In the evening, I suddenly wanted to eat cold noodles, so I found this one nearby. Not only are there no side dishes offered by other Korean restaurants, but even cold noodles are not authentic. Fortunately, the boss felt embarrassed and brought a dish of shredded radish.
Joshua Wang
Would not come back. For $50 they give you poor quality thick cut brisket. I had to take over cooking because the lady was cooking it wrong laying each piece flat instead of stir frying it. They only gave us 3 pieces of LA Galbi for $39. Over priced for poor quality meat
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Devin McAlpine
This place is great. Staff are awesome, food was authentic, and portions large. I would bring my Korean friends here. Def recommend for a comfy, authentic dinner with friends.
Parking: Pretty small lot with a lot of businesses sharing but street parking isn’t bad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wook Chung
Gaboja I think is trying to serve Korean BBQ "home style" without the premium or luxury tax. It supposed to bring out taste over anything else - ambience, silverware, and perhaps even cleanliness? You enter Gaboja and start to feel like whether this is a 70s sort of sweatshop with cubicles or a cocktail bar, dark and sticky air. But again, all of this is forgivable if you can taste home style Korean comfort food and meat right?
There are many dishes that live up to this promise. The Kimchee Pancake was phenomenal - one of the best in the Bay Area. The banchans were also quite good, as well as other side dishes like corn-cheese. So then why the 3-stars? Well... it is a BBQ shop after all right? The meat simply wasn't high quality enough. I understand the desire the cut cost but a Korean BBQ's lifeline is the quality and the fattiness of the meat. Our ribeye was just so stuffy. Also, given most meat come out unmarinated, the salt and sauce on the side must help the balance but unfortunately, they use this really coarse salt and it is very difficult to spread the saltiness evenly.
On the bright side, the service was friendly and the lady gave us some extras.
If someone suggests Gaboja for a Korean BBQ dinner out, I'd probably hesitate. If it was for a quick hearty meal with a friend that I didn't need to impress, perhaps I'd okay it once in a while.
Parking: Free parking lot in the strip mall but fills up very quickly. This mall is notorious for having less parking spots compared to the shops it provides.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kimchi Pancake, Korean Barbecue
don “Don Bay Area”
Not one of my favorite place to eat at. But occasionally I have to go because some of my friends lime this place. I acknowledge the fact thay me and my friends can have different taste in food and atmosphere. But, it doesn't mean I understand them.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
don
Not one of my favorite place to eat at. But occasionally I have to go because some of my friends lime this place. I acknowledge the fact thay me and my friends can have different taste in food and atmosphere. But, it doesn't mean I understand them.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
ai Scream
The meat quality and flavor were mediocre for $90 per person combo dinner (inc tax and tip). It was nice to have it cooked for us but the ladies went so quickly without giving us room to breathe in between meats and placed the cooked meat in whichever sauces they chose. They also could’ve offered to slow down on the cooking. The place was basically empty, so not sure why the rush. Also, none of the banchan side dishes were tasty, and that’s usually an indicator of good bbq.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Mark Seufert
Amazing food and friendly staff. Make sure to try the Gamja-jeon!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hyeyoon Jung
I expected them to cook the meat for us when we ordered it, but instead they asked us to cook it ourselves. Meanwhile, they cooked the meat for other customers. This is unfair, and both the service and meat quality were very low.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jelly2 Tasty
No way they are open overnight one day a week in the middle of the week (Maps says they're open from 5pm Wednesday until 11am Thursday).
Having grown up and living in the South bay for most of my life, it’s comforting knowing that the owner who operates this restaurant has not changed in the 30+ years they have been in business. The food and service here are excellent. The only thing is parking can be a challenge sometimes. My friends and I usually order the combo 4 with doenjang stew (fermented soybean). Her kimchi and doenjang stew is the best in the South Bay. And if you want the teobokki that is like you get in Korea, they make it with the perfect blend of spicy and sweetness
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dwen Jang Jjigae and Egg Soup, Korean Barbecue, BBQ Combo, Combo 4
Kristina Cho
“Let’s go” quality food with home cooked flavors! If you want a low key kbbq experience without the crowd and exceptional service, check it out!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
JJounG K (JJoonG)
This place is a totally hidden gem in Santa Clara!!! Didn't realize there is an authentic Korean BBQ restaurant. The meat qualities are out of this world and server was super friendly. They also have private areas for small and big parties. This restaurant will be my 'Go-TO Place' for Korean Food & BBQ craving.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Samgyeopsal, Pollack Hot Stew, Kimchi Pancake, Korean Barbecue, Bulgogi, BBQ Combo, Combo 4
Thanh ta C.
Went there was
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Bibimbap
Shiri Gradek
Happened upon the restaurant when we were on the hunt for good Korean BBQ. The atmosphere is understated, but food and service was amazing. Truly! The beef was so tender and the banchan was A+. There were 3 very kind employees (owners?) who were so attentive and made it a very enjoyable experience.
In the evening, I suddenly wanted to eat cold noodles, so I found this one nearby. Not only are there no side dishes offered by other Korean restaurants, but even cold noodles are not authentic. Fortunately, the boss felt embarrassed and brought a dish of shredded radish.
Would not come back. For $50 they give you poor quality thick cut brisket. I had to take over cooking because the lady was cooking it wrong laying each piece flat instead of stir frying it. They only gave us 3 pieces of LA Galbi for $39. Over priced for poor quality meat
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
This place is great. Staff are awesome, food was authentic, and portions large. I would bring my Korean friends here. Def recommend for a comfy, authentic dinner with friends.
Parking: Pretty small lot with a lot of businesses sharing but street parking isn’t bad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gaboja I think is trying to serve Korean BBQ "home style" without the premium or luxury tax. It supposed to bring out taste over anything else - ambience, silverware, and perhaps even cleanliness? You enter Gaboja and start to feel like whether this is a 70s sort of sweatshop with cubicles or a cocktail bar, dark and sticky air. But again, all of this is forgivable if you can taste home style Korean comfort food and meat right?
There are many dishes that live up to this promise. The Kimchee Pancake was phenomenal - one of the best in the Bay Area. The banchans were also quite good, as well as other side dishes like corn-cheese. So then why the 3-stars? Well... it is a BBQ shop after all right? The meat simply wasn't high quality enough. I understand the desire the cut cost but a Korean BBQ's lifeline is the quality and the fattiness of the meat. Our ribeye was just so stuffy. Also, given most meat come out unmarinated, the salt and sauce on the side must help the balance but unfortunately, they use this really coarse salt and it is very difficult to spread the saltiness evenly.
On the bright side, the service was friendly and the lady gave us some extras.
If someone suggests Gaboja for a Korean BBQ dinner out, I'd probably hesitate. If it was for a quick hearty meal with a friend that I didn't need to impress, perhaps I'd okay it once in a while.
Parking: Free parking lot in the strip mall but fills up very quickly. This mall is notorious for having less parking spots compared to the shops it provides.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kimchi Pancake, Korean Barbecue
Not one of my favorite place to eat at. But occasionally I have to go because some of my friends lime this place. I acknowledge the fact thay me and my friends can have different taste in food and atmosphere. But, it doesn't mean I understand them.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Not one of my favorite place to eat at. But occasionally I have to go because some of my friends lime this place. I acknowledge the fact thay me and my friends can have different taste in food and atmosphere. But, it doesn't mean I understand them.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
The meat quality and flavor were mediocre for $90 per person combo dinner (inc tax and tip). It was nice to have it cooked for us but the ladies went so quickly without giving us room to breathe in between meats and placed the cooked meat in whichever sauces they chose. They also could’ve offered to slow down on the cooking. The place was basically empty, so not sure why the rush. Also, none of the banchan side dishes were tasty, and that’s usually an indicator of good bbq.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Amazing food and friendly staff. Make sure to try the Gamja-jeon!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
I expected them to cook the meat for us when we ordered it, but instead they asked us to cook it ourselves. Meanwhile, they cooked the meat for other customers. This is unfair, and both the service and meat quality were very low.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
No way they are open overnight one day a week in the middle of the week (Maps says they're open from 5pm Wednesday until 11am Thursday).
Restaurantji Recommends
Having grown up and living in the South bay for most of my life, it’s comforting knowing that the owner who operates this restaurant has not changed in the 30+ years they have been in business. The food and service here are excellent. The only thing is parking can be a challenge sometimes. My friends and I usually order the combo 4 with doenjang stew (fermented soybean). Her kimchi and doenjang stew is the best in the South Bay. And if you want the teobokki that is like you get in Korea, they make it with the perfect blend of spicy and sweetness
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dwen Jang Jjigae and Egg Soup, Korean Barbecue, BBQ Combo, Combo 4
“Let’s go” quality food with home cooked flavors! If you want a low key kbbq experience without the crowd and exceptional service, check it out!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
This place is a totally hidden gem in Santa Clara!!! Didn't realize there is an authentic Korean BBQ restaurant. The meat qualities are out of this world and server was super friendly. They also have private areas for small and big parties. This restaurant will be my 'Go-TO Place' for Korean Food & BBQ craving.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Samgyeopsal, Pollack Hot Stew, Kimchi Pancake, Korean Barbecue, Bulgogi, BBQ Combo, Combo 4
Went there was
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Bibimbap
Happened upon the restaurant when we were on the hunt for good Korean BBQ. The atmosphere is understated, but food and service was amazing. Truly! The beef was so tender and the banchan was A+. There were 3 very kind employees (owners?) who were so attentive and made it a very enjoyable experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
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