Nice spot first time here since they became SOUTHGATE cute small place for girls night or even a date loved their rice bowl but sampan is much better lol read more

Southgate - This is the bibimbap dish - Korean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Great and unique addition to the Philly food scene with an awesome ambiance. Happy to see a different a take on the gastropub, bringing a FULL menu influenced by traditional Korean flavors. Loved the wings and mandoo, both are my go to appetizers. Thoroughly enjoyed the burger and katsu as well. The big winner for me were the cocktails! Great and friendly bar staff with amazing drinks. Old Boy or P&P FTW. read more

I will be the first to admit I don't know much about Korean food, but I'd like to think I know something about GOOD food, and this is it! We waited a month to check South Gate out because, invariably, a brand new place has kinks to work out, so I'd rather wait until they are. With that in mind, if they had any kinks to begin with, they've been dealt with. From decor to ambiance to service to menu selection to quality of food and beauty in its plating, I think South Gate pretty much nailed it. We arrived before any other diners, (because that's what you do when you have a baby with you!) and were seated with high chair and sippy cup of water for baby. The place is beautiful. Sleek yet inviting decor. Fresh flowers. Unusually for me, I wasn't super hungry but we wanted to try a bunch of things. We wet our whistles with a few beers. I got a delicious and heady vanilla porter. I think my husband got a sour ale...Not sure, but we were both happy. These were big pours for the price. If you're one who likes to dine at the bar, this one is aesthetically pleasing and well stocked. For apps, Koreancini rice balls and sweet potato fritters. Both fried, neither greasy, but instead light, crispy and delicious. The Koreancini was accompanied by a mild but flavorful roasted cherry tomato dipping sauce. The fritters were complemented by a tangy chili sauce. For entrees,my hubby got the wings (even though it's a starter, it is a LARGE portion), as they are always his favorite, and consequently, what he's most critical about. I asked how they were. "Great" he said, through a full mouth which loosely translates into, "These are really effing good." I didn't try them, but I would take his word for it. We tried both the beef and tuna rice bowls. The tuna hwe dup bap was fresh, crispy, not too salty with just enough asian flair to compete with the best tuna tartare I've had. The beef bibimbap? Well, if I'm being truthful without reservation, this was the best dish of anything I've had in a long time. I could eat this every day for the rest of my life and want for nothing more. Honestly. I plan to return here at least once a week (ok, maybe just once a month) just for this dish. I didn't get the hot bowl because my long-armed baby may have burned herself. But the beautiful fried egg atop a mountain of fresh, lightly cooked vegetables and perfectly seasoned and tender beef, sticky rice, sauce....oh my god... The best. At the end of that I can't believe I challenged my stomach to take in more, but I managed to scarf down half the shortcake dessert. Now, fruit in my dessert is not typically my thing, but this offered a fresh approach to an old standby. From what I understand, there was a ground powder popular in Korea worked into the cake batter. It lent a spicy and unusually pleasant flavor I've never tasted before. So if fruity desserts aren't your thing either, give this one a chance! For those reviewers who complaining about price, I'm honestly confused. I paid only slightly less for lunch at Stella Pizzeria last week and was left hungry and disappointed. The prices at South Gate are more than appropriate: you are getting quality, portion size and finesse. Just because it's labelled "gastropub" doesn't mean you should expect to pay for average bar food. This is GOOD food. I've certainly paid much more in fancier restaurants and got far less. With one meal, this has become my new fav. read more

I was so excited for this restaurant to open that I went ahead and made this yelp page for it weeks in advance! I went opening weekend with a group of 14 people and had a really awesome experience! We didn't think to make a reservation, but the hostess was kind enough to seat us right away at the chef's table right by the kitchen. The server was also very attentive and patient, considering people in our party were walking in sporadically every 10 minutes or so. For food we ordered the soy ginger korean fried chicken (7 pcs/order) and koreancini balls (5 pcs/order) to share, and I got the bulgogi burger as my main. The meat was a little dry and the side of gochugaru fries could definitely use a lot more seasoning to really POP, but still a solid meal. They also gave us an extra dessert (misugaru cake with berries and creme) on the house for the delayed service, which most of us didn't even notice! I came back the Friday after with a friend, again without a reservation, and got a nice outdoor table right away. We ordered the sake punch and the koreana 76 off the cocktail menu and they were both delicious and super refreshing! We tried the KFC again, this time half sweet and half spicy, and I actually preferred the gochujang flavor - it's not too spicy and just sweet enough. For our mains we ordered the bibimbap and the pulled pork burger, which were both stellar. I actually enjoyed the pork burger much more than the bulgogi burger from my previous visit. The fries were crispy and cooked to perfection, and the ketchup/gochujang mixed condiment for dipping was a really great touch to the dish. Definitely a fan of this place and will be coming back often! It is a little pricy for everyday eating and it's not necessarily authentic korean food, but nevertheless a great addition to the food scene in philly! read more

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Amazing atmosphere, great alcohol and servers, and especially bibimbap. Hope you guys will be alright through this pandemic!

After strategically planning my social calendar to check this place out, I was really glad to finally experience the greatness of southgate. For an avid Korean cuisine fan, it's kind of pricey, but given the quality and location, you are paying for a great experience. The staff here is friendly and very professional - our waiter Dan, I believe, was on point. My friends and I came 15 mins early to our 7:30 pm reservation - given the amount of people there, I highly recommend making a reservation. It is SUPER popular on a weekend. They have a decent selection of drinks - my friends enjoyed their cocktails, particular the running nam (pun after the popular variety series the running man) which was delicious ! We had their pan seared octopus, which was creatively displayed as a single tentacle - I thought that was hysterical. It was soft and not overcooked which was good, but flavor wise I wasn't in love with it. My favorite was the dolsot bibimbap with beef - definitely tasty and I asked for extra gochujang to spice it up more. Everyone really enjoyed their KFC - soy garlic and spicy gochujang. Personally I enjoyed the soy garlic in terms of flavor but I liked the kick of spicy gochujang. The skin was perfectly crispy! The pork bossam was a tad charred for me. I liked the arrangement though, made me feel like I was eating kbbq. Overall a good place to chill and definitely a mix of cultures. I think if you're open to trying new things but not too adventurous, southgate is a good start. read more

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We went here for brunch for a friend's birthday! I'll start off by saying the drinks were really good! HIGHLY recommend the blood Mary - probably one of the best I've ever tried! I got the Korean 76, which was also pretty good! The food was decent, nothing great. We tried the green tea waffles, and I thought they were okay, my friends really liked them. The bibimbop bowls were really good and tasty though! Would def recommend to go for drinks! read more

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Good tasting Korean food with a variety of menu options. Staff is friendly and prices are reasonable.

I would come back here, yeah. Our server was kind and personable, and I loved sitting outside on 18th street. The food was good, and there are happy hour specials to enjoy from 5-6:30. I would come back here, yeah, but I wouldn't order the hot stone bi bim bap (rice, veggies, a few strips of beef, $17) or a draft beer (10 oz of Grapefruit Sculpin IPA, $7) because I felt seriously ripped off. After tax and tip, that's $31 for BI BIM BAP AND A 10 OZ IPA. Oof. read more

I actually love this spot. It has a very nice ambiance inside and comfortable seating outside. I wasn't particularly a fan of Monk fish. It's a very very meaty fish, like a freakin prime rib. It was incredibly strange, but some people enjoy it. However, we REALLY loved their Korean fried chicken. It was double fried, crunchy, and simply phenomenal. You can tell the chef here knows what he's doing. Beautiful presentation of food. Great date night. read more

I can't ding them for their clientele, even though there seem to be an awful lot of loud and insipid people packed inside...it's like a slightly improved version of the "Founding Fathers" crowd, which is a slightly improved version of the "Howl at the Moon" crowd, which is a slightly improved version of tree sloths, perhaps. But back to the food, which is what matters. The place is reasonably priced and the food is great--Korean comfort food. It's not good for you, but if you want that, go to a real Korean place and get something full of veggies. At Southgate, get the quintuply fried wings (KFC) that are truly terrific in Korean hot sauce (gochujang). Pass on the pork belly buns--they are ok but nothing to Yelp© about. The autumn salad was very nice, too. Korean tacos look like they're going to be a problem with the meat smothered in what appears to be a cream sauce of some sort, but actually the sauce is quite light and the tacos are terrific. For me the star was the Bulgogi burger, which I'm still thinking of weeks later... Not the right cuisine descriptor, but it's the most "umami" thing you'll ever eat. Spiced like bulgogi with the real deal trimmings and a great soft bun. Really fantastic and highly recommended. Go here and don't look back and enjoy. A fun and inventive restaurant with great food and service--enough that you can ignore everyone else and have a good and unhealthy meal with a friend. read more

One of our favorite meals in Philadelphia. My wife is Korean and has specific taste for Korean food, and she was blown away by how good everything was. She got the Bulgogi burger and I got the Seoul hot chicken sandwich and both were awesome. The fries were really good too. I would highly recommend the mystery beer, as it was only 4 bucks and turned out to be a really good beer, although I'm sure it's probably different every time. Mine was definitely more like an 8 dollar beer though. The server was awesome as well, and we can't wait to go back! read more

Solid 4-star spot right around the corner from a friend's place. For the immediate area I was extremely happy with the food and the service. Draft beers appear seasonal and though there aren't a ton to pick from there are enough to satisfy a variety of beer drinkers. Overall a nicely curated list. The cocktails look lovely, even though I didn't partake. Next time for sure. The food menu is limited but what they do, they do well. Mandoo was a good substitute for the steamed buns - which were sold out (so disappointed they didn't have these - it was merely 7pm). Bibimbap with tofu was on point and a large serving which probably would have worked to share if accompanied by a couple apps. Ate at the bar - service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing... And he wasn't hard on the eyes either. Recommend this place for sure. read more

I love this place and especially love that it's close to my home! The renovation is beautiful. It is classy and casual. It has great outdoor seating. It was easy to get reservations and when I had to change the time, they were very accommodating. A great sign is that it is run my Asians and many Asians eat there. I can say that because I'm Asian and that's always a great sign! Haha Food is delicious and beautiful. I went with some friends that are not adventurous eaters and they LOVED it. They have a full bar so that's also great. Great service all around. I will definitely be back often!! read more

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I was pretty excited to see a Korean small plates place open up outside of Chinatown/North Philly, but not sure what to expect. Southgate serves overall great dishes, though the prices reflect its location near Rittenhouse Square. First off, the KFC wings had a super thick crust. It was actually difficult to bite through - maybe it was an off night? The flavor was pretty good, but not outstanding, and at $12/7pc, they were a bit pricey.The octopus was absolutely amazing. I'd go back just for that. For mains, I got the bulgogi burger - the beef was tender and perfectly marinated and the (housemade!) pickles were refreshingly tangy. The fries had a great spicy kick as well. Their drink selection is solid - a decent beer list and interesting cocktails. We were a bit shocked that we spent $100 on what felt like a pretty simple meal, but then again, we managed to throw down $40 on drinks - they were that good. Southgate is somewhat expensive for the subject matter, but the dishes were overall well-executed. It's a great, casual neighborhood restaurant with an interesting Korean-American fusion menu, and most importantly, we ended up having a really delicious meal and a fun time. read more

I had been walking passed this place while staying at an airbnb. Then a friend suggested we meet there since she had heard good things and wanted to try it. Perfect. I had the Autumn salad, who would have thought a kale salad could be so delicious and filling. F had the tofu rice bowl and loved it. My friend had the tofu taco and said they were really good. I even tried their persimmon shortcake which I took home and it was still good the next day. read more

I LOVE Korean food. So when this neighborhood restaurant opened up I was really excited (YAY!!!!!) Ate here a few times. I was hoping for a Korean BBQ, but no (Whomp whomp). Which is fine since it didn't advertise as so. Food was good the first time (YAY!!!!) but not great. Went back the second time, got one of the specials, it was a disappointment. (Whomp Whomp) Also, I was looking forward for kimchi. It's usually free at Korean restaurants, but nooooooo.. you need to buy it here. (Whomp Whomp) And I'm not sure why people love their wings so much. Mine was kinda dry to my liking (another Whomp Whomp) Great cocktails though! (YAY!!!) read more

Southgate is a really cute date spot, but I have very mixed feelings about their dinner menu. Their dinner menu is very limited, which made sharing plates kind of difficult. Our table of 3 ended up ordering KFC, side of fries, and 2 beef dolsot bibimbaps. Korean Fried Chicken (6 pieces for $12) in Soy Garlic: The size of these chicken wings/drumsticks are impressive, but I've had better KFC. I wouldn't recommend ordering this, especially since it's $2/piece. Fries (not on the menu - $4) The fries were unexpectedly seasoned (a little too much IMO, it got way too salty for me) -- I'm not sure what's in their seasoning because you can see red flakes on the fries, but I didn't find them spicy. Beef Dolsot Bibimbap ($17) This was my favorite dish of the night. I loved the beef -- it wasn't chewy at all and I think they marinated it. Plus, you can't really go wrong with a dolsot bibimbap. I only wished they added more rice because the rice to meat/veggie ratio is a bit off. We were all stuffed by the time we left, but overall, I didn't think it was a memorable meal. Protip: I actually messaged them through Yelp to make a reservation (bc I couldn't get through on the phones at first, no biggie) and they responded in a couple of minutes, which was great. read more

I had the Korean fried chicken and green tea waffles. The fried chicken was spectacular and had that wonderful crunchy, light coating in the Korean style of fried chicken. The waffle was a bit lackluster and dry though - the green tea barely came through, and instead I would have preferred a regular buttery, crispy waffle with green tea whipped cream or something as a topping. Really great place to brunch if you're looking to change up your usual breakfast fare. read more

Good food and really like the space. Korean chicken wings had the best first bite crunch I have ever heard. Like the drinks and the kimchi too. read more

Southgate - Best crunch ever - Korean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Super confused about the hype of this place! We came for happy hour, and yet everything still seemed super overpriced. We got the sweet potato fritters which were good but something that I definitely could've made at home. Also shared some soy garlic wings, which were good but at $2 a piece felt really overpriced - they were very similar to Soho chicken in size and taste. I got the beef tacos as my entree, which were probably the best part of the meal. I had a bite of the beef bibimbap and was not impressed - the beef pieces were super tough and not flavorful, and definitely not worth it for the price (I can't quite remember but it was like $14 or $15). I was so excited for a Korean fusion place, but I don't think I will return :( read more

Had dinner here on a Friday night around 6:30, the place wasn't packed but was starting to get a little cramped. This small eatery is just south of Rittenhouse Square next to graduate hospital. The atmosphere is very moderate and reserved. The food is best identified as Korean fusion, dishes friendly to the American palate and inspired with Korean ingredients and flavors. If you want an authentic Korean experience this is not the place to go, if you want to be more adventurous with your dinner but still want dishes to remain familiar then this is your spot. The waitstaff are all very nice and professional, they do genuinely appear proud of their establishment. The food is unique and the flavors are not too strong. Myself I am used to Korean dishes and was a bit disappointed by the level of food they offered. I ordered the kbbq tacos and thought they were okay at best. Their cocktails were average as well. This is a midscale restaurant with mid-upper scale pricing. This is a nice spontaneous place to go on a date, especially if you're not too adventurous, but more accurately, curious. read more

This restaurant never disappoints. We have been here on several occasions and the food has always been delicious. The KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) comes in soy garlic or spicy gochujang. Both are delicious. We also enjoyed the short rib buns and kimchi. Great late night option on Saturdays. read more

My girlfriend and I stopped by for dinner during a soft-open on a Saturday, and it was delicious. The atmosphere is fun with great decor and quick service. It did seem quite loud inside, but nothing too crazy. The food is delicious, and they have everything from bibimbop to a Korean burger. We tried the bibimbop and their BBQ tacos, and both were very tasty. The prices seemed a bit disproportionate between the two, and we were hoping the tacos might come with a side dish like fries or something - but both were delicious, so this wasn't too big of an issue. They have a solid draught beer list at pretty standard Center City prices, and their cocktail list looks good. Of course it's still too early to come to any firm reviews of Southgate, so I'll definitely modify my review once they've officially opened - as this will almost certainly become one of our go-to places for great food and interesting drinks. read more

I'm a huge fan of Southgate! This Korean fusion gastropub expertly mixes traditional Korean flavors in accessible American mediums. After going3 for happy hour, drinks, and dinner multiple times I decided to have my birthday here. The staff made it a wonderful night. Lisa and Juan at the bar are among the friendliest not to mention skilled bartenders out there whose signature drinks (especially the hot toddy) are delicious and beautifully presented. Our waitress, Lyndsie was very attentive and made us feel at home. While the drinks here are phenomenal, the real treat is the food. No trip to Southgate is complete without indulging in the Korean Fried Chicken, the double fried, crispy perfection topped off with either a soy garlic (my favorite) or spicy gochujang sauce. The chicken katsu is another favorite of mine. This tender, breaded chicken is topped with a Korean bbq type sauce served with a side of rice and a little cabbage salad. I love this dish for the variety of flavor and the portion is huge! I tried the bibimbap for the first time during my birthday dinner, choosing the hot stone pot option which I highly recommend! While the presentation of this dish is marvelous, its encouraged that you mix it up before eating. The contents of your bowl continue to cook while you eat and the rice gets nice and crispy. The beef served with this dish was tender and flavorful and the spicy sauce was a perfect way to top it all off. Overall I recommend Southgate very highly. This is a great place to grab some drinks, snacks or a full meal. My mouth is watering just writing this. read more

Really good. The Korean Fried Chicken is some of the best I've had across the city. My only critique is the portions as I wished reach dish was a bit bigger. read more

Best service I have ever received from a restaurant. Server David Lee is a fantastic employee and deserves all the love and recognition. His perfect timing and smile brings an experience of a lifetime. Their food and drinks are great as well, but David Lee is the icing on the cake. read more

Okay so we have been coming here for a long time and always liked the food, service, and vibe. Easier parking options around and my kids liked it as well. The last two visits, the food has gotten noticeably salty -- every single dish has too much salt, and I think the chef is a heavy smoker and can't taste the food. read more

The food and staff we're all amazing. We visited this restaurant when we were last in Philly and were back in Philly again and can't wait to eat at Southgate for dinner this evening! One of our new favorites! read more

Very excited about Southgate, which has the potential to be a go-to after work spot for my wife and I. The interior is completely redone and you would hardly believe it used to house the busy, kitschy trappings of Tangier. Very sleek and clean with plenty of seating and a large bar. We started with the Koreancini, which was good not great. The arancini were nicely crisp and the corn inside tasted fresh. However, they needed a tad more salt. Still, the big miss was the sauce, which was basically stewed tomatoes that lacked seasoning. The dish didn't really read as Korean. I would have loved some heat or punch of flavor. I got the tofu bibimbap which was AWESOME. Really fresh and a sizable portion. To drink I had the sake punch, which was light and refreshing. We also had the dessert -- their only dessert option at the moment -- shortcake layered with whipped cream and berries. The dessert was good, not particularly sweet, which I enjoyed, but, again, nothing read Korean. To top it all off, service was truly excellent. I can't really understand the reviews complaining about price. They might seem high if this was still Tangier, but for a Gastropub they were pretty average. All in all, Southgate has some room to grow -- first and foremost they need to put their menu up on the website. But so far Southgate seems like an great addition to CC, and is an especially welcome veg-friendly Gastropub. read more

Excellent waffles, but the chicken was all skin and bone and hardly any meat. Try using chicken breast or tenders. The fried skin tastes good but chicken waffles are all about using a fork and knife to cut meat and eat it together with the waffle... read more

Came for dinner and enjoyed the food. The restaurant is very laid back.The food was great and the wait staff was excellent. The ambiance was nice. I had several small plates and found them to all be delectable! The place was completely transformed from the prior restaurant that was there, Tangier. The food was good. The lamb buns were great as well as a shrimp dish we tried. I also tried the kimchi but was not a fan, the waiter was great and took it off of the bill. The shrimp and pork dumplings were to die for! Service was great and the food was served swiftly. This place is one I have to visit again. read more

This review is limited to the happy hour. We ordered the fried wings, radish kimchi, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. The wings were delicious and little messy. The radish kimchi was amazing, but I love radishes a little too much. 3 dollar Sapporo or add a shot for a dollar. read more

We had dinner here recently and thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the service. We had the KFC appetizer with both sauces. Very tasty. The wings were super crispy and not at all greasy. The soy/garlic and spicy sauces were delicious. We both ordered clay pot rice dishes- one beef and one tofu, with a side of kimchi. The kitchen does not skimp on ingredients - these dishes were chock full of assorted vegetables, protein and fried egg on top. They came to the table sizzling. Washed them down with cold beers on tap- delicious meal on a cold night. We will be back. read more

Late night stop (10ish) - it was deserted on a sat night? I liked the food, and the specially cocktail (a version of a Caipirinha) was well made and strong. Looks like a cool venue, but the lack of patrons made it less the desirous for a saturday night stop. I don't hang in the neighborhood much, so perhaps my timing was simply off. This could easily been a 4-star review if the social vibe was better. read more

Two of us shared kimchee, brussel sprouts, pork mandoo, veggie mandoo, kfc and seafood panjeon. They have us complimentary cucumbers which were better than the kimchee. Everything was outstanding and I would dare say better than the Korean food in Los Angeles. Attentive service and an excellent beer selection topped it off. There was no wait for a table at 8:30 on a Thursday. People are surely missing out. read more

Wings wings wings. So good. Get the spicy ones. They're not the tiny little wings. They're like from chickens on steroids. Stick with the beer because the drinks are a bit overpriced and not very strong. Kind of pricey but the portions are huge. The fish and chips are great. The tacos fell flat for me. Stick with the wings. Go for it. read more

Quick review for a quick dinner - Came on in a Friday, no reservations; got seated at the faux bar towards the back which faces the extremely tiny kitchen. It's kind of impressive how many people they serve here with what looks to be a a kitchen the size of a large bathroom. It probably isn't their only kitchen but if it is, good on them for being efficient. "koreancini" = 1/5 - I would not get this. Dry, terrible texture, no flavor. Didn't go well with the dipping sauce. "KFC" = 3/5 - a solid rendition of KFC. I'd put slightly below Federal but way below Andy's Fried Chicken. Size of the wings were decent and the batter was solid. Could have used a little more sauce. bibimbap = 3/5 - also a decent rendition of bibimbap. I ordered mine with beef and it came in a stone pot. For $18, it was kind of small. Needed more gochujang which the waiter was happy to oblige. It's nice to get some korean food in Philly. I will be back when I need my next fix as the local spot, Giwa, doesn't cut it. read more

Had dinner here on Wednesday night and was glad we made reservations because the place was packed. We started with the KFC (spicy) and octopus. For dinner, we shared the dolsot bibimbap with beef and bulgogi burger with a side of kimchee. The octopus was our favorite of the night, followed by the bibimbap. I had pretty high expectations for the KFC and burger. Both were good and definitely tasty, but not in the running for the best I've had. Based on first impressions, I'd give this place 3.5 stars for now. read more

I really wanted to like this place, but ended up walking a bit disappointed. Seating didn't take very long depending on when you arrive but the portions were slightly small for the hefty price. I grabbed the KFC which was $12 for 6. The chicken was very crunchy and more importantly, the chicken was juicy. Additionally, the sauce was sweet and not overpowering. Also grabbed a Dolsot Bibimbap (Hot Stone Pot) which was very well presented. There were a lot of vegetables and the dish stayed hot but my biggest complaint was that there was barely any flavor in the beef or from the gochujang, which was very disappointing. We also got a bulgogi burger to split. It was defiantly a interesting dish as a fusion dish. Maybe I'm more used to bulgogi with rice, but it was definitely a unique taste with how sweet the bulgogi burger was. The place wasn't too loud and had a TV which had a game on. There is a nice outdoor seating area for the spring/summer. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. The service was good and the food was more often good. I'll be returning to try some of their other menu items. read more