19 Best Korean Restaurants in San Jose

“This Korean spot is truly a hidden gem. The flavors are intense, rich, and delicious, and everything we tried was packed with taste. The seafood pancake, kimchi soup, and cheese ribs were all amazing and definitely worth ordering. The restaurant has a clear specialty in Korean comfort food, and the quality of the dishes really stands out. The main drawbacks are the long wait during peak hours and the small dining area, but the food makes it worth being patient. Definitely a great spot if you’re looking for flavorful Korean dishes.“

“Mina's Korean BBQ is a cozy, family-run Korean restaurant in North San Jose with a welcoming neighborhood feel. It’s a good place for traditional Korean comfort food, generous portions, and plenty of banchan without the higher prices of some upscale Korean BBQ restaurants.
The Galbi is one of the standout dishes, with tender Korean-style BBQ short ribs that are savory, slightly sweet, and nicely marinated. The Bulgogi is another solid choice, with thin slices of flavorful marinated beef. If you want something warm and comforting, the Soon Du Bu comes bubbling hot with soft tofu and your choice of meat, while the Galbi Tang is a hearty short-rib soup.
The Dol Sot Bibimbap is also worth trying because the hot stone bowl creates a nice crispy layer of rice at the bottom. Their Hae Mul Pajeon, or seafood pancake, is another good dish for sharing. The lunch boxes are also a good value, usually coming with rice, side dishes, japchae, and your choice of meat.
Service feels friendly and personal, and the kimchi and side dishes make the meal feel very traditional. It’s not a fancy restaurant, but that is part of its charm. A very good choice for satisfying, home-style Korean food in San Jose.“

“I recently got to know this place, and am glad that I found this place! I tried the fish roe tofu and it was quite nice! The seafood pancake was also a good appetizer to share; quite crispy and filling. The only thing I would like to mention is that this place is obviously quite popular with limited seating. So arrive a few minutes before they open so that you don't have to wait! There was already a long line when we left around 5:40 PM on a Saturday.“

“Visited during their soft opening and had an overall positive experience. The Korean food was authentic, and the 제육볶음 (spicy pork) had a bit more heat than expected—though still standard for Korean spice. I'll definitely be back.“

“Oh my goodness. This is a literal hidden gem. Probably the best Korean food I’ve ever had💯I am even willing to say that this was some of the best Ramen I have had in the Bay Area🍜 I ordered the lunch special (which was really good), but the Ramen my family got was so good that I packed half my lunch special to go and ordered a whole other Ramen for myself😭

Vincent is the one who took care of us and he was so kind and gracious and made the experience even better. Anytime I am passing through this side of the Bay Area I will for sure be stopping, and you should too🫡“

“I have been going to this wonderful Korean restaurant for 18 years, and I have never been disappointed. The food is excellent, staff are friendly, and it is our go to place for comfort food. Totally love it 🤗🤗🤗“

“Really generous servings, great flavors.

We thought it was a very good value and the protein dishes were great.

Often, when eating Korean food on the go, we order Bulgogi, spicy pork and spicy chicken to hit our protein goals.

They were all great here, and the service was very decent. Nothing fancy, just the real deal. We had enough for a snack later after some poker.

A good stop and we would definitely return.“

“Good food. Family run with friendly service“

“I was visiting the area for work and decided to try the Korean fried chicken. The Soy Garlic chicken was excellent and tasted just like the chicken I used to have in Korea. I ordered the sauce on the side so it would stay crispy, and it was definitely the right choice. Friendly staff, a clean restaurant, and a great overall experience. I’ll definitely be back if I’m in the area again.“

“Love the professional service and delicious food this place serves.

The seafood tofu soup, kbbq short ribs, and purple rice are delish. They also serve delicious side dishes like gamja jjeorim (marinated potato), imitation crab and noodle mayo salad, different veggies, and pickled condiments.

If you want to experience authentic, delicious Korean food then you should give this place a try.“

“Hubby and I gave this Katsu place a try the other day. Hubby loves it, he thinks that the pork katsu is better than Katsu Gin, our current favourite Japanese curry place. The curry contains cashew nuts, so it will be a no go for us. But all in all a good place. You order on an ipad at the table, so that is kind of cool. THe place does get busy at lunch.“

“This is one of my favorite restaurants. I’ve been so busy that it had been a while, but I finally ordered takeout, and it was just as delicious as ever. This is a great restaurant that always maintains the same excellent quality and flavor. The rose tteokbokki, especially, is so good that I could eat it every day. Simply the best!“

“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!“

“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.“

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

“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 .“

“If you are looking for a fantastic Korean spot in the area, look no further! The food here is consistently delicious, from the hearty and flavorful soondubu (tofu soup) to the amazing seafood pancakes. What really sets this place apart is the incredible service. The staff is incredibly sweet, welcoming, and always on top of banchan refills. It’s a clean, cozy spot that feels like a warm, home-cooked meal. Plus, parking in the plaza is super easy! Highly recommend checking them out.“

“I had a great late lunch here. The folks here were extremely attentive, answered questions, and made suggestions. I got the beef wrap which was hot, fresh, and very good. The volume inside was very low so conversation was easy. I would certainly go here again.“

“Food: You can'tgo wrong choosing the place for authentic Korean cuisine. Their tofu hot pot was expertly prepared. Flavors just burst and meld with every scoop. I liked combining a bit of rice and sides with each bite. Spice level can be altered based on preference.

Service: Staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and made great recommendations. It could get really busy, even late in the evening.

Ambiance: Cozy restaurant with limited seating. Authentic Tofu House feels.

Value: Prices were reasonable for the quality of food and service.“