50 Best Korean Restaurants in Irvine

“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!“

“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.“

“Our family loves Kaju food.“

“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!🙏🥰“

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

“I I had the tteokbokki squid and the 1/2 tempura. Was very tasty. Tteokbokki was just the right size for one person and there was a good balance of the ingredients. Next time I would get just the tteokbokki by it self. I didn’t like the tempura.“

“Very good 🥩 steak. Will come here again ❤️“

“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!!“

“My friend brought me to this place and I was excited to try. I ordered the tonkatsu and rice cake/dumpling soup. Not gonna lie, my expectations were shattered. I can't go back to my usual spot to enjoy the soup and tonkatsu anymore. Soup was so flavorful and tasty, the dumpling was massive, the tonkatsu is enormous. For the price, it was worth it. Would come back here again.“

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

“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。“

“my sister introduced me to Yigah and galbitang here when she first came to UCI. more than a decade later Yigah is still the best on my list for galbitang and the radish kimchi. nothing beats Yigah, esp at the Diamond Jamboree location (the other location in Garden Grove is bigger but i feel like their portion/side dishes are smaller)

we always finish everything whenever we go to Yigah. their seolleong tang is good also, that’s my sister’s favorite“

“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“

“My sister and I were craving kimbap and this place delivered. Because of the prices we thought the serving sizes would be small but it was very generous and filling. I really liked the beef vegetable and the spicy tuna which definitely had a kick but was tasty. But we also tried the spicy fish cake which we enjoyed more than expected (was not fishy at all which is what we were worried about but also wasn’t really spicy). Overall loved it all and the person who helped us was very kind and quick with the order.
It is in the grocery store and we ate at home but I think there is some places to sit outside. Not much of an atmosphere for this place but the coffee shop next door seemed great too.“

“Ever had a 3 star Michelin chef that’s a judge on Masterchef Korea cook you dinner? I know you wanna see what Chef Hoon Song served up. His special for the 3 day pop up at Yukdaejang in Irvine included his creative take of Korean Short rib patties, charcoal grilled, sauced up, and served with soybean soup & a ton of his favorite side dishes. 10/10 and it’s the next best thing to a fine dining experience I’ve had. I also tried Yuldaejang’s most popular eats like this savory kimchi and pork steamed mandu. Not to be outdone by their premium bossam in house special soy sauce. So much more flavor than others I’ve had. Finally the creamy brisket sullungtang soup with glass noodles to complete the feast for the night. One of the best solo dining experiences I’ve had“

“Good food and very friendly environment“

“Its been about 2 years since I went here and now they have so much more amazing dishes on their menu. I tried their new arrival dishes such as their bulgogi fries which were crispy with delicious meat. Would have wished for a different type of cheese, but not mad about it! Their stir fried udon was al dente, which I loved and their korean fried chicken had a nice crunch. The service was fantastic and had a dim interior which is great for a late night group gathering.“

“We ordered the signature set ($37.99) which came with a dumpling sampler, cold noodle, rose toekpokki (mild), and we did a tonkatsu add on. The only thing we didn't like was the add on, it was overpriced at $5.00 and only tasted ok. But the rest was SUPER DELICIOUS. Everything has such great flavors. Service was amazing, he was very friendly and even walked our food to us at our table. Would definitely come back for more.“

“Clean store and tons of Asian products too“

“Very traditional Korean Bqq. Restaurant love their variety of meats. My friend comes to Vegas to visit me once a year and we go there at least twice. First when he lands we have to go to eat there and another one before he goes back home. And he is from NY where is plenty of Korean restaurants 😁😁😁“

“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!“

“Really really busy (but you should expect it at an Asian restaurant)
Location: plaza with Zion Market.
We were sat down quickly.
Ordered a mixed tofu soup and galbi combo as well as a hot stone bimbimbap.
Ban chan was bean sprouts, mung bean jelly, fish cakes, kimchi, japchae, and dried anchovy.
Tofu came with a small fried croaker, hot stone rice, and a raw egg. Tofu was absolutely delicious.
It was very busy but we got served about a moderate pace. Enjoyed everything, definitely would visit again.“

“Nice place to hang out with friends“

“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“

“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“

“Cho Dang inside H-Mart Irvine hits the spot every time! Located right in the food court — super convenient, lightning-fast service, HUGE portions, and next-level quality. Everything came out hot and came with delicious banchan. Although it was busy during lunch, they managed to get our food out quick! Presentation was on point too. I highly recommend going here on your lunch break!

What we had:
🍚 Hot Stone Eel Rice - so much umami!
🍲 Beef Rib Tofu Soup - super comforting!
🍜 Cold Chicken Noodles - unique and perfect for the summer weather!
🍚 Bulgogi Bibimbap - so much meat and delicious!“

“Super solid cold noodle spot inside a food court. The bowl was big and really hit the spot.

Mul Naengmyeon: Get
This was so refreshing and flavorful. Broth was ice cold, the noodles had a nice chew, and the whole thing just felt super satisfying. Great combo of savory and tangy flavors. Perfect on a hot day or if you just want something light but still filling.

Nothing fancy here, just good food. It’s in a food court so don’t expect much on service or atmosphere, but for what it is, it’s great.

Food: 9/10
Value: 8/10“

“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!“

“This restaurant is located inside H Mart Northpark, and this was actually my second time visiting. They serve really good quality food here. On my first visit, I had the spicy octopus stone pot bibimbap, and this time I went with the pork cutlet set. Both dishes were delicious and definitely exceeded my expectations.

One thing I love is that the prices are noticeably more affordable ($12 - $22) compared to other places in the H Mart food court, yet the food quality is just as good — if not better. Since it’s close to my workplace, it’s super convenient for lunch. Plus, I appreciate that there’s less pressure around tipping, which makes the dining experience feel more relaxed.

Overall, it’s a great spot for a quick and satisfying lunch. I’m planning to come back regularly and keep updating my review as I try more dishes!“

“Wow I can't believe I didn't come here sooner. I passed by so many times just thinking it's an ordinary katsu curry place. I ordered the Curry Katsu (spicy) and it was SO GOOD!! The Katsu itself was thin and crispy, and curry flavor was rich (reminds me of Vermont curry, which is my fav Japanese curry sauce), and they paired perfectly together.

The girl that took my order was very friendly. The food also came with macaroni salad and a cabbage salad, and they were both very good as well. I'll definitely be back soon!“

“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.“

“FOOD WAS AMAZING but what really matters was the service! I didn’t get her name but amazing service! Always so nice and smiley! Would def recommend to everyone! The portions are big and I was expecting all of these to be ~$80 since some places in OC charge that much but it was only ~$50!“

“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.“

“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.“

“Made a reservation same day for dinner and everything was really good - I live in Ktown in LA and this place has better meat quality than most of the korean KBBQ places in LA. I would come back again!

Our server Ray/Roy was so friendly and nice to us. Grilled the meats perfectly. Man this place is good“

“These guys went above and beyond having known it was a chilly night to be eating outdoor, they provided us with blankets! What a touch of service-golden!“

“Great owner, great staff at this location I had the pleasure of working with for a few weeks as a kitchen helper...Place is kept clean, open, welcoming...Staff is humble and polite, they do their best to be accomadating, they work hard, together and help each other...Everything made and cooked well, beef, chicken, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, avacados, onions, oranges, salad, white rice, brown rice, tofu, kimchi, sauces, soda fountain, iced teas...Two TV screens, music, inside and outside seating, restroom, take-out, phone orders, catering...Not a huge selection, bit pricey, but healthy, tasty, well worth it...Shout-out to the great Irvine crew: Abid, Abbas, Alex, Juan, Irma, Jovani, Luz, Evelyn...Also locations in Long Beach, El Monte, Diamond Bar, Ximeno... ???????

Vegetarian options: Salad, orange, avocado, rice, tofu, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, onions...“

“Love this place! Food is always great. Made fresh. Staff are always nice and give great service. My favorite thing to get here is the TUNA MELT! I am not a fan of tuna at all until I had theirs. There are times where they will run out because they make a certain amount of tuna salad for the day. Not complaining about that, I just know that it was made fresh that day, so I definitely love it! So order ahead by calling in. If you're not a fan of it at all, give any of their sandwiches a try and ask them to add that chipotle sauce, changes everything, you will thank you me later. If you are in the Irvine area, give them a try!

Kid-friendliness: They have baby seat chairs for dine-in and kid friendly items as well.

Parking: Since this is a small cafe surrounded by business establishments it will be difficult to park but it is fortunate that you do not have to pay for any parking. Usually people come to just pick up and go so parking isn't usually a problem.“