98 Fitzroy St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia
I recently had the pleasure of dining at a charming, family-run authentic Korean restaurant, and it truly was a delightful experience. The warm and friendly service stood out right from the moment we entered; the staff greeted us with bright smiles and were attentive throughout our meal. Given that the establishment is operated by an older couple, I found the small lunch menu to be quite understandable—it allowed them to focus on quality rather than quantity. However, this also meant that many diners, including us, ended up ordering very similar dishes, leading to a somewhat limited variety. Our meals arrived promptly and were accompanied by an incredible aroma that filled the air, building our anticipation. We started with the kimchi pancake, which was a small portion that was crispy on the outside but a bit lackluster in terms of flavor; I would rate it a 6 out of 10. Following that, I tried the beef bulgogi, stir-fried to perfection, though the sweet sauce felt a bit overpowering for my taste. It was complemented by a few slices of mushroom and green shallot, also landing a 6 out of 10 in my book. The highlight of the meal was the spicy kimchi noodle soup, but I must admit that it was a hit or miss for me. The bowl was filled with generous amounts of noodles and topped with small pieces of kimchi and a few slices of cucumber. While the clean broth was refreshing, I felt the dish was rather pricey for what it offered, and some adjustments could make it much better. My hope is that the next diners have an improved experience with this dish. I genuinely appreciate the effort this couple puts into their restaurant and hope my suggestions contribute positively to their ongoing culinary journey. Supporting small, family-run eateries is important, and I cherish the authenticity and care they bring to their food.
Overall really enjoyable casual fine korean dinner experience. Flavours were familiar yet refined. Tried the ‘feed me’ course and I was stuffed by the end. Pleasant progression of dishes going from light to heavy especially with a palette cleanser in between the meats that left me full and satisfied. Some highlights were the chewy yet crispy watercress pancake, cod roe stone pot rice, LA galbi and mugwort ice cream. Wagyu tri-tip a little uncomfortably chewy that day. Ambience was cosy and comfortable. Service was friendly and welcoming. Recommend!
We had an outstanding meal at Sang by Mabasa, I’ve been recommended by many friends in the past and it really lives up to the hype. We had the ala carte menu and ordered the bibibamp , pancake and octopus The octopus was a standout for me, the flavour of the sea was incredible and the pickles on the side were very complementary. Highlights were also the pancake with sesame which we both loved, and for me the crispy rice dish with salmon roe, so umami and a wonderful mix of textures. Service was lovely as well and there is so much love poured into each dish. I already can’t wait to return.
Visited in Nov 2024 There is a a-la-carte menu and a “feed me” menu. We went with the a-la-carte menu and ended up ordering 4 starter dishes and 2 main courses - which was good enough for 3 pax. My favourite dishes were the pork jowl main course and the baby abalone & noodles starter course. All in all, a very good Korean restaurant which I’d definitely recommend to folks visiting Sydney.
We had an outstanding meal at Sang by Mabasa, I’ve been recommended by many friends in the past and it really lives up to the hype. We had the Feed Me menu and despite my husband and I having different palates, we enjoyed so many elements of each dish. The wagyu tritip was a standout for me, the flavour of the beef was incredible and the pickles on the side were very complementary. My husband loved the L.A. galbi short rib, it was perfectly marinated and tender. Highlights were also the raw kingfish with sesame which we both loved, and for me the crispy rice dish with salmon roe, so umami and a wonderful mix of textures. Service was lovely as well and there is so much love poured into each dish. I already can’t wait to return.
First visit. Didn't realise lunch menu was so much smaller. Nevertheless, the dishes we had were delicious, the Dolsot Bibimbap (YUM!), the Korean Fried Chicken (crispy and juicy), and the Pork Dumplings.
Unique and delicious Korean food. Highly recommend. - Watercress pancake. So good. Less doughy than most Korean pancakes, they managed to stuff a ton of watercress in while still making it super crispy. - White kimchi. Probly the best I’ve had. Refreshing flavor and texture. - Raw wagyu and cucumber. This was my favorite dish, and I usually don’t even like cucumber! I was expecting thin slices of wagyu, but instead was surprised to see “noodles” of wagyu and thin slices of cucumber. The texture and flavor combination was amazing, never had anything like this before. - Raw snapper. Basically the same as the wagyu, but with snapper. Didn’t realize they were so similar, could’ve skipped this. Still good tho. - Raw shrimp. Not for everyone, but I love raw shrimp. - Fried chicken and rice cakes. I was pretty full by this point, but still really enjoyed this. Especially the rice cakes. - Dessert, rice cakes with sweet potato sauce. This one surprised me, I was expecting something more like hotteok. It was less sweet than I was expecting, and at first I was a bit confused. But it really grew on me, and by the end I loved it. Warning: takes a while to prepare, like 20 mins Overall: amazing food, service, and ambiance. Highly recommend, it will be much different than your usual Korean meal out
Cosy dinner location with authentic Korean food - fusioned for Australian tastebuds. Food was served a little slow at the start due to the influx of people, but caught up after the first 2 dishes. We had the tasting menu and it was wonderful. Portions are generous. I would’ve loved smaller portions with more variety but that’s just me. Love the family-like dynamics between chefs/staff. Everyone was friendly, helpful, and calm. This makes a comforting dinner environment.
Best Korean food I have had in my life!
Food was so delicious!
The dishes were mediocre, lacking authentic Korean flavors. Instead, they seemed like an unremarkable fusion of various cuisines, leaving no distinct impression. The ambiance was ordinary, the prices were steep, and the staff s attitude came across as condescending. Moreover, the service was sluggish, with dishes taking an unreasonably long time to arrive. To make matters worse, one of the staff members accidentally cut my friend s hand with a knife while serving. Although every staff member in the restaurant was aware of the incident, no one proactively offered a proper solution. All they did was issue a perfunctory apology, which was utterly disappointing and unacceptable.
Where to eat the most delicious Korean food in the world
RUDEST RES TAURANT IN SYD!!THEY STABBED THE CUSTOMERS HAND AND REFUSED UNSOLICITED HELP OR SINCERE APOLOGY!!!!!!!!!! The worst experience ever, terrible service, and the food tasted very average. It s definitely not worth going to this place there are many better Korean restaurants in Sydney that I ve been to. I highly do not recommend it! Also the worst thing is that the young female server accidentally pricked my hand with the tip of a knife while serving. Initially, she showed no reaction, and after she finds out that I got hurt she only apologize and ask if I needed to wash my hand, offering me with tissues. I was very upset. Later, due to the pain and concern about infection, I went to the checkout counter to ask for a band-aid. They brought one from the kitchen, but none of the staff apologized. Which meant that they all know a customer got hurt and they had band-aids on hand but didn t offer one initiative while I just got hurt. I was extremely frustrated. Throughout the meal, the chef and servers had arrogant and rude expressions. and without any reaction or a heartfelt apology, or any discount from them, I canceled the dessert, paid the bill, and left immediately. Also while I pay the bill, I finally try again to confronted the waitress who hurt me about why she didnt give me a Band-aid in the first place, and after she hear she asked my friend first if she want to pay by cash or card, then I say to her again that her apologies are useless, then she pretended not to understand, as if she was deaf, and then asked if I needed a Band-aid now to avoid my question. All of them knew, but none of them apologized. As the only Asian customers in the restaurant that night, our food was always the slowest. And their staff kept walking around the table, disturbing the customers.
A place Ive visited quite a few times but have never been disappointed. A favorite Sydney restaurant.
Such a quaint eatery with delicious Korean food. Probably the best korean pancake in sydney too. Very crispy
Atmosphere and energy of the space is beautifully put together. Thoroughly enjoyed the fish, bancha and ribs .so flavourful and full of aromas! Definitely will revisit for a lunch special sometime soon, thank you!
Authentic, intimate, and excellent! We ate here our first night in Sydney and it set a VERY HIGH bar for our dinners that followed! The food was fresh, creative and excellent and the service was kind and attentive! If you can get a seat in this restaurant, please do!
Amazing food!
The dolsot bibimbap was the best I ve tried in Sydney. The veggies are cut in right sizes and the burnt rice on the bottom was just perfect. The banchan served as side was pleasantly salty and did not make me thirsty as food with lots of MSG does. It was such a comforting lunch along the warmth felt from the kindness and good service. I am so going back there.
It was neat and delicious Its not the amazing Korean food I ate on my previous trip. It s delicious Korean food full of sincerity. ^^
Got the Feed Me menu which included some secret menu jems. Great mix of fish and meat options provided. Really tasty and high quality. Service was very accommodating. We only had time for a limited seating due to having to go to a show after, and they/the kitchen were good enough to speed through everything for us, whilst still not making it seemed rushed at all - very sweet.
Consistently great. One of my favourite, wholesome, Korean restaurants in Sydney. Limited tables which means bookings are divided into 2 seatings. Chef specials are always changing which is a plus. The chef adds a personal touch by coming to your table and describes the delicacy. This was fantastic as a non-Korean customer. The cozy setting is great for a casual date, but if you are ordering the chef s menu, make sure you have a completely empty stomach. Looking forward to visiting again.
Food
Sang by mabasa is the kind of restaurant I love, you have the Auntie and Uncle cooking the food in the kitchen and the food tastes like home cooked food.
Good family run restaurant. Wasn t blown away by anything though.
Amazing food and beautiful service - can t wait to come back!
If Michelin ranked restaurants in Australia this would be at least be a two star. And, then it would be overrun and ruined. Enjoy this absolutely amazing gem while you can.
Food was absolutely delicious! Highlights for me were the Eohwe (raw king fish) and the Gimbugak (deep fried sea weed). The staff were so lovely and had such great service. Cant wait to come back :)
A place that I think offers the best Korean food experience in Sydney. I think its very difficult to find a Korean restaurant where you can enjoy the Korean food you miss with your Korean friends and at the same time enjoy it with your foreign friends, but if there is such a place, this is it. I felt like they did their best in every single dish. I highly recommend this place, where even the dishes used together and the light bulbs and objects that create the atmosphere in the restaurant are delicate.
Best Korean food in Syndey! Their pork belly is my fav!
Cute family run Korean place. Live the atmosphere and service. Some of the food was excellent - soy prawn especially, but some was not that good - didnt like the pork dumplings or the mini pancakes with different fillings around it.
Loved their lunch specials!
At the super cozy family restaurant Sang by Mabasa, we opted for the feed me menu, an excellent choice for those seeking a Korean culinary experience. The food was incredibly tasteful and succulent! They offer gluten-free options and a variety of drinks. I highly recommend this restaurant! Dietary restrictions: Gluten free option
We love going to sang for dinner and for lunch. The food is wholesome and refined and the team are truly hospitable.
Delicious Korean restaurant. Good range of vegetarian options
Came here when they first opened and now I m back, such yummy food and a must try
Great little restaurant! Delicious food, friendly service. I would be back with pleasure
This is the best restaurant Ive been to in the city. It feels like experiencing upscale Korean cuisine. The combination of kimbugak and fresh meat is excellent. Despite not usually being a fan of raw meat, I thoroughly enjoyed it here. Highly recommended as a date spot when introducing Korean cuisine.
I ve got so special super foods in here. Delicious and have so much beautiful combination in a dish. Fresh ingredient with amazing way to cook for food. Obviously when head chef were creating all of dishes i think that had been taken so much time and effort. So thank you for everything to everyone.
Let down by Sang today. In an empty restaurant well before the lunch rush, I did not appreciate being asked on multiple occasions to move my seat to a claustrophobic corner of the restaurant with no leg room (wedged next to another customer s chair) despite my very clear preference not to. To repeatedly disagree with a paying customer s seating preference in an empty restaurant was disrespectful and soured the expensive meal I was so looking forward to enjoying. As expected the waitstaff s manifest obsession with seating arrangements did not pay off - on exiting the restaurant there were no more customers than when I had entered. Actions speak louder than words - while the waitstaff apologised, somehow I just don t believe I ll be the last customer they do this to. Sang, please prioritise your paying customers in future
Truly a fantastic experience from start to finish. I love, love this place, couldn t ask for more. The menu is sensational, with offerings for all tastes. Can t recommend this place enough, This is why I keep going back!
Great Set Menu and they are wine BYO. Had an excellent experience here and the food was incredible. Reasonable pricing and large amount of food for 3 people with a good variety of dish styles. $15 wine corkage pp which is definitely worthwhile, they do have their own drinks which are similarly well priced. The menu looks fantastic but the set menu includes options not available normally so had to opt for that. Food came regularly and the service was faultless. Highly recommend Sang and will be returning
Friendly waitstaff but everything else was not impressive. The $55/head minimum felt unnecessary. Seated at the bar as the venue was too tiny and didn t have a table available, not ideal for a multi-course meal. Food was fusiony and overpriced, not the authentic Korean we craved. Buchoojeon too doughy, Galbi chewy, Yookhae was basically a salad (sacrilege! Its meant to be raw beef, not pear salad). Banchan and octopus saved the day, but still felt steep and overpriced.
Very tasty, homely food, cooked from the heart. Thank you
Who doesnt love Sang by Mabasa? Not me
Food was very good, very unique and different to a normal Korean restaurant. We had $80 tasting menu.. small 7 portions but will make you full. Place is a bit small, its worth to try. Overall, good food and experience. Will defo come back.
one of the best dining experiences i ve ever had. Every dish came out full of flavour and amazing, especially the raw dishes! We were there for the second seating and it felt very intimate and cozy. Perfect date spot.
The food was all good, and well presented. The staff was lovely although the service was pretty slow.
Great set menu, inventive and tasty!
Amazing food and service
Second visit. Great vibes and service. Small so you ll most likely end up on one of the communal tables. Hit and miss. Pace was great. Our group of 4 had the following: Eohwe/Kingfish ($23) - loved it, really fresh and umami Yookhwe/Tartare ($25) - fresh and refreshing, would recommend this too Kun Mandu/Dumplings ($16) - packed with meat but nothing more than a mandu Banchan/Sides ($6) - better than your average banchan elsewhere Dak Gangjeong ($20) - sauce was good but nothing to shout about Gujeolpan/Wrap platter ($38) - unique but was okay, the skin of the wraps were a little too thick imo LA Galbi/Beef ribs ($46) - cooked perfectly, super juicy and had a charred flavour, would recommend this Maeun Doeji Galbi/Pork ribs ($38) - flavourful but a little tough Maeun Honghap Tang ($28) - probably our favourite dish, really spicy, umami, flavourful and had natural sweetness from the seafood, would 100% recommend if you can take spice Ssuk Ice cream ($6) - very unique, loved it Yakgwa/Pastry ($12) - probably wouldn t pair both the desserts as this had some sugar syrup which affects the taste of the ice cream Overall, perhaps one of our favourite Korean restaurants for traditional Korean food with a modern touch.
Had a really beautiful meal here on a Sunday night. The location and ambience is nice. Low key and off the main street in Surrey Hills and run as a family restaurant. Though with absolutely no concessions to the quality , thought and inventiveness of the food on offer. Started with the Kingfish on burnt garlic sauce and roasted brown rice and quinoa. Really enjoying the balance of flavours , from fresh to burnt on a beautiful minimal plate. I also tried the Yassam , or pickled horseraddish wraps with nashi pear , and perilla leaves. A great and fresh almost perfume - like taste. That provided a good contrast to the heavier flavours. Their LA Galbi made with black angus short ribs has to be the most delicious that I have tasted besting Los Angeles and Seoul. There is a little bit of a 30 - min wait in preparation. Though that time passes quick being seated in front of the open kitchen. So good ! An umami - lovers wet dream and will come back for more. Goes well with the Kloud beer. Two seatings per night , get down there. x.
Simple and delicious food, executed really well in that tiny space!! Well done guys!!
If you want to experience Korean food differently, give this place a go! Kenny and his family will make you feel at home. Small cozy spot in the heart of Surry Hills, I love to sit at the bar and watch them work their magic! If I m with a larger group, the communal table is the go. The set menu is great value and easy for a first time, they take care of everything and you get to try a large variety of dishes. A lovely selection of natural wine, beers and shoju. Special mention to the little horseradish roll with nashi pear, the Korean Fried Chicken, octopus and beef rib! I ve been several times over the last 2 years and always discover new flavors!
Can t recommend this place highly enough. For authentic Korean food - get the fried pork dumplings, the garlic pancake especially! A wonderful hidden spot in Sydney!
Cute cosy atmosphere, I thought you can probably get the same food (with a little less Surry glam) at a Korean restaurant which isnt as expensive though! Had the shortribs, fried chicken, spring onion pancake and tartare
My husband and I had fabulous dinner at Sang! All dishes thar we tried was top end quality and presentation. Even staff are explained what was in the dishes like five star hotel. Only one thing if you would like to spicy pork was not tender enough. Other than that all good you need make a booking few weeks advance if you want to sit one of table.
Feels like your sitting inside a korean grandmas kitchen. The food is amazing wow. Best restaurant Ive ever been too!! The service is amazing. Order the set menu as it has off the menu special items. The staff were so friendly and gave us free white kim chi because we loved it so much. Cant wait till i can come back here again
Had the feed me menu which was $80 for 7 dishes. The first course was a kingfish. It came with sesame dressing plus roasted brown rice like popcorn. It was absolutely delicious! The second course was abalone with radish. It was nice but not my favourite. The third course was Wagyu meat that was tender and slightly charred which came with different condiments you can eat with like pickled onion, pickled chilli, wasabi and Korean chilli sauce. This was delicious and a must try. The fourth course was a palette cleanser- refreshing pickled radish wrapped like a sushi roll. The fifth course was my absolute favourite! Bossam (soft and fatty) that came with the best kimchi radish along with condiments like kelp sheets and picked wombok. The sixth course was served straight after the fifth course as it complements beautifully with clam soybean soup and rice. The last course is the dessert and to be honest it was a let down hence the 4 star rating. Wasnt a fan of the ginger barley soup that came with pumpkin mochi and the ice cream with ganache chocolate was alright. Would come back next time to try other dishes!
I came here for the set menu. We made a booking for this and I was really disappointed overall. First, the restaurant was small and the seat was pretty squishy against the wall so it wasn t comfortable. Next, the dishes were underwhelming and small. The portions were so small that by the end of it I wasn t near anywhere full and usually I don t have a big appetite. My friends that I went with also didn t seem too pleased with it. The dishes itself weren t bad but nothing special nor memorable. For $80, I would ve expected much more whether in terms of comfort/ambiance, food quality or portion size. However, all was lacking.
Such a surprise. Balance of sweet salty umami was spot on for practically every dish. We had the feed me option and it s one restaurant I d love to go back to with more people.
Sang by Mabasa in Surry Hills is truly impressive, delivering authentic Korean flavours and excellent service that exceeds its size. The plating is wonderfully done and the desserts are a must-try. While the restaurant may be small, it is a popular spot, so reservations are necessary to guarantee a seat. The only drawback is that it can get hot in there. However, this is quickly forgotten once you taste the incredible food and experience the outstanding service. All in all, this restaurant is a must-visit and worth travelling for. It truly punches above its weight and delivers a dining experience that is sure to impress. Recommended dishes: + Yassam: Pickled white radish wraps, + Eohwe: Raw king fish + Gimbugak: Deep fried dried seaweed + Dak Gangjeong: Deep-fried chicken + Buchujeon: Garlic chives pancake + Bossam: Pork belly
Very interesting Korean food and delicious! The pickles were very different and went well with the stone bowl rice dish. Excellent service.
Delicious korean meal with very modern interior.. I love this place
My best dining experience in all my visit in Sydney, and one of the most creative and elevated culinary experiences Ive ever had! I highly recommend the Feed Me option, which offers a thoughtful sequence of widely varied and subtle flavors for the pallette. The service and staff are all generous and lovely. The space is intimate and cozy but not at all cramped, though its probably wise to make a reservation- and so worth it! I cannot recommend more highly!
Incredible! One of the best meals I had in a while. Very creative and exceptionally executed dishes, great plating. The very thoughtful spacing in which dishes were brought out and special effects like hot clay pots and assembling your pork belly in kelp sheets made it a great dining experience. Service was outstanding. Won t be my last time!
Good service, average food
The quality and attention to detail here is unreal. Food took me to a different planet. Considered, balanced, warm, elegant yet humble.
Authentic Korean flavours get a modern twist at this cool narrow Surry Hills diner with great wine by the glass. Cho muchim packs a visual, textural and flavour punch with cuttlefish in an intense orange chilli sauce topped with black rice crackers; crisp mung beans and perilla take wagyu tartare to the next level; and thin slices of grilled dry-aged beef work a treat with a selection of condiments including a killer house kimchi. Go the excellent-value Feed Me menu and save yourself the dilemma of deciding. Parking: Parking can be tricky in this area.
Eclectic family run korean restaurant serving fresh dishes with a small number of tables. Prices were very reasonable given the high quality of ingredients and care given to preparation and presentation of the meals.
What a fantastic celebration of food. Every meal was amazing: fresh, full of flavour and with a perfect texture. I can t wait to be back. Thank you, we loved the experience.
One of my fave restaurants in Sydney. The bibimbap and side pickles are insanely delicious! Cool vibe. Always busy.
Each and every dish was surprisingly delicious and hip (it was really great Korean food - it was nice to taste a variety of dishes like the course), the service was excellent (the explanation of the food was good), and the open kitchen was great!!!!! Natural wine and natural beer were also great. Its a shame I couldnt take a picture because I was busy eating.
All three of us have traveled in Korea and love Korean food. What a disappointment this expensive hyped up restaurant was. The flavours were nondescript, the portions were tiny (one teaspoon of kimchi on a share plate!), and the service from the female wait staff was friendly but really slow. Even though it s in my neighbourhood, I d never recommend or return.
The best Korean restaurant in town! 10/10 always - amazing atmosphere, service and family run. Delicious, fresh and always interesting tastes and textures. Definitely recommend if you like a modern take on a classic Korean restaurant.
The team here have a vision, and put in the time, hard work and energy to bring it to life. Having dined at Sang before in 2018, and again recently, everything on offer has been elevated to a level that lifts them to a league of their own in Korean cuisine around Sydney. The creative interpretation of staple dishes, quality wine selection and cosy environment with hints of sophistication makes Sang By Mabasa one of the definite go-to dining experiences now and years to come. Pictured is the set menu.
Delicious food: we had the feed me feast and loved all 7 courses of it! Service was prompt and attentive but not too much, and a tiny dining area made it feel exclusive. All in all, 5* without feeling pretentious! Food
Sang is simply sensational. The food and service is always excellent. From the handmade dumplings to the delicious Kim chi soup we have never had a bad dish. If you want great Korean food - look no further. And their lunch menu is well worth checking out.
Fantastic overall experience - sophisticated dishes with zero fluff . Open-kitchen, great vibe, super service, unique range of wine, beers and Korean spirits. Loved it.
Very disappointed (even I was told that Korean food is not good). The place is unbelievable small the staff had not idea about the menu, they have to go and ask and they were in a hurry for us to leave. Specially the guy with the ponytail (SO RUDE) before we finished he come to our table with the eftpos machine to get the bill pay. Expensive for the quality the food. First time that I remember being unwell with some kind of food poison. Honestly unless you are Korean why to eat at this place, when they are so amazing places the serve fresh food. Here most of the food are fry...yuk!!
Would recommend those who would like to try real korean food!!
Went there on a Saturday lunch for a catch up with some friends I haven t seen for 3 years. The food was good, I can t complain about it, but the service let us down. We order 7 dishes and after ordering them, we politely asked to the waiter to space them out and don t bring them all in once. The answer was a no no. When ready we ll bring it . Had to rush to eat to make room for other dishes on the way. We added another 2 dishes as we opened our second bottle of wine. Received the food and been advised, shortly after, that the place was closing in 10 minutes. We couldn t finish the bottle of wine, barely finished the food and had to leave at 2.40pm. Definitely not a place for a relaxed lunch and did spoil our catch up lunch. Didn t feel hosted properly in proportion to the good reviews in here. Disappointing.
Best Korean food in Sydney
An exceptional meal - everything was truly delicious, special and beautifully presented. Thank you!
Best Korean restaurant ever would definitely recommend
While traveling, I was getting tired of bread, hamburgers, and sandwiches... I came here with an Australian recommendation, and it was great to be able to eat delicious Korean food. It was like a home-cooked meal or side dish, not too salty and very delicious hahaha.
The store in Surry Hills is somewhat artistic. It gives me the feeling of Japanese-style Korean food The managers should be an old couple As well as the two female employees, they all give people a very peaceful feeling. It s different from the impression given by ordinary Koreans haha I chose bibimbap beef It tastes delicious just watching the stone pot roasting on the stove! Sure enough, the taste is also very good It has been open for six years~ It is a store I will go to again
Every food was just okay. I thought I could cook them at home. it was a bit overrated. But the restaurants inside look nice.
Such a great experience. Staff were awesome and super friendly. Food was sensational. Such a personal, homey experience. Like being invited to the chefs home and cooking just for you. Very memorable and highly recommend.
A perfect place for some very good Korean food, clean tasting and on point. Must try the fresh Bibimbap
It seems like one of those mediocre Korean restaurants in Sydney, but I dont understand why its so overrated. But does that mean the service is exceptional?
Nothing special, a bit overpriced. Serving was not so quick. They changed their menu, if you are looking for the bibimbap they no longer offer it. Didn t maintain safe social distance, sitting super close to the one next to me and the gap between bar and tables are super tight. (The chairs are so uncomfortable)
So so good! Loved it easily the best value lunch in such a long time. On tiny feedback was it was a little too hot in the restaurant, but we got over it
Food waa good. Great banchan . portion size was on the small side as expectes. I had the kimchi stew $20 and it was flavoursome.
Small place with huge flavour!!
I will marry this entire menu
Food was delious and the service was excellent.
Marvelous place, family run. Get behind it!
I went on Sunday and it was fantastic. The food is delicious. The service is great, the staff are very friendly and attentive. Would highly recommend and will definitely be back.
Friendly staff and nice atmosphere. The food was good but nothing that made it stand out compared to your typical korean restaurant .
Korean classics with a modern twist. Really fantastic food!
The stone grilled bibimbap was very delicious. Its a big plus to have to find a place that makes stone grilled food, and there arent many places that serve it piping hot, so I cant make charred rice, but here, it comes piping hot, tastes delicious, and comes with Korean-style sides, so Im satisfied. Yuzu soda and pomegranate soda also look cute and Instagrammable. The photo is of yuzu soda. I mixed the pomegranate before taking the photo. If you like drinking vinegar, we recommend pomegranate soda, and if you like sweetness, we recommend yuzu soda.
A very cute Korean restaurant. It seems to be traditional Korean food tailored to the tastes and perspectives of Australians. The raw meat, stone pot bibimbap, and chicken gangjeong were the most delicious. I didnt like the cod stew the most because the fish had the fishy smell of frozen fish, but the broth was clean and didnt taste like seasoning. The potato pancakes are so crispy and delicious that they almost taste like French fries. There are 6 chapters in the Gujeol version, but I feel a little disappointed. The red pepper paste pork belly and cod soup did not come with separate rice. It seems that rice is not served separately for the main dishes. The glasses are set up differently depending on the type of alcohol, and the glasses are cute, making them great for taking Instagram photos. The restaurant is small and the tables are small, which makes it a bit uncomfortable, but the restaurant atmosphere and staff are all friendly and nice.
Great food with perfect service must try!!!
Delicious food and highly attentive staff. A wide variety of gluten free options. Knowledgeable staff took time to substitute tamari for soy sauce where possible and took care to make sure that other dips and items that were not GF were far away from GF items. Mouth watering, smile filled evening at this tiny delectable restaurant.
Was very disappointed with the service. We were first to walk in but Mains took over an hour to serve. Meanwhile, the set menus for other tables were rolling out had we known, we would have ordered the set menu. We had the cabbage pancakes which tasted great. But the mains were slightly disappointing - pork belly was quite tough and Murray cod soup was quite fishy. Probably won t be back :(
Absolutely amazing! The food here is incredible. I had fried octopus and a lunch special bibimbap. Hands-down some of the tastiest food you can get in Sydney. Dont pass this place up!
Beautiful family-owned and run restaurant. Their small crew make the most of their tiny space (about 18 seats by my count?), creating dishes that are among the most interesting, balanced, complex and delicious dishes Sydney has to offer. The wine list is small but strong and well-priced (with only 3-4 bottles over $110), and while the service can be a little hit and miss, there s no denying the heart and intention of this place. Rather than being a be seen here to be seen here -style restaurant that Sydney typically excels in, this is a quiet, humble and unassumingly excellent restaurant that adds greater complexity and dimension to the Sydney dining landscape. Highly recommend
Great foods and the Soju Soda tastes fresh too! Good portion without feeling bloated.
Delicious Korean food in a cute little corner of Surry Hills. Away from the crowds of Crown Street, its a great place for brunch if you can grab one of the seats outside. Didnt sit inside but can see how it may get busy/cramped at night. The food is delicious! Had the Bibimbap and Pork Belly and they were fresh, full of flavour and generously portioned. You can tell its not just another Korean takeaway - they have extra details and flavours in the food that makes it worth the trip. Absolutely worth a try if youre in the area.
Such a wonderful experience. Incredible flavours, warm hospitality and such a beautiful space. Looking forward to our next visit already!! Thanks so much
I really enjoyed the kimchi pancakes at Sang. They were crispy and flavorful. One of the best in town! If parking wasn t an issue, I will come back more often.
Updated : visit May 2022 Eomuk guk lunch special was like a warm hug but also incredibly nostalgic, reminding me of some tough come downs in Sinchon-dong ( ) . Better eaten sober however when made by Aunty and Uncle anyway. Its arguable that in the past few years no culture, globally is moving the needle on food innovation quite like Koreans. Theres a resilience in their ability to work tooth and nail to perfectly mimic food cultures of the globe, before throwing all that convention out to see how something can be more delicious. That indeed is the edict @sang_mabasa innovative takes on Korean staples such as bossam, gochujang and even the infamous KFC (Korean Fried Chicken). At Sang though, its the little wonders that go a long way. The sesame almond chips are worth a life full of Han, the pear kimchi a new classic in fermented fruit and veg cannon. Ironically, at Sangs core is an earnest Ma and Pop business, that very quality, love and uniqueness of homegrown recipes is what makes it so special. Mabasa? You must!
Im very sorry to say this. This is not Korean food. I doubt if this food was made by a Korean. No one pays money to eat this quality of food in Korea. Even Korea convenience stores sell better food for 1/3 the price. Im Korean, and this food is so very embarrassing. Most worst thing is that people are unfriendly and angry with everyone during the time I was there. Spend money on food rather than advertising, and if you dont know how to cook, make the service even kinder, please, wouldnt this be better? This is not the worst experience of my life, This was a shocking experience. Indeed, who can say that this is kimchi stew? Jjigae [Korean Dictionary] A side dish made by making a special soup in an earthen pot or small pot, adding meat, vegetables, tofu, etc., and seasoning it with soy sauce, soybean paste, red pepper paste, salted soup, etc. and boiling it.
Great dining experience. Definitely a must try in Sydney. The Bossam was amazing, top dish from tasting menu.
Everything was delicious but my favourite are the kingfish and the octopus. They were seasoned perfectly and very fresh. Just down side we didn t make the booking and have to sit outside ( although there were two seat haven t taken would be a better experience if we get to sit inside , as the pork rib sauce got cold and became sticky) Overall a very nice experience, high quality food and friendly service
Amazing Korean food - the highlights was the kimchi pancake and the bibimbap.. the bibimbap was so flavourful and great ingredients.
Had dinner at Sang by Mabasa few months back. The restaurant is family run, good food and friendly service. It can only accommodate 14 people, 2 hours seating, no cancellation policy for dinner, and its recommended to make booking not to be disappointed. We had a great time and only minor feedback is that we were offered to order desserts, however when desserts were served, we were told that our seating time was up. Would have been better if we were told that our seating time were up soon and if we wish to order any desserts, we would need to do a takeaway instead. Other than this, we enjoyed the food very well.
Hands down, our number one Asian meal in Sydney. And the only reason we got the opportunity to dine at @sangbymabasa was thanks again to our food-loving friend in Australia, Wee Liam (@hungrywolfgrams). Owned and run by a Korean family, it s dad and mum who does all the cooking while son Kenny (he is also an object designer, maker and metalsmith - @studiokyss) and his wife take care of the front-of-house with a couple of staff. The restaurant appears casual and homely, which is part of its heartwarming charm. But the food looks and tastes much finer than you would guess. Like Wee Liam said, if dad and mum were hidden from sight, one would understandably assume a youngish, hip Korean Chef and his team were behind all the dishes. We had to open a bottle of Jeju s Hallasan Soju ($20) that night because well, it seemed to pair seamlessly with everything on the menu. Below is the entire list of what we stuffed our faces most happily on: 1. Kimchi Pancake - Only available for lunch, the privilege to savour this deliciousness was due to us being there with Wee Liam who is a regular customer. 2. Cho Muchim ($22) - The poached cuttlefish was springy not rubbery, and lavished in a sweetish-spicy cho gochujang. Red onion, pickled plums and cucumbers enlivened this seafood item even more, rendering it the perfect snack to gobble with alcohol. 3. Dak Moraejip ($15) - Charred chicken gizzards, garlic and fresh green chilli were tumbled in gochugaru and sesame oil to maximum delectability. Forget about stopping once you start. 4. Outer Skirt of Beef - A surprise dish from Kenny and his parents, this particular cut of melt-in-the-mouth meat left us swooning and sighing in bliss. I was convinced it was aged but Kenny said no, the sleeve-shaped piece of beef gets its richer flavour from the cow s organs that it wraps around. Wow we learned something new that night. 5. Yangbokkeum ($14) - Stirfried in gochujang and perilla leaves, the tripe was incredibly soft and tasty. 6. Yassam ($16) - A revelation. Hard to imagine cucumber, Asian pear and perilla leaves wrapped in pickled white radish could taste so complex and refreshing all at once. 7. Bossam ($40) - Those thick slices of pork belly were fabulous. I loved the wonderfully unctuous fat-laced skin especially; even more so when I offset it with the accompanying white kimchi, seasoned radish, ssamjang, salted shrimp, wobbly kelp and pickled kai lan for a spectrum of acidity, savoury, umami and crunch. 8. Daegu Tang ($26) - On a cold winter s night, sipping on hot soup is one of the most comforting things to do. And this restaurant s version with Murray cod, shiitake mushrooms, Korean watercress, tofu and white radish m, warmed not only our bellies but the cockles of our hearts. 9. Namul Dolsotbap ($28) - A sensational finale showcasing five namul (description from Google: variety of edible grass or leaves or seasoned herbal dishes made of them ) on rice in a pot. I couldn t help but notice nearly every table ordered it too. Another awesome night with the one and only @hungrywolfgrams. Thank you so much Wee Liam for taking us here.
If you re looking for an intimate date night venue or a cosy gathering with a small group of friends, this is the perfect place. We opted for the $80pp feed me menu and the food was delicious with a good amount per serving. It felt like traditional Korean dishes done really well with an extra edge. Would not hesitate to come back.
This is hands down Australia s Best Korean. Run by a family of champions the food is delicious. So good that when I was there, before I had finished I was already planning to come back. Ten stars out of Five
Just delicious. Was amazed by everything they had to offer. What an amazing place.
I don t say this lightly but this is the best meal I ve had since moving to Sydney over a year ago. The service was wonderful. They guided us through the menu. And everything was so thoughtfully prepared, so fresh, perfect temperature and delicious. Everything was a highlight honestly but particularly remember : kingfish crudo, pork pan fried dumplings, banchan and LA galbi. I also had a soju tonic which was lovely. Sáng by Mabasa reinforces my belief that the best Sydney restaurants don t do delivery and exist mainly by word of mouth. I will definitely be back.
Really tasty food and great wine list! Not one to be missed!
Great food and experience
Food pretty good but not amazing, Service very very average
Had my last meal here in Sydney. I love the vibe here, feels like you are going to a Korean friend s house to have a lunch. Their menu is really simple but have all the necessary food. I ordered the noodles soup, handmade dumplings and the fried squid. The flavour taste light and healthy. And their side dish was also different from the others.
The food here is SO good! Perfectly balanced between kinda fancy and very homely and comforting, if that makes any sense .. Highly recommend trying their dolsotbap and whatever pancake they have. Service was also lovely and atmosphere was nice and cosy. Will definitely be back for lunch - I want to try their kimchi pancake so badly (sadly not available for dinner)
The raw king mackerel and char griller ribs were out of this world!
The dishes are simple but are made with care and a lot of attention to detail. Was a delightful meal and experience and I could not recommend it enough.
Every dish was perfect. I felt honoured to eat here, in a way this food is like love.
We walked in and immediately thought how incredible the room smelled and had to have a look at what everyone else was eating. We sat at the bar and got to see the mum and dad working the kitchen in perfect unison. Busy, but never rushing. Every single dish we ate was basically perfect. Well balanced great flavours and beautifully presented. Drinks menu is short but refined. We started with a cleansing ale each and then a bottle of soju, but there were a number of wines we would ve gladly ordered. Service was spot on and the delivery of our many dishes was very well timed. Its pretty impressive for a small kitchen with only 2 people working in it. I dont know how to explain it, but these guys nail the mix of the older gens cooking knowledge and recipes, but harmonise with a modern take on design details, sick drinks list & even the music they play. We are 100% coming back. These guys know what they are doing. Thanks for a great dining experience.
Authentic Korean but with a modern touch. Approved by Korean wife. If your Tinder date is Korean come here to impress them.
Delicious food!!!
This has become one of my favourite Korean restaurants in Sydney. Everything tastes soooooo good !!!! I ve come here a few times and have loved everything we ve eaten. I really enjoyed the mugwort ice cream recently. Definitely a place I d always come back to!!!
Delicious al a carte Korean restaurant. Love that it s a family run business and has a variety of traditional dishes. The white radish wraps, green onion and potato pancake, soup and Gujeolpan are great for sharing.
The real Korean restaurant.
Good place to go, warm atmosphere, a small cute street restaurant. The food is made with passion, care and skill.
Absolutely delicious, authentic and curated in every detail. Generous portions and excellent quality of the ingredients. Will come back!
Ive been looking for a place that does spicy stir fried rice cakes for ages! These were spot on. Also had the pan fried mandu and bulgolgi beef. All of it was super tasty. Definitely will be back.
Simple but flavourful. Kudos to the restaurant!
Excellent. Just everything a restaurant like this should be. Tasty. Friendly. Good vibe. Wine by the glass list was fabulous. The kingfish was one of the best flavoured dishes we have recently and oh those pan fried dumplings. Excellent. Good news all around.
Fantastic Korean food, intimate dining experience. Been there 3 times and they never cease to impress! Highly recommend
Yum yum yum!! We had the weekend special pancakes and they were crisp on the inside. The Dolsot Bimbimbap had the perfect rice crust and the chicken was devine. Definite going back to try the rest of the menu!!
Well... its just at the level of a Korean restaurant in Sydney, no more or no less. For reference, the dumplings seem to be frozen products.
One of our favourite neighbourhood joints. Kenny and his family produce some of the best quality Korean!
The food here is so good I had dinner two nights in a row before I flew home. I probably tried half the menu so here s what I like and what I really love. 10/10 would order again: - Yassam: the dish is beautifully balanced and appetising. It s the perfect start to the meal (I ordered this on both nights) - Yookhwe: the tartare was tasty and rich, and the crispy mung bean added a nice texture to the dish - Pan-fried pork mandu: the dumplings were pan fried to crispy perfection and the filling was delicious - Maeun Honghap Tang: very clean seafood taste but umami-packed and chock full of fresh seafood - Buchujeon: super crispy garlic chives pancake - LA Galbi: delicious and beautifully char-grilled black angus short ribs - Ssuk Ice-cream: mugworts is a very unique flavour and it pairs very well with the salted chocolate ganache I also liked the Dak Gangjeong, Bossam, and Doeji Galbi, but they were slightly on the tougher side.
Sang by Mabasa is my favourite family-run Korean restaurant in Sydney. The ingredients, presentation and the service are exceptionally high. Some dishes are like authentic home cooked meals, some are superbly creative, and every dish we have tried so far has been consistently top notch. I really appreciate every effort they have put into making each dish to make our dining experience so marvellous. The dumplings are especially to die for - Ive grown up eating some of the best home made Korean dumplings, and Sangs dumplings are THE best Ive ever tried. Id give 6 stars for this restaurant if I could. Sang is the absolute best Korean restaurant in Sydney by far.
Try it!
Nice family run restaurant, great Korean food with a twist on each dish, byo is a plus and awesome customer service. Loved it!
It was great to be able to experience modern Korean food. Non-alcoholic drinks are also okay. There was a large variety of wine and it was well prepared. What was a bit disappointing was that there were no drinks like makgeolli. The food overall was good. The food was fun and good too. I think it would be fun to bring my parents too. I went there the day the noodles came out, and the anchovies had a bit of a fishy smell. I intend to visit again. Its not listed well on the Internet, but it comes as a course meal, so please allow plenty of time. For parking, there is a nearby Woolworths car park, so please use that car park. If possible, just take Uber lol.
Sang always delivers. Gorgeous food, amazing service, good vibes. Can t fault it. Would happily have a standing reservation, because no matter how many times I visit, it s always a delight. Thank you for gifting Sydney with such a great Korean dining experience.
Little place with hearty meal... Hearing it is Sangs first lunch opening since COVID lockdown, decided to come here with my colleague for a quick lunch. Have been longing for their Kimchi pancake, very satisfied that it is as tasty as before, juicy and appetizing. The spicy and sour taste makes it stand out any other Kimchi pancake I had in Sydney. Also ordered this weeks lunch special - Budae Jjigae (Spicy Army Stew). Soup is great with the rice and I cant believe that I ate them all! Very friendly staff and delicious food within a tranquil environment. Much appreciated!
The best place to enjoy traditional Korean food in Sydney Clean and delicious.
Sang by Mabasa is a great Korean food experience. I was taken aback by the beautiful presentation and great flavours of each dish. This restaurant prides itself on showcasing Korean cuisine that you would not normally find at a typical Korean restaurant. Definitely want to come back.
Boy what a disappointment. We had the$80 fixed menu and I can t recall a worse value experience for a while. Small portions, not much flavour, almost inedible beef rib dish. Service okay and maybe off night for the chef. I ve eaten Korean food in Korea and elsewhere for 30 years and this place runs bottom quartile.
Delicious and traditional Korean food with a twist. I loved how the foundation of dishes was quite traditional, where the ingredients (types of vegetable and how they cook them especially) are typically used in Korea, but you would rarely find it in Australia. The only thing I would add is, for the appetiser (banchan), it would be amazing to come with tiny bit of rice, just so you are eating the way Koreans would usually eat and I think rice enhances the experience from adding softer texture to quite crunchy veges and balancing out the flavour. Also, for hong-si ice cream, I found the flavour a bit mild, but it was still good. Overall, it was a great experience, and it was satisfying and refreshing to finally eat traditional Korean food!
Incredible food! My favourite is the beef!
We came for diner. I usually do not pick Korean food because it not my favorite asian food but this place is a world beyond. The food was amazing, so tasteful and well presented! I was surprised just with the first dish! It is a family business that deserves a lot of recognition because you won t find such a good quality everywhere! I will definitely recommend it and come try it for Lunch!
One of usual spot for work lunch when I get down to Surry Hills! Love the food here its cooked by lovely old couple that taste homely like your parent cook for you! Nice cosy sleek interior and food are always amazing here! Love the weekly lunch special which mean you got to try something new every week. Highly recommend to visit if you wan korean food with a little different from the usual korean resturant in strathfield and Eastwood. Update 8 Apr 21: Its good to be back for lunch here after they stop doing it since covid last year in Apr. They have now reopen their doors for lunch service starting today. Have the Weekly Lunch Special Budae Jijigae (Spicy Army Stew) which is my favourite and the Kimchi Jeon (Kimchi Pancake) I always enjoy! It comes with three lovely banchan. Love the vibes here and Kenny and his family/staffs here are friendly and welcoming as usual.
Fantastic food well presented. Kimchi soup was just what I needed on a cold day.
Come for the food, stay for the people and the love you can taste in the food.
Octopus was a standout, but eggplant was a bit disappointing.
As a loyal customer over the years, I ve sadly seen this place mutating from a truly authentic journey into Korean home made food (pre covid) to an average Surry hills foody place. Don t get me wrong, the food (or whatever is left into the relatively small portions) and quality are still ok, but the experience itself has lost that authentic touch that made this place shine compared to the various merivale/mainstream places. An example? Asking for a minimum spend to each customer. Or having waiters that don t know what s in the set menu..not to mention being kicked out because you need to free the table for the next shift!! Surely this is good for the business (and I respect that) but in my opinion something has changed and this place has lost what really made it different.
Favourites: dolsot bibimbap, janchi guksu, and lotus and burdock tea
Excellent Korean food, great atmosphere and super attentive service. Sang interpretes classic Korean dishes in a modern way! Try the pickled veggies and the Pajeon for authentic, yet refined flavours. Ill be back!
too good place! simple plating and amazing taste. I d like to invite my foreigner friends to this restaurant and introduce real Korean foods. i ll definitely visit again.
They may be new to delivery but my God theyre good at it. Food arrived at the perfect temperature, everything tasted fresh and delicious. I almost didnt want to write this review because of how much theyre probably gonna take off now...but you wont regret ordering from them.
Well, were in the lockdown so I got delivery tonight from Sang. Fantastic food and delivered fresh and warm by one of the the friendly staff. I absolutely recommend it!
Great food and service. Best bibimbap going around, and during these times they offer a takeaway service through their online store! A+
Love their great Korean foods!
You can try modern Korean dishes in here. I highly recommand here to have a 80$ course. It is reasonable price and you can have awsome dishes in a great atmosphere. Especially, the entree of raw kingfish and the yassam which is served before the main dish. These all So delicious and that after, you have tired, you could guess the chefs purpose of that dish.
We had the 80 menu tonight and the food was scrumptious. Highlight was the kingfish. Delightful restaurant and we re so glad we stumbled upon this place on a quite Sunday night.
Neat Korean food
There s a certain intimacy to dining alongside just seven other people at the revised, COVID-safe Sang by Mabasa. To make up for some of the profit shrinkage, it s a Set Menu ($80/head) that runs from banchan (they make wonderful bokkeum kimchi take-home packs) to dessert. My highlight was the Moon-oe Dolsotbap, a stone bowl bibimbap made on pearl barley rice, seaweed and poached octopus. It was the savoury standout in a menu that felt very Korean, but tended to lean slightly towards the sweet side in balancing dishes like Ganjan K.F.C. and Yassam (pickled white radish wraps with cucumber, nashi pear and perilla leaves with creamy wasabi dressing ). Try the Cheongju (Korean rice wine) as your drinking match - it s soft and delicate, and will appeal to sake drinkers. Recommended.
Very good
Perfect flavour, great presentation and nice service.
Really good combination of set, like the soup can t stop!!!
Traditional Korean dishes with a modern touch and no skimping on flavours and quality in sight.
The best korean restaurant in sydney
My goodness this place is unbelievable. The food is so nice and fresh and tastes really homemade. The menu changes frequently, so we will be back.
Really like this family-run restaurant. Not a typical Korean restaurant. The food feels and tastes homey yet nicely decorated and presented. We went with the larger set menu which wasn t heavy at all. The staff are very nice, polite, and helpful. The restaurant is small so make sure to book in advance! If you decided to drive, there should be plenty of spot around in Bourke St and side lanes.
Immense warmth of a family kitchen in a commercial restaurant.. I am no expert, but food felt authentic.. The flavours were great..
I might have embarrassed the owner but it was definitely the best meal we have had in 2020. Beautiful, fresh food and friendly family vibe. Has been in my local area flying well under the radar. Not anymore ! Thank you!
Epic food. Just delicious, each meal was part of the clean plate club :)
Best kimchi I had. Period. The rest of the tasting menu was amazing.
One of the best places I have been to recently! Small, intimate, good service and delicious food! Not sure about the Huuon Farmhouse Apple Ale but everything else was brilliant! We had the $60 box supplemented with the great Korean fried chicken! Really good. You need to book.
Thin narrow restaurant with simple white walls and clean wooden decoration - the atmosphere is really calming. Food (Set 80) is great, crisp, tasty and well balanced. Service is really good too - polite, attentive without being annoying. We had a great night!
Went here and tried the $80 tasting menu which was delicious. Really fresh with quality ingredients. Cute little restaurant with friendly staff.