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    Gaja Korean Bar

    4.0 (432 reviews)
    ModerateKorean, Bars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Gaja Korean Bar Photos

    Business Info

    GAJA KOREAN BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

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    Recommended Reviews - Gaja Korean Bar

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    Terra beer and appetizers
    Denice L.

    We did not know what to expect from the outside appearance but once inside it was great. We ordered Gaja fried chicken and kimchi both were amazing. Drinks- Beer and a shot. Interesting name but a great choice. There was a wait however it was not packed inside probably short staffed issues. After waiting awhile we saw open seats at the bar and took them without assistance. We would visit again..

    drink
    Master C.

    Everything good but do NOT get the fire chicken it's 3 hours later and my mouth still hurts from how spicy it is. The frozen drink was great

    Inside
    Mariana C.

    This place is really good to grab dinner with your partner or your friends! It's charming, I loved the lighting, it feels very casual and has good vibes. The staff constantly checks how you're doing and they can easily answer any questions you may have. We were a group of 4 on a Saturday night, and, yes, we waited a long time to be seated, so keep that on mind if you want to go during the weekend. Now, food... menu has a little bit of everything (which I really appreciate), service is quick and efficient; in terms of flavor... here's why I'm giving them 4 out of 5... flavors are good, but that's it, you're not going to be surprised or amazed by the taste of the dishes, they're good and that's it. Presentation is very pleasant. Nice neighborhood, option for parking, nice vibes and good food. Definitely give it a try

    Scallion Pancake @tiffhuangry
    Tiff H.

    GAJA'S BAR HAS GOT ME GAGA| DRINKS: 100. VIBES: 1000 (not a typo!!). FOOD: 75. I LOVE the vibes. Slightly speakeasy vibes with the unassuming entrance. Super divey but dark and cool inside. Always a movie playing projected on a blank wall. Drinks are a must, food is a suggestion. There's also an outdoor patio but meh, inside is where it's at. Sit/stand at the bar while sipping cocktails. Otherwise, get in line for a table if you're ordering food. My favorite drink is the Pink Flag - a fun tasty cocktail. I've ordered it the two times I've been to Gaja - it comes out to a super pretty pink thanks to the butterfly pea flower, and I love a gin cocktail. Food is just ok. I'm a regular on Buford Highway, Duluth and Suwanee so while I'm not Korean, I've eaten a ton of Korean food in Atlanta. I did still try to keep my expectations low. We ordered the kimchi for $2 and steamed rice for $1, which hurt my heart since it's usually free and refillable at Korean restaurants. We tried the gochujang korean fried chicken - fried well, but not a huge fan of the sauce. Would probably try the soy garlic sauce next time. I did like the glass noodle which comes with a huge marrow bone, although sadly, there was no marrow in it. The biggest disappointment of the night was the scallion pancake. I've tried Asian savory pancakes from various cultures, including Korean pajeon. This scallion pancake was no Asian pancake I've ever had - reminded me of an American flapjack/buttermilk pancake with scallions. Not my favorite for sure. Overall, Gaja is the PERFECT spot to hang out and grab drinks, and maybe a small snack. But if you're really craving Korean food, Buford Highway or Pleasant Hill in Duluth have you covered.

    Braised Pork Belly  Galbi
    Soojin K.

    The food is a modern take on traditional Korean food. The bone marrow japchae was my favorite it was so good it brings a deeper umami flavor to a very traditional dish. The dumplings were good. The pork belly was my favorite. I would definitely come back. The service was very good. I really enjoyed this dinner. The inside is decorated in a fun way. I would come back

    Kyung Jin K.

    Summary: Mid not really authentic Korean food, but at least there's parking, good vibes, and prices aren't absurd The Gaja Style wings were drenched in sauce and had very little chicken, mostly batter. Despite saying it's a gochujang tofu ranch, it just tasted like buffalo wings. The hedo bap tastes confused. In traditional 회덮밥, the sauce is gochujang with some acid and sweetness. This was close, but not quite there. The fish wasn't particularly fresh. The bibimbop was fine but also nothing to write home about. It was sorely missing the usual spread of 나물/sautéed veggies(?) and felt bland. Shishito peppers were good, but the seasoning fell to the bottom so the top portion was a bit bland. Water is tap/unfiltered, but I don't care about that. The best part of gaja is the vibes. The high ceiling, the lyricless soundtrack, moody lighting, and sort of random Korean signs (one said "eat kosher salami" ?)

    Banchan and Kimchi
    Kelsey P.

    This was phenomenal. My husband and I sat at the bar and ordered multiple dishes to share. Every single thing we had was so delicious, and the food was paced really well. The inside is very cool with exposed walls and a movie on a projector on the wall. I would absolutely come back!

    outside vibes
    L P.

    The cutest hole in the wall bar. Inside has all the right ambience and vibes. Super cute painted murals with the outdoor seating area. All of there food options are great.. tried a good bit of everything and it's always super good. Drinks are crafted well and decently priced. Me and my boyfriend love going here for date night. Service is always very friendly, fast, and helpful!!

    Carrie H.

    Seriously, I have eaten and drank here so many times, and I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!! If you feel like you are not in the right spot, you're probably at the door, which is discreet and in a parking lot. Many seating options include a large bar, tables, and booths. My husband even threw me a surprise birthday dinner with 16 friends here. Where do I start with what I like to drink? Well, one would be their slushy. The flavors change, so I always ask what is available that night. I also love a lot of their cocktails, as they are pretty unique. Regarding food, you should know that I don't eat red meat, so I won't discuss any of these items. We regularly like to share when I eat with friends so that we can try out our favorites. We love the scallion pancake, bibimbap, brussels sprouts, fire chicken, and glass noodles (with the bone marrow on the side so my friend or hubby can have it). If I could only eat one thing, it would be the glass noodles.

    Jo S.

    A Korean themed restaurant... Korean food was very bad and servers didn't even know what the proper pronunciation when we ordered. Scallion pancake is literally an American pancake with scallions on top... anywho cute vibe for a drink maybe but that's it.

    Permanent Vacation and Gust Sugarman
    Michelle H.

    Gaja Korean Bar is a hole in the wall restaurant offering Korean appetizers and drinks. There is a very grungy vibe inside, which aligns with where it is located: East Atlanta Village (EAV). It can definitely get busy inside, so just be mindful of that as our service, while friendly, was a bit slow Saturday night. We got the Scallion Pancake, Kimchi Fried Rice, Braised Pork Belly, and Spicy Pork Bulgogi. The Scallion Pancake was extremely doughy and salty. The leeks were burnt to crisps (as seen in my photo) and did not taste like a scallion pancake. The Kimchi Fried Rice was a bit salty and tasted more Chinese than Korean. It is hard to describe but the fried rice tasted heavily of soy sauce. I thought the Spicy Pork Bulgogi was alright, but it did not taste spicy. My boyfriend enjoyed the Braised Pork Belly. We wanted to try the chicken, but our server told us a video reviewing the restaurant went viral so the chicken was all gone by 9PM. As for drinks, we got the Permanent Vacation and Gust Sugarman. The Gust Sugarman tasted like yakult as it was essentially soju and yogurt. However, the Permanent Vacation was hardly enjoyable to drink. It tasted heavily of mezcal which left a really bad aftertaste in my mouth. Overall, I was not impressed by Gaja Korean Bar. The food is not that great and I honestly think it is catered to a more American taste palate. This place has an intimate and cool ambience, but that is about it. But to each their own as there are people who enjoy this spot.

    Spicy Fried Chicken
    Devon B.

    Gaja has such a cool vibe. I have eaten here a few times now and the food is always the same high quality. I come here for the fried chicken gaja style. They give you a huge portion and I can devour all of it every time. Their cocktail list is also super fun. Service is usually good for the casual vibes.

    Brussels w/ Pork Chunks
    Chucky B.

    Food is good. The service is great too. I went back to back because I wanted to try the fire chicken and they were out the first time. But I was also coming in at the end of the night. The beef is good. Rice is good. And when I tried the die chicken on thy second visit. It did not disappoint. Hot. But flavorful. I've had hot before and it's been 50/50 on the flavor. Here it is flavorful. On the good side of 50. I would come back for sure.

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    5 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Really good drinks, service , and food. Love it here! The bartenders were very nice and the drinks were strong

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    9 months ago

    Excellent fried chicken!! I'd come back for just this dish. Atmosphere was good too, great for a date or just cool vibes.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - Gaja Korean Bar

    I'm planning a bacheloretteparty for a bride that wants to rent a karaoke room, would this be a good place?

    I'd recommend Fam-Fam in Grant Park, not far away. It's in the Elevator Factory, which is in the same building as Six Feet Under. They will have rooms you can rent. (I don't believe Gaja has separate rooms.)

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    Stone Bowl House

    Stone Bowl House

    4.0
    (596 reviews)
    12.9 mi
    $$

    Oh yeah! Buford highway is so hard with so many wonderful restaurants. This is a definite stop!…read more So, so so good. Can't go wrong: Seafood pancake Beef bulgogi Chicken type bulgogi Veggies outstanding! Service was great. Top of our return list!

    My family and I have eaten here for years and we just returned on Saturday craving Atlanta's best…read moreKorean food after near non-stop K-Pop Demon Hunters with the kids all Christmas and New Year's break. The Korean food scenes got my wife and I hungry every time! Having been to many of Atlanta's best Korean restaurants over the past decade, Stone Bowl is a clear notch above the rest. The side dishes are just simply better with robust authentic seasoning and unforgettable flavor that leaves you craving for more. The kimchi is spot on for spice but not overwhelming. The potatoes are to die for, cooked to perfection, tender and absorbent of all the nearby flavors. For the first time, we tried the Korean sushi roll (K-Pop Demon Hunters was calling) and it didn't disappoint. Stuffed with fresh cooked bulgogi and veggies, we ate it so fast we were left thinking of Korean sushi rolls had an edge over Japanese sushi rolls! And we also got the poached dumplings for the first time and almost went as fast as the sushi roll. The authentic style of poaching the dumpling made it taste homemade from grandma's kitchen. The sizzling plate of bulgogi was amazingly put down the gullet on top of everything else. Consistently on point and warms the tummy. Service is cordial, but somewhat aloof and distant at times because we would have loved an offer to refill our side dishes, but admittedly they are often busy and we don't go there to expect Michelin dining service levels. We come for the food. Awesome food. And Stone Bowl House will be seeing us again before long.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Complimentary side dishes with meal
    Complimentary side dishes with meal
    Complimentary side dishes with meal

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    Complimentary side dishes with meal
    Thrill Korean Steak and Bar

    Thrill Korean Steak and Bar

    4.4
    (1k reviews)
    12.4 mi
    $$
    Women-owned & operated
    Free WiFi

    Decent food but service was bad. The waiter was too busy and we had to keep reminding him what we…read moreneed. He brought out rice and told us that might be bad/old so we asked him to switch. He cooked meat for us at our table but it was so chaotic (he threw meat at grill and making so much noise w utensils etc) and we could not relax. We wanted to get a drink at bar before seated but there was no bartender.

    Im a big lover of Korean BBQ, so when my friend suggested Thrill I was skeptical. Goodness was I…read moredelightfully surprised! This place is phenomenal! One of the most esthetically pleasing Korean BBQ places I've been to. It's an all you can eat spot with an extensive variety of meats to choose from. The quality of the meats is A1. Don't let me get started on the side options they offer! They provide substantial assortment of sides that are all savory & delectable. On top of the delicious food they also have a full bar available for your enjoyment. They have complementary parking available so no worries about adding an extra cost to the food adventure. If you sit at the tables with a grill it is an "all you can eat" option for everyone at the table only, no exceptions. If you desire to eat from the single meal menu there is bar seating available. There is a two hour limit per table but that is more than enough time to get your fill & moneys worth. Trust me you must go and it would not surprise me if Thrill becomes your new favorite Korean BBQ spot as well. I know it stole my heart and I plan on coming back many times over! Nom nom nom!

    Photos
    Thrill Korean Steak and Bar
    Thrill Korean Steak and Bar
    Thrill Korean Steak and Bar

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    Heirloom Market BBQ

    Heirloom Market BBQ

    4.4
    (2.1k reviews)
    12.4 mi
    $$

    I fully understand the hype!!!…read more Omggggg! This food was so delicious, fresh and the service was absolutely superb!!! The restaurant isn't anything fancy, but I can appreciate the efficiency of every Diane being properly utilized! I can honestly say that I'll be a frequent flyer here.

    Business travel has a rhythm to it. Airport. Rental car. Donor meetings. Hotel that proudly…read moreadvertises a "hot breakfast" consisting of powdered eggs, coffee that tastes vaguely of burnt hazelnuts, and general disappointment. This particular morning in Atlanta was no different. As I pushed uninspired scrambled eggs around my plate I did what any food-obsessed traveler does: I opened the Michelin Guide. Surely Atlanta had something worth driving for before the afternoon meetings began. The city's Michelin stars leaned heavily toward pristine sushi counters where lunch could easily become a three-hour exercise in restraint and expense. Not today. Instead, a Bib Gourmand caught my eye. Heirloom Market BBQ. The address looked odd. The photos looked even stranger. Was Michelin seriously recommending what appeared to be a convenience store? Naturally, I was intrigued. The closer I looked, the less it resembled your grandfather's barbecue joint. Yes, there was brisket and pork. But there was also kimchi. Pickled vegetables. Gochujang. Color. Acid. Freshness. Suddenly the idea of barbecue for lunch didn't feel like signing up for an afternoon food coma. By 11:30, I was standing in line beside construction workers, office employees, and locals who clearly knew something I didn't. I ordered the smoked, diced, and braised spicy pork topped with kimchi slaw and cucumber kimchi. Korean barbecue sauce arrived on the side. For good measure, I added the green tomato kimchi--a mix of sweet and spicy pickled green tomatoes, jalapeños, and radishes. The pork was everything good barbecue should be. Tender without falling apart. Smoky without becoming bitter. Moist without relying on sauce. Deeply satisfying in that primitive way smoked meat always seems to be. The green tomato kimchi was extraordinary. Bright, crunchy, layered with acidity, sweetness, and just enough jalapeño heat to keep your attention. Every bite reset your palate before the next forkful of pork. It's the kind of side dish that refuses to stay a side dish. The Korean barbecue sauce deserves its own paragraph. Gochujang led the charge, backed by enough vinegar to cut through the richness and enough heat to remind you someone in the kitchen enjoys having fun. Against all odds, I managed to finish lunch without wearing any of it on my green Oxford shirt. A personal victory. Heirloom Market isn't polished. Service is efficient rather than memorable. You order, you eat, you leave. That's the point. What lingers isn't the hospitality. It's the confidence. This kitchen knows exactly what it wants to be. Southern barbecue filtered through Korean flavors isn't a gimmick here--it's the language they speak fluently. The entire meal reminded me of La Barbecue in Austin, another place where smoke is only part of the conversation. Michelin eventually rewarded La Barbecue with a star. Heirloom may still wear the Bib Gourmand designation, but when it comes to flavor, it's operating in the same league. Will I return? Without hesitation. Sometimes the best meal in town isn't hidden behind velvet curtains or reservation apps. Sometimes it's tucked inside what looks like an old convenience store, quietly reminding everyone that extraordinary food rarely cares about appearances.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    BBq Beans and Mac and cheese- very good
    BBq Beans and Mac and cheese- very good
    Chopped brisket sandwich @tiffhuangry

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    Chopped brisket sandwich @tiffhuangry

    Gaja Korean Bar - korean - Updated July 2026

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