43 Best Korean Restaurants in San Jose

“Omogari is popping here in the Japantown neighborhood and I was excited to dine here with some friends in their outdoor patio.

With a long line for Korean food and indoor/outdoor seating, be sure to use the Yelp waitlist if you can to get ahead of the wait.

They have classic Korean dishes with fairly generous portions from what I could tell. Limited veggie options (and you'll have to ask to make sure something can be fully plant-based/vegan), but I was happy to see they could make their Mushroom Sundubu with veggie stock. I ordered that spicy and it luckily also came with rice.

The sundubu was fantastic and hit every note I could want from a tofu stew. Loved the veggies, the broth was not too salty, and the accompanied banchan was great with the meal.

Service was also pretty fast considering how busy they were and they checked in on us for just the right amount of time. Thanks Omogari for a great dinner experience.“

“I actually love this place so much it's unreal.

The soup is hot and yummy, the sides are great and as far as I know are free refills, it comes with a free drink, and the workers are nice. Truly a hidden treasure, highly recommend you come here.“

“Small cute place in a shopping area with nice people, seemed like a family run restaurant. They do mark vegetarian items on the menu with a small leaf sign. Please, be careful as their Soft tofu soup is made with beef bone broth, and if you’re ordering mushroom like I did make sure to inform them that you’re a vegetarian/vegan.

Slightly disappointing was that vegetarian soup is made with water and in the beginning tasted like peppery water with soft tofu but after throwing banchan (side salads) to the soup it became very delicious and flavorful! My husband had stone bowl rice dish Bibimbap with tofu which was priced the same as the ones with meat etc and was a little small for him.

They refilled our banchan for free and it was delicious: cucumber one had sweetness to it, and radish one was amazing and differently marinated — not the standard spicy cubed radish kimchi but something with plum extract maybe (not sure but it had deep and I want to say a little smoky maybe fruity flavor).

They gave us complimentary small cookies at the end, service was great!“

“We got the dinner combo menu with beef ribs, spicy pork, veggie soondubu, and dumplings. It was so good and a great value. The service was really fast, and the waitresses were so sweet and kind. They always asked if we extra sides and made sure we were okay! Definitely would come back and recommend.“

“Very clean and nice Korean restaurant with tons of delicious vegetarian choices from pancakes, salads, tofu soups and side dishes!!!!

Not oily, no food coma after the meal! No more “Give me whole bottle of water! My body is filled with MSG!!!”

Highly recommended ?????“

“I had been waiting for this place to open for a long time, and finally got to visit when it did. The food and cleanliness were excellent. I ordered the bulgogi and my husband had the spicy pork, and both dishes were delicious with tender, flavorful meat.
We’ll definitely be coming back again!“

“At poke places, it is so important for the food to be fresh. You don't have to worry about this here. The staff is willing to help you arrange your bowl if you want any suggestions about pairings. Highly recommend!“

“Instant acknowledgment and seating for me and my mom. They gave us time to browse the menu while answering questions we had = Good service. Food was quickly brought to the table despite busy orders constantly coming in. (Popular. Food was flavorful, hefty portions. I would return with newcomers, confidently.“

“The service and ordering process were very smooth and hassle-free, which made the experience even better. I really enjoy Korean chicken, and this place does an excellent job of capturing the authentic flavor that reminds me of home. My son absolutely loved the fried chicken — it was crispy, flavorful, and he couldn’t stop eating it. This is truly a family-friendly spot where both adults and kids can enjoy a great meal together. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for the best Korean“

“Seafood pancakes serve as an appetizer/ side dish... Baebimpop is a winner for me DELICIOUS FOODS👌“

“I have been a big fan of Yummy Tofu for years, and looks like it’s now under new management.

Food is slightly different than before, the side dishes used to be more traditional which is personal preference.

As shown in this photo, the food was very fresh and the service was excellent. The staffs were very polite and handled food with care. Greatly appreciated it.“

“Overall, the food is good here but I don't think I would need to come back.

Seafood pancake was thick, crunchy and can be shared with a group of 4 or more. For how much you got, there wasn't enough sauce to dip it in.

Grilled mackerel was my favorite. It wasn't too salty, crispy on the outside, and had good flavor. I was just disappointed that our plate was taken away, which still had a small piece left and wasn't asked if we were done with it.

We got the army stew and it was on the saltier side, which then got saltier once the broth dried up from the stove. It was spicy and had a nice kick. Flavor was good but it was just really salty. The small size was enough for a group of 4.

This doesn't feel like an authentic Korean restaurant. They don't see any alcohol like soju. Parking in this plaza can get crazy. With that said, I wouldn't make the extra effort in coming here.“

“I love going to this place for lunch whenever I visit this area for work. The service is quick and food is fresh , healthy and delicious. I love their rice bowls with tofu and the tofu stew which is served with rice, jhapchae ( glass noodles) ,kimchi and pickled cucumbers. Do recommend their hot stone bowls .“

“We went on a Friday night. This was our second time at MoDak. I was surprised there was nobody dining in when we got there, but I was happy to see they had some togo orders.
I love the decor.
The food is excellent.
The only thing I would suggest is not adding sesame oil to their kimbaps. I have eaten kimbaps in many different places. This was the first time they had sesame oil on them.“

“It's hard to find excellent Korean food in the South Bay, so when I come across a good restaurant I always have to give praise! Sogongdong Tofu Town piles on the flavor and I never feel like I’m eating bland, Americanized Korean food. If this were LA, I might bump it down a star because the food scene there is so competitive. But many restaurants here can’t even deliver the basic flavors right, so I’m thrilled to discover this place conveniently tucked in an Hmart. The soondubu jjigae (”tofu soup”) here is stellar and as good as any that you’ll find in K-Town LA!“

“This is the best kept secret in South San Jose. The food is to die for here! The kalbi is a premium cut and you can taste it in every bite. They have the best raw marinated crabs I’ve ever had. They also have meat Jun which I rarely find in restaurants here in the bay.

And of course, the soups are on point with silky, melt in your mouth tofu and fresh seafood. I love this place and will take the family back again and again!“

“Rachel and her team are AMAZING, the food is so delicious. I hired the truck for a work event and everyone enjoyed the choices, some folks came back for seconds and thirds! Rachel is reliable and super friendly, from booking the truck to the end of the event everything was seamless.“

“Good food and very friendly customer service.“

“We love coming here because of the friendly service and the amazing food! The spicy pork and the kimchi beef stew are some favorites, not too spicy but spicy enough that you get a nice kick out of it. The ribs are our favorites hands down. They're sweet and nicely grilled. Great food. Great service. Highly recommend.Went to eat 9/13/2023 and noticed that it is under new management "Big Spoon". Sad day.“

“Good food. Family run with friendly service“

“My favorite Korean spot in San Jose! I feel grateful that I don't have to go to Santa Clara or Sunnyvale to get my dolsot bimbimbap or yukaejang!

The service is also super awesome, kind and generous. This has been my go-to spot for years. So happy they are open and serving awesome Korean food. This coming from a Korean girl who grew up eating her mom's and grandma's home cooking!“

“buena atención, muy buena comida, ambiente agradable“

“Monday evening. Not too busy. Easy parking. They have a few tables inside. You order and they bring the food to your table. Prices are good for the tofu stew and the ramen. Tofu stew comes with Kim chee but my daughter doesn’t eat it. Poke bowl was fine. The crab meat is a little dry.“

“I have only ordered food online. The food was absolutely delicious!, Their salad bowls are bursting with flavor. They are very healthy and tasty at the same time. I am a vegetarian so I've only tried their veg entrees and they are really really tasty. The staff are very polite and kind - having interacted with them over chat for questions. Highly recommend Moon Bowls.“

“SGD Tofu House is a good spot for comforting Korean food. Their soon tofu soup arrives bubbling hot and full of flavor, with silky tofu and just the right amount of spice. The banchan (side dishes) are fresh and varied—kimchi, cucumber kimchi, japchae, bean sprouts, and fish cakes—all delicious. I also loved that they serve raw eggs to crack into the soup, which makes it even richer and more satisfying.“

“Excellent food, service, and the resturant overall. Would definitely recommended trying their seafood tofu soup and seafood pancakes, two of my favorites. They have reasonable prices so every time I come here with my family, I am very satisfied! 🔥😊“

“Sometimes it pays to not be guided by the average rating of a restaurant. I ordered the bi bim bap (sp) with spicy pork and it was delicious! The veggies around the bowl were super fresh!!! The rice was perfect. I had been worried the pork would be fatty; it wasn’t. I usually find the Korean side sauce too sweet, this one was sweet but I kept dipping in. It had a kick! Today’s experience was that this place uses quality ingredients. Thank you for that!“

“Came here to try it out cause I’ve been to the sf location and liked it. For sure they didn’t disappoint, good food and awesome service! Will be my friends and I new go to place for kbbq!“

“If you're a sushi lover, Bamboo Fish Sushi is an absolute must-try! The quality of the fish here is unparalleled—always fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The sushi chefs are incredibly attentive, taking their time to craft each piece with precision, and you can tell they truly care about the craft.

A special shoutout to the owner, who really knows how to run a fantastic restaurant. Their warm hospitality and attention to detail make every visit feel special. It's clear that they prioritize customer experience, and that goes a long way.

Whether you're a sushi connoisseur or new to the scene, Bamboo Fish Sushi will not disappoint. Highly recommend it great night out.“

“We had the grilled chicken bibimbap. The price was very good but I wondered if ban chan was included and didn’t see any note about it and there was none on the sides menu that I could find. Anyway, it wasn’t included and that was disappointing. However, the bibimbap was excellent! We loved it and would definitely eat here again!“

“I love bbq chicken ❤️I eat it twice a month. I always order two kinds of boneless chicken and cheese sticks. There are two types of batter, one is crunchy. The other is crispy like tempura. Both are very delicious 😋 The spicy seasoning is really spicy, so it doesn't suit me. People who like spicy food will be satisfied.“

“Online order was on time, and everything tasted delicious! Only nit pick is that we ordered sweet potato fries and they were not crispy. Should have sat in the fryer another 30 sec to a min. I was there a few mins before order was ready and we live 5 mins away so they didn't get soggy because of sitting around for too long.“

“Hole in the wall Korean BBQ and ramen joint. Don't expect much for ambiance, just a walkup counter and take your food to go. There's no restroom available and no free water.The cheese ramen is a delicious surprise - creamy, with a smidge of spice. The sandwiches are a pile of meat on bread, no veggies and sides are extra. I got the King sandwich, which is a pile of pork rib meat and hot links on a simple white bread roll. It was very good, but I'd like to add kimchi next time for some variety.“

“Amazing food! Love every item is fresh and delicious . extremely friendly staff! A must try!“

“A casual, great value gem in SJ! Kampai offers a “salmon lovers special” for $22 and it is the best salmon I have ever had. A fantastic value! Service was prompt and friendly, and the vibe is relaxed. Sit at the bar to watch the sushi chef work his magic! I also ordered tamago and it was the best I’ve ever had: super moist and fresh with perfect amount of sweetness. Everything is clean and welcoming. Parking is abundant and easy.“

“Everything is great because now they have a “robot” that brings you your food. Lol.

The food came out hot and fresh. The all you can eat buffet is definitely worth it if you are a foodie.

Also, the server that was working was so friendly and helpful. He kept coming over to check on us.
Plus, he was so sweet to our baby.

They have free parking, high chairs, and bathrooms.

Kid-friendliness: High chairs are available!“

“Great food great service …. But run out of KimChi ….😔🤨 … so unKorean …gotta have KIMCHI 😫“

“Everything everything at this place is delicious there’s times that I do not get enough. Enjoy everyone you will not be disappointed.“

“I had a great time at Goku Korean BBQ! The atmosphere was cozy and modern, and the grill setup made the whole experience fun and interactive. The meat selection was fresh and high-quality — especially the short ribs, which were juicy and flavorful. The side dishes were delicious and varied, from kimchi to marinated vegetables, adding a perfect balance to the rich meats. Service was friendly and attentive, and the food came out quickly. Overall, it’s a great spot for anyone craving authentic and tasty Korean BBQ. Highly recommended!“

“Newly discovered Korean fried chicken place .. it was amazinggggg!!!! I had chicken wings for two back to back days from here..

I tried three flavors and all were great. The second day I ended up ordering some drums too which were a hit with my kid.. we got the soy garlic, the Korean BBQ and Yangnyeom. There is a subtle difference between all three of them so I honestly didn’t know which was which while eating them but can honestly say that ALL of them tasted incredible.

The lady who prepped my order was incredibly sweet and really helped me get my order ready. She even helped me get the right sauce as well as clean it up when it got messy. I know I am gonna be ordering from here soon over and over again!“

“Great chicken and flavors“

“Lunch Special is a great deal, food was delicious and fresh, customer service was wonderful.“

“Great food great service …. But run out of KimChi ….😔🤨 … so unKorean …gotta have KIMCHI 😫“