Maldives BBQ & Teriyaki

I’m going to round up my 3.5 star rating of this place and give it 4 stars for a couple of reasons.
1) Price is pretty good. For $ 9 dollars, I got bim bim bop in a stone bowl + a drink (included). Not too shabby.
2) The food wasn’t too bad. I mean, my friends tell me I’m overly critical when it comes to food, and I thought it was decent. I just moved from LA and had some of the best Korean food ever. I don’t think you can come into this place expecting amazing food, but at its price point, they do a decent job.
3) Owners are really nice. They do a good job serving you after you order and are very quick. Good stuff.
4) My friend loves this place. She’s Korean. I make fun of her for liking this place, but hey, it is what it is. You can’t get Korean food unless you drive 20 minutes away to Buford. This place is 5 minutes from Emory.

I feel guilty writing this review, because the Korean owners are so friendly. I saw a huge sign advertising its Korean food for only $ 5.99, so I decided to stop by. Everything on the menu had very Americanized names, and the cashier told me this was fusion Asian food. I just wanted some Chap Jae, which wasn’t listed on the menu, but the cashier told me they call it «clear noodles, «so I ordered that. It was very flavorful and delicious, but even I could tell it was NOT authentic Korean food, because its taste was way off. At least the food was very warm.

This place continues to be my favorite regular eatery in Metropolitan Atlanta. There is no place that I have found which offers better food at a more reasonable price. It is also important to mention that the service is unfailingly warm every single time, they offer a genuine «coming to their house» vibe.
I wanted to post an additional review because while I still enjoy a variety of things on their menu, my tastes have focused just a bit. They updated their ordering menu that greets the customer at the counter, and now there is more emphasis on their Korean dishes. This led me to explore these more fully starting a couple of months ago. Two of these dishes have quickly become favorites, each is outstanding and available for under $ 10.
One is called the Dolsok Bi Bim Bob which comes fiery hot in a ceramic bowl (don’t touch the bowl) and includes a mix of beef, vegetables and rice. It really comes to life when you mix in their special Korean sauce and stir the whole thing up (ask Kyung to do it, she is a master). Not only is this dish tasty, but when you get toward the end and salt the slightly crisped rice at the bottom, it produces a flavor that should excite most taste buds.
The other is a spicy fish soup called Jam Bong. This features shrimp, mussels, fishcakes, vegetables and a thick noodle (order Jam Bong Ramyun if you prefer a smaller noodle) — and it is easy to savor and fills me up EVERY TIME (I am a big eater). Is particularly good with Korean beer or Red Stripe.

This place has become absolutely one of my favorite places to get food in Atlanta. For one, it’s the closest good Asian food around the Emory area. For two, it’s a great deal for the price, and especially for fresh food.
I’m very confused by the other reviewers’ comments that Maldives is similar to Waikiki– there is absolutely no connection between the two. Maldives doesn’t serve any Hawaiian food. You won’t find any staples of Hawaiian cuisine here, no spam musubi, no loco moco, no macaroni salad.
Maldives is distinctly Korean, but with fusion twists. Although the kalbi and bulgogi aren’t authentic per se, and you won’t find the wide variety of banchan you’d see at a traditional Korean restaurant, Maldives works well because of its ability to walk a fine line between satisfying both traditional Asian and American tastes. Even some of the more «Americanized» dishes are done well, never over-​salted or too sweet. If we’re looking for the birthplace of a Korean-​American cuisine, this is it.
They also offer a Korean menu that has more authentic dishes, including a satisfying champong, a spicy noodle soup with a surprising amount of seafood in it, and a decent jajungmeyon (ironically, both of which are technically Korean-​Chinese fusion). Other highlights I’ve had here were the BBQ, and the house sliced beef. I’ve also ordered the General Tso’s chicken, which unfortunately needs further improvement. However, like a previous reviewer mentioned, everything is made fresh in the back to order.
Lunch deals are fantastic, and even dinner will run you under $ 10. Student discounts are also very generous. Casual service, walk up and order at the counter from a very friendly staff. Free WiFi. Overall, awesome family-​owned local joint to have dinner and hang out.

Best. Deal. Ever. For dinner, you pay $ 8 (10% discount if you have Emory ID) and you get a spring roll, a giant plate of whatever meat you ordered, fried rice, egg drop soup, fried dough and a fountain drink. It’s unbeatable. At first, I was not impressed with their lo mein, but I had their Mongolian chicken and it was delicious!
I will go back whenever I am especially hungry.
PS. For lunch, you get just as much food, but cheaper, $ 6 I think

The place is gorgeous inside — really clean and nice — big screen TVs, etc. The owners are really nice, and the prices are good. Too bad the food is so underwhelming. The teriyaki tastes more like your average stir fry than anything else. The korean BBQ doesn’t stand out. Some of the sides are just odd (corn on the cob?) and are not freshly prepared. The service can be very slow (admittedly because the main dishes are all prepared fresh). The place just kind of feels like it could use a «reboot».
For very similar food that is MUCH better, head around the corner to Waikikie Hawaiian BBQ.

I came here for lunch with a friend, and we both got their lunch specials, which were insanely cheap– 6.40 AFTER tax.
We met the owner James, who was friendly. The place has really been transformed from the old Red Pepper place that was absolutely horrible. While it still has a cafeteria type of feel to it, the tables and walls look well decorated and taken care of.
The food– well, it’s just okay. I had the chicken Teriyaki– and the sauce really seemed like it came straight out of a bottle of generic Teriyaki sauce, with heavy hints of soy saltiness. Sure, for less than 7 bucks, you can’t expect much more than that. Half an egg-​roll, no matter how pretty you cut it, just seems like one’s being a bit too cheap with the customer.
I’ve heard their dinner portions are huge. I’d come here again. only if I happen to be on my way home passing by that plaza, and need a quick bite.
I agree with a previous review on how this is like Waikikie’s sibling– but the portions are smaller, and the décor is better.

It was ok. Nice people and clean place. I got the Hot and Spicy Chicken Lunch Special and my wife got the Teriyaki Beef lunch special. My food was mediocre and my wife’s teriyaki tasted like mongolian beef. I know lunch portions are to be smaller than dinner entrees, but there was hardly any fried rice, there was half of an egg roll, a corn on the cobbette (what in hell?), and what looked like Campbells Vegetable soup. In terms of variety, you have it there, but it’s just strange pairings. I might go back to try the wings and ribs but other than that, i didn’t think this place was that good and i seriously question the people that gave this glowing reviews. In other words, i would take their reccomendations on asian food with a grain of msg.

Maldives is a great place to get a huge portion for a great price. The lunch portions are not anywhere near as big as the dinner portions, but are almost enough for two meals for me. And I don’t know how long this will last but you get a free soft drink with the lunch or dinner special. I go there every wednesday with my son. He loves the teriyaki chicken the best! My favorite is the General Tso’s chicken. So Good! For those of you who like a little bit of heat order the Kim Chee on the side. The thing that really makes this place five stars is the owners. They are so friendly! If you’re near Emory and Toco Hills come check them out! Tell James JD sent you. :)

Just as means of update, I have continued to patron this wonderful restaurant, and continue to bring friends and family to it. Not a single person I know has had any complaints with the food, and the atmosphere is continually welcoming and friendly. I still consider it one of the best places in the area for its unique blend of cuisine and friendly owners.

This family-​run restaurant serves Korean-​style BBQ beef, short ribs, and teriyaki chicken. The food is really flavorful and the servings are HUGE. The food itself is probably worth a ⁴⁄₅ on its own, but this place gives great value for its location. There’s a lunch special for $ 6, while dinner runs about 8 bucks. If you’re a student, you get 10% off your meal and a free drink.
Support local business! You can’t eat at Chili’s all the time, can you?