Trying Out Daebi Mama Korean Cuisine After All the TikTok Hype

I’ve been seeing Daebi Mama Korean Cuisine pop up on TikTok for a while now, and honestly, curiosity got the best of me. Every time I scrolled, there it was, people raving about their food, showing off steaming bowls of soup, and hyping it up like it was the next best spot for Korean dishes in the city. So, when I had a free day to run errands and found myself craving Korean food, I thought it was the perfect chance to finally see what the fuss was about.

Getting there wasn’t the easiest since it’s a bit of a trip from where I live, but I didn’t mind. Sometimes the anticipation makes the food adventure feel more exciting. I went alone, which meant I had to be practical about my order. As much as I wanted to try everything I’ve seen online, I kept it simple with three dishes: sundubu jjigae, galbitang, and veg kimbap.

The restaurant itself has a nice vibe. Because I was dining solo, I really appreciated how quiet and spacious it felt. It was the kind of setup where you could just sit back, enjoy your food, and not feel rushed. I don’t know how different it is when it gets crowded, but at that time, it was pretty chill. The staff also stood out, they were accommodating and friendly from the moment I stepped in, which made the visit even better. And to top it all off, they gave me a 10% promo discount I wasn’t expecting. Small surprise, but panalo.

Now, on to the food. Let’s start with the galbitang. I know galbitang is supposed to be light, mild, and clean, but this one came off a little too plain for my taste. It leaned more toward watery, and I was hoping for a bit more depth, a subtle sweetness, maybe a touch of savory to balance it out. That said, the beef itself was tender, soft, and easy to eat, so that part was good. The sundubu jjigae had a solid savory, umami flavor, which I liked, but it turned out spicier than I could handle. That’s on me since I didn’t ask them to adjust the spice level. Still, the flavor was there, and it was comforting in its own way. The veg kimbap was exactly what you’d expect, straightforward and simple. Nothing special, but also nothing disappointing.

I think what shaped my experience the most was the TikTok hype. When you see a place constantly being praised online, you can’t help but set the bar high in your head. So I came in with those expectations, and while the food wasn’t bad, it just didn’t match the buzz for me. It’s not a place I’d go out of my way to visit again, but it’s also not a place I regret trying. For me, it was more of a “been there, done that” kind of moment. Maybe it really does feel different if you come in without the hype coloring your expectations.

Still, if you’re nearby and curious, I’d say it’s worth checking out at least once. The space is nice, the staff are friendly, and who doesn’t like a little surprise discount at the end of their meal? Even if it didn’t fully live up to TikTok for me, Daebi Mama gave me a good, relaxing solo dining experience, and sometimes, that’s already enough to make the trip worthwhile.