SSAM

such a nice place to eat. the foods are delicious and looks fancy. i love their Bibimbap. the crispy rice at the end of meal is amazing.

Mixed feelings about this place like some of the other reviewers. So it basically comes down to what is important for you in a dinner.
Nice open space plenty of room for everyone. The host/waitress/bartenders.all super nice but slow. If you don’t constantly make an effort to communicate your needs. like ordering. you will be sitting a long time waiting. Which we did, despite there being only another couple in the restaurant when we were there. My friend and I ordered dirty martinis –as they had a full bar. The bartender brought out some gross concoction which did not resemble a dirty martini in the slightest. I sent the drinks back. He was then shown how to make a dirty martini. which came to us VERY dirty. like sewer dirty. and stinky.and did not taste good. Because we had issues they only charged us half price.
The music was rap/​hip hop and very loud. which I enjoy in a club, but not so much when I’m trying to have a nice Korean dinner.
The traditional Korean appetizers were few and were not that good. If you go to Korea Town in the city, you will get at least 6 bowls of yummy whatevers including delicious kimchi. Last night they gave us 4 bowls of ok stuff and the kimchi was not good. it was overly salty instead of tangy.
BUT and there is a big BUT, we had ordered the sizzling meat stone plates. and the meat that came out was absolutely superb/​devine.
I had ordered the Bulgogi and my friend had the Kalbi (beef short rib) I believe. The rib was one huge rib and the waiter cut the rib meat for her with scissors into bite sized portions.
Both were wonderful.
At the end of the meal they gave us mason jar glasses with delicious cranberry juice. That was a highlight for me since I didn’t get to enjoy any alcohol.
So there you have it. Drinks and starters meh… meat: 5 stars
If you do not go there with high expectations. or any expectations for that matter. you will have a good meal. Bring a positive attitude. Would not recommend for people with nit picky attitudes and no patience for people who don’t speak English.

Hmmm, the food really is only 3 stars but I will most likely go back. It is walking distance for me. Sigh, must I go to Manhattan and Queens for good Korean always? The chicken wings were ok, my husband enjoyed his bibimbop, and I was ok with my tofu stew broth (don’t order the seafood one like I did, because fake crab meat is not seafood!) Good service!

First, I waited 45mins for the seafood pancake, yes this seafood pancake only have 2 dices of octopus, and a few of fake crab meats. The octopus is like chewing a rubber. Absolutely horrible !! Then I waited another 10 mins to for the noodle, I can smell the sourness before even trying it. Two bites and I’m done with it. I can’t eat it any more. The kimchi fried rice is okay. Korean BBQ bugogi, shouldn’t be bad right, guess what, it came out ster fried thin slices beef !!! I will never come to this place ever again. Not like I’m sitting at a corner, but no server come to our table. If u tried korean food at korean town at midtown. I totally don’t recommend this place. If u never had korean. I guess u can try it. Wasted money and time on a Friday night !!!

ummmmm I’m not totally sure how I feel about this place.
On the one hand, the price is affordable and the food is pretty inoffensive, but on the other hand, I feel like SSAM is suffering an identity crisis. Is it trying to be swanky with the weird neon lights at the bar? Orrr romantic and cozy with the booths and soft woodgrain décor?
The menu is equally confused with a myriad of japanese-​american sushi rolls (and surprisingly only 3 types of korean kimbap) and a few other items that felt out of place. The wine list is pretty limited and it was also difficult to select something without actual bottle names and only descriptions + regional notes.
On the plus side, I thought the banchan offerings were modest but tasty, and our waitress offered to refresh them for us towards the end of the meal. It was a bit challenging to flag staff down from time to time but people were always warm and friendly once we were able to get their attention.
The real downer is the awful lighting — if they could fix the sort of off-​putting fluorescent tone I think it’d drastically improve the ambience. Overall I think I would consider this place more for takeout (Netflix and Chill?! aaaight) but I wouldn’t put up a fight if I was with a few people who really wanted to sit down. For Cobble Hill korean, it’ll do.

I really want to give Ssam a higher star rating — honestly their dolsot bowls were delicious and deserve 4 or even 5 stars. But service was messy and a lot of problems arose that unfortunately we’re not so great.
First, they forgot to bring us the appetizer we has ordered, a kimchi pancake. Our dolsot bowls (one with spicy pork and one with kalbi) arrived. One dish had a perfectly cooked soft boiled egg on top while the others was overlooked and hard — bummer!
The waiter must have at this point realized our appetizer pancake had never been made and he came over and apologized, giving us a different type of pancake than we had ordered saying it was on the house. Then he asked if we wanted some beers on the house. This was all lovely and made up for the slight mistake.
However, when our bill arrived they had charged us for the pancake that was supposed to be on the house. Everything just seemed completely disorganized although our waiter was good intentioned. Because the food was tasty though I would give them another chance.

How did I not discover this gem earlier?
First– the food. Top notch. Did the dol sot bibimbap with Kalbi. with KALBI! Most places do it with bulgogi– but it tastes so dang good with kalbi.
Service and ambiance is solid. Basically, when food is this good– you just don’t want the service or environment to get in the way. Check on both fronts.
The pricing is quite reasonable. For some reason, Korean food in Manhattan has gotten a bit out of hand the last couple years. Pricing here was very reasonable– i think the kalbi bibimbap was $ 16 pre-​tax/​tip.

I’ve had the pleasure of dining here a few times now and needless to say, the food and service is amazing! I love the atmosphere and their authentic dishes. So far my favorite is the Kimchi Jae Yook Bokkeum. It’s the best I’ve had compared to any other restaurants I’ve visited. I promise it’s worth the travel and money no matter where you live (I’m from Queens so it’s quite a travel for me-​but totally worth it).
Also, a huge thumbs up and thanks to the bartender and his amazing drinks!!!

Those who know me or have read my review know that I’m typically easy to please, except for when I review racist establishments. Please note that this review is about the horrible experience I had over here last weekend and NOT because of any racial-​related treatment.
I bought a groupon deal two weeks before visiting this establishment because of (frankly) the fried chicken. I always thought that Korean fried chicken were tad overpriced. I’m willing to pay for Bonchon type of goodness but not exactly ready to do so at an establishment that to me isn’t a known quality (I live in cobble hill so people like me are generally deprived of Korean fried chicken unless we trek over to Manhattan on a non-​work weekend.
Armed with a $ 40 value groupon certificate I bought for $ 25, I walked into the store at
Anyway. The experience sucked. I don’t know who’s fault it is and frankly as a customer, it should not be me bearing the brunt of someone’s screw up. The management said that Groupon sold this without their «permission». So I paid for the meal because I did not want to be that person who has no honour. And when I called Groupon up, they said they’ll refund the $ 25 and contact the management (over a week still nothing from Ssam or groupon) but refused to right the wrong — yes I may have only suffered out of pocket of $ 39.09 and not $ 39.09 plus $ 25 right?
Maybe Groupon was wrong, maybe Ssam was wrong but the bottom line is the customer suffered because no one wanted to do the right thing. Shame on Ssam, shame on Groupon. And no, I would not pay $ 39.09 for their overpriced fried chicken although this is something I’m not opposed to doing when it is delicious but still overpriced like Bonchon

I wanted to like this place, I really did. After moving from Queens – home to many amazing Korean restaurants, I needed a go-​to Korean joint near Boerum Hill. Reviews were super mixed about this place but I finally gave it a go to see for myself. It also looks like there a few fake 5-​star reviews on here – accounts that just joined Unilocal and only have 1 review, no photos, etc… just beware.
Unfortunately the food fell short. service was ok. I don’t want to sound harsh but anyone who says Ssam has good Korean food clearly hasn’t been to restaurants around Queens. Even Ktown in Manhattan has better choices. Somethings off about their KFC-​the sauce and flavor seemed right but the skin wasn’t crispy like Boka or BonChon. The bibimbap and soondubu (soft tofu soup) was lacking in flavor but still passable. Their seafood pancake was the most disappointing, from texture to taste, nothing was right. It almost seemed undercooked. like doughy eeek.
The best thing about Korean restaurants is the ban chan, free small side dishes. Yes they are free but Ssam only provided three measly and sub par ban chan dishes during my dinner. I don’t expect the world but this is the worst ban chan spread I’ve ever encountered.
Sadly wont be back and don’t really recommend.

Ok, Brooklyn. We’ve got some eating to do. Ssam has got to be one of the most underrated restaurants in this city and it’s a shame because the food, service, (and prices!) are SO GOOD.
I live around the corner from Ssam but only went in for the first time tonight because I assumed it wasn’t very good given how empty it usually is.
The restaurant itself is clean and well-​decorated. And I immediately felt welcomed by the staff.
I ordered the bulgogi japche (clear sweet potato noodles with super flavorful and lean beef) and the spicy pork bibimbap. Both were stupid good and came with traditional Korean side dishes (A+ kimchi) and miso soup. My only complaint is the egg on the bibimbap was a bit overcooked. The yolk should just break open but they must have cracked it a bit too early before serving because part of the yolk had cooked. The tofu side dish was also a little off texture-​wise, but now we’re getting picky.
Add a 7 dollar lychee martini and a few on-​the-​house tasters and I was a very satisfied lady.
I’ll absolutely be back. Tell your friends! I want this place to stick around a while.

A pretty restaurant with roomy tables, big enough to accommodate all the yumminess Ssam has to offer. The bibimbap is the star, but the beef short ribs on the table next to me looked pretty darn good. The hot sauce makes everything taste even better and the kimchee is addictive. Friendly service pulls it altogether, topped off by prices that won’t leave you gasping. Ssam is now on my rotation list of places to dine.

I’m from Korea and I strongly recommend Seafood Pajeon and Kimchi Pajeon. They are even better than usual Pajeons in Korea. Also, others foods and drinks here are also awesome.

The best Korean restaurant in Brooklyn Heights!
Recommend:
— Seafood pancake ()
— Kimchi pancake ()
— Seafood Ddukbboggi ()
—, etc
Plus, nice music and kind host! I will come here tomorrow, again!

Friday evening front of the restaurant is almost full but the back is empty. We’re immediately directed to our table with our first steps in. It’s the same for all others who walk in.
Even after we look at the menu and are trying to make eye contact that were ready to order, it takes another 10 mins for someone to come over and this is me hardcore trying to wave someone over with my eyes.
I order, he repeats my order but the appetizer still comes out half wrong. We ordered the seafood pancake and get the kimchi one instead. However it was delicious, the flour they used was orange in color and tasted maybe like sweet potato? The kimchi fried are a must — crispy fries topped with cheese, kimchi for a little kick, a little bit of a sauce, and scallions — superb!
Soy ginger drumsticks are crispy yet moist on the inside. Beef bibimbap could have used more meat ($ 3) for extra but was still a good comfort food entrée.
Would def return! We were skeptical but it’s the best korean food I’ve had in brooklyn yet!

My first visit to SSAM was about a month ago. I got the beef bibimbap and it was incredible. The bowl was audibly sizzling and all of the food was hot and perfect. Crispy rice, fried egg. I dreamt about it but didn’t feel justified spending $ 15 on another bowl without occasion.
I went back to treat myself tonight and when my food came out about 5 minutes after ordering I had my first concerns. That was too fast. Then I realized that the bowl was quiet. No popping and sizzling. «Be careful its hot.» I felt it and it wasn’t.
When I started to eat I realized that some bits of veggies were hot but most were lukewarm or cold. The egg was undercooked. But most offensive in my opinion was the rice. It was completely lacking any crisp, sitting in a puddle of lukewarm oil. I tried so hard to enjoy it, after all I had been looking forward to it all day. But with every bite I was more disappointed. Finally, when the employee asked how it was I told him that I was disappointed. That it was better last time. I showed him my bowl of oil, explaining that the soggy mess was completely underwhelming. He froze and stared at me, trying to figure out his next move. I was embarrassed, I have never ever complained about my food before at a restaurant.
But what was more embarrassing was his half hearted mutter of an apology and a complete lack of anything else. He didn’t say anything else to me until asking if I was ready for the bill– or did I want to order a drink first? I was not discounted or compensated for the soggy shit bowl in the slightest, nor did anyone offer me a new one.
You guys ruined my treat to myself on a night I really needed it, driving me to write my first ever Unilocal review. Not out of anger, but out of sadness.
(The second star is for the first time I visited)

We are very, very limited on Korean food options here. SSAM has some good variety and has a full bar and huge bar area. It is a huge place. I also saw a sushi counter but did not see sushi on the lunch menu.
The lunch specials were decent and draft Sapporo is always $ 5 which is good. The fried chicken wings are highly promoted here. They do an unlimited beer and wings special for $ 20 cash all the time. Since, we never tried their wings we didn’t opt for this. The wings (spicy ones) were good and crispy. I liked that they weren’t as spicy as the Bonchon ones, which I can barely take. Tofu stew was okay. Lots of mussels but no clams or shrimp in my seafood stew. Bibimbap had lots of stuff in it but the rice was too «wet» and lacked flavor.
We got three little appetizers which were pickled cucumbers (barely pickled or had any flavor), some weird potato salad and something else. I don’t remember. It was bad.

Nice interior. Food has much catching up to do.
The fried chicken appetizer is decent. Unfortunately the appetizer trumped my bulgogi entrée as well as my three other friends’ entrees.
One word… BLAND. The chef needs to utilize the salt. My friend’s side of Korean hot paste was not enough to make her dish appetizing. A bit pricey for inferior food.

What can I say, I shouldn’t even write this review… or maybe I should. A disaster of an experience, but it left me without words for months, and now I’m writing about it.
Went in on a quiet weeknight, maybe 3 tables occupied. Ordered 2 dishes, Bibimbap and Fried chicken. Bibimbap was on the table in 10 minutes.
After about 30 minutes of stalling from the server and possibly the owner, my chicken was still not done. Now, I should follow this up with the fact that the menu states it will take extra time for an order of chicken wings to be prepared. Not great, but I accepted that part.
However after some time, maybe 30 minutes, they admitted to screwing up the order. 15 minutes after this, almost an hour at the table with no food for myself, they sent out the chef to apologize,“We made a mistake, and are almost done with your wings.“
10 minutes later, still no food, so I asked for them to go.
Finally got my to-​go bag, brought them home, took one bite and threw them away. They were absolutely disgusting. Fortunately they were kind enough to not charge me for the wings.
After all this, I thought I had lucked out because I ordered rice with the meal, and assumed it would be in my bag — which they conveniently forgot to include — so I had nothing to eat that night.
It was almost 10pm at this point, so I just drank beer and went to sleep hungry. Good times!

When I had heard a Korean restaurant opened up in the area this past summer, I thought to myself, «oh that place is going to absolutely KILL! No Korean places around here at all, so this should prevent people from traveling to K Town.» Fast forward to last night’s dinner.
I’m so disappointed. Without the sign that has the single Korean character on it, you would have absolutely no idea that this was a Korean restaurant. Too Brooklyn Heights and too generic in its layout and idea, Ssam really missed the mark. Even sitting in a booth, I couldn’t tell I was in a Korean restaurant. Here’s my thing: I believe all of the people who love Korean cuisine want to have it in the traditionally authentic Korean atmosphere. It lends credibility and it gives you the impression of «I’m going to get some good Korean food here.» Instead, SSAM gives you a «why is this menu in half English and half Konglish? Why does it feel as if I’m sitting in a Bareburger with a bar? Why does this massive establishment have only two (3 maybe) bbq tables?» vibe.
I had the rice cake and dumpling soup (dduk mandoo guk — $ 11) and my friend had the stone pot bibimbap with beef (dolsot bibimbap — $ 13+2 for the beef). I can live with the prices. Couple of dollars higher than what I’ve grown up with in Queens but fine, rent here is absurd.
My soup really wasn’t bad. I slurped up every last drop. Steaming hot and hearty, there’s a reason this is my all time favorite Korean comfort dish. The bibimbap. Served in a warm stone pot. With nary a sizzle. Why bother serving it in a stone pot if you aren’t going to cook it in the stone pot? Also: what’s with the ¹⁄₃^rd serving of rice? Seriously, it was about a third of what every other Korean restaurant everywhere else gives you. You charged $ 15 for a fried egg, vegetables and beef that just happened to have some rice in it.
The side dishes (banchan): broccoli in sesame oil, yellow daikon radish, chonggak kimchi, and an odd rice wine vinegar (I think) sliced carrot thing. End scene.
The staff was very friendly and was quick to re-​up the side dishes (after I asked) and to bring my friend the miso soup that’s supposed to come with the bibimbap (after I asked.)
I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt considering the owner was conferring with the designer/​architect/​decorator in the front, but I won’t be back until many fundamental changes are made.