50 Best Korean Restaurants in Irvine

“Delectable though a bit pricey $$$ for lunch“

“I recently visited Mubong-ri Soondae-guk and decided to try their cheese tonkatsu instead of the usual soondae-guk, and I was pleasantly surprised by how satisfying the meal was. The breading on the pork cutlet was perfectly crispy, and once I cut into it, the generous amount of cheese inside melted out beautifully, adding a great visual appeal. The meat itself was tender and not chewy at all, making it a dish that anyone would enjoy, and the harmony with the provided sauce was excellent. Since it is a restaurant specializing in soondae-guk, I didn't have high expectations, but I was truly shocked by the high quality, which rivaled that of specialized tonkatsu restaurants. The savory flavor of the cheese filling the mouth was a real treat. If you are looking for a hearty and delicious meal, I highly recommend trying the cheese tonkatsu at Mubong-ri. I will definitely be coming back!“

“Everything is great! Love the food, service & atmosphere! Strongly recommended good restaurants!🙏🥰“

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

“Heard there was a new soondubu spot in OC, so I swung by over the weekend- turns out it was their soft opening. I was surprised to learn they're already a well-known brand with a strong rep in the midwest & east coast, and that their OC debut was actually highly anticipated.
They started us off with the complimentary banchan which are always my favorite. The standout for me was the fishcake which perfectly seasoned and surprisingly fresh and I also really enjoyed the corn dish.
For food, my friends and I each got a soondubu and shared the seafood pancake, galbi ribs, and a pork katsu bento. Every single dish was mouthwateringly good. I can't handle a lot of spice, but their mild soondubu was a true mild with just the right amount of seasoning with a gentle kick. The portions here are also more generous than BCD's...the bowl was loaded with tofu and that rich, flavorful broth. Nothing was watered down and every bite was just tasty, umami bliss. I also really loved the galbi ribs, they tasted out of this world and not overly greasy.
The portion size was generous too!
One thing that stood out to me was how clean and inviting this space was, you can really feel the care and thought that is put into every corner. Atter a meal at BCD, I usually want to head out right away as it's more of a get in & get out experience. But dining at SGD was the opposite! It felt warm, modern, and homey. The vibe makes you want to linger (and also because the service is excellent). For the quality and portions, everything here feels like such a steal.
i'm so glad this spot opened close to home, l'll definitely be back!“

“Good food and very friendly environment“

“So we initially came here after hearing about this spot on IG reels. Love Korean food in general so we were excited. Ironically we had been to this plaza plenty of times for other food but never heard of this place.

So to our surprise it’s an AMAZING VALUE… and we weren’t even anticipating saving money.
We got the $45 “set b” which included 2 beers, 2 sides, 8pc of their fried chicken… seemed more like $70 worth of food and drink. Nowadays, you don’t see this with inflation and whatnot.

Quality and taste were amazing. Got the wing garlic/dry with the sauce on the side. Meat was juicy tender and delicious .I really liked the orange dipping sauce in particular.

Beer came out super cold in large chilled mugs, draft Sapporo totally hit the spot.

For the sides got the kimbap mini rolls and the pork and sizzling peppers (amazing).

We will definitely be back!“

“Our family loves Kaju food.“

“Whenever I visit Orange County, I stop by at Annies Table to pickup Korean food back to Arizona. Wonderful Korean Food. I wish I have a place like this back home in Arizona. I have tried a handful dishes recommended by the owner chef, Annie, and they were all really good!!!

I recommend this place for a quick bite or togo for any Korean or fusion Korean food in your mind.“

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

“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“

“Delicious ice cream and best red bean paste! We can’t wait to go back!“

“I dropped in late by myself, and the older ladies greeted me warmly. Overall, everything was quite good, but there were a few minor details that could be improved.
​When ordering the short rib soup, it would be great if they automatically provided an empty bowl and scissors together. Also, since the staff members are older, I felt a bit hesitant to keep calling them over. Installing a call button on each table would make it much more convenient for guests to request extra side dishes or utensils. Since there are about 12 tables, I really hope the owner considers adding table bells.
​That being said, the staff was so exceptionally kind that it more than made up for these few drawbacks, which is why I’m giving them 5 stars!“

“There were so many items on the menu I wanted to try, but I'd have to settle for coming back because my order of ComboB exceeded all expectations!
DIY rice balls (warm rice) 5* perfectly refreshing flavors.
Cheese buldak 5* cheese and chicken? Genius!
Fried chicken + Fries 5* juicy boneless chicken w perfect seasoned batter. Fried just right!
Clam soup 5* warning, can be spicy. Don't let th clear broth fool u!

Service was 5* we chose to sit outdoors cuz we brought our dog, and they set up a table on their patio for us (w a fan, cuz hot outside! That's service!)

Highly recommended. I didn't have any alcohol, but it would go great with food. They offer soju bombs w a beer tower.. how fun is that!!!

Can't recommend enough. Will be back to try other dishes.“

“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。“

“Such a fun place for Korean BBQ! We ordered a variety of meats, and everything was fresh and flavorful. The beef was tender, juicy, and cooked perfectly on the grill. I really enjoyed having kimchi, vegetables, and bean sprouts grilled alongside the meat. The side dishes were also delicious and complemented the meal very well. Service was quick and attentive, and the restaurant had a nice energetic atmosphere. It was a great dining experience, and I would definitely recommend this place to others.“

“Quality meat that’s not frozen. Good ventilation. Prompt service.“

“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!“

“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!“

“Delicious ice cream and best red bean paste! We can’t wait to go back!“

“A super lovely Korean meal - the galbi jjim was incredibly rich and tender with the meat falling right off the bone, and the yukgaejang had a nice kick and comforting flavor, and I loved the fern shoots in the dish that added some extra texture. The service was incredibly friendly with frequent check-ins and generous refills of banchan before we even had to ask. A very satisfying meal and some of the best Korean food I’ve had in a while.“

“My partner and I got the 돼지갈비 김치찜 Pork Rib Kimchi Hot Pot and it was very delicious! We can’t handle too much spice, so they kindly offered us an extra bowl of bone broth to add in. Service was excellent! We got there just after 6pm on a Friday for dinner and there was no wait even without a reservation. It did get packed around 7pm, but there were still a few tables left. Portions were large so we couldn’t finish, but they offered us to-go containers, which made great leftovers the next day. 10/10“

“Tried the original tteok-bokki and crispy cutlet combo here and loved it! The spicy rice cakes were delicious, and the fresh toppings like the perilla leaves added so much flavor. The cutlet was super crunchy and paired perfectly with the sauce. Highly recommend giving this combo a try!“

“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.“

“Katsu elevated to an art form. The panko crust on the pork and chicken is perfectly crisp and never greasy, and the house-made tonkatsu sauce is something special. When I'm out with clients who want a deep dive into Irvine's incredible Asian food scene, this is always on the list. Minimalist space, focused menu, executed with real care and precision. If you love Japanese comfort food, this is required eating.“

“If you're in the area and crave Korean food, this place is good enough. It's not amazing but it's also not bad either. A bit pricier compared to other options in my area so I'd personally wouldn't go out of my way to come back unless I happened to be in the area. Ordered extra spicy tofu soup and it was more of a 2.5 ish. Galbitang had some good flavoring. We tried out their new pig trotter salad and it was ok. The light mustardy sauce that came with it was not our preference and the meat was sliced super thin. Based on the amount that was included in the salad, it was maybe 85% veggies with no other seasoning mixed in. The included banchan was sufficient. Kimchi has good flavoring, so did the cucumber and fishcakes“

“You know a Korean barbecue place is good when they cook everything for you, and this place does just that. The staff are so efficient and friendly, preparing the meat right in front of you just the way you like and letting you know when you can dig in. All of the side dishes are wonderful too. The Kalbi experiences are the way to go, giving you everything you need for a complete and satisfying meal. The quality of the meat is evident and this is the first place I have been to that switches the type of grill for different meats. Excellent attention to detail. Very clean and well organized interior as well.“

“very delicious and very economical“

“Love this place! The food is always very tasty and flavorful, and the portions are generous. The staff is friendly and welcoming, which makes the experience even better. We love coming here with our family and always leave happy and full. Definitely a go-to spot for us. Highly recommend!“

“i like the food, big serving & it’s worth the price, i hope they willnot increase the price or lessen the service.“

“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!“

“Good food Good staff Good owner what more do you want !“

“You can tell this is a family owned business that really cares about its quality. All the chicken are freshly fried, that's why there is a bit of a wait. The waffle is actually my favorite, super crispy, best waffles I've had in a while.“

“This was my first time coming to HMart as I live 2 1/2 hours away. To my surprise they had a full on food court where I found Cho Dang and I want to say the food was absolutely AMAZING!!!!! I had the Hot Stone Spicy Pork Bibimbap the food was sizzling the aroma was pleasing and the taste was incredible the pork was very tender and flavorful. I will definitely take the 2 hour car ride to come eat here again!“

“If you’re craving jjangmyeon in Irvine, this is the spot for you! They’ve got tons of the classic dishes that pair perfectly with jjang and its flavors. Plus, the portions are generous, the service is top-notch, and you’ll feel like you’re in Korea because you’ll only see Koreans enjoying their meals here.“

“Really enjoyed our dinner at Marble. My friend and I ordered the Wagyu steak and short ribs, and both were so good. The meat was really well marbled, juicy, and had great flavor.

They also have someone grilling the meat tableside, which made everything super easy. We didn’t have to worry about overcooking anything.

The banchan was generous, and the corn salad and bibimbap were probably my favorites. The steamed egg and soup at the end were a nice touch too.

The location in Woodbury is convenient, and parking was easy. It’s on the pricier side, but the meat quality was definitely there. We left very full and happy. Definitely a spot I’d come back to when I’m craving Korean BBQ in Irvine.“

“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!“

“I'm no expert in Korean cold noodles but I found them to be quite delicious. This restaurant is in the middle of an H-Mart food court so the area is crowded and the table cleanliness leaves something to be desired.

I felt indecisive between the 물냉면 (cold noodles) and the spicier 비빔냉면 (spicy cold noodles) so the cashier was kind enough to give me spice on the side to add. Thank you!

Overall, I was satisfied by the experience and would certainly recommend it to another!“

“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!“

“Fantastisk spisested. Kunne være fedt at have i Danmark �“

“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.“

“i like the food, big serving & it’s worth the price, i hope they willnot increase the price or lessen the service.“

“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.“

“Everything!!! Seriously crunchy wings...double fried I’m guessing? Soy garlic umami goodness. Nom nom! I wish my pillows were filled woth soy garlic glaze, what dreams are made of. So many crispy bits on the crust I swear the wings are the love child of Humpty Dumpty’s fall and a topographical map of Utah. Holy Crunch Batman! “CRUNCH!” CRACK!” “CRISP!” Cool wait staff too. Attentive and they dont disappear for an hour. My glass was always full. Fair prices, the back of house understands portion control. Good beer selection for those who like craft. I’ll definetly come back. Yummy!“

“Nice place to hang out with friends“

“I love it good service thanks“

“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.“

“H Mart I went to the Las Vegas location for the first time today! It is an exceptionally beautiful store. Everything is amazing. The employees were fantastic. The prices were great. I purchased a fresh crab and lobster which I have not had since I lived in Washington state. I purchased living fresh herbs and I picked up the ingredients to make lumpia tomorrow. I am having fresh crab for dinner tonight 😍Thank you so much H Mart for coming to our area. The store was packed today.“

“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!“