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oChef » Kimbap Heaven – San Francisco
Kimbap Heaven - San Francisco
Photo from Kimbap Heaven
Kimbap Heaven at a glance
San Francisco Civic Center
- 🥢 Korean Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 14 of the guests
#849 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#13 Korean Restaurant out of 36 in San Francisco
Good
7.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
64
Reviews
78.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic Korean
- Quality Kimbap
- Quick Service
Frequently criticized
- Food Inconsistency
- Confusing Pickup
- High Prices
The restaurant Kimbap Heaven is a delightful Korean restaurant nestled in the vibrant Civic Center neighborhood of San Francisco. If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Korea, this spot offers a fantastic experience.
You can expect a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite, whether you’re grabbing lunch or dinner. It’s a great choice for a convenient and delicious meal in the city.
Overview: Introducting Kimbap Heaven
Kimbap Heaven seems to excel where it counts most, offering genuinely authentic Korean flavors that leave a strong impression. Many appreciate the well-prepared dishes, noting the fast wait time for orders.
It’s clear the culinary experience is a significant draw here. However, the overall experience isn’t without its snags.
Some find the pickup experience less than smooth, and there are occasional concerns about consistency in certain items. The physical setting also doesn’t always impress.
Good
7.8
out of 10
64
Reviews
78.1%
Satisfaction
10
negative
4
neutral
50
positive
Kimbap Heaven generally earns a solid reputation, reflected in its overall score of 7.8. Customer satisfaction stands at a good 78.1%, indicating that most diners leave content.
This positive sentiment is built on 50 positive remarks against 10 negative ones, out of 64 total customer observations. The Food (8.6) is clearly the star, consistently receiving high praise for its quality.
However, Service (5.6) and Ambience (5.7) hover around average, suggesting areas for refinement. The Value (3) aspect, unfortunately, lags behind, with some finding certain items a bit pricey for what’s offered.
What people like
- Authentic Korean food
- Well-prepared kimbap
- Fast order pickup
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Unsmooth pickup process
- Perceived high cost
Kimbap Heaven comes with a solid recommendation score of 8, suggesting it’s a worthwhile stop for its core offerings. If you’re seeking genuine Korean street food and appreciate a quick turnaround for your order, this spot largely delivers on that front.
However, be prepared for a potentially confusing pickup process and understand that some items might feel a bit expensive. If you prioritize authentic flavors over a polished experience or consistent pricing across the board, Kimbap Heaven could be a good fit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Kimbap Heaven
Food (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 88% of the guests
Food here is a real crowd-pleaser, boasting a fantastic score of 8.6 and an impressive customer satisfaction of 89.6%! Many rave about the authentic Korean street food, especially the fresh kimbap, flavorful spicy rice cakes, and crispy King Pork Cutlet. Diners consistently highlight the generous portions and tasty, healthy ingredients.
While the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with 43 positive remarks compared to just 2 concerns, a couple of diners did find some kimbap a bit bland or certain rice dishes underwhelming. There was also a minor note about needing more consistency, but these seem to be isolated instances.
Food
48
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
2
negative
3
neutral
43
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Korean food
- Fresh, tasty kimbap
- Crispy pork cutlet
What people don't like
- Some food bland
- Inconsistent quality
Often praised
- foodauthentic Korean style foods!
- kimbapThe kimbap was seasoned well
- restaurantIn the future, I will let my kids inherit it as well. We will continue this restaurant for as long as possible.
- soupMy experience at the restaurant was great! The kimbap was super good and it even came with a soup. The wait time was also fast.
- Kimbapthe Kimbap was so packed that it barely fit into my mouth and was so good
- King Pork CutletKing Pork Cutlet was thick, crispy, and tender
- Korean foodbest Korean (simple/ street) food we ever had
- Korean style foodsThey are authentic Korean style foods!
- Spicy Rice CakeSpicy Rice Cake had just the right kick
- TteokbokkiThe Tteokbokki was the best I had tried
Frequently criticized
- consistencyI need more consistency for $25 wings
- rice dishesI ordered two gimbap, which had a generous amount of filling, but they were a bit bland. The rice dishes were all underwhelming. Overall, I'd rate the gimbap a 4 for its decent, though under-seasoned, quality, and the rest of the dishes a 3.
If youre craving authentic Korean street food, this spot is definitely worth a visit! With high marks for flavor and satisfaction, youre likely to find fresh, tasty dishes and generous portions. Just keep in mind the rare mention of blandness, but overall, it's a solid choice for a satisfying meal.
Service (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 41% of the guests
It seems service here is a bit of a mixed bag, with a 5.6 score indicating it's pretty average, and customer satisfaction sitting at a 50% mixed level. On the bright side, based on 6 positive remarks, many appreciate the fast wait time and good, friendly service. You might even encounter a helpful employee who takes quick and effective action, making your experience smooth, especially for takeout.
However, with 6 negative remarks, others have faced frustratingly long waiting times and a not-so-smooth pickup experience. Issues like a lack of clear signs and non-working kiosks can make it tough to find where to pick up your order, leaving some feeling unhelped.
Service
12
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
6
negative
0
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Helpful employees
- Friendly service
- Fast wait time
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Confusing pickup
- No clear signs
Often praised
- servicethe service was good
- employeeemployee who saw my friend and i struggling with the phone scan pickup tablets and took it upon himself to grab us our food
- quick and effective actionbravo for quick and effective action!
- takeout spotThe King Pork Cutlet was thick, crispy, and tender, complemented by a delicious homemade sauce. Overall, Kimbap Heaven is a fantastic takeout spot in SF for authentic Korean street food!
- wait timeThe wait time is also fast
Frequently criticized
- find where to pick upHad to ask around to find where to pick up
- hotelhotel is not help to the dasher
- kioskMy pickup experience was not smooth. There were no signs, and the kiosk didn't work. I had to ask around to find where to pick up my order.
- pickup experiencePickup experience was not smooth
- signsNo signs
- waiting timewaiting time is to much
When it comes to service, you might find yourself in a bit of a lottery. While some enjoy quick, friendly interactions, others struggle with confusing pickups and long waits. If youre looking for a consistently smooth experience, this spot might disappoint, but if youre okay with a bit of hit-or-miss, the positives can shine through.
Ambience (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot offers a bit of a mixed bag. While some guests have found the overall atmosphere to be quite pleasant, the general sentiment isnt overwhelmingly positive. The score for ambience sits at an average 5.7, and customer satisfaction is quite low at just 33.3%, based on 3 overall comments.
On the flip side, the physical location seems to be a notable drawback for many. Guests have pointed out that the exterior, described as a shared eatery location, isnt particularly impressive. This aspect appears to significantly impact the initial impression, pulling down the overall perception of the setting.
Ambience
3
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Pleasant atmosphere
What people don't like
- Unimpressive exterior
- Shared location
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
Frequently criticized
- physical locationThis place is a shared eatery location, and it's not impressive at all on the outside. However, the food was really good!
If youre considering this place, be aware that the exterior might not wow you, as its a shared space. However, if you can look past the unimpressive outside, you might still find the internal atmosphere to be decent. Its worth a try if the food is your main priority and youre not expecting a grand entrance.
Value (3 out of 10)
mentioned by 6% of the guests
While there arent any specific positive comments to highlight regarding value, its clear from the overall sentiment that this isnt a strong point. With a score of just 3 and customer satisfaction at a low 0%, it seems guests arent finding much to cheer about in this area. This indicates significant room for improvement.
However, based on 1 customer opinion, the feedback points to some clear concerns about value. Guests have found certain items, specifically mentioning the wings, to be quite expensive for the portion or quality received. This suggests that the pricing perception needs attention, especially for particular menu offerings.
Value
1
Reviews
0%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
0
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Expensive items
Often praised
No positive aspects so far.
Frequently criticized
- expensivetheir wings are expensive for what you get sometimes
When considering a visit, be aware that the value proposition here might not be its strongest suit. With a poor overall score and customer satisfaction, you might find some items, like the wings, a bit expensive for what you get. It's worth managing your expectations on cost-effectiveness before you go.
How are the prices at Kimbap Heaven?
You’re looking at roughly 18 per person – reported by 14 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Korean Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most folks seem to spend right around this average, with prices clustering nicely in that $11–$20 range, showing a pretty consistent experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 14 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, for a Korean Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good mid-range option without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for a tasty meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Kimbap Heaven
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
3
Inconsistent Wings, Pricey for What You Get
My experience at this restaurant was quite inconsistent, particularly with their chicken wings. Sometimes the portion size is generous, filling the container to the brim, while other times it's just a few wings laid flat at the bottom. Given that their wings are expensive, this lack of consistency is a major issue.
I need more reliability for $25 wings, as the value fluctuates significantly between visits. I'll have to look elsewhere for a more dependable experience.
- portion size5
- expensive3
- consistency2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Delicious Kimbap and Fast Service!
My experience at the restaurant was great! The kimbap was super good and it even came with a soup. The wait time was also fast.
I was very pleased with the overall experience.
- kimbap10
- soup8
- wait time9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Takeout
8
Excellent Service, Decent Kimbap
My experience at this restaurant was largely positive, primarily due to the exceptional service. I was particularly impressed by an employee who noticed my friend and I struggling with the phone scan pickup tablets. This employee took the initiative to grab our food from behind the kitchen-area door, demonstrating quick and effective action.
The kimbap itself was fine, with a moderate portion that kept me full throughout a long day.
- employee10
- quick and effective action10
- kimbap6
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
2
Pickup experience was not smooth
My pickup experience was not smooth. There were no signs, and the kiosk didn't work. I had to ask around to find where to pick up my order.
It's located inside a plaza that serves as a pickup/delivery hub.
- pickup/delivery hub5
- pickup experience2
- signs1
- kiosk1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
6
Decent Gimbap, Underwhelming Rice Dishes
My experience at this restaurant was okay, but not exceptional. I ordered two gimbap, which had a generous amount of filling, but they were a bit bland. The rice dishes were all underwhelming.
Overall, I'd rate the gimbap a 4 for its decent, though under-seasoned, quality, and the rest of the dishes a 3.
- gimbap7
- volume of filling8
- rice dishes4
What Kimbap Heaven offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at Kimbap Heaven?
At Kimbap Heaven, you can enjoy both lunch and dinner. Whether you prefer to dine-in and soak in the casual atmosphere or grab a quick bite on the go, the restaurant caters to your schedule.
Does Kimbap Heaven offer vegetarian options and convenient service?
Yes, Kimbap Heaven provides vegetarian options to cater to diverse dietary preferences. For your convenience, you can choose from no-contact delivery, curbside pickup, takeout, or traditional delivery services.
How does Kimbap Heaven generally rate among customers?
Kimbap Heaven holds a good overall score of 7.8, with customer satisfaction at 78.1%. Its Food (8.6) is highly praised, though Service (5.6), Ambience (5.7), and especially Value (3) show room for improvement.
What kind of food can I expect at Kimbap Heaven?
You can expect authentic Korean-style foods, with the kimbap often highlighted for being well-seasoned and generously packed. Dishes like the King Pork Cutlet and Spicy Rice Cake also receive positive remarks.
Is the pickup experience at Kimbap Heaven convenient?
While some customers appreciate the fast wait times, others have found the pickup process to be less smooth, citing issues like a lack of clear signs or non-functional kiosks.