50 Best Korean Restaurants in San Diego

“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!“

“I had a random Saturday night craving for Korean chicken wings and this place was the answer to my prayers. Got the sweet and spicy wings and they were everything I dreamed of. So crispy, tender and flaky. They were so savory and spicy enough to challenge me, but not to the point of giving up. I’ll definitely be back.“

“Just finished a Bibimbap cooking class at Sue's, so fun! Loved learning a bit about Korean cooking. Our meal was delicious and so filling! Sue was warm, kind, thoughtful, and detailed. Looking forward to trying take out next time.“

“Pay attention everyone. THIS is how you operate a sushi restaurant.

We were greeted by the sushi chefs from across the room as we entered the front door. Seconds later, the wait staff guided us to a table. Water arrived lickity split, and our waitress patiently checked on us a couple of times until we were ready to order.

Miso soup and a side salad came with our entrees; they came out quickly and were delicious. The sushi didn’t take long, either. Before we knew it, our plates were empty and the owner herself came by to see how we enjoyed our meal. And we weren’t big spenders like the table next to us, but we were treated as if we were.

This is how you run a restaurant. It’s really not a high bar, but it’s astonishing how so few restaurants “get it.”“

“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!“

“No lie- Its rare to see a restaurant that can keep a high level of reviews. This is no lie! Steamy Piggy was FIRE. Ramen was TOP 10 hands down. A Creamy smooth slightly sweet pork tonkotstu. perfectly cooked thin Chasu pork medium noodles. the egg was not marinated well but if u let it sit til the end it absorbed the broth well. The pineapple fried rice was also spot on perfectly cooked shrimp and the hint of sweetness from the pineapple hit.

Will return!“

“All of the food was extremely flavorful and uniquely savory but still sweet. Although the special combos are meant for 1 person, they can DEFINITELY feed 2. My party ordered their special combo 1, popcorn chicken, and rice cakes. Their spicy cold noodles and rice cakes were just the right amount of hotness. Definitely added to the dish rather than overpowered it. Same with the side dishes. My favorite was their rice cakes. Overall solid korean spot!“

“Dalbam Moon Night is an absolutely wonderful restaurant, a true hidden gem! The atmosphere is both vibrant and cozy; it feels joyful being here. Service is excellent; our waitress Saki was extremely kind, welcoming, and helpful. And the food is some of the best on Convoy, definitely the best for Korean cuisine. Everything we ordered was sensational, savory, and just right. We will definitely be returning here.“

“This restaurant is said to be a branch from Korea, and the interior definitely feels authentically Korean. It’s very clean, and the walls are filled with photos of Korean celebrities, so it really seems like a place that’s also popular in Korea. The side dishes were delicious too—especially the potatoes. The seasoning was so good that we asked for extra several times!
For the main dish, we ordered their signature pork bone soup. The broth was rich and flavorful, and you can adjust the spice level if you want it spicy. All the ingredients were very fresh. The pork bones were cooked until the meat was super tender, and the portions were huge—more than enough for two people. We couldn’t finish it and ended up taking the rest home. It was very satisfying.
The staff helped with cooking and explained the dishes, making the whole dining experience really pleasant. Overall, it’s definitely worth a try! Great flavor, generous portions, and a must-visit spot for anyone who loves pork bone soup.“

“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.“

“Great to share in good company!“

“If you're looking for quality Korean BBQ, then look no further than SongHak! We have come several times now, and we are always impressed by the quality of the food here.

Our favorite items to order are the Combo #3 as it gives a good variety of meats. You can see how beautiful the marbling is on the meat even before it's cooked, and you'll know you've made the right choice eating here!

We like getting some of their other menu items like Tteokbokki and Kimchi Pancake that tie the meal all together nicely.

Would definitely recommend coming to Songhak for a great Korean BBQ meal!“

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

“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.“

“Delicious food and great atenttion“

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

“Inside the H Mart Balboa is a great Korean BBQ and Tofu Restaurant called Cho Dang that has delicious BBQ and tasty Tofu soup. I got the Galbi and Beef Tofu combo and it was amazing, the Galbi was perfectly marinated and the Tofu soup just as delicious.“

“Every time I go to work and leaving work, I see this place and planning to go here. I finally got a chance to today. The place is hidden and probably does get busy during lunch hours, but the place is very clean and the aroma is smells delicious! I’ll post a PS after I get my takeout order. Stay tuned!“

“The food was absolutely amazing! The service was excellent! The atmosphere was great! We will definitely be back. We wanted to try every single dish on the menu! Tried 4 this time and will be back to try the other dishes. This is a must go to place!“

“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.“

“Si ojalá iii iii Ku m lo más seguro“

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

“Yum!!! Our group of 6 shared one Chocolate Banana Bingsoo after an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ dinner, and it was the perfect size and sweet treat to end the night. Great balance of light, cold, sweet, and salty!

Line was out the door, and inside was very busy on a Thursday evening around 8/9 PM.

Would highly recommend for dessert!“

“It looks like any Korean BBQ restaurant in CA, but once walking in you're warmly greeted by someone who looks like the owner. She was very friendly. Still, the menu looked like any Korean restaurant with a plethora of options from appetizers to stews, meat to sushi.

Unexpectedly, the standout dish for me was the yukhoe (beef tartare). It’s definitely different from most places in the best way: instead of being overly sweet or heavy on seasoning, Shozen’s version lets the freshness and natural flavor of the beef shine. The texture is tender and clean, the seasoning is balanced with just the right hint of sesame oil, sesame seeds, pine nuts, chives and egg yolk. Surrounding the main attractive were slices of pear and cucumber. The dish felt thoughtfully composed helping the palate go through an unforgettable culinary experience.

The al jjigae (fish egg stew) was excellent as well—deep, rich, and clean with no fishy taste or smell. It’s the kind of stew that’s comforting and layered with so much flavor that you didn't even need rice to complement it.

Lastly, the service was outstanding. The owners were incredibly kind and accommodating—warm, attentive, and always smiling. You can feel their pride in what they serve and how they care for their guests. They would come by and ask if everything tasted alright, and made sure we weren't lacking any side dishes.

I wish we went for the Korean BBQ, but we were stuffed! Maybe next time. It was definitely a restaurant that I would love to come back to when I visit SD again. A++!“

“Overall good tasting but a suggestion regarding the $25 beef tendon plate. The portion is large, expensive and so awkward. Not many people want this as their only entree, and it’s still too big to share between 2 people. I would prefer a smaller portion for less cost. And include rice.“

“Epic grub! Will be back for sure!!“

“Delicious food and great atenttion“

“I recently had the pleasure of dining here and was thoroughly impressed, especially by their outstanding curry rice dishes.
My dining companions and I sampled a good variety of their offerings. The pork cutlet curry rice and gurobuta curry rice were both absolute standouts. The curry itself was rich and flavorful, perfectly complementing the tender, crispy cutlets. If you're a fan of Japanese curry, you seriously need to try Monsta Ramen Curry – it easily surpasses other well-known curry establishments.
Beyond the curry, their teriyaki skewers and spicy mayo skewers were delicious additions, perfectly grilled and packed with flavor. We also enjoyed the potato shrimp and takoyaki, both of which were perfectly cooked and satisfying.
What makes Monsta Ramen Curry even more appealing is the very reasonable price point. You get incredibly delicious food without breaking the bank.
In short, if you're craving authentic, delicious, and affordable Japanese curry rice, Monsta Ramen Curry is an absolute must-visit if you’re in Convoy Streer. You won't be disappointed!“

“We had a good experience. I had never been to the Barrio Logan Food Hub before, but you check in and pick up the food through a locker system, which was efficient, just a surprise.
We are gluten free and it was amazing being able to eat sauces and fried chicken safely. We are visiting from Nashville and we hope to see moonbowls there someday!“

“First time here not sure what to expect. Always mixed reviews for service. But that’s fine if the food is good.
Ox knee soup delicious
Beef tofu soup delicious. Try it with a scoop of gojujang if you want some spice
Korean short rib delicious. Not too fatty and tender
Kid friendly
Would come out again :)“

“Food was amazing for a late night eats. Came here after Niteharts festival at SnapDragon. The atmosphere is dimly lit and lively, with karaoke rooms on one side of the restaurant. We ordered the Seafood and kimchi pajeon, beef bone soup with ramen, kimchijjigae, and bibimbop. The portions are huge but we managed to big back it all. There were side dishes as well, but we were never offered refills on it. Seems like service is operated with a button setup to streamline their workflow, where there’s a service button for: water, bill, server. Overall solid place that closes late.“

“Somisomi is a great spot in a busy Mira Mesa strip mall, known for its smooth soft serve and warm, chewy taiyaki (fish-shaped waffle).

We spent $15 for five flavor-filled taiyaki (Nutella, custard, and sesame) and a cup of their beautiful purple and green ube/matcha soft serve. The taiyaki had a thin, crisp outer crunch and moist inner dough, while the tall swirl of soft serve was smooth and creamy.

The service is friendly and efficient, and they keep the line moving. Note that while there's plenty of free parking, the entire mall is very popular and often busy.

A highly recommended, semi-sweet treat for family and friends!“

“First of all I must tell you that I typically do not like Korean barbecue. That being said, this place is excellent. The food is really good. The service was also really good. The atmosphere was good it's going to be a loud place because there's a lot of people and that's okay. I took my daughter here for her birthday. We had a great time and I highly recommend that if you want to go to a good barbecue place to go here. The ratings were high so we drove 35 minutes to get there and it was worth it.“

“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.“

“all is good!“

“My parents in law tried Korean food for the first time! We ordered spicy dawji galbi jjim, soy drumsticks, bulgogi, corn cheese, rice and of course banchan. The food was amazing, they loved it and I loved it too! We even had some leftovers. The place was nice, the servers were awesome. It was great dinner for us.“

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

“Came here back in 2023 and finally back in 2025, always ordered the jajangmyeon and haven’t turned back on it since. Still great! Still consistent and will still order when i come back again.

Service is quick too, portion size is big too“

“This place is good at first I was really bummed to see bibigo disappear and was thinking that nothing would ever replace it ,but this place does a fine job at that. I really enjoyed all the food here and it has motivated me to. visit the UTC more often so I can eat here.“

“I had such a wonderful experience at this Flame Broiler location! This was my first time visiting this specific location, and I was truly impressed. The restaurant was spotless, and I really appreciated the outdoor seating option. that it made the visit even more enjoyable.

I want to give a special and heartfelt thank you to Elma. Elma's customer service was genuinely above and beyond. Elma is an incredibly kind and compassionate person, and Elma made my experience feel safer, more comfortable, and absolutely amazing. It’s rare to come across someone who brings that level of warmth to their work, and I’m so grateful.

I ordered the chicken with white rice, carrots, and green onions, one of the few options I can eat with my allergies. As always, Flame Broiler delivered the consistent flavors and textures I love.

Thank you, Elma, for being so awesome! I’ll definitely be returning to this location.“

“Ant was great — super friendly, attentive, and easygoing. The spot itself is really nice, with a chill vibe that makes you want to stay a while. And the hotteok? Absolutely delicious — crispy on the outside, soft and gooey inside. Ant made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable from start to finish. Thank you!“

“Stumbled upon this little restaurant in Miramar when I was in the area. Came in for a late lunch and the place was empty. There was a musty smell and I think it must be because the building is old. But the restaurant was clean and service was quick.
I ordered my chicken,beef, and veggie combo rice bowl to go. There was a lot of food and the price was very reasonable. Good place to grab lunch on the go.“

“Always my favorite chicken place to go to. ☺️“

“Amazing food!!!!❤️👍👍 must try“

“So many choices of protein and sides. Spicy beef soup really good. The cheesy corn so yummy. I love the two dipping sauces, one is more salty but really good. They are always jam packed but once your on the wait list it goes by pretty quick 😉. Parking is an issue but there's parking up the street for $8.55 4hours. We'll worth it.“

“Staff very attentive and friendly“

“I had an amazing experience here! The staff were professional and friendly, making me feel right at home. The highlight of my visit was definitely the spicy chicken wings - the Gabli wings were phenomenal! The flavor was just perfect. I highly recommend this place for anyone craving delicious Korean BBQ food and excellent service. Will definitely be coming back!“

“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.“

“Zzan sushi on convoy is sooooo delicious! the staff are the sweetest people, including the owner Tyler. They answered all our questions and were so patient. Everything we ordered was a 10/10. The vibes were so lovely and fun. We came as a group of 4 around 10pm and the wait was only 5-10 mins on a Friday night. So much fun!“

“First time here for karaoke party. The room was big they had a big screen TV they had a digital selection book. The mics worked well. Everyone that was in the party I was with had a good time. We were there on a Sunday afternoon between 1:00 and 4:00. FYI: the first two hours of parking is free the third hour you'll have to pay. you'll need one of those parking apps or you can scan the barcode off one of the signs in the parking lot.“