Reviewer: Foodnut.com Sahn Maru Korean BBQ 4315 Telegraph Ave Oakland, CA 94701 510-653-3366 510-658-3366 (Fax) |
Sahn Maru is a popular Korean restaurant in Oakland, located on Telegraph, home to many Korean restaurants. We decided to give it a try, having seen many reviews on the restaurant and slowly trying each highly regarded Korean restaurant.
Verdict – We found the decor pretty average, with exposed hardwood from the walls to the tables to the chairs. The food was actually only slightly above average, although the Korean specialty dish, goat stew, really impressed us. Prices are higher than most places. Service was decent until the place got busy.
Pyung Chang in Oakland, remains our current reference point for Korean restaurants. Southern California is home to far better Korean restaurants.
Cuisine – Korean
Location – Oakland Temescal
Signature Dishes – BBQ, Soft tofu
Full Sahn Maru menu and image set
Picks:
Eight different versions of Panchan including anchovies, potatoes in honey sauce
was a nice touch.
Heuk Yum So Tang or Sizzling black Goat stew ($19.95) was on their Korean specialties page, so we have to try it. It came to us very hot, full of goat parts including skin and other organs, sesame leaves, and scallions. The spicy stew was excellent, not gamey, and featured some very strong flavors.
Kalbi ($23.99) or barbecue short ribs marinated in a mild sauce was decent but a little lacking special flavors. It included two big bones with very little meat. (Bring this home to the dog)
Free cinnamon tea dessert
OK: (Order if you like this dish)
Hae Mool Dol sot Bibimbab ($14.99) includes octopus, calamari, baby shrimp, vegetables, and an egg yolk over Rice in a stone pot. This version was average. We had to ask them for an egg.
Seafood and Beef Soft Tofu ($12.99) with beef, shrimp, and mussels was solid but not special. It came bubbling hot and had a very fishy base.
Pans: (We would not reorder these dishes)
None
3 Comments
Michael Bauer's 2012 Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants Reviews | Foodnut.com
April 12, 2012 at 7:10 pm[…] Chang or Sahn Maru – Korean – They need at least 1 […]
Michael Bauer's 2013 Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants Reviews | Foodnut.com
June 10, 2013 at 11:08 pm[…] Chang or Sahn Maru – Korean – They need at least 1 Korean […]
Sura Korean, Oakland | Foodnut.com
October 22, 2013 at 3:34 pm[…] is on the next block. Ohgane is more meat oriented. We find the food here superior to the nearby Sahn Maru and Jang Su Jang in the South Bay. Nearby restaurants include Burma Superstar, Bakesale Betty, […]