Review Banchan - Sandton

Howdy folks. This is one interesting place. I am going to start with the things I didn't like and build up to maybe the best thing I've ever had. Parking is a bit on the low side... And would seriously consider booking around 17:30. Otherwise you might be in for disappointment. I think this is a bit of bad luck but it seemed like our waitress might have been a trainee because we called sometimes and we had to flag her down instead. The food was also kind of slow, so don't expect normal times, add 10 minutes. Now for the good stuff. The vibe is good, the waitresses were very nice and friendly. And now the reason I might have to buy a house close to this restaurant, is because of the food. The KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) is so far the best fried chicken I have ever had... and I am old🤣 The crunchy outside, the nice sweet and spicy sauce (is what was on it) and the chicken was just amazeballs. The other Korean food was also very tasty, and cooking your own food is a fun thing to do in general.

Booking is essential as the restaurant gets packed, and also arrive there a bit earlier because parking can be a challenge. The food was delicious, I enjoyed the whole grilling experience, and the meat was tender. Fried chicken was so good, I recommend everyone to try it. We had a great time.

I have been here well over 6 times. The food is great. It’s cozy and the staff are friendly. Make sure to make a reservation even during the week because it does get full.

The food is absolutely amazing. I highly recommend the fried chicken, the ramyon, and the plum soju. Unfortunately the atmosphere was not that great… beer bottles around the corner, run-down area, and its super noisy inside the restaurant (95 decibels which is the same as standing next to a massive speaker). So sit outside if you like a bit if a more chilled vibe🌟 I will be going back for the food🙇‍♀️

The Korean barbecue here is exceptionally delectable and, in my opinion, the finest in the city. Be sure to make a reservation well ahead of time, as it's consistently packed. The restaurant exudes a charming family-friendly atmosphere, and the service is excellent, especially with the convenient bell for calling over waitstaff.

Food was amazing especially the KFC. Had a great time celebrating my husband's birthday with family and friends. Such a lovely, new experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our first Korean food experience.

One of the best experiences for family time, or date night! Honestly grilling yourself was one of the best parts of the experience and the food was wonderfully marinated. Definitely going back, just very hard to get a reservation and I now know why! So excited to try more of the menu. The Korean bbq was amazing! Definitely recommend the beef strips and ribs, pork was also so great with fried ramyeon. Egg bomb and Asian rice with beef ribs. Just really good food and amazing experience.

The most confident 5 star review ever. AMAZINGly delicious food. The Korean Fried Chicken is like no other KFC on the planet. Succulent, crispy and flavourful. Such an awesome dining experience at this authentic restaurant. No frills - just fantastic food.

What an experience this was ! The food was amazing and the kimchi deserves special notice. We had an kimchi omelette for starters to share and it was amazing. Be sure to ask for the Korean sides that come in tiny little serving bowls they are great. The Korean bbq was certainly a great way of enjoying a night and it was spent with a bunch of friends really have a great time around food and cooking it yourself. The experience I appreciate can be intimidating if you are unsure. My suggestion is to do some homework before hand and also ask the staff who will be delighted to assist you. Ingredients are fresh and the experience is authentic. Definitely going back their again for sure

That was a great experience! Amazing Korean food, very authentic and delicious. We got the kimchi jeon, bugolgi bibimbap and half a portion of Korean fried chicken with sweet spicy sauce. Exactly what I was craving. All the food was so good, I wanna comeback for the Korean Barbecue. We went on lunch time during the week, so majority of patreons were professional Korean men who work around Sandton. Parking spot had a security guard and felt pretty safe. Service was fast and direct to the point. Waitress was competent, memorized our order and didn't mess it up. Overall great experience. Came back on a Saturday night reservation. The chicken was brought super quick, but it was cold, which means it wasn't fresh or was pre-ready befpre our order. The kimchi jeon wasn't consistent, falling apart. Unfortunately I have to take a couple of stars away. Still love the place and the experience. Especially for an African country.

The service was superb. The waiters were all very friendly with quick service and the food was amazing (as expected). My overall experience was 10/10 and I can’t wait to come again!

This is a Korean restaurant in Sandton. All dishes that we ordered were so delicious. We didn't make a reservation in advance, but I recommend you to make a booking before you go.

Our first visit to this restaurant and we were not dissapointed. Absolutely delicious food and they serve Soju which is a Korean liquor.. 🤩 will recommend Banchen at any time.. 🤩❤️

Review of Banchan Korean Restaurant: I recently had the pleasure of dining at Banchan Korean Restaurant, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience. From the moment I stepped foot inside, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that set the tone for the rest of the evening. One of the standout aspects of Banchan is undoubtedly the delicious food they serve. Each dish was bursting with flavor and expertly prepared. Whether it was the savory bulgogi, the spicy kimchi, or the delectable bibimbap, every bite was a delight to the taste buds. The portions were also quite generous, exceeding what you might expect at chain restaurants. It was a pleasant surprise to have more than enough food to satisfy my appetite. The staff at Banchan truly went above and beyond to ensure a memorable dining experience. They were not only friendly and welcoming but also knowledgeable about the menu. They were more than happy to provide recommendations and answer any questions I had. Their attentiveness and genuine care for their customers made me feel valued and well taken care of. In terms of pricing, Banchan offers excellent value for money. The prices were reasonable, especially considering the quality and quantity of the food. I felt that I got more than my money's worth, which is always a plus when dining out. Banchan is a great option for those looking for a satisfying meal without breaking the bank. Beyond the food and service, I found the overall vibe of Banchan to be delightful. The restaurant had a charming ambiance, with tasteful Korean-inspired decor and a cozy setting. The atmosphere was lively yet comfortable, making it an ideal place to enjoy a meal with friends or family. Additionally, the patrons and staff created a welcoming environment, adding to the positive dining experience. In conclusion, I highly recommend Banchan Korean Restaurant. The food is undeniably delicious, and the portions are generous. The staff is friendly, attentive, and eager to assist. The prices are reasonable, especially when considering the quality and quantity of the food. The overall vibe of the restaurant is inviting and enjoyable. Whether you're a fan of Korean cuisine or new to it, Banchan is a fantastic choice for a memorable dining experience.

I wanted to eat here for a while and finally went!! The food was devine, the service impacable and the ambiance great!! A good place for you and friends to go have an authentic Korean experience. I will definitely be going back again!!

What a novel experience! As a family that enjoys Korean content, we had to try out some of the dishes that we’ve come to see in the these shows. The owner said Banchan means side dishes. Make sure you book ahead of time because it gets full. The portions are sizable so order to share. The Korean fried chicken comes as 16 pieces a portion. I hope they modify the menu so that patrons can have the option of fewer portions. I particularly enjoyed the noodle dish with the egg. You have the option of booking a grill table if you want to grill your own meat. We had fun doing it and creating our own combination wraps. Don’t ask me to remember the names. It’ll take more visits to the restaurant for the names to stick. Not all the food was to my liking and some I would go back for, but an exploration of different cuisine is always fun.

This goes down as one of the best experiences in Johannesburg. The Korean BBQ is what brought me here first 💪🏻 but then the Korean Fried Chicken made me come back time after time. If you want an authentic restaurant this is the best place to be.

Fantastic night out! The food was delicious and interesting. Small restaurant with a great vibe and warm service. The bbq option is really fun and the menu is great for sharing, especially if you go with friends that like to share and try lots of options of the menu. Will definitely be back. Really a hidden gem in Jhb!

All we can say is what an amazing evening, the food, the waitress and the hosts were all amazing. We shared 2 starters and then had a noodle dish, a rice dish and the must have Korean grilled short rib. also byob. We will definitely be back, we just loved it

Lovely menu. Good prices. Friendly staff. Maybe add some Korean music or have the staff dressed in some traditional Korean outfits.

My first foray into Korean food! Delicious kimchi, tofu jeun ,beef bibimpap, and bulgogi!Tasted bekseju - Korean rice wine - interesting saki flavored herby rice wine and finished off with sweet pancakes and jasmine tea! Great service, lovely and relaxed venue! Will be rushing back

Amazing scene. Amazing atmosphere. Amazing staff. And the food is out of this world. Definitely a must on the bucket-list. I am a regular.

Wonderful experience we have had! Every dish made with care and the service was super! Never expected that the dessert was so amazing too! Gotta try the Bingsu after your meal!!!

Food was amazing really amazing wow really enjoyed the spicy fried chicken.

What a delicious healthy meal. Lovely staff and hands on owner. Will def be back

Amazing authentic food, service and people!

Wow, what amazing food and a wonderful experience to be taken back to South Korea for my sister. Lovely and friendly host and great atmosphere.

It was an interesting cultural experience. Well priced.

Food outstanding and staff friendly . It's a family restaurant so large parties with children frequent which can make for a lively and at times noisy restaurant. Food sensation

고맙습니다 오랫만에 삼겹에 배 든든히 채웠습니다 ㅎㅎㅎ

Loved the food and vibe. I will defi itely be back over and over again.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Just perfect!!! Don't wait, just go ASAP! Have the kimchi rice! so good!

Firstly, if you haven't been to Banchan, you NEED to try it out! The restaurant is cute and quaint (although slightly cramped when it's full). The menu has pre-made items as well as items that you cook yourself using the barbeque in the middle of each table. The novelty is really fun! And the food tastes really good, including the crushed ice dessert! I particularly recommend the KFC! So good! The only small isuue that came up was that the food took really long to arrive. Other than that, I would definitely go again!

An awesome atmosphere and environment. Always enjoy the food I get there, included the regular take-aways. Friendly helpful staff and passionate owner

I love the food and the vibe. However every time I come here I feel like I get treated like I am a child and not a paying customer I may be young but I still deserve the same amount of respect.

Absolutely loved it! The food was so delicious I couldn't stop eating! Would definitely go there over and over again!

Warm & friendly staff - always a win. The flavors of the food were very interesting! Throughly enjoyed their wings and the Soju. It was an amazing Korean experience overall. Definitely going back for their BBQ

Dinner on Wednesday 14/08/2019<br/>What a lovely experience!!!!<br/>Amazing atmosphere and friendly staff.<br/>Had some starters, grill ( Korean BBQ) and sweet pancakes for afters..... could not fault a single dish.<br/>Well done.... will be there again soon.

Great authentic food, booking essential but service is lacking.

Korean food as been on my food bucket list for so long and i am glad i stop at Banchan to start this journey. <br/>The restaurant is situated in Benmore few steps away from Benmore shopping center. Simply decorated but cosy Interrior with the typical Korean grill in the middle each of the tables. About the food .... i order KFC ( Korean fry chicken) with a sweet and hot souce , padak ( deboned chicken balls lightly coated with mustard, wasabi e soy mixture) , and for main i had Ddoekbaegi bulgogi ( beff marinated in bulgogi sauce with glass noodles and shimeji mushrooms in a beef broth). Absolutely the best place for chicken lovers . Don’t miss to end the meal with a delicious Bingsu . <br/>Highly recommend <br/>Just NOTE that the portions are mammoth sizes, make sure you have good company to share . <br/>

The place is small so better to book in advance , staff very friendly and the food is amazing ! If you like the ramen try the shin ramyun !!!

Food is absolutely authentic, fantastic and all made bespoke in the kitchen from scratch by dedicated Korean family team. Service is exceptional and super friendly. Absolute hidden gem. Come on Sandton get out and explore what's in your back yard outside your high walls 😁.

Hidden on an unassuming corner in Parkmore, Banchan serves authentic Korean cuisine in an intimate and relaxed setting.<br/>Service: Attentive and helpful waitress.<br/>Food: scrumptious and very filling. Highlights were definitely the steamed gyoza and dakgangjung (fried chicken breast ball). The only disappointment was probably the bingsu, came highly recommended by our waitress but just tasted funny to me.<br/>Ambience: Not much to write home about.<br/>A good dining experience overall.

A really cool place to visit! It feels as though you are in a small alley somewhere in Asia! The decor, music and wonderful service makes the place worth a visit! (4.5/5)<br/><br/>I enjoyed the chicken breast rolled into balls and fried starters, with some green tea to wash it down. First time I tried Kimchi...mixed reviews here 😅 it tasted a little dry and uneventful 🤷🏻‍♂️ overall the rest of the meal was good (3/5)<br/><br/>Overall 3.75/5

I have been dying to try this restaurant and it was worth the wait. I tried the Ddookbaegi Bulgogi. It was absolutely delicious and packed a punch, loved the condiments served with it. I can’t steaming hot and it was aromatic.

Love this place so much. The standard of food is so high. Absolutely would recommend to anyone who loves trying something new.<br/>Food👌drink👌service 👌

The best part about this place is that you're paying for the experience more than just a meal. That being said, the food was delicious! It was so authentic and fresh and different from anything I've ever eaten! Very friendly staff and great environment for family or friend outings.

Korean BBQs are bomb! But this one has got to take the cake!<br/><br/>Small little place but oh so nice 👌 I like the whole aspect of "cooking" your own food as it makes the experience more interactive and interesting. Food was delicious! Definitely worth a try!

Banchan has been around for a while & I finally got to try it. It’s a hidden gem of sorts and provides a unique dining experience. The experience is called grill on the table...you basically have a grill in the middle of the table and you cook your selection of meat, that’s served with sauces and cos lettuce. We chose the pork belly and beef strips. I must say it was an enjoyable experience, however I won’t choose it next time...I prefer my ford cooked for me when I go out ;-)

Excellent food and atmosphere. Would recommend the pa-dack and naeng myun while the bingsu serves as a unique, excellent dessert.Service was good as well. Definately would visit again!

I never thought I would find Korean cuisine in Johannesburg! It was awsome!<br/>I especially liked Padak. Way better than the ones you eat in Korea!<br/>You should also try Bingsu for dessert.<br/>

Wow. My new favourite restaurant. The food was amazing. Full of flavour and absolutely delicious. We grabbed takeaways but I will be back for the full sit down experience.

This place is totally unexpected. It's tiny and unassuming. Almost no decor to speak of. The menu is small with very limited choices. We were expecting something mediocre but wow, the food was just delicious!! Authentic food served in large satisfying portions. The sauces were flavourful, everything was well cooked and the presentation was a nice touch. My noodle broth was hot and spicy and I finished every last drop.<br/>A must try!

My experience at Banchan was absolutely amazing! My family and I have been wanting to try this restaurant out for a while, so we were quite keen. Loved the decor and ambiance, very chilled/hip vibe. What made it even greater was the fact that kpop was playing in the background which added to the experience. <br/>The food was amahzing! Healthy portions with lot's of flavour. I would highly recommend the Padak(not photographed) and the Kimchi fried rice. The highlight of the evening was the Binsu,we shared the coffee and red bean Binsu. The red bean was very refreshing, not overloaded with sweetness and the coffee was packed with flavour and sweet. <br/>Lastly all of the staff were super friendly and on the ball. Banchan we'll be back😊 감사합니다

This is a top class Korean restaurant. The Korean BBQs have always become a Hallmark of many Korean restaurants but this one was pretty unique. I enjoyed the side dishes that came with the Korean BBQ and the Kimchi Fried was also amazing to say the least. Very good service as well.

Great restaurant in the heart of Sandton. <br/><br/>The decor is minimal and the gas extractors hanging from the ceiling catch your eye as soon as you walk in.<br/> The service was decent overall, however the wait-staff could be slightly more attentive. <br/><br/>The food is the highlight of this restaurant for sure. I've had both Korean BBQ and their sundubu (soft tofu) stew and I can't decide which was more delicious. <br/><br/>Definitely a great place to bring a group of friends/work colleagues as much of the food is meant to be shared!

First Korean restaurant experience. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Helpful, friendly staff. The food was so fragrant and delicious. We will definitely visit again.. The Padak was a firm favourite!♥<br/>

The food was good but the staff were not helpful and uninterested. They even said that they were not allowed to pour my beer, I had to do it myself.....

Yummy!<br/>Fun!<br/>Healthy!<br/>Affordable!<br/>BYOB!<br/><br/>An excellent interactive date night <br/>(The entrance appeared a little dodgy as it’s behind the Benmore center on a side road)

This place is so good I almost want to keep it a secret and not review it or tell anyone about it. It’s a hidden gem! Good food, service, everything!

Delicious food as always. My go-to Korean restaurant. Starter platter to start with, then BBQ and bibimbap and to finish off bingsu. Always an enjoyable experience.

Came hear for a welcome-back dinner for a friend who was in Korea. Really intimate setting with a good Korean menu. They have grill on the table so you can “braai” your own meat selection and fry certain dishes if your order that. <br/><br/>The way they prepare their pork and chicken is amazing👌🏽nothing quite like it to be honest.

This family owned restaurant deserves all the praise! The restaurant is an amazing mix of Korean and western cultures.<br/><br/>All this was shared between 2 people (of which we still had some leftover chicken (yang-nyum chicken) for lunch the next day.<br/><br/>We ordered the yuja and meshil ade of which both were super refreshing. Thereafter we shared the shin ramen. This has a bit off a spicy kick to it but still so delicious. As mains we ordered the yang-nyum chicken and bulgogi to grill at our table. For dessert we ordered the red bean bingsu.<br/><br/>The manager and staff were very attentive and helped us out during the ordering and grilling.<br/><br/>I would recommend this place 1000 times over!

yumMY! the sticky fried chicken was life changing<br/>And cooking Korean barbeque at your dining table is fun and sociable. the waiters were very attentive as well and we had excellent service.

Absolutely fantastic! <br/>I had Korean bbq beef which I cooked myself at my table. It was wonderfully marinated and the side dishes were on the ball! <br/>The staff could be more active, the all stand in one corner in the restaurant staring at costumers and chatting, I think that should be done at the back, though they were attentive! Overall great experience!

We experienced an interesting and interactive meal (and drinking session) at this little local Korean restaurant recently! Banchan restaurant gets its name, and inspiration from the collective name for small side dishes (which are served with cooked rice in Korean cuisine).<br/>Food: <br/>So first, a little about Korean cuisine.. Traditional Korean cuisine is based on rice, vegetables, and meat dishes (with a number of traditional side dishes 'banchan', notably Kimchi) which are served at nearly every meal. <br/>And since we were going to also cook our own meat, we learnt about the instrumental use of sesame oil, doenjang (fermented bean paste), soy sauce, gochujang (fermented red chili paste) and napa cabbage to form the traditional Korean flavours, which were all a part of our meal. <br/><br/>Banchan's menu is divided into simple categories (with pictures for Korean rookies like me) which I like:<br/>1. Starters<br/>2. Noodles<br/>3. Banchan Grilled Selection<br/>4. Fried Selection<br/>5. Stew served in a ddukbaegi (Korean earthenware pot)<br/>6. Rice (served with a bowl of duenjang soup)<br/><br/>To start, on our first visit, we selected Kimchi nacho's and for mains, from the Banchan Grilled Selection: Beef Short Rib. <br/><br/>On the drinks side, we selected the following to share:<br/>Baekseju (“The One Hundred Years Wine”) - a Korean glutinous rice-based fermented alcoholic beverage flavored with a variety of herbs.<br/>Jinro Chamisul (fresh)- a natural mineral soju refined through bamboo activated charcoal. The only alcohol that I can equate it to would be vodka. Interesting fact about the filtering is that it is done to remove aldehyde which causes hangovers.<br/><br/>Service:<br/>Service with a smile and some informative recommendations on both our drinks and meal options. <br/><br/>*Recommendation: If it is an interactive Korean meal that you are after at good prices, Banchan is definitely worth a visit!<br/><br/>For more, find me on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter: LaurasWorldza

Every now and then it's not so bad following like a sheep. I went with TTT's review and ordered ourselves the exact same meal as newbies to Korean food and WOW Awesome meal. Every bit as tasty and as impressive... Brilliant. Thks

Banchan refers to small dishes of food served along with cooked rice in Korean cuisine, very literal definition of the restaurant we might add.<br/><br/>It is quite a small and sociable restaurant that fits around 30 people squeezed in at a time. The people make up most of the atmosphere here, as it is buzzing and as soon as one table clears, there is another waiting to be seated, we were pleasantly surprised to see people just keep on coming in to get a table. This does, however, make the restaurant very hot, that and the fact that most people are cooking food right at there table. You sure do get that Asian street market vibe, which is a fantastic change of pace.<br/><br/>The food is unique and interesting and we literally wanted to order every single dish on the menu, but unfortunately we don't have that big a stomach. We narrowed it down to two starters, the Dakgangjung, that is fried chicken breasts in a tasty sweet chilli sauce topped with chopped peanuts. The second starter was the Oiseon, which is just pickled cucumber stuffed with beef and egg strips, really a fresh and unusual dish. We were not disappointed with our starters and were excited about the main event. We had to try the Korean Barbecue at the table so we ordered Bulgogi, this is thin pieces of beef marinated in soy sauce and pear puree, to cook at the table. To accompany the beef we ordered Shin Ramen Noodles and this... this was our favourite dish of the evening, the broth was out of this world and the noodles were perfectly cooked. We had to fight over this bowl of love. The drinks menu is very limited but you are welcome to bring your own wine, luckily there is a liqueur store next door.<br/><br/>The whole night we saw waiters coming out with an interesting looking dessert called Bingsu. Now, Patbingsu is a popular Korean dessert that consists of shaved ice flakes, ice cream and condensed milk. The toppings you can choose from is Red bean, coffee and strawberry. The most popular one is the Red bean but we weren't brave enough and settled for the coffee flavoured one. Needless to say, this one was utterly delicious! We will go back just to try the original Red bean Bingsu.<br/><br/>In Korean culture, the service fee is already included in the price. This might be the reason why the service was non-existent here. You have to raise your hand and hope they see you if you wanted to order something. They also didn't explain much of how things worked or what dishes they put in front of you. As Korean cuisine newbies, it would have been nice to get a quick breakdown of what is the most popular dishes or what is inside the small steel bowls they gave us. The manager did notice that we waited quite a while for our food so she gave us a starter on the house, but after that, the service was still very lacking.<br/><br/>The value was not too shabby as the total for 4 people came out to R850, for lots of delicious food and you can't really put a price on a great experience that Banchan gives.<br/><br/>TTT recommends you definitely make a reservation before going and try the Shin Ramen and a Bingsu.<br/><br/>TTT’s rating out of 5: Food - 5 | Service - 1.5 | Atmosphere – 4 | Value - 4<br/><br/>Banchan gets a 'Good on Ye' from Two Tasty Tummies

Fantastic night out! The food was delicious and interesting. Small restaurant with a great vibe and warm service. The bbq option is really fun and the menu is great for sharing, especially if you go with friends that like to share and try lots of options of the menu. Will definitely be back. Really a hidden gem in Jhb!

Very authentic korean experience with a clean and simple feel and great food. Really enjoyed the bbq portion with friends and the mix of flavours. Ps try the desserts!

One of my favourite places to fill a craving. <br/><br/>The food comes in abundance (they're especially not stingy with the meat) and the service is pretty speedy.<br/><br/>Not entirely sure there are many vegetarian options. And the menu is a little sparse in comparison to other Korean eateries I've frequented. But truly this is the only down side.<br/><br/>The varied side dishes [반찬] add to the experience and can be seen as the salt&pepper to the table. Everything is fresh and well seasoned but, more importantly, delicious.<br/><br/>The price point is actually quite amazing considering the amount of food!<br/><br/>Extremely impressed and have already recommended it to many of my friends.

Good food with natural fresh tastes - no flavour packets added here! Will be visiting again. Restaurant is very small though so booking advised.

I went to Banchan to celebrate my 22nd birthday and it was the most incredible experience! The food was absolutely unbelievable! The yangnyeom chicken was definitely my favourite - 100x better than KFC. The skin was so crispy and the spicy sauce was to die for. Those fries were heaven too! The kimchi nacho starter was so yummy, and I also loved the kimchi fried rice, the shin ramen, and the bulgogi. It was so much fun grilling the pork and beef short rib and definitely something you should try with your family. I also had the red bean bingsu and was pleasantly surprised by its flavour. The waitress gave it to me on the house for my birthday, and she was so friendly and helpful. The restaurant is quite small and almost like a tea room, but the atmosphere is so viby. And if you listen carefully you’ll hear your favourite kpop songs on the radio!! Could not have asked for a better place to celebrate my birthday 😄😄😄

An absolute hidden gem. The ambience and service are on point. The food was divine and full of flavours. Definitely will be going to make this place a regular. And to top it all off, the prices are extremely affordable.

Great food and experience ! <br/><br/>The kimchi, tofu, grilled meats, fried chicken are all worth trying with a perfect mix of tastes and spices. <br/><br/>Also go for the Korean drinks, you cannot go wrong, each dish had a different and unique flavor.

It was a fun and sociable way to spend an evening, taking turns cooking the meat - exploring new tastes which included Korean BBQ, kimchi, bingsu, etc. A more traditional way of enjoying the ribs is to assemble a lettuce wrap: take a piece of lettuce add your grilled meat together with little morsels of kimchi or mung bean and a dash of sauce, fold and eat. But you can enjoy the grill anyway you want. The thinly sliced ribs were tender and flavourful. Who could resist cutting up ribs with these large scissors😊 I enjoyed the ribs with some rice and a dollop of kimchi. Kimchi and rice are Korean staples enjoyed with most meals. Kimchi is made of vegetables, seasoned and salted, there are many, many, variations of this dish. Done right, kimchi packs a flavour punch – chilly, garlic, ginger to name but a few ingredients. Banchan’s kimchi was impressive. For more www.kalaymaistry.co.za

Food is amazing here! Especially their dessert, bingsu which I think only this korean restaurant serves it. <br/>The owner and the waitresses were really friendly and efficient. <br/>I recommend that you book a table if you are going to go at night because the restaurant is a bit small and does not offer many tables so it is best to book beforehand. <br/>The prices of the food is quite high but it is definitely worth a try :) <br/>

We ordered in from Banchan using UberEats two weeks ago - one Padak and one Kimchi Fried Rice. The Padak was decent and tasty and made up for the paltry Kimchi Fried Rice . The description of the Kimchi on the menu is "rice stir-fried with Kimchi and pork belly slices" - what arrived was just rice with spices and the teeniest-tiniest, minute almost microscopic pieces of pork - if they used 1 square centimeter of pork for the entire dish, I would be surprised. Very disappointing and we will definitely think twice before using this restaurant again.

Went on a Saturday night and was very impressed. The place is very small but the food is good and well priced. Really enjoyed the various Kimchi dishes and the chicken pa-dak. Well worth a visit

This place is amazing. Small and quiet but one of the biggest hidden gems. I love the authentic food, and the best part is the grill food. They bring you food to grill at your table. Amazing food and amazing service!

I have been wanting to go here for months. But every time I want to, it's a Sunday and they are closed. <br/><br/>So this time, I decided before hand to go on a Saturday.<br/><br/>I called beforehand to book a table. There are about 12 tables - not a big space. It's family owned with the daughter up front and parents cooking away. <br/><br/>Authentic Korean, they moved from Korea to South Africa to start up this incredible restaurant. <br/><br/>I am recently a fan of ramen, so I had to try theirs. The broth is incredible. Great flavour and good spice. The noodles were done well, which meant it was not soft and Soggy. Good job. Next time I shall try it with an egg. <br/><br/>For starters we had kimchi nachos. A favourite of many patrons. We quite enjoyed it. Not filling, but tasty. <br/><br/>The teas are excellent. I had a citron tea (warm) and I lapped it up. There's a whole variety, available in hot or cold versions. <br/><br/>I will definitely be going back soon. Highly recommend.

Back the 2nd time in a week! Would definitely recommend this place! Food is delicious and ambience is great. Remember to bring your own alcohol , as they don't have a liquor license

This truly is a hidden gem. From the outside it looks underwhelming but when you step inside you are transported to the other side of the world and feel as if you are dining in a foreign country. The restaurant is tastefully decorated and the staff are friendly and helpful. The food was divine and the after dinner barley tea a must try. Will be coming again soon

One of the best meals I've ever had. Everything about Banchan is fresh, delicious and exciting. I'd eat here everyday if I could. Being able to grill your own food is so different and fun

Banchan is a little place seating maybe 20 guests. Each table has a gas cooker on it soooo like just have the korean bbq man.<br/><br/>We had one of each starter and they were all tasty, watch out for the chicken nuggets they are freshly fried amd will burn the fuck out of your mouth. <br/>The kimchi is canned i think. Really bland, i dropped half a star because of it. I like pungent kimchi like its meant to be. <br/>Kimchi aside... we had no idea what we were doing. At all. The waitress couldn't tell us how many to order for the six of us. We just ordered one of each, thats 2 beef of some kind, one pork... precooked because? I dono, everyone else in the place got raw pork. And a chicken thing which was precooked and well ok fine thats cool by me.<br/>So like these little plates of things arrive.. we didn't know why... it was like sauuce, some pickle cabbage, some kimchi, some slaw, some nori bits and whole lettuce and leaves... ok. Good.<br/>Then the meats arrive... and we just start grilling it.. and then we order rice cos you know.. we had no idea and nobody was explaining this... thats one star off...<br/>Eventually someone who seems like she knows whats going on comes and asks if we good... we say ya but no bru... what are we doing? She's like "you doing fine but don't grill the lettuce yo, stick the stuff from the little dishes on the lettuce with some of your newly acquired rice and then grill some meat and stick that on too... roll it up and noms noms"<br/><br/>So we were all like cool and stuff and like rocked it.<br/><br/>Its fun. Its a great experience amd the food is really good and it feels kimda authentic. <br/><br/>Would totally reccomend but they have a lot of opportunity to up their game. They probs don't need to but hey... more happy customers is more turnover.

Very nice place. Went here for my birthday. Its very cold inside, so take a jacket a long. The food is superb. Loved everything. Great fusions and use of different sauces and spice. Have to have the chicken, and the rhaman noodles. Wow fantastic. The fried pancakes is to die for. Also try the korean wine. Its potent, so share one small one with friends.

For a truly different dining experience, you must try this place! Perfect for a night out of 4/8 ppl to share meals... this restaurant is an authentic Korean dining experience. I recommend doing a grill option with a rice and noodle option which all can be shared. <br/><br/>We had the beef grill with lettuce leaves, which was super tasty. We had ramen noodles with pork and egg toppings which was quite spicy and rich but delicious.<br/><br/>We enjoyed rice wine...which took a few swigs for me to get used to. But pretty decent.<br/><br/>The hostess was so helpul in giving us recommendations and explaining the menu... <br/><br/>Basically my new favourtie asian restaurant of choice

What a hidden gem! Tucked away just around the corner from the main road, is an authentic Korean experience. Delicious food and attentive and friendly service...

Had dinner there last night . Everything was lovely . We have a year Old and a 6 year old . They were thoughtful , and had baby plate , fork and spoon . Water would come in a baby cup .<br/>The food was lovely . Flavourful and nicely presented . <br/>We loved the kimchi so much , bought a big batch for home . <br/>The staff is kind and they explain everything and suggest very well . <br/>Very happy to find this little gem in Parkmore .

Great food and Great Service - Love this Restaurant ! The food is exceptional - and Jamie is always there to make sure all ok.  A rare find as there are not may good Korean Restaurants.

My first experience of Korean food. We went through on a Saturday night. Advisable to book since the restaurant is rather small.<br/><br/>We ordered the shin ramen, upsized and added egg and kimchi. The ramen was well flavoured and tasty, a really good portion size. The egg addition was kind of disappointing. Small and cold omlette like pieces. But the kimchi was great, spicy and tangy.<br/><br/>Also had the spicy chicken and opted to add in the rice etc. So for those who don't know ( like I didn't) the chicken is cooked and served first, followed by the rice and different flavorings in the same pan after some of the chicken has been eaten. So it's kind of like two dishes in one. This is all done at the table.<br/><br/>The chicken was really good, I actually preferred it prior to adding in the rice and other additions though.<br/><br/>For dessert we shared the pancake. It was rather average. Not particularly sweet and not really something I would order again.<br/><br/>Service was pleasant but a bit slow.<br/><br/>It was a nice first experience, but not something I would rush back for.<br/>

We had such a lovely dinner here last night. The owner is very hands on and showed us exactly how to grill our barbecue. To start things off we had the Dakgangjung I wish I could buy bottles of that spicy chili sauce it came with. For our mains we had the beef short rib grill, which was amazing 👌🏻, it's very fun having to grill the meat ourselves :) and Shim ramen goes down well in winter. To end it all we had the Bingsu in strawberry... WOW!

We had a lovely time at Banchan. The food was good, but bordering on average. Our favourites of the night was the starter nachos, the cucumber with beef, the fried chicken and the shaved ice (which tasted suspiciously of Nesquik). But all said, it's a worthwhile experience.

Another gem in Parkmore! Lovely casual setting with hot plates on table. Unique Asian flavors which are quite new to Johannesburg. Food was tasty. Service excellent. Try the Korean fried chicken as well as the chili chicken. Unique dining experience especially with a group friends

We went to Banchan this past Saturday for lunch. We booked a table for two in advance, just incase it got full. When we arrived, we seated ourselves as there was no one who welcomed us at the entrance. Once we sat ourselves down the waitress finally arrived with menus. We were hoping to be served with some cold Korean tea that we had at other restaurants but instead we had to order alternative drinks. We ordered the beef short rib and cooked it ourselves on the grill, the spicy chilled buckwheat noodles and the bulgogi bibimbap. The portions were decent and great for sharing. The meat quality was good but we expected some other extras to add to our lettuce wraps such as garlic, the noodles were nice and spicy and the bibimbap was very tasty, definitely the best dish we ordered. The side dishes were limited and we were not offered any refills. The servers are lazy and can often be seen standing by the counter talking to one another. Overall the experience was underwhelming compared to other Korean places we have tried. The food was decent but service was below average.

I was a little reluctant to get out the house and have to face the cold and wet Saturday afternoon but this trip was completely worth it. I'd been looking for a great Korean restaurant to try so when my friend suggested it I knew I had to go. <br/><br/>The parking is a little bit of a mission. This is especially the case on a cold day out but we managed nonetheless. We opened the door only to find the little restaurant empty (yes!). This makes it hard to comment on the vibe/ambience but the aesthetic is really really cool. The grey and black decor against plenty of natural light, high ceilings and white walls makes for a very modern and minimalistic feel. Each table has a grilling station with an cool extractor vent so you don't have to worry about enjoying your meal in a smokey room. <br/><br/>The beverage menu is very simple, I can imagine how that can be a bit of a let down on a warm day but the Chai Latte was pretty good. I think it was made with rice milk but that didn't affect much; I found it tasty nonetheless. <br/><br/>The food was an absolute delight. I would recommend going in a group or at least on an empty stomach because it's so much more enjoyable being able to try a selection of food. We had the bbq beef and ribs as mains, and the fried chicken pops to start. It really was a lovely dining experience. <br/><br/>The service was good everyone was friendly but nothing memorable.

Great decor. Such friendly staff and owners. Amazing kimchi jjigae.... Really can't wait to come back for ssamgyeopsal (sp?) and bingsu! The homemade kimchi was great too

Thoroughly enjoyed my meal here. Food was fresh and tasty! I love the ice shaving dessert which had ice cream in the middle... One thing that they can improve on is the customer service, the waiters couldn't give us direct answers which kept us guessing the whole time.

This place is excellent. Beautiful Korean food and a fun experience if you cook it at your table. Highly recommended. Try the Korean wine too!

Hidden in the heart of Sandton this restaurant truly took me by surprise.<br/><br/>The food here is honestly next level. I am a massive fan of Asian cuisine but there definitely is a sweet spot in my stomach for Korean, and nothing beats Korean BBQ done well. <br/><br/>The quality here was comparable & if not better than the top Korean BBQ's in Los Angeles' K-Town.<br/><br/>In all honesty the food here is very well priced but don't be deceived by the portion allocations on the menu - you can definitely share the BBQ dishes between 1-2 people depending on how hungry you are.

Delicious, authentic Korean cuisine served in a homey, comfortable environment. Service was friendly, prices reasonable and food absolutely delicious! Nice size restaurant - not too big so you don't feel like just a number. Booking is recommended as it is very popular. I can't wait to go back!!

Had a taste of authentic Korean cuisine this weekend at Banchan in Parkmore: This shin ramen was amazing! Spicy broth with noodles, egg, kimchi (fermented veg) and pork belly. I enjoyed the dish with a sujeonggwa- a sweet tea made with cinnamon and ginger. For starters we had kimchi nachos and we finished off with a red bean bingsu for dessert. Bingsu is a Korean dessert made of ice shavings layered with condensed milk, ice cream, red beans and honey. Loved the decor, if service was a little more attentive it would have been a perfect 5!

Cute restaurant with simple decor. The food flavours were great! However, you need to ask for the condiments in demand as they do not serve it by default. Recommend the kimchi stew and the bulgolgi meat for the BBQ.. don't forget to end off with the shaved ice 🍧

Exceptional customer service and tasty food! As a first time customer, the employees treated me like a close friend - telling me how to eat the food properly, in what order, checked the order was correct (usually I have to do that) and they even explained to me a bit of the Korean culture of Banchan

If you are looking for a little taste of South Korea, this is definitely the place! Recommend the chicken balls in mustard and for the first timers - defiantly opt to cook your own food the waiters are super helpful and will help you cook it, it's just to add to the experience

Aside from the nacho starter, everything was incredible. Loved the aesthetic of the restaurant and was even more impressed with the food and service. If you are looking for something different and exciting this is a great option.

This place really is a hidden gem! We popped in for a casual Saturday lunch and were not disappointed. The decor is cute and authentic and the staff friendly. The Korean BBQ grill is honestly an adventure of flavour, with a range of sauces and veggies to accompany the delicious meat options, and the experience of grilling the meat yourself is fantastic.

Went for dinner to this great spot! We loved the simplistic decor and furniture. The food was great (I recommend the bibimbap and rice wine) and best of all the owner is welcoming and a lovely presence. I will definitely be going back and you should try it out too!

Amazing little family run restaurant. Owner is hands on and so very friendly. Nachos starter was unique, spicy and flavorful. Spicy fried chicken is delicious with the most delightful crunch. Mixed grill bulgogi was authentic with the most delicate balance of flavours. Pork was ok. All the accompaniments were tasty and complemented the food so well. Shaved ice was light and refreshing but the pancakes were the best. Not your usual pancake, more like a combination of a doughnut and pancake. Lost half a point for slow and inattentive service. Had to call on the staff a few times for drinks and to clear the table. But this was easily overlooked given the quality of the food.

Superbly crafted authentic food served by friendly attentive staff. Don't feel intimidated if you are not familiar with this style of food. Good advice is forthcoming and it is quit delicious, sometimes spicy but well worth the adventure<br/>03/ 2018- Still tops . Great food.

So so lovely place no matter you like meat or vegetables. Need some luck to book a table,. because it is so appraised as a hit hit.

What a delight, so refreshing to try authentic Korean food (which is absolutely delicious) in a cool, well thought out space with great service and a wonderful hostess. We are firm fans and look forward to bringing local and out of town guests to this gem of an eatery.

Tucked away in Benmore, this secret piece of heaven is a big surprise.<br/><br/>The decor and vibe is very modern and clean which makes for a really great vibe! The food is beyond amazing - we had a taste of everything and it was all delicious!<br/><br/>This gem has definitely become a favorite!

Banchan is a cute little authentic Korean restaurant hidden away in Parkmore. While I've had better Korean food at other spots in Jozi, the friendly atmosphere and modern layout of Banchan definitely makes it a nicer place to go for a sit down meal.<br/><br/>Starters: The kimchi nachos definitely stood out amongst the starters we had. The fusion of flavours create an interesting but tasty combination, proving that cheese really does make most meals better. I would give the Stuffed Cucumbers a skip, as it was just large chunks of cunner with a tiny bit of filling. The Dakgangjung starter was tasty, as the chicken was tender and the sticky sweet sauce was pretty good.<br/><br/>Mains: I absolutely love kimchi, so for my mains I ordered the Kimchi Jigae. The broth was spicy and full of flavour, and the tofu was nice and firm. The pork was also tender and delicious, but I was disappointed because there was barely any of it in the stew. I tried some of my boyfriends Bibimap but I wasn't too impressed. It was quite plain and the flavour was a bit too sweet for my liking. <br/><br/>Dessert: We ordered their popular shaved ice dessert, and I would definitely recommend the tasty red bean flavour.

Korean cuisine is one of my absolute favourites so I was quite excited to try out Banchan.<br/>The small restaurant is tucked away in Parkmore and was quite busy on our visit. We discovered that they are not licenced so quickly popped around the corner for some wine and beers.<br/>We sampled a number of different starters and dishes, all of which were delicious. The standouts for me were definitely the bibimbap which was packed with flavour and the spicy fried chicken which was delicious and crispy and coated in an amazing sweet basting. For dessert we had the red bean bingsu which was tasty, light and the perfect end to the meal.<br/>The kitchen closes at 9pm which we were not aware of when we sat down to eat but they graciously made our desserts after the kitchen closed. So do remember to arrive early enough to get all orders to the kitchen before 9pm. All in all a great restaurant serving inventive and authentic cuisine.<br/>

No words to describe. Pukka Korean, have the nacho and the fried chicken ball things . Daughter and Parents manage the joint, worth every cent (and its cheap). Going back with extras

Fantastic array of modern Korean cuisine, excellent service and warm vibes in this cosy, family-run restaurant. One to visit again and again.

A great spot with cool decor - finally a decent Korean restaurant in Joburg! So glad I found this place. <br/><br/>We chose the BBQ beef option as well as the fried chicken and bibimibab rice bowl - everything was so tasty and fresh! Always cool to make your own BBQ at the table. Also great sides, with a free refill - especially the kimchi. <br/><br/>The servers and manager was also really friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend and go back to try all the other great looking dishes!

Banchan is an authentic Korean restaurant that I would recommend to anyone who loves Asian food or who wants to try something different. They offer Korean BBQ where you can cook your own meat at your table as well as ramen, kimchi and other options. Really enjoyed the experience here and the food was delicious! The service was also great- will be back!

An amazing restaurant hidden away in The heart of Sandton! Authentic Korean dishes with a small bit delicious menu. Decor, people and the bosses are just so Korean, it's amazing. The resultant is small and unassuming, it's quite with a relaxed atmosphere. <br/><br/>I had the pork belly BBQ and the kimchi fried rice. Massive portions! But delicious all the same. The kimchi fried rice was crunchy, briny and with a kick - everything I have come to love about kimchi. The topped fried egg was perfect - runny and gooey for the rice! <br/><br/>The BBQ was fun and delicious. With an array of condiments, pickles and sauces for your very own lettuce wraps. <br/><br/>The kimchi is made in house and is to die for!<br/><br/>I didn't have the shaved ice but I did note that it served the traditional Korean way, with ice cream, condensed milk and other sweets. <br/><br/>Definitely coming back!

Superb Korean barbecue near the main strip in Parkmore. The stews arrive in great cast iron pots and are hearty and full of extraordinary, authentic flavours. The vegetarian stew (with tofu and courgette) is quite similar to a miso soup. The barbecue fried chicken is a real showstopper -- possibly their signature dish. Highly recommend the spicy chicken stir fry and the fabulous strawberry shaved ice for dessert.

Nestled between Benmore and the Parkmore strip, this new restaurant has the right vibe for people of Sandton. Not so stuffy like the other Asian restaurants? <br/><br/>They don't serve the usual and traditional side dishes and cater to more of a la carte/snack items. <br/><br/>Food is good. The bingsu (shaved ice with condensed milk with either coffee, strawberry or Red beans flavor) has to be my absolute fav! So refreshing as we enter another scorching summer! <br/><br/>Check it out. Fun place to go with friends or a date? <br/><br/>

Best authentic Korean Restuarant in Jozi. Need I say more. A trendy interior. Their Bingsu dessert and the Korean fried chicken were the highlight of my night. I'm still dreaming of them. Need another trip there pretty soon.

We celebrated a birthday at Banchan on a Friday night, for which we booked. They were not trained or ready for a party of 16/18; however the staff were polite and welcoming and had the right attitude to meet our requirements. They had set-up seating for us all and every guest had access to a burner if needed.<br/><br/>They did not inform us on booking that they are unlicensed, which is unfair, they offer Korean wine wine which is 6.5% alcohol content and a bit sweet for Western palates.<br/><br/>The bottle store next door was closed but the PnP in Benmore is open until 20:00 on a Friday. We were able to get a variety of wines and sparkling wines.<br/><br/>The guests had a variety of dishes - starters were tasty but they had run out of some ingredients. The mains are divided into cooked in the kitchen or self cooking. Our party was evenly split on selections in this department. I had a cooked meal which was very good. The other parties ate well too. Those that cooked for themselves had fun with all the fire and smoke. The chimneys work a treat.<br/><br/>The birthday celebrant was offered a few bottles of Korean wine. Sweet as it was we celebrated with toasts and had a great time.<br/><br/>We ended the night with coffees which were welcome after all the wine. <br/><br/>We left after closing, well after 00:00, which was welcome but not entirely fair as nobody asked us to leave or reminded us of the time. Good of the management but late night for them!<br/><br/>As an aside the restaurant was full of Asian nationals which I always see as an indication of authenticity. We will definitely visit again, probably by Uber and with cooler boxes!

Food is really nice, been there twice, the boss lady is very pretty and friendly! The last time I went there they told me that they were going to upgrade their menu, hope it's upgraded and more selections! Will go again.

Excellent Korean cuisine (caveat: for vegetarian dishes). Flavor was great and service was excellent. Ambience is simple and comfortable. Food seemed fresh and staff was very friendly (including to our 3 year old daughter)

Such a nice concept with beautifully presented dishes. A fun and different way to dine. I do however think that the actual taste of the food doesn't reach expectations.

A little disappointed with the food at Banchan. With a name like banchan (side dish), I was expecting banchan on par with that at restaurants in Korea.