Garionban Brings Hot Pots to Chinatown from Seoul, Korea

Promising “a bowl of simple gukbap contains the taste of life,” Seoul, Korea’s Garionban is announcing it will debut in Chinatown this week, offering a very authentic South Korean spin on North Korean soup, plus hot pots and “culinary masterpieces.”

Located at 4545 Spring Mountain Road, the 1,750-square-foot space sits next door to California Sushi Burrito and is a short distance around the corner from the 8oz Korean Steak House & Bar.

While social has announced a “soft opening” today, little information has been revealed by the restaurant. An early preview menu suggests Garionban will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The brand’s name is derived from an “old-fashioned Korean word which means ‘Galbi’” or beef short ribs and “onban” is translated as “a warm meal.” The house specialty is “gukbap,” or soup with rice and usually served in a hot pot. The company uses a "cauldron" to boil its beef brisket and its kimchi and ox bone stock are all made in house.

The preview menu mentions 11 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. will feature lunch specials, plus a regular menu including an $11.99 ox bone soup with beef brisket, side dishes of handmade steamed pork and kimchi dumplings for $8.99, plus more substantial choices like marinated pork short ribs, the $35.99 cold jellyfish for two people and grilled pork slices with red pepper paste sauce.

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