Park’a Korean BBQ Grill Sushi & Buffet – St Paul, MN

CLOSED late (?) 2009. It didn't last long. Read on and you'll see why.

1636 White Bear Ave N

We knew our destination was a strip mall but not the address. We had been to a buffet here a few years back. The buffet was known as Lee’s or something similar. The mall appeared half abandoned and we saw the buffet changed over to Korean.

I was happy because the previous buffet was a slightly dingy greasy dimly light affair. Walking into Park’a was a breath of fresh air with bright warm lighting and clean table clothes. When the cashier rang up $7.95 for the lunch buffet, the picture seemed brighter.

I surveyed the buffet stations and was dismayed because the food choices were Chinese. The BBQ grill station was where the Mongolian grill had been under previous ownership. The signs read Galbi, Bulgogi, Seafood, etc. but the station was empty. Apparently these offering must be available only for dinner. I didn’t ask.

Where was the Korean food? Grilled chicken, egg rolls, meatballs on a stick, chow fun, and tilapia. The first plateful was mediocre. The chow fun was different from the standard Chinese buffet offering and not in a good way. The tilapia was unacceptably dry and fishy. The grilled chicken was mildly flavorful and dry. The fried rice and lo mein were mediocre. There were quite a few other hot offerings I elected to pass on.

After that first plate, I went back and found beef ribs which could be construed as Korean fare. The beef ribs were sticky sweet and on the fatty side and passably tender. The hot and spicy chicken was spicy and probably my favorite of the hot entree offerings.

The kimchee and mustard were welcome as was the pickled diakon. The sushi was limited to California and Philadelphia rolls made with ordinary long grain rice. For shame, giving authentic Japanese sushi a bad name.

For a buffet with a sign clearly written Korean and sushi, I assumed both would be offered in significant quantities, whether at lunch, dinner, weekday, or weekend. The words Korean BBQ Grill is first and I expect it as the primary offering.  Be warned Park'a uses bait and switch tactics. Don’t fall for it.