38 Best Korean Restaurants near Palo Alto

“My toddler and I came 30 mins before closing time and they still served us. They even served people who came later than us! They just asked us to pay at closing time but we can stay longer to finish our meal. Everything was yummy. I love going to a Korean restaurant and they serve me purple rice. My daughter ate a lot. Will come back here if I ever visit Menlo Park again.“

“Tastes amazing as always, and the staff was friendly.

I’m giving 4 stars because I think the place could have a better-looking waiting area. It could be cleaner, and adding a couple of tables for seating would really help.“

“I came here with my family on a whim and honestly glad I did. The tofu soup was on point in this rainy day. perfectly rich broth, soft tofu, and just the right amount of spice. Banchan kept coming without even asking. the food portions were way bigger than expected for the price.“

“This place just opened. It's not clear what cuisine this is from the photos and description, and for some reason it's classified as Diner but it's doing brunch.

Anyway this is a Korean fusion cuisine restaurant and it's trying to mimic the success of the japanese fusion Soho in Milpitas. Its interior is modeled for fine dining and it has a comprehensive drinks menu. Food though is quite good, the bulgogi cream pasta has the right amount of cream and taste, it's not too heavy, and the bulgogi used high quality beef/steak pieces and not your run of the mill regular beef. The fried chicken is almost perfect, crispy outside, the crunch is just right, not too hard and not soggy. The uni rice pot is good but the cream doesn't have enough uni taste unfortunately. The service is excellent as well.“

“The staff is friendly and quickly steps in to help grill the meat, making the whole experience smooth and easy. The meat is good quality — well-marinated and tender. They also serve generous portions of large intestine, which is a nice touch many places skip.
Overall, it’s one of the stronger Korean BBQ options in San Jose. The only improvement would be offering more variety in banchan sides.
I’ll definitely return next time I’m craving Korean BBQ“

“The food was delicious—the chicken and the salad were a real treat. But I want to highlight something that really stood out to me: the customer service provided by the young woman at the register. She is fantastic—kind and very polite. I hope her bosses reward her and don't let such a gem get away. Nowadays, we are so used to poor treatment from customer service staff that we’ve come to view it as normal, often failing to appreciate the excellent service provided by the few good ones left.“

“Got the foods here with. Both items we ordered tastes very delicious. Prices are right on. Portions are pretty generous. Seatings are okay. Parking is good. I do recommend this place for good foods and casual eating that worth the price you pay. Linh recommend 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻“

“So good !!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥“

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

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

“The rose ddeok-bokki is pure decadence, an absolute dream if you love creamy dishes. If you add cheese on top, the cheese gets that blowtorched, charred flavor. I love the chew of the rice cakes. The cabbage adds pops of sweetness to the dish and although it is cooked, it has a satisfying crisp to it. The fish cakes rounds out the dish with its savoriness. I do feel like it could be better with fresh green onion on top though. Nevertheless, it keeps me coming back.“

“OLHSO Truck isn’t just a food truck—it’s a fully automated robotic kitchen on wheels. Fresh ingredients are prepped daily by human chefs, but the actual cooking is done by a high-tech robot loaded with Chef Han’s perfected recipes. Once an order is placed, the truck’s system stir-fries everything while en route, so the food is piping hot and fresh just minutes before arrival.

For something made entirely by a machine, the food is impressively flavorful and well-executed.

Wagyu – Boneless wagyu short ribs marinated in a rich house sauce, stir-fried with fresh veggies. The meat is tender, packed with umami, and perfectly caramelized.

Dak Galbi – Chicken stir-fried in a gochujang-based spicy sauce with plenty of chewy rice cakes. The heat is customizable, but the deep, smoky flavor always shines.

SEOUL Food – A bold combination of kimchi, pork belly, soybean paste, and shrimp, all stir-fried together for layers of intense, savory flavor.

Japchae – Glass noodles tossed with mushrooms, fresh vegetables, and a sweet-savory soy sauce. Light yet satisfying.

Orders are placed through their app, and the robotic kitchen times the cooking process to ensure food arrives fresh—not sitting in a takeout container for half an hour. The whole concept is futuristic and efficient, and for a meal made entirely by a robot, the taste is surprisingly impressive.“

“This is our go to place for korean food in Fremont for years. The food has been consistently good. We always order beef bulgogi & tofu soup combo for our family. We love the beef bulgogi. It has sweet savory sauce with tender beef. The tofu soup can be hit or miss. We got seafood white soup (not spicy) for our kiddo - it was good but I personally prefer medium spice for more depth of flavor.

The only downside was the parking. The parking was limited and got crowded during lunch or dinner time. So, most of the time we parked on the street nearby or we just do take out.“

“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.“

“We went here with our 1 year old and it was a great experience! Staff was very friendly and the ambience was good too :)
We tried the heart attack sushi and the mango crunch sushi and both of them were very tasty.
Would definately recommend this place!“

“Such a cute little spot! I got the stone pot vegetarian bibimbap, and I was happily surprised to see that it comes with miso soup. I brought myself here for a satisfying solo meal after a tough day at work, and the food definitely delivered. And it was the perfect portion amount - no leftovers.

They have extra gochujang sauce and sriracha available if you prefer a spicier meal.“

“Such a hidden gem of a spot in Sunnyvale! A unique food experience compared to the more popular Korean food (bbq & tofu stews).

I love the kimchi pork rib dish & definitely get the fried rice afterwards. That fried rice changed my life! Yummy yummy

The seafood pancake is also delicious.

It can get quite crowded/busy on Friday & Saturday. The aunties may take your order before you are seated and the food will come out promptly after being seated.

For a more relaxed experience, come Mon-Thurs in my opinion.“

“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. 👍🏻“

“My favorite hot pot spot! Im happy theres no extra charge for anything, and I can have kbbq and hot pot.

Ingredients are always fresh, and they have a good sauce bar.

I always go for the pork bone broth, but my friends love the miso and spicy broth.

Service is always good and theyre usually pretty quick with things despite it always being busy.“

“Family friendly spot with delicious food that arrives fairly quickly. It's surprisingly affordable given how comfortable the restaurant seating is. I love getting the small side dish of jampong (red soup) since I can't finish the entree version myself. Also a great spot for groups since the dining area is really large. We always get the Jajangmyeung, Jamppong (spicy soup), and the fried pork or chicken.“

“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!“

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

“Came here several times for the amazing weekday lunch specials (bossam!) and the bbq. Prices are good, the food is delicious, and everything is clearly made with a lot of love and care. They have amazing service and the incredible side dishes. We finished every. single. thing on the table.“

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

“I had the bento box at Mikado in downtown Los Altos and it was excellent. Everything was fresh, beautifully presented, and very flavorful. The portions were generous and well balanced, making it a perfect lunch.

Friendly service and a cozy atmosphere — I’ll definitely be back!“

“So many creative and yummy options! We were lucky and able to get a same day reservation at 5:15 pm on a Friday.

Service is impeccable and it looked like there was more staff than tables when we arrived but over the course of dinner, as the rest filled up, it made more sense.

We loved the custard appetizer. So smooth with great textures and flavors from the potato, fish roe and everything else in the bowl.

The lasagna was very unexpected yet delicious with layers and ground meat.

The pawns had great flavor and we liked the sausages and tomatoes it came with. I also love that the bodies were de-shelled as already.

The cold noodle was very interesting with the foam. It's a very mild flavor so this dish is more about the presentation and textures.

The scallops were fresh but not that interesting. I love Hokkaido scallops but I prefer them raw. This cook was good, just not that interesting.

The spicy hot tofu soup was fine. It didn't feel different or elevated from what I've had at other places and a touch too salty for our tastes.

There's plenty to try on the menu and would have loved to try the kalbi but our bill was quite pricey already.

I highly recommend giving this restaurant a try, it's a great treat and dining experience.“

“Edit (additions) May 27, 2026.

After my initial review I have come back again and again. This restaurant never failed my expectation. It is getting better with time. In this day and age for a restaurantuer to persist in their belief in delivering quality foods at reasonable price, while maintaining the customer-centered focus it takes genuine deterimination and honesty. I recommend this place without any reservation.

(Original review below)

Authentic Chinese cuisine at better than affordable prices. For the quality in the selection of material and preparation you really can't beat this place. The service is responsive, personal, and fast. Clean, bright, and spacious feeling. Open space kitchen allows you easy glance at the dedication of the culinary staff in action. Easy to get to, and plenty of parking space.“

“Somisomi is a dessert shop that focuses on the combination of freshly made taiyaki and soft serve, creating a dessert experience that feels both nostalgic and modern. The concept is simple but works well: warm fish-shaped waffle cones filled with different flavors paired with creamy soft serve and toppings. The space is casual and easygoing, making it a fun stop for a quick dessert rather than a place you would spend a long time sitting.

The taiyaki is the main highlight and gives the desserts their signature appeal. The outside has a light crispness while the inside stays soft, creating a nice contrast with the cold soft serve. The fillings offer a good mix of classic and creative options, with red bean, custard, black sesame, and Nutella being some of the popular choices. The red bean keeps things traditional with a mild sweetness, while the black sesame adds a nuttier flavor that pairs especially well with the waffle texture. Nutella works well if you prefer something richer and more dessert-like.

The soft serve is what brings everything together, with flavors like matcha and ube standing out. The matcha has a noticeable tea flavor without becoming too intense, and the ube adds a sweeter, more dessert-focused option. Adding toppings like cookies or cereal gives the dessert extra texture and makes each order feel more customizable. The combination of warm taiyaki, cold soft serve, and different fillings is what makes Somisomi different from a typical ice cream stop.

Service is usually quick, which fits the style of the shop since most people come in for a treat on the go. The menu is straightforward, but there are enough combinations to make repeat visits interesting. Overall, Somisomi is a fun dessert spot that does a great job with a simple concept, especially if you enjoy Asian-inspired desserts and want something that balances warm, crispy, creamy, and sweet in one order.“

“Where do you go when you’ve watched too much kdramas and you start salivating when the characters stary drinking soju with fried chicken??? Vons!!! That’s where I go at least. It’s the only korean place I know that’s at least a 10 min walk from our place. It never fails to satisfy my craving… and when you get there, the big screen tv is always playing some kdrama. I do wish they had more variety with the diahea they offer but then again the simplicity of the menu is what makes the service quick.
Von’s is clean and a refreshing change from the usual chinese, japanese or mexican fare that’s quite common in the area.
Service is quick and staff are friendly. Owned and run by an actual korean - there you go! You can’t get anymore authentic than that!
Pay in cash and you’ll het a bit of a discount!“

“Amazing stuff amazing people … I just visited once and now I’m hooked !!! And some great conversations on Cambodia and miniature Japanese lucky cats !!! Amazing breakfast sandwiches and delectable coffee, all
made with love,care and a lot of focus on freshness .“

“Wonderful Uni. Very fresh!!! The rolls were very well done: tasty with a great presentation. Recently remodeled, keeping the best of the old with a crisp new look. Warm and friendly service that you don't experience in most restaurant.“

“It's a pretty solid Korean fried chicken chain overall.
Their crunch was good and chicken was juicy. Nothing that outstanding about them but then again they aren't trying to be either.

Overall for the pricing and such they are definitely worth a visit.“

“I went here last weekend with a friend late at night and the vibes is what you expect from a late night spot with a lil bit of a party atmosphere. My friend and I ordered their spicy beef soup, chicken wings, and kbbq pork belly and fried gyozas stuffed with vermicelli noodles. When we accidentally got the wrong order of wings and we ate them, the restaurant kindly let us keep them with our original order of wings in which we were very grateful for. The rest of the food was great as well and hits the spot for late night cravings. Would definitely come here again with friends after a night out or just go eat at to chat.“

“I love the Seapot in San Mateo. This Sunnyvale location is basically the same concept, but I was surprised that they were missing a few things: no cakes and desserts, no sticky rice, no steamed buns, no spring rolls, no smashed cucumbers. There were fewer side dishes compared to San Mateo.

Otherwise, the food options are pretty much the same, the meat quality is about the same (Great for an AYCE), and the decor is pretty similar.

The service in Sunnyvale seemed slower than in San Mateo.“

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

“We ordered a takeout meal, so can't really attest to the eat in experience. Ordered soy garlic and kbbq wings and drumstick. Enough chicken for 3 people, if not four. Plus if you make rice or veggies at home it could for sure turn into a great full meal. Chicken had a good crunch to it, though I wish the flavors were stronger.“

“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!🙌🏻😁“