Review Arirang Restaurant - Auckland Central

Josie Nguynn

The tofu sauce was very rich and flavorful!! And I could tell that the bimbimbap dressing sauce was very original and tasty😍😍 the restaurant is pretty small however we loved how cozy it was~~ it's a very home-like restaurant !!

Y J Y

Love the Bibimbap on Hot Stone. The food here is generally nice but portion for some options can be smaller than expected.

Zaly Franky

A place that makes us feel very happy. Of course, all the dishes are delicious, but more than that, I am healed by the wonderful smile of the owner and his wife every time. I think I'll do my best again from tomorrow. Cheers

J L

Warm and cosy Korean restaurant in the CBD, with a great selection of dishes and lovely owners. Between the two of us, we ordered the chicken and beef bbq plate and a soft tofu kimchi soup. The ingredients and flavours are impeccable, and we really appreciate the huge variety of side dishes. Their homemade kimchi is terrifically balanced with a unique herby punch that I just can’t seem to figure out, but absolutely adore! Overall, it was the perfect spot for a cold winter night. We will certainly be back soon enough.

S “Foodie”

This is one of the best Korean restaurants in Auckland for me. Very tiny cute restaurant family managed, make me feel in some small village in Korean eating amazing spicy food. I used to come here every week. Busy as long the door is unlocked. Loved it!

Tracy X

Love this little, lovely Korean place. Best ginseng chicken soup I've had in Auckland, the soup was so flavourful and the chicken was super soft, will definitely try more dishes from this place.

Mel Z

The best spicy beef soup I’ve had! I also asked if they could add some tofu for an extra charge and they did! Was so so delicious! I also really like the condiments that came with the soup. It was proper beef and was so delicious! The owners are a lovely couple! Very friendly! Cute cozy restaurant. I can’t wait to return and try everything else!!!

Alice Turnbull

I used to live in Korea, so for me it's hard to find Korean places here that are more than just average. A few weeks ago, we were walking down Commerce St and I noticed this place, and most importantly that they had 두부조림 (pan-sauced tofu)! Which is pretty much my favourite Korean dish, and I'd never seen it other Korean restaurants in the CBD. Then I noticed the name, "옛날밥상", and it made sense that they had different dishes to other places as 옛날 means "the old days" and 밥상 "dining table". My partner had the 소불고기 (beef bulgogi), which he loved, we shared the tofu dish and I had 야채잡채 (vegetable glass noodles; not pictured), which was also good. We thought the side dishes, especially the radish kimchi (I think it might actually be 무생채?) were good too. The older couple who run the place were really friendly and service was quick. I had a chat to the lady in my awful Korean and it turned out that where I lived in Korea was her hometown! So that was cool. Will definitely go back for more 두부조림 and to try some other dishes too.

Darrin Baggarley

Great cosy place. Good size dishes , quick friendly service , good value. Have been 3 times, going to become regular.

Daemon Zito

Delicious meals and friendly service. Everything on the menu looks delicious, can't wait to try each one!

Acelin James

Not the best photo as mid meal but this was so tasty! Had bibimbap and the clear beef soup and were both awesome. Really cute restaurant, feels very homely. Service was great. Will definitely be back!

Andrew Scotson

Absolutely phenomenal Korean food. Superb quality. Friendly owners. Welcoming place. Will always eat here when visiting the Auckland CBD.

Daniel Palmer

Nice, decent sized portions. Lovely couple running the place. Where's the chilli though? I need the heat!

Sam Cheng

Tasty Korean, great find! The service was quick and polite, the food was served within 5 mins. (We came at 2.30pm so the restaurant wasn't that busy.) We ordered the bulgogi beef, marinated chicken, and homemade dumplings. The presentation of the dishes was pleasing, the ingredients were fresh, and the texture and flavours were great!

Sophia Kim

I don't normally go to Korean restaurants when I eat out (as I would think it's a waste of money to pay for what I can make at home), but this is one place I'll gladly go to and recommend for authentic taste. The owners there are kind people, too. I dropped by on a rainy night because I was craving for hot soup, and not only did they package the food with care so it doesn't spill, the man even held the door open for me so I didn't have to let go of the food bag. The portion is good for its price, not to mention the food itself is delicious. If you're looking for a taste of real Korean food that will warm both your taste buds and your heart, this is the place.

Charmaine

One of my favourite Korean places in town. It's a small, blink and you miss it type of place, but I've been coming here for years. The food tastes of love, and the owners are so kind. I'd rather keep this place a secret 😜

Marie Hwang

My favourite Korean restaurant in Auckland. I feel at home country when I eat there. My friends from Europe loved the food here as well. This time we had squid soup and a pancake with some Korean liqour. The owners are very nice and the food is authentic with the same quality as it was before covid and all that. Thank you so much, it was so yum!

Kelly Brownlie

Amazing place! I have been going there for years and have never once had a bad meal! The staff are lovely, the seating is cozy and the food is fantastic. Highly recommend this place!

Sunny Skies

The food was great and was served fast. We were greeted and seated immediately. I love the family teamwork! I would highly recommend this place.

Desmond Chan

This is a great little Korean food store on busy Commerce Street. I always come here with my work buddy and I absolutely love love love the Ginseng Chicken Soup served with fluffy white rice ...yummy yummy and I will always come back for it hehehe ;-) Service 4/5 Quality 5/5 Quantity 5/5 Environment 4/5 Price 4/5

Alice Turnbull

I used to live in Korea, so for me it's hard to find Korean places here that are more than just average. A few weeks ago, we were walking down Commerce St and I noticed this place, and most importantly that they had 두부조림 (pan-sauced tofu)! Which is pretty much my favourite Korean dish, and I'd never seen it other Korean restaurants in the CBD. Then I noticed the name, "옛날밥상", and it made sense that they had different dishes to other places as 옛날 means "the old days" and 밥상 "dining table". My partner had the 소불고기 (beef bulgogi), which he loved, we shared the tofu dish and I had 야채잡채 (vegetable glass noodles; not pictured), which was also good. We thought the side dishes, especially the radish kimchi (I think it might actually be 무생채?) were good too. The older couple who run the place were really friendly and service was quick. I had a chat to the lady in my awful Korean and it turned out that where I lived in Korea was her hometown! So that was cool. Will definitely go back for more 두부조림 and to try some other dishes too.

Brizzle

I love Korean food. Especially spicy pork with Soju and really good Kimchi! This is a good restaurant. Food is good, Kimchi is ok. The ambience needs to change. Please play Korean music. I want to sit in the corner and feel like I’m in Korea. Great food, I recommend it.

Toby T

Ordered the noodles, paid $12 for a bowl of instant Shin Ramyun noodles with a tiny amount of vegetables added. Daylight robbery! The other food looked alright but these instant noodles need to go.

The Poor Foodie

This restaurant’s korean name is 옛날 밥상 which means dining table in the old days. This restaurant stands out from other korean places in cbd because its menu has the old days/special food items for example natto paste soup and egg tofu soup that can be hard to find in other auckland korean restaurant. I ordered egg tofu soup and it was filled with super soft tofu and vegetables. Usually there are three side dishes: bean sprout, broccoli/potato and radish kimchi. I’m usually not a fan of radish kimchi but their radish kimchi was slightly sweet and I loved it a lot. I also love eating normal kimchi so I asked the owner for some kimchi also. This place is small and run by a korean couple. They are super nice and talk to me a lot every time I go there. They also do set meals for 2/3/4 people with lots of side dishes with steamed eggs and korean pancakes. If you don’t know where to have dinner with your family one night, definitely go to this place for a hearty korean-styled dinner;) Food: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Overall: 4/5

Sime Cajot

Very accessible location plus it is owned by a lovely couple. Although a bit pricey compared to other korean restaurant, food they serve are in good quantity and quality. It was only my first time to eat here and ordered the bibimbap and I was not disappointed. The place is small but clean and the owners are really nice and friendly.

KTibby

Despite being Kiwi, I was born and raised in Asia so it’s always my go to comfort food. Was pretty stoked finding this little gem in the city. Not a veg/vegan restaurant but the couple that owns it are really nice and easy to talk to. We go here every so often and have tried every vegetarian thing possible and they were all good! The only thing I could wish for is just a mixed veggie dish. We’ve gotten Soup: Kimchi, soft tofu and kimchi, bean sprout soup Kimchi ramyun (noodle soup) Kimchi pancake (this one is my favourite) Pan sauced tofu Bibimbap Tteokbokki (usually fish and rice cakes in a spicy sauce. We asked them to do it without the fish) *A little tip for the vegetarians, a lot of the food like the bibimbap (mixed rice) and soups tend to have eggs on top so you just have to let them know.

Foodie

Service was very friendly, prompt and liked the side dishes but the portion size small for the price! The food was a little bit bland but loved the radish kimchi

David English

I have been having my lunch here for few weeks, what I have found is that they provide broccoli side dish to a table which has a white people or a moari, but a cheap potato dice side dish to all other races people. I have always received a nice more healthy and bit more expensive broccoli side dish than those Asian looking customers got . The owners of the restaurant are such disgusting racism.

LOONA

This place is my favourite Korean restaurant the food honestly tastes so delicious and makes me reminiscent of homemade cooking. You can get bbq and hotpot meals to share and they offer a lot of meat free dishes. I recommend the japchae, omelette rice and kimchi pancake especially. It’s a small place and can be quite busy at lunch times and dinner but around 5pm is a great time to go if you don’t mind eating early. The service is reasonably fast and the owners are very lovely!

Foodie

Service goes a long way for me. This lovely couple are friendly and welcoming not too overbearing but always helpful and greet you with a smile. Menu, not much variety as other Korean joints but for a small business, the dishes they do offer are so delicious and tastier than your normal Korean BBQ Buffets. BBQ set for two on the grill with the side dishes, they are generous portions, taste was good and freshly made. Tiny place but very cosy and clean. Recommend this to anyone looking for a nice "home cooked" Korean with decent prices too ;-)

888bing888

Convenient location, the owners are lovely and friendly, cosy place, fast service and good food. The vegetable bibimbap and side dishes tasted nice and homely.

Jason Zhang

A family owned Korean restaurant on commerce street that’s small but cozy, and convenient for the offices nearby. We came down here for lunch and the service was pretty decent and we got our food pretty quickly as well. We ordered the kimchi fried rice and seafood fried rice. The taste differs very much between the 2 as kimchi had a sour and spicy taste whereas the seafood had a peppery squid/mussel taste. The egg yolk for me wasn’t runny enough to be mixed into the rice but it was still a decent filling meal. The side dishes for that day were bean sprout, broccoli, and pickled radish. They tasted pretty bland as the onions in the broccoli didn’t help, by the radish were good. For a decent filling quick meal, the price was reasonable and the food came pretty quickly which is what the office workers want. Taste - 7/10 Size - 7/10 Price - 7/10 Service - 7/10

Jamie Blackman

Absolutely the best spread of Kimchi in the CBD. Literally a mom and pop outfit, the same couple are the only staff we've ever seen there. Great service and good food; not as much menu variety as some of the bigger Korean places further up Queen St but you can't expect that from two people. The pajeon (seafood pancake--okonomiyaki in Japanese) is stellar and they have nice, cold soju to drink with that GLORIOUS kimchi.

Tenz

We had the Ssambap korean rice wrap. Felt like the meat was not as much compared to the big plate of different leaves. But the owner were just the cutest ever. The lady would keep coming to our table to check whether we liked it or not and I could tell she was slightly worried but we assured her there were no complaints. I'd go back again as a takeaway since it's close to my bus stop.

Shirley Yu

Came here around 12ish and me and my friend was the only table at the store. I ordered a small soft egg tofu soup and it was served quite quickly. The soup was fairly good with nice proportion of tofu. The 6 small dishes were abbot salty for me. The price was reasonable.

Summerlee Fataoui Schick

Im a huge fan of Korean Cuisine and love to try out different resturants in Auckland from time to time. I always end up going for the spicy rice cake however i could not get cheese on it apparently (other korean resturants have this option but they didnt fullstop) The gave me 1 sidedish which was nice but for price there are better and more affordable options in the area so this is a one stop shop for me.

Carina Chang

send 16 dollars and get a tiny hot bowl with only half bowl of soup, and 8 slices beef tendon strips which are very tough to chew. no small dishes come with my soup. only for my partner. won't go back again.

I Love To Chew Real Food

The shop is small and run by two people who are husband and wife. They always smile whenever they serve the food to the table. Their bibimbap is quite good. Me and my friend really likes their soup as well too.

You Haang

There is something about the food here that is make you feel like home. There is just an extra element that differentiate the cooking to your standard Korean Barbecue restaurant. I especially love the pan-sauced Tofu here it is out of this world. Also the hostess remember me starting the second time and offer me free coke that warms my heart. Highly recommended.

Fifi Fox

We had the Korean family set meal for 2. The side dishes were of good variety and the pancake was flavorsome. It was a filling meal. The restaurant is cozy, and owner is friendly.

Michelle Hwang

Have been there for many times. Love their soup dishes very much. They offer some special soup dishes what other Korean eateries do not. Service is good. Price is acceptable.

ShoRt

Unexpected cosy little Korean restaurant and a cheap eat too. The service here is excellent as the owners are really friendly. Food was delicious. We ordered the spicy pork belly and the seafood/ kimchi pancake. The best part is they do half size for the BBQ dishes. Definitely worth coming if you are around the area.

Daniel Kinnoch

Had an hour to burn before catching a bus, and discovered this place near Customs Street. Was easy to get a seat as a walk-in. They serve a hearty bibimbap, and great tasting sides - especially the potatoes. The crackled rice was a sure sign of being cooked to the right temperature, and the meal came out promptly. I ordered a drink and the server forgot to bring it to me, so I had to remind him - but he was apologetic and grabbed it straight away. Nothing particular special about the food, but is in a good location for a quick meal.

Nischal Gurung

Decent place, cheap and a good idea to go and eat here. Located quite close to Queens street, we just came across while walking and thought of trying it out. The food was good, cheap and people there were friendly. Went in a weekday so was quite quiet. Had some beer with some dumplings, korean barbecue chicken rice meal and must say it was good.

Danny

A decent choice for Korean cuisine in the CBD - good service, though not a true "Cheap Eat" as advertised. A main here is about $16 each. We went here during lunch and the restaurant was surprisingly empty. I ordered the BBQ beef which was what you would expect of a proper Korean place. The beef was sweet and tender and it came with broccoli, kimchi and bean sprouts as sides. Service was pretty decent overall - the dishes came out in time and the staff was quite polite.

Medium_Rare

A few of my preferred Korean joints were packed to the max, so decided that in order to fulfil my Korean craving we would give Bamboo House a try. The place wasn't empty apart from maybe 2-3 other tables, the food we had tasted okay but was overpriced and limited in portion. We got given 3 side dishes, no kimchi and just salad. I will not be back any time soon. Showstopper: nothing Grade:C+

Lilly M. Jane

Great place, Cosy and lively. The people are friendly, welcoming and English communicating skills on point. The food are really nice. The only down point is that it isn't cheap. It's kind of in the high end range, but I guess that it's normal nowadays. Highly recommended. :)

Herr Vonschlong

I literally got a bowl of half cooked Shin ramyun straight from the package. That's $14 for $2 worth of instant noodles. It's enough to give Gordon Ramsay a stroke. Edit: I ordered the seafood ramen, which included a mussel and a squid

Elena Ching

One of my all time favourite Korean restaurants in the heart of the CBD. This time we had the kimchi pancake, ddeokbokki in spicy sauce (Korean rice cake) and the bulgogi beef steamboat which came with 6 side dishes. The kimchi pancake was sour and spicy with a sweet dipping sauce. It also had a good amount of other vegetables chopped up with the kimchi. The pancake batter was light and didn't overwhelm the ingredients. A great appetiser to whet the palate. The ddeokbokki was chewy and the thick spicy sauce went really well with the rice cakes. The bulgogi steamboat was the highlight. As the broth bubbled, the vermicelli, vegetables, tofu and beef soaked up the flavour. The beef slices were tender and delicious. I love their side dishes as they have a homemade feel and are more unique compared to the side dishes offered at other Korean restaurants. This is one of Auckland's best cheap Korean eats. It's a hole in the wall kinda place tucked away on Commerce Street and the owners are very friendly, providing great service with a smile every single time.

STRADS

Spicy fish roe soup has always been one of my favourite Korean foods. Sanchun’s fish roe soup was good but not top. My wife had a seafood & kimchi pancake half & half. It’s in the size of a 12” pizza – nice but again, not top. 3 different kinds of side-dishes were provided. (In the photo, you can see 4 side-dishes because I requested more. :-) ) Anyway, it’s a good lunch. I'll be back for its Ginseng chicken soup. (Food – 3.5/5; Service – 4/5; Ambience – 2.5/5)

Shelly

We ordered spicy squid on rice, spicy chicken on rice, bulgogi beef soup and dumplings to takeaway. The owners of this little place are SO lovely, and the meals were hearty and traditional!

Adi Wardoyo

Small restaurant and a bit pricy. The service was quick. The food taste just ok. Although you can feel it's homecooked meal. Taste might have been adjusted to western tounge.

Zoe Huang

It's a tiny restaurant with not even 10 tables. However some people say it's quite famous. And the price is relatively higher. We ordered No.16: Korean Style set meal for 2 ($30). It contains 9 side-dishes (I've never had that many at once in my life~~!!); one Korean pancake; one tofu pudding; rice (mixed grain, healthy); miso soup. No meat, so we odered another stir fried beef ($16). It was very delicious because the beef was tender and tasty. They do not accept credit card.

HJ

Good Korean food in the heart of the city. The restaurant is small which may put of large groups. I wouldn't recommend it for 6+ people. The staff are friendly and the prices are in the 'cheap eats'. The food was good and authentic. Good spot for dinner if your heading to vector afterwards.

Josh Law

Brilliant Korean food. Friendly staff, extremely accomodating. Very intimate environment as there's only room for about 10 people. Can never go wrong with refillable kim chi!

Angela Trigg

Come here once a week most weeks for lunch. Good quick cheap lunch in the city. Fairly lengthy menu to choose from. Nice side dishes. Recommended.