Mark Pi’s Express

I couldn’t stand the regular cafeteria stuff again, so I gave this place another shot. I got the sesame chicken and it is actually damn good! My hubby came to have lunch with me and he tried the japchae and he really enjoyed it. I’m glad I gave it another shot! Also, there seems to be a secret menu that has chicken wings… I may have to explore this.

This is not going to be the absolute best Asian or Korean food you’ll have in the area, but for being a fast-​food style store located in a hospital cafeteria. this is the best it can get!
I walked over here during my lunch break and was pleased to see a very long line at this place and after placing my order, paying, and waiting for it to be prepared (they prepare everything in front of you, NOT just scooped out of a heated tray), I received my food within 5 – 6 minutes! The line definitely moves quickly.
The Bibimbap was pretty good. It came with a large amount of food and I had to take half of it home for later. It included white rice (can also sub brown rice), cooked bean sprouts, cooked greens, a fried egg (and still runny in the center — yum), sauteed and flavorful finely chopped beef, and a hefty amount of kimchi radish, which was pretty spice and very delicious. Oh and it came with a side of the spicy soybean paste/​sauce, though it did not really need it.
The food is about as fresh as it can get; I saw someone in the back chopping fresh veggies and cooking the meat. Looking into it, I forgot that I was in a hospital cafeteria. They have a selection of over 15 dishes with a mix of American-​Chinese, semi-​traditional Chinese, a special of the week, and 4 traditional Korean dishes: Jap Chae, Bibimbap, Jajangmyon over udon noodles, and a spicy seafood soup. looked legit! The majority of the people in line were ordering the Jap Chae. I would definitely come back here during lunch break to try the other Korean dishes since I am not a fan of American-​Chinese.

Mark PI’s is located in University Hospital next to the cafeteria. The menu consists of mostly americanized Chinese Food with some specialty Korean items like bibimbap and jap chae. The line goes by fairly fast despite how long the line can get during lunch hour. That’s impressive considering they cook the meal in front of you! So you know it’s fresh and made to order.
My favorites are the specialty items, but they are a bit more expensive than the ones on the main menu. $ 8 instead of $ 6. I think they’re worth it though because they are a larger serving size, and more authentic! The bibimbap has a lot of veggies and a fried egg on top of rice, while the jap chae consists of glass noodles and seasoned beef on a bed of rice. Both are definitely worth trying. I’ve had them multiple times and was not disappointed!
They recently added a twice cooked pork menu item that I tried yesterday. It’s VERY good! It’s served with a lot of cabbage. It’s very flavorful and the meat is tender.
I also enjoy the General Tso’s. I don’t eat it often so I’m not really a fair judge of how good theirs is. To be honest, it’s the only one I’ve had. But they are generous with the portions and it’s tasty.
I’m not a fan of everything on their menu — I’ve ventured out and been slightly disappointed at ordering something apart from my favorites. But if you’re in need of a hot meal, Mark Pi’s is a great place to try.

I love the diversity this place brings to the UCMC cafeteria.
They have bibimbap and jap chae as korean specials to add to authenticity.
They have a front man who knows all his regulars.
Food is all made to order and it’s all very fresh!
There is sushi also, inside the main cafeteria that’s good as well

This place is great! Mike knows exactly how to guide you to what your craving. He also will tell you about some off menu items if you ask. Service is fast and accurate. The prices are fair, especially for being located inside of a major hospital.

The owner’s name is not Mark Pi. It is the name of the franchise, which you will find inside hospital cafeterias. I never eat the Chinese-​American entrees, because he offers two authentic Korean dishes I love — bi bim bap and jap chae — I believe they are his aunt’s recipes. If I’m not starving, I can eat one dish over two meals. It’s a great amount of flavorful food for $ 8.
It’s so good I had to tweet about them to Polly Campbell. I hope she checks them out!

You probably will not visit Mark Pi’s unless you happen to be at UC medical center or the hospital, but if you do happen to be there, this is your best bet.
While the choices are a bit limited on what you can order the quality of ingredients used is good. Items are cooked right in front of you and the staff are pretty good about making substitutions if you desire (like different veggies). The prices are fair and the service is very friendly.

Working in the Hospital district in avondale/​clifton, you will not find a whole lot of lunch choices. Mark Pi’s is a small restaurant storefront inside the Medical building at the University of Cincinnati. They serve your normal «chinese fast food» fare, General Tso’s, sesame chicken, sweet and sour, etc. The owner/​Chef, well call him Mark Pi, cooks each dish at the time of order. Veggis, chicken, and sauces are all mixed and cooked in a series of a half dozen pans he has going at one time. Most people order a combo, which includes an order of 3 spring roles, and a soda.
The food quality is decent. The veggies look and taste fresh, and the sauce spiciness is always made to order. Their rice is usually cooked correctly and not mushy, like I’ve had at other restaurants of this price range.
If you want to have lunch there, plan on getting to Mark Pi’s around 11:30. If you are there any later, expect a decent wait in line because they are pretty popular, but worth the wait. Their portion sizes are good and about 7 bucks will get you a combo.

The recently added bim bim bap stands head and shoulders above their other dishes. The main cook consistently asks for feedback on his dishes. So I have to give Mark Pi’s some love for their efforts to improve their menu.