Le Kim Chi lies in the heart of Ottawa’s Little Italy, which seems vaguely appropriate for a Korean restaurant. Actually, there are several Asian restaurants in the immediate vicinity and I can say, after a recent visit, that this is one of the better ones…. Le Kim Chi is a pretty small place, seating only 40 or so but it is pleasantly appointed and comfortable. It was empty when I arrived at noon on a Tuesday and only a few patrons arrived during my meal. That wasn’t entirely unexpected though as it was a very hot day just following a long-weekend. The menu is quite extensive, especially for such a small place, and what drew me to the place was the appetizer selection. I was very impressed, beyond the fast and friendly service, when my server volunteered to bring me a side dish of Kimchi free of charge even though the usual Korean Banchans only come with main course dishes.
Been in the past and was happy but last time via Uber it was very late due to restaurant being very slow with the order. Food was acceptable but it lacked flavor. Liked the kimchi and the onion pancakes. Noodles so so. Bulgogi ok but kalbi lacked flavor.
I have only had them via ubereats. The orders are prepared quickly and I do get my meals fast. The ddokboki has a delicious sauce, but uses too many vegetables as filler (more ddok, plz). I also tried the kimchi jijgae, a favorite. Last order was too liquidy, but their kimchi was tasty and not overly salty. I still prefer Dolsot and Arirang...they are also cheaper.
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Adding this place to my list of favourite Korean restaurants in Ottawa. The service is very friendly and warm (the staff seem like they are actually Korean, but I'm not 100% sure). I came on a weekday with a group of friends at around 1:30 and the restaurant was practically empty except for 2 other tables, which allowed for quick service. Had the rice cakes with spicy sauce - the sauce was wonderful although a bit runnier than the consistency at Alirang's. Side dishes are great - kim chi is spicy, and the potatoes and bean sprouts are topped with sesame - a nice, unique touch. We were craving Hotpot and split the medium between 3 people - which was filling, but not over the top. The kimchi broth is amazing. Instead of pork, we replaced it with bulgogi beef. Only slight critqiue about the hotpot was that the meat portions were a bit skimpy, however for appetizer and hotpot we only paid ~$16 per person. The menu is extensive and I am definitely eager to go back and try more, especially since there is so much to choose from.
Pretty decent place, since there aren't a ton of Korean places here.
$15 for a bento box at dinner which came with:
-Bulgogi
-Teriyaki Chicken
-2 Beef Dumplings
-Cold Sesame Noodles
-Salad with Italian Dressing
-Generous bowl of rice
-Bowl of (I think) miso soup
-Kimchi
-Green Beans
-Spicy Bean Sprouts
-Sweet potato shoots
The only thing I specifically didn't like was the sweet potato sprout. It felt like eating small twigs. Kimchi isn't really my thing, but I tried it and it was okay. Everything else was good and tasty. Service was fast (Took 6-7 minutes to order and get my food), but I was literally the only one in there. I have a big appetite, but I was only able to be about 2/3rds of the food. I'd go back again for sure.
A favorite. We have visited le kim chi quite a few times and it has grown into one of my favorites. the food is very well priced abd the food quality is consistent. would definitely recommend.
Tasty, homey meals. Great service. What more can I ask for? Yummy bibimbap and black sesame ice cream.
Very good Korean food. My husband and I have tried all the Korean restaurants in Ottawa and we like a few of them but this is our favourite! Great service too. Must try is the seafood pancake (pajeon) and the seafood silky tofu stew (soon dubu). We always ask for the stews extra spicy and we have to convince them that we can take it but it is worth the extra spice!!
Good service and food!. Just came back from Le Kim Chi for dinner. We had the seafood pan cake for appetizer which was very tasty. For dinner I had the kim chi fried rice with tofu and fried egg and my wife had the a kim chi stew with rice and tofu. Both dishes were very good! Even the little complementary appetizer served with dinner were very tasty (kim chi, fried squash and pickled daikon). The owner (I think it was the owner) came over to talk with us and he was very nice. Apparently its his mom who makes the kim chi, I told him to thank his mom because it was probably the best we had ever had. Will definitely be going back.
Better than expected. My best friend is Korean but I have been avoiding eating Korean food since the last time we went out, I did not like it at all. Le Kim Chi has brought me within the realm of wanting to eat Korean again. We had dumpling appetizers (Goonmandoo), and dumpling soup. The soup was incredibly spicy, which, according to my Korean friend, should not really be the case. Nonetheless, it was quite good. Then we had the Korean BBQ ribs (Galbi), they were excellent, the rice dish with vegetables (Bibimbap), and the spicey seafood soft tofu stew. All were really tasty and worked well with each other. Finally we had the black sesame ice cream and the green tea ice cream. I think the black sesame is the way to go. It was a pleasant dining experience, and I'm glad to say that I'm definitely more open to trying Korean food again because of Le Kim Chi.
Great service and tasty food. would have liked more food in the side dishes but quite enjoyed my food!
Great food but even better service. I went to Le Kimchi a few months ago. I'm going to South Korea to teach English soon. This was my first experience with Korean food. Between my mom and I we had:
-hotpot bibimbap (super yummy)
-bulgogi
-sesame ice cream (yummy but makes your teeth grey)
-plum tea (my new favourite tea!)
-lemony? tea
-sesame cookie
Since I've never had Korean food before I don't have more to say than that. What I really want to talk about is the fabulous service. We started are service with one sister and ended with the other sister. The first one was just okay but her sister was a hoot. She made fun of the way her sister arranged the table. She answered all of our questions with enthusiasm. When she heard I will be teaching in Korea she had a lot to tell me about how to prepare and even said she would look over my packing list to make suggestions.
The interior was very nice but the parking was difficult.
I will definitely be returning to Le Kimchi!
The food was phenomenal, the service was just the right amount of helpful. I will definitely go back again.
Excellent food and great service. Authentic Jeonju pibimbap - the chef comes from Jeonju, South Korea (I lived there for 2 years). Not as many free side dishes as I would expect, but this restaurant is pretty upscale for Korean. I had a very enjoyable experience.
We Love This Place!. We've been to Le Kim Chi many times since moving to Ottawa. We've tried lots of Korean places in Toronto, Montreal and other parts of SW Ontario (including home-cooked Korean food).
This restaurant is up there with the best of them. Their jeon dishes (veggie, kimchi and seafood pancakes) are yummy beyond belief. Bulgogi is very nicely marinated and served with a few fresh, crisp veggies. Portions are a wee bit small for the price, but the quality of the food and the amazing service makes up for the portion sizes.
The service is incredible - for people new to Korean food, they will really take the time to make sure you understand the menu, and for people who are familar with eating Korean food, they will make you feel incredibly welcome - and will remember you on the next visit!
I can't recommend them highly enough.
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Lunch with Friends. A friend and I came here for lunch a couple days ago and I walked out extremely happy.
Before I get to the food I first need to point out how friendly and helpful the staff were. Our waitress first came over with the menus and asked if we'd had Korean before. This was a first for my friend so she took the time to go through the menu, explain dishes and recommend options best suited for a first timer to Korean. I could not believe the time she was taking to help us out and was highly impressed. In the end this helped provide a better dining experience for both of us. All the staff were friendly and as helpful as they could be. It really felt more like I was with a group of friends, some of whom just happened to be serving me food.
I kept it simple this time, no apps, just the main. I chose to go with the Galbi (short ribs), these came with the usual greens sprinkled with sesame seeds, sticky rice and 3 side dishes. Kimchi, Pork Pancakes and Sweet Pickled Turnip. The ribs were sweet and tasted great. The greens tasted just as good and went fast. The sticky rice was good but could have used a little more flavor. The Pork Pancakes got cold fast but still tasted good.
Overall I'm impressed with my experience, especially the service. I look forward to going back real soon.
Real Korean. Great place to try Korean. Most people probably have not tried authentic Korean food, and wouldn't know what it is if they found it.
Well that can all change now with Le Kim Chi.
Start with a glass of their great ginger tea, and try the bibinbap or the Short ribs. They also have a great black sesames Ice Cream, which is a a great different twist on a plain Ice Cream.
Food was great. Service was excellent. Staff friendly. Parking is difficult. Would definitely return.
Good food, nice setting. Food was good (but some may find portions on the small side).
Had the Mandoo as app and Hotpot Bimbimbap. BBB better than Koreana, and as good as Joy but smaller.
Will be back.
If you are a new initiate to Korean food, Le Kimchi is a prefect place to make an introduction.
Delicious food, humble and polite staff. Food looks authentic and more than half customers were Oriental. There are non-spicy and spicy options. Decor isn't the best, but it doesn't matter. I was mostly looking at my food! :)
I'll definitely come back, and recommend my friends to try this restaurant.
Awesome food here! Very authentic Korean vibe. The waiter was very efficient and the air of the place was very classic.
The kimchi itself was pretty good, could be a bit saltier. Really delicious Korean side-dishes; the potatoes and bean sprout dishes in particular were amazing. The Kimchi pancakes were amazing, as well as the mandu! Oh, that mandu - so delicious.
As for the main course (we got the Bulgogi hotpot for 2-3 people), it was SUPERB. The beef was tender and flavourful, the veggies were fresh and plentiful, the glass noodles were cooked to perfection. The serving size said 2-3 people, but it could definitely feed 3-4.
Prices were very reasonable; me and my friend ended up paying around 27$ (w/o tip) each for dinner, which I thought was cheap for such great food (2 apps, unlimited Korean side dishes, and a giant hotpot) with the fine dining atmosphere.
I will DEFINITELY be returning to try Le Kim Chi''s other offerings. <3
Even thought Everything in the menu is Amazing, My favorites are
A2 Ddeokbokki (spicy rice cake) is amazing
Best Ddeokbokki I've ever had.
And Recently I've found out that, it is the only 5-star Korean Restaurant in Ottawa and it is worth the stars.
Love it!!!!!!
Just ordered on skip the dishes, the food was fabulous and my order was timely. I am very very very particular about my food. There is absolutely no reason for a bad review here. Those of you who want quantity over quality go to BK drive thru. THANKS!
Bulgogi is really good here! And I love the bento boxes. Service is very friendly, but I've noticed they stopped serving a couple sides that they used to before. It's a little disappointing, because I loved those potatoes!
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