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Pembroke’s Korean restaurant was mentioned in the previous ‘Walking’ column, so I thought I’d elaborate a bit more on our town’s fantastic eatery.

Kal-Bee is currently the New River Valley’s only Korean-American restaurant, and it happens to be located in Giles County in downtown Pembroke. Since it’s opening in 2003, Kal-Bee has seen a fair amount of local press. Many consider it one of the ‘best places you’ve never eaten,’ and alongside The Bank and The Courthouse Cafe it is one of the unique dining spots that have appeared in Giles County in recent years.

Owner Connie Kim runs the kitchen herself, and makes everything from scratch to order. Don’t be surprised if she comes out to talk to you while you’re there, wearing one of her signature hats. The menu is about 2/3 home-style American cuisine such as fried chicken, hamburgers, meat loaf and mashed potatoes. The remaining third is Korean cuisine such as shrimp-fried rice, beef bulgogee, seafood stew and spicy garlic chicken.

No matter what, it’s all good.

Something else first-timers are often treated to is a Korean taco — specially spiced beef wrapped in a lettuce leaf. Connie is all about helping you try new things.

During the early summer, she makes her homemade strawberry shortcake. Even the cake is made in-house, and topped with ice cream it is a real treat. While a few of the seafood Korean dishes are a little pricey, most of the Kal-Bee menu is very affordable to the everyday diner.

The restaurant is located off route 460, about 12 miles west of Blacksburg, and is closed Sunday-Monday. Traveling from that direction, take a left on Snidow St in Pembroke and Kal-Bee is a few doors down on the left.

John Hildreth lives in Pembroke and teaches at Radford University.
www.radford.edu/jhildret