Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Kyodong Noodle Balboa – San Diego
Kyodong Noodle Balboa - San Diego
Photo from Kyodong Noodle Balboa
Kyodong Noodle Balboa at a glance
San Diego Kearny Mesa
- 🥢 Korean Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 23 of the guests
#694 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#11 Korean Restaurant out of 11 in San Diego
Average
4.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
105
Reviews
39%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Generous portions
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- Hygiene issues
- Tough meat
The restaurant Kyodong Noodle Balboa is a Korean Restaurant located in San Diego’s vibrant Kearny Mesa neighborhood, offering you a perfect spot for a quick bite. You’ll find a casual atmosphere here, ideal for a relaxed meal with friends or family.
This welcoming eatery provides convenient dining options for lunch and dinner, ensuring you can enjoy their authentic flavors whenever you crave them. With wheelchair accessibility throughout, it’s designed to be comfortable for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Kyodong Noodle Balboa
Kyodong Noodle Balboa offers a culinary experience where the focus is clearly on the plate. Many diners appreciate the delicious food and generous portion sizes, often finding the offerings satisfying.
However, some experiences with service have been less consistent, leading to varied interactions. The overall atmosphere is generally pleasant, contributing to a comfortable dining environment.
While the culinary aspects often shine, potential diners should be mindful of the occasional feedback regarding staff interactions and certain aspects of the dining experience.
Average
4.9
out of 10
105
Reviews
39%
Satisfaction
52
negative
12
neutral
41
positive
Kyodong Noodle Balboa holds a respectable 4.9 out of 10, indicating a generally satisfactory experience, though it’s not without its areas for improvement. Customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 39%, suggesting a notable portion of diners left less than fully pleased.
This divergence between the overall score and satisfaction percentage is worth considering. Diving deeper into customer observations, the Food (5.6) is a clear highlight, frequently praised for its quality and substantial portions.
Value (5.3) also stands out positively. However, Service (3.1) appears to be a significant concern for some, while Ambience (5) receives a more neutral reception.
These insights are drawn from 105 customer remarks, with 41 positive and 52 negative observations.
What people like
- Delicious food
- Generous portion sizes
- Good value
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Hygiene concerns
- Tough meat
Kyodong Noodle Balboa presents a compelling case for those prioritizing flavorful dishes and substantial portions. The culinary offerings often hit the mark, providing a satisfying meal for many.
With a 4.9 recommendation score, it suggests a visit could be worthwhile if you’re seeking specific Korean-Chinese comfort food and are prepared for a potentially varied service interaction. It’s a place where the food often speaks for itself.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Kyodong Noodle Balboa
Food (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, it's a bit of a mixed experience, reflected in an average score of 5.6 and a mixed 47.7% customer satisfaction. Many guests absolutely love the *jjamppong*, praising its rich *flavors*, *thick spicy soup*, and *good quality noodles*. The *portion sizes* are often described as huge, offering great comfort food, as seen in 31 positive comments out of 65 total.
On the flip side, there are some notable concerns. Several diners reported the *Tangsuyuk meat* to be tough or have a *gamey smell*, and some found the sauces bland. Other issues included *soggy batter* and a surprising lack of seafood in certain dishes, contributing to 25 negative remarks.
It seems consistency is key here.
Food
65
Reviews
47%
Satisfaction
25
negative
9
neutral
31
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious Jjamppong
- Generous portion sizes
- Tasty black bean noodles
What people don't like
- Tough Tangsuyuk meat
- Gamey meat smell
- Bland sauces
Often praised
- foodmost of the food I ordered here was delicious
- portion sizeMy experience at the restaurant was great! I ordered Jjamppong and the portion was really big for only $15! I thought they gave me 2 servings😂.
- JjamppongJjamppong and the portion was really big
- Jjampong + tangsuyuk ComboGet Jjampong + tangsuyuk Combo for 2-3 ppl
- Korean styled Chinese restaurantBest Korean styled Chinese restaurant in SD
- black bean noodlesMy experience at this restaurant, located inside HMart, was soo good. I enjoyed the delicious fresh black bean noodles and hot crispy juicy mandu, which cost $20. I appreciated their simple and straightforward options.
- comfort foodGreat comfort food
- flavorsI tried jjamppong for the first time here and absolutely fell in love. It's a delicious bowl of spicy seafood noodle soup with such good flavors. Be aware that it can be very spicy, but they are pretty good with making it less spicy.
- food qualitydecent food quality
- good quality noodleand good quality noodle
Frequently criticized
- jjajang saucecannot separate the jjajang sauce from the noodles
- vegetablesthey just placed the vegetables on top of the sauce
- FoodFood:1
- TangsooyookTangsooyook having a fishy smell like mackerel was quite unusual
- Tangsuyuk meatTangsuyuk meat was tough
- batterMy first experience with Tangsooyook having a fishy smell like mackerel was quite unusual. The batter was soggy, and the meat tasted so off, it made me wonder if it had gone bad. It's hard to describe the taste other than it was just.
- cold noodlessome cold noodles
- egg fried ricegot egg fried rice. Extremely disappointing
- foodtaking the food home in that manner
- food qualityTangsuyuk meat was tough and the sauce was bland
If youre specifically looking for a hearty bowl of *jjamppong* with generous portions, this place could be a good bet. However, proceed with caution if youre considering the *Tangsuyuk* or expecting consistent quality across the menu, as some dishes might disappoint.
Service (3.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 52% of the guests
While the overall sentiment for service here is quite low, a few customers did find some bright spots among the 27 comments. Some appreciated the `service` for being quick and even `top-notch`, with others praising the `customer service` as helpful and noting excellent `staff friendliness` in their positive experiences. However, the general consensus paints a challenging picture, with a `3.1` score indicating poor performance and customer satisfaction at a mere `18.5%`.
Many of the 21 negative remarks highlight significant issues with the `staff`, a clear `lack of respect` for customers, and a general absence of `professionalism` and good `customer service`.
Service
27
Reviews
18%
Satisfaction
21
negative
1
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quick service
- Friendly staff
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Lack of respect
- Unprofessional conduct
Often praised
- serviceThe service was also top-notch
- customer serviceCustomer service is great and very helpful
- staff friendlinessTaste can vary based on personal preference, but most of the food I ordered here was delicious and clean. The staff's friendliness is, of course, excellent. San Diego residents, please enjoy delicious Jjamppong, Jjajangmyeon, and Tangsuyuk!
Frequently criticized
- serviceWorst is that one of the employees (a tall boy) threw the to go box on the table
- customer serviceBad customer service makes your food taste like crap
- staffstaff said something absurd, claiming, "Most people think vegetables are just for decoration."
- annoyancegives me this immediate look of annoyance
- common senseSince he got no common sense to include one
- employeeone of the employees (a tall boy) threw the to go box on the table
- food packagingI witnessed two part-time employees eating food with chopsticks while packaging it for customers. While I'm unsure if the food they were eating was meant for customers, eating food while packaging it is unsanitary.
- lidasked for a lid, which he also threw at me
- managerThe "manager" then got upset
- other guythe other guy was not really attentive
If service is a top priority for you, this might be a place to approach with caution. With a `3.1` score and `18.5%` customer satisfaction, many experiences point to significant issues with staff attentiveness and professionalism. While a few found the service good, the majority reported a disappointing interaction.
Ambience (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot has some good points! Many folks found the atmosphere quite enjoyable, and there were even positive remarks about the general cleanliness. With a score of 5, its sitting right in the average zone, but its worth noting that 2 positive comments were captured out of 6 total pieces of feedback.
However, not everything is sunshine and roses. The atmosphere can get a bit stuffy when things are bustling, and there are definite concerns about hygiene. With customer satisfaction at a rather poor 33.3%, it seems some basic hygiene issues and even unsanitary food packaging practices have left a sour taste for 3 reviewers.
Ambience
6
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Enjoyable atmosphere
What people don't like
- Stuffy when busy
- Poor hygiene practices
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was also very enjoyable
- cleanlinessmost of the food I ordered here was clean
Frequently criticized
- hygieneI witnessed two part-time employees eating food with chopsticks while packaging it for customers. While I'm unsure if the food they were eating was meant for customers, eating food while packaging it is unsanitary.
- atmospherewhen it's busy, it feels a bit stuffy
If you're looking for a place with a consistently pleasant vibe and top-notch hygiene, this might not be your first choice, especially during peak hours. While the atmosphere can be enjoyable, the hygiene concerns and low customer satisfaction suggest you might want to proceed with caution.
Value (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
Lets talk value! While the overall score sits at an 5.3 (which is average) and customer satisfaction is a bit mixed at 42.9%, some guests definitely found things to cheer about. With 3 positive remarks out of 7 total, many felt the prices werent bad, and some even raved about getting really big portions for their money, making certain dishes feel like a steal.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. An equal number of 3 negative comments suggest that value can be a bit of a mixed bag. Some felt the price was too high for what they received, particularly mentioning a $25 combo that didnt impress.
There were even instances where guests felt they were overcharged me, which is definitely something to watch out for.
Value
7
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Fair prices
What people don't like
- Combo value poor
- Watch for overcharging
Often praised
- priceMy experience at the restaurant was great! I ordered Jjamppong and the portion was really big for only $15! I thought they gave me 2 servings😂.
- pricesPrices aren't bad
Frequently criticized
- $25 combo$25 combo for some cold noodles
- overcharged methey overcharged me 3 bucks
- priceso was the price
So, whats the verdict on value? Its a bit of a mixed bag; some dishes offer generous portions for a fair price, making them worth trying. However, be cautious with certain combos and always double-check your bill, as some guests felt overcharged.
How are the prices at Kyodong Noodle Balboa?
You’re looking at roughly 24 per person – reported by 23 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Korean Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average hovers around 24, it’s worth noting that most diners actually spend a bit less, often landing in the $11–$20 bracket. This suggests a nice mix of budget-friendly and slightly more indulgent options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 23 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Korean Restaurant. It offers good value, especially with those popular lower-priced options, while still having choices for a slightly more special meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Kyodong Noodle Balboa
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
3
Good Food, Poor Service
It was my first time visiting this restaurant. The food was good, but I was not very happy with their service. The staff member with pink hair was consistently on his phone, and the other staff member was not attentive.
I was unsure if water was an additional purchase, and when I inquired about it with the pink-haired staff member, he scoffed at me as if I were unintelligent. Poor customer service significantly detracts from the dining experience, and I do not believe I will return to this establishment.
- food8
- service2
- pink hair guy2
- other guy3
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
2
Disappointing Order and Overcharged
My experience at the restaurant was extremely disappointing. I ordered the house fried rice but received egg fried rice instead. To make matters worse, they overcharged me 3 bucks.
The food quality and accuracy were not up to par, and the pricing was also an issue.
- house fried rice2
- egg fried rice2
- overcharged me1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Concerning Meat Quality in Tangsuyuk
About 70% of the Tangsuyuk (medium size) had a strong gamey smell, making me question the meat quality. The feeling of the gamey taste spreading in my mouth was not pleasant at all. If this issue, which was mentioned in another review a few months ago, still hasn't been resolved, the owner should thoroughly investigate the in-store raw meat management or the supplier's management/distribution status.
- meat quality2
- gamey smell2
- gamey taste2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Rude Staff Ruins Decent Food
My experience at this restaurant has been consistently negative due to the staff. Every time I visit, they are very rude and unfriendly. This significantly ruins my experience, even though the food quality is decent.
I no longer dine here. EDIT: I specifically recall Tuesday, April 8, around 7 pm. The issue was with the tall young man.
- food quality7
- staff1
- tall young man1
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
6
Unique Spot with Large Portions
My experience at this restaurant was unique. The food was good, but it's crucial to read the ingredients before ordering. The indoor seating is situated next to other food vendors, which can make it feel a bit stuffy when busy.
While the portion size was large, the price was also considerable.
- food7
- ingredients5
- portion size8
- atmosphere4
- price4
What Kyodong Noodle Balboa offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Kyodong Noodle Balboa accessible for all guests?
Yes, Kyodong Noodle Balboa in San Diego ensures a comfortable experience for everyone. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom, making it easy for all visitors to enjoy their meal in Kearny Mesa.
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Kyodong Noodle Balboa?
At Kyodong Noodle Balboa, you can look forward to a casual dining experience perfect for a quick bite. They offer flexible service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery, catering to your schedule for both lunch and dinner.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Kyodong Noodle Balboa?
Kyodong Noodle Balboa has an overall score of 4.9 out of 10, with customer satisfaction at 39%. While Food (5.6) and Value (5.3) are generally well-regarded, Service (3.1) is a notable area for improvement, and Ambience (5) receives an average rating.
Are the portions at Kyodong Noodle Balboa generous?
Yes, many customers have positively noted the generous portion size, with some finding the servings quite substantial for the price.
What are common complaints about the service at Kyodong Noodle Balboa?
Some customers have reported issues with staff friendliness, attentiveness, and occasional instances of perceived rudeness or unsanitary practices during food packaging.