Sam cha provides a specialized Korean barbecue experience centered on interactive tabletop grilling. Patrons select from a curated variety of marinated meats and fresh vegetables prepared directly at the table for optimal flavor profile control. The menu emphasizes traditional culinary techniques featuring essential staples such as kimchi, soybean paste stews, and seasoned side dishes that accompany the primary protein options. Each meal centers on the tactile process of searing slices of beef and pork over charcoal or gas flames to achieve a distinctively charred texture. The interior layout prioritizes functional efficiency to accommodate social groups focused on communal cooking. This establishment maintains a robust focus on authentic seasoning profiles and high quality ingredients, ensuring that the preparation techniques remain consistent with regional Korean standards for grill house cuisine.
Reviews of Sam Cha describe a reliable, affordable Korean spot with a warm, cozy vibe and a strong lineup of crowd pleasers like bibimbap with bulgogi, tteokbokki, fried chicken, galbi and spicy pork udon; portions are generous and flavors feel homemade, with kimchi praised and the price to quality balance generally seen as good; it is a go to for both quick meals and group dinners, and the atmosphere ranges from lively to welcoming, though the small space can be crowded and reservations are often recommended; service is mostly friendly and attentive, but occasional lapses and slow moments are noted; a few dishes are called out for uneven seasoning and one review mentions lingering smells due to limited ventilation; overall Sam Cha is viewed as a top option for Korean cooking in Montreal, with favorites like jokbal, galbi and kimchi fried rice highlighted and repeat visits common.
Love love love their noodles !!! So good I can't wait to go again ! This is my first time trying Korean food & Im grateful to have had such a good experience!
I absolutely love Samcha! The staff is always so sweet, & the food is delicious & definitely worth the price, not too expensive, not too cheap, just right for the quality you get. Everything is full of flavor & feels like a homemade meal.
I always get the bibimbap with bulgogi as the protein & kimchi on the side, & it always hits the spot! The kimchi is amazing, & the portions are good. I keep coming back to this place & always recommend it to anyone who loves Korean food!
Hands down the best galbi & udon I've had in the city. It is a go to for me when I am craving Korean. The spicy pork udon is perfect. It is chewy, spicy, saucy, & filled with flavour. The beef galbi might be the best I've ever had as well. Would recommend this place on a heartbeat. We also tried the seafood pancake & the fried chicken. They were good but not on the level of the other two dishes. The main downside is that the place is tiny. It is hard to get a table without a reservation. & after eating there expect to smell like Korean food, it is so small & there is no ventilation. It is a minor inconvenience but totally worth it.
A great Korean restaurant located on Sainte-Catherine Street near the Forum. The food is excellent, although I haven't had the chance to try their kimbap yet. I've been there about five times over the past ten years, & it has consistently been good. The prices are very reasonable considering the location, especially compared to other nearby restaurants. The only downside, in my opinion, is that it's often packed with long lineups. When the restaurant is full, the tables are quite close to each other, so you can hear nearby conversations & the atmosphere can get pretty loud. That said, it felt amazing the one time I went early on a random quiet weekday during the summer, when most students were on vacation. The experience was much more relaxed & enjoyable.
I first visited this restaurant about 2-3 years ago & was honestly impressed. The food quality back then really stood out, & I've thought about returning ever since. Unfortunately, my recent visit last week was a complete letdown, & I'm struggling to understand what changed; whether it's new management, a new chef, or a shift in standards.
We went intending to indulge & ordered several dishes: Korean seafood pancake, pork soup with rice & potatoes, beef bibimbap, & kimbap. Sadly, every single dish was below average.
The pork soup was especially disappointing. The potatoes tasted like they had been frozen & reheated - something that completely ruins both texture & flavor. The broth itself lacked depth & warmth; it tasted flat, as if it had been sitting on the stove & rushed out rather than being properly prepared. In winter especially, you expect a soup to be comforting & rich - this was neither.
The bibimbap, kimbap, & pancake were also underwhelming & poorly executed. Bibimbap lacked flavor, the pancake was tasteless & undercooked.
I even brought leftovers home hoping they might be salvageable, but ultimately ended up throwing everything out that night or the next day - which says a lot.
This experience was shocking. Something clearly needs to be addressed in the kitchen, because at this level of quality, it's hard to see how this restaurant can maintain its reputation.
I truly hope they take this feedback seriously & improve, because what I experienced this time was far below what I remembered - & far below what customers should expect.
Please do better.
Dec 25, 2025
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Had takeout from this Korean restaurant, very satisfied. Friendly staff that always put up a smile.
I have went here before to have their beef tartare & bibimbap. Stunning as always.
Make sure to reserve or come earlier during weekends as the place can be packed.
I wish you could brought back the ayce bbq, it was one of the best ayce in montreal. Sadly cancelled after covid.
A cozy family-style Korean restaurant. The bibimbap here is very authentic & tasty, according to both me & my friend who has lived in Korea for 2 years. & the price is reasonable.
May 2, 2025
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Certainly! Here's a 3-star review for a Korean restaurant:
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**Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)**
We recently visited twice Sam Chaand had an overall just ok experience. First time we came on Friday around 7:15 pm & was seated at 8:30 pm. We did not have a reservation. So, number One: make sure you book it. Second: the waiter forgot to bring a dish to us, but they charged us. So: always make sure you paid for what you got.
Next visit we planned & made a reservation at 5 pm (they open at 5 pm). So, it was empty. The waiters were obviously bored as well as the kitchen stuff.
The atmosphere was awful: too loud that we were not able to hear each other. So, be prepared to eat with no communication.
The staff were overwhelmed (on Friday). The menu had a good variety of traditional Korean dishes, & the portions were ok is size.
However, while the flavors were not bad, I felt the food lacked that authentic depth I was hoping for: the bulgogi were chewy, the sea food pancake was overcooked around & undercooked.
Prices were reasonable, but not quite a standout for the quality of food.
Overall, it was an okay experience - not bad, but not amazing either. If I'd consider coming back that would sweet & spicy chicken &, maybe, bulgogi.
Delicioua & affordable korean restaurants. Even after so many years, they continue to provide one of the best & most flavorful soon dubu jigae in town.
The only downside is that you smell like food after since the kitchen is right next to the dining space & there's korean BBQ on tables without a proper vent on top.
Are you kidding me Samcha took such a dip in quality after revamping their menu. Their menu is now a basic korean menu just like every other korean restaurant in montreal. You would think it's at least good even if they revamped it but no the quality has gone down as well. I asked for extra kimchi & that was some of the worst kimchi I ate. It was bland & tasted frozen. Bring back the bbq!!
Sam Cha is a cozy & inviting spot that offers an incredible dining experience. The picnic-style tables & warm atmosphere make it feel like a home away from home. The food is absolutely delicious-each dish is fresh, flavorful, & clearly made with care. I tried their ramen with crispy chicken, & it was exceptional! The broth was rich & comforting, & the chicken added the perfect crunch. Their variety of dishes ensures there's something for everyone, & it's a great place to enjoy with friends or family over a round of soju. Highly recommend Sam Cha for anyone looking for authentic Korean flavors & a friendly, laid-back vibe.
Dec 28, 2024
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I'd recommend to make a reservation in advance as they are so so busy for dinner. This Korean restaurant is cozy & I like the way they decorated the inside The staff took care of our table really quick. We ordered seafood pancake, rice cake & tofu soup. Everything was delicious & they were huge portion :) suggesting to share with each other haha. I'd definitely come back if I have a chance to visit Montreal again.
Sam Cha was delicious! Really good Korean food. We took normal spiciness level & I found the jjigae & tteokbokki quite spicy but it was really good. They have not spicy options like the pancake if you can't handle spicy. The service was great. The atmosphere was a bit loud but they have seats in the back which is calmer so I'll ask to sit there next time. Better reserve before going otherwise there's a waitlist.
Nice atmosphere but imho not authentic, too sweet & no heat, soup was a let down, also there were no koreans or even asians in the kitchen when we visited back in April.
Authentic Korean food. The food is quite tasty & authentic but it is more on the bar food & tappas. The taste profile is on the sweeter side. I highly recommend the beef tartare! The waiters were friendly & helpful but the service was a bit slow as they barely came to see us & we had to request them for water. Atmosphere is more lounge like & louder.
