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I recently visited **Kalbi Ichiban** in Pensacola, Florida, located in the area of town where I grew up. It was good to return to familiar surroundings and find a restaurant offering a different dining experience.
The interior is attractive, clean, and inviting. The restaurant also offers Korean barbecue, with tabletop grills built into several booths. It is a nice option for families, groups, or anyone interested in a more interactive meal.
I went specifically looking for authentic Korean food. Having experienced Bulgogi while serving in Korea, it quickly became one of my favorite dishes. Most chain restaurants do not do the dish particularly well, so I decided to give Kalbi Ichiban's version a try.
My waiter, **Carson**, was attentive, friendly, and provided excellent service throughout the meal. He checked on me regularly without being intrusive and made the overall experience even better. Carson receives five stars from me.
The meal came with Bulgogi, rice, and a choice of soup or salad. I selected fried rice and started with the hot and sour soup. I also ordered a side of kimchi because, in my opinion, a Korean meal is not complete without it.
The hot and sour soup was excellent. It had great flavor, was well prepared, and was easily one of the highlights of the meal. The fried rice was good, although nothing about it particularly stood out.
The Bulgogi was tender and very flavorful, but it was wetter than traditional Bulgogi. Authentic Bulgogi is normally much drier, with the marinade cooked into the meat rather than leaving it with a gravy-like consistency. Even with that difference, the flavor was enjoyable.
The kimchi was also very good and added the right touch to the meal. Interestingly, the hot and sour soup was spicier than the kimchi. However, different regions of Korea prepare kimchi in different ways, so the level of heat and flavor can vary considerably.
Overall, I was pleased with the meal and would rate the food **8.5 out of 10**. After adding a couple of cocktails, I was also pleasantly surprised by how reasonable the final bill was. I would rate the restaurant **two dollar signs out of five for price**, making it a good value for the quality of the food, service, and atmosphere.
Kalbi Ichiban may not serve Bulgogi exactly as I remember it from Korea, but it delivered a flavorful and satisfying meal. Combined with Carson's excellent service, the inviting atmosphere, and reasonable prices, it was an enjoyable dining experience and a restaurant I would visit again.