Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Gaja Korean Bar

    4.0 (428 reviews)
    ModerateKorean, Bars
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Gaja Korean Bar Photos

    Business Info

    GAJA KOREAN BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise

    You might also consider

    More like Gaja Korean Bar

    Recommended Reviews - Gaja Korean Bar

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    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

    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

    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.

    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!

    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.

    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" ?)

    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!!

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Brussel Sprouts
    Sarah Beth R.

    This was probably the best beef bulgogi I've ever had hands down. The Brussel sprouts were also delicious. Typically I'm not a fan of pork belly bc it's so fatty but this was cooked so well I ate every bite. The place was pretty crowded, but we were seated fairly quickly, though it did take a little bit to get our food once ordered. The spot was kinda hidden away, but had a cool atmosphere. It was kinda modern eclectic vibes, and louder inside. The staff were polite, and they did a good job-I think definitely louder volume was part of the more curt feel and the fact they were super busy. Overall the experience was great though and the food alone would have anyone coming back again and again.

    Justin N.

    Delicious food with a nice urban, atmosphere inside. We loved everything we ordered including the unique Asian drinks! I would recommend this as one of the top spots to try in EAV!

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    7 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jen M.
    0
    19
    0

    16 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex M.
    13
    39
    33

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    28 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

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

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 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.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Delicious food! I really liked the kimchi fried rice. Service was great, and I loved the speakeasy vibe the restaurant has.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Tristen J.
    263
    94
    150

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Best restaurant in Atlanta. If you want attention to detail and bold flavors this is a must.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    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.)

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Korean 10,321 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    The Pub at EAV - Heckfire Steak Smash Burger

    The Pub at EAV

    4.5(20 reviews)
    0.0 miEast Atlanta Village

    I have been trying to do a better job of exploring my own neighborhood, and The Pub at EAV has been…read morementioned often in our community chats. The restaurant was recently rebranded and I was curious to see what was new. I stopped in for dinner and was pleasantly surprised from the moment I walked in. Seating was open at the time and Noah, who was both the bartender and our server, greeted us with water right away. I have never been impressed by a casual restaurant's menu design before, but The Pub at EAV truly stands out. It is well thought out and visually appealing. I had been eyeing the tom yum wings for a while and ordered them as an appetizer. They were flavorful and served hot. The restaurant also provides complimentary house made pickles, and they were genuinely good. For my drink, I tried the Sneaky Link cocktail. Noah added muddled strawberries because it was a fresh batch and needed a little balance. I would honestly recommend keeping the strawberries as part of the drink because it turned out delicious. For entrées, we ordered the Heck Fire Burger and chose to have the bread served shareable style. They bake their bread in house and it is so good that they could easily offer a bread service option on its own. We also tried the lamb shank which was tender and very well prepared. The only disappointment of the entire evening was the bread pudding. It was recommended with a lot of enthusiasm which made me excited to try it. I ordered it to go and reheated it at home. Unfortunately, it tasted freezer burnt and slightly cross contaminated, almost as if it had absorbed the flavor of another item nearby. I am not a picky eater, but I could only take a couple of bites. Overall, The Pub at EAV is a great addition to the neighborhood. The service was excellent, the food was exciting and creative, and I will definitely return to try more dishes.

    The Pub at EAV was great! I went on Wednesday (survivor night) and was able to enjoy great service,…read moregreat food, and great entertainment! The pub provided a bingo sheet for all of us to complete and I was able to enjoy some fish and chips while filling it in! The food was lovely and much above your average pub feast. The fish and chips were available in sharing or solo size. I went for the sharing to split with my guest and it was the perfect amount of food for both of us (with some appetizers before hand). We also went for the pickles and edamame. The pickles had a unique tang to them that any beer lover would love. The edamame was covered in a delicious chili garlic oil and had some crunch to each bite with the cilantro and dried spices on top. I would definitely come back here for the food alone. They do theme nights other than survivor so make sure to checkout their Instagram page to see if one of their watch party events is up your alley! Thanks to Sherry and the staff at EAV for a new fav Atl spot!

    Photos
    The Pub at EAV
    The Pub at EAV - Cuban Pop Tart

    Cuban Pop Tart

    The Pub at EAV - Scotch Eggs

    See all

    Scotch Eggs

    Banshee - Charred broccoli caesar salad and XO olives

    Banshee

    4.3(186 reviews)
    0.0 miEast Atlanta Village
    $$

    We came in with a large group of 10, and every single person absolutely loved their drinks and…read moreentrées. The service was fantastic from start to finish, and the seasonal menu was perfectly curated. We started with the fry bread and the olives and focaccia. Both were amazing, but the pepperoni butter that came with the fry bread was everyone's favorite. For my main, I ordered the lamb pappardelle, which was delicious. The pasta was fresh and the ragu was so flavorful. I also got to try the scallop ravioli and the potato parfait that came with the strip steak--all of it was beautifully presented and incredibly tasty. As we were leaving, we noticed they were setting up a DJ booth for some live music. It looks like a really fun spot, and we can't wait to go back!

    BANSHEE | our foodie group's favorite spot for a group outing! It's the perfect place to go family…read morestyle - try one or two of everything and split the bill! Almost the entire menu is seasonal, aside from their classics, like the fry bread (which is a MUST), because that pepperoni butter is EVERYTHING. Some of my favorite dishes over the years include the black garlic mezzaluna, the boar luganega farfalle (super hearty pasta), tagliatelle al tartufo and basically any seasonal crudo on their menu. While you may not find these exact dishes on your next visit, you may find something fun and creative but still satisfying and delicious like these. Cocktails are a must - i tend toward gin cocktails but there is a cocktail for everyone on the menu. And of course you must order one of every dessert because how else can you do it?!? If you're there late over the weekend, it shifts from a packed restaurant to a packed bar with a DJ. I find the cocktails to be not quite as tasty as with dinner, but still a good time to be had.

    Photos
    Banshee - Inside the men's restroom. Toilet, urinal, sink. Clean. High ceilings.

    Inside the men's restroom. Toilet, urinal, sink. Clean. High ceilings.

    Banshee - Little Neck Clam Fettuccine @tiffhuangry

    Little Neck Clam Fettuccine @tiffhuangry

    Banshee - Inside. Back dining room and bar.

    See all

    Inside. Back dining room and bar.

    Brigantine Beer Parlor and Recreation Hall - Daquiri

    Brigantine Beer Parlor and Recreation Hall

    5.0(5 reviews)
    0.1 miEast Atlanta Village
    $

    A nautical voyage into the deep blue sea and deep blue carousing at the back of Argosy, by the…read morerestrooms. Replete with a gigantic nautilus/squid-like creature hanging above you like the sea plankton you are. I'm drinking a Westbrook Gose right now which is making me pucker and giving me life. I'm in love with the angler fish alcove and the pinball machine-tables and the randomly non-maritime peacock statue and the mason jar candles. They've left no stone unturned and no waves unridden here y'all. Protip... The button on the Skee Ball machine is literally on fleek and you have to hit it multiple times to create an undulating beat. So amazing. You won't regret it. They don't have the beer selection you'll find up front, but the vibe is really sensual, hydroelectric. Dive in, mateys! Standby.

    The Brigantine is really just the backroom of the Argosy. Though the Argosy and the Brigantine are…read moreconnected, they serve different roles. The Argosy is a great place to get food and drinks while with friends. While the Brigantine is really a place to meet your friends for drinks. Speaking of drinks, the drink menu is different between the two bars, so be warned. I relly like the brigantine but I do have a little issue with the "recreation hall" part of the name. 2 Skee ball machines, 1 shuffleboard table, do not make a recreation hall. Yeah, I see that the tables are pinball machines, but those are unplayable.

    Photos
    Brigantine Beer Parlor and Recreation Hall
    Brigantine Beer Parlor and Recreation Hall - This Skee ball machine makes amazing noises.

    This Skee ball machine makes amazing noises.

    Brigantine Beer Parlor and Recreation Hall

    See all

    Hippin Hops Brewpub & Oyster Bar - The Philly Steak & Cheese

    Hippin Hops Brewpub & Oyster Bar

    4.5(174 reviews)
    0.1 miEast Atlanta Village
    $$

    So I've actually been here twice. The first time I stumbled upon it while at a show in the area and…read moregot takeout, and the second time for an event. I plan on making my third trip soon. Let's get into it! Location and Parking They're located in EAV on Glenwood Road. Parking is free on the street, and I've never had an issue finding a spot Venue and atmosphere The venue is small and industrial, with picnic style tables as well as bar seating. There are a few tv's throughout for watching sports and they have an outside space for game play as well. Food and drinks My wife and I are definitely oyster people, so when we saw there was an oyster quad it was an immediate yes. We got the butter garlic, smoked gouda, Rockefeller, and the shrimp boss. They were all large and stuffed, exactly like I like it. Service Everyone was friendly each time I went and it did not take long for our food to come out, even with there being a little bit of a crowd the second time I was there. Verdict This is definitely a cool gem in EAV. Add it to your bar hop list, and grab an oyster. You'll be glad you did. Until next time!

    Hippin Hops is a great little spot in East Atlanta, I've been there twice, both for events. They…read morehave a lot of events for the community, all with free entry. The wine and beer lists are diverse, with something for every taste. I had the sweet red and I really enjoyed it; If I wasn't heading out of town the following day I would've purchased a bottle of it. I ordered the oyster trio; everything was hot and fresh and the oysters were delicious. They were large and stuffed to the brim. The restaurant was crowded because of the event, but the staff was hustling to get everyone their food on time. I would stop in again if I was in the area and bar hopping.

    Photos
    Hippin Hops Brewpub & Oyster Bar
    Hippin Hops Brewpub & Oyster Bar - Lemmon Pepper Calamari and the "Boss" in the back

    Lemmon Pepper Calamari and the "Boss" in the back

    Hippin Hops Brewpub & Oyster Bar - Salmon bites

    See all

    Salmon bites

    Gaja Korean Bar - korean - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...