50 Best Korean Restaurants near Albany

“Food Very tasty 🤤 authentic Korean food delicious friendly staff decor trendy modern nice clean.“

“Great food and quick service! A must try place if you’re in the area!“

“The best Korean fried chicken!!“

“Kalbijjim Braised beef short rib impressed me. No matter the size of the rib, whether it was small or large, all were super tender, fall off the bone kind of tender, juicy and tasty. Good amount of it. Not enough rice cakes though. I maybe found 5 rice cakes and that’s it.
Got the normal size but a lot of people recommend to do the XL.

The sauce was really good. Spice level 1 was perfect. And the cheese on top makes a difference. It’s expensive but VERY good and I can’t wait to come back to eat it again.
Large portion, filling, but doesn’t wreck a havoc on your digestion system.
Their purple rice is also very good and I normally don’t like it.

Was not a huge fan of their banchan though. The pickled radish and kimchi was definitely not my favorite and they usually are at any Korean restaurant.“

“I’ve been here three times now. The first I didn’t really know what to get. But the second and the third with the help of the lovely person at the front, my lunch has been amazing. Fresh, quick and quality ingredients. So many healthy vegan options.“

“We returned to this restaurant twice during our visit to SF, it was that good. Very much enjoyed the garlic soy chicken wings, salmon eggs benedict, kimchi, bulgogi, pimped up ramyun, and of course the bacon.“

“Make reservations if you want to sit outside in the garden. Also check the front for prepacked take away items for sale. I especially love the hand made squid (jerky like) very tasty. Tried a few things definitely want to come back n try more.“

“i can't begin to describe the happiness i experienced when i tried their chicken for the first time. the sauce on their ganjang KFC is amazing, the perfect balance of sweet and savory. it was the kind of meal that i know i'll be missing for the rest of my life. also had their tteokbokki, which was delicious.“

“Moo Bong Ri is one of my favorite Korean restaurants in the area, especially when I'm craving something warm and comforting. Their gukbap is the reason I keep coming back. The broth is rich, flavorful, and comforting without being too heavy, and the portions are very satisfying.

The food always tastes fresh, and the side dishes complement the meal perfectly. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere, and the service is friendly and efficient.

If you're a fan of Korean comfort food, I highly recommend trying the gukbap here. It's one of the best I've had, and I'll definitely be back for more!“

“Our first time at Olchi and our family enjoyed it! The place is smaller, clean and comfortable. The service is great - welcoming, friendly and fast! The food was absolutely delicious! Everything we ordered we loved - the special Galbi (BBQ ribs), combination Soondubu, Donkatsu, Sweet & Spicy Chicken Bites, Kimbap, and some beers. Needless to say, we left stuffed and had a nice take away container for another meal!“

“One of the best Korean Restaurant in town. I ate with my 2 friends, and we ordered the Rose Galbi Jim. I really liked the spices and the soup of the galbi, blended really well with the mozzarella cheese. Moreover, the texture of the tteokbokki was so soft and tasty. At the same time, the portion of the Galbi was so big, we couldn’t finish it so we took some back home.
the other best part was that you could refill the banchan. Would recommend you to ask more for the tofu and kimchi, really mouthwatering. the waiter and waitress were kind and friendly, they served you fast.
we visited the restaurant quite late in the afternoon, so we didn’t need to queue since there were plenty tables. the parking area was big too.“

“Great food. An amazing way to end an evening out in Japantown. The Soy Garlic wings were very crispy, crunchy on the outside. The meat itself was flavorful and juicy. My girlfriend said it was the best she ever had. The Galbi Steak was also great. I recommend paying the extra $5 for the lettuce wraps and samjang. Overall, I had a great time & great date with my girlfriend. I felt the food was worth the price.“

“Super yum sushi-to-go, fresh at 10:45am, this was a lovely surprise for a late breakfast/early lunch when I just stopped in to warm up with a coffee. Kimbap on Tuesdays and Thursdays can’t wait to try that!!! Also they have what looks like a great quick-serve menu of Korean kimbap shop staples like dolsot bibimbap and galbi set menus. Great surprise!!! Musubi looked awesome too. Coffee was hot, fresh and perfect strength. Bonus hazelnut flavored and decaf also. Nice neighbourhood vibe, tables chatting to each other about sports and local news, owners seemed super cool. Good hot breakfast menu. What a lovely find on my emergency de-icing stop in!!! Will be back!!“

“Got here at opening, the place was mostly empty. The staff was polite and helpful. Placed my rice bowl with Korean Bulgogi as protein, the bowl was tasty and with fresh vegetables. The service was quick, got my food in 5 minutes.

The bulgogi was bit plain, not a lot of flavor and wish more meats too😊. There are both indoor and outdoor seatings.“

“such a cozy little spot 🤍 the jajangmyeon was so rich and comforting, and everything tasted super fresh. the staff were really kind and made the whole experience feel welcoming. definitely one of those places you keep coming back to when you want something warm and satisfying.“

“Delicious Korean food. Will come back again!

Update 7 years later: Consistently the best korean food time after time. Every dish is a winner and they've recently added vegetable mondoo (wontons) and a slightly new menu. Service is excellent. Try to come a little early to avoid a wait.“

“Enjoyed the different meals thoroughly. Have had the Chicken Curry Rice Bowl, the Spicy Chicken Ramen Bowl, Bulgogi, and a few other dishes. Easy to become a repeat customer“

“Went for lunch but skipped the specials since we were gravitating towards the barbecue already. Special Set A made for a very filling meal, which our server also grilled for us. All meats were high quality and went nicely with the wide variety of banchan provided. Will definitely be back to try more of the menu, but will make a point to ask which menu items are marinated just to double check. Super friendly staff, and a private parking lot rounded out a nice first experience here.

Note: the covered tables in the central open space are for Don Blanc, not the neighboring restaurant, if you're feeling outdoor dining!“

“I ordered the spicy bibimbap bowl and a hazy IPA. By far the best value spot in the area, and delicious! Service was quick, and overall I definitely recommend this spot for the hearty bowls and the hazy IPA was also great! One thing to note: there's not much indoor eating seating, but there is plenty of outside seating.“

“This place has super fresh kim chee. Food comes out quickly. Their Kim Chee and chives pancake is perfect. I don't eat meat but my husband does and he was never disappointed with his order. He really likes their soup. The only thing to flag is that their soft tofu soup comes with pork even though it isn't listed on the menu. They were very nice to switch it out once I got it. Just wanted to flag for anyone who wanted the soft tofu soup but don't eat pork. The soft tofu soup with Kim Chee (no pork) is also totally yummy“

“I came here for the smashburger, but i guess they dont do lunch untill later in the day. I ordered a breakfast sandwich instead, and it was really good! Hopefully i can try the lunch menu one day but i dont think it lines up with my work schedule. 🙃 will be comming back for breakfast though.😇“

“Picked up dinner twice this week. Delicious.“

“K Soul Chicken is the perfect place for a little Korean fried chicken and snacks pick me up! Their chicken is fried to perfection, and offer so many different flavors. Posted right along Polk St, so it is the perfect place to get the party started over a little beer & casual dinner with friends before hitting up the bars. Aside from the fried chicken, the bbq pork plate and mandu were also delicious and filling. They’ve been serving the community for 35 years, and the owner is so kind and welcoming. Definitely hit them up if you’re in the mood for some delicious KFC & Korean staples.“

“The portions were huge and amazing, the chives pancake was both fluffy and crispy. The restaurant was gorgeous, expansive and really clean. The utensils are made from heavy brass and steel and were the most beautiful metal utensils I have ever encountered. Everything was wonderful and the soups were nourishing and delicious, the banchan was generous, and I recommend this place unreservedly.“

“My foodie coworkers have nothing but praises every time you guys cater for us. Impressive how you pull off such tasty AND healthy food. Thank you!“

“We catered from here for our baby’s first birthday party (25 people) and can’t say enough how happy we were with our decision! They were kind enough to make several Korean dishes not on their standard menu (mung bean, imitation crab, and squash pancakes) in addition to heaping portions of their pork bulgogi, beef bulgogi, chicken, mackerel, various gimbaps, banchans, and fried chicken. Our guests LOVED all of it and given the amount of food they prepared for us, it was very very reasonably priced. We’ve frequented this spot for banchans and lunch often but will definitely be catering from here again!“

“Under appreciated restaurant in the financial district. Picture yourself sitting here with just your thoughts. I came here for a meeting. The staff gave me my food and I sat down at one of their tables to eat and do my video call. Some people want a cafe, but I prefer a place with kimchi and rice.“

“ABSteak SF was honestly a 5/5 for me. I came in expecting a really good Korean BBQ experience, but it ended up being one of those meals where every course kept getting better. From the moment the cuts started coming out, you could tell the quality was on another level. Everything was fresh, beautifully marbled, and cooked exactly how it should be.

The wagyu pizza was one of the highlights for sure. Super flavorful, rich, and just different in the best way. But the standout of the night was the wagyu ribeye. I don’t say this lightly, but it was the best wagyu ribeye I’ve ever had. The texture, the flavor, the way it melted in your mouth, everything about it was perfect.

The whole experience felt elevated without being too much. Great food, great service, great atmosphere, and the kind of meal you keep thinking about after you leave. Easily one of the best KBBQ spots I’ve been to, and I’d 100% come back. Highly recommend ABSteak SF.“

“We came here for an early dinner before a show at The Freight. Service was quick and friendly. We had the pork belly and beef sausage curry rice bowls for only $9.99 each. Both were very tasty. The server offered extra sauce and rice if we needed it, but the basic serving was filling enough for us. We'll be back to try some of their other dishes.“

“I’ve been wanting to try this place for months and finally made it in last Friday with my cousin and sister. We ordered the honey butter potatoes, beef tartare, clams, soondubu with the seafood add-on, fried Wagyu beef, cucumber salad, and the salt bread churros. Overall, the food was decent, but most of the dishes didn’t quite meet our expectations. That said, the drinks were a standout, phenomenal and easily the highlight of the experience.“

“everything is freshly made. very good. 💯🔥“

“This late night Korean food in Oakland was much needed after our time at Lake Merrit.

We especially loved their galbi and spicy pork with cheese. We even took an order to go of the pork!

It's a good place to hang out for late night eats and vibes.“

“This is our local, “go to” place whenever we’re craving Korean food. It never disappoints. At night, they generally project K-pop music videos onto a large wall, which brings the whole room to life. Lotsa fun!“

“That we're here once a week, and notice other regulars, says something. This is authentic Korean comfort food made with care. Feels like we're eating at owners Heera and Jacob's dining table. Thanks to them and their hardworking crew.“

“Super nice/friendly folks. Food came out quick. Nice large portions. Was super satisfied“

“Just incredible Korean contemporary fusion cuisine. Kept the fundamentals of the Korean authenticity with unique broad appealing western gastronomic desires. Well done!!!👍“

“First timer, great experience and great food! Loved it! Will be going back.“

“This place should have a line out the door every day. Incredible value. Excellent service. Delicious food. Warm and friendly staff. They greeted all their regulars by name like old friends. I can't wait to become a regular myself. I can't recommend enough. Coming back as often as I can.“

“人生吃過最好吃的士林大雞排，竟然不是在士林！是在柏克萊！好吃到爆炸！爆汁！皮超脆粉超好吃！瘋掉！ 葡萄柚綠茶裡面有葡萄柚本人！超好喝！它們家是用有機茶～成本比一般的飲料店貴兩倍～烏梅汁也超好喝很濃～ 旁邊的貢茶不只奶蓋是我喝過美國最好喝，裡面賣的雞蛋仔超級好吃！滿滿的紅豆抹茶 日本麻糬鬆餅好吃到，回台灣開都會爆的那種！“

“Ollei is a fantastic neighborhood find that brings a warm, welcoming vibe and top tier Korean comfort food to the bustling Russian Hill area. The atmosphere is cozy and character filled, making it a perfect spot for everything from a casual dinner to a late night craving. The service is consistently praised for being friendly and attentive, with thoughtful touches like hand drawn happy faces on takeout orders that show they truly care about their guests. The menu is packed with standouts: the Army Stew (Budae Jjigae) and Seafood Pancakes are absolute must orders for their rich flavors and generous portions, while the Soft Tofu Soup and Bulgogi consistently hit the mark for quality and authenticity. Don't miss the Ollei Chicken Wings perfectly crunchy and available with a delicious soy garlic or spicy glaze or the inventive Creamy Ttok & Pasta for a unique fusion twist. Whether you're diving into a hearty bowl of Beef Ramen or sharing a plate of Corn Cheese with friends, Ollei delivers a satisfying, 5-star experience that feels like a warm hug in every bite.“

“The food was delicious, the portions were generous, and the drinks were great too! The only downside was that service took a while. They have a bell button attached to the table to call the waiter, but ours didn’t seem to work, so we ended up waiting about 20 minutes to get the check. Overall, it was a great experience, and I would definitely come back :)“

“A good place to taste Korean and Japanese cuisine with a twist.“

“What a great surprise. The food was delicious, and the service was great. We look forward to trying the rest of the menu. I highly recommend the Loco Moco.“

“I'm a big fried chicken person so I decided to try this place as it's new to me.

I got the half original fried chicken which was pretty good. Skin batter was crispy, meat tasted fresh and was well seasoned. The dark meat I was better than the white meat as it was a little dry. That was because they cut the breast and thigh in pieces which I'm not fond of. This means quicker frying but odd pieces that make the meat not moist. Would go back to try the other flavors and wings.

I also got the tteokbokki which I did like. Large portion and great taste. I do like that they put a lot of vegetables and fish cake with the rice cake. However I wish it was more spicy as I found it very mild.

I ordered for pick up, food was hot and ready when I got there. Ladyat the counter was very nice. Overall traditional korean taste and food was good. My son and I both rated each dish a 7.5/10 which is good but we've had better korean fried chicken and tteokbokki elsewhere. However I would go there again to try other dishes.“

“So glad to find out they reopened after being closed a while during the pandemic. Currently you have to pre-order a day in advance for pickup so it takes a little planning but so worth it.Their fried chicken is so crispy. I ordered it with waffle fries and they say they only fire up the fries just before your pickup time so that they're fresh. When I went to pick up my order, they let me know it would just be a few minutes because the fries were finishing and when he came out with my order, he said he accidentally made the salad but included both the fries and salad and threw in a vanilla pudding. Everything was so delicious. Even the bonus pudding had flecks of vanilla bean and tasted so much better than the instant stuff. The chicken and fries were enough for 2 meals.“

“Went to Purple Rice 🍚💜 for lunch craving Kimchi Jiggae! They did not dissapoint 😋. I had the Kimchi Stew with pork, and it came out SIZZLING hot 🥵 . The service was fast and friendly, I will definitely be back very soon 🫶🏽“

“Smoky, delicious, yummy goodness!“

“Great Food! And Very nice Small Restaurant“

“Very good food and great atmosphere“

“We got the all you can eat and the staff was friendly and responsive. We did have to ask for one thing a couple times… but there were soooo many things and it was a busy Friday night! The food was yummy and fresh. The House wine was nice. We walked in at 7pm and got seated immediately.“