Menu question (first class)
Dec 23, 2018, 9:46 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Titanium, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 220
Menu question (first class)
I have a couple Korean Air flights coming up, JFK-ICN-SYD in first class. I've heard a lot abbout the bibimbap (a lot if it good, but several reports that it is underwhelming). I haven't found nearly as much written about their Western options - steak, fish and the like. Are there any recent experiences folks can report on in this regard? It would be nice not to have to eat bibimbap too many times on this trip!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Dec 23, 2018, 10:33 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,848
Personally, i think the bibimbab for KE on biz/first are overrated.
It is ok for Economy but it is really lacking for the premier classes.
Pretty much the same as in Economy with just a couple more side dishes and better presentation.
Not worth taking when there are so much better bibimbab options on the ground.
The beef dishes are usually really good.
The FAs will heat up the steak according to how u like the beef (medium etc) and they usually do a good job.
KE has their own beef ranch on jeju island too.
Tried a fish dish once in Biz and that wasnt so good.
It is ok for Economy but it is really lacking for the premier classes.
Pretty much the same as in Economy with just a couple more side dishes and better presentation.
Not worth taking when there are so much better bibimbab options on the ground.
The beef dishes are usually really good.
The FAs will heat up the steak according to how u like the beef (medium etc) and they usually do a good job.
KE has their own beef ranch on jeju island too.
Tried a fish dish once in Biz and that wasnt so good.
Dec 24, 2018, 4:23 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,352
KE's first class food all comes from a special farm on Jeju as the other person said. BUT bibimbap is fine and delicious, but it's certainly a tiny portion. I eat when I'm coming back to Korea to get myself ready :-) and I've been eating delicious but greasy american food for weeks haha.
Dec 24, 2018, 4:44 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Switzerland; South Korea
Posts: 346
I have to disagree with the bibimbab being the same as economy, etc.
I do think the one in Y is miles better than any airline food I usually eat. The one in J is much more refined with actual big chunks of vegetable, meat, etc. and the soup is heavenly.
In F it's basically more food, sides, and more refined. I'd recommend taking the bibimbab out of JKF, and a Korean speciality (non-bibimbab) out of ICN.
I do think the one in Y is miles better than any airline food I usually eat. The one in J is much more refined with actual big chunks of vegetable, meat, etc. and the soup is heavenly.
In F it's basically more food, sides, and more refined. I'd recommend taking the bibimbab out of JKF, and a Korean speciality (non-bibimbab) out of ICN.
Dec 24, 2018, 2:41 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: VIE
Programs: Miles and More, Flying Blue, AA Advantage
Posts: 22
I have never flown KE in F, but I can assure that the bibimbab and the ramen in J are very different from those served in Y. This being said, I'd love to hear from those who travel with KE more often than me whether they find KE J menus rather repetitive, heavy and possibly dull -- I think they got locked in the same Korean dishes + steak (fine meat, cooking skills may vary) + fish in heavy sauce since several years, but I don't want to be unfair to them and would love to hear from others.
Dec 26, 2018, 1:06 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: ATL
Programs: Skypass, IHG
Posts: 161
I have never flown KE in F, but I can assure that the bibimbab and the ramen in J are very different from those served in Y. This being said, I'd love to hear from those who travel with KE more often than me whether they find KE J menus rather repetitive, heavy and possibly dull -- I think they got locked in the same Korean dishes + steak (fine meat, cooking skills may vary) + fish in heavy sauce since several years, but I don't want to be unfair to them and would love to hear from others.
Dec 26, 2018, 3:10 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: UA-P, and Chase-ing the sapphire dragon
Posts: 95
Jeju farm or not, the F steak was just ok. The potato it came with was inedible. If they somehow engineered powdered mash potato to be a solid form, this would be it.
The F lounge food was pretty good. The steak there, was great, as with the truffle mashed potatoes.
But service was great.
Also whenever someone else makes you ramen, it tastes about 10x better (scientific fact*)
All in all better than BR
*fake news
The F lounge food was pretty good. The steak there, was great, as with the truffle mashed potatoes.
But service was great.
Also whenever someone else makes you ramen, it tastes about 10x better (scientific fact*)
All in all better than BR
*fake news
Dec 28, 2018, 6:24 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Titanium, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 220
Hey folks,
Thanks for the suggestions and different takes! I'll probably end up going with the bibimbap and whatever other Korean options there are on the flights, and try to catch a good steak on the ground in the new first class lounge in between. Looking forward to reporting back!
Thanks for the suggestions and different takes! I'll probably end up going with the bibimbap and whatever other Korean options there are on the flights, and try to catch a good steak on the ground in the new first class lounge in between. Looking forward to reporting back!
Dec 29, 2018, 7:50 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Switzerland; South Korea
Posts: 346
And I’ve eaten all kinds of bibimbabs on ground in Korea too.
Dec 30, 2018, 5:06 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 794
I don’t mean anything by that, just want to know where you are coming from. Do you think all bibimbabs are delicious or the one from the plane is better than on the ground.
Dec 30, 2018, 7:57 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Titanium, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 220
On a different note, does anyone know if it is possible to find out what the menu for Korean Air flights is in advance - even just a week or two? Will customer service help with this?
Dec 31, 2018, 10:05 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: VIE
Programs: Miles and More, Flying Blue, AA Advantage
Posts: 22
Not sure if customer service will help, but, jokes aside, KE menus change very little, so if you can find online a menu for the route you will fly, you have a good idea of what awaits you.
Dec 31, 2018, 6:09 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Switzerland; South Korea
Posts: 346
When in Korea, I eat bimimbab on ground alot because I enjoy the dish. Some are excellent, some are very average. The one served on board has a different feel, which I very much like.
Jan 1, 2019, 5:57 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Programs: KE Skypass Morning Calm Member, OZ Club
Posts: 2,352
Bibimbap isn't something you really crave or eat everyday honestly.
But on Korean Air it serves two purposes - 1) for foreigners to get a taste of Korean food on their flight to Korea and get the "full experience" 2) for Koreans to get their taste of home on the way back.
But on Korean Air it serves two purposes - 1) for foreigners to get a taste of Korean food on their flight to Korea and get the "full experience" 2) for Koreans to get their taste of home on the way back.