I don't even know where to start. First time eating here. Got here right when they opened. The service: hands down the nicest, sweetest, most welcoming place I've ever been. I never had to ask for anything. Kim was so attentive, explained everything to detail, and brought out tea because we were sitting under the AC. The food: best bulgogi I've had in this area. Melted in my mouth. Tasted incredible with all the small plates that were brought out. We also had the dumplings and kimbap. Everything was so delicious. Sidenote: while we were there, 2 people came in that were looking to eat ramen. In this big ol' age of google/phones, if they would have looked up the menu they would have saw this is not a ramen spot. Kim took her time to explain what they offer here, even offered them to try other places and to give them another shot some other time when they weren't craving ramen. In the end they stayed, but the way she took the time to explain what they have on the menu was admirable. read more

Asahi Restaurant - Beef bulgogi, rice, steamed dumplings - Korean Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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The SERVICE is EXCEPTIONAL. I mean, EXCEPTIONAL! I absolutely love her and the whole crew here! They serve only the basic korean foods and I love their side dishes, especially the cucumber! The place was simple, it felt like eating at home honestly! Always such a go-to K-food spot! read more

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I very rarely will rate a place 5 stars, but just the service here alone is worth it. I mean just exceptional service, so nice and accommodating. So rare these days. Set in a quiet little strip, with a simple menu. We ordered the hot stone bibimbap and fried dumplings. It came out with a few bonchon. At the end of the meal they gave us some hot barley tea and my favorite strawberry candy. Was visiting from out of state for Thanksgiving and they made us feel like home away from home. 10/10 recommend! I wish I had a picture of the food but regardless just know it was really good. read more

The food was amazing. The grill pork belly was one of the best grilled pork belly I ever had. The service was top tier. The waitress was so generous. Side dishes, candy, fruit, and tea are given to us for free. The atmosphere is very different from the usual K-bbq place. It is quiet and feels so warm. It felt like we are at home. read more

Asahi Restaurant - Bibimbap - Korean Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Better than Chick-fil-A service! Kim was impeccable as she was able to wait on a full restaurant on her own. I mean, all tables were taken! She kept a positive, light-hearted, friendly attitude while serving us and the table of over 15 people. We didn't have to ask for anything extra, didn't have to ask for refills, and we felt the genuine hospitality. Her Mom was cooking in the back and held down the fort with getting the food out with impeccable timing. Every single item we ordered tasted great. I was a little early upon arrival due to the parking lot being pretty empty. However, the restaurant was filled quickly throughout the night. The restaurant was clean and the walkway to the bathroom smelled good. Will definitely be back here! read more

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Kim is the sweetest person ever. I was so lucky to finally meet her because I have already heard so much about her. She is the most hyped-up and most considerate hostess I've ever met. Although there isn't much on the menu, the bibimbap was very good (coming from a Korean, that's saying something). The bulgogi was also very good. The meat wasn't too chewy and seasoned very well. The side dishes were very delicious too, especially the kimchi. I usually don't say that because I grew up eating my mom's. Once we were done eating, Kim gave us barley tea, a can of sprite, and a can of coke with no charge. There is plenty of parking outside the restaurant. read more

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There are not enough stars to properly rate this awesome little place. While not particularly a large restaurant, tables and booths are positioned so that you don't feel like you are next to that lady in the waiting room of the Doctors office who insistently talks with you. Very comfortable atmosphere. There are two most stellar main attractions however. The first, this is arguably the best Korean food I've tasted in my multicultural experience. Secondly, and then there's Kim. I had already been warned by reading the reviews both here and elsewhere, that Kim was the most highly regarded, respected, and loved front end staff member anyone has had the pleasure of meeting. With amazing speed, outstanding agility, and serious attention to customers, Kim takes care of the entire front end by herself!! Not a single table, or booth, that i saw, was ignored or left wanting. I had the BBQ Makeral as my main dish. My wife had a generous helping of Beef Bulgogi. And of course the table was stocked with the plethora of little dishes of sides, which Kim kept restocking when my wife and I would devour it clean. I cannot shout loud enough from the highest rooftop in Virginia Beach. Asahi Korean Resteraunt sets the bar pretty high. Poor Miss Kim gave us a tearfully joyous reaction to the significant tip my wife left on our $52 tab. She almost hugged us, telling us we are family now. She even followed us outside to our truck to make sure we made it okay. We have four daughters, all grown and out of the house. Each daughter has had their own share as a server in a restaurant. So I speak with experience when I say, every server from Virginia Beach Ocean Front to Waterside in Norfolk, and in between, should come here and have a meal to watch how to properly function with customer service. Kim is a treasure!! read more

Asahi Restaurant - Korean Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

The best Korean food in town! We have been going here for years and it has been consistently on point every time! The owner and staff are extremely nice and generous! Our barley tea was topped up and sides dishes were refilled the whole meal. She also gave us sodas, tea, and sweets to bring home. Our picky 3 year old ate every bite of his beef bugogi. The This place is a gem and I cannot recommend it enough. read more

Asahi Restaurant - Pork Belly (top left). Beef Bugogi ( bottom left). Kimchi stew with tofu and pork ( top right). All delicious. - Korean Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

100/10 would recommend this place!!! 1. The service is just outstanding! It's only Ms. Kim that waits, busses and takes everyone orders but she is worth at least 10 waiters any day. She's very attentive, patient and VERY considerate. You're feeling extra hungry? She brings the food ASAP and plus extra. You feeling a little under the weather? She'll give you a nice cup of Korean tea. I've been a regular for a few months now and every time I come by, she brings a vibrant and enjoyable vibe to the restaurant and she's always consistent on it. As far as the food, it's pretty good! Any meal comes with sides (rice, kimchi, broccoli, bean sprouts, etc). The menu is pretty small but that just means they are focused more on what they do have and making sure EVERY meal is of good quality. I usually get the pork belly or the chicken bulgogi and it's just a plate full of already-cooked meat and the rice and sides you got earlier compliment the meal. Again, 100/10 would recommend! read more

Asahi Restaurant - Pork Belly - Korean Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Visiting the area and my wife craved some home cooked Korean. Bulgogi and Yukegang soup were excellent. Service was welcoming and friendly. Cozy place to eat and we will definitely be back next time in the area. read more

The atmosphere is nice and cozy. It was a full house for dinner time! The service was 10/10. We ordered fried dumplings and bibimbap. It comes with side dishes. Barley tea was good too. read more

Asahi Restaurant - Bibimbap - Korean Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Close your eyes and transport yourself to memories of walking into your grandmas house. What do you see, how do you feel? Grandma makes you the center of attention. The moment you walk in the door, Grandma starts feeding you. Every few minutes, she asks if you need anything, "How does it taste? Do you need more water? Can I get you anything?" You do your best to ensure grandma knows her food is excellent, but you cannot conjure the right words. Grandmas food makes your heart warm, it causes a grin that stretches from ear to ear. The only noises you are capable of making while eating are chews, slurps, crunches, and the occasional verbal confessions of "mmmm" and "oh my god". Now open your eyes and become aware of the present. The only thing that has changed is you are not at Grandmas. Instead, you are seated inside Asahi Restaurant, off of Independence Blvd. Kimberly and her Mom are taking care of you exactly how Grandma asked. -------------- When we walked in the door, we were greeted and sat by Kimberly. After the menus, water, and barley tea were brought, Kimberly asked if we had any questions. We sought out Asahi hoping to try Jjamppong but learned that the dish is no longer served post Covid. The menu is fairly small, and the restaurant is manned by none other than Kimberly and her mom. Even though they did not have the dish we were hoping for, Kimberly made a recommendation based on the dish other guests order when they learn Jjamppong is not on the menu. We happily agreed and ordered steamed dumplings and Yook Gae Jang. Kimberly took our orders and returned to the kitchen. Upon Kimberly's return, we were surprised with 2 canned sodas, and 2 apple soju. Kimberly and her mom expressed their apologies for Jjamppong no longer being on the menu and insisted we accept the drinks as an apology. We were beyond grateful and apologetic in trying to express that the issue was a non issue, but happily accepted. Kimberly surprised us by saying the soju was "from their family collection". I must say it was the most delicious soju I have had. Shortly after our drinks came, so did our dumplings and our small plates of Korean condiments. In front of us was a spread of radish, broccoli, fish cake noodles, cucumber, kimchi, and bean sprouts. With every swipe of my chopsticks, I tried each condiment, enjoying each progressively more and more. I must say, the fish cake noodles were my personal favorite! The dumplings were extremely fresh tasting and savory. Accompanying the dumplings were 2 sauces, 1 being a spicy sauce, the other 1 being an umami soy based sauce. I enjoyed the dumplings thoroughly and alternated use of both sauces. Quickly, our soups arrived at the table, paired with a small bowl of multi grain rice. The soup consisted of a spicy red broth, clear noodles, a type of shredded beef, green onion stalks, onion, and egg. I immediately went for the noodles and greens as my first bite. This is when the sensation of grandmas house truly hit me. I was transported to an emotional state of warmth, comfort, and happiness. Following the bite of noodles, I scooped up broth in my soup spoon and washed the noodles down with the explosively delicious taste of the broth. Only a few bites into my main course and I fell in love with Asahi. I fell in love with Yook Gae Jang. I feel in love with Kimberly and her mom's cooking, service, and the way Kimberly would tell her mom, "I will be right back mom!" every time she left the kitchen. This mother-daughter duo has something truly special happening at Asahi. So special it inspired me to write my first review so I could assist in spreading the word to the world. If you are ever in Virginia Beach and are craving a dining experience of warmth, comfort, and happiness, paired with food that will leave you without words capable of expressing how delicious it is, try Asahi. read more

Asahi Restaurant - Yook Gae Jang, Multi-grain rice, kimchi, fish cake noodles, radish, cucumber, bean sprouts, broccoli, barley tea - Korean Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

If you're looking for incredible food AND service this is a must stop. My husband wanted some Korean bbq but we wanted to try somewhere different. This restaurant doesn't have the allure of cooking the meat at your table like the popular 757 Korean BBQ, but it has amazing food and the friendliest owners ever. They make you feel like family even if it's your first time visiting! It was just a mother/daughter rocking the kitchen and serving. We had some complimentary tea which was food and devoured all our food. I dont think you would be disappointed with anything you order but my husband especially enjoyed the hot stone bowl. We finished our meal with some green apple soju and strawberry ice cream from our sweet server. This place is a must stop for tour cravings and will quickly become a regular for you. I wish we lived closer, but I know every time I'm craving Korean bbq I'll come here!! read more

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2021 visit The food is awesome and the customer service is terrific. The owner is probably the nicest person on the planet, her mom does the cooking and the food is fantastic. We started with the fried dumplings and then had the beef bugogi and pork bugogi. read more

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A must visit! Nice dining experience and the food was amazing!!! The pork belly was awesome. Super nice and attentive service and I love to support a family owned business. If you love Korean food you have to come here! We will definitely be back! read more

Angel team coming through with the customer service and goodness straight from a Korean mama's kitchen! The restaurant is in its first beginning days of reopening and recentering. I was craving Korean soup and Asahi was close to where I was. I wasn't in the mood for anything all-you-can-eat, and I remembered going here yearsssssss ago for the first time & enjoyed delicious food while singing karaoke. It's funny cuz back then, I was definitely in my broke broke days so I couldn't really order much to get the full experience. But from looking at it now, the prices really aren't that bad. Nothing was over $20 on the menu. But today, it felt very homey. Like I was sitting in someone's home to enjoy a good meal. Sarah welcomed us with a smile and we were handed the menu. It's a little limited but everything on it has been perfected. We ordered the fried dumplings and the kimchi ji gae soup with a side of rice. Little did we know what was coming! We were offered free barley tea, some Chex mix, and our banchan to start. The banchan is a variety of small sides that go with your food in Korean cuisine. There was kimchi, bean sprouts, and cucumbers. We got a refill on the Chex mix in an even bigger platter before our main food arrived so we were set on things to munch on. The fried dumplings were lovely. Perfect texture and flavor in the filling. Korean dumplings aka mandu is hard to miss! The kimchi ji gae came sizzling in a clay pot. I was ready to cry after my first few sips because of how good it tasted. It warmed my heart and soul. I was IMMERSED in the food. I requested a side of rice to balance out intensity of the soup. Eating it with the stewed veggies made it all worth the while. Protein included was tofu and pork. I was happy dancing the entire time. Kimberly checked on us constantly and she said such kind things. We had great conversation. She gave me very genuine compliments and I felt so taken care of! She gave us an extra fried egg just to give our meal a nice oomph. Since it was a humid day, she gave us some watermelon to cool down AND some complimentary sodas! She gave me more bean sprouts because they're my favorite. We finished everything down to the last drop. She gave us scoops of ice cream at the end and we went home with a drink carrier that includes sodas, cups of ice, and even more ice cream and watermelon. Kimberly really cares for her customers and constantly shows them appreciation for their support of the business. We learned that her mom is actually the person throwing down in the kitchen! Makes sense as to why our experience was so genuine. We'll be back. Most definitely. read more

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My fiancé and I are visiting family for the holidays and tried Asahi for the first time on this trip. We loved it! Kim was very attentive and helpful and the food was delicious! You can tell they care about providing their customers with quality food. We'll definitely be back on future trips. read more

Delicious side dishes, sauces and steamed dumplings. I will be back. I love Korean food. Kimberly is so nice and energetic. read more

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AMAZING food paired with the friendliest service! 99% of all of the other reviews for this place will probably highlight the service, because the ladies who host are the nicest pair of humans you will ever meet! The excellent service is backed up by yummy Korean fare. I've had a few dishes off the menu by now and have never been disappointed. If you're craving Korean food, this is the place! Prices aren't crazy and dishes come with the full spread of rice/kimchi/pickled cucumbers/etc. I will definitely be coming back for more. read more

Asahi Restaurant - two plates of food on a wooden table - Korean Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Great food and great service. Kim is awesome and the food is delicious. Kim's energy is contagious. You can order individual dishes but sharing is the way to go. If you're in the area and looking for authentic Korean food, this is the place to go. Call ahead to make reservations since the place is small and it's always booked. read more

Hands down my favorite local Korean spot. I've been coming here for years. Tonight we were immediately greeted warmly, seated promptly and then immediately served warm tea on a chilly night. The menu is simple and lovable and the service deserves more than 50 stars. The food was so good and the complimentary apps were such a good balance of crunch, spice and texture, Please come here and support local and family owned. read more

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OH! YUM. Korean place with good service. They have all of the yummy soups you can think of. they'll make the spice to your liking. And you get all of the tasty little things I love. Kim Chi isn't that spicy. They had the fish cake and bean side which I love. no more OB beer but they do have Kloud now. I don't remember a kid's meal but they take credit cards and there is a place for us single folk! it's tucked away in that shopping center so you'll have to look for it. And the service is LEGIT. I think it's closed for lunch now but don't hold me to that. I'd call before you go, ok? read more

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Hidden gem! 5 stars!! Kimberly was an amazing host. Everything is made to order. The food was so delicious and the service was above and beyond. Such a welcoming atmosphere to dine in. I highly recommend supporting this local Korean restaurant. The steamed dumplings and beef bulgogi were so tasty. We will definitely be back again!! read more

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So I finally stopped in. I will add that their Sunday (and likely Saturday) hours are not straight through open. It seems it is the way they're written. I can attest that I was there at 2:50 pm and they were definitely not open. So to be safe, assume on the weekends they are closed between lunch and dinner like the other days. The workers are the sweetest ever and I really loved their attention to you like you were a guest in their home! I had kimchi jigae which was good, but a little on the saltier side (and I love salty!). I loved they brought me water, hot barley tea, and my soda so quickly. They also provided another bowl in case I wanted to move some soup into it to cool down faster. It's a very Korean thing to serve soup/stew super hot... it's the norm, so I was ok with it. I took bibimbap to go for my husband. It was pretty good but amount seemed on the smaller end. However, their prices are a little less, so it probably evens out. Banchan was a nice mix. I like my cabbage kimchi a little more fermented and sour, and it seemed more on the fresher side. Overall, much better and the attentive and personal service itself gets a big boost on my review. read more

Locally and Family owned Korean Restaurant, Asahi was one of the first and best Korean restaurants in Virginia Beach. Its a great place for good Korean Food. Their food is made to order and not made in front of you like other Korean BBQ spots. The food is fairly priced and they give you a good amount as well. The food is always so flavorful and yummy. When you walk in, the place youre greeted and sat easily. The staff is always so friendly and always checking up on you making sure you have the best experience. One of the owners, Kim is always so bubbly, welcoming, and hospitable. You can tell she shows gratitude to each customer that walks in and wants to make sure they are taken care of. Thank you Asahi. read more

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Amazing! After reading the excellent reviews, I finally got to try the food. The restaurant was closed for 4 months and is now open! After dinner here on 03 Sep 2024 here, I felt like I had a meal at my former Korean neighbor's home in San Diego. The pork belly, bibimbap, and spicy fish soup were delicious and all came with purple rice. The sides for sharing were fresh and tasty. I am satisfied and look forward to another great meal here soon. 5 stars for service, food, and cleanliness. read more

The best service I have ever had in a restaurant. Food was delicious, interior was clean and welcoming.

I had just gotten into town on a work trip and wanted to find something close to my hotel. This place was a nice surprise!! The food was amazing and the service is by far better than any service you will get ANYWHERE!! Sweetest ladies that treated me like royalty! I can't give a higher recommendation across the board!! read more

This place has the best service of any restaurant I've ever been to! The owner is so sweet and it's just her and her mom who run the restaurant, and they do a stellar job. It isn't super large inside, so we had a short wait, but the owner brought us out drinks and snacks while we waited and we were seated super quickly after some people were done with their table. They have all the best side dishes (kimchi, pickled radish, cucumber, broccoli, sprouts) and their entrees are huge, delicious, and fairly priced. I got the bibim noodles, and it had lots of delicious veggies and beef bulgogi on top, as well as a perfectly cooked egg. And after everything, the owner brought us dessert, on the house! She had homemade ice cream (the strawberries were literally picked from Pungo), homemade cookies, and whipped cream. And at the very end, the owner brought us barley tea for the road! I really can't say enough good things about this place :) read more

Asahi Restaurant - Dessert - ice cream, cookies, and ice pops! - Korean Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

I had been wanting to try this place for so long and we finally went this past Tuesday. The place was PACKED so we had to sit at the bar for a bit. The owner and her mom were the only ones working that night and she kept apologizing and quickly took our order. I told her she didn't have to apologize at all! The minute a table opened up, she offered it to us. She quickly brought out our banchan and our food came out shortly after and it was all so amazing! In spite of the fact that she was so busy, she was still so attentive to us. I recommend this place and we will definitely be going back read more

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If you want to find comfort in Korean food, this is the place to come. It's a cozy restaurant and the service is excellent. The kindest/sweetest server you'll ever meet. We explained my kid's food allergy and they totally got it and accommodated. The menu is on the simpler side but that's good- you want a place that will service a selection of excellent food vs a bunch of mediocre food. My husband loved their kimchi jigae- it's different as the broth has depth. My kids enjoyed their food as well. Thank you for a great dinner! read more

Outstanding customer service, excellent food w a Sammy menu and everything is great. Small seating area but you can take to go. We LOVE it

Service was wonderful & food was amazing!! I will definitely be returning & high recommend to a who loves Korean cuisine.

This is the best Korean food I have had on the East Coast. Very attentive service - it felt like I was a guest in their house. We received multiple refills on the side dishes and drinks on the house. Would highly recommend!! read more

I have tried every Korean and Asian places in Hampton roads and Asahi is the best one.

Amazing food and absolutely wonderful people. You will not be disappointed because the food is so flavorful and so comforting. They don't have the full menu at this time but what they have is still so delicious. I hope to come back again soon. Thank you for being so welcoming. read more

Asahi Restaurant - Beef bulgogi pork belly in the back and all the delicious sides. - Korean Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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The BEST FOODS and BEST Customer service ever!!!! We loved everything!!! We will definitely come back here every time we comes to VA Beach!!! read more

Asahi Restaurant - These were included with the meals!!!! - Korean Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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4 of us went to dinner this evening with our 2 kids (toddler and baby). It was our first visit and the restaurant was cozy and clean. Most of all, the service was absolutely exceptional! The owner made us feel so welcomed, especially our children. The food was delicious; we tried both styles of dumplings, pork belly, bibim noodles, and 2 kinds of soup. It was a great experience overall and we will definitely be back soon. read more

I really, really, REALLY love this place. Dining is so much more than just the food- the staff here provides a very warm, welcoming experience. They rib you just like your mom would, and they keep you fed like your mom would, too. Their banchan is super flavorful and they keep it coming, doubling up on the dishes they notice that you eat the most of. Arguably the best Korean in the 757- I look forward going back soon, and often :) read more

I've been meaning to try this restaurant for awhile, did not disappoint. Although they were extremely short staffed and we had a bit of a wait for a table, we weren't stressed and understand that's what the pandemic did to a lot of restaurants in the area. Either way, Kimberly and her mom were awesome! Kimberly checked on us and kept apologizing for the wait which was fine we knew and even tho they had a shortened menu due to staffing, meal was amazing. We ordered the bulgogi bbq and pork belly bbq along with the fried dumplings. All the ban chan (sides) that came with her delicious. Kimberly was very attentive and refilled the ban chan we ate most of. She knew I was the spicy eater and my friend not so much. If you ever have a chance to try them out, do so! I'll be back to try the other dishes! read more