I AM Modern Magazine for Moms

“House of Return”, won’t be seeing me again

 

I have had the pleasure of eating in many authentic Korean restaurants around this nation and I found Woo Lae Oak to be too corporate for my taste. Woo Lae Oak, located in Tyson’s Corner, is part of a worldwide chain of Jang family’s restaurants. Family has been in the restaurant business since the late 1940s. I decided to visit Tyson’s location on a Saturday afternoon with my wife and two kids.

 

Restaurant is located in a self standing building with ample amount of parking. We took the elevator down from the parking deck to the main floor and we were immediately greeted by a friendly hostess. Dining room is very elegant. We sat at a granite top table equipped with a Korean BBQ grill. We ordered a Rainbow Roll sushi and Haemul Pajeon (Seafood and Scallion Pancake with oysters, squid, and shrimp as appetizers. Rainbow Roll was very fresh and tasty while the pancake was overwhelmed with a fishy smell and taste. In the past, I had only tried the Scallion Pancakes and I think that is what I will do going forward.

 

My son insisted on trying the Field Green Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers and Passion Fruit Vinaigrette. Though a big salad fan, he did not eat this one. I don’t think he liked the Vinaigrette. As a main course, we tried the Bulgogi, thinly sliced boneless Rib Eye Steak with marinade. I was disappointed with the number of small appetizer plates that were brought. Kimchi smelled rotten (which made my wife sick for the next 48 hours), small dry fish was stinky, and I don’t even think we were served any tofu dishes. Our Korean BBQ was served with a single slice of mushroom and broccoli (I am not kidding). Additional vegetable dish was another $20. My wife and I enjoyed the marinated and slightly sweet beef, but my kids did not care for the sweet tasting beef. We ended up paying $100 for this meal + 1 can of beer.

 

Net net, Woo Lae Oak is too expensive for the amount of food it serves. It is also too safe for someone looking to eat authentic Korean BBQ.