Past Memories

The main reason for 5 stars are for the serving sizes. Seriously, the tofu ramen soup costed $15 but the bowl was huge! The flavor was good, but it was just a little bit too strong. If they dialed it back just a bit then it would be perfect. The chicken is an interesting. The flavor was good but I didn’t like how crispy it was. Overall I was pretty satisfied with this place.

Always a great time to be had at Past Memories. You always get a homey feeling when grabbing a bite here after a few rounds. Come happy, leave happy. It’s more of a happy memories type of place.

Past Memories is a Korean pub that is a favorite among locals. The warm, moody lighting, wooden booths, and decor create the nostalgic atmosphere that is true to the restaurant’s name. Even on my first visit, the restaurant’s homely vibe made me feel that I had been there before. My “past memories” include the seafood pancake and sweet and spicy chicken wings. These are non-negotiable for me on every visit. The seafood pancake has crispy edges and a soft, almost gooey center filled with delicious fried batter, squid, and green onions. The sweet and spicy chicken wings are presented in lollipop style, and are more sweet than spicy. I have a bit of a sweet tooth so they are perfect for me. My favorite memories, however, have to be sharing soju cocktails with my friends. I like to get the lychee and yogurt soju cocktails. The alcohol taste is almost undetectable and the cocktails are yummy and sweet. No night at Past Memories is complete without a refreshing drink to complement your meal.

This place is about 8 miles from where I live but is always worth the drive. Food is delicious and is served right away. The price is cheaper compared to other Korean bar/restaurants. The army soup was slightly bland, but still hot the spot. Seafood pancake had enough seafood - they didn’t just put a ton of dough. The music was very loud though - I felt like I was at a club.

The service was ok and the atmosphere was great. The food was not quite the quality we expected even though, to give the restaurant credit, they do give decent portions. The flavored soju was good though.

Korean BBQ House – Where Smoke, Sizzle, and Smiles Collide Fresh off a food high from Casa del Rey, we kept the flavor train rolling and hit up Korean BBQ House in Garden Grove the next day—and whoa, talk about back-to-back culinary victories. This place wasn’t just dinner—it was a full-on experience, equal parts campfire cookout, meat lover’s paradise, and family bonding therapy (the delicious kind). We sat down, fired up the grill, and things escalated quickly—in the best way possible. My son went full carnivore mode on the beef, grilling it like he’s been doing this his whole life. Perfectly marinated, juicy, with just the right char—he was in his element. If there had been a trophy for “Most Focused BBQ Enthusiast Under 12,” he’d have taken gold. And the kids? Oh man, the kimchi rice and grilled octopus were hits. I half-expected some picky eater drama, but nope—those little food critics dove in like they were born in Seoul. The kimchi rice had that perfect balance of heat, tang, and umami, and the octopus? Tender, just spicy enough, and charred to perfection. Not a single “ew” or “what is that” was heard—just satisfied chewing and chopstick clacking. The vibe in there? Cozy chaos. It smelled like heaven (if heaven has a meat smoker), the energy was upbeat without being overwhelming, and everyone looked like they were having a good time—because they were. You grill your own food, you talk, you laugh, you maybe smoke out your eyebrows a little—it’s all part of the fun. Korean BBQ House is now locked in the family memory bank as one of those meals—the kind we’ll randomly bring up years from now, like “Remember the time Elijah grilled 10 pieces of beef like a little BBQ boss?” Yeah. That kind. Two days. Two meals. Two totally different cuisines. One happy, full family. We call that a win.

Past Memories is an amazing spot for Korean foods and drinks! The thing that stood out to me the most about this restaurant was the atmosphere. I loved the little Korean street signs and telephone poles that transported you out of the drab plazas of California and into the intimacy of Korean culture. In addition, the cozy seats and the layout of the restaurant really put together an atmosphere that welcomed a long night of drinking and laughing with friends. Onto the food. Amazing and a lot. My mouth was watering just smelling all the food around me and I wasn't disappointed when we received ours! You really only need 2 dishes for 3-5 people, they give a lot! We ordered the military stew and sea snail spicy salad, and I loved both of them. Our party of 3 couldn't finish either and the leftover military stew was still good for two more meals. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant. Past Memories should be your next stop for authentic Korean cuisine!