40 Best Korean Restaurants near Monrovia

“I was craving Korean bbq but bowl style and this spot was nearby.

I ordered their marinated short rib bowl and I added extra proteins of spam, an egg and chicken with no rice, all salad. It was a phenomenal lunch overall. The flavor was definitely there. It was definitely pricey after I added all the extras, but still worth it.

I’d definitely come back here again to try their other menu items.“

“If you're on the lookout for an exceptional dining experience that feels like a warm embrace, this charming family-owned gem is a must-visit. The owners are not just figureheads; they're genuinely involved in the day-to-day operations, which adds a personal touch that’s increasingly rare in the restaurant scene today.

One delightful revelation I uncovered is that they prepare all the Banchans—those delightful small side dishes—right from their own kitchen. This homemade approach really shines through in every bite. I had the pleasure of trying their Bibimbap, Galbi beef, and the seafood tofu, and I can honestly say that each dish was a revelation.

The Bibimbap was a colorful medley of textures; the fresh vegetables and perfectly cooked rice harmonized beautifully with the delectable sauce. The Galbi beef was succulent and bursting with flavor, and you could tell it had been marinated with care. The seafood tofu was simply outstanding—rich, creamy, and generously packed with fresh seafood, making it a highlight of my meal.

What really struck me was the freshness of the ingredients. Everything tasted sumptuous and made with love, which is becoming a rarity in today's fast-paced dining environment. It’s clear that this restaurant values quality and authenticity, making it a standout option for anyone craving delicious Korean cuisine.

Without a doubt, this will be my go-to tofu house from now on. If you're in the mood for a home-cooked meal that feels both comforting and elevated, don't miss out on this fantastic culinary experience!“

“There wasn't a lot of Korean options I could find in SGV for a weekend lunch that included the regular tofu house kind of fare and that wasn't a place that BF and I were not returning to anymore. What caught my eye at Omma Tofu House was their cold buckwheat noodles, a perfect item to order on a hot summer day.

I knew I didn't have enough appetite to finish their combo of galbi and cold buckwheat noodles, so I opted for the cold buckwheat noodles only ($14.99). BF ordered the bulgogi and beef tofu soup combo ($22.99). Everything really hit the spot.

We've been back multiple times to try other things on their menu like their dolsot bibimbap, jajangmyeon, galbi, spicy pork, spicy grilled chicken, and seafood pancake. All were pretty solid. Our usual go-to now would be a solo order of tofu soup and a tofu soup combo with whatever protein we are in the mood for that meal. They refill banchan, so just bring back the empty plate to the counter for some more. The counter also has a self-serving water/tea machine so you can refill your cup too.

Plenty of parking in the plaza. They close at 8 pm for all 7 days of business, so don't stop by too late, as the food court also tends to shut down around that time.“

“Korean fusion sandwich shop located inside the mall. The spicy chicken sandwich was good, as expected, but nothing amazing. I guess it hards to find good food that's consistent since the other high reviews? Either way, I'd be back to try the other stuff if I was in the mall“

“Great experience and reasonable price“

“A Cozy Slice of Korean Flavor in Azusa—Bulgogi Town Delivers!
I recently had the pleasure of dining (or ordering) from Bulgogi Town in Azusa and left genuinely delighted. They capture the essence of its motto perfectly—“good people create good business, and good business brings happiness to the world.” Right from the warm greeting and cheerful atmosphere to the satisfying dishes, it all felt thoughtful and welcoming .

Standout Dishes & Flavor You Can Feel

Their beef bulgogi with rice is the clear star—marinated in a perfect sweet-savory blend of soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil, and grilled just right to bring out that irresistible caramelized finish . If you’re in the mood for something bold, the spicy pork bulgogi offers a nice kick, while kimchi fried rice delivers comforting, soulful flavor . Bonus mentions go to the fried dumplings, spam musubi, tteokbokki, and Korean ramen—each showcasing Bulgogi Town’s thoughtful diversity and genuine Korean flair .

Atmosphere & Service That Feel Like Home

Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or cozying in for takeout, Bulgogi Town strikes the right balance. The space is modest and inviting, warm with friendliness—perfect for casual meals. Their seamless online ordering and reliable hours (open daily 10 AM to 9 PM, closed Sundays) make enjoying Korean comfort food a breeze  .“

“Didn't know they had more than one restaurant in the L.A. area. This is the second one we tried and it didn't disappoint, it was just as good as the first time and second times we visited the Koreatown location. The service, the food, everything is great.“

“Great food priced right! One of our favorites places to eat at’“

“I ordered chicken teriyaki bowl . It was flavorful and tasty .Side Salad was spicy and tasted good. Receptionist was very welcoming and helpful. Food quality was also good . If you like teriyaki flavor with reasonable price in Pasadena, you can try this .“

“Came here recently and really enjoyed the hearty, flavorful soup—it had the perfect amount of spice and richness, with fresh ingredients like tofu, green onions, and tender shredded meat. It felt like true comfort food and was definitely the highlight of the meal for me.

I also tried the bossam (steamed pork with tofu and veggies). While it was presented beautifully and came with generous portions, the pork itself was on the dry side for my taste, so it didn’t quite hit the same level as the soup.

Service was friendly and attentive, and the overall atmosphere was warm and inviting. I’d definitely come back for the soup again!“

“The staff was so incredibly kind! We had such a lovely time dining here. The bossam was fresh, the samgyeopsal was perfectly crisp, and the lettuce was crispy!!

I would definitely recommend for a nice week night dinner because it's super affordable!“

“Absolutely phenomenal ! And the food is absolutely delicious I couldn't believe I spent under $20 for such a wonderful design of takeout box it was beyond expectation like seriously, the only problem is probably the portion is not as much as I want . But overall it is worth it ! I would definitely coming back soon“

“There are only so many Korean spots in Monterey Park, so I come to Lee's every now and then for some Korean comfort food. Even though the menu prices are a little higher than your average Korean meal, the service and taste never misses. I love the tofu soups, kimbap, cold noodles, and ban chan. Also can't go wrong with any of their meats or variety of entrees they have!“

“Excellent quality for AYCE KBBQ. Vibes are good and the service is very good here. They play great music (from 90s R&B to Korean house) and the buffet option takes this place up a notch. Jake takes really good care of his tables and we can’t stop ourselves from coming back. Our favorite meats are the beef belly, thinly sliced pork belly and the brisket. Def recommend if you’re looking for some quality AYCE in Alhambra“

“Came here randomly for dinner agter walking around the mall and was met with great service. Our server Irene took our order and took great care of us. It was our first time here and she helped us cooked our meat perfectly.

We got a small beef combo and kimchi jiggae and it was very filling. We'll definitely be back. Thank you Irene and Billy for taking care of us and great service.“

“Popped in because its always time for meat. Loved tge atmosphere, and the language lessons in the bathroom. The food was great. The only downside was lack of my favorite banchan and the high prices of solutions. I'll be back.

With my own bottles. ;)“

“Good kbbq spot. Inside is simple and clean with tables and booths for seating. The classic ayce menu is good.

Service was ok. Kinda slow but staff is friendly. There's a small parking lot in back or street parking but you might have to walk a block or two.“

“Really, really good food. The pork ribs were amazing.“

“I had stopped by when they had their grand opening in 2021, but didn't get to order since they were out of what I wanted. They were set up as a pick up and to-go spot, and given the very small parking lot to jostle for a spot, I didn't return until my friend suggested catching up at Soonheene for dinner.

They now have several tables for dine in and I was super happy to see that they used bowls and plates for your order if you dine in (though they use disposable utensils when bringing you your order). They also have a self-service area for iced water and iced barley tea and they use metal cups! Yay!

I came on a weekday at 6 pm and there was a lull as there was no wait. As it got closer to 6:30 pm - 7 pm, all the tables filled up! Lots of orders coming in for pick-up though, so if you don't want to wait for a table, order to go.

Since it's my first time here, I got almost everything, haha! The order included:

* shrimp mung bean pancake ($14.99)
* #15 combo of rose tteokbokki and mayak gimbap ($23.99)
* oden fish cake soup ($9.99)
* 5 pc wings soy garlic ($8.99)
* diet coke with Yelp check-in

If not for the Yelp check-in offer, I would've placed the order on their self-service kiosk.

Luckily, since we beat the rush, the food came out at a consistent pace. I had really wanted the mayak gimbap and the fish cake soup but since there was no combo for both, price-wise it made sense to do the combo with the rose tteokbokki. And it is heavenly to get all three! The mayak gimbap comes with a dipping sauce, but it's just as good if not better to dip it in the tteokbokki. If you don't want the usual spice of regular tteokbokki, the rose tteokbokki has been my go-to instead as it has the hint of spice without the usual burn. Soonheene's tteokbokki had very generous amounts of fish cake and sausage suporting the rice cakes, so it's my favorite iteration of this dish thus far. The oden fish cake soup came with three skewers of fish cake and fish cake tofu in a bowl of hot yummy soup and that was pretty solid.

I've never had anything like the mung bean pancake and it was good to have a protein in it for additional texture and flavor. It's best eaten when hot and crisp, otherwise, it's a bit dense the next day. The soy garlic wings were crisp and hot and full of flavor.

Obviously, the order was enough for two people to get a variety of options, but that did leave no room for some sides nor dessert. Maybe some gimmari and taiyaki next time!“

“All you can eat for $40👏🏽👏🏽“

“Another Korean rice dog place in Arcadia, this time at the mall's food court!

While also picking up food at the other spots, I got a squid ink mozza and hot dog. Not all Korean rice dog spots have squid ink so I was excited to try this one. I asked what sauce is recommended with it and was told sweet chili sauce. I got that and also had it sprinkled with sugar (never say no to sugar on a Korean rice dog, it makes a difference!). Took it home to eat with the other things I ordered in the food court and enjoyed my quick and easy dinner at home. Good amount of melty mozzarella cheese with the hot dog.

Would come back for another!“

“My wife and I love this place. The staff and owners are always so nice. Customer service is impeccable and their coffee and earl grey latte are cheff kiss. We also enjoy their shredded beef burrito and bulgogi sandwich. Over all a must try.“

“Our family loves to eat Korean foods. This place is a good one because you have many choices to choose from. The portion is pretty big so you can share it. Good service, very clean and most of all the foods are delicious. I highly recommend it.“

“todo muy rico y fresco y muy atentos los meseros 💯“

“I just want to say that not only the food is good here, but also their customer service. There was only one gentleman working today. He was the cashier and the cook. He had so many customers, yet as busy as he was, he was efficient, friendly, and acknowledged each person as they walked in. This guy needs a raise for all his hard work. Thank you“

“My plant friends shared a birthday lunch here at Young Dong Tofu. The food was delicious. The staff was friendly and helpful. The location was great lots of parking. We will come back again. We highly recommend this place.“

“Great Korean restaurant that serves authentic food. The bossam are their specialty and they also have lots of different soups. The side dishes are kimchi, radish, and fishcake. They could be benefit with more staff since there was just one lady running around helping everyone so it took a while to put in our order, but the food was great.“

“I went here for the first time on a Monday evening. The service was really good and on point on this day. Staff was always checking on us, always making sure our stove was clean or removing finished dishes. I got us the Deluxe meal. The spicy baby octopus was good. The gyōza dumplings and egg rolls were really good. They have sushi as well. Their menu can be accessed by QR code or you can ask for a physical menu.“

“Tasty food. I ordered the angus beef bowl. Not fatty or chewy. Goin back soon“

“This Taiyaki + Ice Cream place is at the level of other giants such as SomiSomi. The soft serve has a perfect texture (I tried the Pure Milk flavor with a Taiyaki on top, the Taiyaki being filled with Nutella), the service is quick and efficient, and the store was crowded when my two friends and I went on a Saturday evening. The ambiance is great too, there are so many pictures showing what the options are like, and there are clearly-illustrated menus spread throughout the restaurant. The toppings are available for the customers to grab and add to their ice cream as they wish, and everything, from the Oreo crumbs to the Banana chips are great. You can truly feel that every single item in this store is, indeed, made With Love.“

“I had an amazing experience at Flame Broiler thanks to Eaton and Brayen! From the moment I walked in, their customer service was outstanding. I asked for family meal recommendations, and they were quick to provide helpful suggestions. They went above and beyond by bringing the food directly to my table, instead of calling out my name or number. Their attentiveness and effort made the visit so much more enjoyable.“

“I was craving for Korean fried chicken, and happened to be in Alhambra. This was my go to Korean fried chicken place. I ordered via scanning a QR code, which was convenient. I got wings with Secret sauce and Honey Garlic sauce. Service was fast, and servers were friendly. I like the honey garlic the most, and I could not stop eating until I finished all the wings.“

“Delicious. Perfectly cooked katsu every time. The curry and katsu sauce are both great but the curry is the winner here. Portions are big. Definitely more than enough for most people to take home a nice size of leftovers. Definitely stop in and try this place!“

“First time here we celebrated my daughter's 18th birthday. The food was delicious. They have big portions to share. Our server was so sweet we had little ones with us so she asked if we wanted the food to be cooked in the kitchen. My son (7) and granddaughter (3) picky eaters really liked the food. Thank you so much“

“THEEE BEST!! Hands down no words. Talk about the greatest customer service staff food prepared with love the hours, and the fact that they can cook a range of different fried seafood and they all come out tasting amazing not to mention the owner is super sweet and kind and friendly!!! 10/10“

“The best Chinese vegan restaurant around here!“

“This family-owned business usually never disappoints. We love the veggie pho because the broth is vegetable based, not chicken stock. The vegetables are always cooked to perfection and the portions are decent. On our last dining experience, we ordered the vegetable dumplings which came out very quickly. At first bite, I realized they were not vegetable but some kind of meat. While the place was busy, we couldn't find anyone to flag down fast enough before they delivered the correct order because the first one was chicken dumplings. Other than that, it's a good place for yummy food at good prices.“

“Place is awesome!! Our waiter Peter gave us some great recommendations, made us feel really welcomed and remembered us on our second visit a month later. Great neighborhood “goto” place a good meal and drinks!!“

“The food was UHMAZING. Sort of fast. I’m new to this style of presentation and was a little put off by the server when I said ‘spice level 0’ & didn’t know to immediately put the egg in the soup….we wandered in off the street after shopping somewhere else. I get it, I guess I looked stupid. Appreciated that it was a quiet place and watched some other people to understand what to do with the empty metal bowl. I feel “pro” now & will likely try again. The food really was amazing even without kimchee & red pepper paste :)“

“🙂👍 Jin does a great job!“