7 Best Korean Restaurants near Marina

“First time at New Korea Restaurant and I was genuinely impressed.
It’s a small, hidden spot in a quiet residential neighborhood. Not loud or trendy — just calm and comfortable. Most of the customers seemed like locals, and you can tell many of them are regulars.
The restaurant is very clean, which immediately made us feel at ease. The elderly server was incredibly kind and attentive. The side dishes were refilled quickly without us even having to ask. The soup was delicious and arrived still boiling at the table — those little details really make a difference.
There’s a real Korean home-style cooking feeling here. It’s not fancy, but every bite feels warm, comforting, and satisfying — the kind of food that makes you feel taken care of.
At the end, they even gave us complimentary small drinks, which was such a sweet touch.
Definitely a humble, hidden gem that deserves more love. We’ll be back.“

“Yummy 😋, great experience“

“I dont do this often but I've been coming here for several years. This little unassuming restaurant in Prundale is fantastic! Their Bulgogi and fried chicken are tasty, spicy cooked just right.
The soup - tofu and seafood--number 17 on the menu is the best soup I have ever tasted! It is absolutely brilliant! I limit myself to medium spice.some rice and some nify spicy Korean adds i think spicy Kim chee is one -- not sure about the others but I load them in to enhance the taste of the already stunning soup. It arrives hot, still on the boil. The soup is spicy enough to give me the sniffles. A taste and textural delight! The owner of the restaurant is also the server and she is great! I am not a big atmosphere, kind of guy.but the restaurant is clean. Everyone is polite and nice. The decor is nice simple functional. Great place -
Highly recommend!“

“Super tasty Korean meat heavy dishes. The short ribs are out of this world. The spicy chicken is flavorful and quite spicy, a rarity around Monterey. I also got the squid tentacles which were large and meaty unlike other calamari. Great experience“

“awesome place for date or any occasions“

“We tried the lunch specials—the BBQ Ribs ($23) and Bulgogi ($23)—which stand out as some of the most affordable Korean options in the area. Both dishes delivered solid, well-balanced flavors and were straightforward, easy to enjoy, making them well-suited for lunch. Each order includes three personal side dishes that rotate seasonally. Small place so seating is limited.“

“Was amazing chicken and fried chicken rice !!! You won’t be disappointed and the staff is so helpful and kind … will go again !!!“