Incheon Restaurant

In the heart of Annandale lies Incheon, a culinary gem that's elevating Korean cuisine to dizzying heights, with a modern twist. It's not every day you stumble upon a place that feeds both your appetite and your Instagram feed with equal gusto. Incheon does just that, serving up dishes that are as photogenic as they are palate-pleasing, in a setting that's both chic and inviting.

From the moment you step inside, you're embraced by a vibe that's as modern as Seoul's skyline, matched with service that's as smooth and satisfying as a perfectly aged soju. It's clear you're in for a culinary adventure where traditional Korean flavors meet contemporary flair, and let me tell you, it's a match made in foodie heaven.

Kicking off our epicurean journey were the fresh oysters, a half dozen briny jewels from the sea, dressed up with mignonette, chives, and a zesty chojang that will have you saying "Oh, shuck yes!" Each oyster was a dive into the deep, refreshing flavors of the ocean, with a Korean twist that had us at "Annyeong".

Next up, the "Mushrooms" -- lemon ricotta and mushrooms on toasted French bread -- a dish that could diplomatically unite nations with its perfectly balanced flavors. The creamy ricotta and earthy mushrooms on that crispy French bread were like the culinary equivalent of a warm hug from a long-lost friend. It's comfort food, elevated to an art form.

The Sole, cooked in clarified butter accompanied by spinach sauteed with capers and doenjang was a revelation. This isn't just fish; it's a symphony of flavors where every note hits just right. The buttery sole practically dances on your tongue, with the doenjang laden spinach adding depth and a uniquely Korean savory twist that's simply delightful.

Now, let's talk about the Kimchi Beef Pasta. It's as if Italy took a detour through Korea, and the result is a dish that's spicy, savory, and utterly unputdownable. The fusion of kimchi's tangy heat with tender beef over pasta is a love story written in flavor, a testament to Incheon's genius in the kitchen.

Ending on a high note, the Whipped Mascarpone with berries and mint was the encore we didn't know we needed. It's not just dessert; it's a cloud of creamy, dreamy mascarpone, kissed with the sweetness of berries and the freshness of mint, creating a finale that's as refreshing as a gentle spring breeze.

Incheon is more than just a restaurant; it's a vibrant testament to the beauty of Korean cuisine, reimagined with a modern flair that's as engaging as it is delicious. Each dish is a culinary voyage, a blend of tradition and innovation that's as thrilling as exploring a new city. So, if your taste buds are itching for adventure, make your way to Incheon. It's a journey worth taking, no passport required.

Most of the food was amazing. Service was impeccable and super friendly and attentive. Highly recommend the perfectly cooked medium rare steak, with sat on a pile of delicious goguma with a spicy chimichurri sauce. The incheon burger was dripping with aioli and the meat and bread was soft and tender. The shrimp toast was unique with a Vietnamese twist (they definitely use fish sauce!)

There were some dishes I could do without: the ribs were tender on a pile of vinegar cabbage. The red sauce flavor just didn't do it for me. The mushrooms were pretty good with the toasted bread and whipped feta cheese. It's unique but not my cup of tea. I appreciated it though! The Bossam was pretty expensive -- so while the radish was good and the meat quality was also good, it didn't feel worth the cost. Overall 4/5 as I will return to try other dishes! I enjoyed how unique the dishes were!

I was swayed to this place by social media. Everything in the video I saw looked amazing. My friend and I arrived just at opening time at 5pm, and had the whole place to ourselves for a little while. The decorations feel very clean, modern-looking and romantic (candles in wine bottles).

Now for the food. We were thinking about the oysters but decided $9 for one was too expensive, so we decided to order the 3 big mains- pasta, steak, and bossam. When the pasta came out, it seemed a little small... we each got maybe 3 or 4 noodles? Loved the kimchi flavor though. Then the steak came out and I laughed as the waiter walked away, commenting to my friend on our mini steak - the bites seemed so small! The goguma puree however was an interesting sweet touch to the steak, and the gremolata added a nice spice. Finally, the bossam was not so mini- as there was plenty of lettuce and sesame leaves and the kimchi. Hands down the winner was the bossam. It had such good flavor, loved the 'sauce', kimchi, and garlic that came with it.

Honestly, if you're looking for a fine-dining feel (big prices, small servings) with some fusion/nuevo flavors, this would be a cool place to go. If you're looking for your normal-sized servings and traditional Korean food, I would not recommend this place. Not sure if I would return- maybe if I had a rich date who wasn't too keen on traditional Korean fare.

Incheon is a gem! Don't let the incognito appearance from the street fool you. Once you step inside, the ambiance shifts - be prepared to be transported! The prix fixe six-course menu is Korean inspired and creative with without being stuffy. Add in a few 'surprise' items from the chef and you'll leave satisfied in spirit and belly . Wine pairings were spot on and well priced. Make sure you try some of the special add-on items - on the night we went, the hot honey roasted carrots with peanut chili and whipped Greek yogurt were the hands down winner! Funny enough - we all enjoyed and commented on the '80's hits that accompanied the meal. Reservations recommended.

My mom and I came here on December 28 2023 for a celebratory dinner in honor of her retirement. She's old school Korean, so I wasn't sure if she would like the "fusion" aspect of it, but she loved it and had been raving about the food to everyone. So it's got umma's approval!

We had a reservation but we didn't actually need one; there were only one or two other tables that had customers. Not sure if it was just because it was an awkward holiday date between Xmas and New Year..? This place definitely deserves all the patronage. Decor was simple and elegant. Service was friendly and quick. I had mentioned in my reservation notes that it was for my mom's retirement, and they gave us two flutes of Prosecco on the house.

I loved that the Bossam came with the perfect amount of wraps, including perilla leaves. The beet dip was sweet and savory and tasted so fresh. Noodles in the kimchi beef pasta were chewy and delicious (and for anyone who is spice-averse--it's not spicy at all!). The dessert was also perfectly sweet and nutty. I personally don't like coconut flavors (unless it's coconut curry, idk why) but the coconut played well with the other flavors!

I'm going back again tonight with my mom on her suggestion--they've definitely got a new fan in her (and me!). Check their website for special event dinners, like Valentine's Day! I wish they had their menu on their website; that's the only thing I find lacking.

My friend experienced Incheon's tasting menu and recommended it to me, so we made a reservation and came in on a weekday. The restaurant was completely empty, so I don't think it's necessary to make a reservation. They are not doing the tasting menu anymore, so you can order whatever you'd like to. It's tapas style with the plates being kind of small so make sure you order a lot!

I thought the atmosphere was great and I love the vibe of a more upscale Korean restaurant. The food was pretty great and I loved the service. I'd definitely recommend coming back.
- Kimchi Pasta: 5/5, my favorite
- Octopus: 4/5, some parts were better than others... didn't seem too special or Korean
- Leeks: 5/5, this was a unique dish that I loved
- Mushrooms: 5/5, loved the mixture of mushrooms and ricotta
- Pate: 3/5, I would not order this again. It was a cool thing to order but the taste wasn't anything special

Truly a hidden gem! I came here with a group of 3, and it's a slightly upscale restaurant that has a wonderfully curated small menu from Chef Justin Ahn. The menu draws inspiration from Korean classics and flavors but has its own twists. We tried almost everything on the menu and shared it family style!

5/5 Beets: This dish was essentially a beef tartare but with beets! Roasted beets are paired with pears, gochujang, and served with crispy wonton pieces. Besides the texture of beets not really being able to match the texture of beef, the flavors were otherwise spot on.

5/5 Shrimp Toast: The toast was perfectly fluffy with a garlicky/ herb flavor, and it was an amazing vessel for the shrimp. This was definitely my favorite dish of the night, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who comes to Incheon!

5/5 Bossam: The bossam was fantastic! My only wish is that they had ssamjang that didn't have walnuts in it since I have an allergy.

4/5 Steak: This was supposedly a koji-aged flat iron that was served with two different sauces. I thought this dish was good, but I would skip out on it for the next time.

5/5 Pasta: The pasta was kimchi and beef served with a cheese-like spread on the side. This was definitely an unexpected pairing of flavors, but it was amazing and worked really well altogether!

It pains me to write this since I rarely give reviews under 4 stars and like to give places a solid chance before I leave reviews, but my most recent visit left an unpleasant impression.

I had heard about incheon for a while and been meaning to try it. It was my friends birthday and we decided to try this spot together.

The food was good and the wait staff were beyond friendly and attentive. HOWEVER the thing that threw me off was the table sat in the front filled with staff. My friend and I Ubered dessert from cents taro since it looked like we weren't going to make it before closing and as it was her birthday, I wanted to make sure she got the dessert she wanted. So we spontaneously ordered it to be dropped off to us outside of the restaurant at a time we expected to be done by (30 mins after we received our last entree.) They were doing a tasting for a new potential dish so the dining experience lasted longer than we had expected. Around the time the check came, my Uber order also arrived and I had to leave quickly to accept it. As it was my friends birthday, I made sure to give her my card and needed to come back to sign for the meal.

Without thinking, I quickly went back in. That's when I overheard a conversation from the table at the front about "customers bringing in outdoor food... if they open it they're out of here... customers aren't always right... restaurants have to be firm these days."

As a paying customer that has been nothing but appreciative of the staff and the overall meal experience, that was the last thing I expected to overhear (and it was said in a volume where customers could easily overhear). It made me feel extremely uncomfortable and unwelcome. We had absolutely no intention of opening any outdoor food for the matter.

I had enjoyed my experience up to this moment, but as someone with parents who owned a restaurant, this felt extremely in appropriate and rude.

Disappointing because I had high expectations. That comment ruined the night for my friend and I.

Omg omg omg, this hidden gem is absolutely amazing!!!! One of my friends brought my daughter and i here for dinner and lord Jesus, a time was had for sure. I am not a beets type of person never ate it or cared for it. But tonight i had it and it was sooo amazing and the taste just knocked me off my feet. The mushrooms I'm not even a big fan of either but tonight i sure did become a fan. This place makes everything sooo fresh and you can taste that in the food. The pasta was soo flavorful and the mousse was soo refreshing omg. Please come here and check out the amazing food, the people here are soo nice as well and did such an amazing job.. love it

Small, slightly upscale, Korean spot with only a few tables

Have a tiny menu of unique American-Korean fusion options

The people were very friendly

There is only one portion size, but it is somewhere between an appetizer and an entree. I would probably eat 1.5-2, but they are all priced like entrees (~$20)

This being said, the food was delicious