50 Best Korean Restaurants in San Francisco

“The best Korean fried chicken!!“

“Solid Korean and Chinese food Restaurant. My husband and I favorite food is their spicy marinated raw crab so addicting and delicious. We usually order the crispy garlic scallops, HK noodles and crispy garlic string beans. So far majority of their food has been really good and tasty. All the staff are friendly and courteous. The owner is husband and wife they are so friendly and very welcoming so pleasant to talk to. Their portion is big“

“2025: New owner. Marilyn sold the restaurant. I noticed my regular items like grilled mackerel and shrimp & vegetable TKim fry were no longer on the new menu. Then I noticed the wall specials were gone. Also, the article featuring Marilyn Lee in Ingleside was removed. Wait a minute, am I in the wrong restaurant? I asked the waitress and she said the restaurant got sold and is now under new ownership. Marilyn was always cool to me. I will miss her food.

Tonight's soft tofu stew, seafood $18 was OK. The beef option is no longer available. It is only pork seafood or vegetables now. The new menu is heavily truncated. No more 2 item combos, house specials like stir fried ramen or sandwiches. Previously, the banchan (little Korean dishes), included sprouts, potatoes and broccoli. Those are gone too. I only got cucumbers, tofu and the red cabbage.

New waitress seems OK. Nice but inattentive. People were walking up to pay because she was on the phone. Perhaps it was later in the evening and she had to finish up her closing tasks.

Updated review 10/27/2021: Go Go7 is still awesome. I love the little dishes of kimchi they serve before the meal. Tonight, I really wanted ramen but 21 Taste House down the block was closed for some reason. To satisfy my ramen craving, I ordered Go Go 7's stir fry ramen with bulgogi $12. The dish was huge and it almost made me regret ordering the deep fry shrimp and vegetable appetizer $8. I tried but could not finish it all. I had to take 1/2 of my food to go. Great job Go Go 7! This restaurant is an important part of the Ocean Ave. dining community.

Original review: Indoor dining 5/28/2021. Go Go 7 is a popular Korean restaurant. There was a parade of to-go pickup orders. All I heard were people ordering their two item combos. It is perfect if you don't want to do family style and still want a variety of items. The portions are perfect if you don't want a lot of leftovers in your fridge the next day. Tonight I had their bulgogi (marinated beef) sandwich $10 and grilled tofu $5. You don't usually see sandwiches at a traditional Korean BBQ restaurant. The bread was soft and it tasted great. The sandwich was not too dry or soggy and very flavorful. I enjoyed their little plates of kimchi. The bean spouts and the imitation crab with cucumber is a must try item. I liked it because you have something to munch on while they made my grill tofu appetizer and sandwich. They stayed open throughout the pandemic last year, even through that weird period when we had the curfews. I appreciated that. Guys like me had a really hard time looking for restaurants that were open. Great job everyone at Go Go 7. Love you guys!“

“Wow, that was the best tasting Korean food I’ve had in SF!

The short ribs were so tender and had the most delicate, slightly sweet and savory flavor.

We loved the Korean beef tartare and the glass noodles.

The line was long at 6 pm on a Wednesday so come prepared to wait. It’s definitely worth it.

We had left overs and it tasted just as good the next day.“

“This place always hits the spot! The flavors are amazing and I love all the banchan dishes. Plus! The rice comes with the food which should be the standard but nowadays other places charge for them.

The dishes are pricey but the portions are large and sometimes you can get a freebie! Definitely bring a friend to share with.“

“We returned to this restaurant twice during our visit to SF, it was that good. Very much enjoyed the garlic soy chicken wings, salmon eggs benedict, kimchi, bulgogi, pimped up ramyun, and of course the bacon.“

“Overall above average Korean food. The fried tofu kingbob was excellent. I also ordered the Korean fried chicken without sauce. The KFC could have had a crispier crust, but the inside was nice and tender. Service was friendly and fast. The atmosphere was basic with a strong fast food vibe.“

“Very nice staff and attentive… Food was excellent and fresh.. The establishment was very very clean.. highly recommend“

“Zajang Grill is the best restaurant“

“I love this place! I come here all the time to do homework. The menu is well rounded, the noodle plates are bomb. They're always served fresh and hot. As a sago lover, their mixed fruit flavor is one of the best, you have to try it if you're a fan of boba vibes and want to try something new. The staff is always friendly and they're open late. I shared a bingsu for the first time and it was a fun experience all around. This is genuinely one of my favorite places in West Portal.“

“Got here at opening, the place was mostly empty. The staff was polite and helpful. Placed my rice bowl with Korean Bulgogi as protein, the bowl was tasty and with fresh vegetables. The service was quick, got my food in 5 minutes.

The bulgogi was bit plain, not a lot of flavor and wish more meats too😊. There are both indoor and outdoor seatings.“

“The food was good overall, but I was a little underwhelmed. For the price and the way the restaurant presents itself as elevated Korean cuisine, I expected something a bit more sophisticated and distinctive.

A lot of the dishes felt like something you could get at a good Korean restaurant, with one or two modern touches added. Those additions were interesting, but I didn’t feel that they necessarily improved the dish or made all the flavors come together in an exceptional way. In several cases, I probably would have been just as happy eating the more traditional version.“

“We never miss a chance to dine here when we’re in San Fernando. Amazing meals, amazing staff <3“

“September 2026:
Came here for dinner on a Friday night. Got here at 545pm and there was a few people on the wait list already. Truly a good sign!

Note that I used to come here often about 20 years ago. Back then, food was excellent 👍.

We ordered two orders of kalbi, jjigae, dolsot bibimbap, mung bean pancakes, and egg souffle. Everything was superb.

Glad I came back here after all these years. Very happy they're still serving most excellent Korean BBQ.

Service was very friendly and attentive.“

“We were looking for a place for a quick breakfast and, based on reviews, stopped in here. The portions are generous and all the dishes are very fresh. What really makes this a stand out spot is the hospitality. The owners/staff are beyond friendly and welcoming.“

“Just incredible Korean contemporary fusion cuisine. Kept the fundamentals of the Korean authenticity with unique broad appealing western gastronomic desires. Well done!!!👍“

“This place should have a line out the door every day. Incredible value. Excellent service. Delicious food. Warm and friendly staff. They greeted all their regulars by name like old friends. I can't wait to become a regular myself. I can't recommend enough. Coming back as often as I can.“

“We searched 20 min for a parking spot during peak dinner rush. It was worth every minute! Our party of 5 ordered udon, kebabs, BBQ pork, & sizzling Bibimbap. All happy customers & rated it the #1 dinner of our 4 (so far) in San Francisco.“

“This was my go to when craving jjigae while living in SF. The chicken’s good too, but make sure to share it; the portion is very generous. Lastly, the folk running this place are really friendly and kind. Will miss having this place nearby!“

“The sushi and sashimi here were so incredibly tender -- the fish would literally melt in my mouth! We got a tasty soup-based main dish as well, and I'd recommend getting it with the sushi if you're very hungry. The service was fantastic, and our waitress was very kind and generous. If you're craving a good mix of sushi and korean food, this place is definitely worth it!“

“My husband and I wanted to try Korean fried chicken. 🍗🐔 The place is very clean and The owner was helpful and kind. 😊👍 He helped us choose a few chicken flavors. 🌶🍯 Absolutely delicious 😋. 💯“

“Great food and at a great price. Can’t wait to go back“

“Yesterday our first time there. The food was delicious and the service as well we definitely will have to come back soon!!! Thank you!“

“This small cafe is on the alley directly across from the hall of justice and has four tables and another dozen seats along a wall. The menu is limited but the food is good and the quantity is large. There’s free water with glass containers you can bring to your seat. We ordered two bulgabi bowls, one a mini and the other the regular. Both had broccoli, chap chai, brown rice and a lot of beef. It came with sauces as well. The food was good and a mini would’ve been enough for both of us. Service was friendly but the beef was a bit tough to chew. The place is large but spartan but clean.“

“Super nice/friendly folks. Food came out quick. Nice large portions. Was super satisfied“

“This is our local, “go to” place whenever we’re craving Korean food. It never disappoints. At night, they generally project K-pop music videos onto a large wall, which brings the whole room to life. Lotsa fun!“

“Just the Korean meal we were looking for! Classic, satisfying, and delicious. I got the budae jjigae (army stew) which was just what the doctor ordered. We also got the tteokbokki as an app and my boyfriend had the chicken bibimbap. Plus we got to watch the World Cup game! Lovely, kind staff, and generous banchan- all around a great experience.“

“One of our favorite spots in the Richmond. Sean and Alice are as terrific as their ice cream!“

“We had such a great experience at ABSteak by Chef Akira Back. The quality of the meat was exceptional, and the tableside grilling made the dinner feel special and interactive. Everything we tried was flavorful and beautifully prepared, especially the wagyu and the Korean-inspired dishes.

The restaurant has a sophisticated, modern atmosphere, while the service was attentive and professional throughout the evening. It’s definitely a more elevated take on Korean BBQ and a great choice for a special dinner or date night in San Francisco.

We really enjoyed our experience and would happily come back!

@visit_sf“

“Spicy seafood stew was yummy- good amount of spice without overpowering the flavor of the stew. Lots of protein. Heads up, I got like half the body of a crab with legs that was still in its shell; it was a cool visual but kind of hard to eat. Love that we got a bunch of appetizers that just come at the start of the meal for everyone and we all got rice. The kimchi was too sweet for me personally- guessing there’s sugar in it and I’d prefer it without.“

“My review is for the dinner tasting menu. At $89/person you get a full course Korean inspired meal. Each dish was fresh, light and had hit the tongue palate in all the right spots.

Beef tartare was light and perfectly seasoned. The main galbijjim steak with rice and chimichurri was buttery soft with hint of sweet aftertaste .

My friends and I could not stop eating! We were a larger group of 9 and the host did so well explaining each dish. She even gave tips on how to get the photos ! Atmosphere inside at night was modern and trendy. I can imagine it as a good date spot as well.“

“This was my first time here, and it definitely won’t be my last. The food was excellent, the staff was very friendly, and the interior was beautiful. It was a pleasure to spend time here. I had a great time with my brothers and really enjoyed the experience“

“My foodie coworkers have nothing but praises every time you guys cater for us. Impressive how you pull off such tasty AND healthy food. Thank you!“

“My husband brought me here for my Birthday. It was amazing. I love Korean food, but this was next level. It is in the Tenderloin, I do not let that intimidate you. It is worth the walk from the Hotel Nikko. The restaurant is beautifully decorated. The food earned it Michelin Star. Try the Korean pancakes.“

“this is my favorite korean restaurant ever!! i always get the galbijim & clam soup noodles - would highly recommend! it’s also conveniently located inside h mart so you can go grocery shopping right after & check out the other stores in this little plaza.“

“I knew exactly what I wanted as I walked in. I smelled the Bibimbop and my tummy was already smiling. the service was great! and the food was delicious! our 3 year old approved the Chicken Cutlets with their special sauce! we're definitely coming back the next time we're in town!“

“Nice place to dine in with family and friends“

“The Korner Store is a private event space now. I sent an inquiry in for a Saturday night booking, and received prompt response with a quote and some options. There's a minimum food and drink amount. I coordinated a walk through of the space and made a deposit!

The hosts and owners (Ina and Nick) are incredibly helpful throughout the booking and night of the event. My ~40 guests enjoyed the Korean food and full bar. We had a fantastic time in the private space. The venue has tv screens, music inputs, DJ and dance area, karaoke, and an optional photobooth. I highly recommend considering The Korner Store for your next event.“

“Went to Purple Rice 🍚💜 for lunch craving Kimchi Jiggae! They did not dissapoint 😋. I had the Kimchi Stew with pork, and it came out SIZZLING hot 🥵 . The service was fast and friendly, I will definitely be back very soon 🫶🏽“

“The best sea bass and the best sushi 🍣 Love it“

“Among the food court options at Hmart, I can only recommend two places: Daeho Galbijjim and Hong Kong Banjum. I’ve tried food from the other spots, but I wouldn’t recommend them. Especially Jung Bunsik—maybe it’s best to stay away from there!

Jajangmyeon and Jjamppong are truly the soul food of Koreans, aren’t they? I love both, but in San Francisco, it’s hard to find places that do them well consistently. The taste often varies too much. That’s why Hong Kong Banjum, with its reliably consistent flavor, is my top pick.

I recommend their Jjamppong, Tangsuyuk, and Jjajangbap!“

“I stopped at this restaurant due to the time I decided to find something to eat, as it was late and everything was closing for the evening. I stopped in and was greeted by the friendly staff, and the place was a little busy. I was able to get served for the time i had about a little over an hour before they closed. I was very limited on what I could order due to the gluten problem. but the server and staff was very helpful in finding dishes that I could get just had to leave out a few things to make it gluten free. it was a very good choice of what we came up with and everything turned out to be a success for a late night dinner. Thank you again guys for the help and the service. You guys are awesome. Stop and check this place out the food was full of flavor and the toppings on the side made for tasteful options to add for each bite.“

“A good place to taste Korean and Japanese cuisine with a twist.“

“Grocery-store side only: I hadn't shopped here since before they opened the downstairs area and what an ordeal I had today - I found everything I needed for the next few days to make bbq, bibimbap, and noodle dishes in the shop. All the produce was A+ and I even found the different ramyuns I was looking for (massive ramen aisle). The staff was hella helpful and friendly to help me find things except for one lady. The Auntie cashiers were super kind and sweet and as they were checking out my groceries, engaged in cute conversation over me learning Korean and my affinity for kpop. I forgot my H-Mart card but she said to come back with it and my receipt to get credit. I went to my car to load my groceries only to realize I dropped my car keys somewhere in the store! Luckily for me, some kind soul returned it to the Customer Service desk where I was able to get it. Thank you H-Mart staff! <3 (Next time I'll spend more time checking out the downstairs.)“

“Better than Seoul Sausage and they won the Great American Food Truck Race! Perfect balance of spice, sauce, and crunch. The outside is amazing and the Parmesan was a nice touch!“

“I got a pork bulgogi lunch combo to-go and it was good! Purple rice was a bit dry/cold, japchae has no veggies in it (it's just the noodles), the salad is iceberg lettuce. I like that they gave me a little container of kimchi and broccoli. The pork bulgogi was tasty but oily. Portion size was great, and the server who checked me out was nice! Be warned that the menu pictures are outdated, prices are higher now and they no longer have sikhye (rice drink) available. Would come here again for a quick casual Korean lunch to-go :)“

“Great service and food 😋👍🏻“

“I’ve finally made it to this Asian fusion
casual spot. Rustic ambiance and seating options for all party sizes. Friendly service.
Menu is a good blend of Korean and Japanese food.
Everything was tasty and portioned to share or eat solo.
A good spot to visit.“

“I like the Sam’s hamburger“