31 Best Korean Restaurants near National City

“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!“

“Delicious food and great atenttion“

“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.“

“Food already great here 💕 🍣 🍱“

“Our fave Korean Boneless Fried Chicken in National City.

Ordered our regular Crispy Boneless Chicken. Crispy, tender, juicy and perfectly coated boneless chicken. Freshly out of the fryer so be careful. With free honey mustard and sweet chili sauces.

Microwaveable rice is sold/served here (Bibigo Korean brand).

Highly recommended if your craving for Fried Chicken and Korean dishes (Ddeok-bokki and corn dogs). Got our orders after 10 mins (1045am).“

“I had a really nice experience at Bonchon National City. The main reason I wanted to try it was the Korean fried chicken, and the chicken definitely stood out. The outside had a really nice crunch while the inside was tender, and the sauces gave it a lot of flavor without completely covering up the chicken. The soy garlic is a good choice if you prefer something savory, while the spicy option has more of a kick.

I also like that there are other choices besides fried chicken. The menu includes bibimbap, fried rice, potstickers, takoyaki, bulgogi fries, bao buns, and other Korean-inspired dishes, so it works well if everyone in the group wants something different. The vegetable potstickers and bibimbap can be useful options for someone looking for a meat-free choice, although people with allergies or strict dietary restrictions should ask the restaurant about ingredients and cross-contact because several dishes contain ingredients such as sesame, dairy, eggs, and other common allergens.

The atmosphere is casual and family-friendly, so I could see this being a comfortable place for a casual meal with kids. The food is also easy to share, especially the wings, mixed chicken orders, and appetizers. The restaurant can get busy, though, so the experience may feel a little slower during peak times.

For accessibility, it is worth checking the current setup directly if someone in your group uses a wheelchair or has specific accessibility needs. I would also ask the staff about seating and restroom access before visiting if accessibility is especially important.

One thing I would mention honestly is that the experience can vary when the restaurant is busy. Some customer feedback praises the food and friendly service, while other reviews mention slower service, missing items, or occasional order issues.

Overall, I think Bonchon National City is a good option if you're craving crispy Korean-style fried chicken with bold sauces. I especially like that there are several different dishes to choose from, making it a good spot for sharing with family or friends. I would definitely consider coming back for the chicken, especially when I'm in the mood for something crispy, flavorful, and a little different from regular fried chicken.“

“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 🙏❤️“

“This is absolutely the best food experience that I have had in the past three months. Atmosphere is absolutely lovely., every server in here is wonderful, however, Ethan was our server tonight. He was thoughtful, checked up on us when needed, and still managed to accommodate everybody around us. It was slammed tonight, and I saw a smile on everybody’s face, they were stuffed to the brim, and satisfied, obviously with their experience. Another thing to note, another server named Phil checked up on us as well when he noticed his server, Ethan busy. Fantastic teamwork, fantastic accommodations, all around kind atmosphere. I will be coming back here for sure! This was wonderful!“

“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!“

“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 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!“

“I’m not a huge fan of Korean food but this place was amazing. Really nice if you come with friends to try a lot of dishes. We had bossam and oxtail soup and Korean pancake along with bulgogi in stone pot.

The side dishes were good and it was nice they had the World Cup on. Would come again, just parking can vary in that lot but that’s most of the area“

“Hole in the wall feel but amazing food and service… the beef intestine offals pot was one of the best I’ve had anywhere… no off smell or taste which goes to the preparation skill of the kitchen to make that dish to tasty full of beef flavors and textures with these off cuts.“

“Delicious food and great atenttion“

“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!“

“this was the very first time i ate something so delicious that i felt like writing a review on how good it is, our server was extremely kind we felt very welcomed there. the drinks and appetizers got to the table in 3-5 minutes and the entrees got to the table around 10 minutes after ordering them(we did not feel rushed btw i really appreciated the fast service) and when my ramen got to the table it was amazing, the broth was rich and creamy and just the right amount of salty, the noodles were delicious and not too mushy but were still nice and soft, the pork was so rich and flavorful and it just melts in your mouth and the way that the flavors all came together was truly enlightening.“

“I've been to this place 10+ times. It's a small mom & pop spot, serving the type of Korean fare that you might expect. It's widely considered to be one of the best Korean joints in SD and I don't dispute that. But the star of the show is the Kimchi jiggae. I usually don't order Kimchi jiggae in restaurants, but the kimchi jiggae here is my absolute favorite, and I always get it. Their banchan is also simple yet excellent. If you want Korean food staples in SD, this is the place. Parking can be difficult, but it's Convoy, so you should know the drill.“

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

“Delicious and healthy food. Excellent service. Guy at the register was extremely courteous and accommodating. I was so impressed. This should be the standard anywhere. Other similar establishments should take notes. I will be returning soon.“

“Champs BBQ is the best all-you-can-eat Korean bbq restaurant in the Convoy district. Competitively priced, high quality meats, fresh side dishes, prompt service, clean modern feel. I measure all other AYCE Korean BBQ places against the Champs standard.“

“all is good!“

“We had a great experience at Pelicana! The food was fresh, flavorful, and definitely worth trying. The atmosphere was welcoming, and we had a wonderful time together. If you’re looking for delicious food, this is a great spot. We’ll definitely be back!“

“It is located inside HMart. It is pretty good, I am noticing that they are getting little sloppy. They stopped giving sesame powder with the soup. They didn't pack chili sauce when we ordered food to go. I hope they don't cut corners train their staff better.“

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

“I've been here many times, and it's consistently one of my favorite Korean BBQ spots. The special promotion from July 1 to July 31 is a great deal, and the food quality has always been consistent.

The only minor issue I noticed is that the baby high chairs don't seem to be cleaned thoroughly. I had to switch three or four different high chairs, and each one still had leftover food or rice from the previous child. I hope they can pay a little more attention to cleaning them, especially since many families with young children dine here.

Overall, it's still a great place, and I'll definitely be back.“

“This is located inside H Mart. They have a little good court at the entrance. My mom ordered the pork soft tofu soup and I ordered the beef soft tofu soup. soups were very good and tasty. The bonchons were incredible. My mom loved the fried fish especially/. This is a definitely go to place for tofu soup. will come back again to try other dishes“

“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.“

“Si ojalá iii iii Ku m lo más seguro“