45 Best Korean Restaurants near National City

“First time trying Korean hotpot and it was very good. We liked it so much we came back the next day and tried a different item from the menu but the pork bone soup is the best.
I guess the service varies, the night we were there everything went well (Riley is awesome) but the next day we came back for lunch with a different staff was kind of off and don’t feel like serving us. But overall still recommend to try it!“

“Was going to get my normal chicken next door but saw there was now line and decided to take a chance on their food. Glad I did, spicy chicken was delicious, came with steamed rice, glass noodles, corn and cabbage mix. Will definitely be getting this again, especially for 8.99.“

“Delicious food and great atenttion“

“Food is consistently good. Service is also consistent....... consistently slow and unfriendly. If I didn't love those delicious dogs, I wouldn't give these grumps anymore of my money, but I can't quit them. Work on your timing. 30 minutes is a ridiculous wait time.“

“Visiting family from the East Coast and my daughter took me here today. I was stationed in Daegu South Korea for 2 years while in the Army. we used to get bb.q chicken almost every weekend. The kids loved it and so did I. This was my first time having it in 8 years and it immediately brought me back to being in Daegu. The food was amazing and brought us right back to being there. I highly recommend you check them out, you won't regret it!“

“Food already great here 💕 🍣 🍱“

“Favorite place to eat Korean fried chicken in San Diego on Mondays and Tuesdays for their $1 wings dine in deal. The deal is up to 12 wings per person which is great because after 6 wings - dipped heavily in ranch sauce - I'm full. Deal doesn't come with any sides like radish or rice and costs extra.

My go to spicy wing sauce is yangnyeom. The Littles (who normally don't like very seasoned or saucy things) surprisingly liked the 3 non spicy flavors.

Bulgolgi fries is overall crispy and tasty but has little Bulgolgi in it.

Japchae was underwhelming.

Parking sucks but it never takes me more than 2 minutes to find parking.

I've never had to wait for seating but I've seen that wait times can be from 30 minutes - 1 hour at peak times or with large parties.

Service so far has been slow because they have a full restaurant. Easier to ask for anything you need at the bar (napkins, utensils, water refills, the check). It also sucks when the server is clearly sick and coughing and handling your food.“

“ohana Hawaiian island BBQ is the best in town I've been coming here since my son was one and a half he's seven now and it has become his favorite food I bring him here as a reward when he's a good kid thank you ohana you have become part of my family 🙏❤️“

“A Culinary Masterpiece: An Unforgettable Evening with Chef Jiwoo Choi From the moment my girlfriend, Kassandra, and I stepped into the Choi’s in downtown San Diego, we knew we were about to experience something truly special. What followed was an extraordinary seven-course tasting menu crafted by the incredibly talented Chef Jiwoo Choi, a chef whose passion for food is evident in every detail of his dishes. Chef Choi created the menu around several questions sent via email before the date. He truly took his time to understand his customers and who they were. The dinner was designed around my girlfriend, for whom the night was centered around for Valentines Day. The customer service was impeccable from the start. The hostess greeted us warmly, immediately making us feel at home, and the entire staff was attentive yet unobtrusive throughout the evening. We were sat at an oval table exclusively to ourselves with candles and wonderful ambiance. Included was a little note card that read “A Dinner Written By You” . Wow. Our server was Chef Choi himself. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the ingredients, offering insightful explanations of each dish, telling the story of the meal, and even sharing about the inspiration behind his creations. The entire team worked seamlessly together, ensuring that every moment of our dining experience felt effortless and elegant. Now, onto the food—a true work of art. Each course was not just a meal but a beautifully presented masterpiece that engaged all the senses. Chef Choi has a remarkable ability to balance flavors, textures, and aromas in a way that leaves a lasting impression. Every dish had a story, each bite revealing new layers of complexity and creativity. Some standout dishes included: A delicate amuse-bouche that set the tone for the evening, bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors. Inspired by Kimchi, a sauce enveloped the bits of tofu with a fried rice cake. A The main course was an Australian Wagyu with fingerling potatoes in a chile con carne sauce based from my girlfriend’s childhood. The wagyu melted in our mouths. Potatoes so crispy and delicious you forgot what other potatoes tasted like. A sauce so savory, bursting with tomatillo, garlic, and other flavors. Perfectly balanced as all things should be. The unexpected dish that left me in so much shock was the Greek wedding soup. A cold dish that is better experienced than explained. If I could eat that everyday for the rest of my life it would never be enough. Nothing I could say would live up to the incredible flavors. I ate mine and half my girlfriend’s portion. Finally, a dessert course that was as stunning as it was delicious, showcasing unexpected flavor combinations that worked in perfect harmony. A hot desert, a play on sticky rice. Cardamon, sugar, a small stone fruit with rich notes of raisin and plum. The second dessert was unexpected and intended for my likes (which I found to be such a class act). A ferment plum wine reduction that he infused into a frozen dish (somewhere in the realm of sorbet meets gelato) with a crème brûlée top. Amazing, outstanding. Chef Choi himself took the time to visit our table, a gesture that truly elevated the experience. He shared his inspiration for the menu, spoke about the ingredients, and genuinely wanted to ensure that we were enjoying ourselves. This level of dedication and personal touch is rare and speaks volumes about his commitment to his craft and his guests. He even orchestrated a surprise set of roses for my girlfriend and played it off like I planned it. By the end of the evening, Kassandra and I were completely in awe. The attention to detail, the passion behind every dish, and the warmth of the staff made this one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. Chef Jiwoo Choi and his team went above and beyond, creating an evening we will never forget. Five stars are simply not enough!“

“The bulgogi bibimbap was freaking delicious! They house marinate it. I personally ordered an extra egg bc why not? I tried a Korean beer, Terra, for the first time. It paired perfectly. They have a full bar, beers in bottles, sodas, tea, waters as well. Plenty of soju drinks. I nearly bought another bowl to go for tomorrow's dinner then remembered the price of gas 😅 Light, airy, roomy interior. Has a juke box and a pool table. The family that runs it were super nice, helpful, and, man can she cook! Parking is metered but fairly cheap $1.50 for 2 hours before 6. You might get lucky on a side street. Price of everything at lunch including 20% tip was under $40 I'm not going to try to spell the name of their house made sauce but it's also delicious“

“Visiting family from the East Coast and my daughter took me here today. I was stationed in Daegu South Korea for 2 years while in the Army. we used to get bb.q chicken almost every weekend. The kids loved it and so did I. This was my first time having it in 8 years and it immediately brought me back to being in Daegu. The food was amazing and brought us right back to being there. I highly recommend you check them out, you won't regret it!“

“Pretty good. Got 3 hot soups and then a galbi combo with cold noodle soup. The naengmyeon was just OK. The bone broths were much better. Although, the portions are pretty small. Only 4 banchan. Only 4 stars because the price-quantity value is not the greatest. Still, pretty delicious bone broths. Will be back when it’s chilly out and I need a warm-up.“

“No lie- Its rare to see a restaurant that can keep a high level of reviews. This is no lie! Steamy Piggy was FIRE. Ramen was TOP 10 hands down. A Creamy smooth slightly sweet pork tonkotstu. perfectly cooked thin Chasu pork medium noodles. the egg was not marinated well but if u let it sit til the end it absorbed the broth well. The pineapple fried rice was also spot on perfectly cooked shrimp and the hint of sweetness from the pineapple hit.

Will return!“

“Dalbam Moon Night is an absolutely wonderful restaurant, a true hidden gem! The atmosphere is both vibrant and cozy; it feels joyful being here. Service is excellent; our waitress Saki was extremely kind, welcoming, and helpful. And the food is some of the best on Convoy, definitely the best for Korean cuisine. Everything we ordered was sensational, savory, and just right. We will definitely be returning here.“

“Just keep in mind I came here on a Monday at 6 PM so we didn't have to wait for a table or battle for parking. This parking lot was not turned into a paid lot try. It's where Chorus and Hive are. It's still fairly new so the menu is slightly limited. We saw photos of dishes on the wall but were told they were not available until next year. The jjajangmyeon was slightly watery. I got the "meat" one so there were strips of grilled pork. My husband got the "spicy" one which was green chili on top. It was not crazy spicy according to him but it was not that painful spicy. We got the chili shrimp and I really liked that. It was crispy, fried jumbo shrimp over with sweet chili sauce on a bed of cabbage. It had enough heat making your lips feel some heat. I liked it even though it's not a fancy dish. If I don't have to come on a busy weekend night I'm down to come back.

Oh just be ready to order on really slow tablets but your order gets through as long you're patient with the tablets. The tables are far enough where you feel like you're not on top of each other like at other restaurants in Convoy.“

“Delicious food and great atenttion“

“Bombtastic as usual! Been going for ever! Total San Diego staple!“

“Loved the Korean cuisine at Chon Ju Jip on Convoy Street! Nice, small, family style restaurant that makes you feel you are dining at someone’s home. We enjoyed the #25 bossam and #32 Jap-chae. Everything was delicious, definitely one of the top if not top Korean food in San Diego. Friendly staff and the food came out quick. There can be a line and wait depending on the time you go. Highly recommend!“

“With so many amazing options at the H Mart food court, the competition was tough, but we decided on Moobongri. We ordered the soondaeguk and dogani-sooyuk and were blown away by the generous portions, rich flavor, and true authenticity. If you’re looking for a hearty, traditional Korean meal, we highly recommend them!“

“Always a great time shopping at Korean grocery store H Mart near Convoy Street! Large selection of Asian groceries, great quality seafood, sushi, and meat, snacks, produce, rice, as well utensils, household goods and more. Friendly staff and check out lines move quickly. Nice food court and other little shops as you enter. Recommend!“

“The wings are one of the best in SD in my opinion! Hands down. Also friendly staff! Wanted to recognize Bryan for going above and beyond. We got takeout and our car would not start in the parking lot. He helped jump start our car on his break and we were able to go, no problem! Food service was already amazing, but THAT is what you call customer service. A great story to tell while recommending Pelicana. Thank you Bryan!!“

“The foods that we order was all good!!!“

“When they first opened up, I ordered their seafood soon tofu. The food was just okay. There was nothing special that popped out to me and their banchan was just ok. What I appreciated was that they gave you packets of seaweed with your meal. I came back another day and got their seafood kalguksu and the consistency of the broth was more thick than what I was used to. It wasn't horrible, but definitely an interesting taste.“

“Great Korean BBQ spot. Plenty of servers available to ensure always prompt service. Food was out quickly. Portions appropriate. Self-serve bars were clean, well stocked, and well tended. Fountain sodas (Pepsi) and alcoholic beverages available with happy hour all day M-F.“

“Love the food and the servers are very friendly“

“Si ojalá iii iii Ku m lo más seguro“

“Hanu is my go to AYCE Korean BBQ spot. I've tried a few in San Diego and something about this place keeps me coming right back. I recently stopped in the Friday before Valentine's day to treat my wife and daughters to a nice dinner. This was their first experience with a meal like this and it definitely was an experience they haven't stopped talked about. To start off, there was about a 5-7 minute wait around 6pm which worked out perfectly. Our server Anthony went above and beyond without even knowing it. He along with every other staff member working that night was on point. Within a few minutes I had started cooking our first round of meat. Everything from the sides to all the different types of meat we got were amazing. Anytime I asked for anything whether it was another fork, another side or round of meat for the table, Anthony was on top of it. I had to get his attention before leaving and thank him for truly giving us an amazing dining experience. I would absolutely recommend coming here anytime you're in the mood for some BBQ.“

“Everything on this menu is spectacularly delicious, Super Fresh and appetizing. My favorites are anything with Crispy Ginger Fried Chicken and roasted tofu. I'm not a big fan of sweet potatoes so I usually opt for the roasted broccoli and mushrooms. The Jammy egg is perfect and for something that's a pickup menu the presentation is actually quite lovely and comes in a very stylish lavender heavy duty handlebag that you can certainly use a few times more. Their sauces and dressings are so delicious you will want to try all of them and there's a lot of choices. My only suggestion is this, if you're watching the salt and you order the french fries ask them to lighten up on the seasoning because it's pretty salty. Excellent customer service just text them if you have any comments or suggestions and they get right back to you. Also, in case you haven't figured it out yet, you have to download their app to place direct orders that you pick up yourself, of course you'll find them on all the food delivery apps that's how I first found out about them when they were having a two-for-one special. One last thing the bowls are big enough for a big appetite or you can save some for tomorrow if you see what I mean.“

“Came here wanting to try the staples and I'm glad I did! The ordering process was great, there wasn't anyone in line and the server took our order so quickly!

There were lots of sides offered off to the side of the register which was nice and there wa plenty of seating inside to food court.

I ordered the Jajjangyum + Tangsuyuk. The Jajjangyum was one of the best i have ever had honestly, the sauce was perfectly think with pieces of onion, pork snd potatoes inside and the noodles were perfectly thick and bouncy. The Tangsuyuk was fried nicely? Not too hard and very delicate breading that was nice. The radish that came with the meal was such a nice touch as well.

Over all such a good authentic Korean spot in the wonderful land of Hmart!“

“Delicious food and great atenttion“

“I love the options of non-pork broth they have. We had beef ramen and some chicken skewers all were good. For ramen, you have to put their special sauce on the table, it really was elevating the flavor, and don’t forget to order spicy sauce on the side. Their chicken skewers were juicy yet crispy, delicious!! All they need at this point is more seatings especially for big group ☺️“

“all is good!“

“My favorite Nashville hot chicken sandwich and tenders!!!!!!“

“Staff very attentive and friendly“

“I had a pretty good corn dog from this Korean Fry House at the Parkway Plaza Food Court. I ordered the Premium Beef Corn Dog or the #2 for $5.29 plus tax.

The corn dog was good. The beef dog inside was tasty and the batter on the outside was crispy, although the inside of the batter could have used a little more time in the fryer. You can add a variety of toppings and sauces to the corn dog. I went with just mustard and garlic powder. It was a good flavor combination.

The older gent running the counter was friendly.“

“bb.q is a bit expensive, but it’s worth the money. It’s absolutely the best Korean fried chicken I’ve had. We always get some Rose Ddeok-Bokki too. The rice cakes, fish cakes and sauce are delicious. Inside the store they always have multiple TVs on with some Korean shows and K-pop music show performances (the kind you find on Samsung TV). The staff is always great.“

“This was probably one of the best kbbq experiences I’ve had. It was a little pricey we ordered 3 things off the menu and spent about $100 but it was well worth it. We ordered the marinated shortrib and marinated chicken and seafood/vegetable pancake.
Pancake wasn’t what we were used to but they put a crispy panko crust over the top that made it so much better!
Chicken was soooo flavorful all the way through.
Shorts rib was by far in my top 3 marinated short ribs of all time. Tender, flavorful, good char.
We also ordered a Barley tea (never had it before) and immediately after we left we went to H Mart to buy a bag (sadly they did not have any for sale at the KBBQ spot). Had it for breakfast the next day and had out leftovers for lunch the next day.“

“Amazing food!!!!❤️👍👍 must try“

“The food was great the servers were nice, however, for some I can see how the atmosphere may be a bit overwhelming. But if that isnt the case for you then dont worry, the music is popping and the soju selection and food variety is delicious!“

“Fun place. It's part bar and dinning area and then the back has karaoke rooms. The rooms were spacious and the song options were large. Our room seemed to be the only one that didn't have a tablet in it to order food and drink so we had to walk to the front to do so. Otherwise we had a great time.“

“affordable, friendly and fast service“

“My husband who has celiac disease loved it!! The chicken was crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. This is the best fried chicken we’ve had since my husband was diagnosed. Unfortunately the sauces aren’t gf so we didn’t try those. The restaurant was very clean and the service was excellent. We will definitely be back!“

“Amazing food! Delicious every single time!“

“LOVED Flame Broiler - the food is delish :) The Owner is awesome - support a La Jolla small business.“

“Good quality of meet, good customer service,“