Kimchi House

I have yet to find anything on the menu that I don’t like. The pork and beef bulgogi are my favorites, and the bibimbop is also really good. I work close by, and I can always get back to the office within the hour — super fast service!

GREAT food! Absolutely love the kimbab and bulgogi! Liked the kimchi, but would probably only eat small portions of it. First time eating it, had to try it. Wouldn’t hesitate to send someone here or come back numerous times.

Terrible place. Mediocre food, musty smell and horrible service. Waited for 20 min to even get water. Do not recommend.

We were out running some boring home shopping errands and we decided to spice things up with a Korean lunch.
We ordered the Gim bap and dumpling appetizers and the Galbi and Dobu for our mains.
The first thing on the table was the assortment of Kimchi — each one was delicoius.
The Gim Bap hit the spot for me — it was so good, that I almost forgot to try the dumplings. When I did get to the dumplings, they were delicious; however, I’ll wait for a colder day to order them again.
The Galbi was phenomenal. They were served pre-​cut up on a cast iron skillet. The flavor was perfect and the meat was cooked fantastically. Most pieces easily came apart while I was loosely holding on to them with my chopsticks and the fat around the rib bone must not be missed!
I don’t typically eat tofu; however, I’ll put the Soon Dobu (tofu Stew) in my top 5 tofu experiences!
The food was great and the ladies running it were extremely kind and perfectly attentive — we’ll be back — soon!

This is a legit Korean hole in the wall place in southern Alexandria. It’s a trek out from the city but if you’re in the area– try it out! We ordered Kim bap and dumplings for appetizers and galbi and soon dobu as our lunch special ($ 1 less than regular prices) and it was SOO yummy and tastes home made. The galbi was perfectly marinated and so tender. The soon dobu was piping hot and just the right amount of spice. This might be our go-​to Korean place!

Very traditional. I was hoping for the spicy paste but none. The food was plenty but not too much. Small selection of food but I think that’s a plus. My bi bim bop was not in the heated bowl I thought it would come in the the other option was. Still delicious.

If you are into Korean food, this is Northern Virginia’s best kept secret or the best hole-​in-​the-​wall place for home style Korean food, in my opinion. The reason why I say this is because two elderly Korean women who speak little English run this place. They take the orders and do the cooking, so quality is by far, the best that I’ve had at any Korean restaurant. It is not your typical Annandale Korean restaurant, where the food is made in high quantity with not the highest standards of quality, because they are mostly about the numbers and making profits. The place is conveniently located off of Route 1 and sits lonely by itself.
When you first enter, you will feel like you are in Korea because the welcoming and vintage décor is something you’d find in an older Korean sit down with wooden seats and tables. Often, there are not that many people inside or maybe nobody. There are no ridiculous «2 hour wait» like at most restaurants. You will be greeted by one of the elders and she will take your order. Her English may not be 100% but that means what you order will be legit and not your modern «fusion» type of food where they try to cater towards the taste buds of Westerners. As long as you know what you want, can point and smile, you will be A-​OK.
Also, this is a quiet place, unlike Iron Age or Kogiya, so if you like peace and serenity and want to take your taste buds and stomach to heaven, this is the place to go to. If you like a club like atmosphere where you have to scream at the top of your lungs to talk to your significant other or friends, look elsewhere.
As for the food, I’ve had the bulgogi and it is by far the best bulgogi that I’ve had in my life and that is said by one who has been to many Korean BBQ places in the past 15 years. The price per quantity is a good deal and it will fill you up, unlike places like Honey Pig (no offense) where you have to buy 2 servings of bulgogi to get full. The small dishes that come out are also high quality.
I will say no more and let you decide! This place gets 5 stars from me.

We ordered the Kimchi soup with pork and tofu for my son and the Bibimbap for me for lunch and a 6piece fried dumpling for an appetizer. The fried dumplings arrived quickly and they were hot and delicious. Our food soon arrived in a timely manner and it reminded me of home cooking. The owner was very friendly and spoke very good English and we will definitely return again.

Food was mediocre. I am very disappoint to say the service was horrible after reading some pretty good reviews. I definitely noticed the way they treated Caucasian over other races, which includes me. The old lady gave me an old bag to bag my food to go? Wtf!?! I definitely won’t be going back.

I love Korean food and I’m so happy to find a Korean place near work. If they delivered I’d be a pig a mud but I’ll have to settle for the fine in/​carry out option.
The spicy pork is actually spicy it’s not like the dagi bulgogi I’ve had at other spots this spicy pork will make you remember it. Their yaki mandu (fried dumplings) is awesome. The place is pretty small so if it’s lunch time consider getting it to go

Tried this place out on a whim because there aren’t many good Korean places outside of Annadale.
We ordered dumplings, dduk Bok gi, and octopus stir fry. Everything was so spicy. Wow, not sure if they made it so spicy because we are Korean or that’s the norm. Overall, the food wasn’t bad. Tasty enough for me to eat again if I lived closer. Just a little bit out of the way for me to drive all the way here.
The interior was different and not your usual Korean restaurant type of feel. I thought it made it feel homey.
Overall, decent alternative for Korean if you don’t feel like hiking it to Annandale.

We tried this place out because it was somewhere different than the usually Annandale places we go to. Plus it got good reviews so what the heck. We get there on a random weekday night and only 1 other person is there. Sorta odd. The interior decorations is pretty outlandish. Their menus is not extensive and their spicy food is REALLY spicy. Which is nice. But we kept having to compare them to Yechon which is think is the standard in this area for general korean food. I don’t think small places like this can compete because their food turnaround isn’t quick enough to stay fresh. All in all, I would probably not come back here because it is out of the way and the food was just ok.

Why 4 stars? Because it’s in in Alexandria, just off I-​95, very convenient when you’re on your way to a soccer tournament in Richmond. It’s in a strip mall but the décor and ambiance is very nice.
They cook the Bulgogi and Galbi for you and serve it in these very hot skillets, so you better eat fast. If you take your time, it’ll become overcooked and you really don’t want that on beef. The meat is of good quality, not as good as Dong Bang Grill in Fort Lee, which is where we set the standard on great Korean BBQ.
Service is friendly and efficient, and prices are reasonable.

First time here, ate lunch today with a buddy. I had the Chicken Bok Um. Food was good, service was good, meal was hot. Atmosphere was interesting but could use a fresh coat of paint.

Since moving here my husband and I have been searching for a great Korean place near our house. Others recommended kimchi house and I am so glad they did! We had the kimbab, jasmine tea, dolsot bi bum bap, and the bulgogi! Everything was well prepared, super fresh, and delicious! This place is worth it!

I like this place. A real hold in the wall that is run by two Korean ladies. Probably seats max 60 but I’ve never seen more than 20 or so. I’ve also never seen more than the two ladies work here but it seams to work and I’ve never complained about the wAit for food
The food is all Korean dishes and delicious and entrees are served with a variety six or so kimchi dishes
The Resturant is located along rt one in a old art and craft building design. If you are adventurous you may come in just to see what’s inside this rickety structure. You won’t be more impressed by the interior until you read the ratings from local food critics proudly displayed on the wall and sit down for some truly wonderful Korean cuisine.
They offer a lunch special m-​f.

One of my favorite Korean spots in the DMV. I’ve been eating here for many years now and the ladies never disappoint. My fave is the dolsot bibimbap and it is on point each time. The banchan dishes are always changing and they too just fabulous.
If you have a choice in the area, skip the chain spots and go to Kimchi House. The ladies always take good care of you.

Very fresh and tasty! Loved my first kimchi experience. Restaurant is in an old house and has very eclectic décor. Fried dumplings were very delicious! Could eat those all day.

Terrific food and a cozy welcoming atmosphere. I’ve been to Kim Chee House numerous times and had quite a few of the menu items. So far, I haven’t been disappointed in anything. I think my favorite is the spicy pork.
Two sisters run the place and do all the cooking. In the summer, vegetables come directly from the garden on the property or from the farmer’s market next door.
I read a negative post where someone felt unwelcome. If you are expecting a TGI Friday’s American-​style loud and boisterous welcome, you won’t get that here. Quiet respect is the manner and I have never had or seen a problem. In fact, the restaurants proximity to Ft. Belvoir creates a multi-​cultural clientele.
But enough about that… The food is great and you should go.

Great cozy little restaurant. At first, we weren’t sure about the location and the building. It’s an old house that has been converted into a restaurant. When we parked, we noticed that there were NO other cars. We freaked a bit. But based on the reviews, we decided to give it a try. Upon walking in, I noticed they had a fairly large garden in the front where they grow hot peppers. That won me over.
We walked into the restaurant and immediately felt comfort take over. The smell of home cooking and the colorful eclectic walls were cozy. They had a Korean soap opera and then Korean news channel blaring in the back television. Again added nothing but comfort to our experience. Our server was an older woman who at first seemed very stand offish and didn’t seem to really want to serve us. But with time, she warmed up and became more pleasant.
My mother and I both ordered the soon doo boo which we absolutely loved. The seafood wasn’t as fresh as it could be. But the tofu and flavor of the soup was delicious. It was a generous portion. My partner ordered the galbi which she loved. It was tender, great flavor and perfectly cooked. The rice was the perfect firm texture and came in a little bowl. Most Korean places give you the rice in little silver bowls with lids and so the rice gets so hot, it usually overcooks and gets mushy. Not here! We also ordered the seafood pancake as an appetizer and it was delicious. Fresh, SUPER thin and the green onions were cut finely which my onion despising partner really appreciated. I liked that the pancake was so thin, it didn’t fill us up for our entrée’s. And the best part. The banchan. Their kimchi was good. Not spicy at all and actually a little on the sour side. Not my favorite but I loved that it tasted fresh and homemade. Their cubed radish, cucumber kimchi and beansprouts were on point. Very well prepared and fresh.
Overall, we thought the pricing was fair. And the food was well worth it. Service was prompt and good. Parking is easy. We’d definitely come back!