Blue Cactus Cafe
2002 Greene St, Columbia, SC, 29214
Blue Cactus Cafe Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Columbia for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2002 Greene St
Columbia, SC, 29214 - Phone (803) 929-0782
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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David B.
We live about 45min away from Columbia and enjoy trying the different restaurants. This is my second time here and it is still amazing. Owned and operated by a husband and wife who are the cooks. The fact that I have returned means a lot since I don't come to this town often.
(5)Rachel O.
Oh Blue Cactus... you are scrumptious and snarky which is (oddly enough) exactly how I like my men. Everything I've had here has been delicious. My favorite is the Bee Bim Bob with chicken and add the egg. You can also get it with beef and I think something else but whatever your options be sure to know exactly how you want it by the time they come around to take your order or they will just ask you repeatedly "With what?" This is the snarky part but with Blue Cactus you aren't going for the self proclaimed "arrogantly slow" service which actually hasn't actually been slow the times I've visited. Maybe I just didn't mind the wait because of my lovely dinner companions. They are completely accurate on the arrogance though. You also aren't coming for the ambiance though there is plenty to look at while waiting. There are postcards from all over, a collection of slightly disturbing SPAM varieties, and an array of wall art. I'm using the word art here very loosely. It's all part of the Blue Cactus experience. Just embrace it. When the food arrives you forget all the snark, arrogance and lack of decor. It's all yum. The flavors are on point. Whether you go for the Korean food or the Mexican options it's delicious. Even the cajun fries are great. Just go and eat it already!
(4)Rehannah A.
To keep a long story short went in . Wait staff was nice.Dumplings were okay,the rest of the food wasn't. I wanted to like this little place but the food came out cold which was weird after waiting about a hour for even though there were only two other parties. Bulgogee was disappointing and cold but what was worst of all was it cause both me and my friend to get sick immediately after eating. ..wanted to like since it's highly rated but couldn't...sorry
(1)Daniel H.
The food was delicious! The owner was very nice and helpful as was our waitress. The decor is low rent and simple but the service and food were right on. We will definitely be back!
(4)Crystal R.
Food was GREAT!!! Facility needs organizing and little elbow grease but its a hole I'm the wall with fabulous food and good customer service
(4)Will C.
Coming from right outside of NYC this Korean food is way better than you would expect for some place in South Carolina. The food is always very good, but sometimes you have to wait FOR-EV-ER to get it; we shouldn't be surprised, though, it says so right on their t-shirt. I can't speak for the tex-mex because I always order from the Korean portion of the menu, but if it's half as good as the Korean, you'll be happy!
(4)Wade S.
Great as always. The Spicy Pork was delicious. A great mix of spicy heat, rich flavor and tender meat. The Korean Dumplings are the standard starter. Been coming here for over ten years and it's always worth the wait. If you have questions about the food don't hesitate to ask the friendly staff. Can't really go wrong with any item.
(5)Lesley M.
One of my favourite place to eat in Columbia. The owners are kind, wonderful people. They always remembered my usual and always lots of available seating. Wide range of choices on the menu. You should probably stop in.
(4)Califazen C.
I love mom & pop places; I know how hard they are to keep going and how much we need to love them. But I can't do this. Food temperature was way below standard. The bulgogi was grey and mildly soupy. There was not a proper Korean spoon. (Okay, I know no one here knows the difference but would it kill this place to step up their game? No Korean restaurant would use the cheapest possible restaurant supply tablespoon and consider it a proper spoon to eat with). The side-dishes were meh, and served on a single weird bowl, which is like presenting spaghetti all chopped up: its just not the right way to do it, and not an innovative nor creative way, just a lazy way. When I see the grizzly, bearded cook (and I do love me some grizzly, bearded cooks) with no hair net, no beard guard, and using his finger to push wok-fried tofu off his wok-tool and onto the plate, my mind was made up. This place is gross. It needs a good cleaning, a re-painting, and a complete re-thinking. Where is Gordon Ramsey when we need him? On the other hand, the kimchi (which is actually almost impossible to fuck up--I even make the stuff) was tasty and the fried dumpling was hot; its nice to have a fusion menu but the food quality scares me away from trying the other stuff. The wait staff were kind and not too slow, though the place was busy. And the price is okay. There is hope for this place, I see the love below the surface of the smudges and poor quality. But not now and not yet. I won't be back. Sorry. I want to love you, Blue Cactus, but you need to step up your game.
(2)Angie W.
Locally Owned & Operated Best Green Tea and Red Bean Ice Cream Relaxed Atmosphere Great Food Be Bim Bop & Kimchee Chigae Food time takes a while but they cook it all fresh and it's worth it.
(5)Monserate M.
This place is fantastic! Low key, no muss, no fuss service serving made to order dishes. The menu is a mixed bag of Latin inspired dishes along with some serious Korean options. I don't know how they make it work, but I'm glad they do! I had the ginger tea to start and Korean beef stew on a 30 something windy evening and man was I feeling great afterwards! I even finished off with some ginger ice cream that was awesome!
(4)Michael S.
Excellent Korean style stir fry. Kim chi! Blue Cactus number 2 with curry sauce. I ask for NO peppers. ( unless you like hot ). Plenty of food.
(4)Beatriz F.
Never been disappointed with anything on their menu, their shredded beef stew is one of my favorites! I'm obsessed with their beef bulgogi and I get their kim bop any chance I get! Highly recommended!
(5)Adam H.
Delicious. I came across this hole in the wall/dive restaurant and gave it a chance. The restaurant is small and the furnishings unimpressive. The food, however, is as authentic as it gets. My server was helpful when I couldn't decide on a dish. Ultimately, I picked the spicy pork and it was very good. Served with a bowl of steamed rice, the pork lived up to its name. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Jonathan D.
Good, relatively authentic Korean food. The stews, bee bin bap, and dumplings were good.
(4)Joshua R.
Food: 5 Drinks: N/A Atmosphere: 4 (while not nice, perfect for the vibe) Staff: 5 (it's not Southern friendly - it's effective and efficient) Overall impression: You didn't know how much you loved Korean food before Blue Cactus. This is the ultimate underrated local spot. Blue Cactus is in a strip mall located in 5 Points, but could not be more appropriately placed - being tucked away, eager for your first taste. My wife and I have ordered nearly every stew they offer and, despite telling ourselves to save room and take home leftovers, we devour the whole bowl everyday. It's just downright delicious. We've never had any of the meat on the menu, but you wouldn't notice in the stews; Their flavorful journey will not lead you astray. No matter what you order, and no matter what Julie says it pairs with, ADD THE SPICY BEAN PASTE. Hooooooly crap that junk is good.
(5)Adam B. J.
This is a Columbia institution. Blue Cactus has amazing food. When I first moved back to Columbia from Charleston I I started eating my way through the menu. It's awesome because my wife likes the Tex/Mex menu and I LOVE the Korean menu. I have to watch myself or I'll over eat. The Kim Bob is a great vegetarian appetizer, but the fried dumplings are amazing for the meat eaters. The Bulgogee was my 1st love (Chicken or Beef), but once you go Bee-Bim-Bop it is hard to go back. I typically get it with the spicy pork or tofu. In the last year I've even been brave enough to get it with the fried egg (I'm not a huge fan of eggs any way other than scrambled with cheese). The Thai style curry is great as well, and if you like it hot let them know. They'll light you up. The sign says "Arrogantly Slow", but it just adds to the allure of the place.
(5)Grace M.
The food is great and the service is slow. But it's worth it. You never thought you would hear that, right? It's way better than driving out to the seedy part of town just to try Korean food. No thank you, I would prefer not to get robbed or shot out on Two Notch. Even though it is likely to happen to me in 5 Points. Thank god that it's open during the day and earlier part of the evening, rather than late at night when that part of town starts to get rough. I recommend everything. I'm docking a star because I think that they could put more effort into making it a cleaner looking establishment... there is also no restroom inside (you have to get a key and go next door).
(4)Genea S.
1960s homestyle korean. bulgogolgi was surprising delicious! spicy pork for the hubs was good. Kimchi was excellent. Cook came out and chatted with us. Very friendly;) The hostess/waitress/owner? not as much but we got there 30 minutes before closing so perhaps she was ready to go home. Place is a bit of a dive -hole-in-the wall type. Home made benches and simple presentation of dishes. Has korean and tex/mex but, being from texas, we decided to stick with the korean. in columbia? GO HERE.
(4)Amelia L.
One of the top 5 restaurants Columbia has to offer. The food is always fresh and delicious. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
(5)Sheldon S.
This place is a very laid back spot to relax while enjoying some pretty good food. It isn't meant to be fast paced and the staff at this mom-n-pops joint is notoriously lackadaisical on purpose. But they pride themselves on this which adds character. In regards to the food, the Bul Go Gee, which I get darn near every time, is amazing. Even before going to their enormous shelf of sauces from around the world to pick up my favorite Mae Ploy Sweet Chili Sauce, everything I've had here taste clean, healthy, and fresh.
(5)Omar M.
Blue cactus cafe is a little deli in 5 points that serves Tex-Mex and Korean food. Its a super casual ambience, not what I was expecting. Its like a hole in the wall place, you walk in take a menu and seat yourself. I ordered the Kim Bop for appetizers, Its hand rolled, rice, spinach, carrot and pickled radish rolled in seaweed paper. It was nothing special but the ingredients were fresh just tasted a little plain for my liking. For my main dish I ordered the Bee Bim Bop with beef and the optional egg. It was a bowl served on a bed of rice with pickles and vegetables with a side of kimchi. The beef was excellent, nice and tender and had a semi-sweet taste to it as you'd expect from Korean cuisine. The portion of beef was very small but everything else was plentiful. The kimchi that was on served on the side was some of the best kimchi I've had. One type was spicy and the other one was a bit more mild, I really enjoyed both of them especially with the rice. The service was very quick, the server wasn't very talkative but got the job done and brought the food out very quickly. The cafe isn't the best looking place you can eat at but you don't go to a place like this for the ambience. Prices are very good, good korean food for under ten dollars. Have not tried the Tex-Mex so I can't speak of that, and I've heard the ice cream is very good. Both things I will try next time I come by. There is a lack of good Korean restaurants in columbia but this is definitely one of them.
(4)Carrie W.
I've never had Korean food or Kimchi before and it was delicious! I had the Bim Bap Bob which I added bean paste to for heat and Kimchi for tang. We were taken here by a local who swears by it and we were not disappointed. This place is the real deal from scratch! Be prepared to wait a while for your food, it's worth it!!!
(5)Zaq S.
Stopped in for a Wednesday lunch while on business from Asheville and was floored. Super affordable and filling and too delicious! Looking forward to going back.
(5)Greg M.
A Columbia institution, and deservedly so. You can't go wrong with any of their dishes, both Korean and Tex-Mex. Be sure to try the ice cream for dessert - red bean, ginger, and green tea are usually available.
(5)Rick T.
Very good food! But do not be in a hurry when you eat here or else you'll be outside. Their motto is good food takes time so have a beer and enjoy the moment with friends and relax. Also try red bean ice cream very tasty.
(4)Matthew S.
The Blue Cactus Cafe is advertised as a very unique restaurant offering a Korean/Mexican menu with a few vegetarian options thrown in as well. However, the food left us with a lot to be desired and the atmosphere is nothing to get excited about. From the exterior, The Blue Cactus Cafe looks to be your stereotypical mom and pop type restaurant, and it is. The interior is very sparsely decorated with a counter/kitchen area/ice cream booth to greet you at the entrance, and the dining area is a few booths pulled together in a relatively small space. The atmosphere was quiet during lunch, with just the mumbling of conversations from nearby booths audible to us. The menu was very unique, and our main reason for visiting the restaurant. However, I was repulsed by the fact that their is a surcharge of $2.50 for sharing listed at the bottom of the menu. What kind of business charges extra for sharing food? We ordered a beef quesadilla entree and an entree of bim bim bop. Both arrived fairly quickly and hot from the kitchen. Feeling a little lawless we shared both dishes, but to both our dismay neither were impressive. The quesadilla was stuffed with cheese, but had no crunch and was soggy to the touch, leading me to believe it was microwaved at some point during its creation. The bim bim bop was good, but lacked the assorted side dishes that traditionally accompany the Korean dish. As we were checking out, we were informed by the cash register Attendent (who was also our server) that next time we should ask for the free sides that accompany the dish. Gee, wish we were informed that sooner. Overall, The Blue Cactus Cafe was nothing more than a disappointment. What was expected to be a unique fusion of two very different cuisines, turned out to be a soggy quesadilla and an incomplete entree. 2 out of 5.
(2)Leanne C.
Oh Blue Cactus. So much of me wants to love you but I don't think I can. I love how you: Remind me of the small, local restaurants in the Bahamas Support Roller Derby Have an incredibly relaxed environment Have french pressed coffee But its just not enough. The service was incredibly slow and at first the wait staff was a little rude (until mentioning roller derby then she warmed up). The soup was watery and lacking flavor (a pinch of salt alone could have helped) and the veggie sushi had prefrozen-tasting veggies. You gotta give them uber points for serving Korean food on the cheap but that doesn't mean it has to taste cheap. When I walked up to the counter at the end of my meal, I observed the cook (an older white man), wasn't even wearing gloves while cutting chicken into strips. If its my friend cooking me dinner- I don't mind no gloves but if I'm in a restaurant... isn't that some sort of health code violation? While I was thinking that, he picked up his hand (with the knife in it) and used the back to wipe off sweat. Blech. Glad I was only having veggie fare. I think that was my first and last time I'll be checking out Blue Cactus. So much potential, so sad.
(2)Emily G.
Hands down my favorite place to eat in Columbia. I have always ordered curry chicken Thai style, and would be hard-pressed to order anything else because it is SO GOOD I would be sad to not have it. However everyone else I go with orders something else and I have tried their dishes and they're all amazing. Do not expect to be in and out quickly - the food is prepared individually for you and this takes time, and IT IS WORTH IT. Take a long lunch and enjoy it. They also have ice cream, which is a perfect end to the hot food! Huge portions and cheap prices + flavorful food = wouldn't change a thing.
(5)Rod O.
"Sorry We're OPEN" Tex-Mex Korean? Sounds like a joke right? My friend who would never pick a Korean restaurant is crazy about Mexican and got both here. Hole-in-the-wall GREATNESS! ! ! Great Food! Great Service! If you want to see the right way to order Be Bim Bop (sunny, runny, spicy, porky) with a sunny-side up runny egg on top and Spicy Pork (that is what my friend got) and I order mine with Beef and No Egg! Mostly Korean menu though you could get a huge combination of flavors if you wanted. It took a while because we wanted so many of the dishes on this eclectic menu, which included some Cajun, and some other Nationalities. When in Tex-Mex... My friend got a side of Re-fried Pintos YEAH!
(4)Paul G.
My favorite eatery in Columbia. Love every single thing on the menu. Love the people. Have eaten here at least once a week for as long as I can remember and have never ever gotten tired of it. Blue Cactus is like home to me, a Columbia institution.
(5)Etta C.
I give it 4 pink fluffy unicorns out of 5!! Food was acca-awesome!!!! (I recommend the fried tofu sticks). I was a little concerned about the spam display in the second room. The wait is sort of long, but the waitresses were very nice. Location is weird too. Overall good place.
(4)Will G.
I don't know what this recent rash of bad reviews is about, but trust me when I say those folks must be total asshats. I've be coming to the cactus since the early 2000's. The food is of the same high quality it always has been. All that is changed is that they've gotten a bit faster. High points for me: Ma Po, the stews, spicy pork, and quesadillas. Nothing but love for the Cactus.
(5)Liana M.
A Columbia local raved about this little dive, so I had to try it. Wrong choice! It was pretty low quality. The restaurant itself was a hole in the wall and their slogan was "Arrogantly slow". The service was SLOW for sure...and the waitress was the rudest. There was a variety of different cuisines on the menu, including Korean, American, Caribbean...but none of it was very appealing. We had the bul go gee, which was nothing short of dog food. Really poor. My friends had the bee bim bob, which was alright...nothing special at all. Their daughter had the chicken tenders and potato wedge fries. Nothing special. Between the mediocre mall food court dinner and the insanely slow service, it wasn't a great experience.
(2)Jordan R.
A Columbia institution for a reason!! Located near campus on Greene St. yet slightly difficult to notice if you are zipping by in a car. Just find Papa Jazz Record Shoppe and you're on the right strip. "Good food takes time and we're real good" is their motto. Be prepared to wait (although sometimes you don't have to). This is a place where you come to if you want to take it slooooow, hang out with friends, and maybe sit outside if the weather is nice. Service is spectacular and one of the reasons Blue Cactus is lodged in my heart. This place has a particular swagger to it and you will quickly know if you've stepped over the line with a request. Not to say that service is rude, just maybe a little quirky if you're not used to it. Its hard to go wrong with any of the Korean menu items but I especially recommend the bibimbap, tteok mandu guk, spicy pork, and kimchi stew. The curry also has its own cult following and is my go-to if I'm not eating Korean. However, don't expect this to be 100% authentic Korean but thats the charm of their food. It has its own unique identity just like the restaurant as a whole. They also serve a melange of other kinds of food (southwestern quesadillas, ropa vieja, red beans + rice) and are the #1 spot amongst hardcore vegetarians that I know because they make lots of things to order. The proprietors and staff are lovely people and all family (sometimes there are three generations working at once). I've been going to Blue Cactus for nearly 10 years now and the highest praise that I can give it is that its never changed. I've never had a bad or even abnormal meal. Consistency is the highest marker of a restaurant in my book and so Blue Cactus is a really special place.
(5)Gary G.
A friend and I went to Blue Cactus last night. We both love Asian and Mexican food. However the food was just bland and not cooked correctly. I have had Bee Bim Bob or similar dishes before. The rice should be cooked or fried until a little crispy. This was just steamed rice with some vegetables. No seasoning at all. The side sauce, red bean paste, was just wrong. The Kim Chi was too salty to eat, but it did have some taste, if you like a salt lick dish. I think the Korean workers would probably not eat this food. We did not eat the Mexican food because we were excited about the Korean food, however I don't think we will be back. It is too bad, we had such high hopes.
(1)jill h.
I love the food,the evil waitress,and the long wait.I have time to go to a bar,and by the time I get back,my food is cold but still great,'cause I like cold noodle dishes.Last time I was there,they were so laid back,and clueless, I was able to steal a couple bottles hot sauce!
(5)Mrs. C.
I've been going to this place since 1998! I love the staff, the food and everything about it. Once I left my wallet and the owner drove to my house to give it to me!!!! They always remember me and know what I like. Highly recommend this place to anyone and everyone!!!!!
(5)Simon T.
Slowest place in town. Think the food makes up for it? This is not the case.
(2)Ian D.
I don't know about the food as I left before it arrived. Sitting quietly the grumpy owner stormed in to scorn me for using the wrong door. It was so insulting I left immediately. The pita pit is next door, they were very nice there.
(1)Michelle S.
Blue Cactus is my comfort food. They also have one of my favorite versions of kimchi on the entire planet. My little boy loves the dumplings. Husband loves the spicy pork, kimchi stirfry and various stews. I love the bi bim bop, veggie stirfry with crispy tofu and the curry. No, its not 100% authentic Korean. With a name like Blue Cactus would you expect pure authenticity? They don't serve a giant spread of banchan. Honestly, they wouldn't have any demand, or kitchen space for the various dishes. Get over it!
(5)Kim T.
It was a little tricky finding this place. There are a lot of neat restaurants located around five points and given that I wasn't familiar with the area we ended up driving by it a few times. So far I've only been here once and I ordered the bibim bap with the spicy pork. It was delicious. I would definitely consider this to be Korean fast food. It's good but definitely not fancy. It had an eclectic hole-in-the-wall feel to it and the staff wasn't super warm or friendly but nor were they mean or rude. We received our food pretty fast, never ran out of water and the kimchi was very tasty. It's definitely not the best Korean food I've ever had (but I'm picky being a Korean and all), but it's still pretty good for the area. I would like to come back and try some of their other menu items.
(3)Randall D.
I love Blue Cactus. My favorite neighborhood hole in the wall. You want mild veggie stir-fry? Fine. Quesadillas? Check! Be Bim Bap? Check! Spicy Korean soups with seafood, beef, or tofu? Check! My son loves the fried mandu dumplings and the chop chae noodles. It's the most interesting, original place in Five Points. Great food, large portions, good variety, cheap prices! Lloyd, Mary, and Julie are super hosts and fantastic cooks and servers.
(5)Lauren F.
Their bee bim bop is excellent. Decent service. Go for the food, not the ambience.
(4)Valery H.
I order the kimchi rice (spicy!) or the bulgogi every time! The food takes a little while but not an absurdly long time. If you go wanting food instantly, order the kim bop as an app which takes less time to prepare, and it is always fantastic. Most reviewers have already articulated perfectly blue cactus' role as venerated five points cult dive joint. Go for cool fusion and delicious consistent korean and southwest food, slow cooked for quality and taste.
(5)Cory G.
Very original and very weird vibe. There is a great variety of entrées and they all looked appetizing. The food was great with some really cool flavors. Had tex-mex and Korean. The service was just ok. Wouldn't be a regular spot for me but a nice place to try.
(3)Aaron Z.
One of the best Bi Bim Bap's I have had. Their Kimchi is unique, clean, and not smothered in the Korean red chili sauce. This place is tiny and has a small staff, make sure you get in before the crowd
(4)Bien T.
Good food. My favourite is the beef stew soup. Very cozy inside, mom and pop style. The bad thing is if you dont like the food smell, dont go there for dinner. Since the smell will stay for a long time.
(3)Stacy B.
First place I ever ate bi bim bap, loved it then and have ever since. I graduated and left Columbia a pretty long time ago, but won't forget this great little place!
(5)Chris H.
Best Gourmet Korean food, same great family taste for 16 years that never water down.
(5)josh d.
I'm vegan and I found this place because of their vegan options on various websites. Blue Cactus has some really good reviews, so I had to check them out. Today, I was in Columbia, so my sis and I stopped in for a bite. Good lord, this is some good food! My sis and I split the Bee Bim Bob and the Kim Chi Stew. It was a tastebud overload of flavorful food. I can't praise this restaurant enough. They gave us pretty large portions, but it was light enough to not leave us feeling bloated. An excellent balance of flavor, fullness and satisfaction. Plus, I got to taste some new Korean flavors I have never tasted before. Yes, I do recommend eating here. The next time I'm in Columbia, I'm bee-lining back to the Blue Cactus!
(5)Joe S.
Great food and service!
(5)Phillip S.
Excellent foods, great local family feel did I mention the food... bee bim bop and spicy pork sooo good also the curry chicken Thai style and for those cold days that beef stew is boss
(5)Lisa R.
A crowd of us ate here last night. We liked the fact that the blue cactus had both Tex-mex and Korean. We had a couple teens with us who don't have an appreciation for Asian food. We enjoyed the Kim Bop appetizer which was sushi like rolls of rice filled with picked carrots and spinach as well as the crab puffs (aka crab rangoons) My daughter and I each ordered a soup. Her, the shredded beef with bean sprouts and I the dumplings in chicken broth with coconut milk. Sorry I can't remember the names. But we were happy with all the Korean items. The Tex-mex honestly didn't appeal to me at all. I do have to say you should not expect atmosphere. It has all the charm of a pizza shop or "Chinese" take out joint. But the lady who served us was friendly and the food was good and cheap as well.
(3)Ransome C.
I'm reviewing this from how it was 5 years ago but somehow I don't think it's changed. I mean, the place has people sending them postcards from all over the world.... definitely a gem in Columbia's collection. I've since lived in NC and NYC and never have I found a Bi Bim Bop I've enjoyed more (and I have searched). As I recall the owners live above the restaurant and, if they're still on the floor, are a refreshing bit of snark and wit in the otherwise polite South East. Not in a rude way though. If I could collect together a top 30 restaurants I've been to and put them in my own little town, The Blue Cactus would be there (possibly with some saloon doors if it please them). Highly recommend Bi Bim Bop.
(5)Bridget U.
Since I no longer live in Columbia, I plan my trips according to "will blue cactus be open?" This way I can stop by on my way to my dad's house in Sumter. I get him a burrito or be bim bop, myself a be bim bop I eat there, and like 5-8 orders of kim bob to go! Then I am happy during my visit in Sumter with their extremely lacking selection of food options there. Be bim bop is supposed to be plain until you add the red sauce, that's the way all are at every establishment that serves it. It is supposed to be cold or lukewarm, from the rice and possibly the egg. Just so folks know before venturing out and being "shocked" at such things. i dream about their food because in Atlanta I have to drive 20 minutes down Buford Highway to get a decent be bim bop. Even then it doesn't compare to Blue Cactus. Also, I have yet to find a place in Atlanta that serves vegan kim bob. The owners are so nice and the wife, her mom or one of the daughters are usually waiting on folks. Don't wish them more wait staff because that would increase the prices. Part of the gimmick is the wait for the food and being served by the people who love the food and their establishment. Also, I do not agree that is a dive. It is a small, locally owned store with character. They do not focus on the interior aesthetics as much as other restaurants because they know the real reason for your visit is their unique selection of foods. Lastly, it is Tex-Mex and Korean because of the couple who own the shop. Husband is from Arizona, I believe, and the wife is Korean. Now you know why their is such a strange combination but it works for those picky people in your group for whom eating Korean may be out of their realm; everyone likes "mexican."
(5)Jonathan D.
As others have suggested, the Bi Bim Bop is terrific comfort food. It's not, in my opinion, the tastiest. The simple burrito is one of my favorite things to get there. Add some chipotle sauce and go to town. Save room for the ice cream, by the way. The Blue Cactus offers uncommon flavors that are really great. The red bean ice cream is one of my favorites because it isn't as sweet as most ice creams out there.
(4)Spencer S.
Is it worth the number one rating in Columbia? No. It is definitely a dive and was pretty crowded when we went. Food took a while but the owner told us we could grab beers at the neighboring bar to hold us over. I'm not going to pretend like I am a Korean food aficionado, but the food was alright. We had the Bi-bim-bop since it is what everyone raves about. It was decent, but doesn't deserve the godly status people have put it at. I think that if you are a local to Columbia you should try Blue Cactus to judge for yourselves, but if you are visiting the area, there are way better restaurants.
(2)April W.
This place was great! I got to meet the owners, a mom and pop, and their daughter (who serves as waitress)! It's such a quaint restaurant and the food was so yummy! Definitely a hidden gem in the 5 points area! If I'm in Columbia, SC again...I will have to eat here again! By the way, if you're expecting gourmet Korean food, then you need to search elsewhere!! The Korean food here is prepared "home style", which means it's closer to how it would be served in someone's home! Nevertheless, it's freakin delicious!!
(5)Michele D.
This is a sleeper, and if you don't give it a chance, you won't know what you're missing. You're walking around the Five Points area, hungry, wondering where you should eat. Other establishments call out to you, people sit outside all around you. The Blue Cactus is in a little area all it's own; almost off the beaten path. Look for it, it's worth it. It was much smaller than I expected, but I knew it had alot of personality. The first thing I noticed were all of the postcards tacked up on a wall. They were from patrons who'd sent them to the restaurant and wanted to send a memento of their travels. I perused the menu and expected to see the variety in their menu. Since I'd had my first good meal of my Columbia trip on my last day there, I was hoping to follow dinner up with an equally good meal. I decided to order the bibimbap with beef. When it arrived, it was in a large metal bowl. Not the way I'm used to having it served, but no worries. There was rice on the bottom, and a variety of things on top such as beef, mung bean sprouts, pickled cucumbers and various vegetables such as daikon. Overall, it was very good and I was happy that I scored another winning meal. After paying my bill at the register, I peered into the ice cream case. I asked how much the ice cream was, and was told it was something like $2.25, along with, "We stop scooping when you tell us to." Oh snap, don't tell me that! I got the red bean ice cream. I only got one scoop, but it was a BIG scoop, so I only finished 1/2 of it before tossing it. If you're in the area, I encourage you to find this joint. It's family run, which is exactly the type of business I love to support. It's a laid back place, the food is good, service is great and the ice cream choices are wonderful. Just reserve a little extra patience for the parking. You'll need it.
(4)Lillian C.
I really wanted to like this place and was excited about coming, but the whole experience was a let down. I feel like the gimmick of this restaurant is being a "family owned" local restaurant with its quirks about the happily arguing couple and slow service for really good food. I'm not too impatient, but if it takes an hour to serve mediocre food you're not doing yourself any favors. The menu was not exceptional- easy, mainsream Korean fare and burritos / rice and beans. Very vegetarian / vegan friendly and straight forward. The waitress who I believe is the daughter is nice as can be, but because there was one waitress on the floor of a relatively popular local joint, she was rushing between tables- i sat with an empty glass of tea for about 30 minutes before I had a refill. I honestly believed for the amount of customers they have, they were understaffed. At least half of the patrons around us kept turning their heads to look at the kitchen or look for the waiter. The kim bob was bland- a little bit of unseasoned veggies in too much unseasoned rice, wrapped in seaweed, still warm but i don't think "warm" is something anyone wants out of a sushi-like dish. The plate of Korean condiments were rather unimpressive, I don't think I have much to say about it. When the food came out, it just looked disappointing. Half of the dishes looked like they were just sitting around while the last dish cooked. None of them looked impressive or delicious. The stir fry dishes looked like they came from a coleslaw bag mixed with red pepper paste and the kim chi fried rice looked like rice and tofu in a red pepper paste, and it tasted just about that too. I ordered japchae ("chop chay") with beef and it was warm; from what I understand all the times I've had it where I'm from and from the recipes I make japchae from, its supposed to be room temp or cool. I know its a health hazard to keep food at room temp, but the dish I had isn't what I would describe as japchae- it was pretty much overcooked potato starch noodles with veggies and beef with soy sauce. no sesame flavor, no sesame seeds, not that hint of sweetness to balance the flavor, just disappointing. I don't think this place is oriented towards true Korean food, and if their point was to make Korean food accessible / Americanized - then they're good at making it bland. This is not a place worth traveling internationally or even interstate for, but if you live in the area / go to USC this is your place for a quirky place to eat. I didn't stay in the area long, but I don't believe there was much competition for Korean food in Columbia so they have that going for them. When I came back from SC, I actually made myself japchae to make up for my experience here.
(2)Nick W.
Amazing. Go there long enough and they will treat you like family.
(5)Chris G.
Let's get down to it. Cons: 1) the "waitress" (owner) can have a bad attitude at times. 2) you have to wait FOR-EV-ER to eat If you are willing to deal with those two things though, its totally worth supporting this local restaurant. They're are actually super fast with take-out orders so if you dont have time, just call in the order and pick up. Here's the ultimate plan... Start with the dumplings. They rock my world. Then order BOTH the Bul Go Gee beef and the Bee Bim Bop. Mix them together into one delicious mess. Finish off the meal with one scoop of ginger ice cream and one scoop of red bean. You will not be disappointed. By far my favorite restaurant in Columbia. .
(5)Nicholas K.
I know a few people who I don't know what they would do for food if this place closed down. Quite a few really. They are actually depressed because they cannot eat there on the days they are closed (Sunday and Monday). Me, I don't have it that bad, but for the price, you can't beat this place in all of Columbia. For appetizers, they have truly delicious enormous french fries, fried tofu sticks, kim chi, sushi, and dumplings all for less than $5. For entrees, they have a unique menu which combines the traditional fare of Korea (be bim bop & various hearty stews) with quality hungry man Tex-mex fare ($4 burritos made to order). Also, it's a little known fact but as far as i know they tolerate the BYOB set. Even cheaper!
(5)kido m.
the staff at this place was not happy to serve me....i felt like i was guilty to choose this place for dinner!! the food was just OK. wasn't really Korean. de place is kinda dirty though.... not sure if they just had ahuge party or don't keep it clean!! mmnn ??
(2)Justin S.
Korean, Cuban, Tex-Mex and 20 something flavors of exotic ice cream under one room??? Seriously, this place has something for everyone. Mom and Pop owned an operated since it opened. Food and service is slow, but they gladly tell you that with a sign on the door. 2 hour lunches are VERY common with me and my co-workers. Best Bi Bim Bop in town. Try it with double egg. Then finish it off with Red Bean ice cream or perhaps the Ginger Ice Cream. Great place for a slow informal date.
(5)Harpreet K.
This is a great family-run resto and if I lived here, I'd be hittin it on the regular. The first thing you see when you walk in is the open kitchen area, and I don't mean fancy ass chef's kitchen, I'm talkin down-home kitchen; shit all over the place, four different varieties of Mr. Dash on the counter, pictures of the grandkids. Sat down, ate some damn delish bee bim bop, and attacked the hot-sauce shelf, containing a motley crew of hot-sauces from around the world. Who said Columbia wasn't cosmo? Bitch please. And, I LOVE the attitude. I asked the waitress what kinda meat she recommended I get on top of my rice and here's the exchange: Her: "Well. What do you like?" Me: "Chicken" Her: "Well get that. Why you askin' me?" (rolls eyes and looks at my friends like - who IS this dummy?!) OH SNAPS!! Also, they are SUPER awesome because my friend wasn't really feeling her cuban beans and rice so they didn't charge her for them (we didn't even need to ask, they just noticed she didn't eat a lot). Finally, fantastic ice-cream selection. I had the banana, marshmellow, cookie flavor. That's right, all in one. Welcome to the dirty south my friends!! That's just how they do.
(5)Debi S.
Here's a tip. If you get the spicy pork, you can order it with extra vegetables and it will not be so hot. What an amazing place.
(5)Kyle S.
Very cool spot, a gret find thanks to Yelp! Excellent, varied menu: Korean stews, burritos, black beans, chicken curries, and a cool selection of soups. Was cool to check out the postcards they had on the wall from the owners' travels, very cool to see the inspiration come out in the food. Also: had the amazing dumplings, very meaty and crispy. Great place to stop for lunch.
(4)Josh A.
Wow! What a great find in Columbia, SC for vegetarian fare. (They have plenty of tasty looking dishes for you carnies as well!) I found this place on Yelp as I pulled into town for business tonight. The find comes on the heels of a trip to Canton, OH last week, where my vegetarian options while traveling were limited to hardened baked potatoes and nasty salads from that fast-food place sporting the red-headed girl with pigtails. The Blue Cactus was only about a mile from where I am staying in Columbia tonight, so I read the menu and reviews, and promptly made it my dinner destination. It did not disappoint! After ordering good old fashioned tap water, I hemmed and hawed about what to have to eat! Everything looked so good, and and the smells coming from "Pop's" kitchen were amazing. I asked my nice waitress about a few dishes, and settled in on the $9.50 Curry Tofu, stir-fried with squash, onions, and carrots in a sweet and powerful curry sauce. And because it was an option, I ordered it "Thai style with Napa cabbage, roasted peanuts, and coconut milk" for $1.00 more. (Talk about breaking the bank! This is so cheap!) While I had read a few reviews about how slow the service is here, the dish was piping hot and placed in front of me in less than 10 minutes. A wonderfully fragrant curry - almost like a Thai Panang married Red/Yellow curry and they had this love child... whatever made up the recipe it was YUM. The thick gravy-like sauce covered every bit of the fresh veggies and soft tofu, without totally drowning it. I stirred in a side of rice to make it a monster-sized meal. Now anyone who knows me, knows I like my food spicy. When I ask for "extremely spicy" - that means don't hold back, throw it all at me - I can take it. I eat Thai bird chilies and Scotch Bonnets like Popcorn. I blow through bottles of Ghost Pepper sauce - I WANT IT HOT AND FLAVORFUL! So I had asked the kind folks at The Blue Cactus to hit me hard with heat. And while there were scores of freshly chopped peppers in the mix, I'd rate the heat factor for my dish a 3, and the flavor a 5 (of the typical 5-star scale). This is the only thing about the dish that let me down a bit UNTIL... drumroll please.... I was directed past the wall-o'-hot sauces (100+?) and directly to Pop (my name for the chef at this point) in the kitchen, who pulled some "Karl's Sauce" out of the refrigerator and told me to be careful. He had picked this stuff up in the Dominican Republic on a recent trip, and the Scotch Bonnet flavor was out of this world - surprisingly pairing perfectly with the thick curry. Insert Triple Yum here: _____, ______, and _____. After my sweatfest, with beads dripping from my forehead, I took my waitress's advice and ordered a cup of Green Tea and Ginger Ice Cream. Made in Atlanta at an establishment whose name escapes me, there could not have been a better finish to the meal. I would give Blue Cactus a solid 4.5 stars - docking a half star only because the ice cream was served in a styrofoam cup with a plastic spoon. (Which was odd, as everything else was served on real, reusable dishes or in stainless bowls) - If they would just start serving the Ice Cream in stainless bowls, I'd say a place just doesn't get any better. Meal total: about $14.00. If you live nearby or are visiting Columbia, I highly recommend adding this place to your list of Go-Tos. Your taste buds and your wallet will shout "Amen."
(5)Aimee A.
I love Blue Cactus. The bi bim bap is fantastic but so is the Thai curry and the stir fried squid. Their ginger tea is a favorite too. Can be a long wait for your food but it's always worth it. I'm not Korean nor am I an expert of Korean foods aside from the fact that I date a half-Korean guy but it works for me.
(5)TJ M.
Wow I am so suprised this has such great reviews! This is a College kid hang out and NOT I repeat not a family friendly restaurant. Staff is rud - no smiles, they seemed annoyed that we had our two year old with us, The "Krab Puffs" were frozen and the main dishes were served luke warm. We sat right by the kitchen so I watched them use the freezer and microwave a lot! With bare hands - after cleaning up tables, toucing bathrool key - etc. The only plus was it was cheap and the meat was very tasty.
(2)Jay T.
Cheap as dirt, uber-delicious, vegan friendly food make the Blue Cactus, by far, my favorite restaurant anywhere. I live in Boston now, and I constantly pine for Bee Bim Bop from Blue Cactus. I've had the same dish from countless Korean restaurants, including top-rated restaurants in Boston and New York. Nobody really nails it like the B.C. (Everything else on the menu is delicious as well - everything vegan, that is.) The place practically oozes charm. If charm could somehow be transformed into electricity, Blue Cactus could probably power the entire state. As the other reviewers have said, the service is utterly unpretentious. Mary (the waitress/co-proprietor), while sometimes curt, is actually one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. She still remembers my order, despite the fact that I only get to come once or maybe twice a year. God, I miss it. This review doesn't really do it justice, but I can't imagine many people would be as completely wild about it as I am. I have very singular tastes. Just give it a try.
(5)James H.
Maybe I ordered the wrong food, but it seemed to me you could pick anything up off their menu in the frozen food section of the grocery store with similar results.
(1)Craig R.
Bi Bim Bop - this is an awesome dish! Great food - inexpensive and yummy! When i went to school at Univ of SC I ate here probably 2 times a week. They also serve great ice cream!
(4)Heather S.
Very good food and several vegan options (many of the menu items could also be made vegan upon request). The service was exceptional- while paying for our order they asked if our three year old could have dairy (very astute! they must have noticed we only ordered vegan food!) and when we said no they gave him free lemon sherbert (dairy free).
(4)Charlie G.
The Blue Cactus tapped a good vein of surly directly under the restaurant years ago. Since then, they've been perfecting the extraction, refinement and delivery of this surly to the general public. Their current state of the art exposes the casual annoyed indifference practiced by your average drive-thru operator for the joke that it is. It manages to convey a complete disinterest in the recipient while still informing them that asking for a set of silverware while a sanitarily wrapped set sits on the next table is one of the saddest, most pathetic things they will ever do. Must be experienced. Also, Korean and southwestern in the same place. Ridiculous.
(4)Jina R.
i'm only in columbia for another few weeks and this restaurant had the highest amount of positive ratings, so, of course, i had to see what all the hype was about and if people here really know good korean food. honestly, the korean & tex-mex category was probably the reason why i haven't tried this place before because it's such an odd combination. i figured if the korean food is really good, the mexican food probably isn't and vice versa. with such different types of food, something's gotta give... and i was right. i REALLY wanted this place to be good because i hate wasting money on bad meals, but i was quite disappointed. food... i ordered the krab puffs for my appetizer and it was good, but it tasted like something i could've bought at the store and made myself. for my entree, i got the curry chicken. it was pretty good the first couple bites, but after that, i started getting sick of it. it had a slight tinge of bitterness, but just the right amount of spicyness. my husband ordered the sullungtang (beef soup) and cajun red beans. the sullungtang tasted pretty authentic, so i was pleased. the cajun red beans was nothing special. i guess after you try it in new orleans, it's just not as good anywhere else. for dessert, we got green tea and red bean ice cream. this was probably the best part of the meal. i usually never save room for dessert because i eat everything off my plate, but that gives you an idea of how good the food was... service... could be better if they had more waiters/waitresses. the lady did a pretty good job considering she was serving like 10+ tables by herself. i felt bad, but i gotta say that my cup was empty for quite some time before i got a refill. value... prices are fairly cheap, but i still don't think it was worth it. parking... it was kind of confusing because it seemed like the only ones available had parking meters. there's a ramp down to a parking lot next the restaurant, but that's for residents in the apartments. we drove around a few times and finally parked in a metered spot and discovered that it was free. i don't know if it's always free, but it was on a saturday night. overall... there were a lot of people when we were there, so i'm sure my rating won't make much of a difference. in fact, i hope it doesn't because the family who owns the restaurant is really cute and i want them to do well. however, if you want REAL korean food, you need to try arirang on decker bl. i think there are other authentic korean restaurants on the street too, but i haven't been to those yet.
(2)Chip O.
The Bi-Bim-Bop is where it's at if you've never eaten here before. And trust me, when they say it's 'hot' you better believe them, because they can make some hot stuff!
(4)Ind R.
My favorite! Tired of pretentious scenes and obsequious servers? The Blue Cactus's complete lack of ambiance and curt service is the cure. Affordable Korean (and some Cuban), with vegetarian and vegan options galore. The Bi Bim Bop is perfect for first timers, but the stews are also great. Go with mild, if asked for your preferred level of spiciness. Take my word for it, "its an exaggerated scale." They have shelves of hot sauce, if I'm wrong. "Good food takes time, and our food is really good." Take the hint and and don't complain when the cook takes his time in a cramped kitchen. I've had some of my best, and longest, conversations at the Cactus. Do not order any of the few "American" options from the menu, you will be mocked. It is, however, acceptable to order the in-house ice cream. Most unique flavors: green tea, red azuki bean.
(5)Jeff Q.
Ate here several times when I lived down there (thanks to Michael Graham for introducing me to it.) The Tex Mex is good.... and the Be Bim Bop is good too. A friend of mine liked the kimchee stew. From what I've heard, the Tex Mex (and a little Cajun food) comes from the husband of the two owners and his wife is from Korea.
(5)M D.
I read lots of really positive reviews of this place and I absolutely love korean food... However, there wasnt very much spice to it and the Bi bim bop was average.. Not really exciting. The atmosphere was a dive, but it seemed to have a loyal following with lots of regulars ordering their regular dishes. There are better places in Columbia for Korean, but its not that bad there... Maybe those who only eat the greens would like it more, since its really friendly to non carnivores
(3)Meg D.
As never experiencing Korean food, I was a bit nervous going for the first time. However, the wait staff was very friendly and gave great recommendations on what is popular. For people that don't like Korean food, they have a great variety of Tex-Mex that is equally as delicious. I had the be bim bop and it did not dissapoint. 5 different kinds of veggies and hot sauce that you could add yourself, it was both filling and delicious. I would recommend to anyone to try it regardless if they are a big Korean/Tex-Mex fan.
(5)Web F.
Unique blend of korean and Mexican flavors.
(3)para l.
The hidden dive that is Blue Cactus is one of the best places to dine in Columbia. The bee bim bop + fried egg is all killer. Same with the kim chee. The menu is very vegetarian friendly, but meat eaters will also be very satisfied (see the kim chee pork). All at very reasonable prices. Also be sure to look at the large selection of hot sauces, and then burn in them.
(5)Andrew C.
This resturant is cheap and very good. It is quaint and has lot's of charm with international flair from all over the place.
(4)Jaime N.
I stopped in a while back and had the bulgogi, which was just okay. I'd be willing to go back but would would be more apt to try the Tex-Mex items instead of the Korean dishes.
(2)Michael S.
Blue Cactus is one of my favorite restaurants in Columbia. It's tucked in a little out of the way space in Five Points that seems perfectly apropos considering its menu and atmosphere. It's a strange cross between a mom and pop family restaurant and a hole in the wall diner, and serves the strangest combination of food I've ever seen on the same menu (Korean and what the proprieters term "Southwestern"). Where else can you order kim chee, tofu stew, chicken fingers, or quesadillas in the same place? The food is pretty cheap (everything on the menu is under nine dollars), especially considering the variety of food on the menu and that everything is cooked to order. The owners are a middle-aged married couple and extremely laid back and friendly. The wife is the restaurant's server, and very casual and often blunt, which can disconcerting until you get used to it, and then it just adds character and charm to the experience. The menu is also very vegetarian and vegan friendly, and each dish can be customized on a scale of absolute wimp to so spicy you might have to sign a waiver. I HIGHLY recommend this local gem.
(5)