Pros 
Cons A Tale of Two Orders: Disappointment and High Expectations
Mrs Kim’s Butcher Shop in Carnegie (phone: +61 3 9562 7032) currently boasts a commendable 4.8-star rating, but recent experiences highlight a concerning gap between promised quality and actual delivery. One customer's order, intended to be a special occasion feast, unfortunately showcased significant issues. A significant spend of $122 yielded 500 grams of premium M9+ Wagyu, 400 grams of M5+ oyster blade, and 200 grams of ox tongue. The promise of top-quality cuts, reflected in the price point, simply wasn't met.
The disappointment began with the condition of the meat upon pickup. Instead of fresh cuts, everything was frozen—a detail conspicuously absent from the point of purchase conversation. This alone wasn't the only letdown. The Wagyu, advertised as "diced into perfect slices for one bite," arrived as a whole steak accompanied by a collection of seemingly random off-cuts. This directly contradicted the advertised description and the customer's expectation of pre-sliced portions, ideal for a shared cooking experience. Attempts to address this with the staff at the time were met with polite surprise but no practical solutions. No offer to recut the steak, no apology, and no willingness to rectify the misleading advertisement, leaving the customer feeling disregarded. A similar issue arose with the M9+ Wagyu bulgogi beef purchased for a friend; a beautiful image on the website showcased fresh, artfully sliced beef, whereas the reality presented a frozen, unappealing mass with discolored pieces, further compounding the negative experience. The individual emphasized that the poor quality, misleading advertising, and lack of customer care resulted in a profoundly frustrating ordeal.
This instance underscores the critical importance of consistent product quality and transparent advertising, especially given the premium pricing strategy employed by Mrs Kim's. While the shop maintains a welcoming atmosphere with a nice carry bag and complimentary garnishes, and the ox tongue received praise, these superficial elements couldn't overshadow the core issues of quality and misrepresentation.
BBQ Bliss and Authentic Korean Flavours: The Rave Reviews
Despite the recent negative experience, a significant number of customers sing the praises of Mrs Kim’s Butcher Shop. Many highlight the exceptional quality of their marinated BBQ meats. Customers consistently rave about the "fantastic BBQ meat," particularly mentioning the spicy pork, beef bulgogi, and marinated skirt steak as standout favourites. These are often described as “beautifully marinated,” “outstanding” in quality, and offering "authentic Korean flavours." The ease of the ordering system and the convenience of pickup are also frequently mentioned.
Here’s a breakdown of the consistent praise:
- Marination Excellence: The sauces are described as neither too sweet nor too salty, capturing a homestyle Korean flavour reminiscent of home cooking. One reviewer, hailing from Korea itself, explicitly stated the sauce was similar to their mother's recipe.
- Meat Quality: The meat itself is lauded for its "proper chewiness" – not too harsh and not too soft – a marked difference from other attempts at similar marinated meats encountered in Australia.
- Versatility & Fun: Customers appreciate the ease of cooking the meat on various grills (butane gas hot plates and hibachi grills being popular choices), transforming meal preparation into a fun and exciting experience suitable for family gatherings and entertaining guests.
- Camping Favourite: Several customers report using Mrs Kim’s meats for camping trips, overflowing with enjoyment of the convenience and tasty meals.
Beyond the meats, a customer has praised the kimchi, noting its satisfying crunch and less intensely fermented taste compared to supermarket varieties, suitable for adding to soups.
Kimchi Dreams and Potential Improvements: Feedback & Suggestions
While the BBQ meats consistently garner praise, customer feedback also reveals opportunities for Mrs Kim's Butcher Shop to improve and expand their offerings. A recurring theme revolves around the desire for more Korean banchan (side dishes). One customer’s yearning for spring onion kimchi (pa kimchi) and chives kimchi (buchu kimchi) highlights a clear demand for a wider variety of traditional accompaniments. The customer notes that many Korean establishments in the city centre offer these, suggesting a potential avenue for Mrs Kim's to differentiate themselves and cater to a broader range of Korean food cravings in the Carnegie area.
Beyond specific menu items, other suggestions include:
- Packaging Reduction: One reviewer commented on the “fair bit of packaging” used, suggesting the possibility of exploring more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Reducing packaging aligns with growing consumer concerns and could enhance the shop’s image.
- Website Accuracy: Following the recent disappointing experience related to misrepresented products, renewed focus on accuracy and clarity within the online descriptions is essential. Ensuring pictures accurately reflect the reality of what customers will receive builds trust and prevents future frustrations.
Customer Service & Accessibility: Positives and a Promise of Resolution
Amidst the mixed feedback, the team at Mrs Kim's Butcher Shop receives consistent recognition for their willingness to assist and address customer concerns. The willingness to “try their best to help and sort out queries” is frequently mentioned as a key strength. Shoutouts have been made for their helpfulness and ability to provide assistance when problems arise. It truly shows remarkable understanding when issues seem inescapable.
Mrs Kim's also demonstrate commitment to accessibility and convenience:
- Accessibility: The shop is wheelchair accessible, making it welcoming to a wider range of customers.
- Service Options: In-store pickup is readily available for all orders.
- Payment Flexibility: Credit cards are accepted, adding to the convenience of the shopping experience.
- Quick Visit Friendly: Designed for people needing to pop in and grab their order with ease.
It is worth noting that the shop's response to complaints, while appreciated, could be more proactive. The initial staff response to the misrepresented Wagyu, while polite, lacked a suggested course of action or a genuine willingness to rectify the situation, even though they promised to pass on the feedback to the manager.