A few weeks ago, a new restaurant finally opened up in the old Ludwig’s Schnitzelhouse space on Fontaine Avenue, and it couldn’t be any farther removed from schnitzel and bratwurst– a Korean and Japanese joint called Arirang Restaurant, named after a popular Korean folk song about the nature of love. According to general manager Ho Lee, a native Korean who moved here from Harrisonburg, they want to be more than just another Asian restaurant.

“We are trying to bring our culture here,” he says. “Most people think Asian restaurants don’t have bars, or places to watch sports….but we have a lounge where you can have a saki and watch a soccer game.”

In addition, Lee says the food at Arirang might come out a little slower because they don’t start cooking until your order is placed. “Nothing is pre-cooked,” he says.

Lee says they make a sensational LA galbi, a name Korean’s use to describe American beef ribs cooked Korean-style, a method that originated in the Korean kitchens of Los Angeles. “They’re very good, very tender,” says Lee.