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++!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alex Kara
One of our favorite places in San Diego!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kirk Garzelli (Gumiho)
Great staff. Food was authentic and super tasty. Perfect with soju. I miss it so much after moving to Seattle. Reminded me of when I was back in Korea.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chang Daniel
Lovely homey vibe. Nice staff, friendly service. Korean dishes here are authentic and solid.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andy Ibarra
Can't beleive I've lived in the area for so long, that I haven't tried this ! Nice comfy atmosphere, and very homey. Initially was going to to the AYCE, but decided to just go side and entrees. Good thing we did! These plates were enormous! Such generous portions! And the food tasted really good! We didn't finish because we had so much food. Our server, I beleive, was one of the owners, and she was a very sweet and attentative, considering it was just her and the chef( possibly her husband). She even packed our food nicely with foil on the inside of our take-out box! Definitely coming back here again to try someone the other stuff on the menu, or even the AYCE. Support this local gem! 21 years in business, and I can see why.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anton Dzodzikov
Best Korean place I have visited in San Diego. I can’t say about the all you can eat option, but a la carte was a killer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
DAVID GUZMAN
One of favorite family owned Korean BBQ places . Not the most luxurious but service and meat are great. Our favorite is the wine marinated pork belly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jon Padilla
Very authentic Korean restaurant that has been here over 20 plus years... so they must be doing something right... They offer Japanese dishes of all types, including sashimi, as well as all the best signature Korean dishes. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jennifer M
This restaurant has the best of everything. I like all of the pickled sides, the dipping sauces, and the meats that I order. My favorite meats from here are abomuseum, pork jowl, and beef brisket. The owners know us here and are always friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stephanie Peacock
Our favorite kbbq in Mira Mesa, one of the best in San Diego :) the meats are the best quality ever seen for an AYCE spot, good price, cozy atmosphere. Other AYCE spots in SD have waits that are way too long and parking that is too difficult, meats that are very inconsistent in quality (especially poor quality UNLESS you go to select spots in Convoy), and high prices. The only thing missing here is banchan variety and beef tongue, but we’ve had so much bad beef tongue at other places in SD so it’s not too missed.
Our party had AYCE. Meat quality was high. Service was amazing. Owners were very friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere was cozy. Would definitely go back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Myles Marcus
Food here is amazing & atmosphere is super peaceful!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Olivia Ruiz
The beef belly and the brisket are pretty tasty, in general the food is pretty good, the prices are accessible, the place is great 😊
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Brisket, Rice and Miso Soup and Salad
Anthony Russell
Got takeout here. Sesame Chicken with rice was very good. Chicken cooked great. Service was very good. Seems like a nice restaurant. I highly recommend this location.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonette Lui
Absolutely amazing food!! Good service and nice people!
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++!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of our favorite places in San Diego!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great staff. Food was authentic and super tasty. Perfect with soju. I miss it so much after moving to Seattle. Reminded me of when I was back in Korea.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lovely homey vibe. Nice staff, friendly service. Korean dishes here are authentic and solid.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Can't beleive I've lived in the area for so long, that I haven't tried this !
Nice comfy atmosphere, and very homey. Initially was going to to the AYCE, but decided to just go side and entrees. Good thing we did! These plates were enormous! Such generous portions!
And the food tasted really good! We didn't finish because we had so much food.
Our server, I beleive, was one of the owners, and she was a very sweet and attentative, considering it was just her and the chef( possibly her husband).
She even packed our food nicely with foil on the inside of our take-out box! Definitely coming back here again to try someone the other stuff on the menu, or even the AYCE.
Support this local gem! 21 years in business, and I can see why.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best Korean place I have visited in San Diego. I can’t say about the all you can eat option, but a la carte was a killer.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of favorite family owned Korean BBQ places . Not the most luxurious but service and meat are great. Our favorite is the wine marinated pork belly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very authentic Korean restaurant that has been here over 20 plus years... so they must be doing something right...
They offer Japanese dishes of all types, including sashimi, as well as all the best signature Korean dishes. Highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This restaurant has the best of everything. I like all of the pickled sides, the dipping sauces, and the meats that I order. My favorite meats from here are abomuseum, pork jowl, and beef brisket. The owners know us here and are always friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our favorite kbbq in Mira Mesa, one of the best in San Diego :) the meats are the best quality ever seen for an AYCE spot, good price, cozy atmosphere. Other AYCE spots in SD have waits that are way too long and parking that is too difficult, meats that are very inconsistent in quality (especially poor quality UNLESS you go to select spots in Convoy), and high prices. The only thing missing here is banchan variety and beef tongue, but we’ve had so much bad beef tongue at other places in SD so it’s not too missed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Our party had AYCE. Meat quality was high. Service was amazing. Owners were very friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere was cozy. Would definitely go back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Food here is amazing & atmosphere is super peaceful!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The beef belly and the brisket are pretty tasty, in general the food is pretty good, the prices are accessible, the place is great 😊
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Brisket, Rice and Miso Soup and Salad
Got takeout here. Sesame Chicken with rice was very good. Chicken cooked great. Service was very good. Seems like a nice restaurant. I highly recommend this location.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely amazing food!! Good service and nice people!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bulgogi
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