Reviews of Ko Cha Korean Restaurant (Restaurant)

Alexandria Zwiker

Really good food, definitely have to try the Lumpia when you go. 10/10 would go back. Limited seating because of the location so takeout is a good bet

Chris Marchi

Fresh quality food. Good prices. One of my favorite WA spots

Alexander Brown

Their food is consistently delicious, the owners are always there, you can tell they work hard but are happy and always friendly. You get a lot for your money. I usually get the Singapore pancit, but sometimes try dishes I haven't heard of. I've yet to be disappointed.

Steve Chvarak

Great food. Now if we could only find a Korean Grocery Store so my lazy (not really :-) ) wife can buy her kimchi. H&L is worthless.

John Veyera

Fantastic food! Authentic and fabulous

John Mizell

Small place, but REALLY good food! I had the spicy beef bulgogi and it was delicious!

Yongmei Bellack

The food is really good!

Sam Johnson

Family owned and run. Go there often

Jessica Owens

Every time we get food from here, we are always surprised at how delicious it is. The service is quick and friendly. Chinese takeout has always been my comfort food but they have replaced that and become our go-to place for take out. Absolutely fantastic!

Tyler Abernethy

Hands DOWN best, most authentic Asian food in town. Honestly the food is so good and authentic it would be successful in downtown at double the price per plate. It's the price of a drive through Asian food place, however it's 100% fresh cut veggies, prepared once you order, fast order times, such great staff, and most importantly you can TELL its authentic recipes, so if you care as much as I do. Go here.

Payton Robinson

The food is really good and the service is great. Very polite. Definitely recommend trying the ramen!

Frank Martinez

Best Korean Food in Charleston.

Abigail King

Best chinese, and Korean in charleston , one of our favorite restaurants period

Leslee Mays

The Shrimp Eggroll is amazing! Very unique delicious and made to order!

Kyoungmin lee

If you know what is real Korean food, you will be disappointed.

Sarah Boylan

We tried this restaurant as my husband is vegetarian. We're visiting from the UK for the eclipse and we both had superb meals. Fresh ingredients, cooked well, beautifully spiced and at a reasonable price. Decor is that of a simple cafe - it's attached to a garage (gas station) but food is well worth a try.

Hyun Sul

Terrible Korean food. Not authentic at all, not even run by Koreans. Only non-Koreans like this place.

Cassandra Lee

This is not Korean food. If you don't know the difference, though, you'll probably like it.

John Lee Clair

I love this place! I live in the condos across the street, and Ko Cha is my go to for take-out. The Chinese food is excellent, and my roommate says that their Korean dishes are on point as well. I highly recommend giving them a shot.

Michael Lovett

Best authentic Korean food in all of Charleston! We've been going for a few years and are always pleased with their food!

Julie Johnston

The food is excellent. Don't let the location fool you.

Chris Gilpatrick

Great family run Vietnamese and Chinese food

Alfred Papillon

Good Korean and Asian food. Basic hole in the wall. Excellent.

Daniel Gray

These guys do it right. Everything is great

Patrick Martin

Authentic, delicious and great service. This is one of those unassuming, rare jewels. Tucked in a gas station way out in West Ashley, it rivals any King Street restaurant. Make the trip!!!

SB Carter

Great food

B.Colin Landrith

Beef Bulgoki!

James Reid

Very good food. Quick

Soninja Nichols

Best Korean food in Charleston.

Cory Williams

Most authentic Korean food in the state. Kim chi chigee is second to none

Tracy Alves

Food not bad but bento box veggies come cold, would be nice if the description told you that. Friendly wait person but ask for help from the femal waitress, she was helpful. Also language barrier so be prepared.

N Smith

Really, really good Korean food, must try! The place isn't actually IN a gas station, it's just attached to it. The food is so good I couldn't care less about the location. The kimchee is excellent. Spicy and delicious!

Claire Montmeyer

To be fair its a bit pricey though I enjoyed the dishes.

Gail Taylor

Awesome food and very friendly atmosphere. I will definitely be back there!

Kayla M

Ok first of all I understand it is attached to a gas station but you will not want to miss this place. This is a weekly stop for us during the week. Ko-Cha is absolutely amazing when you want Asian food. The lady that works the cash register is incredibly nice and the time estimate they give is usually pretty spot on. The food is very affordable and best of all...it tastes really great! We've gotten the hibachi (just isn't the same when it isn't made in front of you like at a japanese steakhouse but still pretty ok), General Tso's, Orange Chicken, Sweet and Sour and my favorite, the Lo Mein. They have a really good lunch and dinner menu (Dinner combos are huge and satisfy my boyfriend and I and we eat a lot) that are both really affordable. For example we got Lo mein, pork fried rice, and an egg roll for ten bucks and some change. For the price and the quality of food, this place is a great secret in West Ashley!

Andreas Spagna

Nestled between a pizza place and a gas station, Ko Cha is a hidden treasure. The menu has a variety of excellent dishes and I have never been disappointed with the food.

Brian Fuxan

New favorite place in west west Ashley. They have a wide range of items to choose from. We keep coming back for more. Friendly atmosphere and the Korean dishes have really got us hooked. Come try them out!

Joshua Skiest

Decent food. Great prices. Very quick. Large portions. As long as you have reasonable expectations, you'll be very satisfied.

Joe Taylor

I went to this restaurant based on the recommendation of a friend who met me there for lunch. They are a combination Korean Chinese restaurant.it is attached to a gas station which seems a little odd at first but the restaurant itself was very clean and the service was very good. I ordered the beef bulgogi. I ordered it spicy and the food was good. The rice was a little dry, but otherwise good. They share a bathroom with the convenience store at the gas station which was a little odd. all in all it was an average experience but the price was great. We ordered two meals and two drinks for a total of $22. My rating system consists of a 3-star being exactly what you expected and neither good nor bad. A 4 means something was extra special and a 5 means you were blown away. A 2 star rating was disappointing and a 1-star rating is terrible

Stephen Peche

great service and great food. I eat there once a week

Kenneth Johnson

Great food

robert henderson

The taste of the food was pretty good as far as Korean goes. Because it was the first time I just wanted to try a staple and that was bulgogi spicy chicken. The spicing of the meal was very good, although I do prefer dark meat in my bulgolgi. The portions were okay, possibly could be considered slightly over priced because of the location. Speaking of the location, it is located in a gas station. The place is clean it is very small you have to use the gas station bathroom to wash your hands, and we know how clean bathroom are in gas stations right? As I was leaving about eight or ten construction workers came in looking rather grubby and dirty. That is the type of atmosphere I would expect from a lunch place costing six or seven dollars not $12. The lady, and I'm assuming she was the wife of the owner, was very very nice and came to check on me a couple of times during the meal. The meal came with a side of various vegetable kimchi's: bean sprouts, cabbage, cucumber, it was some of the best I've had. All in all, the flavors were good, but the ambiance stank. I don't think I will be going back because of the location primarily and a little bit because of the price.

Adventurous Eater

Very divergent Asian menu-kimchi was authentic and the spicy squid was outstanding!

Alexander Logunov

I just love Korean food period

Hunter Horne

I go here for lunch maybe 4-5 times a month. Great prices for lunch specials. Also have very authentic Korean food if you'd like to try something different. The lady at the counter is always so nice.

L Patterson

Good bento boxes!

Eric Sposato

Don't judge a book by its cover!

Na Jin Seo

What a surprise. Great food from an unlikely looking place next to a gas station.

Andrew Pinto

Simply fantastic

Seung Min Baek

Very authentic and nice staffs!!

Rick Baker

Loved it! Beef Bugo-ki was spicy and very flavorful.

Bill Westberg

Very good food. Fresh and flavorful.

Jonathan Renteria

Hidden gem. This little pla e is in a gas station, but the food is amazing. The service is great too. We love this place.

Nathan Mims

This is a good take-out place. It joined in with a gas station so dont be turned off by the looks. The prices are reasonable and the food is good for the price. They have good lunch deals too. Some of the stuff has really big portions.

Ella Kokinda

Wonderful hidden gem in the Exxon station Take out and sit down. Food was fantastic and flavourful and a great price! We will be back!

Cory Baxter

Good stuff!

Crystal Wolfe

This place can hook you up with real Asian food which is hard to find in Charleston! It’s fair price too and you going to get your money worth for what you paid for ! Love there small side dishes for the dinner combos it really miss home in the Asian community I used to live ! If your get to go for a certain amount I can free food ! I told the sweet girl I didn’t order this she told me to go because you spent a certain amount you get this ! I am in a awe cause it so hard to find people who are kind like that and not to rip you off ! The reason not five is because I wish they had more Korean dishes but it’s so understanding because it might not sell ! Sadly in Charleston Asian community is not that big yet so there is not a demand for it ! This place has Korean , Chinese American influence for their dishes and menu . FYI it’s at a gas station and there is a convenient store and also a pizza place so don’t get confused like I did and went through the other door haha lol

Derrick Carr

not bad

Sarah Perlitz

Such a hidden gem. This place offers up authentic Korean dishes that are absolutely delicious. My personal favorite is the Jab Chae or sweet potato noodles, so good! Their lumpia, and dumplings are also very tasty. This cozy little place, next to a gas station, far surpasses expectations. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone.

Casey Salvador

This Korean restaurant is good I recommend it.

Ray Paseur

Best Korean food around!

Craig Gary

Galbi was good, as was the tteokbokki. Definietly will go back

Bobby Bentz

Nice. A lot of food for the money. Good deal

Sung ho Choi

Great selection in Korean food. They also have Chinese as well. Its more of fast food setting like a small cafe next to a gas station and a pizza joint next door. The owners were very nice and the food was good.. lack side dishes but the 3 we got were great!

David Liu

After visiting Magnolia plantation, we were hungry. To my surprise, I found this highly rated Korean restaurant in the area. As soon as I saw the menu which featured Korean, Chinese and Thai dishes, I started to worry. As we were in the mood for Korean food, we ordered 3 Korean dishes. To put it politely, they did not taste like the dishes I frequently eat at Los Angeles area Korean restaurants.

Anonymous Unknown

What a great find! We've had near about all the korean food on the menu(bulgogi, bibimbop), and a few of the chinese options(general tso, spare ribs) and everything has been fresh and delicious. Down be thrown off by its location, the staff is very friendly and the food is great

Charles Tollison

Enjoyed the food here. The yaki mandu is a great appetizer, the dipping sauce is not what I grew up with but I concocted a semblance of my own with soy sauce and black pepper. We had the bul kogi which was a little on the sweet side and the Jajangmyeon was pretty good. It's not as good as mama makes, but it's our new go to for Korean in the Charleston area... and for the price - you can't beat this place!

Peter McDade

Good quality food at a fair price. Their beef bulgogi was quite good and not too spicy. They will attempt to make any dish based on your experience with the food in the past.

Lonita Humphrey

I stopped here for the first time after work to have dinner. I ordered the hibachi scallops meal which has zucchini, onions, mushrooms and plain fried rice. (The restaurant is small and wedged between Marcos pizza and a convenience store at Exxon.) The meal cost $12.31 with a tea but it's probably worth $7. The food had flavor but lacking in portion for what it cost. It had just enough taste to out-do the texture. It's a Korean spot but you can actually order Chinese and Japanese style dishes. Carry Out or dine in with table service. They were actually busy for a Wednesday evening (not packed). Cant say I would be in a hurry to .go back but I wouldn't discourage anyone else, who likes korean dishes (which I did not try), from being a patron.

Dopeonarope

Great Korean and Chinese options. Menu items are always consistent and large portions for the price.

Harley Rainwater

the server was friendly and made sure my drink was never empty. wait time for food was quick. the sweet and sour chicken was whole white meat and it was delicious. i recommend this place to anyone on the fence about it!

julie atkins

The worst Korean food in Charleston! I should know, I grew up with eating Korean food.

Delaney Evering

Doesn't look like much from outside, but it is a gem. Great prices and the food was tasty and authentic. I had the bibimbap.

Ken T Mayland

We enjoyed our dining experience here. It's a small hole in the wall place, adjacent to a Exxon station, family run. My kalbi was generous and good, as was my wife's ramen (although stock was thin/light). Features Korean cuisine, but includes some Chinese and hibachi. Very good value from very friendly people.

Joseph Hernandez

Not the best Korean food I've had, not the worst Korean food I've had. Definitely the best gas station Korean food I've had....take that for what it's worth.

Amanda Szwarc

Looks a bit suspect being in a gas station, but is excellent. Good, spicy Korean food.

July Starfire

I love Korean food, so I was very, very, VEEEEERY pleased to have stumbled across this place one night when I was putting gas in my car. I don't even care if it's next to a gas station. Their beef bimbop is the best I've ever had and they have one of my most favorite dishes on menu. They are so close to my apartment, I won't have to drive far when I start craving kimchi.

Leslie Lathery

Fantastic, best Korean food in Charleston area.

Duarte Romao

Good place to eat lunch

Matthew Hudson

Great food for a great price. I come here often and everything is fresh.

Karen Downs

The food was amazing! Reasonably priced, delicious, and authentic ethnic food. I wish we had a hundred more restaurants like this in the Charleston area. We had the kimchi pancake, the wontons, and the sweet and sour chicken. All the sauces seemed to be homemade. The wontons and the pancake were crispy and flavorful. The sweet and sour was so much better than the highly disappointing Chinese restaurants I've been to around here. We live half an hour away but we will definitely be back.

DS Bruce

So many dishes I want to try.

Tanarra Mason

Best authentic Korean food!

Mandy Maddox

First time to this place. Went based on the reviews. The outside is very misleading! Waitress/Owner was extremely nice. We got the lumpia for 6.99. Our lunch specials for $5.99 were just enough food. The fried rice had pieces of pork and egg. We have lived in the Charleston area for almost a year, trying to find a decent cheap Chinese joint. Finally found it!!!

Kevin C.

Head here once or twice a month for the spicy squid and pork dish. Absolutely fantastic. The assortment of vegetables and various small sides (lumpia and/or fish cake strips) is always fresh and tastes great. I really enjoy their kimchi as well! The staff are very polite and the orders are always made quickly. One of my favorite local restaurants in west Ashley.

Anthony Kourmoulakis

Their hibachi is amazing!

Jonathan Burr

My wife and I love this place! We no longer live in Charleston but still stop in here when we visit. Don't let the fact that it's at a gas station fool you or drive you away. The food is excellent with good portions, always have leftovers!

C M

Great food and service

George Pavlick

Amazing food very tasty grub especially if you like authentic Korean food

john mcphail

Waitress is Extremely passively rude !!!!! Food is great tho but stick to what u know please...

David Lyn Jr

Delicious food. The service was a bit slow but it picked up towards the end. Would recommend. Will return

Arnt Hegg

Great food!

Aaron Carpenter

This place is a hidden gem. If they aren't too busy, the food is super fast and good. 10/10 would Ko Cha again.

Breanna Christmas

Always enjoy the experience when I go.

Gregory Eaton

My wife and I recently have gone completely vegetarian. I was jonesing for some really good asian food and this place delivered. I recommend the bean curd in brown sauce and the lo mein. They left the egg out of the veg fried rice and it was amazing. This has always been my favorite place and it has never failed me.

The_Kpop_ Panda_95

I loved it it has been so long since i had my traditional korean food.

Dobson Dunavant

Kind people, real food. Decent prices. A regular spot for me.

Constance Allegood

I love the potatoes and lumpia. The Korean pancake with veggies is amazing as well. Also the service is excellent and expedient.

brian Thomas

It's a scary thought to buy Korean from a gas station, but this place is great food.

Katy Metzner-Roop

Some of the best Korean you'll find anywhere!

John Nguyen

Wish I lived closer to this gem

Emily Franklin

The best Korean food around. Eat in or take away. We buy their kimchi by the pint. Love it!

Evan Pendergraft

I love this place. Good Eats.

Lee Davis

The best takeaway in all of Charleston. Great portions and quality for the price.

May M.

I was born in Korea, but came over as a baby. I've never eaten Korean food before, so I went here with my husband to finally try it. I got the Bibimbap in the stone pot, and he got the Job Chae. The Bibimbap was SUPER spicy (too spicy for me), and the Job Chae was just the right amount of spicy. The woman working there was super friendly and helpful. We both plan to go back often!

Dylan Marquis

I had the chicken ramen and LOVED it. The staff was very polite and friendly & the service was swift. I will definitely be going here again!

Miranda Anglin

Don't let the location fool you, this place is a diamond in the rough. I ordered the chicken ramen (spicy) and the crab rangoon. Both were delicious and the portions very generous. I can't wait to try more of the menu next time. The restaurant was full with people also waiting on their takeout so I immediately felt like I was going to be pleased, so glad i was. I'll definitely be back!

Gregory Terzo

We eat here once a week, best Asia food in town.

Bianca Anderson

Just as I expected it to be! The food was delicious and the people were very friendly and kind. This place is a gem hidden in the mist.

Chris Carlton

We love eating here given the short supply of Korean restaurants in Charleston. By far the best in Charleston and reminds me of my mom's cooking growing up as a child. Ca-ha-sam-ni-da! :-)

Brian Tucker

Bibimbap was delicious! The kimchi was on point too.

WILLMINGTON101

Fantastic, best place to get ramen by far

James Alverson

Absolutely Good Food for the soul!

Kyle Smith

I have never tried Korean food but wanted to branch out and try some different cuisines. I got the Bulgo-ki dinner. Everything was so good. The meal was spicy, but I love spicy. The beef was tender with lots of flavor. The entire meal combined different spice levels, temperatures, and textures. Staff was super friendly and answered many questions i and other patrons had. Thanks for an excellent meal!

Ian Lister

Ever stop at a place on a whim to find out that its some of the best Korean (and some Chinese food) you have had in CHS? I haven't been in the kitchen but I think there is a little Korean grandma cooking all the food. I am torn...I want them to be successful but I also don't want this place to become popular. The definition of a hidden gem.

Josh Johnson

Love this place. Been coming here for years.

Joan Aiken

Good food but horrible customer service I will not be coming back.

Tim Stoe

Unassuming, but delicious. Great bulgogi.

Casey Leonard

I had a friend recommend Ko Cha and today I finally tried it. Being early in my pregnancy I have been VERY picky about food and Ko Cha passed the test with flying colors! I was a little nervous because of the location but I try not to judge a book by its cover

Eric G

Nice restaurant. Great pad thai.

Adam Sch

I eat Korean all the time and my family did not enjoy this place. We’ve had much better Galbi, Bibimbob and Jjampong at other places. The spring rolls were really bad that come with your dish. The kimchi pancake was pretty good. We won’t be back. I don’t know how this place gets 4.6 starts at the time of this writing. We’ll try the other Korean place when we are back in town. If the prices were cheaper I’d give it two stars. But the value received for the prices charged is why I gave it one star.

Taryn J

I FOUND THE GEM! Yea, it's attached to a gas station and it looks like your typical Chinese restaurant. However, the Korean food was awesome! My friends had the hefty portions of pad Thai and drunken noodle while I had ramen soup (with chicken). It was perfect for a cold day and the price was right on point. We hope to go back again and venture into the more unknown dishes. I liked that there was a variety of differnet people coming in and ordering the more uncommon items too. GREAT place for lunch!

Jie Huang

Seriously, looooooove it! Excellent service and food! Both its Korean and Chinese food are tasty and with authentic flavors. Can't think of any reason not giving it 5-star :) Will def. visit it again next time I visit Charleston!

Matthew Baer

Very tasty, but the food ran right through me

Jeff Williams

Amazing food for a good price.

Yusuf Saleeby, MD

Hidden gem hole in the wall. Great food. Good bit to choose from a diverse Asian menu. Not just Korean.

Jon Nehman

Great family owned place. Nothing special to look at (it's in a gas station) but the Korean food is awesome. We go several times a month. Hint: don't do take out, eat in. The food is better piping hot (esp soup served boiling in a hot pot) and the small sides of kimchi and vegs you get when eating in make the meal. Edit Jan 2019 - unfortunately this place has gone way downhill. The last 4 times we went it got worse and worse. We've wanted to give them another chance but I think management is totally different. This last time we went I took two bites of my food and threw it away. It was disgusting. This went from being the best Asian place in Charleston to probably the worst

Jason Beers

Great food!

Robert Van Dine

Was amazing, even being adjacent to a gas station and a Subway, but came under new management & IMHO the authenticity went out of the place. Seems more generic Chinese American fare now than the former establishment.

Cindy Fowler

We really like the chicken bulgogi and love the vegetable sides. We often order double veggies. Friendly staff too. Great to have this option in West Ashley for take out.

Daniel Egelson

Best Korean food in the area, cheaper at lunch.

Justin Brown

Really good and authentic food

Billy Rymer

Best Asian ive had since i been in Charleston

David Geen

Pizza slices were huge, but tasty. Service was quick and friendly.

Jason Spaulding

Delicious food.

Bj Wolff

Delicious, authentic food in a surprising location!

Anna Kinard

Food was very good. But one of the workers child was very very rude to us. She randomly sat next to us and was very rude to my child. I told the child's mom to please move her, because whenever I tried..she would not move. Other than that, the food was very good.

Daniel McCloskey

I love it.

Richard Ashton

Best Korean place in charleston! Because it actually does Korean food right ! It's family owned which explains the authenticity . Do yourself a favor and eat at Ko Cha!

David Aanderud

Love the Bibimbap!

Hugo Baby

Good food and fast had 30 minutes for lunch and ate for 15 minutes

Emily Edris

Delicious authentic Korean and Chinese food that's reasonably priced. Yum!

Timothy Robinson

Great place to eat

robert aggen

Outstanding food and even better owners! Give them a shot and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Dawn Dewey

Interesting meal selection. But very good. Only tried one thing so far and it was delicious!

Nick Heminger

Great food! My go to for take out. Always reliable timing and friendly atmosphere.

Sof Violet

Love their bulgogi

Spearzaroni Yt

They have great staff, great food, and their food is bom and cooked well.

Joshua Kinser

Excellent food! I have tried many Chinese restaurants in the West Ashley area, and this is my favorite. Top quality chicken in the pad Thai and chicken lo mien (the only dishes I have tried so far). Zen is also good, but the prices are better here, and the quality is just as high. I highly recommend Ko Cha. I'm looking forward to trying their Korean food, too. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is clean and inviting. The service is quick and friendly, and the menu has an outstanding selection of Asian cuisine. Ko Cha will be around for years to come, and I doubt the prices will remain this low. Get it while you can. This place is moving up in the Charleston foodie scene. They may not be in a gas station for long.

Steve O'shields

Great authentic Korean food! Don’t let the fact it’s in a gas station keep you away. Service is slow sometimes but they stay busy and it seems to be a young couple who run everything.

Charlene Smith

We were one of 4 asian families eating there at 2pm. Asian people eat at great asian restaurants. Very yummy!

John Wolfe

Love this food

Gina Cheatham

This is the best Korean food ANYWHERE!!! Not a fancy atmosphere but the food is absolutely amazing. Coose from the regular menu or be daring and ask Gong to fix you something super authentic. You won't be disappointed! Service is outstanding as well!

J M

Don't let the fact that it's essentially in a gas station turn you off. This place does it right. Having spent some time in Korea and after enjoying the delicacies of Korea Town in San Francisco most of my life, I was worried I wouldn't find somewhere here in Chuck Town with quality Korean. So glad I found this diamond in the rough. Spices, flavors, seasoning all on point. The Kalbi ribs are perfect, the Bulgogi always perfectly seasoned. Kimchi and cucumber salad and all the banchan are done very well. Can't get this place enough!

ocean bella

Their bulgogi is good. Not the best I've taste but still good

Johnnie Blocker

Plain and simple little Korean restaurant. Food was ok, nothing fancy. Staff not very friendly.

Roy Cooke

Some of the best Korean Chinese food around

AA MFG INC double A Ron

love this place! finally got a chance to go in today with my wife for lunch and we were absolutely blown away. perfectly cooked and deliciously smokey bulgogi, wonderfully aromatic kimchee selection, lumpia to die for!!! we cant wait to get back soon for the katsu and dumplings!!! price was very reasonable, hours are good and the place is clean with a very friendly staff. consider us regulars from here on out ;)