50 Best Korean Restaurants near Aliso Viejo

“This is my new favorite restaurant hands down no questions asked. The price of the food is more than just fair and the quality is even better. If I really had to nitpick it would be the size of the restaurant but come on let’s be real, small places like this always serve the best food“

“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!“

“This is my new favorite Korean spot in Lake forest. The owner is very kind and the food is exceptionally fresh and tasty. I ordered the bibimbap with grilled pork and it was certainly the right decision. I will definitely be back and I will be recommending this to my friends as well. I did not grow up in Korea but I imagine this is what home-cooked Korean food tastes like.“

“Love this place! I am gluten free and always looking for new places to try. So happy I found this place super close to my work. Lots of GF options and it actually tastes good too! Owners are very friendly too. Not much room to sit inside but plenty of shared tables outside.“

“I tried Haesintang for the first time, and it was such a revitalizing experience that I can confidently say this will now be my go-to nourishing dish. The flavors were vibrant and energizing, truly awakening both my senses and appetite.

The generous combination of octopus, abalone, short ribs, chicken, and mushrooms was impressive from the moment it arrived. Each ingredient tasted exceptionally fresh. The octopus was tender and pleasantly chewy, the abalone delicately cooked, and the short ribs and chicken were simmered until the meat fell effortlessly off the bone.

What stood out most was the broth. Rather than relying on heavy seasoning, it seemed to be crafted from natural ingredients, creating a deep yet clean flavor that beautifully tied everything together from start to finish.

The staff were warm and attentive, kindly refilling side dishes throughout the meal.

The highlight came at the end — rice cooked in the remaining broth to create a rich, comforting porridge. Even though I was already full, I couldn’t stop eating. Paired with crisp kimchi, it was the perfect finish. Despite the generous portions, the meal felt wholesome and easy to digest.

In every aspect — quality, flavor, and service — it was outstanding. I would gladly return and enjoy this dish with my family again.“

“This Korean BBQ is seriously one of the best I’ve ever tried. The meat quality is amazing—juicy, flavorful, and perfectly marinated. Every bite tastes fresh and smoky in the best way, especially when wrapped with lettuce, garlic, and spicy sauce. The side dishes are also on point, and you can tell everything is made with care. The staff is super friendly and helps cook the meat just right, so you don’t have to worry about anything. The vibe is cozy, lively, and perfect for hanging out with friends. 10/10 would come again!“

“We had such a great lunch at Annie’s Table in Irvine! It’s one of those hidden local spots that feels warm and welcoming the minute you walk in. The atmosphere is clean and relaxed — a perfect place to grab a delicious meal without any fuss.

The staff was friendly and made us feel right at home, which made the whole experience even better. Everything we tried was fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. From the comforting bowls to the tasty sides and drinks, it all hit the spot.

It’s also cool that they have fun drinks like boba, and smoothies if you want something extra with your meal.

Annie’s Table is definitely worth checking out — we’ll be back!“

“Our family loves Kaju food.“

“Best, new family owned place! My first time trying Korean BBQ...had the spicy pork...soooooo good! Environment was very welcoming...and customer service was awesome! Kuddos to owners Maggie and Earl...you’re doing a great job! #customerforlife“

“I love this ZIP BBQ in Tustin, Its small placed but it well management the store are very clean the services are great and fast the foods are excellence. Thanks will coming back and recomend“

“The galbi beef here is excellent. Presentation also well done. Fast casual Korean food that really hits the mark.

Looks like it may be family owned or run. Authentic Korean food prepared by authentic Korean ladies. Not too much seating inside though and the chairs are hard, not comfortable.“

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

“Stopped by Yup Dduk in Irvine and it was definitely a solid spot. We got the Yup Dduk Tteokbokki, Yup Dduk Chicken Stew, Tuna Mayo Rice, and a Potato Cheese Corndog. The tteokbokki and chicken stew were the real standouts — full of flavor, good heat, and just the right kick to keep things interesting. The tuna mayo rice and corndog were solid sides that paired well without stealing the show. The spot itself is casual and unassuming, and the food definitely delivers. If you’re into Korean street-style dishes with bold spice and flavors that actually hit, this place is worth carving out time for.“

“Staff are friendly. Place is clean and wait time was very minimal“

“Food was pretty good and the service was great. We went around noon on a weekday and it wasn't busy at all. Our food came out quick and hot.
We got the tteokbokki with fried squid and another order with beef brisket. I ordered mine spicy and my wife wanted mild but we couldn't tell the difference between the two. The spice level wasn't too hot for me (I like it really spicy) but my wife thought hers was too hot.
I also had the soondae, which was pretty good. The skin around it was a bit crunchy for me but some may prefer it that way.“

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

“Chan Chan is THE place to go for good service, amazing Korean food, and to have a good time. The food is spectacular with the perfect flavor as well as atmosphere. You won’t regret coming here. We enjoyed the food so much that we did their catering service which was just as perfect. Highly recommended!!“

“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。“

“Small lil spot. The price is a bit on expensive side for me. I ordered the pork belly set with veggies and lots of ban chan came with it. Good flavor.

Wonton soup with rice cake : 4/5
Parking : always the an issue here
The whole mall is awesome: spa, H mart, bakery, other well known restaurants. It is a good meet up spot.“

“Spicy chicken feet is at the right level of spiciness. They don’t have boneless option, so you have to do your work. And if you decided to order spicy chicken feet, order with diy rice ball. Not because it’s fiery hot, but the portion of one order is def not enough for two people. So if you are hungry, combo menu will be the best. Me and my friend got combo A, and we got enough of various dishes ( chicken feet+diy rice ball+steamed egg+fried chicken). Also this place didn’t seemed to be overly busy even in the Friday night. No need for reservation.“

“We got the spicy cheese chicken here for $20. The chicken pieces were crispy and not dry, but the flavor was different from what I had expected. It tasted more like a spicy cheese chicken pizza without the pizza dough than spicy cheese chicken from other Korean restaurants. It's missing the gochujang and spice. Still a good meal though.“

“Clean store and tons of Asian products too“

“Good food and very friendly environment“

“Great service! We've been here before and like it a lot! We both got bowls with the purple rice and a side of the Korean street fries! The toppings in the bowl went so well with everything and is a good amount of food! Everything was so good and the rest of the menu with the kimchi burgers looks great! Will definitely be back to try everything on the menu“

“We came here as a party of six, and my Korean girlfriend treated us to dinner, we had an amazing time from start to finish. She thoughtfully curated the menu so there was something for everyone, and every dish was excellent.

The restaurant was packed, yet the service remained attentive and smooth throughout the night. Every staff member we interacted with was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely helpful, which made the experience even better. The energy was lively and fun, exactly what you want at Korean BBQ.

The highlight of the night was how they ended the meal with the kimchi fried rice. OMG it was sooo delicious and the perfect way to wrap everything up.

We’ll absolutely be coming back to this Irvine location again.“

“Ordered the beef short rib yuk gae Jang. It was delicious! Beef was super tender and fell off the bone. The only negative is they don't offer a lot of side dishes. Only 3..kimchi, chives and fish cakes. Other than that it was good. I'll be back when I'm on vacation again.“

“Clean store and tons of Asian products too“

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

“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!“

“We had a wonderful experience at IT’S TOFU in Irvine. The food was delicious, comforting, and full of flavor—everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared. What really made our visit special was our server, Jenny. She was absolutely excellent: attentive, kind, and genuinely caring about our experience. Her service made us feel very welcome and well taken care of. We’ll definitely be coming back, and we hope to have Jenny as our server again. Highly recommended!“

“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!“

“Excellent dessert spot. I like the takoyaki separate because it comes out hot and delicious. I do succumb and my go-to single order is the upside down takoyaki with the soft serve (it's delicious but the takoyaki fish cools down quickly with the soft serve). The desserts and service are always excellent, and they get your food ready quickly. Excellent location given all the restaurants around it“

“They give you a lot of rice and banchan, which is good, but banchan tasted quite mediocre. It's a nice meal < $20 - that comes with rice, soontofu and the fried fish. But the taste when compared to kaju and bcd, it's slightly subpar. Service was really nice. We got all the extra bowls asked for without any issues. Oh also, we had a 2 yo boy in our group who really enjoyed their bone broth kalgulsoo“

“Nice place to hang out with friends“

“I literally LOVE katsu bar!!

I have been here over 6 times in the past year, and it's my go-to place for a katsu sando! I always bring my friends here when they visit, and they're never disappointed 🫶

I HIGHLY recommend the pork katsu sando (it's actually juicier than the chicken; I ordered the chicken once and was kinda sad it wasn't as juicy as I was expecting). I've had every variety of the katsu sando, and they're all delicious !!!

🥚 My other go-to is the the egg sando! The eggs are perfectly seasoned, and the combination of mashed and sliced eggs come together for the perfect variety of textures in an egg sando 🥪

🍔The katsu sandwich (cutlet on an artisanal burger bun rather than white bread) is my friend's go-to order and also really good! There's a higher carb-to-meat ratio, so it's good for when you want more carbs or are really hungry! The bread is perfectly toasted yet pillowy, and balances out the cutlet fantastically 🤤

🐓 I also love their gangjang chicken (you can tell by how many times it's featured) which reheats really well in both the microwave and the oven/airfyer!

🍓 Their strawberry sando is also DELICIOUS--a bit of a messy eat since the sandwiches are cut horizontally and not diagonally, but the cream is so thick and luscious, and the strawberries are somehow always perfectly ripe and just sweet yet tart enough to balance out the cream. An absolute must-try!!

The only item I don't absolutely love is the tteokbokki--it's on the sweeter side, which isn't my personal preference, but the texture is really chewy and has a slight crisp from being fried.

Overall, I REALLY recommend this place for anyone who loves katsu sandos !!“

“Yuchun can be found inside the food court at H Mart Irvine WestPark. There are a good number of Korean food options within the food hall, but we decided on Yuchun and it was the right choice. I went with the Yuchun Signature Set which included a variety of banchan, rice, soup and bulgogi for $25.99. I paid an upcharge to substitute kalbi as my choice of protein and it did not disappoint. Simply order at the kiosk and they’ll call your number when your order is ready, but be forewarned that the tray can be on the heavier side when you pickup. The Signature Set is not the most affordable menu option, but it provides a balanced meal of Korean dishes and the portion size is hearty enough for leftovers. I’ll def be back!“

“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!“

“Went the other night and food and service was amazing. Everything tasted super fresh and they even finished the meal with a scoop of green tea ice cream. I was surprised to see it empty on a Saturday night cause it was one of the best times ive had at a sushi place :]“

“The meat was delicious. Two meat servings was enough for three people. The staff was attentive from the beginning and cut the meat and cooked it for us very well. Lots of sides were included with the meal including kimchi, cold and hot vegetables, and whole uncooked shrimp. I noticed the meat quality was superior to meat at other KBBQ restaurants. Additionally, the restaurant was very spacious, so it didn’t get too loud and we could hear each other talk.“

“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.“

“Very reasonable price and delicious“

“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!“

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

“Great fried chicken. Made straight after we ordered so it was hot, fresh and super crispy. The waffle was super light and crispy, a must buy. Small inside so better for take out, but nice enough to eat in if needed. Delicious, try the curry flavor!“

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

“Love visiting dPot unlimited when we are craving hot pot. They offer a great variety of broths, meats, appetizers and meat steamers (which consist of a square steamer basket filled with napa cabbage and choice of meat). The staff is always very attentive and the bar area is always fully stocked with sauces/condiments to prepare your dipping sauce, veggies, seafood and noodles. On top of the bar, they offer different types of packaged ramen. At the end of the meal, they offer a small cup of their delicious fruity slushie, which is very good to clean your palette and complete your meal.“

“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.“

“We ordered the Kalbi Starter Set and it was honestly the perfect portion. It’s $59 per person and comes with two signature cuts — the 48-hour aged center-cut kalbi was super tender and flavorful, and the American Wagyu brisket was rich but balanced. Everything is cooked tableside, which makes the experience feel elevated and stress-free.

The quality of the meat really stands out, and the shaken kimchi and sides made the meal even better. The space is modern, not overly smoky, and great for a date night or dinner with friends at the Spectrum.

Solid food, great vibes, and definitely worth coming back for.“

“Actually came in here because the other restaurant I was planning to go had a long wait. This restaurant didn’t look busy at prime dinner time so I was a little reluctant but I only had 1 hour to eat before my next stop. Service was quick and food came out fast. Soft soon tofu soup included everything just like BCD but more variety of banchan. They were very generous with refilling the side dishes too. As I was eating, I noticed they had nonstop takeout orders getting picked up. I got the bulgogi/soon tofu combo. The bulgogi was good and tasted authentic but I think the only miss was the soon tofu soup lacked a bit of umami flavor.“