BANSANG - Reviews

I'm not sure why this place is Michelin-recommended. My experience was that it's not bad, but there's really nothing special or impressive about it. The food was just average—honestly, probably the most ordinary Michelin-recommended meal I’ve ever had. However, the staff were very nice. I guess it’s more of a spot for photos than for the food.

My overall experience at the restaurant was nice. I enjoyed the Korean fusion tapas, although it wasn't the strongest in traditional Korean flavors, it still delivered a good vibe. The pork collar was tender, but I wished it had a bit more flavor. The toast was excellent, packed with all the "cheating" ingredients into one delicious bite!

I was pleasantly surprised by my experience, especially considering the restaurant's Google Maps score. The fried chicken, truffle glass noodles, and galbi were absolutely insane, with the black cod nearly as good. The kimchi fried rice and tartare also deserve a mention. However, I would advise against the uni toast, as it was too saline with average bread, and I've had better uni elsewhere. The Mulhwe and desserts were also not recommended. While it's pricey at about $100 per person, I believe it's worth it. The galbi, in particular, was one of the most tender and flavorful meats I've ever had, surpassing even high-grade wagyu. The ambience was rather underwhelming, making it better suited for a dinner with friends than a special occasion or romantic date. Attire is smart casual, and parking can be tricky. I will certainly be back for another round of noodles, galbi, and rice.

My birthday experience at this restaurant was incredibly welcoming from the moment we entered. The host and our server both wished me a happy birthday, and they even decorated a menu for the occasion! I appreciated that the atmosphere was not noisy, and the tables were well-spaced, avoiding that 'packed like sardines' feeling. The food was truly phenomenal! We enjoyed the Scallop Toast, Fried Chicken, and Mushroom appetizer, all receiving 5 stars. The Mushroom appetizer was my favorite. The Tomato salad was good (4 stars), and the Kimchi fried rice was OMG good! While the rest of my group loved the Mushroom Pasta, I found it had a strong truffle flavor. The Black Cod was A+++, and the Rice cake with beef was another 5-star dish. Their sake options are very good. Unfortunately, they ran out of the matcha lava cake, which I was really looking forward to trying. Overall, it's a hidden gem and a must-try!

My partner and I had one of the best dining experiences in San Francisco. The service truly elevated our date night. We were impressed by the variety of Sake, and every dish on the menu was both unique and delicious. The chef's creativity shone through in dishes like the crispy fried chicken, mushroom pancake, and Korean Steak Tartare. Gianni was an expert on Sake, providing spot-on pairing suggestions. We highly recommend asking for Yoon upon arrival; his service was incredible!

My experience at Bansang was a solid meal, though the portions were small. I tried two desserts, and both were nice. The restaurant was full, but it never felt too noisy or cramped, which I appreciated. Overall, it was a good experience, but not my absolute favorite.

My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. While the place looks good, the taste of most dishes we tried, including the steak, was mediocre. Considering the price per person was over $100, the food quality did not meet expectations.

Going to Bansang has been a topic of discussion for the past six months, and I'm still not over this incredible meal. The Mulwhe noodles, recommended by the waiter, were the perfect first bite, with a delicious spicy sauce and banchan. I'm usually not a fan of cold noodles, but I thoroughly enjoyed these. The Uni scallop toast was phenomenal; the bread was soft inside and slightly crunchy outside, and the oceanic flavor from the uni, scallops, and seaweed puree was a powerful punch. I also appreciated the Korean twist on the steak tartare, featuring Asian pear and sesame oil, which paired wonderfully with seaweed to enhance the flavors. The Kimchi fried rice 😻😻😻 was the best dish, truly the best thing my mouth has ever experienced – so spicy, with lots of meat, it's something everyone deserves to eat at least once. The Gochujang black cod was incredibly tender and pleasantly sweet from the sauces. The Miso marinated pork would have been even better if we weren't already on the verge of combustion, but it was still a really great dish for pork. All the desserts were amazing, with the pear sorbet 🍐 being my favorite.

My experience at the restaurant was a bit of a mixed bag. The Potato Pancake and the oysters were the best dishes of the night. However, other dishes like the jellyfish salad, uni scallop toast, and Gochujang Black Cod didn't quite hit the mark for me, perhaps it was just too much seafood for one night. The Soju and Tonic was also nothing to rave about, just basic but okay. I felt the prices were a little over the top. While the food quality was good, the taste just didn't 'slap' for all the dishes this time. Oh well :)

My experience at Bansang has been consistently impressive with every visit. The food and service just keep getting better, and you can truly feel the care they put into curating their menu. Every dish is thoughtful and beautifully presented. I highly recommend trying their signature Mulhwe—it's refreshing, bold, and unlike anything else in the city. The crunchy potato pancake is perfectly crispy, and the savory mushroom pasta is rich and comforting. Everything I’ve tried has been consistently top-notch. It's definitely a place I'll keep coming back to. A must-try Korean fusion spot in SF!