SouthGate Philly Reviews

We were a party of 2. Ordered the kimchee (awful), the KFC Fried Chicken - a bit too much breading and very thick on the sauce, and finally, the short ribs - the short ribs were overdone and dry, veggies ok. We asked for extra sauce to finish the short ribs - didn't ever, that's how awful they were.

We had 3 different types of Bibimbap and it hit the spot for dinner but was nothing to write home about. Bibimbap $12 plus $2 Tofu or $3 Pork or $5 Shrimp. It was our first try and probably the last although it seems like a popular hang for young folks.

Service was disjointed because the kitchen couldn’t get all our dishes out at the same time. Our server Alex was great on a busy night. Kept our waters filled and we drink a lot of water. Most of our dishes were excellent. My salmon crudo was so over powered by the sweet chili sauce. The Kobi burger was a little overdone. We asked for rare and it was closer to medium. Price was ok. Don’t know if I’ll go back.

Came here after work for happy hour with a friend and was greeted with a quiet small restaurant with lots of bar seats open for us to choose where to sit. Staff was incredibly friendly and checked in often. Drink was good, but I don't think there was much alcohol in it as it just tasted like straight sugar. Got some bao buns from the HH menu and they were the perfect little snack. I would definitely come back here for Happy Hour again as I'd love to try the other items on the menu.

The bibimbap is very good here, especially the sauce and the wings are A+. Think some of their appetizers are very heavy and can incorporate more vegetables that are not greasy. The drinks are made strong, just the way I like it. The staff isn't super friendly but they get the job done. Get local spot to get your Korean fix in.

Off the beaten path of the many restaurant rows in the city, one nice thing about Southgate is the availability of parking nearby by being in a less congested area. The restaurant is tightly packed, but in a warm inviting way. With an extensive menu and good cocktails, there was plenty to choose from, and we love going with other couples so we can sample more items. We ordered tofu, KFC (korean fried chicken), short rib ho-ppang, brussel sprout, octopus, kimchi pork belly, bibimbap, and spicy short rib noodle soup. The food was excellent, especially both short rib dishes and the kimchi pork belly. The food was rich and filling, and we left very satisfied. We recommend this restaurant for sure.

3 of us were visiting a friend at Penn Rehab and decided to drop in for dinner at 5:30 on a Tuesday. The place was empty, but by 6 it was packed. Southgate is relatively small, so we recommend getting a reservation if you want to eat there. The menu seemed small at first, but there are plenty of options. For appetizers, the bao buns and banchan were terrific. For mains we got the Seoul Hot Chicken, Dolsot Bibimbap (with spicy pork), and Spicy Pork Miso Ramen. All were great. Half of the Bibimbap and Miso Ramen went home with us. Nice beer selection also. Service was prompt and friendly, staying attentive even when the place got packed. We recommend to them that they open a place in the Boston area.

Have eaten here many times, and the food has ALWAYS been magnificent, and the service has ALWAYS been great! Have not eaten inside, as it has outdoor seating. Indoor seating is cozy, and at times, loud, but that's expected with a wonderful neighborhood eatery.

My husband and I love korean food and we've been to almost all korean restaurants in the Philly area. Restaurant is small and it might be difficult to find street parking in that area, but it's worth it! The food is delicious! Make sure to try the double fried korean fried chicken (KFC). It's so tasty - you don't want to stop eating them. Staff was friendly and food came out quick. We will definitely be back!

The food items that were on the menu were overcooked and were "flavor-free". The service was less than mediocre. The manager was completely unresponsive to our concerns about the food.

This is a must visit in Philly. Chilled, relaxed setting with great service and amazing food. We tried a lot and everything was delicious. Octopus, rib buns, Korean Fried Chicken were standouts but seriously all the food was wonderful. Decent cocktails.

The banchan was fresh and good. There was your standard variety kimchi: cabbage, radish?, bean sprouts. I cant say for sure, but they did have the texture of house fermented vegetables. Really good stuff. The tables are either at the bar or along a wall with bench seating and chairs opposite. It is a cool, casual space. People also seemed to be enjoying a variety of craft beer. I had water and judged them. I also had the bibimbap bowl (which may be redundant, I don't speak Korean). Those stone bowls do get hot! Don't let your egg sit for too long. Stir that yolk in. It maybe could have had a bit more liquid, but I imagine some peope like the crunchy bits at the end. And, you cant please everyone. Totally worth it. Friendly staff, good tap water, accommodating of single eaters. The bathroom stairs are steep.

This was my first experience with Korean cuisine, and I did not find it all that exciting. It wasn’t bad, but there was really nothing about it that set it apart or made it enjoyable enough that I would want to go back for more. Our server was patient enough to explain various dishes and answer any questions we had. He and the hostess were sufficiently cordial, but they could not make up for what was lacking with the cuisine. There was also a limited number of menu items. We had beef bibimbap and chicken katsu. The bibimbap was fairly tasty, if not a bit too spicy. It was better than the katsu, which came with cabbage slaw and white rice. The slaw was average, and the rice, though sprinkled with togarashi (sesame seeds and assorted spices), was still somewhat bland. The panko crust on the chicken was enjoyable and tasty, but there was nothing overall that made my dish stand out. My taste buds were not dancing. We did not have dessert. The restaurant is long and narrow and has limited space. There is a bar along the left wall with seating for about a dozen people. Along the right wall is a row of small tables (maybe eight of them) with bench seating on one side and chairs on the other. These tables, which are designed for two people, could be pushed together for parties of four or six. There is one larger table in the back, a step up from the floor level, which holds probably eight people. I suppose one would call the atmosphere “intimate.” Happy Hour was going on while we were there, but you had to sit at the bar or outside, where there were several tables with chairs, in order to get Happy Hour pricing on drinks. I found this policy to be particularly illogical. I understand that they can’t afford to fill up tables with people who just want to order inexpensive drinks, but if you have patrons there who are already eating a meal, it makes no sense to prohibit them from Happy Hour. We would have had to move if we wanted those drinks. This was another aspect of our experience that detracted from it. Okay, I can check Korean cuisine off my list. I don’t know if SouthGate was typical of it, but if so, it’s just not the kind of food that appeals to me and hence I would not go back. More power to those who genuinely like it. If you found my review to be helpful, please consider clicking the green thumbs-up / Thank button. Thank you!

Small plates... A misnomer for appetizers. 3 average tasting shrimp dumplings for $15? Best dishes were the beef tartar & chicken wings. Octopus was decent but only 3 small pcs. Main course was the spicy pork shoulder which was chewy, undercooked & bland. We'd only return for a beer & wings as a snack.

Ate their legendary fried wings and was quite satisfied. Ordered 2 of their Bibimbap and could've done 1 for the 2 of us, as it was big! Ambience was more a pub than restaurant but fine by us. Moderate menu choices so you wouldn't get lost and all items were fairly priced.

Service was good and attentive, but it pretty much stopped there. Good was sub par- fritters were way bland, drinks were overpriced ( $12 menu drinks is absurd unless you are a martini bar). Decor was nice and modern, but overall disappointing.

Cool little neighborhood corner bar that’s been there for many years, turned into a Korean flavored gastropub. Some authentic stuff and some American/Philly adaptations such as cheesesteak steamed buns. Hopping bar. Worth a try.

This was literally my first Korean restaurant experience. I had the bibimbap in a stone bowl (I forget the name) and it was SO SO good! Chewy rice, tasty meat, juicy veg, yummy sauce....and plus it was fun to eat. My only question is, was the egg supposed to be hard cooked? It would have been ambrosial if it were runny! Also, for goodness sake order the Seoul Sour cocktail. Tadiefer!

This is one of our neighborhood spots (love living in Philly, where the food quality is on par with NYC but with a neighborhood fee!). Do yourself a favor and check out this modern Korean-fusion restaurant with awesomely creative drinks, row-home feel, super nice waitstaff, and delicious food! You MUST get the KFC chicken appetizer. We love it in the soy flavor, but they have a more spicy version. It's high-end, doublely crunchy (maybe because they double fry it) fried chicken that you WILL dream about after you get your first taste. You can skip their desserts, or just don't save room and grab an extra app.

I visited this Korean pub with three friends and found it to exceed expectations. We didn't order a large variety, but what we had was excellent and the wait staff was top notch. We started with a double order of Korean fried wings, served with spicy sauce. They were very crispy and spicy just like Korean wings should be. The only detractor is the price, not exactly the cheapest, but I'd still order them again. As entrees we got the bibimbap with beef and the tuna bowl (don't know the name as it appears on the menu). The beef was better than the average and the tuna was super fresh. For drinks we shared wine. In summary the place was great. I'll be going back, and looking forward to seeing some daily specials and more variety creeping onto the menu and drink list.

I ate here for dinner two nights in a row, enjoyed both times - and would go back! I dined outside, which had a curtain dividing diners from the road (great), space heaters for when it became chilly (great) and a quiet cafe feel (great). The inside was packed and hopping - with a cozy, local bar scene. The server was prompt, patient and attentive - giving me time, suggestions and attention. I enjoyed everything ordered from the bibimbap to the bossam (forwarned, it's lettuce wrap dish), and spicy cukes, kimchi and kimchi fries. When choosing, I recommend the pork over the beef. I agree with other reviewers that the food is a little bland (given how flavorful Korean usually is). But the food is still delicious and recommended. The beer list is extensive and well priced. Cocktails are very interesting - recommend the Bold Fashioned - but pricey. I felt welcome and very happy during my stays. Recommend.

Korean food has always been somewhat puzzling for me. Southgate has unraveled the puzzle. From the Gimchi to the wonderful nuanced salads, eggplant and noodle bowl with seaffod Koorean cuisine is something I'll be looking forward to.

I came to SouthGate with my wife for restaurant week. We were happy to see the restaurant was very busy and the menu looked very good with a wide variety of chicken, beef, and vegetarian dishes. I also appreciated the large variety of local craft beers. The food was simply not very good. We tried the fried pork dumplings and both had the chicken katsu. The dumplings were a bit bland and the chicken was dry and stringy. The server was running but had a lot of tables. There are a lot of options in the area and they were busy so maybe we caught them on a bad night.

Used to frequent this space when it was Tangiers. I wish it was still there. This place has overpriced drinks and pretentious clientele that are packed in like sardines. Food was underwhelming and menu was small. Sorry to see Tangiers go, it was a great neighborhood place.

A fantastic addition to the Rittenhouse Square, this casual gem is a budget-friendly spot; perfect for those seeking big flavor at a reasonable price. It's a basic gastropub interior (brick, wood, tile) very child friendly with height chairs available. Take note the seating along the bar and at the communal table by the glassed in kitchen are all backless stools. A dinner can well be made by just sharing small plates. We sampled the Korean Fried Chicken (2 sauces available), buns, octopus and the star of the show: beef tartare. Probably one of the best beef tartares I've ever had the pleasure to sample; this dish flavored with crystallized mustard hit all the right notes. Bold, refreshing - an absolute must try dish. Because it was our first visit we over ordered and had the burger with spicy fries (pronounced excellent by our sandwich expert), the chicken katsu served with a bright crispy side of slaw and our other favorite of the night the dolsot bibimpap with beef. Portion sizes are large so entrees and rice bowls could easily be shared as well. For dessert a lovely butterscotch pot de creme and a shortcake with lemon. Yum. All in all, a wonderful dining spot with great friendly service in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

This is a very new self-proclaimed Korean-American gastropub. Everything about this place is awesome. The decor and atmosphere is hip and modern. There is both table seating and a bar. Both have a very friendly staff. The drink menu is creative and delicious. They have a decent selection of beers on tap, but I encourage you to try one of their cocktails. The menu is creative, fun, and tasty. If you're looking for a snack to go with your drinks, the chicken wings are the perfect size. You can also get full meals as well, all with an awesome fusion of American and Korean. I am not concerned about this place staying in business. I am very concerned about being able to easily get a table in the future!

Perhaps Southgate would work better in a town that wasn't filled with so many great Asian and Asian-Inspired restaurants. Southgate might satisfy those who MUST try the newest places. I fit in there somewhere. Recently I came with a group. Some locals, some not. Nevertheless, this was a 1st visit for all. Where Southgate shines is in their service. The server knew the food and beverage items on the menu, well. Her smile and enthusiasm was appreciated throughout our evening. We ordered a number of items. Some to share and others to eat individually. KFC (or Korean Fried Chicken) Wings: These were good. Not great but they did have a nice sauce. The serving is about 7 pieces. Mandoo Fried beef Dumplings: Tasteless and really not worthy of your time. Ho-bbang Pork Buns: Again, very little flavor and I would avoid. Their Kimchi must have been soaked in fish sauce as it was very briney, versus that tangy sourness that we have all come to love. The only item which truly stood out was their bibimbap or rice bowl with beef and served in a clay pot. This might be the only thing I would come back for. The drinks (alcohol) were OK but certainly on the pricier side. Philly is THE MECCA for foodies and if you are going to open a restaurant here, you better have your game on. Maybe Southgate is too new and needs to ring out some of the challenges. I may try them again in the future and give them another chance. However as it stands today, I'll visit another restaurant.

Fantastic new restaurant in the Rittenhouse area of Philly. Combines traditional Korean fare with American favorites - burger, fish & chips, etc. The wings are the best anywhere. Marvelous craft cocktails. Great service. People who want Tangiers back never looked into the Tangier kitchen - it would turn your stomach.

My family dined at SouthGate recently and were totally impressed by the food and service. Both were really fantastic. The spicy Korean Fried Wings were the best I have eaten in a long time. We ordered & shared the following dishes, Shrimp & Pork dumplings , Short Rib steamed buns , Salmon Crudo & 2 Hot Stone Pots with meat. They were all great. The Salmon Crudo was absolutely my favorite dish. We finished with green tea crème brulee which was also great. The service was super. Can't wait to go back !!

We were staying in the area during the Thanksgiving week, and had lunch here. What an awesome place! Korean-fusion, and everything was great. Service was great, the chefs were friendly, and the FOOOOOOD!!! Yum! Between our group of 12, we pretty much tried everything on the menu. For starters, the Kimchi Deviled Eggs were awesome! I shared the Short Rib loco moco and the Chicken Katsu sandwich with my wife. Both were delicious. We’re had tastes of the chicken wings, bimbimpop, and waffles from our family. Everything was spot on, and I highly recommend if you’re in the area.

I wish I could write a nicer review. The atmosphere at Southgate was terrific. It's a local place with a great neighbourhood vibe. But the service was absolutely wretched. In fact it was so bad that they took an item off our check to make up for how long we had to wait for our main courses. The food was good but unbelievably spicy. Maybe I'm not used to how spicy Korean can get but I think they probably should have warned us because the rice bowl was drenched in sauce and there was no way to escape it!

Nice Place, small. They service alcohol. food was good. We eat family style, shearing all the different dishes. But Philly water is Bleach, it should be fillter in restaurant for the food and the drinks and for drinking water.

Came here on a recco from a colleague. Picked up items to-go. Short review: get the wings, get your life, DELISH! Will go back for these Long review: - "KFC" Korean fried chicken: two flavors, both were super tasty, would go back for these alone. And can we say thank you for using big wings and not some chump tiny wings - short rib steamed buns: nope, leave dim sum to the Chinese. Dry filling, took one bite and was done - shrimp dumplings (mandoo): unique, odd, but tasty! - beef bibimbap: hard to evaluate this, I'm used to having it fresh out of a stone pot and I took to go in a plastic container, can't give this one a fair review just yet