GIWA
We'd passed by Giwa several times during it's construction and couldn't wait for it to open, since there aren't too many Korean food spots to head to in Center City. Walking inside, Picky immediately felt a NYC vibe to it. There were large, colorful graphic prints to the right, glossy counter tops, and the general hustle and bustle of a very busy and popular lunch spot. Messy got more of a trendy fast food kind of vibe. We could have sat at the counter, but we waited a couple minutes until a table for two opened up. The whole space couldn't hold more than 25 sit-down patrons.
We grabbed two menus and were directed to the lunch section - the prices were about a dollar cheaper than the dinner menu for each dish. After looking through the lunch menu (eight choices of which two were marked specifically vegetarian), we both opted for a favorite standby: dol sot bibim bob. Mixed veggies served atop white rice with sesame oil and Korean hot paste all served in a sizzling hot stone bowl. Messy opted for the vegetarian option which, to her surprise, did not come with the usual egg on top. Upon a second look at the menu, she decided that the tofu option for $1 more would've been the better choice. The wording on the menu is slightly confusing. Although the tofu dishes are vegetarian, the "vegetarian" choice does not include tofu. Messy found this variation on bibim bob to have its pluses and minuses. She enjoyed the little beans that had been cooked into the rice, but she did not care for the large pieces shitake mushrooms which were prominent in the dish.
Picky opted for the beef version. There wasn't much beef. He second guessed his selection as well and thought he should've gone for the galbi or bulgogi both being meat-centric dishes. But the lure of the sizzling stone bowl is hard to pass up for Picky when it's an option on the menu.
Korean cuisine is known for the side dishes called panchan. When at a sit-down Korean restaurant they'll constantly refill your small side dishes. At Giwa, you only got three sides, which were yummy, but insubstantial. And the thing is, there are other yummy Korean restaurants with comparable prices where you get a whole lot more. All in all, Giwa was good, but if you're looking for more ambiance and more side dishes, you might want to head to Pastoral or Miran.
Messy ***
Picky **1/2
The Final Word: Good Korean food in a fast-foody atmosphere.
Giwa Korean Food
1608 Sansom Street
M-F 11 am -8 pm
Sat 12-9:30 pm
Closed Sundays
215-557-9830
November 2nd, 2006 at 1:15 pm
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November 3rd, 2006 at 11:31 am
Thanks for the review– I had passed by the place when it was being renovated and had it in my mind to stop back when it was open, but forgot about it until just now.
Pastoral's my favorite place for Korean food, and Han Wool in University City's my second. But hey– I'm all about the options, so I'll be stopping by Giwa sometime soon.
November 7th, 2006 at 7:27 am
This site is explained about Korean restaurant. Building is nice and beautiful. I hope to develop better.
November 24th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
Went to Giwa for lunch. I ordered the non-dol sot veggie bibimbop– I had to get it to go and couldn't stay. I thought it was interesting that they packed it up for me such that the rice, vegetables, and hot sauce were in separate containers. The hot sauce I expected to be separate, but the rice and vegetables? The vegetables were in a bigger container than the rice, meaning I had to dump the rice into the vegetable container and mix it up– it was a little awkward. However, I thought it was tasty and a decent lunch. I would have liked more panchan as well (only 2), but I had figured this was because it was a to-go order.
I want to go back to try their kimbap and mandu, just because.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Giwa sucks!! Food is fast and terrible. It's about a authentic korean as the coffee I'm drinking right now.
Yoko-chan - If you like Han Wool, you're crazy! Pastoral isn't that much different.
Miran is a joke too!
All the Korean joints in Center City are horrible, so just head to NE Philly or Upper Darby for the real deal.
June 17th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
That's Ms. Yoko to you, Eddie. We're not acquainted.
Name me some places you like, and I'd be willing to try them out. I didn't like the Korean restaurant on 69th Street in Upper Darby, though– unfriendly people, and thought the food didn't taste very fresh.
September 17th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
I love GIWA! I believed I tried everything beside the Soft Tofu Stew because I don't like tofu but I heard that dish is really popular. I highly recommend Kimchi Pancake (if you're a kimchi lover), Dak Bulgogi (if you're a meat lover)and Dol Sol Bibimbob. Most of their dishes can be vegetarian upon request.
And I've been to two korean restaurants in NE, the one on castor and other bbq around rising sun and that was not the "real deal." The meat was not fresh and barely seasoned.