49 Best Korean Restaurants near El Cerrito

“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.“

“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.“

“The best Korean fried chicken!!“

“Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup in San Francisco is a standout for authentic Korean comfort food, especially their signature premium kalbijjim—a massive, shareable braised short rib dish packed with deep, rich flavor that’s easily enough for more than two people and well worth the slightly higher price; the bibimbap is also solid, though the meat portion can feel a bit underwhelming even when paying extra, but overall it remains a go-to spot for hearty, satisfying Korean cuisine in SF.“

“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.“

“Absolutely loved this place. The spicy pork with rice was fantastic — the addition of glass noodles was something I’d never seen before, but it worked incredibly well and was such a pleasant surprise. The ddeokbokki had the perfect slightly sweet flavor that I personally love, while still having a nice kick.
The kimbap was also excellent, especially paired with the spicy mayo sauce that came with it — such a good combination. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and comforting. Great portions, great value, and an overall great experience. Will definitely be coming back!“

“This is a pretty cool upscale Korean barbecue place. The service is good. The food is pretty good, meat quality is on point and portions are generous. It’s is it to Park and drinks are pretty good and authentic as well. This would be one of my top pics for a Korean barbecue in Oakland.“

“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!!“

“The food tastes like a homemade meal my mom used to cook in Korea. It’s not Americanized Korean food, but truly authentic Korean cuisine. The restaurant is clean with a modern atmosphere, and the staff are incredibly friendly. Everything is absolutely delicious, and the whole experience is wonderful. I highly recommend this place.“

“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!“

“Peter and his team are flawless. The food is exceptional and the service is even better. From cocktails to apps to the main event, everything is executed at a very high level. The ambiance is superb, honestly the designer needs an award. I would highly recommend this place to anyone and everyone.“

“Located on the Bay Street Plaza in Emeryville, on the second floor next to Barnes and Nobles. Saucy Asian is a Korean fusion restaurant. It’s a trendy place and is pretty busy all the way to closing time. We came in today after shopping at the new Tokyo Central across the street for a late dinner. We ordered at 7:58pm and did not receive our food until 8:26pm which was quite long wait for what we ordered. There is some indoor seating as well as outdoor seating.

As for food we ordered:
- Saucy Asian Bowl
- Saucy Asian Fries
- Island Style Poke Bowl (combo: half tuna/half Salmon)

All the food were good, have no complaints, but have had better elsewhere. Overall, if we’re in the mood for their food, we would come back.“

“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.😇“

“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 visited this place with my sister during one of our outings in San Francisco. We got there around 2:30 pm on a Saturday and the place was pretty full. But lucky for us, there was people leaving right when we got there so we immediately got a table and head to the counter to place our order.

What we ordered:

☕ Black Sesame Latte • 9/10
A very well-made Black Sesame Latte. Not too sweet and comforting. Will definitely order again next time.

🍹 Raspberry Omija Soda • 9/10
Very refreshing drink. The cream on top was delicious—not too thick and sweet—and complimented the raspberry soda really well. Could probably have that cream with any other drinks if I’m being honest.

🥪 Umami Kimchi Panini • 9.5/10
This was our first time having a Kimchi Panini and we both agreed it was really good. Bursts of Korean flavors in every bite and super flavorful. It was very well executed, delicious and the portion was pretty generous too. Although maybe worth mentioning, it was a tad spicy for me who can’t really eat spicy food (that kimchi really had a pretty spicy kick for me) but it was fine for my sister who can.

Also, met the owner, Esther, during our visit and she was super nice and friendly and helped us with menu recommendations. If you’re looking for a dessert cafe in San Francisco/Hayes Valley area with unique Korean flavors, this place is definitely worth trying.“

“Great little friendly, locally owned Korean take out place. The meals are good - “lunch boxes”, kimchi fried rice, sandwiches - and for mine are usually best with beef bulgogi. They’re also big enough to share between 2. The fried chicken is addictively good! Soy garlic and cheddar are favorites. Plus as the name suggests they have a wide selection of tasty banchan.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

“couldn’t be happier with my visit here!! The banchan was unforgettably fresh and flavorful, and the bulgogi paired perfectly with it. I only regret not getting our waitresses’ name because she was so kind and friendly to us! Super glad I have a new favorite spot to come back to :)“

“My husband and I actually door dashed this on a night in while visiting San Fran. I am a huge tofu soup fan but it’s always either too spicy or just water. There is never a perfect in between… until Ollei! The spice was perfect, just a little punch without it being too over powering. And with it being door-dashed it travelled well and was still warm when it arrived. The only complaints I have was there was hardly any beef in my tofu soup and it was very oily. I cannot speak to the service or atmosphere as I never physically went to the restaurant.“

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

“I got the gan-jang beef bowl for $16.53 after tax. I think the beef flavor was good, but the beef texture itself was inconsistent. There were tender/fatty portions, but parts of the beef were quite tough & hard to chew. It came with a soft boiled egg, rice, sesame, and seaweed flakes.

They charge $2.50 extra for kimchi. I feel like if you order the meal without kimchi, it lacks veggies & something to help you finish the rice. If you were to compare that experience to sit-down korean restaurants with free kimchi/banchan, it’s stingier. I would feel better paying this price if it came with kimchi, which seems like a necessary part of the meal.

The owner was nice enough to offer me extra beef/free kimchi as a one-time service, and I took him up on that.“

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

“Hankki (previously T-toust) has been a STAPLE in my Berkeley experience. Amazing food and staff is always welcoming and sweet. I can't even count how many times the food here made me feel right at home!! The pork kimchi stew is my favorite ❤️“

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

“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！“

“I’ve been going here for almost 10 years now since it’s next to Kaiser. I’m grateful for this neighborhood jajangmyun place. Hits the spot when you want some. I’ve lived in a Korean food desert and would have loved a little place like this nearby.“

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

“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.“

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

“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.“

“I got the romano beans and the fried chicken. I didn't know the fried chicken was chicken wings--- which it doesn't say and I don't like, but I ate it anyway. Wanted to try the chocolate cake (which is on the online menu) but it wasn't on the menu anymore. Will come back to try other things another time. Good service and nice ambience.“

“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.“

“Excellent food and great service. I had the Kimchi fried rice with additional spicy pork. Make sure to stir the rice for a few minutes as it comes in a stone bowl just as the name of the restaurant suggests, otherwise your bowl will burn the rice and it’ll become hard. I liked their banchan a lot personally, and during the lunch rush this place is pretty empty and I was served my food seemingly in record time. Prices were very fair. Their gyoza was pretty good. Curious about their dubu, but that’s for next time.

All in all, I will come back again and bring some coworkers. This place is so good.“

“We arrived later in the evening and experienced a brief wait due to the restaurant’s busy pace, but the overall experience was well worth it. The staff handled the crowd efficiently, and once seated, the service was attentive and welcoming. The food was excellent, offering a wide variety of flavors that were both vibrant and well-balanced. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared and satisfying. The soju selection was another highlight—smooth and enjoyable, though deceptively easy to drink. The lively atmosphere, combined with flavorful cuisine and a well-managed service team, made for a memorable dining experience. We would gladly return and recommend this spot to others looking for great food and a fun, energetic environment.“

“Smoky, delicious, yummy goodness!“

“Great Food! And Very nice Small Restaurant“

“Very good food and great atmosphere“

“I knew exactly what I wanted as I walked in. I smelled the Bibimbop and my tummy was already smiling. the service was great! and the food was delicious! our 3 year old approved the Chicken Cutlets with their special sauce! we're definitely coming back the next time we're in town!“

“Each bowl at Matko is flavorful and has a good serving of meat that suits the $16 price tag. Unfortunately, the add-ons feel like I'm getting nickled and dimed. $1 for sauce? $1.50 for two sets of utensils with two napkins? $0.50 for a bag? It makes every order an exercise in frugality.“

“Tbk was not spicy enough, but I suspect they might have lowered the spice level to accommodate the majority customers who aren't used to the spice level.

Overall, taste was great, but the price is a bit high since you don't get that large of portion.“

“Love this place, I go about once a week. All the meats are really good and seasoned especially when paired with the spicy mayo or even extra teriyaki sauce which isn’t needed in just a big back. The stars of the show is the short rib triangle, and the buldock and unagi are ok too.“

“This is the gem of the city of Hercules. The food is always solidly good. The bi bim bop is my favorite, but it is hard to find anything I don't like. The service is efficient and friendly. I really enjoy this neighborhood restaurant!“