5 Best Korean Restaurants near Fairfield

“MSG CHICKEN BITE & CLASSIC FRIES. MSG is a new menu so I was scared to try it. But I don’t regret it!! It’s SO SO GOOD“

“When Friendship Meets Flavor: An Unforgettable Korean Meal in Fairfield

During a visit to our longtime friends Dr. T and his wife in Fairfield, California, they took us to a small, unassuming Korean restaurant tucked away on the corner of Parker Road.

It turns out our friends are regulars there, and we were warmly greeted by the owner, Mimi, a cheerful and talkative South Korean–born woman with a head of silver hair and a radiant smile. Her friendliness immediately set the tone for what turned out to be a memorable meal.

We began with an impressive array of eight traditional Korean appetizer platters (banchan), which included kimchi, kongnamul (seasoned soybean sprouts), tofu strips, kkakdugi (radish kimchi), and a few others—each fresh, flavorful, and distinct.

Knowing my fondness for seafood, Mimi recommended Seafood Jeon Gol, a hearty Korean seafood stew made with crab, mussels, shrimp, white fish, and vegetables. In some ways, it reminded me of a Korean version of French bouillabaisse or Italian cioppino—but with a uniquely Korean character, thanks to its rich kimchi and tofu-based broth.

Our friends also ordered the Haemul Pajeon (Seafood and Squid Pancake)—crispy, savory, and filled with squid and scallions—and the BBQ Galbi, tender marinated beef grilled to perfection with smoky-sweet flavor. Both dishes were outstanding, but the Galbi, in particular, was unforgettable.

As we enjoyed the meal, I complimented Mimi on her cooking and asked what her secret was. Her answer surprised me. With a grin, she said, “I hate cooking.” Then, laughing, she added, “But I love to eat.” She explained that her recipes came from her mother, who lived in a coastal city in South Korea. Over the years, she had recreated those childhood flavors through trial and error, guided only by memory and passion.

Needless to say, we had the pleasure of savoring an authentic Korean feast in the warm company of dear old friends. That combination—good food, good friends, and genuine hospitality—is truly unbeatable. Whether you come with company or on your own, I wholeheartedly recommend this hidden gem in Fairfield.“

“The food was delicious and for Korean BBQ was a decent value for the money. The table space was limited as there were 4 of us, so between sides and meat plates we ran out of room fairly quickly.

The staff were kind and professional and were very quick to change the grill if we needed it.

Would definitely recommend if you are not worried about spending some money and would like an experience you won't typically find here in the States.“

“We came to have late lunch on a Saturday afternoon. We were in the area and were hungry, so I did a quick search for restaurants nearby on Yelp and Mary Korean Bistro popped up. They are one of the newer restaurants in Fairfield. The restaurant was not busy, so we were seated right away. There was a nice ambiance, kind of a trendy contemporary feel. They give you a physical menu or you can scroll through the tablet at each table where you can order your food or the server can physically take your order. Like most Korean restaurants, once you order, they bring out a number of banchan (side dishes) to get you eating right away.

Food (5/5 stars): big portion, great plating/presentation.
- BBQ Special Spicy Pork: came out on a sizzling plate. Great flavor and not too spicy.
- Bulgogi Bibimbap: good flavors, not too sweet or salty. Nice presentation. You can opt to have it in a sizzling hot stone bowl for $2, but we opt for just the regular bowl.
- Spicy Seafood Bibimbap: great flavors, not too spicy. Can opt for the sizzling hot stone bowl as well.
-Korean Fried Chicken - Honey Butter flavor: the chicken is boneless which is not my favorite as I like bone-in chicken so it is less dry and more flavorful/juicy. The honey butter flavor was not too strong to me, but tasted good overall. They did a good job with the crispiness of the batter.
- Banchan: typical Banchan dishes at most Korean restaurants. The initial portion is pretty small in case you don’t like them. Once you ask for refills of your favorite ones or all the dishes, they increase the portions.

Service (5/5 stars): server was very attentive and helpful.

The prices are little high for lunch (not sure if they have a cheaper lunch menu on the weekdays), but portion size is big, so most people will have something to take home, especially if you fill up on the banchan. If you have leftovers to take home, they package them for you in the kitchen in a microwaveable plastic box with the top sealed in plastic wrap which is very nice to prevent spillage and no smells in your car. We had a great experience here and look forward to coming back again soon.

Update (11/14/2025):

Another great meal at Maru! I came in on a Friday to meet a friend for lunch. Service was quick, food was excellent. The 2 servers that helped us were very attentive. They came by to check on us and asked about banchan refills frequently. The decor is modern and clean which makes for a pleasant dinning experience. Currently, this is my go to place for Korean Food.“

“We had a 33rd birthday party for our son, his band and groupies, party of 11. The mgt Kien/Kenny was very accommodating with our reservation, running a slide show in our private room and the lobby while our guests arrived. The seafood pancakes, desert, and spinning the prize wheel were unexpected treats. Some may think it's pricey but when I consider that for the price I would pay for a basic Rib Eye dinner elsewhere, I can have as much Rib Eye, as well as a variety of other meats, chicken, shrimp, sides as I can possibly eat, it's very reasonable. Most of our group were 1st timers, so the cultural experience of new foods, cooking at your table the way you like, made for a unique experience. Our group of 20 something yr old punk rockers had a lot of fun, the service and food were excellent. We'll be back...ps. call ahead to gauge the crowd and bring an appetite.“