40 Best Korean Restaurants in San Diego

“Tried the honeyjam chicken, Saigon style chicken, rose tteokbokki, and beef bulgogi fried rice. Every single dish was a 10. Perfectly balanced flavors and textures. Sounds like they'll be expanding their menu soon. Looking forward to that!“

“Best korean in New Hampshire! authentic korean. this is not korean bbq, though they do have kalbi. my favorite is soondubu soup, stone pot bibimbap, and japchae. I get it without egg and no meat. i enjoy dining in for the stone pot that crisps the rice, but also enjoy take out. everything is wrapped up good and safe. my family manages a severe nut allergy and eat here safely weekly.“

“We had the beef bone soup and the spicy pork bowl. Both were delicious! The sides were yummy as well. It was super busy but we only had to wait about 5 minutes before we were seated. They have a good selection. The dishes are numbered so it’s easy to order. The staff was friendly as well. I can’t wait to go again to try other items on the menu.“

“The food and service here never disappoint! Everything is always on point, and An, our waitress, is the sweetest, she really goes above and beyond to make us feel welcome. The soy garlic wings were incredibly delicious, packed with so much flavor that we couldn’t get enough. We always leave here happy and satisfied!“

“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.“

“The restaurant's signature dish, Gamjatang, is delicious, but the staff's service seems a bit lacking in friendliness. In addition, parking spaces are limited during lunch and dinner times, so it is recommended to park on the street.“

“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!“

“Came here for lunch with my mom on a Wednesday. Normally, this place has no parking availability. The place is very small but cozy. But during lunch, there were plenty. Walking in, we were seated right away. You can tell how good a restaurant is when you see most of their customers were Korean. My mom ordered the kimchi jigae. She said the broth was very good but was very disappointed that she only had 1 strip of pork belly in the soup. I ordered the galbitang and it came with 2 large beef ribs with the meat so tender it fell off the bones. The broth was also very good that i finished the broth before the meat and noodles. This is a definite place to go to again and again.“

“Pelicana Chicken was a great takeout option experience. I first visited this location and used the kiosk to decide on what to order. But my friend and I had a lot of questions, so we asked the staff a lot of them. She was very nice and explained the differences and gave her recommendations.

We decided to get the signature chicken with sauces on the side. We got the original and honey mustard. We also got an order of the corn cheese. It didn’t take long for us to get our order and leave. However, when we got home, we noticed the radish was missing.

Overall, the food was really great. The signature sauce was better than the honey mustard. The service was fast and quick. We went on a Saturday around 4:30 pm and it wasn’t very busy. But the plaza parking was crowded. They do accept American Express at the kiosk.“

“Songhak truly delivers an unforgettable experience! From the moment I arrived, everything was smooth, professional, and welcoming. The quality, attention to detail, and overall atmosphere were beyond impressive. It’s clear that the team behind Songhak takes great pride in what they do. Highly recommended for anyone looking for excellence — I’ll definitely be back!“

“Delicious food and great atenttion“

“Great to share in good company!“

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

“Really great service and super good dessert! We've always loved everything we've tried here. If you come later in the evening, be prepared for a busy parking lot but that just comes with a lot of the places in the area. We try to go closer to opening during weekdays now and there's never any trouble with parking during those hours! I'd definitely recommend this place! Also, staff has always been amazing every time we've stopped here!“

“This is our comfort restaurant in San Diego. Whenever I’m feeling down, I come to K Cuisine. It just has such a cozy vibe - it’s never that busy so we always sit in the same table, the server is super nice and always has a smile on her face, and the food is like a warm home-cooked meal. Our favorites are the bossam, soondae, and soups. Their hot pot is also great but keep in mind it’s a big portion and meant for maybe 3 people. Also if you’ve never tried Terra before, get it! It’s my favorite light beer ever since I first tried it here.“

“Amazing Asian supermarket with everything you could possibly need – from Korean to Japanese and more. The produce section is massive, everything is super fresh, and the bakery has an awesome selection too. If I lived around here, this would definitely be my go-to spot.“

“The family and I wanted a sweet treat at night and decided on coming here for some of their soft serve ice cream. Wound up getting their upside down cup with cookies-n-cream flavored ice cream, Nutella filling and dusted with Oreo cookie. Wife had the upside down cup with chocolate ice cream, Nutella filling and Biscoff toppings. Not one flavor, topping or cone we had was lacking flavorful or deliciousness. Can’t wait to come back and try more. If you do plan on giving this place a try, plan for a crowd. It can get crowded fast and it doesn’t matter what day of the week it is either.“

“not korean but i have a picky vietnamese mother in law! she’s the one who wanted to give this place a five star which is ultra rare given the years that i’ve known her.

we ordered the mul naengmyeon (cold noodles #69), haemul kalguksu (seafood combo noodles #68), ddukbokki (rice cakes #3), and the gaejang (spicy raw marinated crab #46).

the ddukbokki was alright, not too sweet which is a common problem i have with other places. the marinade for the gaejang was delicious. now the dishes that really blew us away for the five stars is the haemul kalguksu and the mul naengmyeong!

the broth is rich in flavor in their own respective ways. the kalguksu broth is warming and rich with flavor, there was a slight sweetness from the seafood in the broth. while the naengmyeon has a refreshing aspect to the broth, with a natural sweetness from the pears added masterfully to the dish.

overall highly recommend! i wish i added photos before i started to pigged out and it was gone before i remembered to take a photo 😅“

“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!“

“We had a great time here and, yes, partly because of the easy parking and relative absence of Convoy foodie hipsters but mostly because of the good space at the table, good service, and good food. Sauces could be a bit more varied but overall a super option.“

“Good food great customer service fast my go to for Kbbq“

“Everything about this place is amazing!!! The food is to die for and service was exceptional. They work as a team so it felt like the whole staff was serving us including the chefs who also keep an eye out on you! You can tell it’s family owned, very sweet people.“

“Second time here and it's still amazing. They have great service and are very friendly. I love how they keep asking you if you want more. I think the prices are good for the quality of the food . I love their steaming egg pot it has great flavor. My favorite bbq place.❤️👍😊“

“I got the strips and radish as the side. Order half spicy half garlic. OMG it was tasty 👅 AF. The price was a bargain compared to the quality and quantity of food I got. The hostess was 🔥🔥🤘. Great customer service.“

“the Hot stone crispy rice w/ Bulgogi & short rib and sauces ....WHOA, really good !“

“Staff very accommodating, good food, great place!!!! Love it“

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

“First timer. Not dissapointed at all. Food was yummy“

“Si ojalá iii iii Ku m lo más seguro“

“Epic grub! Will be back for sure!!“

“This place in Hmart and is so fresh and amazing. Tried jjamppong for the first time here and I fell in love. It is delicious bowl of spicy seafood noodle soup with such good flavors. It can be very spicy. They are pretty good with making it less spicy.

Customer service is great and very helpful. Highly recommend this place.“

“Fair portions and hearty food. Chicken, rice, and vegetables do me well. The staff is always friendly. I have a big appetite and this is filling and somewhat health concious. I usually have enough for 1.5 meals if I get the plate. I always get the spicy korean chicken. I have come here many times and will continue to return.“

“Overall not a bad meal, but nothing that made me want to share with everyone i know. The portions are pretty large; every dish we got is made to be shared. Between 3 people we had a lot of left overs.

The japchae was one of the highlights of the meal as they were well seasoned and not too greasy as that's been an issue at other restaurants.

The bulgogi wings are good, tasty, sticky, and enough we had about half left.

The potstickers weren't anything amazing. Incredible large where I just had to hold it with me hand and sauce to dip was lacking compared to others.

Bibimbap is a massive serving! There was plenty to go around and to also take to go.

We did get an order of the soft tofu soup and while it is seafood it is an overwhelming taste and smell of it. So much it kind of was inedible which is unfortunate of the cost and size to waste.

Overall a big area this is offers karaoke rooms which aren't as sound proof as I would've expected. They have a call button for each table which is nice to only call over when you actually needed them.

Again the pricing really only justified the portions and not so much the flavor, but I'm not entirely dissatisfied. It was still a filling meal.“

“Good food, fair prices and a healthier option when compared to most other fast food places in the area. I usually opt for a 1/2 and 1/2 bowl over veggies instead of rice and put some of their "magic sauce" on it. Good food, decent price, and fast.“

“We planned on going somewhere else for getting Korean Food for dinner but the other please. We had in mind clothes really early so we ended up here.Real good find!Husband and I ordered a lot of food and it was good enough for 2 meals! Really big portion size!Japche -Amazing! The glass was so light and had a good amount of vegetables in there and the flavor was amazing as well. Massive portion size too. Did not seem oily at all and just a good item.Bulgogi -Such a flavorful and tender and perfect beef! They really marinated the meat well. Did not seem like a fatty cut of meat at all. Loved it.Game with rice on the side and a lot of other Korean side dishes which were delicious.The mixed greens, cauliflower and miso soup were mine and husband's favorite!Hot Stone Bibimbap - last minute decision to order this and it was a very good decision. Big bowl of food with amount of vegetables on top and rice on the bottom. Then you mix it all in and eat; The flavors went together so so so so well.The crispy rice on the bottom that stuck to the hot store... BEAUTIFUL ? ?Service was also pretty quick and we appreciated that. Food was all hot and steamy but not so hot that it burnt your tongue. Just perfect.“

“When we went to this restaurant, we went straight for all the Korean soju. The waiter was very casual and straightforward. He didn’t pay much attention to details. The meals were generally Korean 🇰🇷 cuisine, but the most The main thing is the soju 🍶. Soju is divided into many types. There are soju that we usually see, and there are also soju with different flavors. Especially the homemade soju has a unique taste!
Before Yakult Soju, you wouldn’t actually see Yakult-flavored Soju in supermarkets. Later, after it gradually appeared, the taste was actually very good, so we also tried it in the store today. Although I thought it tasted pretty good, in fact It's a little too sweet, but even people who don't drink it should be able to drink it, because Yakult has basically diluted the taste of soju, and most of the sweet taste of Yakult is left in your mouth!
Especially like the cheese fried rice cake
I thought this was just an ordinary fried rice cake, but I didn't expect it to be very delicious. The rice cake itself is neither too soft nor too hard, very elastic, and the seasoning is very good, with just the right amount of spiciness🌶️ A little bit sweet, when serving, use a fire gun to burn all the cheese🧀 on the surface until it melts, so that every bite of rice cake can have a little cheese on the surface. It is actually very delicious! This is the first time I have eaten fried rice cake and I can taste it. It has a little bit of sweetness and it goes so well with it. I recommend that anyone who goes drinking can try it!“

“This is an amazing Korean BBQ restaurant. Each table has its own hibachi grill. You order from the all-you-can-eat menu that has an incredible selection. The entree items were large generous portions as well as the unlimited appetizers. Excellent value and a unique restaurant business model. I will definitely go back again and again.“

“So happy I found Moon Bowls! I ordered a salad bowl with mushrooms, pickled onion, broccoli, spinach, and chicken — and everything was super fresh. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients. It’s not easy finding healthy food that actually tastes good, but this hit the mark. Definitely a new go-to for a clean, satisfying dinner in San Diego.“