50 Best Korean Restaurants near Fountain Valley

“I’ve been eating at this location for a couple years now and the food is always good. However, today the food was prepared exceptionally well and we loved everything that we had. There were also some new items which was a nice surprise. The employees were very friendly and helpful. St the last minute, I added some additional items and the items came out quicker than expected.“

“The korean tofu is very clean and the korean glass noodles (japchae) were surprisingly very delicious. The sides were really good especially the potatoes. I also enjoyed the fried chicken and would come again! Compliments to the chef! It is right next to Subways.“

“I Can Barbecue was a great experience for us. I went with my family for the first time and we truly enjoyed it. The food is halal, flavorful, and well prepared. The atmosphere was comfortable and welcoming, making it a perfect place to relax and spend quality time together. We had a lovely time as a family and will definitely be coming back again.“

“We checked out this place for the first time and were not disappointed. Everything on the menu sounded so enticing that we decided to order a variety of items to try—wings, pot stickers, udon noodles, bulgogi plate, and chicken katsu (don’t judge me ?). The spicy wings and pot stickers definitely packed a punch! The bulgogi plate was incredibly flavorful. You won’t be disappointed—definitely give this place a try!“

“The food was amazing and the presentation was beautiful! Our server Jack was great and the service was genuinely 10/10. We had such a great time from start to finish. I came from out of town and it was absolutely worth the trip. I would highly recommend Mo Ran Gak and would definitely come back!“

“Really enjoyed our dinner here! The portions were huge and everything we ordered was delicious. The beef ribs were especially good—the meat was so tender and flavorful, and the broth was rich and comforting. Definitely a satisfying meal, and we’ll be back!“

“Delighted with their service and food. Serving is perfectly good for 2 and with reasonable price.“

“This place lives up to the name. Double smash, fries, spicy pickles -- an absolute knockout. Crispy-edged patties, juicy center, fries that don't quit, and those spicy pickles are a genius touch. Simple menu, done exactly right. My new go-to smashburger spot in OC. Get the double.“

“We love the beef bulgogi, spicy chicken/pork and tofu bowls. The food always tastes great and they’re open until 9 pm. Update. We’ve now have been here once or twice a week since they’ve opened. It’s taste fantastic and travels well to eat at home. I’m sitting here now waiting for my order“

“Mhat Korean Restaurant may be a small spot, but it delivers authentic Korean flavors and a really satisfying meal.

We ordered the Dak Galbi (Stir-fried Spicy Chicken) with a side of mozzarella cheese, along with an order of fried dumplings. The dak galbi was packed with flavor, and we appreciated being able to adjust the spice level to something a little milder. Adding the mozzarella was definitely the right call, it melted into the spicy chicken, making the dish even richer and creamier while balancing the heat beautifully. The fried dumplings were crispy, flavorful, and made a great side.

The best part of the meal was saving room for the fried rice at the end. They cooked it right in the leftover dak galbi sauce, soaking up all of the rich, spicy flavors. It’s definitely the way to finish the meal and something I highly recommend ordering.

The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, but the food is authentic, the portions are satisfying, and everything came together for a great dining experience. If you’re craving dak galbi, this place is well worth checking out.“

“Never wasting my time at a chain tofu house again after coming here, this one seems like a small, family owned business. Makes sense because the staff was very attentive and kind. 10/10 service. Food was great, portions for the sides were very 2x what you get elsewhere. The owner helped us out and he was very sweet and kind.“

“I was in the area and had missed my lunch so I decided to give it a try.
I got a build your own mini bowl with Beef and Dalcom (spicy&sweet) sauce. As a Korean, I knew this place was going to be good because they use actual kimchi and Korean gochujang sauce. But they also have other toppings and sauces.

The mini bowl felt like Regular size bowl. I am full and satisfied~“

“I work next to this place and have tried every single one of their kimbaps. Recently, I ate kimbap from The Source at 1.5x the price as the one here, and the quality was so bad that it made me miss the taste of the one I ordered from here. I will be coming back sometime this week to remember the taste of great-tasting kimbap!“

“Honestly surprised this place isn't rated higher! Came at like 6:30 pm seated right away, menu is very straightforward. The quality of the meat is phenomenal and they cook it for you. The kimchis and pickled vegetable array is unreal I literally would eat here over and over again. It's a very straightforward experience but 5/5 stars!“

“I see why this place has such high reviews... at first, I was a bit skeptical, but I am so happy I decided to try 9 Dish out. It might even be my new favorite soft tofu house... As a Korean who frequents BCD and Kaju, I was very pleasantly surprised by 9 Dish's dining experience. They served small appetizers of soup and salad first, which I've never experienced at any other Korean restaurant in the US. The salad was fresh and springy, and the soup was simple and comforting. They brought our food out on a wooden tray with 9 dishes, hence the name! I thought that was cute. 1 for rice, 1 for the soft tofu, and a whopping 7 dishes for all the diverse side dishes. There were givens like kimchi, marinated quail eggs, and bean sprouts, but the rest were filled with tteokbokki, a mini pancake, macaroni salad, and glazed mushrooms! Where most other shops would provide only ~4 dishes of the very basic, traditional seasonal side dishes of Korea, 9 Dish provided us more in terms of both quantity and quality. I love to taste food and having brought a friend who had never tried Korean food before, I deeply appreciated the comprehensive variety of their menu. Everything was solid too, very tasty, and if you got tired of one thing, you could just jump to another. I enjoyed the soft tofu soup in particular. It was incredibly flavorful, the heat was perfect, and I was surprised by its sweetness which I've always felt was missing in most other soft tofu soups I'd tried. If the food wasn't enough, the service and atmosphere of the restaurant were equally great! We came in close to closing, but they told us not to feel rushed, and checked up on us often, tending to all of our questions and requests in a kind yet efficient manner. The interior and decor were simple, clean, and homey, with old kpop playing sweetly in the background instead of new, overplayed hits blasting like most places. We felt comfortable the whole while, and left with a stomach full of delicious food. Our only complaint was that we were too full! Will definitely be returning <3“

“1. The chicken was meaty! The stir fried noodles have a nice smoky flavor!
2. The spot has fun casual vibes as it is part of a food court! The food court has high ceilings!
3. The staff was friendly and timely with our order! It was ready after 10 mins!
Note: There is a restroom area!

Photo: Fried Chicken Set, Stir Fried Noodles, and Taro Milk Tea“

“Excellent and authentic food. Very friendly and informative service. Casual atmosphere. The restaurant was empty at lunchtime on a Saturday, but service was quick and attentive. Meat came out sizzling on cast iron platters. Banchan were very tasty. Refreshing cold chewy buckwheat noodles.“

“Kind of a hidden hole in the wall spot a bit off of the main Garden Grove Koreatown strip.

Good set of 반찬 (side dishes) and the portions were large. I ordered the 갈비탕 (rib soup) and it had large pieces of meat that fell off the bone.“

“My wife and I aren't Korean but we've tried quite a few restaurants in our years living in socal. Overall a very solid place. I got #5 the beef rice soup and it was pleasantly rich with a touch of spice. Sides were excellent and fresh. If we lived in LA and not SD, I'd probably make this a regular place for a cheap good soup noodle“

“My family & I love this place! The food is delicious & they have kim chi fried rice & other items some place don’t offer. The staff is also super nice & you get free delicious ice cream! We’ve eaten at other places & it doesn’t come close to here . The price is so good in comparison too!“

“Great for a group lunch! came here and picked up our teams lunch for an event nearby, the staff was so friendly and even helped me carry everything to my car. Great bowls and reasonably priced! I will be back whenever I’m in the area. There are a few tables inside and outside if you want to dine in but this is very much a to-go vibe!“

“We got tangsuyook and jjajangmyun. To be honest, I didn't expect too much of tangsuyook, but from my first bite, it was really really good. I would definitely go back for that. Jjajang wasnt impressive, not too bad. I just couldn't eat spicy food that day so couldnt try jjampong.
The lady working in the front is very pleasant, and she went around passing around aprons to people wearing light colored clothes!“

“My friend and I got their spicy marinated crab and it was soooo good. The perfect texture and flavor. It wasn’t too spicy and it paired so well with rice and seaweed. We also got the beef soup with dumplings and rice cake which was also amazing as well! The workers here are so kind too“

“Saw this place driving by and decided to try it. Food quality was amazing and I would say it’s very similar but BCD but the seafood was fresher. What brings it over the top is the amazing service. The waiters constantly checked on me and everyone was so hospitable. All the side dishes are made in-house and they have a TV for sports which was nice. Will be coming back“

“If you’ve ever driven by this cozy Korean spot with traditional hanok-style windows and a constant line out the door, you’ll know why I’ve been curious about Hangari Kalguksu for a while. I finally caught a quiet weekday afternoon and went in right away.

The menu comes in Korean and English, but the English side is mostly phonetic, so don’t be surprised if it doesn’t help much. I just pointed at the Korean menu and ordered their signature kalguksu ($17.99). They also offer sujebi, rice cake dumpling soup, cold noodles like buckwheat or soybean, plus classics like tteokbokki and fried snacks.

Banchan was simple yeolmu kimchi, light and refreshing. Then came the main event, a massive bowl of kalguksu, easily double the portion you’d expect, with a small side of barley rice (boribap). The broth was surprisingly clean and slightly sweet, loaded with shrimp, clams, potatoes, zucchini, and seaweed.

Pro tip: serve some noodles into your small bowl, then mix in their chili paste and sesame oil. It instantly levels up the flavor. Super comforting and honestly hard to stop eating so I ended up finishing the whole thing without realizing it.

Portions are huge, so sharing isn’t a bad idea. If you can’t finish, just ask for a to-go box.

They accept cash and Visa/Mastercard only.

Also worth noting, there’s another Hangari Kalguksu in LA (ktown) with a similar name and a more expanded menu. Not sure if they’re related, but something to keep in mind if you’re exploring different locations.“

“Excelente servicio y alimentos exquisitos“

“Great place to go on date“

“Tried this place for the first time today and the quality is unreal! I got the ear, tongue, and stomach pork soup. Broth was silky and so much flavor, which can only comes from hours of cooking. All the side dishes compliment the soup really well too especially the salted shrimp! The service was incredibly nice, fast and welcoming. 10/10 definitely coming back soon“

“Nice and cozy place to grab a bite to eat. Service was easy and helpful, and I enjoyed my experience here. Even though their food is not necessarily something I would go out of my way to get, it tasted pretty good. The menu was a little vague, and some of the options seemed a little pricey, and perhaps we could've ended up getting better dishes. The restaurant itself smells pretty good once you walk in, and while the food tastes pretty good too, its taste doesn't seem to be on a par with its aroma. In other words, the smell is deceiving; make sure you know what you are ordering. The sides were pretty good and substantial. Beware: the Dawa Chicken tastes very sweet. Might recommend this place to another person, and might come back if I'm in the close area.

P.S. Public Restrooms are available.“

“Excellent service and food“

“Absolutely love it here! This place exceeded my expectations. I was greeted with warm hospitality the moment I walked in, and the environment has a cozy, authentic atmosphere! Every dish was packed with unforgettable flavor :) My favorite has to be their jokbal and bossam!

Service was amazing as well. They were very attentive and answered questions about their dishes. You can tell that the food was thoughtfully prepared, and they truly care about the dishes they serve.

If you’re craving some comforting Korean food or want to try something new, this is a definite must-try!“

“came in expecting a regular kbbq joint, maybe a little nicer than others since they grill for you. but came away having eaten an unexpected tasting menu with an elegant vibe (soft jazz?).

charcoal grill. unlimited hot tea. marinated short rib was the best of the two meats we chose from the beef course.“

“Went for my birthday and i am more than pleased. The food, service and resturant was all amazing. There were options for all people who may have diet restrictions. My 7 year old had a great time with the chicken wings and the octopus and shrimp sushi. The ramen was super good and the eel was amazing have 0 complaints and i will be returning here very soon as often as i can!“

“I was so heartbroken when they closed their LA ktown location so I followed them down here. This location is inside the HMart Eatery and does individual portions (as opposed to the jeongol build your own format from ktown). The flavors are just as good, just on a smaller scale. The soup has a rich bone broth base for a deep flavor. Their kimchi banchan is incredible!
They also do bingsoo; the strawberry flavor was really good. The owner is incredibly kind too.
Highly recommend for a comforting and filling meal!“

“This is the exact same udon and futomaki I used to enjoy 35 years ago when they were inside the Kaju Korean Market. They still use the same recipe—and even the exact same bowls! I had missed their food for so long that I literally cried when I found this place. One bite brought me right back to the early '90s. I’m so grateful they’re still making it, and this is now a must-visit every single time I’m in Garden Grove.“

“We went here for dinner and this location doesn’t serve liquors..abit bumped since it goes so well with fried chicken. We ordered a combo of fried chicken, Tteokbokki, and spicy pork kimbap, plus mixed assorted Fried Basket (seafoods & veggies). The portion is quite big and we do have some left over for lunch. The foods are quite nice and well cooked & well seasoned. As for the prices, very reasonable. Service is nice and friendly. The place is right on the corner of the strip so it has all windows from all 3 sides. So it well lite and clean plus spacious. Parking is good with front and back. Overall, not bad for a good & big portion meal at reasonable price and with nice & friendly service.“

“Dawa never disappoint me. I went to the one on Harbor a few times and to this new place recently and I like it. The food is good, and the place is clean. I just don't like the wait, it takes too long for them to make the food even though there was no customer except my party of 3 at that time.“

“Voted North OC’s favorite neighborhood Korean spot for decades, we are at Soy Tofu in La Palma. Yes, that one Korean restaurant next to Han Nam Chain aka Super1 in La Palma, CA. It feels like a secret because it’s as cozy and comforting as grandma’s house. This is a spot where everyone goes to for Sundubu (Korean Spicy Tofu Soup served boiling hot), or if they want Naengmyeon (Korean Buckwheat Noodles in a icy tangy broth) on hot summer day, or Bibimbap (Stone-pot Korean mixed rice filled with vegetables and meat with a spicy gochujang sauce and sesame oil)—just something comforting, and what they’re used to. This place has been there forever, and it’s under the same owner who wants to spoil us with her Korean recipes. Beyond the great service, delicious made in house banchan aka Korean sides , fresh ingredients and all the menu favorites, you can scoop your own free ice cream in a cone! I recommend Soy Tofu as a solid spot for anyone who is new or super critical about Korean food. It’s a guaranteed delicious spot.“

“I come here almost every Friday for my lunch and the manager Miguel & Betty the cook are very nice, welcoming and kind. The food is always fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. Great portions, quick service, and clean. Highly recommend. 👍“

“Great experience here this past weekend!

The interior is pretty small, so it's mostly a food-to-go spot (which is what we did). Service was so friendly and sweet, even gave us some good recommendations.

We ordered spicy tuna kimbap, bulgogi kimbap, pork cutlet, and fried dumpling for a group of 4 to eat. It was a pretty big portion size! The kimbap tins came with probably 15+ rolls. For $12 - $16 per tin, this was such a good deal.

If I lived in the area, I would definitely come back to enjoy more kimbap combinations at the good prices!“

“The man and the woman who own the restaurant are so sweet and welcoming! They even gave us a small teopokki on the house. All the food was really good. The teopokki was sweet, spicy and super soft. We ordered the original Korean chicken and even without sauce the chicken was still crunchy and tasty!! I also got the kimbap and the vegetables were very fresh. Huge recommend. The service was really stellar. 💜“

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

“Best Korean BBQ in OC! Love the food and the service. Did i mention free Thrifty's ice cream?“

“Our family loves Kaju food.“

“Delicious food, fast service, friendly staff, beautiful atmosphere…all in all definitely a great place to eat at. I’ve been there twice and have left both times fully satisfied by the food and planning to return.“

“If you want the kind of Korean comfort food that wraps you in a big cozy blanket and whispers, “You’re home now,” Jang Mo Jip is the place.

Nothing flashy, no Instagram gimmicks — just steaming bowls of hearty soup, beautifully chewy dumplings (I LOVE their dumplings, they’re my ride-or-die here), piles of fresh kimchi, and honest, satisfying flavors.

The atmosphere is no-frills but exactly what you want when you’re craving soul-warming sul lung tang or a healing haejang guk.

The banchan? Solid, classic, and plentiful. You leave full, happy, and with the kind of quiet joy only a truly good meal can give.

Not trying to impress, just trying to feed you well — and that’s what keeps me coming back.

Comfort food at its finest.“

“Came in to try this place. Guess. What. Very good food started whit the appetizer very good. Shirmp ramen very delicious. Chiken strips delicious. Sushi roll very good. Teriyaki bowl yummmmm. I invite everyone to stop and support this local restaurant. The owner is a very nice person and was outstanding on the service. Thank you chick flag definitely I be back“

“Went in today !! Gotta say the food was great .. had spicy beef soup and my wife had bulgogi and dumplings … was completely satisfied with this place !! Also we were the only 2 customers there .. which was shocking after having tasted the food … very delicious… how is this not a popular place ???“

“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“

“🤨For anyone reading my comment, I wanted to say that this is the best Paris Baguette I’ve ever been to; I always go there with my mom. The coffee is great (caramel macchiato)☕, and the service is excellent too🕺.“