25 Best Korean Restaurants near San Carlos

“I don't venture out to San Carlos that much, but I was happy to try this Korean-Chinese restaurant! It was nice to find out that there were exclusive dishes that can ONLY be ordered at this location, so we made sure to order at least one of those items.

My favorites were the Jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) and the Meat Jajangmyeon (black bean sauce noodles). Both had very different flavors, but still comforting. The seafood soup had a nice kick to it, but was perfect on that cold night we went. Noodle texture here is also pretty close to perfect with just enough bounce to them.

What we ordered:
* Chili Shrimp
* Black Pepper Beef (only available at this location!)
* Jjamppong
* Meat Jajangmyeon
* Garlic Soy Chicken Wings (10pc)“

“We loved our experience here. Super trendy, delicious meat, great drinks, and wonderful service. Really can’t get any better. I also liked that we didn’t smell like smoke and food after dinner.

Shout out to Luiza our wonderful server!

Favorite items: bulgogi, pork belly, seafood pancake, and wagyu skirt steak

Will absolutely be back!“

“Good food. Definitely recommended.“

“This place is my go-to whenever I’m craving some light soup or galbijim. Their soups are simple but delicious, comforting and perfect for a cold day. Beyond that, their galbijim is on par with the popular Daeho, making it an excellent choice for groups. It’s super flavorful, tender, and filling, so it’s great for sharing and enjoying a hearty meal with friends or family. The combination of comforting soups and standout galbijim keeps me coming back again and again.“

“Found this when I look for Korean restaurant that serve noodle soup. This restaurant is next to hospital which I think in a good location. Next to it is boba shop which I saw some customer went to the the boba shop after their meals.
The interior is very simple, with couple tables and the dishes photo all over the wall which looks inviting.
The menu is pretty complete with many varieties of Korean dishes. We order Spicy Seafood noodle soup and Stir fried noodles with black bean sauce.
They give 3 type of banchan, daikon, beansprout and kimchi. The kimchi is sweet and later I saw it is from a big jar that you can get from grocery store. I wish they make it fresh in the restaurant. At least if have it from jar, don't show the jar.
The noddle soup is yummy but not spicy. the Stir fried noodle is served with hot iron plate. the presentation is good but I just feel it is too sweet.
The server is very nice and very energetic. Only one server serves all the tables.
Overall it was ok meals. May be next time we will try other dishes and wish they make the kimchi in house.“

“Korean place with good vegan options. Items are labelled vegetarian on the menu, some items need to be modified to be made vegan. Clarify that the banchans are vegan (they have fish cake sometimes). Like greens, bean sprouts, and fried tofu banchan they have. Bathroom was nice and clean.

Love the mushroom tofu soup, really flavorful and they are generous with the mushrooms. Also got the hot stone tofu bibimbap, make sure to ask for no egg to make it vegan. Good option to go to if going with a group of omnis, can also accomodate larger groups as well but would consider making a reservation if the party is 6+.“

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

“The soondubu is DELICIOUS. Great flavor, spicy, and most importantly, unlimited rice and ban chan refills upon request. The price is a bit steep for soup ($20+) but the quality is worth it, given Bay Area food prices. Their other dishes are yummy too.“

“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 !!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥“

“This late-night Korean spot was such a vibe, and I really loved the overall aesthetic. The atmosphere alone makes it a great place to hang out and catch up with friends over food. The dishes we tried were solid across the board, but the kimchi fried rice stood out the most. A lot of places tend to go heavy or too light on the sesame oil, but Chingu gets the balance just right, which really made the dish shine. Overall, it’s a fun, reliable spot for late-night Korean food with a great ambiance.“

“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.“

“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!“

“Never done me wrong. I dropped my ice cream once, they took pity on me. Love this place, wish I lived closer to it. Will be coming here every day during summer. A couple topping options, and multiple ways to eat your ice cream, or even get pancake versions.

They don’t accept cash though.“

“The charcoal grills are a new experience for me. It was awesome! Food was delicious! Service was great! My only complaint would be for the ventilation to be better/stronger. I know to expect to smell like KBBQ after, but I think ventilation can be improved.“

“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 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!“

“food place for family and hang out“

“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.“

“Amazing! I will definitely be going back again soon“

“We had a great experience at Yeobo, Darling. As first timers, we appreciated the suggestions that Linda provided. She explained the menu items well and provided great service! They had a grilled *Duck Breast special that we had to try & it was delicious and well-prepared. The duck jus and carrot gochujang served with it was so flavorful. (I'd recommend ordering the rice or the ssam greens to complement if you order this or the kalbi.) We also ordered the *YD Kalbi, which was perfect, as well. Like others have mentioned, the price point for this dish is a bit high at $76, but we enjoyed the dish and finished it. Other dishes we tried: *Anchovy Rice, which went well with the proteins. It wasn't overly salty and the crunchy texture at the bottom of the serving dish was wonderful. *Scallion Croissant - the crunch, the flavors, the butter with pork-floss - definitely a must order for the table if you love bread service. *Amberjack - Appreciated that this dish was light and refreshing, especially since we had duck and kalbi coming. *Milk Soft Cream with Misugaru Donut - I'm a sucker for fancy soft serve and this did not disappoint! The brittle was my favorite part of this & I'd definitely order this again. My husband tried the *Natural Oasis soju tea cocktail, which was light and refreshing. The restaurant is beautiful inside, though the space can seem a bit cramped. We were seated in a roomy area, so it wasn't an issue for us. I also appreciated the custom? tables. Each table appears to have a pull out drawer with extra utensils if you need them! I thought that was a nice touch. Overall had a great experience and looking forward to trying more of their menu. Spent about $345 for 2 people pre-tip, so take from that as you will.“

“Loved the moonbowls!

It was interesting and delicious. Warm and on time as promised. I especially enjoyed the sesame tofu! So filling. I have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

I will definitely do this again! Keep up the good work!“

“Earlier this week on Sunday, I was craving some Korean fried Chicken, which I never had before. I did a search on Google and came across Bonchon in San Mateo. The first experience I had, I was not happy with my order because it was not accurate. I ordered an 8 piece, but only received a 4 piece and because it’s through a 3rd party nothing could be done. I decided on Monday I would order this time directly from the restaurant. Everything worked out, and I have to tell you even though my order was not right the first time? This did not take away from the quality of the food. I ordered the drumsticks extra crunch? No sauce, and the first time I ordered with fried rice, both were excellent. The seasoning, it was rich with flavor, and I have absolutely no complaints. The second time on Monday I ordered the same chicken a 4 piece, the corn with the mayonnaise, cheese and red pepper flakes, with a side of steamed rice. Everything was just perfect. I’m not kidding you it’s taking everything in me to control myself from ordering more today, and it’s just Tuesday. It’s just that good! Whoever the chefs are, you can taste the love in their cooking, it’s not just thrown together. There is Love in their food, and know this because my Mom’s food is just the same. Every bite is good. I don’t say these things lightly when it comes to restaurants. There’s not too many that impress me like this. All I can say is keep the love in your food, and don’t change the quality even if you have a million customers, don’t change your food. 5/5 for me, it’s a must try if you love fried chicken or Korean food. I don’t have pictures this time, maybe next time if I can upload I will. The chicken is so crunchy that even when it’s cold it’s still good and crunchy and not soggy. That is when you know food is good, when it gets cold and it’s just as good. Thank you so much for listening.“

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