43 Best Korean Restaurants in San Francisco

“We ordered this via Doordash on a whim because we were craving it.
The jajjangmyeon was one of the best that I had =)
The jjamppong was very unique with half a crab included. It was delicious, but a bit too spicy for me.
We can't give a comment on service/atmosphere but we were very satisfied with our meal. Definitely would visit again in store to try it fresh on the spot!!“

“The best Korean fried chicken!!“

“Kalbijjim Braised beef short rib impressed me. No matter the size of the rib, whether it was small or large, all were super tender, fall off the bone kind of tender, juicy and tasty. Good amount of it. Not enough rice cakes though. I maybe found 5 rice cakes and that’s it.
Got the normal size but a lot of people recommend to do the XL.

The sauce was really good. Spice level 1 was perfect. And the cheese on top makes a difference. It’s expensive but VERY good and I can’t wait to come back to eat it again.
Large portion, filling, but doesn’t wreck a havoc on your digestion system.
Their purple rice is also very good and I normally don’t like it.

Was not a huge fan of their banchan though. The pickled radish and kimchi was definitely not my favorite and they usually are at any Korean restaurant.“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“Zajang Grill is the best restaurant“

“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.“

“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.“

“i can't begin to describe the happiness i experienced when i tried their chicken for the first time. the sauce on their ganjang KFC is amazing, the perfect balance of sweet and savory. it was the kind of meal that i know i'll be missing for the rest of my life. also had their tteokbokki, which was delicious.“

“Food is good, and they are not stingy at all, Important part! Very ease and quick service, I ordered Bimbim naengmyeon, the rest are complimentary. Still got dessert drink! Went there at 3:30 pm because i thought who gonna eat at that hour right!? Well, I was wrong, full house.“

“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.“

“Great food. An amazing way to end an evening out in Japantown. The Soy Garlic wings were very crispy, crunchy on the outside. The meat itself was flavorful and juicy. My girlfriend said it was the best she ever had. The Galbi Steak was also great. I recommend paying the extra $5 for the lettuce wraps and samjang. Overall, I had a great time & great date with my girlfriend. I felt the food was worth the price.“

“Super yum sushi-to-go, fresh at 10:45am, this was a lovely surprise for a late breakfast/early lunch when I just stopped in to warm up with a coffee. Kimbap on Tuesdays and Thursdays can’t wait to try that!!! Also they have what looks like a great quick-serve menu of Korean kimbap shop staples like dolsot bibimbap and galbi set menus. Great surprise!!! Musubi looked awesome too. Coffee was hot, fresh and perfect strength. Bonus hazelnut flavored and decaf also. Nice neighbourhood vibe, tables chatting to each other about sports and local news, owners seemed super cool. Good hot breakfast menu. What a lovely find on my emergency de-icing stop in!!! Will be back!!“

“Came here after getting my haircut. The place was not busy. I placed my order for Saucy Asian Bowl 50/50 rice and salad mix with spicy chicken. It came out a few minutes later. I dined in. There are seat inside and a couple outside the place.“

“Hands down my most favorite Korean food in San Francisco. It is small and long line but the food is homemade. The quality per dollar is totally worth it. Any dish is great. My personal favorite is the fried chicken wings.

UPDATE 2026/6: Visited again and I am surprised that they still keep the food delicious and filling without a lot of prices hike. It is still my favorite place in SF for Korean food :)“

“I came here for the smashburger, but i guess they dont do lunch untill later in the day. I ordered a breakfast sandwich instead, and it was really good! Hopefully i can try the lunch menu one day but i dont think it lines up with my work schedule. 🙃 will be comming back for breakfast though.😇“

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

“K Soul Chicken is the perfect place for a little Korean fried chicken and snacks pick me up! Their chicken is fried to perfection, and offer so many different flavors. Posted right along Polk St, so it is the perfect place to get the party started over a little beer & casual dinner with friends before hitting up the bars. Aside from the fried chicken, the bbq pork plate and mandu were also delicious and filling. They’ve been serving the community for 35 years, and the owner is so kind and welcoming. Definitely hit them up if you’re in the mood for some delicious KFC & Korean staples.“

“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!“

“Under appreciated restaurant in the financial district. Picture yourself sitting here with just your thoughts. I came here for a meeting. The staff gave me my food and I sat down at one of their tables to eat and do my video call. Some people want a cafe, but I prefer a place with kimchi and rice.“

“We ordered a bimbimbap, japchae, soup and galbi for 3 of us. The portions are good size and the flavor of each dish was good. In particular I liked the soup the best, but only wish they have more glass noodles in it. I also appreciate that this restaurant isn't using much of MSG so I wouldn't be drinking gallons of water after the meal.

The restaurant was not too busy so they only had 2 staff on the floor. They were still able to check on you for anything we need.

I also like the restaurant playing some soft music from the tv which makes the meal more enjoyable. (Though we had a table of 5 ladies behind us, so their talking was louder than the music.)

Parking is outside on the street. It was okay with us as we went during the long weekend but I guess it may get busy during some other times.

One thing I didn't appreciate as much was the cleaning (muggy) smell of the restaurant. The smell was strong when we first got there but eventually the cooking from the kitchen overpowered that smell.“

“ABSteak SF was honestly a 5/5 for me. I came in expecting a really good Korean BBQ experience, but it ended up being one of those meals where every course kept getting better. From the moment the cuts started coming out, you could tell the quality was on another level. Everything was fresh, beautifully marbled, and cooked exactly how it should be.

The wagyu pizza was one of the highlights for sure. Super flavorful, rich, and just different in the best way. But the standout of the night was the wagyu ribeye. I don’t say this lightly, but it was the best wagyu ribeye I’ve ever had. The texture, the flavor, the way it melted in your mouth, everything about it was perfect.

The whole experience felt elevated without being too much. Great food, great service, great atmosphere, and the kind of meal you keep thinking about after you leave. Easily one of the best KBBQ spots I’ve been to, and I’d 100% come back. Highly recommend ABSteak SF.“

“I’ve been wanting to try this place for months and finally made it in last Friday with my cousin and sister. We ordered the honey butter potatoes, beef tartare, clams, soondubu with the seafood add-on, fried Wagyu beef, cucumber salad, and the salt bread churros. Overall, the food was decent, but most of the dishes didn’t quite meet our expectations. That said, the drinks were a standout, phenomenal and easily the highlight of the experience.“

“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!“

“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!“

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

“Yummy yummy yummy! 🥰 1st time here with my daughter and it was so yummy! We we will be back! 😋😋😋“

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

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

“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!“

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

“Ollei is a fantastic neighborhood find that brings a warm, welcoming vibe and top tier Korean comfort food to the bustling Russian Hill area. The atmosphere is cozy and character filled, making it a perfect spot for everything from a casual dinner to a late night craving. The service is consistently praised for being friendly and attentive, with thoughtful touches like hand drawn happy faces on takeout orders that show they truly care about their guests. The menu is packed with standouts: the Army Stew (Budae Jjigae) and Seafood Pancakes are absolute must orders for their rich flavors and generous portions, while the Soft Tofu Soup and Bulgogi consistently hit the mark for quality and authenticity. Don't miss the Ollei Chicken Wings perfectly crunchy and available with a delicious soy garlic or spicy glaze or the inventive Creamy Ttok & Pasta for a unique fusion twist. Whether you're diving into a hearty bowl of Beef Ramen or sharing a plate of Corn Cheese with friends, Ollei delivers a satisfying, 5-star experience that feels like a warm hug in every bite.“

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

“I’ve been going here for almost 10 years now since it’s next to Kaiser. I’m grateful for this neighborhood jajangmyun place. Hits the spot when you want some. I’ve lived in a Korean food desert and would have loved a little place like this nearby.“

“Great service and food 😋👍🏻“

“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.“

“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.“

“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 🫶🏽“

“Great Food! And Very nice Small Restaurant“

“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!“

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

“Each bowl at Matko is flavorful and has a good serving of meat that suits the $16 price tag. Unfortunately, the add-ons feel like I'm getting nickled and dimed. $1 for sauce? $1.50 for two sets of utensils with two napkins? $0.50 for a bag? It makes every order an exercise in frugality.“