County shuts down Han-Sung Oak restaurant
Han-Sung Oak, the Korean restaurant that’s been at Barcroft Plaza on Columbia Pike for many years, has been shut down by Fairfax County
because inspectors determined the gas-fired system for cooking at individual
tables was not in compliance with county building codes. The restaurant will
not reopen because it will be too expensive to bring the system into
compliance, says Ralph Ours, the leasing agent with Federal Realty Investment Trust, the owner of the shopping center.
because inspectors determined the gas-fired system for cooking at individual
tables was not in compliance with county building codes. The restaurant will
not reopen because it will be too expensive to bring the system into
compliance, says Ralph Ours, the leasing agent with Federal Realty Investment Trust, the owner of the shopping center.
24 responses to “County shuts down Han-Sung Oak restaurant”
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This is crazy! I am tired of having ONLY Korean restaurants in town but this is one of the keepers because they actually maintain their appearance, welcome everyone and is clean. Other restaurants awning are falling off, have trash everywhere and only want to serve Koreans but they stay open. Why after decades is the gas system not adequate? I am really sorry to see them go.
They just figured that out after all these years? I had heard the owner had been talking about closing that place years ago. I think he also owns Woo Lae Oak. I ate there one time – didn't feel very welcome. Glad to see the crazed tourist traffic and their customers blocking the roadways in the parking lot go.
Do not see why they cannot just have little portable propane grills like most of the other Korean joints…
Why did they pass inspection to open then? Who is the code person that passed them…. ? Should be fired.
The county is being runned by people with an entitlement mentality. They go after the weakest folks with the least resistance. Go ask them to shut down a blatant multi family boarding house and they run like bunnies. They are clueless like the keystone cops!
Cannot wait to see the next high end junk shop that moves in. This place just keeps getting classier!!!
I would like to know the difference between their gas-fired systems and all the other Korean restaurants in town. I also like to know why now and not many long years ago.
it would be nice to have another restaurant in there–or a barnes and noble.
Thanks for the kind words. We loved serving our customers and the community for over 20 years. It didn't make much sense to us either when the county decided that our grills weren't up to code anymore. No warning, no nothing. They just shut down the grills on the spot along with the portable grills, that as mentioned, other restaurants use as well. We obviously passed inspection when we opened and every year since so it didn't make sense why we and a handful of other places were singled out while others were allowed to continue. So we end on a bittersweet note but retirement is well deserved and we look forward to it.
Also, to respond to a previous commenter, no, we do not own Woo Lae Oak.
I will miss your wonderful food.
Best wishes on your retirement and hope all is well.
So does it then follow that this same Fx Cty inspector will likewise re-visit the many other such restaurants in the Annandale area with such grills and immediately close them down as well? If not, why not?
Apparently, they have already visited others and didn't shut them down… for reasons unknown to us.
Guess you didn't Donate enough to the Dems
So sorry to see you go. This is just terrrible!! Certainly hope this will be sorted out. If this will turn out to be permanent though, we wish you and your family all the best!
This was my favorite Korean restaurant in the area. I was there at least once every two weeks. I am outraged that the county is being inconsistent with who they're letting stay open and closing.
My family has enjoyed the restaurant and banquet hall at Han Sung Oak for decades. Han Sung Oak has been a staple in the NoVA community. I'm saddened to see them close shop, especially under such inequitable circumstances. Hopefully, other Korean restaurants will pick up the Han Sung Oak's mantle and carry on with as much class and outstanding customer service.
How sad! We loved this restaurant. We always felt welcome and the food was incredible! Best wishes to the owner and staff. You will be missed!
We are very very sad to see you close. Our family of five has been coming from Potomac for the last decade. Everyone was always so welcoming and we loved the food. If you ever want to open a restaurant in Potomac/bethesda I'd raise the investment funds.
We are very sad to hear about the restaurant closing, my family has been going there ever since, they know us from when I was pregnant until now that my baby is three. We love the ahjummas there and the food cannot compare to other Korean restaurant in the area. Please bring it back, we miss our Daegoo Muri Jim, my son's fave Galbitang and even the shikhye.
We LOVED this place and went there regularly for more than a decade. This is just ridiculous and quite obviously unfair. Somebody needs to investigate the standards that were applied to see whether they are indeed neutrally administered. If not, that's what the courts are for.
The cooking equipment was replaced with equipment purchased overseas that did not meet minimal safety standards and was an eminent risk. The original equipment was up to code and therefore was not cited. When new equipment was installed and inspectors were called to sign off on it the issue was discovered. The owners were given ample opportunity to bring the equipment into compliance to ensure that patrons were safe.
This is untrue. The table top grills were all original equipment that all passed inspection.
Furthermore, I find it interesting that someone from the County is responding to this post anonymously. If you are responding officially, you should identify yourself as such. But I have a feeling you want to stay anonymous because your reply can't be official as it's untrue.
racism still exist
My uncle in law worked there and it was so delicious . Why do they take the best away. I went to a Korean barbecue on Sunday. Really no bonchon and the server was rude.There was no lettuce leaves but there were lettuce gong in the trash