Rating 8 restaurants along Decker Blvd. 🍱🍜🌮

Did you know 40+ countries are represented in Columbia’s International Corridor? Deemed “International Corridor” by Richland County in 2008, the two-mile strip of restaurants, grocery stores, services + other small businesses along Decker Blvd. features an array of authentic international eats. Think: Indian, Vietnamese, Honduran, Mediterranean, Mexican, Korean… we could go on.

To help grow the reputation of Decker as Cola’s International Corridor over the last 10 years, the county has created signs to welcome folks to the district, offered businesses facade grants to freshen up buildings’ exteriors, and in 2015, redeveloped a $31 million community + law enforcement hub, the Decker Center. Last year, Richland Two – the school district that surrounds International Corridor – was reported as S.C.’s #4 most diverse district.

Five months ago, some friends and I set out to try all the restaurants on International Corridor (er, as many as we could get to, meeting mostly bi-weekly) and rate them. The goals: ✔ Try new foods, ✔ get out of downtown Columbia, ✔ appreciate the cultural goldmine that is Decker Blvd., and, of course, ✔ tell you guys about it.

We aptly named the group(chat) International Supper Club (ISC for short) and ended up making it to eight restaurants. How did we rate them, you ask? Very intensively, if not scientifically. (I mean, my boyfriend created ratings sheets *and* a spreadsheet, and I’m pretty sure the majority of the restaurants thought we were DHEC.)

The criteria included “Food,” “Environment,” “Booze,” something called “Authenticness” (bless non-grammar nerds), “Price” and “Liveliness/Conversation.” There was also a section for “Notes” (fill in your own) and “Wisdom” (provided quote of the day).

Those six categories were each ranked on a 1-5 Likert scale (1 lowest; 5 highest), and we created a total percentage score out of 100% for each restaurant. Rankings over total possible points were weighted by sample size (if we were down one person) + categories applicable to a restaurant (some didn’t serve alcohol, but didn’t lose points for that).

Here are our ratings of eight restaurants along Columbia’s International Corridor – with photos, of course.

Arirang

cuisine: Korean | selector: David | location: 1943 Decker Blvd. | menu

Ratings:

Food: 24

Environment: 20

Booze: 19

Authenticness: 27

Price: 13

Liveliness/Conversation: 25

Total: 128 out of 180 possible points = 71.1% (6 people in attendance)

My favorite notes:

“AMAZING”

“Korean Cable TV”

“Birthday party? Service could be better”

“Hite = Korean Coors Light”

“Happy for not having to exchange my currency or not having to resort to bitcoin”

“will definitely be back to try more dishes”

Verdict:

This was our first stop. Clearly, we thought the food was great and everything was authentic, but it was one of the most expensive meals we had during the whole series. I remember my bf paying ~$80 for our two-person tab, which was two entrees, an app and a couple of beers.

We got the Seafood Pancake ($13.99) and the Kimchi Pancake (11.99) to start (both great; add Sriracha); then all got different things – including the Dolsot BiBimBap ($10.99) and the KimChiJiGae soup ($9.99). Entrees came with Banchan – a.k.a. all those little, colorful side dishes of things like sprouts, cucumbers, kimchi… and a ton of other flavors that still remain mysterious to me.

Side note: While we had no idea what was being said, we thought it was very cool that Korean news was being broadcast on restaurant’s little corner TV.

Pho Viet

Vietnamese | ET | 2300 Decker Blvd. | menu

Ratings:

Food: 23

Environment: 19

Booze: 13

Authenticness: 20

Price: 12

Liveliness/Conversation: 24

Total: 111 out of 180 possible points = 61.6% (6 people in attendance)

My favorite notes:

“Still too hungover to drink; normal Asian beer: Tsingtao, Singha, Lucky Buddha”

“Only $8-9/person and have leftovers; nothing more than $9”

“Again, still hungover”

“Large bowl is very big, nice staff; add Sriracha to all food when in doubt”

“They try, but the lime green walls need to go”

“Food very pho-bulas”

Verdict:

A lot of people were hungover at this dinner, apparently. The prices were right and the portions were big. (Yes, this is the sister restaurant to the one in Five Points.) The building seems like it is set in a former Rush’s and has a chill, fast-casual vibe where you pay at the register.

We ordered Goi Cuon (Vietnamese spring rolls, $3.99) and Cha Gio (Vietnamese crispy rolls, $4.25) for the table. Both were good and made great vehicles for the peanut sauce. Some entrees we ordered were Banh Xeo (Vietnamese crepe with pork + shrimp, $8.50) and one of the Pho Bo variations (beef noodle soup where the rare beef literally cooks in the broth as you eat, $8.50 for a large). But, IMHO, where you really win here is with the classic veggie Pho ($8.35 for a large). This is an ideal winter meal, but so good you can even deal with it during Columbia summers.

Boeshreen

Mediterranean | Cameron | 2630 Decker Blvd. | menu

Ratings:

Food: 47

Environment: 21

Booze: n/a

Authenticness: 22

Price: 32

Liveliness/Conversation: 29

Total: 151 out of 200 possible points = 75.5% (8 people in attendance; 1 category n/a)

My favorite notes:

“Apps were incredible; beef börek was fire!; grape leaves”

“delicious spinach & cheese borek, chicken shish kabobs-A+++++”

“Environment not super authentic, but food was v. authentic”

“Would give 5 if they didn’t also serve wings & burgers; food was very good”

“a dinner restaurant should not co-function as a Hawaiian Shaved Ice station”

“Lots of food for low price; very fair”

Verdict:

This was an order-at-the-counter type situation with no table service or alcohol (and an attached shaved ice business). We ordered a ton of apps so we could all share and because everything was super affordable. While the environment was sort of food-court-y (from one of our comments), the tables did have nice wood (also from a comment) and the staff was super nice (offering to take a group photo of us obvious newbs).

The different kinds of börek (spinach + feta vs. beef, $2.99) were a hit with every single one of us. We also tried the falafel side ($2.99), a veggie samosa ($1.99; I could eat 100 of these), stuffed peppers ($3.99), grape leaves ($2.99 for two), vegetable plate with hummus, baba ganoush and tabouli ($6.99), and – my must-do anytime I see it on a menu – the shakshuka (eggs poached in tomato sauce with herbs + spices, $6.99). Troy got the lamb platter ($15.99; pictured above) which he said was incredible. While that is a lot of food, everything was so good that I want to go back + try everything else we *didn’t* get to.

Cabanas

Honduran/Mexican | Charlotte | 1735 Decker Blvd. | menu

🏅 First place with a score of 88.8%

Ratings:

Food: 30

Environment: 26

Booze: 27

Authenticness: 23

Price: 26

Liveliness/Conversation: 28

Total: 160 out of 180 possible points = 88.8% (6 people in attendance)

My favorite notes:

“Salsa-best in COLA, Chorizo dip = amazing. Can’t stop. Fried plantains = woah”

“Have your typical Mexican dishes (but BETTER), Honduran authentic cuisine plus a section for Cuban food”

“Amazing authentic Latin American Cerveza; great Central American beer selection”

“Honduran Ruth’s Chris”

“Chill, not hokey, was warm but turned cool; tunes and surrounding very groovy -- salsa clubesque”

“Flour tortilla– 5 stars”

“We have to start inviting Uncle Stewart”

Verdict:

Charlotte chose this place by recommendation from her hole-in-the-wall restaurant aficionado Uncle Stewart. He was so right. Clearly I enjoyed myself way too much here, because I forgot to take any photos at all. The owner of the restaurant was actually our server for the night, and his family was from Honduras. He was sassy and hilarious and maybe making fun of us with our score sheets.

Lots of comments about the queso fundido from our notes – and I agree; I still remember it. Other delicious parts of the menu: the fried plantains that came on a couple of the dishes, the cheese and pork Pupusas (stuffed corn tortillas), and the Baleadas (sort of like a Honduran quesadilla, $8.25). The drink menu had a great Central American beer selection. The environment looked like it might turn into a dance club later that night, but was really chill and quiet in the moment.

O-Bok

Korean | Adam | 1616 Decker Blvd. | menu

Ratings:

Food: 24

Environment: 28

Booze: 24

Authenticness: 28

Price: 28

Liveliness/Conversation: 26

Total: 158 out of 240 possible points = 65.8% (8 people in attendance)

My favorite notes:

“The egg drop soup was something to write home about”

“my taste buds for international foods are merging perfectly together as is the continued chemistry of ISC”

“Best Korean parlor I’ve been to”

“Korean decor – masks and tassels galore”

“Will definitely be back to try the bulgogi and bibimbap”

Verdict:

We liked this “very quaint” environment, according to the comments – we were one of the only parties in the spacious dining room and there was a lot of Korean decor to get us in the spirit (but no Korean TV this time). A couple of dishes we ordered were the Bulgogi Box (“definitely go with the dinner box because you get sushi, egg roll + mandu, $12.99); hot stone Bibimbop ($10.99); egg drop soup ($2.99); and the hot and spicy pork (“amazing,” $10.99). The staff was “very friendly” and prices were “very reasonable” – for one couple, it was ~$55 for two dinner boxes, 2 soups + 4 beers.

Tacos Nayarit

Tex-Mex | Chloe | 1531 Percival Rd. | menu

🥉 Third place with a score of 81.3%

Ratings:

Food: 27

Environment: 22

Booze: n/a

Authenticness: 24

Price: 24

Liveliness/Conversation: 25

Total: 122 out of 150 possible points = 81.3% (6 people in attendance; 1 category n/a)

My favorite notes:

“The food is amazing and it is an insult to mention Moe’s in the sentence of this establishment”

“great patio, but view wasn’t amazing”

“restaurant that was once a food truck had done good”

“Would prefer real plate and silverware, but it’s whatev”

“Very clean”

“wish they had alcohol!”

“5 Stars--Delicious and messy (so you know it’s good!)”

“hot sauce is not for David”

Verdict:

This restaurant was my choice as I’d been wanting to go for forever but always forgot about it in the moment. My expectations were met. Like someone’s comment said, this place is “Moe’s/Chipotle-esque but 10X more authentic and legit.” You get in line just like one of those fast-casual places and order from a menu that hangs up top. But the food is, yes, authentic and very fresh, with a lot of great topping choices and a hot sauce bar. (Just beware of dousing your meal in the hottest kind, a rookie mistake that an unnamed someone in our crew made.) Plus, they have a sick mural that serves as an ideal background for your burrito-in-the-air photo.

Our orders included the chicken soft tacos (“very well seasoned,” $7.50 for three), the Cubana torta (massive sandwich, “complete with hot dogs,” $8.90), the burrito pastor ($7.90 with chips), and the aguas frescas (cinnamon/rice drink, “solid and not too sweet,” $2.25). I really wanted to try the Mexican street corn ($3.50) but they were out, and we didn’t get to the churros either ($2), which looked delicious.

Overall, we really dug this place. It was also pretty affordable (~$20 for two meals + queso).

El Salto

Mexican | Troy | 1801 Decker Blvd. | menu

Ratings:

Food: 28

Environment: 28

Booze: 27

Authenticness: 20

Price: 26

Liveliness/Conversation: 24

Total: 153 out of 210 possible points = 72.8% (7 people in attendance)

My favorite notes:

“Similar to every other Casa Linda or San Jose but some more authentic items and food is better”

“Best Mexi rice I’ve had in Cola (stuffed w queso - delicious!)”

“they provided house tequila shots, i smiled”

“walls as orange as the queso”

“will be making this part of my Bite Squad/Mexican fix routine”

Verdict:

El Salto reminded me a lot of the typical Americanized Mexican restaurant experience – but a little more authentic. The environment here was colorful, clean and “a little loud” – because it was poppin.’

We got margaritas and a mix of Americanized Mexican beer and real Mexican beer, and, of course, a chorizo queso to start (“amazing,” $6.50). Dishes we ordered included special platters like the Steak Poblano ($14.50) + Pollo Vaquero ($11.50) and classics like a veggie fajita ($10.50) and combos with chile relleno, tamales + enchiladas ($10.50 for pick-three combo).

Plus, our server brought us tequila shots on the house, which obviously worked in his favor, looking at our score sheets.

Inakaya

Japanese | Ladson | 224 Oneil Ct. #9 | menu

🥈 Second place with a score of 85.8%

Ratings:

Food: 36

Environment: 33

Booze: 35

Authenticness: 33

Price: 32

Liveliness/Conversation: 37

Total: 206 out of 240 possible points = 85.8% (8 people in attendance)

My favorite notes:

“had to Google everything so you know it’s the real deal”

“Fiesta & Red Dragon Roll = 100 AF!!!

“strong asian beer selection; full page devoted to history of and description of sake”

“Happy Roll - pretty bland, but ok. Fiesta roll took the cake though”

“sake selection gets 10 out of 10”

“Music is oddly loud”

“authentic feeling and lowkey; a great date night spot”

Verdict:

This was our final stop. Sad – but everyone was obviously in a jolly mood, because this took second place. (Side note: I’m not positive it officially counts as part of the International Corridor, but it’s authentic and right off of Decker, so we counted it).

They had a couple of Japanese beers I hadn’t seen elsewhere (Kirin/Kirin Light), a huge sake menu, an even bigger food menu (I want to come back for the noodle dishes) and separate sushi menu. Some menu stars from our comments were the Shumai (steamed shrimp dumplings, $5.75), Shogayaki (ginger pork), Red Dragon Roll ($8.50) and Fiesta Roll (“a true fiesta in my mouth,” $7.95). I was sadly too full to order the Mochi ice cream balls I spotted on the menu ($3.50 for two pieces).

I also saw some tatami rooms that would be really fun to rent out for a birthday party. And it’s next door to Tsubaki – our summer intern Katie’s favorite karaoke place – but we went on a Monday night and we’re all pushing 30+. Next time, Tsubaki. Next time.

Disclaimer:

1. This was completely for fun.
2. We are in no way, shape or form food critics.
3. I think each restaurant is equally worthy of a visit.

If you’ve gotten through this whole email without creating your own ISC group chat/email chain/in-person planning session, do it now. Trust me. Go out and experience International Corridor and eat all of the strange dishes. We’re fortunate to have so many flavors in our city.

To my ISC crew: Our Decker experience will be forever in my heart as the best vacation I’ve taken so far in 2018. (Do I need to take more time off?) 🌍🍴

I’ll leave you all with the best piece of wisdom from our Tour de Decker rating sheets:

“Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park.” -Anthony Bourdain

–Chloe