Nowadays, it seems like everyone is getting increasingly obsessed with everything Korean. Even the city of Bentonville in Arkansas cannot resist getting into the Korean wave. No place affirms this more than Arkanseoul, which offers some of the most delicious dishes in town!
Arkanseoul is a Korean-style restaurant on Main Street, Bentonville, Arkansas, offering an authentic Korean dining experience. Their menu provides trademark Korean dishes such as tteokbokki, beef bulgogi, and Korean fried chicken.
I’m not much of an expert on Korean food and haven’t gone to many restaurants, but I trust my tastebuds enough to differentiate good food from bad dishes. Overall, I think Arkanseoul serves some fantastic food! Give it a visit if ever you’re in Bentonville!
Video:
My Experience at Arkanseoul
I came into Arkanseoul a bit blind. As I said, I don’t know much about Korean food, and I’m not the most reliable restaurant critic. But, Arkanseoul definitely gets my Michelin star.
I was pleasantly surprised by the food. At Arkanseoul, they go all out with the flavors, and the ambiance is just as pleasant as the grub. If you’re just as new to Korean food as I am, don’t worry, there are a lot of flavors to try! Their menu is expansive and will surely cater to everyone’s tastebuds.
Overall, I was extremely impressed with their service, food, and ambiance. It’s a lovely, family-owned restaurant that keeps you coming back for more delicious food.
The Beef Bulgogi With Fried Egg Was Amazing
I got the beef bulgogi bowl with the optional fried egg as a natural beef enjoyer. Us Americans like our beef cut thick and grilled over smoke, but the beef bowl is just as impressive. This bowl features thin beef slices with vegetables and a fried egg, served on a bed of rice.
The fried egg went well with the thin slices of beef coated with homemade Arkanseoul bulgogi sauce. If you plan to go to any Korean restaurant, you must try their bulgogi. It is, without a doubt, one of the most popular Korean dishes out there. If they do a proper bulgogi, then they’re probably as authentic as you can get.
Another good thing about Korean food is that the dishes tend to be very colorful. My bulgogi, for example, came with spring onions, carrots, sesame seeds, and a fried egg. All these ingredients together made for a very vibrant-looking dish and added tons of flavor.
Arkanseoul Has a Cozy Ambience
Another praiseworthy thing about them is their hospitable staff and cozy ambiance. They were very polite and accommodating. The service is also relatively quick, and the place plays KPop videos to keep you from getting bored!
Arkanseoul is also well-lit and furnished tastefully.
Why Go To Arkanseoul
Korean food can be intimidating for Western palates. Arkanseoul remedies that by simplifying Korean food for the unacquainted (like me) to enjoy. However, in this process, they ensure that the food’s authenticity and quality are not compromised.
Arkanseoul is manned by members of a Korean-American household. As native Koreans, they have a proper understanding of what Korean food really is. So if you’re in the Bentonville area, Arkanseoul is well worth a stop.
What To Try in Arkanseoul
Aside from the delicious bulgogi beef bowl, there are many things you can try in Arkanseoul that are just as delicious.
Here are a few that caught my eye:
Also, I have a 3-day itinerary that can help you decide what activities to do if you’re overwhelmed by everything Northwest Arkansas has to offer.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie, a sports person, a sightseer, or want to spend quality time with your kids; I have something for you. Check out the link below to learn more:
https://www.allthingsnwa.com/3-day-itinerary-northwest-arkansas
The Japchae Is a Delicious Glass Noodle Dish
Ditch your average pasta and go for something more colorful with Arkanseoul’s Japchae. It is a glass noodle dish topped with stir-fried string beans, carrots, mushrooms, onions, and spinach. Yep, it’s a lot! But that’s the beauty of Korean food! It gives your mouth an adventure.
The Tteokbokki Is Savory With Some Heat
If you’re looking for some heat, then maybe try the tteokbokki. This dish offers a series of rice mounds rolled into small pieces topped with Arkanseoul’s special gochujang sauce. What makes gochujang sauce spicy are the fermented red peppers thrown into the mix.
With fermented soybeans and barley, gochujang makes for a truly tasty sauce.
Be warned, many Korean foods tend to be spicy, and Arkanseoul may not be your place of choice when going on a date. Here are some places in Northwest Arkansas which offer delightful dishes and a truly romantic ambiance.
The Mandu Has Pork and Veggie Versions
Kids will surely love the mandu as well. It is a fried dumpling made of Korean rice flour and cornstarch and filled with various kinds of meat. Arkanseoul has a veggie version as well. You can dip it in some dark vinegar for that extra flavor!
Everyone loves the Korean Fried Chicken
You cannot go wrong with fried chicken, which seems to be true with Arkanseoul’s Korean version. Their Korean chicken is expertly battered and glazed in their homemade sauce and can come either bone-in or boneless.
You can get extra soy or spicy soy garlic sauce for extra flavor.
But here’s a warning; Arkanseoul makes their Korean fried chicken fresh, which can take up to 30 minutes of waiting. It’s worth the wait, though.
The Dosirak Is a Korean Set Meal
If you’re hungry and want to try a little bit of everything, you can go for the Dosirak, which allows you to customize your meal. You can choose from various proteins, including galbi (marinated short ribs), pork bulgogi, and beef bulgogi.
You can even go for a bit of each protein with the Modum Dosirak! Each dosirak comes with two selected side dishes, white rice, and house-made kimchi!
As impressive as their menu is, Arkanseoul won’t have you covered if you’re looking for the best breakfast in town. You can check out the best breakfast places in Bentonville on my blog.
Conclusion
Arkanseoul truly is one of Bentonville’s best gems. It takes your taste buds to a faraway place with its impressive array of Korean dishes. Rest assured that you’re getting truly authentic dishes made from the heart. If you’re ever in the Bentonville area, stop by Arkanseoul!
