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Writing Michigan | vol. 5, Choices

Kang’s Korean Restaurant
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Dining in the Wolverine Den

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The 5 best Asian restaurants on the University of Michigan campus

—By Rohan Puri

Ann Arbor boasts a wide variety of cultures and people, and, with that, comes food. With so many mouths to feed, many have taken up the opportunity to do the feeding. Thus, the residents of Ann Arbor enjoy a great selection of restaurants. More specifically, Ann Arbor’s Asian cuisine rivals that of any other college campus in the United States and is a must try when visiting. Whether you’re looking for a quick taste or a unique experience, this list will take you on a journey through the best spots on campus. 

1. Moon Cafe (812 S State St)

Starting off strong, we have the simple, yet inviting Moon Cafe. Owned by Moon Choe and his family, Moon Cafe is nestled between two other establishments on South State Street, a busy and bustling area on campus. Moon Cafe is known for its mouthwatering frozen yogurt, something that makes the spot greatly popular in the warmer months. Less known is their actual Korean cuisine, though it is as good, if not better, than their yogurt. Their spicy beef bulgogi features thinly sliced, marinated beef served with rice and is truly a delight to dine on. During the Covid-19 pandemic, like many other restaurants, Moon Cafe dealt with financial hardship, looking for any way to stay afloat. A GoFundMe was started by Moon’s daughter, Gina, and people responded with donations. Anmol Anand, a former student at UofM, states, “During Covid, we heard rumors that Moon Cafe was going to shut down. When people found out about the GoFundMe, they didn’t hesitate to donate because of how much the Ann Arbor community adored the place.” Thanks to the efforts of Moon, his family, and the Ann Arbor community, Moon Cafe remains alive and well today. 

  • Price Rating: Medium-Low
  • Dish Recommendations: Spicy Beef Bulgogi, Beef Bibimbap

2. Mama Satto (715 N University Ave)

Next, we move to Mama Satto, which features a savory, Japanese cuisine. Sitting on North University Avenue, right off of South State Street and buzzing with students and staff, this establishment is most known for its delectable sushi rolls, both simple and complex. Their fire cracker special roll has a perfectly fried shrimp tempura paired with spicy tuna and a spicy mayo, and it is more than filling. Furthermore, their selection of ramens and noodle bowls only add to an already great menu. A feature dish from the dinner menu is the dumpling ramen, combining a salty shoyu broth with soft, pork dumplings and perfectly cooked noodles. They even throw in some shredded pork belly for added flavor and texture. The major hallmark of this business, however, is the service. One day, after I finished dining, I left the restaurant without my jacket. Almost immediately, I heard a lady calling after me, running down the street. One of the staff members brought my jacket to me almost two blocks down the street, something that I’ll never forget. You are not going to find this level of hospitality in many places.

  • Price Rating: Medium
  • Dish Recommendations: Fire Cracker Special Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, Dumpling Ramen, Panko Apple Hirata Bun – Beef

3. Hola Seoul (715 N University Ave)

Right next to our previous eatery lies Hola Seoul, another Korean restaurant. Hola Seoul exists as an easy option for a quick meal when you’re on the go. They offer a wide selection of Korean fried chicken and Korean BBQ. A highlight on the menu comes with the popcorn chicken cup bap, a mix of Korean popcorn chicken, fries, japchae (glass noodles), and rice. For the low price of twelve dollars, you can get a dish that will last two meals, making it perfect for UofM students on a budget. If you do choose to dine here, high top chairs facing the street make for a great view of the Diag, a central location on the UofM campus. Hola Seoul is known around Ann Arbor for its kimchi fries, a unique fusion of American and Korean cuisine. Eating this special plate on a chilly, winter day cannot be beat. Whether you need a quick meal on the way to your next location or you simply want to relax with some comfort food, you cannot go wrong with Hola Seoul. 

  • Price Rating: Low
  • Dish Recommendations: Popcorn Chicken Cup Bao, Kimchi Fries, Bulgogi Taco

4. One Bowl Asian Cuisine (Ann Arbor Plaza, 1220 S University Ave)

On the other side of the UofM campus, One Bowl sits on South University Avenue, close to some of the most popular nightlife spots in the city. One Bowl offers a wide selection of many different Asian cuisines all in one spot. From Vietnamese and Japanese to Korean and Chinese, this restaurant is known for covering all the bases. Something that this establishment does especially well is making somewhat ordinary dishes exciting. Their chicken katsu dish exemplifies this to the highest extent. What is usually a simple dish with thin, fried chicken and rice is brought to life by something as modest as a cabbage and carrot salad. Don’t be fooled, however, this salad, mixed with a Japanese aioli, is probably the best part about the dish. They also feature a homemade kimchi side dish which tastes completely authentic. The best part is that you can even order a large size to take home with you! This decision by the business owners is one that diners must take advantage of whenever possible. 

  • Price Rating: Medium-Low
  • Dish Recommendations: Chicken Katsu, Kimchi Side, Scallion Pancake

5. Kang’s Korean Restaurant (1327 S University Ave)

Don’t let this next restaurant’s hole-in-the-wall appearance fool you; Kang’s Korean Restaurant is one of the most renowned businesses on campus and even in the city of Ann Arbor as a whole. Kang’s initially opened in 1980 as a coffee shop that also sold Korean donuts. Now, forty-four years later, Kang’s has blossomed into an Ann Arbor Korean staple. Demand for Kang’s is especially high due to its extremely limited seating. This creates a sense of exclusivity for the establishment that makes residents take any opportunity to dine in. People who live in Ann Arbor know that Kang’s is known for one main thing—hot stone. The most famous dish at Kang’s is that of the hot-stone bibimbap. Imagine a dish with tender meat, sautéed vegetables, and white rice that comes out to you sizzling and fresh off the stove. Amazing, right? This dish will make your mouth water unlike ever before, and you will be sure to return more than once. 

  • Price Rating: Medium
  • Dish Recommendations: Hot-Stone Bibimbap, Korean Pancakes “Pajeon”, Japchai

 

Feature photo, Kang’s Korean Restaurant; Photo Credit, Rohan Puri