Extremely Disappointing
This is a Japanese-Korean restaurant that has been in Lexington Center for quite a while, although they changed their name after a fire a few years ago. I had not gone there until recently. I don't know why. But one day my daughter and I, who are currently into Korean food, decided to try it out. It was not good at all. The shrimp tempura was extremely crunchy in an odd sort of way and pretty tasteless, as was the dipping sauce. The beef and vegetable dishes we got to cook on the grill were likewise pretty bad. The beef was not marinated well, and the whole container was just dumped onto the grill, so none of it cooked nicely. The veggies were dry. Since they were not precooked in any way, the outsides were burnt before the insides were cooked at all.

We will never go back again. The mystery to us is how this place stays in business. Maybe other things are better, but we will never find that out.    [10 Aug 2001 13:17:55]

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     ­Jean B.   

Scrumptious
After about 7 visits, we would say everything except the Korean BBQ dishes is first-rate. We consistently enjoy the sushi, the appetizers, and the seafood and noodle dishes. Our favorite: Toban Yaki, a salmon and vegetable number cooked and served in a stylish ceramic pot. Hard to fathom how they get all the varied ingredients--including spinach, calamari, and even daikon--to taste so wonderfully smooth. It's memorable.    [29 Sep 2001 20:25:49]

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     ­Roland Stark   

Good Fish
I have only been into Dabin 3 times and I've only had one dish but given the review from Jean B I had to add something for balance. The chirasi sushi (assorted sashimi over a bowl of rice) has been excellent every time. Good quantity and excellent quality at a reasonable price ($13). Others that have been with me have had similar experience with other Sushi dishes. It's certainly possible that the sushi chef is much better than the hot food chef. I will certainly be back.    [04 Oct 2001 16:33:25]

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Recommended Dishes: chirasi sushi

     ­Mike O   

Best Veggie Gyoza in Town
Although the other stuff I have had there is good too, the gyoza is really the best around.    [22 May 2002 09:38:33]

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Recommended Dishes: veggie gyoza

     ­Anonymous   

Dabin has always found a way to satify our family's taste when it comes to good Korean food. We have eaten at Dabin for many years that it is now impossible to count. All of their dishes, whether it is spicy kimchee cheegae or a lunch bento box, have been a pleasure to eat every time.

The service is fast and reliable, and the workers are so courteous and friendly. We feel welcome every time with a "an young hass a yo" which means "hello" in Korean.

Dabin is the best Korean restaurant in the whole state of Massachusetts. It is well rounded and if you ever have a strong craving for Korean food, we strongly recommend Dabin because their food is delicious and you will never have a negative experience! Furthermore, the shrimp tempura is one of our favorites. It is very light and crispy and it is accompanied with a not too strong and also a light sauce. It is a mouth-watering combination.    [19 Feb 2003 13:47:52]

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Recommended Dishes: pork kimchee bokom, kimchee chigee, scallion pancakes, lunch bento boxes, shrimp tempura, bulgogi, kalbi, dumpling soup, topuki

     ­Maria   

Authentic and Delicious Korean Food
Take it from me, I have experienced many mediocre Korean restaurants that do not come even close to the quality food, service and ambiance of Dabin. I am a Korean-American whose family is well-involved in the entire Korean culture, focusing mainly on the food. I have personally visited Korea and dined upon the best and most authentic Asian/Korean foods while there, and although there are numerous Asian restaurants here in the US, Dabin exudes the real genuine food of Korea.

All of their dishes are super delicious and is suited for any mood. You could have the pork kimchee bokom if you are in the mood for a spicy dish; and you could order dukguk (dumpling/rice cake soup) if you are in the mood for a hot, soothing, soup-based dish. The shrimp tempura is one of my all time favorites. As Maria from Cambridge explained, it is very light and has just the right speck of crispiness. It is accompanied with fried sweet potatoes and string beans which you dip in a light sauce. I can also die for the okdol bibimbab. It is served in a large stone bowl, steaming hot, with rice, many vegetables, a sunny-side-up egg, and a spicy sauce which is all mixed together.

I can go on and on about Dabin. All I have are positive and impressive things to say. I also have to comment on the owners of Dabin (two infectiously friendly Korean ladies) who have done such a tremendous job running their restaurant. The servers are also incredibly curtious and very quick-on-the-job. Dabin is one of the best restaurants to go to when you are craving real authentic Korean food. I have been eating at Dabin for as long as I can remember; and I have strong doubts that there is another Korean restaurant in the whole east coast that is as good as Dabin.    [03 Aug 2003 23:22:20]

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Recommended Dishes: shrimp tempura, okdol bibimbab, pork kimchee bokom, dukguk, kimchee chigae, tengang chigae, paggan (appetizer), BBQ meat dishes

     ­Leigh   

Good for All
I went with a group of old friends, two of whom were anything but adventurous about anything but meat and potatoes. The others of us love Japanese and wanted to try Korean. The less adventurous got Korean and loved it. We more Japanese lovers got teriyaki salmon and sushi and both were excellent compared to many other restaurants where we have had the same. If you are looking for a place with a nice atmosphere, good Japanese, and an opportunity to try Korean, I recommend Dabin.    [09 Mar 2004 15:02:54]

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     ­Anonymous   

Worth a Try
It's a very good restaurant, but you can get the same things at the same quality much cheaper, in Boston.    [09 Sep 2005 17:48:36]

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     ­Kate   

Good Food, Reasonable Price
Dabin's has a sushi chef and the sushi and sashimi is quite good - a favorite place to eat a lunch with office mates. There are a number of Korean as well as Japanese dishes and I've not eaten anything that was not quite good. Bi bim bop in an earthen bowl is quite tasty.

There are private rooms where you can sit Japanese style.    [04 Nov 2005 18:24:38]

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Recommended Dishes: bi bim bop

     ­FrequentVisitor   

Always Ask the Price
I called and ordered chicken noodle soup to go for lunch. Almost fainted when I went to pick it up and was told it was $10. They said it was a popular dish. Not only were the noodles thick, tasteless and overcooked, the chicken was flavorless - one of the worst soups I've ever had. Threw most of it away.    [08 Mar 2006 20:16:56]

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     ­Anonymous