Korean BBQ is a fun dining experience beyond simply sizzling meats.
Here’s how to find the best KBBQ near you!
Quick Summary
- KBBQ is about the fun of eating delicious meats, making ssam (bite-sized wraps), and grilling right at your table.
- Look for reviews mentioning fresh meat, good banchan (side dishes), quality kimchi, charcoal grills, and attentive service.
- Proper KBBQ restaurants offer dishes like naengmyeon (cold noodles) or doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) as it’s a national rule to order one after finishing the meat.
Check Reviews and Ratings
Start with platforms like Yelp and Google Reviews.
Look for restaurants with consistently high ratings and detailed reviews that mention fresh meat, good banchan (side dishes), quality kimchi, charcoal grills, and attentive service.
It can be helpful to read the lowest reviews to see if you will dislike the same thing.
I shoot for a place with some Korean reviews for authenticity and English reviews for friendliness. (Although foul-mouthed grandma chef-owners run many matjib or tasty restaurants in Korea.)
A good KBBQ restaurant will have a nice blend of Korean travelers, Gyopos, and Americans in the States.
Look for Authenticity
The most authentic Korean BBQ restaurants are often located in Korean-American neighborhoods like Koreatowns in Los Angeles or Annandale, Virginia.
Authentic spots have traditional marinades like galbi (sweet soy) or spicy versions.
If the menu offers dishes like naengmyeon (cold noodles) or doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), it’s a proper KBBQ restaurant.
As a national rule, Koreans have to choose between naengmyeon or doenjang jjigae after eating barbecue.
Especially in Korea, you’ll often get asked, “What would you like to have for your meal? (shik-sa-neun eotteoke ha-shi-ge-sseo-yo?)” when you think you’re done eating all the meat.
Authentic ones will always have the menu written in Korean as well.
Soot Bull Jip and Park’s BBQ are the most famous and authentic places known to Koreans in Los Angeles.
Assess the Banchan Spread
A hallmark of a great Korean BBQ is its banchan selection.
The best restaurants serve a variety of high-quality side dishes like kimchi, pickled radishes, seasoned bean sprouts, stir-fried fishcakes, and japchae (glass noodles).
You should also get an assortment of ssamjang (dipping sauce), garlic, peppers, and lettuce.
Look for places where banchan are plentiful and refilled at no extra charge.
Opt for Charcoal Grills
Charcoal grills provide a smoky flavor that’s hard to beat.
Many high-quality Korean BBQ joints in the U.S. use charcoal instead of gas, enhancing the meat’s natural flavors.
Check reviews or photos to see if the restaurant uses charcoal.
Evaluate Pricing
Korean BBQ can range from affordable all-you-can-eat (AYCE) spots to upscale à la carte dining.
AYCE is great for big appetites, while à la carte offers premium cuts and a more refined experience.
Pick based on your budget and appetite.
Ask for Recommendations
When in doubt, ask your Korean-American friends or coworkers for suggestions.
They’re likely to know the hidden gems in your area that serve the most authentic flavors.
Try Their Kimchi
Just like other Korean restaurants, kimchi often reflects the overall quality of KBBQ places.
Well-fermented, tangy, and spicy kimchi is a good sign.
You should be able to grill kimchi alongside your meats, except for marinated ones.
Top Korean BBQ Hotspots in the U.S.
Here are some recommendations I found from Korean communities that are kept secret.
- Los Angeles: Park’s BBQ (955 S Vermont Ave G, Los Angeles, CA 90006)
- New York: Jongro BBQ (22 W 32nd St 2nd floor, New York, NY 10001)
- Dallas, Texas: Seoul Garden (2502 Royal Ln Suite #103, Dallas, TX 75229)
- Suwanee-Duluth, Georgia: Cow Wow Korean BBQ (2850 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd Ste F, Suwanee, GA 30024)
Finding the best Korean BBQ in the U.S. doesn’t have to be a challenge.
Enjoy grilling top-notch meats and endless banchan!
