GunBae Goin' Bye Bye?

[RBCal]

Currently every restaurant on Lady Valiant is almost always fully booked except for GunBae.  I was going to eat there but the staff did not seem very cheerful so I left.  Is Branson getting rid of it?  IMHO, they need healthy asian restaurants but the group grilling thing may not be to everyone's taste or health safety level requirements.

 

As an aside, I am impressed with all of the Virgin staff I've interacted with.  They are consistently helpful and friendly.  The Virgin App is not though.  They need to get a decent coder to fix it and improve all the internet connectivity on their ships.  The app routinely crashes and the TV goes in and out.  Definitely less than a 2 star rating for their internet and app.

[Freelancer3]

I have no idea if VV is planing to make a change. Personally, I have always felt GunBae misses the mark. I have heard its a favorite for some, but after my first two visits, I have skipped it.  I would love to see an upscale Modern-Asian inspired themed restaurant as a replacement.  

[rebeccac]

Just FYI, while the table is set up for group grilling, the staff are the ones actually doing the grilling.  None of the guests touch the grill.  

[jon81uk]

59 minutes ago, rebeccac said:

Just FYI, while the table is set up for group grilling, the staff are the ones actually doing the grilling.  None of the guests touch the grill.  

Originally back in 2021 we did grill our own food, the server put it on and we were given tongs and they just checked in. But something changed late 2021 or early 2022 and they stopped giving tongs to guests. My guess is many people didn’t understand the concept and the server had to take over anyway, so they just had them do the whole thing. I do tell them to leave the pork belly on for longer though!

[aviators99]

Can I suggest changing the title to this thread?  It makes it seem that there's some reason to even speculate that they will be getting rid of the restaurant.  I don't think Non-cheerful servers meets that bar at all.  It's interesting, but I got pretty worried when I saw the title.

[Freelancer3]

Servers are great in our experience but maybe the concept needs to be tweeked.

 

Our first dinner at GunBae, we grilled our own too. The drinking game was not received very well by our table. Im not sure why, but the diners didn't have much interest in it. 

 

Second time we ate there, it was grilled for us. At that dinner two guests ordered the upgraded meat. When it was cooked, the server asked if we wanted to share the meat and promptly started sharing. It made for a very awkward experience. I dont think any of us got what we ordered. 

 

We have been on the ships 8 more times, but haven't felt compelled to book GunBae again. In general I can appreciate what VV is trying to accomplish, but I think the concept can be greatly improved. 

Edited August 17, 2023 by Freelancer3

[cantgetin]

Prior to VV, we had been to Korean BBQ restaurants in Japan--twice for me, more for my travel companion.  Honestly the food at those restaurants was better quality meat than at Gunbae.  On the ships, we've had great and not so good experiences there, each for various reasons.  The not so good was because the other 4 people spoke little or no English; one of them was translating their orders to the server.  It was not unfriendly, just smiles and nods with no communication.  Our last experience, the beef was very fatty and not good at all....to the point that the server recognized it and went back for another tray with better quality stuff on it.  We ordered the Waygu once--honestly the normal marinated beef was better.  The special order was served to just the two of us.

If asked for my opinion...it isn't my favorite, but it isn't to the point that I wouldn't go there.  Yes, I'd prefer an upscale Asian restaurant, but no one in power has asked my opinion.

[Watchmen]

Not surprising that the food in Japan was better than the food on a cruise ship! Does t get much better than Japan anywhere. Lol

[Lustate]

I always feel a bit trapped at Gunbae. I really enjoy the Dakgang Jeong and the Bibimbap, but I'm not the most social of people. I would be happy with a meal of just that. The second they sit me down with others around a table and play a drinking game to break the ice I want to hit the door. If you are unlucky enough, you can end up sitting in the middle of the booth, so if you want to get up, you need to then ask random strangers to move and disrupt their enjoyment of the meal. 

 

I think I'm just to British at times about things when it comes to forced fun and sharing food/tables lol

[RBCal]

I wish to clarify.  Somehow my agent knew I skipped Gunbae.  I didn't make it clear enough to the maitre d' that our party were non-drinkers.  He attempted to seat us with drinkers.  This was my fault not his.  I hope the staff at Gunbae do not get into any trouble over my error.  The agent arranged for a private table for us tonite.  It's a bit scary that they know everything I do though.  Kinda Big Brother/1984 Orwellian.

[1025cruise]

2 hours ago, RBCal said:

I didn't make it clear enough to the maitre d' that our party were non-drinkers.  He attempted to seat us with drinkers.  This was my fault not his. 

What does this have to do with anything?

[cantgetin]

If you let your server know, they will use water in your cup for the drinking game.

[RBCal]

What does your question have to do with anything,?   But thanks for your scintillating question,!

 

[jon81uk]

16 minutes ago, RBCal said:

What does your question have to do with anything,?   But thanks for your scintillating question,!

 

I think they were curious what the issue with being seated with drinkers is and why that’s relevant to the overall discussion about whether Gunbae is popular.

[RBCal]

Okay, I'm a convert.  Gunbae is excellent and all the staff are fantasic.  The manager escorted us to a private table and we had no peer pressure to drink.  Most everyone on Virgin likes drinking and since we don't they are not as experienced with dealing with sober living folk.

 

I don't mind anyone else drinking but nobody should be pressured into partaking.  Every 'prize' at the shows (except bingo) was a free drink.  None of the bars carry iced tea or diet coke.  This seems like a somewhat obvious and successful effort to have customers run up big bar bills.  To each their own.

[jon81uk]

13 minutes ago, RBCal said:

Okay, I'm a convert.  Gunbae is excellent and all the staff are fantasic.  The manager escorted us to a private table and we had no peer pressure to drink.  Most everyone on Virgin likes drinking and since we don't they are not as experienced with dealing with sober living folk.

 

I don't mind anyone else drinking but nobody should be pressured into partaking.  Every 'prize' at the shows (except bingo) was a free drink.  None of the bars carry iced tea or diet coke.  This seems like a somewhat obvious and successful effort to have customers run up big bar bills.  To each their own.

For what it’s worth I’ve never felt a pressure to drink at Gunbae. We shared a table with others and I was the only one with a beer. Sober folk were given water for the drinking game but someone just chose not to drink the shot anyway, there was no pressure. The game is an ice breaker encouraging people to get to know each other, the alcohol is slightly irrelevant.

 

Bingo of course has a cash prize as you pay cash to play. I do agree that maybe they need to offer something else for winning trivia, but you are free to order a mocktail or just take pleasure in winning. 
 

Ive had Diet Coke onboard but they

seem to have major issues with supply of postmix syrup as they were pouring from cans multiple times and often would only offer Coke Zero. 
 

As a general question though, is it normal for bars on land to have iced tea? I’m British so I’m curious as it’s not something I’d expect a bar to have.

[CanadianCruiser21]

5 hours ago, cantgetin said:

If you let your server know, they will use water in your cup for the drinking game.

This might not be enough for recovering alcoholics, though I guess almost everything on a cruise might be tempting for alcoholics. 
I’m alcohol intolerant, but I’ll still check out GB. Thanks for the tip of letting the server know. 

[neverendingcruising]

After a particularly rough day at the pool we declined the Soju at Gunbae and the server asked if we'd like to play with iced tea instead (which we did). 

 

In many parts of America sweetened and unsweetened iced tea are available anywhere that sells soda. I do miss that on the ship as I love iced tea. The Galley has it out of a machine (gross) but I have been known to make my own with a couple of glass of ice and a tea bag from the Galley.  

[cantgetin]

2 hours ago, RBCal said:

Okay, I'm a convert.  Gunbae is excellent and all the staff are fantasic.  The manager escorted us to a private table and we had no peer pressure to drink.  Most everyone on Virgin likes drinking and since we don't they are not as experienced with dealing with sober living folk.

 

I don't mind anyone else drinking but nobody should be pressured into partaking.  Every 'prize' at the shows (except bingo) was a free drink.  None of the bars carry iced tea or diet coke.  This seems like a somewhat obvious and successful effort to have customers run up big bar bills.  To each their own.

I have approximately 2 drinks per year...that's background.  I don't know what ship you were on, but on Valiant Lady, where we have cruised 29 nights, every bar  and restaurant had diet coke, either from a "gun" or in cans.  Sip always was willing to give us a couple cans to take back to the stateroom.   I made my own ice tea in The Galley as I don't like the stuff from syrup, and put it in my carry cup.  Some restaurants had ice tea, but since I couldn't depend on that, I brought my own.  

[singleflyer]

I've been on two Virgin Voyages and Gunbae is the only restaurant I haven't tried (well, and also the Sun Club Cafe).  Being a solo traveler; it just doesn't appeal to me.  The only way it would be attractive to me is if I was sailing with 5 others so we could have our own table.  Dining that close with others in a forced interactive mode doesn't appeal to me.

[RBCal]

FYI

The Galley does not have diet coke.  Our flag server had to run midship to get it.

Gunbae does not have iced tea.  Since it's like 40C in Spain who would drink hot tea?

Since I don't drink I'm not a connoisseur of every bar on the ship.  I'm sure they are full of loud people who think they are fascinating tho.

[Roel94]

9 hours ago, jon81uk said:

For what it’s worth I’ve never felt a pressure to drink at Gunbae. We shared a table with others and I was the only one with a beer. Sober folk were given water for the drinking game but someone just chose not to drink the shot anyway, there was no pressure. The game is an ice breaker encouraging people to get to know each other, the alcohol is slightly irrelevant.

 

Bingo of course has a cash prize as you pay cash to play. I do agree that maybe they need to offer something else for winning trivia, but you are free to order a mocktail or just take pleasure in winning. 
 

Ive had Diet Coke onboard but they

seem to have major issues with supply of postmix syrup as they were pouring from cans multiple times and often would only offer Coke Zero. 
 

As a general question though, is it normal for bars on land to have iced tea? I’m British so I’m curious as it’s not something I’d expect a bar to have.

No American bar has ice tea..all kinds of sodas or juices for mixers that non drinkers get at a price.ice tea in restaurants in the south but not in the northeast at least.

[Roel94]

9 hours ago, jon81uk said:

For what it’s worth I’ve never felt a pressure to drink at Gunbae. We shared a table with others and I was the only one with a beer. Sober folk were given water for the drinking game but someone just chose not to drink the shot anyway, there was no pressure. The game is an ice breaker encouraging people to get to know each other, the alcohol is slightly irrelevant.

 

Bingo of course has a cash prize as you pay cash to play. I do agree that maybe they need to offer something else for winning trivia, but you are free to order a mocktail or just take pleasure in winning. 
 

Ive had Diet Coke onboard but they

seem to have major issues with supply of postmix syrup as they were pouring from cans multiple times and often would only offer Coke Zero. 
 

As a general question though, is it normal for bars on land to have iced tea? I’m British so I’m curious as it’s not something I’d expect a bar to have.

No American bar has ice tea..all kinds of sodas or juices for mixers that non drinkers get at a price.ice tea in restaurants in the south but not in the northeast at least.

[cantgetin]

6 hours ago, RBCal said:

FYI

The Galley does not have diet coke.  Our flag server had to run midship to get it.

Gunbae does not have iced tea.  Since it's like 40C in Spain who would drink hot tea?

Since I don't drink I'm not a connoisseur of every bar on the ship.  I'm sure they are full of loud people who think they are fascinating tho.

In our 29 nights on Valiant, The Galley had different options, and often varied daily.  Also, the drink stations on each side had different options.  On our most recent sailing (from Miami), Diet Coke was available every day from the self serve machine.  On our previous sailing from Barcelona, the European version was available about 1/3 of the time.  My cruise buddy is a Diet Coke purist, and the European variety was "ok" but not "right" in her book, she said it was a lot more like US Coke Zero.  We were prepared for this as we'd experienced it on previous trips to Europe.  

[RBCal]

Whatever, I'm on the ship now.  I believe people should have the most recent info.  I will sail with Virgin again but it's not my first choice due to it's limited port options.  I prefer smaller ships with interesting itineraries.  To each their own.