good mid-range option, and the variety in spending suggests there’s something for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about The Korner Store
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Delicious Korean Street Food Experience
I had the pleasure of trying this restaurant during a private event hosted by the Seoul sisters and the Hoo Lee Gans. The vibe and atmosphere upon entering were quite cool. They offer an extensive drink list, and the skilled bartenders were attentive.
The home-cooked Korean style street food dishes were a delight. Although it was a buffet, the food was spot on. I particularly enjoyed the onion pancake, which is deceptively tricky to make.
The popcorn chicken was tender, and the kimchi was zesty, firm, and tender. I recommend giving this place a try and exploring their menu.
- vibe and atmosphere8
- skilled bartenders8
- home-cooked Korean style street food9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Amazing Girls Night Out!
This place is amazing! We came for a girls night and left feeling like it was a memorable night out. The food is all amazing; we loved the Korean dishes like the Gimbap and the American ones like the Tater Tots and the Tofu Stews.
It's super easy to share, though the Kimchi Mushroom dish was harder to share, it was quite the unique dish. The owner came and hung out with us for a bit in the middle too and then gave me birthday shots, which was so much fun! The live DJ was also super fun.
On the downside, the food does take a while to come out, and we had to ask about where one of our dishes went, but they all eventually came out. It can also get loud inside. Overall, such a good experience, and we loved how much care the staff seemed to put into making this a great new place to go!
- food9
- Korean dishes9
- American ones9
- food wait time3
- noise level4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Delicious Korean Food & Great Vibe
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the kimchee fried rice, tteok bokki, and original fried chicken, and it did not disappoint. The food was delicious.
It's worth noting that they are only open Friday and Saturday nights. The atmosphere is definitely a vibe, and it's great to see late-night energy in Excelsior ✨. The noise level is loud, but you can still talk, and it's suitable for all group sizes.
- kimchee fried rice9
- tteok bokki9
- original fried chicken9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Amazing Vibe, Food, and Service!
What a vibe! The food was great, and the service was excellent. You just have to try a so-maek!
Or 2!
- vibe10
- food10
- service10
Price per Person
- $81–$90
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Absolutely Amazing Korean Dining Experience!
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely amazing! Every aspect of our visit was fantastic. The recommendations from Dmitri were spot on, guiding us to delicious choices.
We savored the flavorful Bokki, Galbi, Kimchi fried rice with beef bulgogi, stuffed mushroom, and the delightful steamed egg souffle. The drinks, including Night Seoul and the barley Soju, were very smooth. Dmitri even treated us to complimentary sugar-free Soju, which was a wonderful surprise.
The music and vibe created a very enjoyable atmosphere, and the staff was incredibly warm, friendly, and inviting. We had the best time, thanks to the Korner Krew!
- recommendations10
- Bokki10
- Galbi10
What The Korner Store offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at The Korner Store Bites & Vibes?
At The Korner Store Bites & Vibes, you can anticipate a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for both lunch and dinner. They specialize in small plates, cocktails, wine, and beer, offering a delightful selection for a quick bite or a more extended meal. You’ll also find hard liquor available at their onsite bar.
What convenient services and amenities does The Korner Store Bites & Vibes provide?
The Korner Store Bites & Vibes offers a range of convenient services including takeout, delivery, and outdoor seating, alongside traditional dine-in options. You’ll appreciate the free street parking, which is usually plentiful. The establishment is also wheelchair accessible, with an accessible entrance and restroom, ensuring comfort for all guests.
What is the overall dining experience like at The Korner Store?
The Korner Store generally offers a good dining experience, reflected in its overall score of **8.6** and **92.6%** customer satisfaction. Guests particularly appreciate the **Service** (8.8), **Ambience** (8.7), and **Food** (8.5), though **Value** (7.7) is also considered good.
What kind of food and drinks can I expect at The Korner Store?
You can expect delicious Korean bar food, including popular items like fried chicken and kimchi fried rice. The drink menu features creative soju-based cocktails and a selection of premium Korean drinks.
Is The Korner Store a good place for a quiet meal?
The Korner Store is known for its lively and fun atmosphere, which can sometimes lead to high noise levels. While it’s a great spot for a casual and energetic outing, it might not be the best choice if you’re looking for a quiet, intimate dining experience.