44 Best Korean Restaurants near Palo Alto

“Busy place, but consistently great food. The staff is very hospitable, polite, friendly and efficient.

We live so many items on the menu, from bi bim bap to kalb ribs to chap jae noodles.

This has been around in Palo Alto for a long time and we hope it stays the same for many more years to come“

“Walked over for a treat after lunch at a nearby cafe. And was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was. I got the chocolate with Nutella. So good. Lines were much shorter than other ice cream spots in the area and it was a nice walk to get there.“

“Kong Sarang BBQ is a hidden gem for authentic Korean food. The BBQ is delicious and well-prepared, but the real highlight is the 11-dish banchan — fresh, flavorful, and generous. It makes the dining experience feel truly authentic and satisfying. Definitely one of the best Korean spots in the area!“

“Soft Opening on the 12th 2023“

“Very nice ambiance and great service. All staffs look professional and prompt.“

“It's hard to find excellent Korean food in the South Bay, so when I come across a good restaurant I always have to give praise! Sogongdong Tofu Town piles on the flavor and I never feel like I’m eating bland, Americanized Korean food. If this were LA, I might bump it down a star because the food scene there is so competitive. But many restaurants here can’t even deliver the basic flavors right, so I’m thrilled to discover this place conveniently tucked in an Hmart. The soondubu jjigae (”tofu soup”) here is stellar and as good as any that you’ll find in K-Town LA!“

“Really good, authentic Korean food. The place is lovely and the service was terrific. The dishes aren’t cheap, but the portions are good, and the food is very high quality. The pan chan (side dishes) are delicious and generous. Really grateful to have this as a local Korean option!“

“JangTu Korean Restaurant is a hidden gem! It’s a small, cozy spot with a homey feel that makes you feel welcomed as soon as you walk in. The staff is super friendly and attentive, creating a warm atmosphere that adds to the experience.

Their blood intestine dish is a standout—perfectly prepared and packed with flavor! If you're a fan of authentic Korean food, you’ll love it here.

The only thing to keep in mind is that it can get crowded, especially during peak times, but it's totally worth it for the food and the vibe. I’ll definitely be back!“

“Delicious food and great service. We love many dishes from this restaurant“

“The staff are very nice and give great recommendations for drinks. They will even cater drinks to your preferences. The bar feels friendly, welcoming and has a good atmosphere. The food is also great, I the charred octopus, spicy garlic noodles and classic sabayon and they were all delicious.“

“Wow....., it was quite better than my expectations.... I hoped I had found this place sooner when I lived in the area!!!! Away due to work, I came back for a quick visit to see my brother at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church(father Binh). We went out for lunch and since he liked Korean food I picked this one due to the close proximity to his church, and it was surprisingly good, I mean, not like Americanized; they kept great Korean flavors and taste, and Korean service attitude!!!!! A gem in an unexpected neighborhood ✨️ Will definitely come back whenever I come to the area!!!!“

“The food was great! In my bowl I got white rice and japchae mix, protein: bulgogi, carrots, cucumbers, and kimchi for my banchans. I also got a fried egg for a little extra. Everything was bomb, I would definitely go again. I'd like to try the other meats, i will say the meat was a little cold and wish it was a bit warmer.

For sauces I tried the Seoul Spicy Sauce and the Mayo Siracha and like both with my food. The service was friendly and chill.“

“So good !!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥“

“Mixed feelings on this place. The food, flavors and offerings were good. When I first arrived with our group of four plus a kid we were promptly seated in the back room. Where the air temperature ranged from 55-58°F. While they said they would turn the temperature up, there was people already seated in this area. The end of our experience, the temperature only reached 64°F. While my friend felt we were rushed to order. I interpreted that as they wanted us to get some of the order in soon so we can see what we wanted next. I'm used to that and hot pots and/or bbq situations. So be prepared to order ASAP. But that was just the food order. It took them quite a while to ask if we wanted anything to drink. We were even already eating before we were able to order some Soju, sake, and soda. There are three items that I had to repeatedly ask for since they had not arrived. One item never arrived. The entire visit. We were also presented with three items that we did not order. So attention to detail in the ordering/delivery system is lacking. The food selection in general was okay. Flavors were good. I wish there was more seafood options. Portion size was also a little interesting pork belly seemed appropriate size portion for a table four, yet beef tongue had three razor thin slices?!? Their sauce bar was A+; Great variety of options and kept clean and neat. Multiple staff helped along the way, all friendly, and attentive (while with us but clearly mixed signals after things were submitted on there there ordering system). We also were asked if we got our ice cream at least three times. I didn't know if that was their way of getting us out the door or if they were not communicating with each other that they've already served us it. So overall a good restaurant. Seems like they still need to work some things out. I'm not sure if this is a new place or not. The variety of options in the area, I'm not sure I'll give them a second try.“

“bbq is the best of the best quality chicken in the world. I ordered bbq chicken here on Thanksgiving Day yesterday and tried it.
Especially the bbq Apple Park store chicken here is crispy on the outside and so soft on the inside, and the taste of secret sauce is fantastic.
Be sure to give it a try. Maybe you won't regret it.“

“The food at Paik's Noodle was delicous, with generous portions and great flavors. The service was fast and friendly, and the atmosphere was clean and comfortable, perfect for a casual meal. Highly recommend if you’re looking for tasty noodles at a good price.“

“Great food! Staff are really nice. They give lots of ban chan.“

“Bibimbowl was absolutely delicious. I got the Hot Stone (only available if you dine in!) and it came out sizzling and hot. The beef was really tender and tasty, I loved all the toppings, and the rice with the hot plate was great. I think if I wanted it to curst up more, I probably would have needed to let the rice just sit for longer, but I wanted to keep stirring it just to avoid it getting mouth burning hot.

The staff was really friendly, both helping us order (it was our first time there) and even getting me some miso soup (included!) after we sat down.

They had enough tables that even lunch at noon on a Friday there was no one in the tables next to us.

The one downside was that it was expensive. Not something you go to every day, but it was definitely tasty enough that I don't think the price will stop me from coming back many times.“

“Indoor and outdoor dining. Great food, friendly service. Kimchee chige, bbq short ribs, ban chan and purple mixed grain rice was delicious. Plus the tofu is non GMO. 👍🏻“

“This place is absolutely incredible!!! The food is beyond delicious - especially the Korean dishes, which are so good they’ll leave you speechless. The service is wonderfully friendly, making the whole experience feel warm and welcoming. I also love that they have outdoor seating; it gives the restaurant such a pleasant and vibrant atmosphere.

If you go, you must try the Korean tteokbokki(spicy rice cake 떡볶이) korean fried chicken, and the kimchi fried rice , all highly recommended. Even the coffee is amazing here!!!! they serve it generously and it tastes fantastic.

Overall, a perfect spot for anyone looking for excellent food, outstanding service, and a great vibe!“

“We celebrated my mom’s 60th birthday here, and it was truly unforgettable. The moment we walked in, we felt welcomed and taken care of. The ambiance was beautiful, the food was amazing, and the whole experience made the celebration feel extra special.

I want to give a huge thank you to Kelly, who was incredibly attentive, kind, and so detailed with everything. She made sure every part of the evening went smoothly and made us feel supported from start to finish. And a big shoutout to our server Ash, who went above and beyond the entire night. They treated my mom like a queen, and it meant so much to all of us.

It’s rare to find service that feels this personal and heartfelt. We left with smiles, full stomachs, and memories my mom will treasure forever.

I highly recommend this place for birthdays, gatherings, or any moment you want to make truly special.“

“Bibimbap hot pot with spicey pork, yum. lots of great vegetables and and the pork with egg over rice.“

“Ordered through door dash. Bulgogi fries, chocolate torte, and soy garlic chicken. All incredible. Chicken was juicy had a great crispy texture with a great sauce taste. Even reheated and maintained crisp well when we had leftovers. Also nice big portion sizes.“

“Biked over from our hotel and grabbed a table without waiting on a Saturday evening. Plenty of tables inside, good lighting, and nice staff. Large sushi roll menu. We started with the spicy edamame and it was great, to an addicting point. I got the monster roll and the spicy hamachi. Good quality fish, rice was solid, and the ingredients tasted fresh. Solid spot for sushi.“

“This place is amazing! The spare ribs are bbq'ed right in front of you along with all of the other meats. The owners are kind and very personable. :) I went here two days in a row. Delish!“

“A few super authentic Japanese Restaurants in the Bay Area. Main Chef Eric is experienced 20+ years. You can ask his Omakase (Chef Choice). Once you taste Mikado’s super fresh Sushi and Sashimi, it is really hard to find the satisfaction from other places. Their Kitchen Items (grilled items, tempura, and Udon) also absolutely good.“

“This spot is bringing a unique dining experience to the Bay Area! The food truck specializes in Korean food that's made by robots.

Currently, the food truck only operates in Foster City for delivery or pickup. When you order through their app, the robots will start making the meal about 6 to 8 minutes before it's ready to be delivered. This means your food is always hot and fresh! The portion sizes can easily feed two people. The best part is there are no service fees or delivery charges! The flavors of each dish were so good! The wagyu was my favorite ?. Each dish is served with rice, banchan and seaweed.

They're opening a brick and mortar restaurant later this year in San Mateo, so be sure to check that out as well.“

“My husband and I were just here for our 2 years anniversary. They take walk ins for bar seating and there are 4 bar seats available at a time.

Definitely lived up to the hype. Flavors are very delicate, not overpowering at all. If you are looking for something extremely flavorful then this may not be a good fit. However, if you prefer lighter and refreshing profile, Yeobo Darling is the place for you. The sea urchin appetizer and the scallion croissants are MUST HAVEs.

The attention to service here is outstanding. Masha was helping us throughout the night and was extremely sweet and attentive. We got to learn about her story and vice versa - lots of nice conversations. Overall, 100% would come back and hopefully to see Masha again! :)“

“I really liked the Black Sesame Taiyaki a lot 😋 — it has that perfect mild sweetness! The Matcha flavor is just as good, both balanced and not overly sweet 🍵🖤.

I love Somi Somi mainly for their creamy, rich texture and light sweetness, which makes every bite feel so smooth and satisfying 🍦✨.“

“We haven’t been to this Vons in a while, but were in the mood for some gimbap and had to stop in to try their new menu additions.
The staff were so kind and welcoming! They introduced the new menu to us and highlighted some of the items. We ordered the combo fried chicken and gimbap.
Fried chicken was amazing as always, juicy and crispy. The gimbap was delicious! This will be my go to spot now to order gimbap from.
I’ll definitely be returning to try their other new menu items!!“

“I was misled by this restaurant’s name for a long time—I always thought it was a Chinese restaurant. But when I finally came here, I realized it’s actually a Korean one. My husband used to come here often before the pandemic.

Their black bean noodles are delicious, but that’s not really what I want to talk about. What truly stands out isn’t just the food, but the service. In today’s Bay Area, especially among Asian restaurants, it’s rare to encounter genuine service. You often end up tipping for people who simply drop off your food and disappear.

But at Beijing Restaurant, you’ll understand what real service feels like—and you’ll be happy to tip for it. Their servers focus on actually taking care of your needs during the meal, without being intrusive or using those overly scripted lines like, “How’s everything tasting so far?” that interrupt your dining experience. Their Mexican waiter is neat, attentive, and makes you feel genuinely comfortable. The female server, who has apparently been working here since before the pandemic, adds to that sense of familiarity and warmth.

Altogether, it gives the impression of a place with integrity and care—a restaurant that truly values its customers. I’m more than willing to pay for real service, and I’ll definitely be coming back again!“

“I heard good things about Vons and was not disappointed. The quality of the chicken can vary month to month, but the flavor and crisp is top notch. I love a good Korean fried chicken and Vons delivers there and more. The additional seasonings are great and the sides make the show. Japchae, dumplings, and tteokbokki are our go-tos here. We always do takeout, but the dining area is clean, albeit cramped. Anytime friends or family visit and mention fried chicken, we point them to Vons.“

“It was generous and delicious! They were so kind, and I really appreciated how they kept refilling my hot tea. It was my first visit thanks to a friend’s recommendation, and I’ll definitely be coming back. The parking is spacious, the food is excellent, and the service is great!“

“There are more and more Korean BBQ restaurants, and I think they are all the same. But here is easy to parking and easy to get the table .

The space is large and the meat quality is good.
Many Ayce's barbecue meats are of poor quality. If you want good quality beef and pork belly, this is one of the restaurants with affordable prices , good service .“

“It’s pretty good Korean fried chicken. Not a long time to place the order as it’s done at the front mainly.

While it took a while for the food to come it came out hot and fresh. The chicken was nicely fried and crispy, and seasoned generously. Got both the standard chicken as well as the cheese chicken. Not that much of a fan of the cheese one, it’s very powdery.
The onion rings were also crispy and nicely seasoned.

Overall pretty good place.“

“Absolutely loved this place! The donuts are fresh, soft, and full of flavor, and the boba drinks are perfectly made—chewy pearls, not too sweet, and so refreshing. The staff is super friendly and welcoming, and the shop has such a cozy, inviting vibe. It’s the kind of spot that makes you want to stay a little longer just to enjoy the atmosphere. Definitely my new go-to for a sweet treat and boba fix!“

“Semi self-service. (Raw) meat selection for the table & personalized soup base are brought to you; the remainder (veggies, tofu & seafood) come on the conveyor belt. You pick your own side-dish sauces (buffet style). All you can eat but limited to 90 min.

Meats were very fresh, as were the seafood, since we had an 11 am reservation (allowed for > 6 people; more on this below). Plentiful and speedy conveyor belt since we were the "1st shift" (get my drift?). I preferred shrimp & chicken (low fat), but was able to tear off the fat (yup, strip by strip if your diet tends in that direction) from the red meats. After a while, no one could tell what meats were on which plates! We thought the baby scallops were great: fresh and tender if you let it into the soup only for 15 seconds, yet they didn't toughen up if you left them in for a while. Shrimp: delicious & fresh, and you have a choice of shelled vs with the full metal jacket!

The variety of tofu was really good. The puffy rectangles were especially nice since they soaked up the soup and softened upon contact with moisture. There were sufficient greens to even things out. We saw a group of Buddhist monks in the queue, so you know it's possible to eat vegan here.

Some of the soup base selections were exceptional: tomato (so good!), mushrooms & Tonkatsu highly recommended (these all start with bone broth, I believe). Miso not so much (uninteresting). The soup gets more flavorful as the meal progresses, so it's better to get something not too intense.

We secured a reservation with 7 people, but personally, I wouldn't do this again. The seating for a big group still places the conveyor belt next to only 2 people, so now those closest to the belt must continuously serve the rest of the table. It's too much. Far better to break up the group into foursomes. However, I've heard that sometimes they stuff a lone customer onto a table for 3. How weird is that?

While the atmosphere is alright, the style of food service is such that it made for a feeding frenzy with no conversation (except to praise the food). If it's a visit you seek, this is not the experience you'd want. Or plan to visit another place afterwards.“

“I really like this Bonchon location. There’s usually not much of a wait, and the staff is always friendly and welcoming. Ordering is easy, and the space is both kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible, which I appreciate.

A few of my go-to favorites here are the Spicy Chicken (definitely the best in my opinion), Yangnyeom, Soy Garlic, and their Japchae. The chicken is always tender on the inside with that signature crispy exterior. As for the Japchae, it’s packed with ingredients and full of flavor—definitely worth trying.

Looking forward to coming back soon to try their new Buldak addition!“

“Friendly Korean owner~
I visited twice during my business trip, and on the last day, they even gave me radish radish kimchi, jjangajji, and kimbap.
A place that not only tastes delicious, but also warms your heart.
I will definitely stop by next year when I go on a business trip again~“

“So glad my favorite KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) place is back open again!! Appreciate all the extra precautionary measures they took as they even cleaned my credit card👍🏻 My purchase even got me an additional discount next door at ShareTea!🙌🏻😁“

“We got in and seated fast, it wasn't too loud. Good music. Games on TV. Food came out in a reasonable amount of time and was AMAZING. There was plenty of options on the menu. I ordered two specialty rolls and both exceeded my expectations. Would come again“

“Waterfront view, great service, awesome hot pot. What else can I ask for? Yeah. Love this place and will surely come back again!“

“Great food 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍“