50 Best Korean Restaurants near Lakewood

“Ordered take-out. Bipimbap was ok, protein portion was small, maybe 4 tablespoons size. Likely will not order that again. However, the Budae Jjigae, had a nice (but not overly spicy broth) with ham, hot dog and spam. Would definitely order it again.“

“First time there was today. The portions were good size, and the food was delicious. The waitresses, that waited on us were very polite and asked us every few minutes If we needed anything. My son also liked the cuts of the meats and the sauces were very good along with all the sides. We will definitely be going back again. Also, for desert ice cream. Yum.“

“Inside Hmart is everything !Order the bibimbab & the price was everything ! ? 6 bucks special! Really delicious!My brother ordered the beef ramen and that was also really good!10 bucks for the ramen ! Coming back for sure if I have to run to hmart ♡“

“(Translated by Google) It is the best place for a group of guests. The food is especially delicious. There are large rooms and small rooms, so they are perfect for groups. Parking is also not inconvenient. Of course, there is a large hall, so it is good not only for singles but also for couples.(Original)단체손님인 경우에는 최적의 장소이다. 특히 음식이 맛있다. 큰룸과 작은룸이 있어서 그룹으로 가기에 안성맞춤이다. 파킹 또한 불편함이 없다. 물론 넓은 홀이 있어서 혼자서 뿐만 아니라 커플이 가기에도 좋다.“

“I can honestly say this barbecue chicken was perfection from the first bite to the last. The meat was tender, juicy, and cooked all the way through without losing any of its natural flavor. The smoky aroma hit me before I even took a bite, and the sweet-tangy BBQ sauce clung to every piece like a delicious glaze. It had just the right balance of char on the outside for that satisfying grill taste, without being overdone.

Every bite was a mix of savory, smoky, and slightly sweet, making it clear that whoever prepared it knows their way around a grill. Paired with a side of fresh cornbread and coleslaw, it was the kind of meal that makes you want to come back for seconds… and thirds.

If you’re looking for barbecue chicken that’s flavorful, tender, and cooked to absolute perfection, this is it.“

“We arrived at this place for a meeting. my friend recommended this restaurant. Well, it was very nice. The crew welcomed us with a smile and we had a fantastic feeling. The meal was delicious. We loved this restaurant very much and we will definitely return to this restaurant. we highly recommend this place.“

“Highly recommended!!
My husband and I tried this place for the first time last year and we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food!
All side dishes were exceptional and meat was so delicious and our server helped us to cook it to perfection.
We absolutely love love this place.“

“It’s not longer Genkiyaki, it’s Nghbrs Kitchen
That being said, the atmosphere isn’t the same. I waited staring at the walls instead playing the awesome arcade games. The ninja fries are very close to the original and the chicken is much better portion and taste better.“

“So far I have tried the spicy Korean fried chicken bowl, pork belly bowl and japchae, all of delicious. Always fresh. My toddler only likes japchae from an AYCE kbbq in Garden Grove, but she has approved of yours. 10/10 every time. I am always greeted with a smile. I will keep coming back.“

“When driving from LA to San Diego, it’s always a toss up to find good food, that’s a reasonable price and also near the freeway. This place checked all the boxes. If you’re between the CT sandwich and the kimchi get the kimchi. It’s not super spicy but it’s not as sweet as the CT“

“This spot is within a food hall and I love these setups because of the amount of food options available.

I ordered their bulgogi burrito with no rice along with their Korean spicy popcorn chicken. The burrito was phenomenal and one of the best burritos I’ve ever had. A bulgogi bowl but put into a wrap and the popcorn chicken was solid. Overall both items were delicious.

I’d definitely come back to try their other menu items and overall it was an excellent lunch!

***update***
I also tried their make your own salad bowl with salmon, chicken and bulgogi. It was excellent and overall delicious bowl with a great sauce.“

“I went here because of all the Instagram reels that showcased their menu and it certainly did not disappoint.
The setting is definitely new to me, so the staff talked to me a little bit about their menu, the differences of each item, the spice levels, the best sellers and personal favorites. I picked 6 items to go, 2 of which I ate in the establishment and the rest I took home. Lemon Pepper Salmon, Grilled Eel, Garlic Butter Crab, Buldak, Creamy Myungran and their Sweet BBQ Gyoro.
They can be eaten by using utensils or even with gloves. I opted for gloves because I just wanted to pick up the whole thing and eat it without being disassembled. They really pack each one and you can taste every flavor they put into it.
There is ample parking and the restrooms are clean. The utensils, napkins and the gloves are also very accessible. Youre free to grab a cup to fill with water and the venue is quite spacious.
Definitely looking into coming back for more.“

“My first time and very satisfied. I ordered pork soup with rice and it is soooooo good!“

“It's a simple but very satisfying restaurant! As the name suggests, the main dish is a combination of rice and soup, and the gentle seasoning that brings out the flavors of the ingredients is appealing. We especially recommend the soup rice, which has plenty of ingredients and is perfectly balanced and nutritious. It's filling, but not heavy, and it leaves you feeling warm and warm even after you've finished eating. The inside of the restaurant is clean and has a calm atmosphere, so it's perfect for when you want to have a quick meal by yourself. This is a restaurant that can be recommended for those who are health conscious! Please try it!“

“The kimbap 10/10
Teokbokki was really watery so if you like urs thicker prolly not from here. But the rice cakes were really nice and soft.
Chicken very good and crispy
We got fries w our idk if it was on purpose but very gratefull“

“Wow. Came for takeout, got one of the best, crispiest pork katsus Ive ever had!! Brought a person who grew up in Korea and is pretty picky, and they also agree!! Totally unexpected for just a quick bite we wanted late at night! My pictures don't do it justice because we got takeout but hopefully you can tell how light and crispy it is. Not greasy, the inside is almost creamy not dry at all, perfectly seasoned breading, such that even if you didn't eat it with sauce it would still be delicious!! The Korean style katsu sauce was a great pairing though!! We also got odeng an ddeokkbokkk which were quite good! But we really want to try the kimbap next time because they looked so scrumptious in the photos and they were just like the ones they sell in Korea and have an ideal filling to rice ratio 🤤 as they are supposed to! They were sold out by the time it was late night though, so we will have to come earlier next time! Additional bonus: the place was quite clean despite being a couple years old and run by a
very small team it seems! A very cute simple hangout spot I'd love to bring a few friends at any time and the man at the counter was so kind and nice. Highly recommend, if you can't tell already!! :). The little flower lights and blue and white theme was so cute. I definitely want to dine in next time too!“

“Tasty food, great atmosphere!“

“If you’re looking for a trendy twist on Korean cuisine, Chan Chan is a great spot to check out! They offer classic Korean dishes but with modern flavor updates and presentation that’s both delicious and affordable.

Instead of traditional paper menus, you’ll need to scan a QR code at the table or check out the clear, easy-to-read menu on the wall. They keep the options concise, making ordering a breeze.

What I ordered:
▶️ Spicy & Sweet Tuna Kimbap 참치 김밥 – $9.99
The tuna had a creamy texture, wrapped up in perfectly cooked rice and seaweed. The size of each roll was about 1.5 times bigger than your usual kimbap—definitely not a one-bite deal!

▶️ Fried Chicken Tenders 치킨 텐더스 (4-5 pieces) – $13.99
I chose the chicken tenders during their lunch special. These tenders were made with chicken breast, so I felt healthier and lighter. I paired them with sweet garlic sauce (스윗갈릿), which had a hint of mustard and a touch of sweetness—definitely a unique flavor that you won’t find at traditional Korean restaurants, but it was so good!

▶️ Rose Pasta 로제파스타 – $17.99
Rose pasta is super popular in Korea, and even available in convenience stores too! The sauce is a mix of red (tomato) and white (cream) sauces, often available as a pre-made mix at grocery stores (just look for “cream cheese rose sauce”). Every restaurant seems to have their own take on this dish.
In Korea, it’s usually slightly spicy, but although Chan Chan marked it as spicy, I didn’t really taste any. The portion was massive— enough for 2-3 people to share!

The plating here is on point, with thoughtful presentation that’s perfect for photos. Even the dishes and containers have a more modern, stylish vibe compared to typical Korean restaurants.

The banchan (side dishes) were lighter in flavor, with kimchi and pickled radish that weren’t too sour, making them more suited to international palates.

Oh, and a clean restroom is always a bonus for me (yes, I’m one of those people who always checked the bathroom cleanliness! ).

Chan Chan is definitely on my list for a return visit! They also have another location in Irvine.

If you’re craving traditional Korean food, you might have to head over to Garden Grove or a little bit north for more variety, but Chan Chan is a great option for something a little different in the Huntington Beach area.

? Chan Chan
7862 Warner Ave UNIT 110, Huntington Beach, CA 92647“

“I would like to say thank you to the owner and staff , they are really honest and nice people, thank you for giving me back my $100 bill that unknowingly drop on the floor yesterday and got it back today even though you don’t know who lost it you kept it and made sure the owner will get it back., we always eat here dine in and take out because the food is always freshly cooked and so so authentically good. Affordable yet delicious 🙏❤️😋😋😋😋 감사합니다 😊“

“My husband comes here on his lunch breaks and I finally got to try it the other day! Omgoodness ♥️ first off the ladies running this are so nice and have Ah-mazing cooking skills! We ordered 2 teriyaki chicken bowls ( for a decent price ❤️) and the chicken was SO tender and delicious! The teriyaki sauce is bomb 💣 and rice was delicious!!! It was so good I craved more fir days after!!! We came bk a few days later and ordered the same 2 bowls and my son got the spicy chicken plate! 🔥🔥🔥 Once again they didn't disappoint, it all was VERY tasty and delicious! I got a banana smoothie for the ride home, but it didn't last long, it was yum yum yummmy!!! ❤️ Thank you 52M for keeping it real with delicious and authentic food for a decent price! It's a new family favorite and worth the drive for us!!! See you again soon ladies, God Bless!!! ❤️❤️❤️“

“good food and staff friendly with always attentive to us customers. very quick always ready to replenish your plates“

“Tang in Buena Park is a gem for delicious Korean comfort food. Their soups and stews arrive piping hot with rich and authentic flavors. The portions are generous, and every dish feels like home-cooked (just a little more intense flavor). The signature soups are very good. They also wrap the large mandu in house and give very generous filling. Server can speak Korean, English and Chinese!“

“The two protein plate was very generous for the price.
The lady was very nice and patient with us as we decided. The assistant, Erika, was also very nice, she checked on us a couple of times.
The food is put out in small quantities on the chaging dishes (to make the combos) so it isn't sitting there long. It seems like the Ramen and other items are made to order.

The kimchi was not my favorite, I like it more spicy and with more garlic, more fermented. But maybe this was a new batch.

It was somewhat quiet on a weekday at noon, but lots of peiple.picking up orders.

Parking: Strip mall, large parking lot shared with other businesses.

Wheelchair accessibility: Street level entrance. Chairs can be moved to accommodate a wheelchair“

“I'm a fan of Soy Tofu! It is another local gem. The service is kind and attentive, the dining area is clean, and the vibe is pleasant. The decor is simple and homey.

I've dined here several times already, and each time was fantastic.

My current favorite items:
- Soon Tofu (soups) - mushroom and the beef + seafood with black rice
- The Tofu Combos - if you're a little more hungry, I recommend the BBQ short ribs with the tofu soup
- Dumplings - fried or steamed, they are both excellent!
- The complimentary ice cream!

When you receive the boiling hot tofu soup, immediately add the raw egg and stir it a little. The egg will cook fast in the hot broth. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.

If you're in the area, try Soy Tofu. It's in a plaza with a Korean market and many other restaurants. There's usually plenty of parking in the public lot.“

“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.“

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

“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!“

“If you’re craving authentic Korean comfort food, Gamjagol is the place to be! We indulged in their signature Gamjatang—​a hearty pork bone soup with tender meat that falls off the bone, rich broth, and perfectly cooked potatoes.

We also enjoyed the Bossam, which are pork slices boiled in a flavorful brine to perfection and served with cabbage. The combination of the tenderness of the meat and strong flavors was delightful!

The generous portions and authentic flavors combined with the amazing service truly made our dining experience memorable. If you’re in the Buena Park area, don’t miss out on this cozy hidden gem!​“

“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.“

“Don't know what some of these low reviews are on but this place was great. It's a restaurant known for their seolleongtang, an authentic oxbone based soup. They cook the bones for hours until the broth becomes milky white and rich and top it with meat and noodles. The table will have a jar of salt and a jar of green onions so that each person could season their own dish (this is normal in Korea) and each meal is provided with side dishes (approximately four, again normal for seolleongtang) and healthy purple rice (this is high quality and more expensive than your standard white rice). I don't normally eat Korean food outside of my home because most restaurants disappoint me but this one deserved five stars. Would come again the next time I am in Cali.“

“el mejor restaurant de comida Koreana.... regresaré!!“

“I travel far ... just to have my pre birthday lunch.. thank you so much for such courteous attention and most delicious food 😋“

“This restaurant reminded me of Seattle's "The Pike Place Fish Market," where fresh fish has been sold for decades as employees playfully throw fish around. Though this place has been open for 10 years, we were unaware of its existence. Situated in a humble shopping center with a modest square footage, you would never imagine the quality of service and Korean food it offers. When we checked in, the restaurant was nearly full, and the busyness and energy of the staff expressed their confidence and pride in their reputation.

We were first served water, and the waitstaff's recommendations already impressed us with the promise of quality and taste. We ordered Braised Black Cod, and SsamJjang Vegetables wrap combination with Spicy Marinated Pork, and Bean Casserole for the three of us to share. The fresh lettuce and vegetables, including green pepper, cucumber, carrots, wild sesame leaves, and steamed cabbage, arrived first. We also had a choice between white rice and mixed grain rice, opting for the healthier option.

The presentation and quantity of the food and side dishes were attractive and impressive. When the Spicy Pork arrived, we could already tell it would taste great. The Bean Casserole was also delicious. The awaited Braised Black Cod, which they were very proud of, came last. We didn’t have to wait long to encounter one of the restaurant's most popular dishes. The combination of quantity, quality, and taste was outstanding, although it was a little too sweet for one of us. The Black Cod melted in our mouths, and the tofu and radish were incredibly flavorful. We called this kind of food 밥도둑 (Thief of Rice) because it kept making us eat more rice. We were very full and ended up taking the leftovers home. The service was excellent.

There might be many people who have never visited this restaurant, but there are likely few who have only been here once. We plan to come back to try other menu items next time. Strongly recommended.

Parking: The restaurant parking at the back could be challenging when restaurant is full.“

“This place has a really cool vibe! Posh atmosphere except it’s odd that the napkins are small, square, paper cocktail napkins. Anyway, food and service are great. The Bibimbop came with lots of banchan, and the kimchi is as good as oma’s. 5 stars!“

“Great spot for Korean bbq but they're not an all you can eat spot, nor do they have combos. Everything is a la carte so it can get pricey. But the food is good. Oh, and always ask for fried rice after the meal. You have to pay for it but it's worth it. Side note, ground gets slippery so wear something that grips. Greasy floors.“

“I love the family-feel atmosphere. The ladies waiting tables are very efficient. Love the affordable prices and the food!“

“Ordered a seafood pancake to go. Was delicious with the dipping sauce. Their pancake is thicker than what I usually get from korean bbq spots but was still good. They also gave me their sides (banchan) for free even though they don’t usually do for that dish. The staff are a bunch of sweet Korean ladies, love the energy!“

“Taste goodThis is one of the delicious Korean food restaurants. My favorite dish in this restaurant is the young radish kimchi. The young radish kimchi and soybean paste stew that are served as side dishes and complimentary throughout the year bring me here.Personally, I find various items on their menu tasty, including kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), grilled hairtail fish, and braised hairtail fish. Today, I enjoyed the pork bossam, and I would rate it three stars. It was rich and satisfying.One thing that disappointed me was that the jjanchi guksu (banquet noodles) I ordered for takeout two weeks ago, which I thought was on the menu, turned out to be a different dish. It was more like somyeon (thin wheat noodles) in kalguksu broth, not what I expected. It started with my misunderstanding, and I appreciate them trying to accommodate my request, but I was completely disappointed as it was a different dish. In my opinion, it would be better if they informed customers that what they requested isn't on the menu.This has been my favorite kalguksu place for a long time. Despite the name changing several times over 23 years, a five-star rating is more than enough.

Parking: The packing lot is always available.If, full paking lot. Use the back side parking lot.“

“Good quality meat with reasonable price. Highly recomended!“

“Had a really good experience at BCD Tofu House in Artesia. The service stood out — everyone was super attentive without being overbearing, and they made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal.

The food was solid and came out fast. The tofu soup was flavorful and comforting, and the sides were fresh and well-prepared. We also got the galbi combo, and the meat was tender and nicely marinated.

Overall, this is a great spot for Korean comfort food with reliable service. Would definitely come back“

“I was going back to the yard to part my semi and I thought I’d get something quick to snack on at the corner store but it wasn’t open. The next thing open beside it was LUCKILY Tokyo Grill! I was hungry and I was going to wait til I got home but I decided to get the chicken bowl because I saw it was 9 bucks. I didn’t expect much as I took it to my truck and man was I blown away. The flavor of the chicken was so delicious and the amount of ingredients they put into the bowl is unbelievable. It had green beans pineapple carrot slices cabbage and some other vegetables. I was amazed for how much food they gave me for the plate only being 9 bucks and they put a lot of chicken in there which was a big plus. I didn’t have to dig around for any chicken.That’s why I’m writing this review, hopefully it helps anyone thinking coming to eat here. Oh and I also had really dirty hands and the lady at the cash register which I believe was part owner, gave me some wipes and was really nice. I’m pretty sure their other dishes are great too. I didn’t take a picture of my food because I was really hungry but it’s worth each penny I wasted.“

“Last week, 19 people had a swimming pool manager's meeting at Cerritos Seoul Sundae. I've seen many restaurants in passing, but today was my first time going in, so I was curious about what the food would be like. The food was unexpectedly good and the service was good. I think it will be okay for my group to come next time.“

“Very authentic Korean restaurant!!

We ordered the spicy braised short ribs, seafood onion pancake and beef soup. The spicy braised short ribs is so flavorful, it comes with radish and rice cake. The beef soup reminds you in Korea, no MSG! And the seafood onion pancake is huge, good to share. Their banchan also changes everyday!

The service is friendly and many old diners and family in the restaurant- that’s how you know it’s a legit place! There’s dinner rush so come early

Overall if you are looking for authentic Korean food this is the place!“

“It was hard to find the restaurant because it was in the back corner of a business complex. It's very easy to miss, but there's plenty of parking at least. Me and 2 friends ordered from the kiosk and waited about 15m for 3 sandwiches and fries. Inside it's quite small with only a table and bar with 4 seats each.

I got the Signature Sandwich with LVL 2 sauce. The sandwich was massive, and the chicken was so thick, incredibly juicy, and perfectly cooked. The breading and cabbage were crunchy too. The mayo was a creamy complement to the chicken without being overpowering. The spicy sauce was served on the side, and it was so deliviously flavorful and not only spicy. My only complaint here is that I wish there was more spicy sauce and that it was spread inside the sandwich, because I kept forgetting to drizzle sauce on between bites and still ran out.

The salt and vinegar fries tasted exactly like the Lay's flavor but with more potato from the fries, of course. Honestly the fries were nothing special but they gave so much that the box was overflowing.

I tried my friend's Kimchi Egg Sandwich too. The ham was pretty forgettable or missable, but the egg was delicious. The egg was incredibly moist, sweet, and delicately salty, and it paired well with the mild acidity of the kimchi.

We chatted with the owner a bit when we picked up our food and she was very sweet and kind. She made sure we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal. I hope more people check this place out, because it's unfortunately very missable in its current location. I'm going to come back but will definitely share a sandwich next time.“

“The food was generally tasty, and the service wasn’t bad either.
However, I found it a bit sneaky that the tip suggestions—18%, 22%, and 25%—were calculated based on the total including tax, rather than the pre-tax subtotal, which is the standard practice.
I’m not sure which credit card processor the merchant uses, but it felt a bit misleading.“

“Nice spot in Cerritos. Great selection on the menu. The food taste original and comes with larger than regular sized bowl or plate. We tried jajang myeon, donkatsu, spicy squid over rice, fried dumplings and teriyaki bowl. This place is worth coming back.“

“A must visit to this hidden gem. My first bite took me right across the Pacific Ocean to South Korea. Don’t be fooled by the old exterior and interior of the restaurant as each dish brings you truly authentic Korean flavours. The beef bulgogi is the best I have tried.

Regarding the poor customer service comments from other patrons, I can imagine this is due to the level of English that the owner and staff speaks. In fact, all I heard while dining is just Korean (including all other patrons). We managed to somehow communicate with each other but I can only imagine the language barrier is a sign of the authenticity of the dish itself.“

“I live in LA and whenever I come down to visit friends, I keep coming back here to see their sign saying Temporarily Closed ? They had a small fire happen not too long ago unfortunately, so they will be reopening up again in the future once they fix everything. This spot here has been around for years. I love their tuna kimbab (I usually order 2) which comes with soup! Can't wait until I get my Korean kimbab fix from this place soon.“

“I've been going to Maria'a since I was a kid. My parents, when they arrived to the US from Mexico would go there and so did my aunts and uncles and cousins. Now I take my kids to eat there. The restaurant has always been the same with great quality food and great service. Maria's restaurant is a gem in the community and will hopefully be there for many more generations. Don't sleep on this place, give it a try.“

“A random tiktok video brought me to this place, and boy, am I glad it did! I had the Rare Steak and Crunch Brisket Pho, and it was the best I've ever had. The size of the bowl is absolutely perfect. I left feeling full and very satisfied. The service was fast for a relatively full lunchtime. I am definitely coming back!“