Asahi Restaurant

I came here a while back with a friend. I’ve never been to a Korean restaurant before and wanted to experience the cuisine.
The staff were as kind and attentive as possible. The waitress explained everything to me when I had questions, and the food was amazing! I really enjoyed myself there and discovered some new dishes I liked! Wonderful experience! I hope to come back very soon!

I am SOOO impressed! The night started with slow service. When I walked in about 7’ish, there was a large party taking up one entire side of the wall tables. Additionally there was an individual in a booth.
Wednesday must be a slow night, since there was only one server. I suspect he might actually have been the owner. It was obvious that he was struggling to handle that many individuals.
Water came quickly but there was a wait for the sake. The banchan, which I had been anxiously awaiting, was even longer. Banchan, for those not familiar with Korean cuisine, consists of a number of small servings of side dishes. They are shared by the table and replenished as depleted. I did not share!
As I savored the banchan I watched with interest as additional servers, most of whom I recognized, rushed into the restaurant. They came in one at a time, as if they had been hurriedly summoned, and immediately sprang into action. One took the time to come over and greet me, welcoming me back. The initial server disappeared for the rest of the evening into the kitchen.
Even more amazing was the fact that the restaurant kept filling with additional patrons. They had to seat people at the sushi bar and eventually opened the tables on the opposite side.
The Tonkatsu came promptly and was perfectly prepared, as always. I find it really hard to order anything else. And I find myself daydreaming about it when I’ve had a long hiatus away from its taste.
It is an always perfect, lightly breaded pork cutlet drizzled with plum sauce. The sauce complements, rather than overpowers, the pork. The meat is cut in rectangular strips the perfect size to be picked up easily with chop sticks. The breading is fashioned so that each piece stays completely intact as it approaches one’s palate.
The lettuce based salad is also cut to be easily eaten with chop sticks. The salad dressing has a light, refreshing taste. It too is a complement, the perfect amount.
Can I add that all the above is served with a bowl of perfectly prepared purple rice?
This hidden Bayside area gem is located in the small shopping center at the corner of Independence and Pleasure House Road. It is tucked far at the end of the strip. So look for the sign of its more well known shopping center mate, Brass Bell.
I sit, contemplating my next trip to Asahi. Will I be tempted to order something other than Tonkatsu? Absolutely not!

This is definitely the Mom & Pop type of place, very cozy and clean environment. Food was very authentic, service was decent. Not too shabby, will definitely visit again since it was our first time going.

I was craving Korean food, and since we don’t have an AYCE Korean BBQ place, I searched through Unilocal and came across Asahi. We were able to get a table right away for dinner and it wasn’t too busy. When I go to Korean places, I usually crave bulgogi or something similar, but I was in the mood to try something else. I opted for the Bi Bim Baap rice dish because all the ingredients were very appealing to me. It was so delicious! I loved the flavor and it was a great combination with meat, rice, and veggies. We also ordered the fried dumplings for an appetizer, and they were very crispy and tasted great. I loved the bon chon that was served prior to our meal. You can always ask for more if you find something that you like. Our server was very nice and attentive.

We’ve been coming here for a few years now. Family owned. It’s a small place and if you don’t mind the wait time it’s totally worth it! I can’t pick out a dish because I love them all. Sweet awesome service as well!

Great Korean food and good service. Possibly the best Korean food I’ve had in a restaurant.

Service is on point. I’ve never had such amazing service at a Korean spot. Our waitress was extremely attentive and super friendly. We ordered yogurt soju for the group and while she was checking our ID’s, she saw that it was my friend’s birthday and brought out an extra «birthday glass» of yogurt soju for him which just blew my mind. That was very sharp of her to note his birthday and very sweet of her to take initiative to give him a little something extra for his birthday. We were all floored by this amazing server.
The side dishes did not stop coming out– she must have refilled the sides for us at least ten times and not one of those times did we have to ask.
The food was great too! My friends ordered bulgolgi, pork belly, and galbi and it all came out cooked and fresh and super tender and yummy. What a fantastic experience.
I hear their watermelon soju is THE BOMB. Unfortunately when we went it was not in season. However, the yogurt soju was really delicious as well. This gem of a restaurant is so far from me, but no doubt whenever I visit the Norfolk area I will definitely visit.
I can’t recommend this restaurant enough.

The best food ever. I just got back from Seoul and have to say I felt like I was back in South Korea!!! Thank you, Asahi!

Don’t miss this restaurant! They serve both Korean and Japanese dishes and they are always full of flavor and made fresh daily. They are such a warm, welcoming group of people at this family owned restaurant. The food is amazing and I have NEVER been disappointed. I have eaten at this restaurant for the last 6 years and I’m always trying new things. The Banchan (complimentary side dishes) change on a regular basis and are some of the best things about each meal. And they bring you refills of these dishes, if you want. They are closed on most Sundays for Private Parties for which I hear they also a very accommodating.

First time coming to Asahi and i would give them a 4 stars to beginning with (there are rooms to improve)
The restaurant is owned by Koreans and the servers are Korean, so you know the food is authentic and original. I ordered the dolsot bibimbap which is the beef and mixed vegetable in a hot stone pot. I like it a lot because it’s very flavorful and not too spicy. However the portion is a bit small, not ideal for big eaters.
We went during the labor day weekend on a Sunday afternoon around 7pm. There’s only one server and she was extremely busy running around seating people, taking orders and bringing out food. It’s kinda slow but the service is exceptional that she checked on us frequently and offered to refill our banchan (small dishes) twice.
Would definitely go back and recommend to friends.

Been to Asahi about a dozen times while visiting a friend in Virginia!!!
Nice, cozy atmosphere with sweet, kind waitresses. This Korean restaurant is amazing. It’s a bit pricey but worth it all.
I’m from California and they have some legit Korean food but Asahi is recommended if you want some nice Korean food.
I would recommend the Dol sot bi bim bap. It’s one of the most popular dishes in Korea and Asahi. The portion might be a bit small, but if you get an appetizer to fill you up before the entrée, it’s perfect. I’ve also tried some pork belly which was very good! It comes with rice so it fills you up just right. I got the level 3 spicy which is the normal Korean spicy. The friendly waitress will ask you «which level of spicy? 1 to 5, with the level 3 being normal Korean spicy!»
For appetizers, I would try the Korean seafood pancake (comes in 8 slices like a pizza) or Kim bap. I also love the fried dumplings.
And I’ve noticed that they serve 6 – 8 side dishes (banchans) Usually kimchi, pickled radish, marinated black beans, cucumber kimchi (Asahi is known for their cucumber kimchi and they’re amazing! I feel like sometimes I go to Asahi to get some of my cucumber kimchi fill. Haha.), bean sprouts, kale, fish cakes, and marinated fried tofu.
They give refills for side dishes as well.
Soju!!! For a night out or celebration. It’s like Korean vodka but very smooth. But it creeps up on you so beware!!!
Makkoli? is like Korean rice wine. I’ve heard Korea is known for their soju and their rice wine! So I’ve tried both. This drink was amazing. I would recommend it.
The servers are always so friendly even when they’re busy and all the tables are filled. Even if you are a table for one (which was me occasionally) they treat you very kindly and will answer any questions you have about the food.
I’ve noticed Asahi was good for family and groups, nights out, casual dining, celebrations and birthdays!!!
A must-​go if you’re looking for a perfect Korean restaurant or if you’re willing to try Korean food for the first time.

This place is always so friendly and nice. The food is great we have tried several different things. The prices are reasonable as well.

I’ve been coming to Asahi for a few years now and have finally decided to sit down and write a review.
Where to begin? I think first and foremost, the staff treats you as if you are family. I haven’t seen a restaurant that welcomes guests with the biggest of smiles and the friendliest of attitudes. They are amazing at making you feel at home and do their best to give you the best experience possible. If you are very new to korean food or are unsure of what to order, ask any of the waiters/​waitresses and they will be glad to explain anything and everything to you.
I stopped by here a few weeks ago to celebrate receiving my Pharmacist license with my cousins and we had a great time. We started with appetizers and received the siomai, fried mandu, and kimbap. You can request different dipping sauces if you wish (I personally like my mandu with fish sauce: P) All of the dishes came out fresh and tasted very good, the homemade mandu is my favorite!
For the main course, one of my cousins had the tonkatsu which was fried just perfectly and had the right amount of sauce on top. My other cousin and I both had the korean pork belly and tried it with level 3 spicy (they have levels of spicy 1 through 5, with 3 being «normal» korean spicy. The waitress states she can go level 7 which is on a level I can’t even comprehend!). The dish was delicious and well seasoned, not too much fat like with typical pork belly.
The banchan, in my opinion, is what makes your experience with Korean food unique. With as many as 5 – 8 different side dishes that can be placed on your table, you can always change the taste of the food you have in front of you. We received bean sprouts, kale, fish cakes, kimchi, cucumber kimchi, tofu, marinate black beans, and pickled radish. Again, if you are unsure of what is in front of you, ask! You can even learn how to say it in Korean if you are willing to learn more!
The kicker for me was the surprise dessert our waitress brought to our table. She personally crafted a plate saying «Congratulation!» on it with ice cream and whipped cream and an Oreo, and she also brought out dessert for my cousins. She wanted to celebrate my accomplishments and the ice cream was the perfect ending to a great meal. I was amazed at the attention to detail and customizing the experience for each customer. Asahi has earned itself a fan.
I will continue to come here and will enjoy the experience each and every time. I can’t wait for the next time I can come back!

My go-​to for Korean!
I usually go for the Kalbi or bugolgi. But this time, I went for the broiled mackerel and I am so glad I did! Cooked perfectly and the condiments that came with it worked very well together thanks to the recommendation of our server.
Speaking of which, I always forget to ask her name, but our server is probably one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. She’s so sweet and genuine. She’s makes eating here so pleasant!
Coming back real soon!

Pros: According to my friend and I, this is the best Korean restaurant around here.
The service is exceptionally friendly and customer-​oriented.
They will offer you a complementary well-​presented orange for dessert.
I had the Dol Sot Bi Bim Baap with beef, which was average. The Banchan had unlimited refilled, but there was only 5 options to choose from.
The 5 pieces of steamed dumplings were delicious with the right texture.
All the dishes were truly fresh and made to order.
It was easy and free to park.
Cons: The size portion was small. I was still hungry after eating the Dol Sot Bi Bim Baap.
Thus, I ordered the steamed dumplings. Then, I was still hungry… The meal turned out to be expensive for the amount of food I had. For this specific reason, I have been hesitating to come back.

Eh. Okay, I have been a reg here for a couple years and would give it 5 stars before. Notable friendly service, and great food at a decent price. But today it was like
1) Dirty utensils
2) Sides tasted horrible and room temp
3) I got the Chicken Bul Gogi and that’s usually my go to dish whenever I order here! And I like it Korean spicy. It was somewhat spicy, extremely dry and the chicken looked really old and dry. like basically they tossed old chicken from a different dish with some of the «spicy» sauce real quick to give it to me. It wasn’t even hot.
Overall: I was pretty mad how the food was given I paid $ 15 for it. It was a pretty busy night so kinda surprised that the food turned out the way it did. And how can you mess up on Kimchi???
I was really disappointed with my experience, and I know businesses have their bad days, but I felt like this won’t be forgettable. Hampton Roads restaurants have yet to impress me.

Best korean restaurant.
I can’t believe how truly good this place is. This is definitely one of best korean restaurants I have ever visited. I’ve found this place via Unilocal and the rave reviews are pretty much inviting.
Korean cuisine is largely based upon rice, vegetables, and meats. Traditionally, meals are noted for the number of side dishes that accompany the steam-​cooked short-​grain rice. Kimchi is served often, sometimes at every meal. Commonly used ingredients include sesame oil, fermented bean paste, soy sauce, salt, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes and fermented red chili paste.
Korean cuisine is also an acquired taste, its a vibrant cuisine that involves a lot of condiments that you have to mixed together so the flavor will come out.
For my visit tonight, I ordered the steamed pork dumpling served with a soy sauce. It was delish, lots of flavor. The dumplings itself is seasoned well. For entrée, I ordered the Dol Sot Bi Bim Baap. An assortment of vegetables, marinated beef and sunny side up egg on top over bed of rice served in a sizzling Korean stone bowl. The entire dish is extremely complex. Thought it was visually stunning and the flavor was even more surprising. I must say delightful.
This place is an example of a great restaurant. You just don’t get a sumptuous food but also a terrific customer service.
I will definitely come back.

What a surprise! After I left Japan I never thought I’d find a quality Korean restaurant. Asahi is superb.
The menu has all the best of Korean food. From dumplings to braised ribs to BBQ meat and the classic Bi Bim Baap. The staff is also terrific. It is obvious watching everything that they know their regulars and take care of everyone.
We started with the steamed Korean dumplings. They were perfect. Moist yet firm and the filling was full of flavor.
I had the pork bulgolgi (BBQ). It was wonderfully spiced and the meat was tender.
I enjoyed the sides that were provided. They complimented the meal. There was pickled radish, kimchi, cucumber, bean sprouts, fermented black beans, tofu, broccoli, and sliced omelet. It was fun to try something different with each bite.
My friend had the Bi Bim Baap. It was a beautiful dish and the favors just build on each other. Delicious!
I can’t wait to come back.

I can’t believe I didn’t know about this place! I mean there are only so many Korean restaurants in the area, right?
Well I got introduced to this place for a birthday dinner. I was partly in charge of bringing the birthday cake so we snuck it in and the staff knew what to do with it thankfully. We were seated in the left side of the restaurant where there were circular booths with round tables. I started the night with some apple sake… Reminded me of Jolly Ranchers and smelled like it too!
I ended up getting some type of bibimbap, while boyfriend got the pork belly meal. My bibimbap was amazing! I love that there wasn’t as much lettuce and more vegetable to eat than other ones I have tried in the past. Plus, there was a good balance of veggies and meat. Boyfriend’s dish was small, but it ended up being the right size for his appetite. It was delicious, though it looked a bit greasier than what you would see at a Honey Pig up north. It did come out on a skillet plate rather than a grill.
For dessert, the birthday boy got this ridiculously good looking ice cream plus his birthday cake. I think it was safe to say he had a very happy birthday. The staff was also nice enough to take a group shot of everyone, complete with the girl standing on the chair to take the photo of us.
Awesome service! I can say they really treated us like family with their smiling faces and being so accommodating. I look so forward to having another reason to come back!

Kimchi that’s not «salty»? What?! Who knew?
Asahi freaking rocks! Sadly my wallet does not think so. We’ve been here a few times with a good amount of people, so they always seat us in the private/​karaōke room. They have an awesome karaōke system, but it’s only limited use for certain times? At least that’s from what I could remember. The décor is your typical modern day Asian restaurant. It’s not too upscale but certainly no hole in the wall. Restroom is always clean and is in the rear of the restaurant.
The food, fan-​effing-​tastic! I think everyone loved their food and the many side dishes. The least favorite was the beans, but not at all because they taste bad or anything, but just as a personal preference. I’ve tried the dak bulgogi and the Haemul Dolsot Bibimbap on different occasions and both were terrific. The flavors were all there and it was the perfect blend of spices!
Also, they serve amazing soju! They have what they call «Yogurt Soju» which tastes similar to what a yakult would taste if it was alcoholic. Careful with this one, it will sneak up on you on both the price (each big bottle cost around $ 27) and the alcohol. They also have watermelon and pineapple soju, which are contained in their respective fruit.
The server we got is always fun and friendly! Just a hint, order way ahead of time before you plan on going here with a big group. It saves so much time! Just make sure you keep an organized spreadsheet of who pre-​ordered each dish.
Also note, they are redoing their bar area to extend around the karaōke lounge, so they currently have that space closed off (No Karaōke for a little bit, sad panda!