I've been coming to this restaurant since it first opened. The food is certainly the best in Anchorage when it comes to Korean food, but there is room for a lot of improvement. Meat dishes are either pretty good or too burned. The meat marinade is decent so the food still tastes good but what's up with paying full price if you can only eat half of it? Service is awful!! Worst service out of any restaurant that I have been to (aside from fast food). The waitresses are all rude and they appear to have better things to do. Sure people have commented that bad service goes hand in hand with asian restaurants, but seriously... does it always have to be this way? Be nice to your customers or we are eating elsewhere. On a positive note, the soups are good and there are more side dishes offered here than the other Korean restaurants in town. But seriously, quality should outshine quantity, VIP. Tsk Tsk. read more

One of my favorite little secrets in Anchorage: good authentic food, good price (for Anchorage), quick service. The premium is on good food and quick service not chit-chat with the wait staff. read more

I like the Ddeok Boggeum appetizer, which is rice cake with kimchee and a little beef, served hot. I usually get the seafood hotpot that is served in a hot pot, with rice, kimchee, seafood, and an egg on top. Very yummy. I also got the Bimbim Googsu, which is served with kimchee and rice noodles, and a hard boiled egg. It was served cold, which wasn't bad, but I would probably have preferred hot. I got an order to go and was given a small container of side dishes that I was happy about. I haven't tried any other Korean restaurant here in town, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I really like this place and will continue to enjoy the Ddeok Boggeum. I think one of the reasons I like it so much is my best friend growing up is Korean and would make this for me, minus the kimchee. Service is a bit abrupt, but I've come to expect that. read more

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The food is wonderful. It is definitely a must-try. Manners and customer service can be improved. read more

I will preface this with the fact that I know very little about Korean food, but I was really impressed. I had one of the bibimbaps and it was definitely worth the price of $16-$18. The meat was tender and the veggies in it were fresh. I loved the array of banchan (just had to look that term up...) that came alongside it. It took a while for a food to come (it was a saturday night and we were a pretty big party), and there was some confusion about the orders (who got soup and who didn't, etc.) But I am still craving the bibimbap, and will definitely be back! read more

I love that VIP has gluten free options. The dishes are not labeled on the menu, however the owner is aware of items that are gluten free. You just need to ask. It's a delicious and cozy restaurant. read more

This is one of those restaurants my family started to frequent. Food is good. As I am told their galbi and spicy bbq pork are to die for. As for other dishes that I can vouch for their bibimbap is good. Just the right flavor. Both the cold or dolsot version are good. Just depends on how you feel. Cold dish or hot dish. Their little tiny dishes are little morsels of fun. Good balance of each and every type of veggies, tofu, kimchee items. I personally finish the bean sprouts, sauteed tofu, and potato off the bat. Then finish off with the kimchee with my entree. It is an art... since it is hard to get seconds. On that note, depending on who is there, the service can suck. You can still get your food in pretty good time, just don't expect a lovely smile from the host/waitress. If you do feel like soondobu... this is not the place. There's supposedly a better place on Fireweed... if I visit the next time I am up in Anchorage, I will review and put it up. read more

Great place if you love Korean food. Customer service is good! You'll like it here for sure. read more

Vip Restaurant - Galbi jim and EXTRA EXTRA spicy squid! Mmmmmm - Korean Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Stopped by for a late lunch one afternoon on a friend's recommendation. I don't have a lot of experience with Korean fare and really enjoyed our meal. The facilities need a scrub. We ordered bibimbap and kalbi; I really had no idea what was coming - a table full of 12 condiments, a huge bowl and a heaping platter. The kalbi was super tender and moist with great flavor, and a large enough portion to share and still take half of it home. Delicious. The bibimbap was arranged with the veggies et al sorted by color - cucumber (or zucchini?), bean sprouts, beef, mushroom, carrot, dried diced seaweed, chili pepper paste - I don't even know everything I ate - all topped with a raw egg and accompanied by a generous bowl of sticky rice. The first bite threw me - cold? - and the raw egg was a surprise, but actually it was tasty and fun mixing and matching the ingredients. Something new for me! Truth told we attacked the condiments and took most of both meals home. Service was average, nothing special. Prices had to have been summer season - unreasonably high, I thought. The table was covered with a glass panel but the tablecloth underneath didn't appear to have had a recent encounter with a washing machine. The walls at our table needed a good scrubbing. We were in late afternoon on a week day and there were probably four other parties, seemed like steady business and loyal clientele. I'd give them four stars but they need to do some cleaning. read more

This place is not the same. The service use to be pretty bad, but at least the food was good. It has new owners now and the service went from bad to insulting. I have never had such bad service in my entire life. If you want to be insulted and stared at while you eat be my guess. read more

A frustrating place to review. I think its the best korean food in town. However, they also have the worst service in town. I guess I go to a restaurant to eat...not be entertained...so i still visit from time to time. My daughter says when she goes with her mom, they often get polite service. hmmm... 4 stars at least for food. 1 star for the service I have seen.... So they get a 2. read more

Standard or better Korean fare, and standard service that I would expect at a restaurant in Korea (albeit, this is Alaska). The waiters are efficient and polite, but certainly not going to kiss your ass. I suspect some of the other reviewers are used to the ass-kissing, do-a-song-and-dance variety of waiters. You won't find that at VIP. Worth a stop if you need a Korean fix. read more

Very rude and slow service. They cater to The Korean customers, and treat others poorly. Go somewhere else. read more

Vip Restaurant - Very rude and slow service. Korean customers that came in behind me got served before me. Please don't visit. They cater to The Korean . - Korean Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Great kimchee sampler that covers the table. The booths are large, and it is clean. Wait staff is friendly and attentive. The Korean dishes are excellent. Anchorages best Korean. We go to VIP for the Galbee ribs, and they are always cooked to perfection. The parking lot is big but can get filled around lunchtime. The Chinese lunch/dinner options are good. The menu is several pages (literally a book) and has good choices. The fish tank is creepy and the kids love it. Chef Ramsey (kitchen nightmares) would have issues with the carpeting. If they removed the fish tank and planters box they could probably sit 20+ more patrons. read more

I had the tasty seafood dimdimbop. The place is cozy and great for groups of four looking for a casual night. The beer is pricy. It is the best Korean place in Anchorage that I have had so far. read more

An excellent establishment. I've been in need of a fusion restaurant since I moved up here and this fits the bill to a T.

It was great food, ordered the galbi beef short ribs and chicken teriyaki, both were really tasty and cooked to perfection! The dinner side for galbi beef short ribs are so delicious! (((((: read more

food took like one hour to get here but tasted hella good though but they give you to much food before the main course would recommend

Good food and lots of side dishes. Don't expect a lot of attention and pampering. There was just one lady serving, taking orders, answering the phone, and dealing with checks. She was flying, but there is only so much that one person can do. read more

Worst eating out experience ever. I've worked in the food industry for years and I've never felt so uncomfortable to eat at a restaurant until here. From the very beginning the waitress was rude. It was my friends first time to eat at a Korean / Chinese restaurant. My friend ordered the chicken chow mein dish where it had a picture of the same dish with noodles in it on the menu. There wasn't any noodles in the dish so when we asked the waitress a simple question if there was suppose to be noodles in the dish. The waitress walked away without even saying a word. It wasn't busy and it wasn't slammed so there wasn't a good reason for why we were receiving such horrible service. We will never return and give this restaurant our business again. read more

Have to give this joint 2 stars. Food is good not great, and the portions are waaaay small for the price. And to top it off, service is just down right terrible unfortunately. If you hate your job that much, get a new one!! Learn to smile as well, smh!! Don't think we're ever going back!! read more

This totally used to be my go-to Korean restaurant in AK! A small, hole in the wall, unexpected gem on the Northern Lights strip. They always seem to have a steady flow of customers and my food has always been excellent. I love the side dishes and soup they bring out before your meal and the portions have always been fairly generous. However, as much as I used to love going here, I really have to knock this baby down a star for the service. Though a couple of times you get lucky and your waitress is having a good day. I'm not sure why the service is so bad at times - sometimes they don't come back to check on you, the food is taking really long, they forget to bring you water, and on my last visit an entire table walked out! Yet, for some reason I continue to come back... let's just say it's a good thing they serve really good food! read more

So disappointing after good recommendations. At about 7:30 on a Sat eve the place was packed though we got a table right away. It was full but only one waitress who was overwhelmed and needed help. She was doing her best on the run. The kitchen fan was not on or was not adequate because the smoke filled the dining area. 3 of us ordered and 2 of us were finished before the 3d person got her fish, which she did not like and did not eat. The other two entrees were good but they but the wrong kind of meat from what we ordered. read more

I'm a "kojengi" who lived and worked in Korea for 9 years. Still keep kimchi in the fridge at home. My first trip to Anchorage, I had a craving for Korean. Checked the Yelp website and found several recommendtions for the VIP restaurant in the Fireweed district of DT Anchorage. The place is small and homey--reminiscent of neighborhood restaurants I frequented in Song-dong in Seoul. The menu is extensive and I settled on "twejipulgogi" (spicy pork pulgogi) and "tonmandu" (steamed gyoza). Service was friendly and relatively quck. The gyoza were tasty but probably bought frozen. Following that came, count 'em, 14 dishes of panjan, rice, soup, and a sizzly platter of pork pulgogi. Self-confessed gourmand that I am, it was too much even for me to finish. Price for all was about $25.00, about right by Anchorage's standards. I highly recommend VIP! read more

I give their food 4 stars, but their terrible service brings it down to 3. They have good food, but NEVER refill water or stop by to ask if you need anything. If you need extra plates, expect to track down the server herself. Aside from the neglectful service, the owner can be rude too. read more

Stopped by on the way to the airport for a flight home. Another rec from my wife. Very good soon dubu (tofu stew with veggies and beef/clams). Perfect food for the cool Alaskan weather. 11 side dishes (as good as you get in Korea). Would have given them 5 stars if there was a little less salt and a bit more hot pepper (I think they are afraid to serve Americans true Korean spicy style). All excellent ingredients and service was perfect (just like you get in Korea; not overly attentive and not trying to act cute to get tips). Cannot understand why some reviewers thought the service lacking; and yes it was pretty busy today... read more

Great food, great prices, and you can ask about the ingredients, then go down the mall and buy what you want to cook at home. It's never quite as good as at Vip though. read more

Whenever I'm in town and want some decent Korean food, I come here BUT i warn you the service is horrible. Every time I go to VIP there's an older lady waiting on us and her body language and poor manners tell it all. I'm not going to bash on this lady so again, if you want decent Korean food, VIP is a good choice but if you want the total package of a good experience at a Restaurant, I'd pass on this place. read more

Warm, cozy atmosphere. Pleasant service and a wide array of tasty Korean dishes. What's not to like!

Attended a baby shower here. They server was rude and never offered refills. Argued with one of our party. Refused to lend us a knife to cut the cake. read more

This place is damn legit in the food category. The deji bulgogi is super spicy and flavorful and the galbi is on point as well. They give you a ton of average-very good sides. Unfortunately, the service though good feels a little cold. But whatever it's a Korean restaurant, not Michelin dining. Check this spot out, it's my go-to Korean restaurant in anchorage. read more

The food is sub par, service is some of the worst in the state, and the wait for food is always extremely long. They are short staffed and overcharge. read more

I have received the worst service there. My son wanted more bean sprouts(his favorite side dish) so he very politely asked the server for more and she snatched the bowl out of his hand and stomped off to get it. After that I was so upset I could not enjoy my food. I have never had anyone treat us so bad. How could she do that to a child? read more

Good food but the lady that work there (I think she co - own the place) she was so mean n rude. She didn't even serve us our drink till we ask her. N when she did gave us our drink, she gave us a attitude about it. After we got done eating. We didn't even want to tip her but she demand a 10 dollar tip. Worse customers service ever. Hate this place to the bone.. I wouldn't recommend it to anybody. I wouldn't go there unless they fire that lady.. that rude lady need to go. read more

I visited my son and his family in Anchorage. My DIL (daughter in law) asked where I wanted to have lunch. I remembered VIP from my last visit and I wanted to visit again. Here is the real deal. A server... Greets you. Instructs you where to sit. Takes your drink & meal order. Brings 12 different small side dishes Serves your order & drinks You eat your delicious made to order food and pay your check. The server thanks you. My amazing DIL explained there is only 1 waitress and 1 cook. It's a family owned business. If you prefer a restaurant that has a server that will check on you and make chit chat, go someplace else. If you want to eat the Best Korean food in Anchorage Alaska, VIP is the place y'all gotta checkout. read more

I don't know if it was the warmth of the room, the heat and gentle spice of the food or the efficiency of the sole waitstaff... But this was a relaxing and delicious meal. Ban chan were 11.. Unheard of in lower 48, all tasty, crisp and cool. Soon dubu filled with oysters and bits of meat, bibimbap with a completely different set of banchan and perfect beef. This was good: good value, good food and good atmosper. Sigh. read more

This is a wonderful small Korean restaurant. I really enjoy how you get the whole Korean spread with your meals. I can honestly say this is my favorite Korean restaurant in Anchorage. As someone who has been to Korea I can completely recommend this place. read more

Overwhelmed wait staff, one lady running the whole dining room. Can't blame her for being hurried, but honestly. She was on her cell phone while waiting tables, pretty rude. The food was good, but there is better Korean in Anchorage. Probably won't be returning. read more

The food at this place is deserving of 5 stars, however the poor service brings it down to 4. Waiters never bring drink refills or extra napkins unles you track them down in the kitchen or at their table where they often stop to eat like a customer. I think they have the best Korean food in town though. They also have some Chinese selections as well. Just go for te food and don't leave a tip read more

In 1994 was one of my super favotite places to go eat when I was stationed at Elmendorf AFB, AK Good to see it's still kickin out fine cuisine. Loved all the yummy condiments served with your meal. I remember the Calamari & Beer was always great to snack on while waiting for the main course, especially when you come with a group of friends to throw down on some hot spicy Korean food. Ahhh the memories!!!! read more