Norfolk Garden

Hands down the best Korean BBQ in the area. It may not be the new cool place to go, and it may not be in the best location, but hands down the best k-bbq in the area. Love this place and if you can get past the location and what it looks like on the outside, I promise you one of the best meals and an appreciative staff.

Nestled along a bustling Norfolk road lies a charming little secret - Norfolk Garden. Stepping into this Korean haven felt like discovering a hidden treasure, especially on a night when it seemed like only the little Korean lady was running the entire show.Yes, she was single-handedly running the show, from unlocking the door (the number by the entrance is your key to the kingdom!) to whizzing between kitchen and tables. Yet, amidst the understaffing, an endearing magic unfolded.The booth became our cozy stage, where a parade of nine (!) side dishes arrived, each a miniature masterpiece. Kimchi in its tangy-spicy glory, sweet black beans, julienned potato stir-fry, and more - I haven't encountered such generosity in side dishes in a long time!The seafood pancake, a golden disc of crispy perfection, held treasures of the sea within, perfectly complemented by the tangy-spicy-savory sauce. The sizzling stone plate became a fiery canvas for the beef bulgogi, the marinated meat meltingly tender and bursting with flavor.And then there was the stonepot bibimbap, a vibrant rainbow of vegetables and savory beef, begging to be mixed with the fiery gochujang sauce. Each bite was a delightful explosion of textures and tastes.But the true star of the show was the little Korean lady herself. Running the entire restaurant solo, she never faltered. Her smiles and quick trips between tasks were infused with a quiet dedication that warmed our hearts as much as the food. I cannot forget to mention the little dessert and sweet ginger barley tea she gave us as a thank you.Norfolk Garden may not be your typical, bustling Korean restaurant, but it offers something far more precious - a glimpse into the soul of Korean hospitality and traditional Korean folk music. The food, bursting with flavor and generosity, speaks volumes about the passion behind it. And the one-woman show that unfolded before us was a heartwarming spectacle of resilience and grace.Norfolk Garden, you earned all five stars and then some. You're not just a restaurant; you're an experience, a testament to the magic that happens when passion meets plate. Thank you for the delicious food, the side dish bounty, and most importantly, the lesson in hospitality. We'll be back, kimchi and kindness awaiting.

I was very skeptical coming into this place due to the location but once I got inside the owner made me feel more comfortable and relaxed. The vibe inside has a calm and peaceful setting which makes you forget that you are in Norfolk for a bit. Due to a lot of people dining and dashing apparently you have to pay for your meal first before receiving them. Lucky for me I didn't have to pay first but it was posted on the menu. You also have to pay for water which isnt a problem for me. I ordered the kimbop, japchae and Tteokbokki. Every time you dine in it comes with your traditional Korean sides. The meals were ok, it tasted like a home cooked meal then a restaurant quality. The reason on why I am giving this a three star is because of the nice Korean lady. It's because of her I will be giving this place another shot. Kimbop 3/5Tteokbokki 2/5Japchae 3/5

LOL I'm reading some of these reviews that say the service here sucks and the elderly lady server is unpleasant and rude. Well...from my time in Hampton Roads, and this is especially true for the Asian restaurants, some of the best authentic food is at places that have some of the worst service. For example, one of my favorite Pho spots, Pho Dalat in Chesapeake. Customer service is mediocre, the waitstaff there knows like very basic English. But the food is awesome! This is basically what I experienced during my recent visit to Norfolk Garden. Outside, the restaurant looks pretty shabby. It's located right next to a shady motel and it isn't in the best part of town, so I'd extra cautious, especially at night. Inside, it's pretty large and roomy with lots of seating and with nice décor. Skimming through the menu, I could tell right away that 90% of the menu is very authentic Korean. Bibimbap, kimbap, japchae, bulgogi, galbi tang, and tteok-bokki are just some of the dishes that stood out for me and that I usually order whenever I eat at a Korean spot. They have well over 50 dishes to choose from, so there's something for almost everyone to choose from. There's also a decent beverage menu with stuff like plum wine, soju, whiskey, bottled wine and beer.My friend and I tried several dishes, including japchae, kimbap, seafood pancake, and naengmyeon. There were also a plethora of banchan (side dishes) that comes complimentary with the meal. I loved that they have both cabbage kimchi AND radish kimchi. Personally, radish kimchi is my go-to! Prices were a little high, but portions were huge and the overall quality of the dishes was superb. Flavor-wise, they tasted very authentic and delicious! After just one experience here, I can say with absolute certainty that Norfolk Garden is hands-down the BEST Korean food in Hampton Roads. Sure, the customer service here can use some work, but all that is out-weighed by the delicious and authentic Korean food.

Me and my Husband came here out of curiosity on the weekend. It was something we didn't initially planned on going to but I'm glad we did! The looks might be deceiving but the woman taking care of us was a sweetheart! The food was delicious and all of it tasted fresh! My husband got the fried rice combination and I got the spicy octopus with noodles and we were both pleased with it. Please give this place a try and give it the love it deserves!

Food is overpriced but in these times most food is bc of shortages.Service stunk but food is delicious so I didn't care except when the older lady added a dish to our table that I didn't order!?! (Extra $25) When I come to town, I always go here bc the Korean food is authentic.

Great restaurant ambience and food. The little lady who served us was super hospitable and kind. She was timely and cute. We loved having her at our table. At first, the outside seemed really sketchy but we didn't judge a book by its cover bc the food stole the show.The food looked in a weird way healthy and fresh. It didn't take long for the food to come out prob bc we were the only ones waiting on an early Sunday. I finished my fried rice. My daughter has wonderful leftovers to eat later. Everything was delicious. The portions were perfect. The added cinnamon tea in the end was gold. If we had another night we would've definitely come back.

I haven't written a review for Norfolk Garden in years so here is an update. It is still amazing and the most authentic Korean food in the area. Not only do we love it, but later in the evening the tables often fill with Koreans laughing, eating, chatting with the owner/server, and clearly having a good time. That to me, is the real proof the food is both good and authentic.We almost always get bulgogi and bibimbap, but the japchae is amazing, too. The servings are generous and with the miso soup and banchan, can easily serve two. However, then we'd have to bicker over which dish to get, so we each get our favorite and keep the peace. A cold, soothing sweet cinnamon drink is served after dinner and ends the meal perfectly, leaving everyone with sweet breath. How perfect is that?!I spent three weeks in Korea visiting my parents while my dad was stationed there. On a visit here, we took my foodie parents to Norfolk Garden, who agreed it was as good as any meal in they'd had in Korea. The banchan (complimentary little dishes served as appetizers) is always delicious. There are always 2-3 types of fresh kimchi and sweet red beans and then the other several dishes vary - beansprouts with sesame oil, eomuk (flat fish cakes), seasoned broccoli, white radish, spinach, a scoop of potato salad, cucumber are a few items we've had over the 20 or so years we've been eating here. The Valentine's Day special included kimbap, a less seasoned type of vegetable sushi - delicious. Pro tips: The dishes are big, so you can easily order one for every two guest, or maybe three lighter eaters. If you are bringing a pickier eater or children, the fried rice is so flavorful and full of homemade tasting goodness, unlike the bland blah you often get elsewhere. Is the parking lot and outside of the building impressive? Nope, but don't let that stop you from an unforgettable meal. You'll never have to wait in a line for dinner, it is really big inside - bring a party! The bathrooms are always clean.As a side note: Long ago, I used to do a novel study, A Single Shard, with my 4th grade students and after the novel, they, and their parents, would meet me here for a fabulous Korean feast. In addition to the food above, we'd also order fried rice in case someone needed more familiar food. The food was always a huge hit with these Korean food first timers.

Norfolk Garden is a hidden gem for authentic Korean food in Norfolk! The ajumma is actually nice, the food is flavorful, and it's hands down the most authentic Korean spot around. We always get the tempura--crispy, light, and a must-try! We try something new every visit, and it's always delicious.The service is always warm and welcoming. Always keep the banchan refills coming.Ambiance is elegant, authentic, and always inviting.

First, parking lot is sketchy as heck. Walked in and they were not very welcoming as soon as you walked in. It was dark as well. Got seated, took over 20 mins for them to come back. Was rushed to order. So we just left. I don't know exactly how people said to try this place but there are better korean food around the area. Asahi in VB, is worth the money.