Oseyo: not enough bang for our buck

On one of our date nights, when we did not plan well, we headed in the general direction of East Cesar Chavez (a street that after today may already be in the process of being renamed even though the remnants of famous racists or confederates are still being debated as to why they should be removed from their perch or sign). Do to our poor planning and general panic, we ended up at Oseyo. This could be seen as a safe bet since we both enjoy Korean food and Austin has a sizable and diverse Asian community that leads to excellent representation with restaurants.

But to ignore, like we did, how this part of East Austin is a classic example of the segregation and then gentrification that the city is known for (my opinion on this is formed based off what I have experienced when living in Austin and what I have read in The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America), well let’s just sum this review up by saying we set ourselves up for failure with this pick.

This is a restaurant that is on the pricer end considering the portions that are given. While it does have a traditional Korean menu that I will drool over (mandu, bibimbap, kimchi jjigae, bulgogi), the portions are smaller then what you would get at other restaurants in the area with similar fares and prices. In fact, if you travel up north you can find places that offer more and at a cheaper price point. Unless inflation has got to them too!

When getting the bulgogi, the taste wasn’t horrible but it was sweeter then I would prefer. I was most disappointed by the banchan. I have high expectations, this is based off of a year of my childhood that was spent in the country and how my formative years after that were in a Texas town known for its Korean community and badass food culture that they brought with them (Killeen - RIP the best restaurant ever Kiku Garden in Harker Heights). I have my favorites and preferences as a picky eater. I will always lay claim to the bean sprouts, kimchi, pickled radishes, or cucumbers. I still want to see a variety of dishes with the bulgogi since I love being able to share the ones I don’t claim with the family or party I am with. We should have picked up on the fact that this restaurant was going to be turning against this tradition since the appetizers list a “flight of the banchan.” I must give them their props for trying to profit off these small dishes in a way that feels American.

Like most of the restaurants in the city, the drink menu seems to be curated with the audience in mind. Beer (for the fried chicken night) and soju is represented, but most of the cocktails seems to be Japanese based. You can expect to pay the same here that you will at other places, 18 to 20 dollars a drink. I have seen reports that drinking is down in the city, is that because people are getting sober or is that because it is expensive to be drinking in public?

Since this review is more of a downer than usual, I want to try and say something that might appeal to you even if I have no experience with it. We went in the middle of the week, so we could not try out the fried chicken. This may be what they are know for? Their fried chicken seems to be limited in quantity and to a specific day (Sunday). My uninformed opinion is based on the interior design and on the menu items that we did taste, but I have a feeling they would bring an authentic Korean flavor to that as well.

Should it be no surprise though if I say that this is one of the places where it is not worth it? Learn from our mistakes, plan better and pick someplace else. Unless you are rich and indifferent like that.