50 Best Korean Restaurants near Aliso Viejo

“came here for the first time last week and honestly wish i’d found it sooner. the guy behind the counter was super friendly and helped me pick out something good since i couldn’t decide. definitely gonna be coming back, its my new favorite spot in the area.“

“3rd time here. Tasty and great food in a no frills clean mom and pop vibe AV location that I think competes well against other Asian restaurants in the s. Oc area. Definitely worthy of a try if you are looking for Korean (Asian) style food. Nice Service too“

“This place is a hidden gem. 10/10 would eat again. The food is great. The staff are friendly. There are a TON of choices for drinks and sides (bottled drinks and individual chip bags). Large enough menu for both lunch and breakfast and they have rotating daily specials. They will be happy to make you a lunch time sandwich even at 8am.Can’t compliment this place enough. If you are in the area and want a quick and easy breakfast/lunch this is the place!“

“I visited with my parents on a Sunday evening around 6:30 PM, and there was already about a 30-minute wait. We had made reservations, and I’d definitely recommend doing the same if you’re planning to visit during peak hours.

We ordered the Beef Combo, and the quality of the meat was excellent. There was a good variety of side dishes, and everything paired well with the meal. My favorite cut was the striploin—it was incredibly tender with a satisfying chewy texture. Even the chadol (brisket), which can sometimes be tough, was tender.

The service was fast and attentive. The staff will cook for you should you want.“

“I was craving Korean food, so I went here, and everything was absolutely delicious! We had bossam, green onion chicken, bibim naengmyeon, mul naengmyeon, and pajeon, and every dish was so good. I highly recommend this place! The server was also incredibly kind, and the food came out hot and quickly. Definitely worth a visit!“

“I ordered the bi bim bap, it was delicious. Exceeded my expectations. The portion was more than enough. I'm from Hawaii where there are many great Korean restaurants. Umma's is on par with any one of them. There is no dining in the restaurant. Dining is outside.“

“I recently visited Mubong-ri Soondae-guk and decided to try their cheese tonkatsu instead of the usual soondae-guk, and I was pleasantly surprised by how satisfying the meal was. The breading on the pork cutlet was perfectly crispy, and once I cut into it, the generous amount of cheese inside melted out beautifully, adding a great visual appeal. The meat itself was tender and not chewy at all, making it a dish that anyone would enjoy, and the harmony with the provided sauce was excellent. Since it is a restaurant specializing in soondae-guk, I didn't have high expectations, but I was truly shocked by the high quality, which rivaled that of specialized tonkatsu restaurants. The savory flavor of the cheese filling the mouth was a real treat. If you are looking for a hearty and delicious meal, I highly recommend trying the cheese tonkatsu at Mubong-ri. I will definitely be coming back!“

“Our family loves Kaju food.“

“Everything is great! Love the food, service & atmosphere! Strongly recommended good restaurants!🙏🥰“

“walked in figuring it was gonna be just ok, but it was actually so good that im still thinking about it... tofu was perfectly chewy and the sauce had this instant kick...

food came out alot faster than I expected, total surprise“

“Whenever I visit Orange County, I stop by at Annies Table to pickup Korean food back to Arizona. Wonderful Korean Food. I wish I have a place like this back home in Arizona. I have tried a handful dishes recommended by the owner chef, Annie, and they were all really good!!!

I recommend this place for a quick bite or togo for any Korean or fusion Korean food in your mind.“

“Nice Lunch served very fast after waiting for our turn to be seated for 10 minutes. Friendly Host and Waitresses.“

“Chan Chan is such a cute little spot in Irvine! Their fried chicken is honestly my favorite in all of Irvine, it even tastes better than what I had in Seoul. The rose tteokbokki is chef’s kiss, that thick sauce is like creamy pasta meets tteokbokki in the best way. Service was super sweet and fast. The space is casual and clean. The $18 lunch deal is insane, huge chi‑bap, soup, fried squid & banchan. I will absolutely be back.“

“Good food and very friendly environment“

“とても美味しいスープがお手頃なお値段でいただけます。“

“Takayuki Dessert offers a refreshing and modern dessert experience that pairs perfectly with a meal next door at BCD Tofu House. The shop focuses on clean flavors, soft textures, and visually appealing presentations that feel both comforting and elevated. The desserts strike a balance between sweetness and lightness, making them enjoyable without feeling heavy. Service is friendly and efficient, and the environment stays calm even during peak dessert hours. The menu offers enough variety to satisfy both classic and adventurous dessert preferences.

The space is clean, bright, and easy to relax in, making it a pleasant stop for a quick treat or a slow, casual dessert break. Parking becomes easier later in the evening, which aligns well with dessert timing. The ingredients taste fresh, and the portion sizes feel fair for the price. The shop’s atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the desserts consistently deliver on flavor and presentation. Takayuki stands out as a reliable, high‑quality dessert spot that enhances the dining experience in the plaza and leaves a memorable final impression.“

“There were so many items on the menu I wanted to try, but I'd have to settle for coming back because my order of ComboB exceeded all expectations!
DIY rice balls (warm rice) 5* perfectly refreshing flavors.
Cheese buldak 5* cheese and chicken? Genius!
Fried chicken + Fries 5* juicy boneless chicken w perfect seasoned batter. Fried just right!
Clam soup 5* warning, can be spicy. Don't let th clear broth fool u!

Service was 5* we chose to sit outdoors cuz we brought our dog, and they set up a table on their patio for us (w a fan, cuz hot outside! That's service!)

Highly recommended. I didn't have any alcohol, but it would go great with food. They offer soju bombs w a beer tower.. how fun is that!!!

Can't recommend enough. Will be back to try other dishes.“

“Not your classic korean barbecue but even better. My wife and I love this place and it’s one of our usuals. Great selection of meet, great tasting kimchi that is fried on the pan and the kimchi fried rice at the end is something else! Highly recommended“

“My partner and I got the 돼지갈비 김치찜 Pork Rib Kimchi Hot Pot and it was very delicious! We can’t handle too much spice, so they kindly offered us an extra bowl of bone broth to add in. Service was excellent! We got there just after 6pm on a Friday for dinner and there was no wait even without a reservation. It did get packed around 7pm, but there were still a few tables left. Portions were large so we couldn’t finish, but they offered us to-go containers, which made great leftovers the next day. 10/10“

“You know a Korean barbecue place is good when they cook everything for you, and this place does just that. The staff are so efficient and friendly, preparing the meat right in front of you just the way you like and letting you know when you can dig in. All of the side dishes are wonderful too. The Kalbi experiences are the way to go, giving you everything you need for a complete and satisfying meal. The quality of the meat is evident and this is the first place I have been to that switches the type of grill for different meats. Excellent attention to detail. Very clean and well organized interior as well.“

“The food is too good that it got me missing out the review for this korean food gem. I chanced upon this traditional korean food restaurant when other nearby restaurants were packed then. The list of dishes on the menu are all about homemade korean dishes. A note for light eaters, the food portions are huge enough can
2 average eaters.i have been visiting this restaurant several times, and the few dishes I would recommend are the pork marinated in fermented bean sauce and their signature Bossum. I was surprised by the flavour of the pork slices as it is neither dry nor oilyness from the fat. The soups come in the stone pot which locks the warmth and the flavours within, and not to say on the generous ingredients that pack within. The side dishes are also delicious and they open up the appetite before the mains. Great place to be in for a warm and traditional spread of korean cuisine.“

“Wow! What a find! Had lunch at Tomo Sushi and everything was just so genuinely good. I ordered the cucumber salad and the sashimi roll, and the chef surprised me with complimentary crab tempura. OMG… that crab tempura was incredible — the flavor just burst in your mouth.

And the miso soup? Definitely a winner. Not lukewarm like so many places… I mean actually hot, fresh, rich, and flavorful. You could really taste the care in it.

The sashimi roll was amazing too — “flavorful” honestly doesn’t even describe it. The fish tasted super fresh.

The restaurant itself is quiet and comfortable, with two chefs and one server, and everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Nothing felt forced or over-the-top… just genuine hospitality and really good food.

If you’ve never been here, honestly make the trip just to try it. Based only on what I tasted today, I’d absolutely come back again 🤗🍣🌹“

“Katsu elevated to an art form. The panko crust on the pork and chicken is perfectly crisp and never greasy, and the house-made tonkatsu sauce is something special. When I'm out with clients who want a deep dive into Irvine's incredible Asian food scene, this is always on the list. Minimalist space, focused menu, executed with real care and precision. If you love Japanese comfort food, this is required eating.“

“I went to another KBBQ spot down the street and noticed it was not AYCE so I called this place and because we had a huge party, they had no problem setting up the table for us before we got there. I really appreciate the staff being so nice to us and having everything ready for us! 10/10 for the service. As for the food, side dishes are amazing and the kimchi was so fresh mmm! I loved the meat selections that they had to offer and the bangchan side dishes. I appreciate the atmosphere and the vibe too, I feel like more common kbbq spots have minimal lighting in the restaurant but this one was perfect!! I could see all my friends! Left with a full stomach! will definitely come here again!“

“Good food Good staff Good owner what more do you want !“

“Very reasonable price and delicious“

“Clean store and tons of Asian products too“

“If you're in the area and crave Korean food, this place is good enough. It's not amazing but it's also not bad either. A bit pricier compared to other options in my area so I'd personally wouldn't go out of my way to come back unless I happened to be in the area. Ordered extra spicy tofu soup and it was more of a 2.5 ish. Galbitang had some good flavoring. We tried out their new pig trotter salad and it was ok. The light mustardy sauce that came with it was not our preference and the meat was sliced super thin. Based on the amount that was included in the salad, it was maybe 85% veggies with no other seasoning mixed in. The included banchan was sufficient. Kimchi has good flavoring, so did the cucumber and fishcakes“

“Really enjoyed our dinner here. The tableside grilling service made the whole experience so much more relaxing—we could just enjoy the food and conversation without worrying about cooking the meat.

The Beef Combo L and pork belly were both excellent. The meat quality was great, and everything was cooked perfectly by the staff. Friendly service, comfortable atmosphere, and a place I’d happily come back to. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great Korean BBQ spot in Irvine.“

“You can tell this is a family owned business that really cares about its quality. All the chicken are freshly fried, that's why there is a bit of a wait. The waffle is actually my favorite, super crispy, best waffles I've had in a while.“

“My firm has been a tenant here for several years and in two different suites. Office rent and ancillary costs are very reasonable, leasing office staff is always helpful and accommodating, and any needed repairs are addressed promptly. 10/10 would highly recommend!“

“Love this place! The food is always very tasty and flavorful, and the portions are generous. The staff is friendly and welcoming, which makes the experience even better. We love coming here with our family and always leave happy and full. Definitely a go-to spot for us. Highly recommend!“

“i like the food, big serving & it’s worth the price, i hope they willnot increase the price or lessen the service.“

“We stopped by after visiting UCI with my family, and we ended up here by chance. I made a mistake with my order, but the staff kindly helped me cancel it without any hesitation. The food was excellent, the prices were great, and the service was incredibly friendly. Highly recommend!“

“Great food concept and quality of the food itself. The kids working the counter lack social interaction skills and weren't really helpful in explaining the selection options making the service a bit underwhelming, but if you can get past that and figure out what combinations you want for the varying types of corn dogs they make, you can really get some decent food. A little pricey for corn dogs but they do taste like quality is a priority. No real place to chill and eat there (literally just two tables outside the front door) so definitely better to take out.“

“So unbelievably good! Always get fast service and quality food here. Each time gets better than the last. From the sides to the meats to the vegetables this is a great place to get some high quality food!

I was new to hot pot last year so I won’t lie and say I know about the shabu shabu competition but I can promise you it is good. Plus I’ve been telling everyone how good it is

P.S. I love that you get your own bowl. I know it’s less communal but I’m American like that“

“Great owner, great staff at this location I had the pleasure of working with for a few weeks as a kitchen helper...Place is kept clean, open, welcoming...Staff is humble and polite, they do their best to be accomadating, they work hard, together and help each other...Everything made and cooked well, beef, chicken, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, avacados, onions, oranges, salad, white rice, brown rice, tofu, kimchi, sauces, soda fountain, iced teas...Two TV screens, music, inside and outside seating, restroom, take-out, phone orders, catering...Not a huge selection, bit pricey, but healthy, tasty, well worth it...Shout-out to the great Irvine crew: Abid, Abbas, Alex, Juan, Irma, Jovani, Luz, Evelyn...Also locations in Long Beach, El Monte, Diamond Bar, Ximeno... ???????

Vegetarian options: Salad, orange, avocado, rice, tofu, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, onions...“

“I'm no expert in Korean cold noodles but I found them to be quite delicious. This restaurant is in the middle of an H-Mart food court so the area is crowded and the table cleanliness leaves something to be desired.

I felt indecisive between the 물냉면 (cold noodles) and the spicier 비빔냉면 (spicy cold noodles) so the cashier was kind enough to give me spice on the side to add. Thank you!

Overall, I was satisfied by the experience and would certainly recommend it to another!“

“The chicken mini bowl was delicious. Quality meat and not greasy. Also, try the sauce to bring more flavor to your meat. Service was good, easy to order and no hassles. The place is small, so dine-in wasnt an option for us, but plenty of outside seating since the restaurant is located in a food plaza.

Thanks for the experience.“

“Fantastisk spisested. Kunne være fedt at have i Danmark �“

“Love this place! Food is always great. Made fresh. Staff are always nice and give great service. My favorite thing to get here is the TUNA MELT! I am not a fan of tuna at all until I had theirs. There are times where they will run out because they make a certain amount of tuna salad for the day. Not complaining about that, I just know that it was made fresh that day, so I definitely love it! So order ahead by calling in. If you're not a fan of it at all, give any of their sandwiches a try and ask them to add that chipotle sauce, changes everything, you will thank you me later. If you are in the Irvine area, give them a try!

Kid-friendliness: They have baby seat chairs for dine-in and kid friendly items as well.

Parking: Since this is a small cafe surrounded by business establishments it will be difficult to park but it is fortunate that you do not have to pay for any parking. Usually people come to just pick up and go so parking isn't usually a problem.“

“Nice place to hang out with friends“

“Their specialty dishes are: 1. Sullungtang: taste amazing and very light. A good meal for winter/ 2. Cold noodle: the best I've tried so far, especially when you get a combo with spicy pork or bulgogi 3. Meat: spicy pork/bulgogi was homemade and were not like other korean restaurants. Taste very delicious!“

“The second flame broiler I have been to. The food is simple and decently healthy. Just meat, rice, and veggies. The flavor is good and does not leave you feeling bloated. The staff are very friendly but the food comes out slowly. Seems like they are not sustainable, only 2 people working and not that busy. The interior is large and clean.“

“This is the friendliest, most service-oriented fast food place in the city. The workers are so much kinder than at any other chain/franchise, and better at creating a welcoming and appetizing environment than any other Flame Broiler location. Sometimes I don't even have to recite my very unique order with special requests. They have never messed up my food and they have never been anything less than pleasant. Special thanks to Steven and Patricia.

Flame Broiler as a brand is not going to knock your socks off with exciting flavors; I doubt that's why anyone eats here. But their food, if you tailor it correctly, is nutrient dense and delicious.“

“Quality meat that’s not frozen. Good ventilation. Prompt service.“

“Pedro is awesome!! Seriously, he told me straight up for the avocado addon it's half the avocado not just a few slices like some places.. then i was waiting for my order and before i was able to go in to pickup my order, Pedro brought my meal out to my car with everything loaded. They even put the jalepino in my food!!!I thank the chef and everyone else as well for their excellent service!!Forever customer“

“H Mart I went to the Las Vegas location for the first time today! It is an exceptionally beautiful store. Everything is amazing. The employees were fantastic. The prices were great. I purchased a fresh crab and lobster which I have not had since I lived in Washington state. I purchased living fresh herbs and I picked up the ingredients to make lumpia tomorrow. I am having fresh crab for dinner tonight 😍Thank you so much H Mart for coming to our area. The store was packed today.“

“Nice people, the food was made quickly, hardly had to wait. Very tasty!“

“Everything!!! Seriously crunchy wings...double fried I’m guessing? Soy garlic umami goodness. Nom nom! I wish my pillows were filled woth soy garlic glaze, what dreams are made of. So many crispy bits on the crust I swear the wings are the love child of Humpty Dumpty’s fall and a topographical map of Utah. Holy Crunch Batman! “CRUNCH!” CRACK!” “CRISP!” Cool wait staff too. Attentive and they dont disappear for an hour. My glass was always full. Fair prices, the back of house understands portion control. Good beer selection for those who like craft. I’ll definetly come back. Yummy!“