Woo Lee Jip Korean Restaurant

The boyfriend had interesting things to say about this place (mostly about the lady «oh but the food is good so maybe we can go together») after trying it out on his own while I was away, so we went there for dinner together after I came back to the city.
Our experience with the lady was somewhat similar to the other reviewers’. When we went, she was preoccupied with another couple so we were spared the inquisition etc, but there were still some odd and awkward moments.
Oh, side note: There were flies. Lots of flies. There were only one table at which we could sit without having flies in our faces.
We asked for water, and she threw down a bottle of ice. It was one of those hour-​glass-​shaped plastic Korean bottles, and the entire thing was frozen. We couldn’t pour any water out. It took her about 20 minutes to realize this. We tried to call her until that point but she was too busy giving health tips to the other couple (who were actually trying to eat and spend quality time with each other, not with her, it seemed).
Food was good. I’d give it 4 stars. Portions can be small though.
Minus 1 star for flies. Minus half a star for poor and occasionally guilt-​trippy service. Rounding it up to 3 stars.
Boyfriend’s previous visit (when he was alone) involved…
— the lady asking all sorts of questions («is that your gf on the phone? (we were using FaceTime)» «is she Korean?» «why isn’t she here?»)
— the lady refusing to give him take-​out boxes after he couldn’t finish and wanted to take some home
— the lady refusing to make a menu item because «it’s too late» — he had to order bibimbap because that was pretty much the only thing she was willing to make
I’d come back for the food and for the entertaining dining experience.

This is one of the most unique Korean food restaurant meals I’ve ever had (I read Marc D’s review while i was waiting for my dinner and burst out laughing because i could totally see that happening here).
Anyways this place is very small, only 4 or 5 tables, but since there’s only one lady that works there that’s all that it could really hold anyways. It was a weeknight at only about 5-​ish and it was «packed»…4 parties including us. Unfortunately with multiple groups arriving at the same time this can create logjams in an operation such as this one. Fortunately we flagged her down first, ordered first and found ourselves paying the bill when one of the parties that arrived when we did were just getting their food.
Regardless of how long you’re waiting, if you’re in the mood for a great authentic Korean meal this is a pretty good option. I had Gam Ja Tang (pork bone soup), it was quite tasty, the broth seemed kinda… thick i guess is the best word to describe it. The portion was quite big and the price was reasonable. My wife’s dish unfortunately came in a smaller sized bowl, which seemed a bit unusual (most Korean restaurants give huge portions). The banchan was somewhat limited, two types of kimchi (cabbage and radish) but they both tasted great.
I would go back to this place again, but not if I was in a hurry. I can see that it has quite a following which could only mean that all of the dishes are excellent (they’re not coming here for the ambience, or speedy service).
Helpful hint: If you arrive and there’s noone there to seat you, probably best to seat yourself :).

came upon this place for lunch, yes the lady was the sole worker (chef — waiter — «jane-​of-​all-​trade» … few items less than $ 10 — few considered more … yes she said she cooked the food authentic Korean style especially her soup. Each soup does have its distinctive taste, and yes they are not oily (unlike other places where they have boil pork bones for soup base).
we had ginseng chicken soup $ 10, black goat soup ($ 12) and hot stone rice $ 8 (not their official names, but you know what I mean).
lost one star for its slightly higher price on few items and limited menu (there are at least 10 choices not more than 15), so it should keep you coming back at least 9 more times).
when asked upon, she was too eager to show us how to mix the sauce and dip your food for good taste.
yes, the service was slow — well it is a one woman show!
at least i would come back few more times for myself — recommended … they do have another bigger branch across the Shell in Lougheed mall area.

* Are we on the Korean version of Punked? *
Wandering into this restaurant it seemed welcoming, as the woman working in the front opened the door and invited us in. She then immediately started peppering us with questions, «Are you Korean? Are you Chinese? Are you Japanese? Are you Indo? You like spice?» Mind you, this was within 30 seconds of coming in and just barely sitting down. She provided a single menu and then just stood there and kept pointing to different things on the menu (including sometimes grabbing the menu and turning it over while we were trying to read it) suggesting things in between asking additional questions.
At this point I wondered if we were on one of those hidden camera shows ala Candid Camera or Punked.
We ordered pajeon (seafood pancake) and black goat soup. She looked a bit insulted that we didn’t take her advice on getting bulgogi and soondooboo chigae. But we’ve got other places we really like for those two dishes, and noticed that the specialty here was definitely the soups based upon the variety on the menu.
She went off with the order and within about 30 seconds sat down at the table across from us, popped some pills (not sure what those were exactly), and then started chatting us up again with lots of the same questions being repeated as if she had forgotten she already asked them 2 minutes ago. I continued to wonder where those damn hidden cameras were!!!
The food arrived, and she proceeded to mix the pepper, chili paste and mustard together and put some onto the spoon in the soup, and said, «You must taste.» Ok, I get it — season to taste. But you have now mixed all 3 together so I can’t create my perfect balance. Thank you.
She kept insisting I taste it and standing there. Ok, I get it — candid camera, right? Perhaps a new show in a similar vein for Korean TV?
I tasted and said, «Thank you.» She then stood there and watched as we started to eat. I wondered if I should offer her some? Perhaps she was hungry and in the mood for some soup? She continued to watch us and ask questions for most of the meal.
Even though the service clearly was over the top (not in a good way), the black goat soup was delicious. The meat was nice and tender, the chives were plentiful, and the broth had a pleasant seasoning balance. There were no deulkkae (perilla seeds), but a nice dish overall.
The pajeon arrived and it was the kind you sometimes get that has a batter similar to fish and chips coating. That sounds bad, but it actually is tasty. It had oysters and squid, and overall was a nice dish as well (although slightly too greasy).
At one point as she was watching us eat I finished up the tea in my cup. She grabbed the cup, filled it up, then came back and poured some of the tea from my cup into my dining companion’s cup to fill that up too. Ok, where are those cameras!!!
So while I would give the black goat soup a 4, and the pajeon a 3, the service is a 2 for an overall average of 3 — and if I end up seeing our meal on some random Punked style TV show in Korea it will go down to 2 — or maybe up to 4? Hm… I wonder!!!