Chae, a Korean/American fusion restaurant and bar concept, is coming to the old Rehearsals space adjacent to the Oklahoma City University campus at 1933 NW 23rd.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/chae1.jpg

The building was recently bought from OCU by Daniel Chae who will soon start a remodel with a planned opening of this fall.

The converted home at the northeast corner of NW 23rd and Virginia was owned by the university for a number of years and was formerly the BLUEtique.

After a major renovation and addition of a large patio facing 23rd Street, Rehearsals Grill opened in January 2014 but closed in May that same year and has since remained shuttered.

Daniel Chae also owns and operates All About Cha Coffee and Tea House at 7300 N. Western in Nichols Hills.

Chae's plans for his namesake restaurant include a menu developed by Kevin Lee of Vast and executed by chef Taylor Desjarlais, the most recent graduate of the Coach House Apprentice Program.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/chae.jpg

The table-service restaurant will offer a full bar and feature menu items at a medium price-point.

Hours are projected ot be 11AM to 11PM Sunday through Thursday and staying open until 2AM on Friday and Saturday.

Work on the restaurant is expected to start soon.

Wow... That's going to give us two Korean options on 23rd street soon.... I'm guessing Daebak K is still going to happen

Yes, Daebak K is still going to happen but I believe their menu will be slanted more towards Korean BBQ.

But with Chae, Daebak K and Guernsey Park all on 23rd, that's going to be 3 great Asian fusion options.

This could be great. That's an impressive group involved.

Sounds cool. Hope it works, it's a nice space and spot.

Oh Em Gee.. Yessssss.... I am super excited about this.

I hope they make a mean Bibimbap!

This place is getting close:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/chae083115.jpg

Chae is now open. I was lucky enough to be able to attend one of the private dinners they held before opening, and the food was fantastic. The wife and I will be heading there tonight for dinner.

Can't wait to try it.

And Daniel Chae is a heck of a nice guy. Bet this is a big success.

Ate there last night. It was freaking AWESOME! a big thumbs up. Great service. Great food. If I had to knit pick I'd prefer decor on the walls vs the clean look, but that's just my style. But it does make the colorful and beautifully presented food really pop.

Danny if you can read this, I highly recommend you put some entrance+arrow signs up. We were a little confused with all the ramps and patio entrances. We saw another party get lost on our way out too. It's not a hazard or anything, just a thought.

Slam dunk on the meal, I'll be here a lot.

Excellent find. This place will be an enduring hit in OKC. Quick hits: nice menu variety with a lot of scrumptious small plates. Incredibly intimate but energized atmosphere; comfortably chic (sorry, Ian, I disagree about the lack of decor on the walls. It added to the experience in our opinion.) The service we had was prompt, friendly and unpretentious.

I'm not an expert on Korean food but my brood loved this joint and we will be regulars.

Holy moly - I know pictures always look good - but this looks like yet another one of those "is this really OKC" type of places. Just curious do they have a good number of vegetarian options? Unfortunately for us that'll determine whether we just try it out or become regulars.

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This looks awesome

New signage:

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Nice!

Also, expecting comments about how dangerous and terrible the wiring looks in 3.....2.....

Nice!

Also, expecting comments about how dangerous and terrible the wiring looks in 3.....2.....

Wow! That wiring looks.... Dangerous... and terrible? :cool:

A picture taken inside:

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yeah, what's up with the wiring? JK

Had another nice experience there tonight!

I came here yesterday for lunch and was really excited to try it out. The staff was very friendly and the inside looked and felt awesome. Although, I'm assuming this type of food is all about the meat and it isn't really the best for vegetarians or pescetarians. My girlfriend and I got shrimp buns for an appetizer and shared the tofu salad and a seafood rice bowl for our entrees. The shrimp buns were $7 for two buns that would fit inside my palm. Bun, 1 fried shrimp, sauce, cilantro sprig, and jalapeno for $3.50/each. Way too pricey and not that great. The flavor of the tofu "salad" was good, but it was essentially 4 pieces of crispy tofu (which was prepared well) with tomatoes, onions, cilantro and soy sauce on top for $8. The rice bowl was very plain. Plain (nearly crunchy) white rice, barely seasoned shrimp, squid, and mussels with pickled onion and green onions on top with very little sauce in the bowl for $12. When we asked for some more of the sauce they brought us soy sauce. I just left feeling like I spent way too much ($44 for food plus two beers) for something I could have cooked at home, but better. I've never eaten Korean food and was looking for a new experience and interesting flavors. Was very lackluster for the both of us. I still feel like I don't know what Korean food tastes like.

so i'm in a car, stuck in traffic, saw this place, thought it was a "cahe", maybe a cafe (?), the sign is confusing. looked up the menu, not a cafe after-all. this place needs to be down the 23rd road over by tuckers I thought, or maybe down on broadway/auto alley area. I knew when rehearsals was there, but i am still not sold on the location for this new joint, the confusing sign, and that 23/penn intersection is cheap-o fast food dominated.

Had lunch there with a friend. I had the bibimbap and she had the galbi tacos. It was pretty good and I will probably go back but didn't really satisfy my Korean fix. If I am in the mood for Korean I will still prob make the drive to Del City. I'll end up going here just for something different than the rest of the NW food scene.

Had lunch there with a friend. I had the bibimbap and she had the galbi tacos. It was pretty good and I will probably go back but didn't really satisfy my Korean fix. If I am in the mood for Korean I will still prob make the drive to Del City. I'll end up going here just for something different than the rest of the NW food scene.

Korean friends said something similar to that with regards to the Korean fix.

I'm not really familiar with Korean food so I don't really have a comparison. I had the pepper appetizer and the bibimbap... I thought both were good and I will be back, but I am not in a rush to. It may just be a personal preference, but I would much rather have Thai food if I'm going to eat Asian.

I need to try it out. but was hoping it could satisfy my Korean fix and not have to drive to Del city!

Had lunch there with a friend. I had the bibimbap and she had the galbi tacos. It was pretty good and I will probably go back but didn't really satisfy my Korean fix. If I am in the mood for Korean I will still prob make the drive to Del City. I'll end up going here just for something different than the rest of the NW food scene.

Trousers,
What is the name of the Del City restaurant? I'm moving to the area in the next few weeks, and plan on trying it.
Thanks,
C. T.

There are several in the area and which one I go to depends on my mood.
-Korean House has my favorite bulgogi
-Dong A (probably actually Moore?) has my favorite bibimbap
-Seoul Garden favorite banchan and seafood

Hope that helps and please remember all tastes are subjective:wink:

There are several in the area and which one I go to depends on my mood.
-Korean House has my favorite bulgogi
-Dong A (probably actually Moore?) has my favorite bibimbap
-Seoul Garden favorite banchan and seafood

Hope that helps and please remember all tastes are subjective:wink:

Dong-A is definitely Moore. ;+) (12th & Eastern)

Also B-Won in Del City (44th & Sunnylane)

There are several in the area and which one I go to depends on my mood.
-Korean House has my favorite bulgogi
-Dong A (probably actually Moore?) has my favorite bibimbap
-Seoul Garden favorite banchan and seafood

Hope that helps and please remember all tastes are subjective:wink:

Trousers,
Thanks, and yes, one man's trash is another man's treasure. I am not a Korean food connoisseur by any means but I have a friend that just married a South Korean lady and thought I should try the cuisine.
C. T.

And I need to actually correct my own post. I actually meant B-Won for banchan and seafood, not Seoul Garden (thank OBEA).

And I need to actually correct my own post. I actually meant B-Won for banchan and seafood, not Seoul Garden (thank OBEA).

I have never tried Seoul Garden... How does it compare to B-Won?

I've only been to Korean House once and I thought it was good but since I really like the Dolsot Bibimbap at B-Won. It has always been my go to for Korean.

Honestly it's been so long since I ate at Seoul Garden I would really hate to voice an opinion.
It was probably one of the first or second times I had ate Korean and was still trying to figure it out.

Had lunch at Chae today.

First of all, I had never been in that space and it was surprisingly nice inside. Decent sized bar, lots of nice seating then two separate outdoor patios. Had some good beers on tap, but that would have to wait for another trip.

Had the fried dumplings as a starter and they were really good, especially the spicy dipping sauce.

Opted for a special, which was a pork belly rice bowl with pickled veggies. Very good and so much food I didn't finish it.


Really want to go back for dinner and try more items, as this is definitely my kind of place and a nice break from comfort food.

Had lunch at Chae today..

I was there for lunch today as well.... Had the Steamed Pork Bun and Kimchi Arancini as appetizers and both were excellent... Really loved the crispy pork belly in the pork bun and the Arancini were some of the best I have had... I even liked the kimchi, which I'm not a fan of in general.... I also picked up a hint of fish sauce on it that I've never tasted on kimchi at most of the Korean places on the east side.

We shared the Iron Bibimbap and the sous vide eggs and beef short ribs took that dish over the top.... I'm definitely going to be going back as often as I can and trying some of the other items but those pork buns will get ordered every time I'm there because I'm a pork belly junky.

I've eaten there three times, and while I admit I have no experience in traditional Korean cuisine, I really enjoyed Chae. The decor is great, it's very clean and well done inside, with tvs to watch a game, a nice small bar to sit at, etc., and two nice patios for the better weather. The food is fantastic, I've had the arancini kimchi balls, the pork belly buns, the kimchi, the tacos, and something else I don't recall. Everything was good, a bit spicy, fresh, and full of flavor. I fully intend to visit as often as I can, and it has earned its way to the regular rotation. I recommend visiting. Sadly, it's not been busy during any of my visits, and they deserve to do well. I hope it takes off.

They do half off all their small plates from 2-5 Monday through Friday.

I'll have to find a time to stop by during that time, as it's a great way to try all the different appetizers, which all look very good to me.

Everybody, I don't think Chae is meaning to be authentic Korean - instead, I believe they are shooting for Korean Bistro experience (which is much more fusion and modern).

Keep this in mind if you go, there is a difference despite similar names/dishes as the traditional Korean spots.

Good that OKC does have a Korean strip, maybe we should start threads for cuisines so restaurant specific threads don't get hijacked (with no ill intent) sharing their list of other restaurants (or in this case, specific restaurants).

Everybody, I don't think Chae is meaning to be authentic Korean - instead, I believe they are shooting for Korean Bistro experience (which is much more fusion and modern).

Keep this in mind if you go, there is a difference despite similar names/dishes as the traditional Korean spots.

Good that OKC does have a Korean strip, maybe we should start threads for cuisines so restaurant specific threads don't get hijacked (with no ill intent) sharing their list of other restaurants (or in this case, specific restaurants).

There are already a number of threads like that under the General Food and Drinks area.

Here are a few pics from my lunch here last week for your viewing pleasure...

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Pork Bun

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Kimchi Arancini

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Iron Bibimbap

Ooh, that all looks delicious.

They have tweaked their menu a bit; some new items and they added more types of buns:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/chae030116.jpg

I love this place, but really wish it was closer to downtown. It's never been busy when I've been there, I hope they're doing well.

soondubu ahhh :)

went there for lunch around a month or so ago and shared the iron bibimbap and some spring rolls... the place is pretty solid, imo. went right at opening and the place was pretty busy but not quite full by the time we left. -M

I have never tried Seoul Garden... How does it compare to B-Won?

I've only been to Korean House once and I thought it was good but since I really like the Dolsot Bibimbap at B-Won. It has always been my go to for Korean.

My wife and I (and her sister and nieces) really like Korean food and we strongly prefer B-Won over Seoul Garden & Korean House. I work near B-Won on Tuesdays and the place fills up quickly beginning around 11:30 and usually half the patrons are in uniform. Whether those folks have been to Korea and know good Korean food is unknown, but if nothing else, word of mouth at Tinker seems to rate B-Won very highly.

Finally decided to hit this place up after my wife and I have been talking about going for months. We usually seem to pass on Chae because there's always another restaurant in town that we absolutely love going back to. Finally pulled the trigger, and thank god we did. Let me preface by saying that we don't eat Korean a lot, probably have had it less than a dozen times now so I'm not a good person to ask on authentic Korean. However, we do know good food and this place was delicious. First off, the inside was not what we were expecting at all. Looked like it would be small and cramped from the outside; it was small but layout was fine and place was intimate but lively at the same time. For a Tuesday night, it was actually quite busy. Also, our server was awesome. Friendly and very helpful for us first-timers on the menu.

Onto the food, I had been working all day and hadn't eaten yet. So by dinnertime, my stomach can never handle all the things I'm craving. Wanted to try several things, so we got a pork belly bun, chicken bun, galbi tacos, and iron bibimbap. She told us the bibimbap was going to be "plenty for us to share." But my eyes were extremely hungry that night. First thought was, $7 for one bun?! That seems unusually high, compared to other buns we've had. They came out and they were really good size, however. And both were awesome. I thought I was going to be disappointed with the pork belly, as everybody seems to be in this pork belly craze, and my family has been eating it for years. When I have had it lately, I'm just like meh. This bun was great. Pork belly was so tender and had the right amount of fat (which I love) to it. Whatever the sauce was, it was delicious, and I think it was the same that was on our tacos. Chicken karaage bun was great too. I thought the chicken would've been great just by itself as an app. Been to many Japanese places lately that attempt chicken karaage, including Tamashii, and they always seem to disappoint. Because of the toppings and sauce, it's hard to tell if this chicken could've stood alone, but seemed much closer than my other recent experiences. My wife didn't enjoy the tacos as much as I did, but I really liked them. Only complaint was there were a few pieces of beef that were much chewier than the rest, and I was chewing for quite a while before swallowing. We were both actually pretty full at that point, and laughed about it a little. Then the bibimbap came out; holy s%#&! We definitely ordered too much food. It was a huge bowl; hence the $25 price on it. Our server mixed it up for us, we had a few bites, and then she boxed it up for us. It was great; rice was nice and crispy in many areas. Now we have dinner for 2 in the fridge.

Was really surprised that no one has talked about this place in 8 months; had to type it into the search bar after searching back a few pages with no luck. If you haven't been here yet, go and give it a shot. Like I said, I'm no expert in Korean cuisine; I can speak a little more on Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese food. But if this is what Korean fusion is supposed to taste like, I think it's a homerun. So glad we tried it; now, we can add it to our rotation .

I go with a group of guys to lunch here atleast 2-3 times a month. We've never had a bad experience and if we are running a little late, their happy hour starts at 2 and is fantastic.

I was in there for lunch last week and there were at least three tables of first timers sitting around me. Good to see people getting out and trying foods that may be out of their comfort zones..... Helps that Chae is knocking it out of the park on the food.

My wife and I went a few months back. I really enjoyed it, but I think it was a little outside my wife's food comfort zone. Reading your post made me pretty jealous.

Then the bibimbap came out; holy s%#&! We definitely ordered too much food. It was a huge bowl; hence the $25 price on it.

A tip for anyone interested: Chae will serve a half-sized version of the bibimbap, which is still plenty big but a bit more manageable for two people when both are wanting appetizers, buns, etc. Though I completely agree that the bibimbap makes great leftovers.

Reminder that Daniel Chae will be opening a Korean buns location in the Tower Theater.

Work should start soon.

Reminder that Daniel Chae will be opening a Korean buns location in the Tower Theater.

Work should start soon.

I asked a bartender at Savings and Loan about this last week and he had no idea what I was talking about. Glad to hear this is still moving forward.

Reminder that Daniel Chae will be opening a Korean buns location in the Tower Theater.

No reminder needed for me.... Can't wait for them to get that place open! I may put myself into a pork belly bun induced coma the first week it opens!!! lol

Reminder that Daniel Chae will be opening a Korean buns location in the Tower Theater.

Work should start soon.

The soft shell crab bun is absolutely to die for! I cant wait for more options.

And if the owner so happens to frequent OKCTalk, our server's name was Augustina and she was great! Very sweet, attentive, and helpful with the menu. Just came across the receipt while cleaning out my wallet.

A Korean bun place sounds awesome! There's a place in Houston called Fat Bao, that we absolutely love.

This place is really one of the consistently best restaurants in town. The food is phenomenal.

Went here on Tuesday night for the first time. The food and atmosphere was great! Can't believe it took me this long to make it over there, but I'll be back.

The location is a bit odd as for some reason people tend to overlook or forget about it.

But in actuality, it's close to the rest of Uptown and The Plaza. And I agree with everyone that it's pretty great.

I am such a fan of this place. It usually seems to be busy which hopefully means it will be sticking around for a long time. I love the diversity in restaurants that we are starting to see in our city!