Ilbunjee(#1 Restaurant)

Absolutely the best kbbq place I’ve had in Bay Area
Meat quality was amazing and the side dishes are amazing, (definitely get the kimchi noodles here)
The only thing better than the food was the service!!! It’s a smaller restaurant so the servers are very attentive and cook the meat perfectly for you every time
Can’t wait to come back

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

So so good. Seriously one of the best Korean BBQ spots in San Jose. Ilbunjee’s meat quality is honestly so good like tender, flavorful, and cooked exactly how Korean BBQ should taste. The banchan was amazing too, all fresh and so comforting.
You can really feel the care from the family who runs it. They’re incredibly kind, and the whole place has this welcoming, homey feeling that’s hard to find these days. It reminded me of the neighborhood restaurants in Korea so relaxed, inviting, and full of heart.
If you’re looking for a spot with delicious food and a genuinely warm atmosphere, definitely check out Ilbunjee.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Wagyu Beef, Fish Cake Soup, Beef and Pork Combo, Ilbunjee Cold Kimchi Noodles, Tongue, Wagyu Skirt Steak, Beef Set, Brisket Wagyu, Tempura Soup, Steamed Eggs, Rice Balls \u0026 Hangjungsal

I've tried a lot of KBBQ and Ilbunjee has to be THE BEST I've had in the Bay Area! The quality is amazing and the beef was perfectly marbled. We tried a new menu item (potato seafood pancake) and it was delicious! The potatoes had the crunch of hash browns and the flavor was savory from the seafood and green onions. Don't forget to order their KIMCHI NOODLES! It pairs perfectly with the grilled meats and the broth is so flavorful! To top off everything, the service was amazing! They refilled side dishes before we even needed to ask and even brought an extra pair of chopsticks within seconds after seeing one of us drop one! This is a great place to celebrate birthdays, have a date night, and get your KBBQ craving fixed. I'll definitely be back very soon~

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beef and Pork Combo, Ilbunjee Cold Kimchi Noodles, Steamed Eggs

I was in Santa clara for work and we went out to celebrate a milestone. The food here was great, but the waiter went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed. It is some of the best Korean BBQ I've had and the banchan was PHENOMINAl and likely homemade in house. He kept us with refills of the ones we liked and extra salad and rice. The prefix meal for 3 is a great value as you get huge portions of 5 different meats. I will definitely go here every time that I travel to Santa Clara.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ilbunjee has quickly become my go-to Korean BBQ spot in the Bay Area. The meat quality here is on another level. It is super fresh, tender, and flavorful. Honestly, it reminds me of the best KBBQ places down in SoCal, which says a lot because that’s the gold standard.

The service is always spot on. The staff is friendly, attentive, and really makes sure you’re taken care of without being overbearing. It makes the whole meal that much more enjoyable.

I also love the atmosphere. From the authentic metal tables to the lively vibe, it feels like the real deal Korean BBQ experience. Everything is on point.

Menu-wise, you can’t miss with anything, but the kimchi cold noodles are an absolute standout. Perfectly refreshing and packed with flavor, they balance out the richness of the grilled meat so well.

The portions are generous, prices are very reasonable, and you always leave stuffed and happy. If you’re looking for top-quality Korean BBQ in the South Bay, Ilbunjee is number one!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Visited this Korean restaurant hoping for a great meal, but it was a huge letdown. The tables are tiny, barely enough room for the food and plates. The floor was greasy, making the whole place slippery. Worst of all, the server placed cooked food directly on a plate used for raw meat—twice—even after I told them not do. Zero regard for food hygiene. I won’t be back.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

The food was great, but the service was extremely disappointing. There was essentially no service throughout the meal, and at the end, the server couldn’t even be bothered to take the credit card for payment.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 1

This place requires at least one pound of meat per customer. We had to order 2lbs amount and ended up taking home a lot. Price is a little bit on the high end. Food was Ok. But atmosphere is not nice if you just wanna have food and chill. Other customers were so loud that I could not hear my friend at all and I had to yell at my him so he could hear me even though we were sitting next to each other at a small table.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 3

This is a very bare bones kbbq joint. There's no lettuce or ssamjang for wrapping, there's an odd salad. You do your own grilling, the ventilation is weak so prepare for all your clothes and bags to smell like pork or beef grease, and there's no storage or protection for your belongings. The meat quality is okay, nothing special to write home about. Pretty average quality to price ratio, not a particular value or outstandingly tasty

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

There used to be a kind lady that would cook the meat for you, but if she’s not there, be prepared to cook your own food due to lazy servers.

Might as well take your money and go to Gooyi Gooyi or Gaboja next door who would cook for you.

I love this small cozy hole in the wall place. Felt like I was in korea amd a small local place

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Been coming here for years for the best quality meats and service! Never disappoints!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Went there with a person who knew what to order, so made it super easy. Sit back, cook and eat. Place was clean and servers were attentive and helping us occasionally cook and make sure we don't overcook. Place was a bit cramped with smaller tables. Place a certainly not upscale or in an upscale neighborhood but the food is taste is worth it. Kimchi, cold potatoe salad and cold noodles were a great touch.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent quality of meat and very kind staff.
Loved the cozy and friendly atmosphere.

In A Nutshell:

-Ilbunjee #1is one of the older Korean restaurants in Santa Clara.
-I like the modern look they upgraded the interior to.
-If you come here to eat, I would get here by 5PM when they open due to the small parking lot.
-The 2 person beef & pork combo was the perfect amount of food.
-You get: Prime Ribeye, Sliced Prime Brisket, Berkshire Pork Jowl & Berkshire Pork Belly.
-In addition to their delicious, reloadable banchan, salad & '99 fish cake soup.

Overall, pair the delicious meal w/ their super cold Cass beer & makgeolli for an amazing experience!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beef and Pork Combo