Kaya Korean - High Point

The conduct of this restaurant is unprofessional and disrespectful towards its customers. Declining service on the grounds that the food smells bad is not a legitimate excuse, particularly when it appears to be a pretext for closing earlier than their advertised hours. Restaurants have a duty to offer quality service and honor their stated operating hours. Instead, they opted to be discourteous.

The waiter was rude and unprofessional, essentially advising us against ordering anything and even admitting that most of the food was subpar. It makes you wonder why they still have the same menu. I wouldn't consider returning or recommending this restaurant, especially when the staff themselves seem to have little regard for the food. There are plenty of excellent Korean restaurants with better ratings and service to choose from.

That said, I wouldn't go as far as to give this place an enthusiastic endorsement. Kaya is a straightforward eatery—quiet and clean—offering a familiar array of hibachi dishes, though Korean food is the main attraction here. Upon entry, guests are greeted by a large, illustrated Korean menu, which indicates a commitment to authenticity; dishes like spicy squid and braised pig trotters confirm you’re in the right spot. My wife and I decided to share a seafood pancake, bibimbap, and spicy pork. True to tradition, they came with a selection of banchan, and the portions were generous. While the quality of the food varied, nothing fell below average. The spicy pork was a highlight—served hot with onions and coated in a delicious sauce. The seafood pancake had more batter than seafood, but was still quite enjoyable. The bibimbap, however, was a mixed experience. I appreciated the variety of vegetables, though the meat portion was on the lighter side, and it wasn’t served sizzling. I realize now that I should have ordered the dol (stone pot) version. The staff are polite, but they tend to maintain a distance unless you specifically ask for assistance. I take this as a cultural norm rather than a sign of indifference. Considering Kaya’s prices (with entrees in the teens), the plastic utensils and Styrofoam cups felt a bit stingy. Despite the mixed aspects of the experience, the variety of offerings and the quality of the spicy pork make me inclined to give Kaya another shot. Next time, though, I’ll likely choose takeout over dining in.

Delicious food. The fried chicken portion was huge. More than enough to share. Customer service was great as well.

My soul food place!! I felt my mom cooks for me. Everything was very tasty, delicious, and well-seasoned. Homemade side dishes (Banchan) are tasty and nutritionally well-selected. I can feel the cares of the chefs that foods are well seasoned and served at the most delicious temperature. There are so many Korean menus that I would like to try, and this brings me lots of excitement. Overall the atmosphere is friendly and homey.