33 Best Korean Restaurants in San Diego

“Yummy! The chicken wings were so bomb, perfectly juicy and tender inside and crunchy outside. Never had tteokbokki before and it was also delish. Lastly, appreciated how the QR codes for the menu were held up by cute little animals instead of taped to the table. I’ll definitely be coming back here.“

“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.“

“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 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!“

“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.“

“Delicious food and great atenttion“

“I took a day trip to San Diego from LA with my two friends and this was on our itinerary as the main event.

I ordered the Large Combo for 3-4 people with 3 choices of meats. It was $89.99 and it came with a corn cheese, the choice of a kimchi or soybean stew, and a steamed pot egg. We got the pork belly, the pork jowl, and the abomasum (I had no idea what this was, but my sweet server recommended it!)
The abomasum was really chewy and I wish it was cut smaller so the chewy-ness could be cooked down into crispier pieces, but the pork belly and jowl were excellent.

I thought it might not be enough since we were all really hungry and also added a side of the LA Galbi Meal (beef short rib on a hot stone plate and lots of grilled onion) and it also comes with rice, soybean or kimchi soup.

We also got a ton of side dishes aka banchan such as kimchi, pickled daikon, fish cake, fresh chives with spicy sauce, soy pickled onion, and sesame oil bean sprouts.

You can always tell the quality of a place by their side dishes at Korean restaurants and although it's not AYCE, the banchan here makes you forget about that and just enjoy the quality of the ingredients you're getting!

Everything was soooooo good and the portions were great!

We ate all the meats and were too full to finish all the banchan, but we kept telling each other how amazing the experience was as we were eating.

The servers are so amazing and would constantly come and check on our grill and replenish our sides without us asking. I love the hospitality and presentation of this restaurant so much.

The only thing I will say to look out for is that you may have to wait for parking and it depends on the busyness of the plaza (since they seem to have a bunch of great food businesses all in one) and it’s a small parking lot. Other than that, be ready to have such a good time!

If you're a local and haven't had SongHak, you're definitely missing out and need to try it! If you're not a local like me and have to travel 2+ hours for it, then I still say it was super worth it.“

“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.“

“I have come here several times and I can attest that their food is exceptional. I have ordered the vegetable soon tofu, their boiled dumplings, and the seafood kalguksu. Each dish is made with love and care and I always feel warm after eating here. Their service is efficient and even if they are busy, they manage to be quick on the service. Their banchan selection is great as well, sometimes something new everytime I come. I have also gotten takeout from this place and I really love how they give me anchovies as a banchan selection as I love the little fishies. It's too bad their parking can become crowded if you do not come close to opening.“

“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!“

“How much fun! Great selection of meats and sides, some you wouldn’t expect like tortillas, cheesy corn, cheese fondue and French fries. Try the brisket and spicy chicken, you won’t be disappointed. Pricing is reasonable for all you can eat, so come hungry and get your money’s worth.“

“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 !“

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

“Good variety of proteins, lots of amazing sauces, veggies, and overall good vibes. My most favorite part that I love about this place is that you get the opportunity to be creative and become your own chef. Another great thing is you yourself get to serve and pick what you want since it’s buffet. Have fun, enjoy, and have a good time whether it’s for a date night or with a group of family or friends. Definitely a place I will go back.“

“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 food is unreal. I needed an all gluten free option while in from out of town, and took a chance on this place. I ended up eating their food two nights in a row! I had the barbecue chicken salad with sweet Korean BBQ and the impossible beef salad with gochujang. Both were phenomenal, flavorful, and generous in portion. I wish I lived here, I’d eat here all of the time!“