50 Best Korean Restaurants near Mission Viejo

“Best, new family owned place! My first time trying Korean BBQ...had the spicy pork...soooooo good! Environment was very welcoming...and customer service was awesome! Kuddos to owners Maggie and Earl...you’re doing a great job! #customerforlife“

“Pedro is awesome!! Seriously, he told me straight up for the avocado addon it's half the avocado not just a few slices like some places.. then i was waiting for my order and before i was able to go in to pickup my order, Pedro brought my meal out to my car with everything loaded. They even put the jalepino in my food!!!I thank the chef and everyone else as well for their excellent service!!Forever customer“

“This is the friendliest, most service-oriented fast food place in the city. The workers are so much kinder than at any other chain/franchise, and better at creating a welcoming and appetizing environment than any other Flame Broiler location. Sometimes I don't even have to recite my very unique order with special requests. They have never messed up my food and they have never been anything less than pleasant. Special thanks to Steven and Patricia.

Flame Broiler as a brand is not going to knock your socks off with exciting flavors; I doubt that's why anyone eats here. But their food, if you tailor it correctly, is nutrient dense and delicious.“

“This is my new favorite restaurant hands down no questions asked. The price of the food is more than just fair and the quality is even better. If I really had to nitpick it would be the size of the restaurant but come on let’s be real, small places like this always serve the best food“

“This is my new favorite Korean spot in Lake forest. The owner is very kind and the food is exceptionally fresh and tasty. I ordered the bibimbap with grilled pork and it was certainly the right decision. I will definitely be back and I will be recommending this to my friends as well. I did not grow up in Korea but I imagine this is what home-cooked Korean food tastes like.“

“Love this place! I am gluten free and always looking for new places to try. So happy I found this place super close to my work. Lots of GF options and it actually tastes good too! Owners are very friendly too. Not much room to sit inside but plenty of shared tables outside.“

“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!“

“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!“

“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!🙏🥰“

“This was my first time visiting I Can BBQ, a Korean all-you-can-eat BBQ restaurant. The location is great, the restaurant is very clean, and the interior design is really nice. The price is reasonable, but the quality of the meat is excellent. On top of that, the service was very good. I would definitely come back!“

“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.“

“This place is a hidden gem. 10/10 would eat again. The food is great. The staff are friendly. There are a TON of choices for drinks and sides (bottled drinks and individual chip bags). Large enough menu for both lunch and breakfast and they have rotating daily specials. They will be happy to make you a lunch time sandwich even at 8am.Can’t compliment this place enough. If you are in the area and want a quick and easy breakfast/lunch this is the place!“

“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。“

“Spicy chicken feet is at the right level of spiciness. They don’t have boneless option, so you have to do your work. And if you decided to order spicy chicken feet, order with diy rice ball. Not because it’s fiery hot, but the portion of one order is def not enough for two people. So if you are hungry, combo menu will be the best. Me and my friend got combo A, and we got enough of various dishes ( chicken feet+diy rice ball+steamed egg+fried chicken). Also this place didn’t seemed to be overly busy even in the Friday night. No need for reservation.“

“Good food and very friendly environment“

“We came here as a party of six, and my Korean girlfriend treated us to dinner, we had an amazing time from start to finish. She thoughtfully curated the menu so there was something for everyone, and every dish was excellent.

The restaurant was packed, yet the service remained attentive and smooth throughout the night. Every staff member we interacted with was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely helpful, which made the experience even better. The energy was lively and fun, exactly what you want at Korean BBQ.

The highlight of the night was how they ended the meal with the kimchi fried rice. OMG it was sooo delicious and the perfect way to wrap everything up.

We’ll absolutely be coming back to this Irvine location again.“

“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.“

“incredibly fast service, clean, good food

Parking: there's a small parking lot right out front but you can park in the huge lot on the other side and walk around the building as well if needed

Kid-friendliness: people bring kids here all the time. the food is pretty simple (kid friendly) and the restaurant is welcoming“

“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.“

“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!“

“We had a wonderful experience at IT’S TOFU in Irvine. The food was delicious, comforting, and full of flavor—everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared. What really made our visit special was our server, Jenny. She was absolutely excellent: attentive, kind, and genuinely caring about our experience. Her service made us feel very welcome and well taken care of. We’ll definitely be coming back, and we hope to have Jenny as our server again. Highly recommended!“

“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!“

“I literally LOVE katsu bar!!

I have been here over 6 times in the past year, and it's my go-to place for a katsu sando! I always bring my friends here when they visit, and they're never disappointed 🫶

I HIGHLY recommend the pork katsu sando (it's actually juicier than the chicken; I ordered the chicken once and was kinda sad it wasn't as juicy as I was expecting). I've had every variety of the katsu sando, and they're all delicious !!!

🥚 My other go-to is the the egg sando! The eggs are perfectly seasoned, and the combination of mashed and sliced eggs come together for the perfect variety of textures in an egg sando 🥪

🍔The katsu sandwich (cutlet on an artisanal burger bun rather than white bread) is my friend's go-to order and also really good! There's a higher carb-to-meat ratio, so it's good for when you want more carbs or are really hungry! The bread is perfectly toasted yet pillowy, and balances out the cutlet fantastically 🤤

🐓 I also love their gangjang chicken (you can tell by how many times it's featured) which reheats really well in both the microwave and the oven/airfyer!

🍓 Their strawberry sando is also DELICIOUS--a bit of a messy eat since the sandwiches are cut horizontally and not diagonally, but the cream is so thick and luscious, and the strawberries are somehow always perfectly ripe and just sweet yet tart enough to balance out the cream. An absolute must-try!!

The only item I don't absolutely love is the tteokbokki--it's on the sweeter side, which isn't my personal preference, but the texture is really chewy and has a slight crisp from being fried.

Overall, I REALLY recommend this place for anyone who loves katsu sandos !!“

“Nice place to hang out with friends“

“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!“

“Went the other night and food and service was amazing. Everything tasted super fresh and they even finished the meal with a scoop of green tea ice cream. I was surprised to see it empty on a Saturday night cause it was one of the best times ive had at a sushi place :]“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“Very reasonable price and delicious“

“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!“

“Chai Lan in Irvine is such a great find! I ordered the black bean sauce noodle with pork, and it was fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The servers were very nice and friendly, and the whole place felt clean and cozy — a really comfortable spot to enjoy a meal.

Free parking is a big plus! Highly recommended if you’re looking for tasty food, great service, and convenience.“

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

“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.“

“We ordered the Kalbi Starter Set and it was honestly the perfect portion. It’s $59 per person and comes with two signature cuts — the 48-hour aged center-cut kalbi was super tender and flavorful, and the American Wagyu brisket was rich but balanced. Everything is cooked tableside, which makes the experience feel elevated and stress-free.

The quality of the meat really stands out, and the shaken kimchi and sides made the meal even better. The space is modern, not overly smoky, and great for a date night or dinner with friends at the Spectrum.

Solid food, great vibes, and definitely worth coming back for.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“The chicken mini bowl was delicious. Quality meat and not greasy. Also, try the sauce to bring more flavor to your meat. Service was good, easy to order and no hassles. The place is small, so dine-in wasnt an option for us, but plenty of outside seating since the restaurant is located in a food plaza.

Thanks for the experience.“

“I love it good service thanks“

“Nice people, the food was made quickly, hardly had to wait. Very tasty!“

“The worker at the cashier (I think it was Mike or Michael) was cheerful, cracking jokes, making it a great experience. The food was also great and affordable for a family, thanks to the deals they offer here. I'll be sure to come back here more often.“

“Paik's Noodle, owned by Chef Jong Won Paik (one of the judges from Culinary Class Wars), provides korean-chinese comfort food in the H-Mart located in North Irvine. And does it deliver!!

Paik's is known for its Jajangmyeon (fermented black bean noodle stir-fry) and Jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup). Their noodles in all of their dishes are perfectly chewy, and satisfying for hearty noodle lovers. If you're new to these dishes, the noodles are like a mix between an udon and ramen noodle, typically using thick, wheat flour.

The Jajangmyeon hits that spot when you want a comforting meal with an umami punch. This dish has a perfect balance of sweet and savory (more on the savory side), with flavors oozing from caramelized onions, the salty, smoky, and decadent fermented black bean, and a generous portion of elongated ground pork adding a nice meaty touch. For meat lovers, you can order this with extra meat, and for vegetarians, they offer the dish without meat at all. They even have a seafood version of this dish!

The Jjampong uses the same noodles, swimming in a spicy broth infused with seafood umami. With muscles and chunks of tender squid and the occasional baby shrimp, the soup is so rich in flavor and satisfying.

While there are other strong dishes here, the noodles are the star. And each dish is accompanied by Korean pickled radishes to provide fresh, crisp respite between indulgent bites.

Sitting within the food court, there is no traditional service, but the staff are friendly and very quick - even during peak hours. It's easy enough to find seating, but during busy times, it's best to secure seating earlier if you can unless you plan to take the food to go.

If you're looking for comforting, filling, and delightful noodles to switch up your Asian noodle-ventures between ramens, phos, pad thai, and more, you should explore the menu at Paik's. You might just find yourself hooked by the flavors - after all, that's Chef Paik's most important criteria when judging good food.“