50 Best Korean Restaurants near El Monte

“I had an amazing experience at Flame Broiler thanks to Eaton and Brayen! From the moment I walked in, their customer service was outstanding. I asked for family meal recommendations, and they were quick to provide helpful suggestions. They went above and beyond by bringing the food directly to my table, instead of calling out my name or number. Their attentiveness and effort made the visit so much more enjoyable.“

“I went here for the first time on a Monday evening. The service was really good and on point on this day. Staff was always checking on us, always making sure our stove was clean or removing finished dishes. I got us the Deluxe meal. The spicy baby octopus was good. The gyōza dumplings and egg rolls were really good. They have sushi as well. Their menu can be accessed by QR code or you can ask for a physical menu.“

“🙂👍 Jin does a great job!“

“I had an outstanding experience at this Korean BBQ restaurant. The service was excellent and the staff were attentive, friendly, and quick to help with grilling and recommendations. The quality of the meats was truly impressive: fresh, flavorful, and beautifully marbled, making every bite memorable. The side dishes were equally delicious, with a great variety and perfect seasoning that complemented the meal perfectly.
Overall, this spot delivers a top-tier Korean BBQ experience. Highly recommended!“

“If you're on the lookout for an exceptional dining experience that feels like a warm embrace, this charming family-owned gem is a must-visit. The owners are not just figureheads; they're genuinely involved in the day-to-day operations, which adds a personal touch that’s increasingly rare in the restaurant scene today.

One delightful revelation I uncovered is that they prepare all the Banchans—those delightful small side dishes—right from their own kitchen. This homemade approach really shines through in every bite. I had the pleasure of trying their Bibimbap, Galbi beef, and the seafood tofu, and I can honestly say that each dish was a revelation.

The Bibimbap was a colorful medley of textures; the fresh vegetables and perfectly cooked rice harmonized beautifully with the delectable sauce. The Galbi beef was succulent and bursting with flavor, and you could tell it had been marinated with care. The seafood tofu was simply outstanding—rich, creamy, and generously packed with fresh seafood, making it a highlight of my meal.

What really struck me was the freshness of the ingredients. Everything tasted sumptuous and made with love, which is becoming a rarity in today's fast-paced dining environment. It’s clear that this restaurant values quality and authenticity, making it a standout option for anyone craving delicious Korean cuisine.

Without a doubt, this will be my go-to tofu house from now on. If you're in the mood for a home-cooked meal that feels both comforting and elevated, don't miss out on this fantastic culinary experience!“

“There wasn't a lot of Korean options I could find in SGV for a weekend lunch that included the regular tofu house kind of fare and that wasn't a place that BF and I were not returning to anymore. What caught my eye at Omma Tofu House was their cold buckwheat noodles, a perfect item to order on a hot summer day.

I knew I didn't have enough appetite to finish their combo of galbi and cold buckwheat noodles, so I opted for the cold buckwheat noodles only ($14.99). BF ordered the bulgogi and beef tofu soup combo ($22.99). Everything really hit the spot.

We've been back multiple times to try other things on their menu like their dolsot bibimbap, jajangmyeon, galbi, spicy pork, spicy grilled chicken, and seafood pancake. All were pretty solid. Our usual go-to now would be a solo order of tofu soup and a tofu soup combo with whatever protein we are in the mood for that meal. They refill banchan, so just bring back the empty plate to the counter for some more. The counter also has a self-serving water/tea machine so you can refill your cup too.

Plenty of parking in the plaza. They close at 8 pm for all 7 days of business, so don't stop by too late, as the food court also tends to shut down around that time.“

“I recently visited Jang Ga Nae for gamjatang, and as expected from a place specializing in it, the gamjatang was excellent. But what really surprised me was how good their bossam and Squid Stir-Fry are — it’s definitely another standout dish. If you come here, I highly recommend ordering both the gamjatang, the bossam and Squid.

The flavors are very clean, and you can really feel the care and home-style quality in the cooking. This is one of my top Korean restaurant recommendations in the Lorena Heights area — highly recommended!

One last thing: I hope to see the owner smile a little more often — it would make the experience even better.“

“Korean fusion sandwich shop located inside the mall. The spicy chicken sandwich was good, as expected, but nothing amazing. I guess it hards to find good food that's consistent since the other high reviews? Either way, I'd be back to try the other stuff if I was in the mall“

“The best korean BBQ i've tried ever ! The meat is perfect and not too much fat, the ambience is catchy, the service is 5⭐️! Very fast to bring the meat, change the grill plate and to refill the side dish either! How lovely this place, i hope they can open at lunch... for sure i will recommend this place and be back asap!“

“A Cozy Slice of Korean Flavor in Azusa—Bulgogi Town Delivers!
I recently had the pleasure of dining (or ordering) from Bulgogi Town in Azusa and left genuinely delighted. They capture the essence of its motto perfectly—“good people create good business, and good business brings happiness to the world.” Right from the warm greeting and cheerful atmosphere to the satisfying dishes, it all felt thoughtful and welcoming .

Standout Dishes & Flavor You Can Feel

Their beef bulgogi with rice is the clear star—marinated in a perfect sweet-savory blend of soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil, and grilled just right to bring out that irresistible caramelized finish . If you’re in the mood for something bold, the spicy pork bulgogi offers a nice kick, while kimchi fried rice delivers comforting, soulful flavor . Bonus mentions go to the fried dumplings, spam musubi, tteokbokki, and Korean ramen—each showcasing Bulgogi Town’s thoughtful diversity and genuine Korean flair .

Atmosphere & Service That Feel Like Home

Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or cozying in for takeout, Bulgogi Town strikes the right balance. The space is modest and inviting, warm with friendliness—perfect for casual meals. Their seamless online ordering and reliable hours (open daily 10 AM to 9 PM, closed Sundays) make enjoying Korean comfort food a breeze  .“

“Great experience and reasonable price“

“Great food priced right! One of our favorites places to eat at’“

“Didn't know they had more than one restaurant in the L.A. area. This is the second one we tried and it didn't disappoint, it was just as good as the first time and second times we visited the Koreatown location. The service, the food, everything is great.“

“Excellent service ! We ordered the large beef combo for 2 and it was more than enough. Very good quality.“

“Excellent food and friendly staff!!“

“I ordered chicken teriyaki bowl . It was flavorful and tasty .Side Salad was spicy and tasted good. Receptionist was very welcoming and helpful. Food quality was also good . If you like teriyaki flavor with reasonable price in Pasadena, you can try this .“

“I recently dined at Sun Nong Dan on a Sunday for lunch. Although it was quite busy, there was no wait time at 1:30! The koh galbi jjim with cheese was absolutely delicious - savory and flavorful. We had a large group and were worried about the serving size not being enough, but ended up having way more than enough food, which is definitely a good problem to have. Our server, YH, was super attentive and helped us navigate the menu, making the whole experience seamless. Highly recommend Sun Nong Dan for great food and service!“

“Great service, accommodating servers even with a packed place of people“

“Eat there only if you want to be treated like dirt. I am sick and tired of their way of treating their customers. They don't do reservations and their wait system is unforgiving and insane. 1. Long wait times like 1.5 hours 2. But with that long wait time, they only give you 10 minutes to "all be there" when they tell you table is ready. 3. That's not even the worst. They put a "wait time" estimate near their check in table. So you would think that is a solid guideline right? But no. The REAL wait time can swing a good 30 minutes both ways. Say they put "Current Wait time is 1.5 hours" you could get a call at 1 hour mark. And then they give you 10 minutes to get your party to be there. And they give you hell if your party can't make it like it's your fault that you don't have crystal ball to tell that your table will be ready in one hour’s time. I have tolerated it coz their food is actually really good. Meat quality is good etc etc. What broke the camels back today is. I checked in at 5:45 today. Wait time is 1.5 hours. So estimate sit time is 7:15 right? When I get the text that table is ready at 7:05 I thought all is awesome. AND THEN they told me that are actually having a staff party tonight and last call is at 8. That leaves my party less than an hour to do an AYCE dinner. I was furious. So I question them, “Why didn't you tell your customer that when they checked in?” "Well, we put the notice on the door. You didn't see it! So… 🤷🏻‍♀️” 1. There are a bunch of white and black notices all over the door and check in area. 2. And yes. My eye sight is not awesome. I didn't see it. But shouldn't it be THEIR JOB to let customer know VERBALLY when they check in that they are shifting the last call time an hour early? That’s basic decency. I wasted almost 2 hours there and by then it’s like lines all over the place for any place. I am never going back again for a restaurant that treats their customer like dirt so they can make money off me any more.“

“Came here recently and really enjoyed the hearty, flavorful soup—it had the perfect amount of spice and richness, with fresh ingredients like tofu, green onions, and tender shredded meat. It felt like true comfort food and was definitely the highlight of the meal for me.

I also tried the bossam (steamed pork with tofu and veggies). While it was presented beautifully and came with generous portions, the pork itself was on the dry side for my taste, so it didn’t quite hit the same level as the soup.

Service was friendly and attentive, and the overall atmosphere was warm and inviting. I’d definitely come back for the soup again!“

“I was craving Korean bbq but bowl style and this spot was nearby.

I ordered their marinated short rib bowl and I added extra proteins of spam, an egg and chicken with no rice, all salad. It was a phenomenal lunch overall. The flavor was definitely there. It was definitely pricey after I added all the extras, but still worth it.

I’d definitely come back here again to try their other menu items.“

“Absolutely phenomenal ! And the food is absolutely delicious I couldn't believe I spent under $20 for such a wonderful design of takeout box it was beyond expectation like seriously, the only problem is probably the portion is not as much as I want . But overall it is worth it ! I would definitely coming back soon“

“There are only so many Korean spots in Monterey Park, so I come to Lee's every now and then for some Korean comfort food. Even though the menu prices are a little higher than your average Korean meal, the service and taste never misses. I love the tofu soups, kimbap, cold noodles, and ban chan. Also can't go wrong with any of their meats or variety of entrees they have!“

“Excellent quality for AYCE KBBQ. Vibes are good and the service is very good here. They play great music (from 90s R&B to Korean house) and the buffet option takes this place up a notch. Jake takes really good care of his tables and we can’t stop ourselves from coming back. Our favorite meats are the beef belly, thinly sliced pork belly and the brisket. Def recommend if you’re looking for some quality AYCE in Alhambra“

“We have cravings for Korean food, but not the typical Korean BBQ. So we checked out Hanshin Pocha for the first time. Very down to earth setting. In the middle there's a big article and picture of the famous Korean chef (Chef Jong Won Paik) who also founded this chain of restaurants.

We told the server this is our first time so he was very helpful to explain the tradition and the type of food and what are their specialties.

We listened and ordered the whole fried chicken, the whole octopus, and the chicken feet stew!

We had such a good time! The food were exceptional! So tasty and fresh! You really have to try this place out and get the chicken!

Parking was very tigh as there are so many businesses and restaurants in this complex.“

“Really, really good food. The pork ribs were amazing.“

“Came here randomly for dinner agter walking around the mall and was met with great service. Our server Irene took our order and took great care of us. It was our first time here and she helped us cooked our meat perfectly.

We got a small beef combo and kimchi jiggae and it was very filling. We'll definitely be back. Thank you Irene and Billy for taking care of us and great service.“

“My favorite place for traditional korean soups and stews. You can tell all the sides are home-made and can taste how rich the broths are. The portion sizes are also great for the price. Would highly recommend as one of the best Korean spots in the SGV.“

“Just my daughter-in-law and me, spent our quality time well and satisfied. They were so delicious, except the pickles. We both planned to be back again.“

“Popped in because its always time for meat. Loved tge atmosphere, and the language lessons in the bathroom. The food was great. The only downside was lack of my favorite banchan and the high prices of solutions. I'll be back.

With my own bottles. ;)“

“Good kbbq spot. Inside is simple and clean with tables and booths for seating. The classic ayce menu is good.

Service was ok. Kinda slow but staff is friendly. There's a small parking lot in back or street parking but you might have to walk a block or two.“

“Complex, authentic Korean flavors made with traditional p ingredients. A humble porridge could become a pleasantly enjoyable experience. I ordered bulnakji porridge today and instead of using ground beef or cheap meat, they used a good quality meat and then they sautéed the marinated bulgogi in butter. mmm. Chives/buchu they used were fresh and green. So was the octopus. Often times you taste the fishiness but this octopus or nakji had a very clean flavor. The venue and the food they served were very clean. I highly recommend this place.“

“I had stopped by when they had their grand opening in 2021, but didn't get to order since they were out of what I wanted. They were set up as a pick up and to-go spot, and given the very small parking lot to jostle for a spot, I didn't return until my friend suggested catching up at Soonheene for dinner.

They now have several tables for dine in and I was super happy to see that they used bowls and plates for your order if you dine in (though they use disposable utensils when bringing you your order). They also have a self-service area for iced water and iced barley tea and they use metal cups! Yay!

I came on a weekday at 6 pm and there was a lull as there was no wait. As it got closer to 6:30 pm - 7 pm, all the tables filled up! Lots of orders coming in for pick-up though, so if you don't want to wait for a table, order to go.

Since it's my first time here, I got almost everything, haha! The order included:

* shrimp mung bean pancake ($14.99)
* #15 combo of rose tteokbokki and mayak gimbap ($23.99)
* oden fish cake soup ($9.99)
* 5 pc wings soy garlic ($8.99)
* diet coke with Yelp check-in

If not for the Yelp check-in offer, I would've placed the order on their self-service kiosk.

Luckily, since we beat the rush, the food came out at a consistent pace. I had really wanted the mayak gimbap and the fish cake soup but since there was no combo for both, price-wise it made sense to do the combo with the rose tteokbokki. And it is heavenly to get all three! The mayak gimbap comes with a dipping sauce, but it's just as good if not better to dip it in the tteokbokki. If you don't want the usual spice of regular tteokbokki, the rose tteokbokki has been my go-to instead as it has the hint of spice without the usual burn. Soonheene's tteokbokki had very generous amounts of fish cake and sausage suporting the rice cakes, so it's my favorite iteration of this dish thus far. The oden fish cake soup came with three skewers of fish cake and fish cake tofu in a bowl of hot yummy soup and that was pretty solid.

I've never had anything like the mung bean pancake and it was good to have a protein in it for additional texture and flavor. It's best eaten when hot and crisp, otherwise, it's a bit dense the next day. The soy garlic wings were crisp and hot and full of flavor.

Obviously, the order was enough for two people to get a variety of options, but that did leave no room for some sides nor dessert. Maybe some gimmari and taiyaki next time!“

“todo muy rico y fresco y muy atentos los meseros 💯“

“All you can eat for $40👏🏽👏🏽“

“Another Korean rice dog place in Arcadia, this time at the mall's food court!

While also picking up food at the other spots, I got a squid ink mozza and hot dog. Not all Korean rice dog spots have squid ink so I was excited to try this one. I asked what sauce is recommended with it and was told sweet chili sauce. I got that and also had it sprinkled with sugar (never say no to sugar on a Korean rice dog, it makes a difference!). Took it home to eat with the other things I ordered in the food court and enjoyed my quick and easy dinner at home. Good amount of melty mozzarella cheese with the hot dog.

Would come back for another!“

“I just want to say that not only the food is good here, but also their customer service. There was only one gentleman working today. He was the cashier and the cook. He had so many customers, yet as busy as he was, he was efficient, friendly, and acknowledged each person as they walked in. This guy needs a raise for all his hard work. Thank you“

“My wife and I love this place. The staff and owners are always so nice. Customer service is impeccable and their coffee and earl grey latte are cheff kiss. We also enjoy their shredded beef burrito and bulgogi sandwich. Over all a must try.“

“Our family loves to eat Korean foods. This place is a good one because you have many choices to choose from. The portion is pretty big so you can share it. Good service, very clean and most of all the foods are delicious. I highly recommend it.“

“My plant friends shared a birthday lunch here at Young Dong Tofu. The food was delicious. The staff was friendly and helpful. The location was great lots of parking. We will come back again. We highly recommend this place.“

“Great Korean restaurant that serves authentic food. The bossam are their specialty and they also have lots of different soups. The side dishes are kimchi, radish, and fishcake. They could be benefit with more staff since there was just one lady running around helping everyone so it took a while to put in our order, but the food was great.“

“Delicious soups and recommend here hot pot“

“The food was very delicious and fresh . They are a lot more accommodating than the previous owner . They recently changed management and their customer service is amazing now and I'm her to stay for it ! Jennifer and her crew were extremely helpful in helping me choose an item off the menu and I ended up choosing an amazing hot Cheeto corn dog that came out amazing and hot . THE CHEESE PULL GOT MEEE! 100% Recommended coming. The spot is also very clean as well as the bathroom they keep it real clean .“

“Solid spot for Japanese-Korean food in Whittier. The menu is small but focused which I like. We got the Cheese Katsu meal, Omurice, and Egg Sando. The Katsu was cooked well, not too greasy, very flavorful. The Omurice was my fave, fluffy and the sauce was really good. Another highlight was the Yuzu Panna Cotta we got for dessert. It was citrusy, not too sweet, great texture, we really enjoyed it. Their Matcha Yuzu-ade was refreshing as well. Good service and a relaxed atmosphere. We will be coming back to try some things we weren't able to fit in this time around.“

“분위기짱 안주맛도 일품 ...“

“Great place for Korean BBQ“

“🌟 Oakobing – Pasadena, CA
If you’re craving a sweet escape, Oakobing delivers a frosty dream in every spoonful. I tried the black sesame and strawberry shaved ice—each one a cloud of flavor, delicately layered with mochi and a drizzle of condensed milk. The texture? Feather-light and refreshingly crisp. Seating’s limited, so grab your treat and head to the cozy outdoor nook out back. Pro tip: skip the garage and snag metered parking nearby. A must-visit for Korean dessert lovers looking to chill in style.“

“I love this place. I remember coming here because thirsty cow had a 2 hour wait. Now, this is my go to kbbq spot. The part that sucks is that they seem to be getting more popular, which is great for them, but I miss the times when there were essentially no wait times. Good price, good meat selection, pleasant staff, and just overall a good time. I recommend not coming here so I can get a seat faster, thank you.“

“Great spot for Korean comfort food in Pasadena! We ordered japchae, tteokbokki, galbi, kimchi fried rice, honey garlic chicken, and spicy chicken, everything was flavorful, well-seasoned, and generous in portions.

Service was fantastic, our server was on point and kept the Diet Cokes coming without us asking. The space is big, has a projector and multiple TVs for watching sports, and parking is super convenient right next door (paid lot).

Definitely a new go-to for casual eats and hanging out with friends.“

“Gui Gui is a hidden gem in the SGV!

The restaurant is clean, the staff is friendly, and the meat is goooood.

We got menu A which includes Premium cuts of meat and they did not disappoint. The soy marinated rib was my favorite! Other cuts that we loved were the brisket, marinated LA beef rib, and the rib eye.

They have a bar with cuts of pork, bulgogi, and hot foods.

Their lunch special is $22.99 and that's a steal! Definitely coming back again.“