32 Best Korean Restaurants near Santa Monica

“Lots of vegan options“

“Very affordable and chill place to swing by with friends after work. The owner is very sweet and all staff is very attentive and care that you're having a good experience.

Place is open late and definitely recommend for a casual hang out with friends!“

“We always try to get there before the line shows up, 5:30ish. Sneak in, split the combo between two people and really dig into the various sides (fish skin, kimchi, broccoli, etc.) that come up with the soup and entree.

Staff is always on point and delightful“

“They came to Clovis and had amazing service and even better food and drinks!! The two workers were extremely friendly and gave us great things to try for our first time! The tuna mayo bowl and their iced coffee were THE BEST!! Hope they make more visits down here :)“

“We ate inside at the counter and tried a little bit of a few things off the menu. The sweet & spicy fried chicken and fried chicken dumplings were delicious. 😋🍴 We also tried the bulgogi and spicy chicken bowl and both were so delicious. As a side note, the man that waited on us (not sure if it was the owner or not) was very nice and hospitable. ☺️“

“Ezra is amazing for real! He has the kind of patience, kindness, and energy that you don’t see every day. I hadn’t been back in a long time because of a bad experience before, but Ezra completely changed that. His customer service, smile, and attitude are all on point. You can tell he really cares. Y’all are blessed to have him working here everybody ain’t got it like that!

Thank u so much Ezra!! Everyone here should Take your Advice!!“

“Portion sizes here are undefeated. You get so much chicken in the small bowl. The grilled chicken is juicy and hot with a unique teriyaki sauce that steals the show. I really like their short grain rice as well. Great post-workout meal.

I used to frequent the Long Beach location and this spot tastes exactly the same thankfully. Area is a little rough but the store itself is clean and inviting.“

“Great food, service and atmosphere“

“i had their bowls and it was delicious and affordable for all that they put on there!! huge size and flavor.. 5* for me i highly recommend them...yummmmmm///. yo. comi sus bowls y les doy un 5* por tanta comida como buen sabor...buen precio por tanta comida...“

“Thomas and Julian were so amazing and sweet to me. Their customer service is top tier and they know how to explain the menu and answered all my questions. This is my first time getting this kind of food and I’ve been excited all week to try! Shout out to Julian and Thomas!“

“The food is fire! The service is mediocre, and the atmosphere is trash (literally). There was a city trash can right outside the restaurant door overfilled with garage and reeking of piss. As for inside of the restaurant, it is very small and crammed. You’re almost standing on top of other people as you wait in line to order or wait for your food to be ready.

As for the food… wow!! 10 out of 10. I ordered the Koren fried chicken (sweet & spicy) and a side of steamed rice. I cannot wait to go back and order this again. I killed the entire meal and did not leave anything behind. My wife ordered the Spicy Mayo Chicken bowl and the Fried Chicken Dumplings. The portion size was huge! She could not finish it. The spicy sauce was too spicy and overpowered the flavor of the chicken, rice, and veggies. Rating this bowl a 4 out of 10 on the spicy overkill.

The prices here are AMAZING! We only spent $25 for our food, drove to Manhattan beach, and enjoyed it while watching the sunset. Our food was still hot after the 35 min drive.“

“The Pine Tree business was in south bay before. They moved and we were so sad we couldn't find them anymore. Finally, we stumbled upon them! Great food again! My uncle cried

Expect service to be somewhat slow compared to modern KBBQ restaurants. Small team that ensures quality for their guests. Restaurant is great for lunch. Sometimes crowded for dinner. No room to seat more than 4-6 people at one table.“

“Best Korean bbq in Los Angeles. 강력추천합니다.“

“It seems they have received many customers taking food that isn't theirs and now the employees have to see your ID as well as have you fill out a form. Ain't got no time for that especially as a regular. They offered to let me take a photo of the form and my ID for faster service but I'd rather just go elsewhere. Won't be coming back. If you are picking up HAVE your ID, the confirmation order, and be prepared to fill out a form.“

“4.5 stars

The Alibi Room is the ultimate hangout spot, especially when you're reunited with old elementary school friends and teachers (yes, you read that right—grade school reunions are a thing). The service was friendly and on point, despite our large group.

Parking is classic LA—street parking, so be prepared to circle the block for 5-10 minutes. But once you're inside, it’s all good vibes. The drinks were spot-on: I had the Watermelon Margarita and the Gold Rush, both deliciously refreshing. And let’s not forget the Kogi tacos—I always go for the short rib beef and spicy pork. They never disappoint.

With bar seating, cozy couches, and outdoor tables, The Alibi Room is a fun, chill spot for drinks, tacos, and a good time with friends.“

“Casual dinning atmosphere“

“Came here today June 15,2025. The person wearing white apron is very nice to explain the menu and good service. Of all the 3 restaurant (HIDE, Big boi, Tofu ya) I went to. Tofu ya have the most decent amount of food for their price. Variety of side dishes. I’m glad I found this place. Will definitely come back.“

“Deli Deli si lo recomiendo“

“I had passed by Seoul Bistro a few times but never went in because I wasn’t familiar with Korean food. I’m glad I finally did because this place completely changed my mind. Everything was fresh, hot, and flavorful, and the staff made the whole experience easy and welcoming.

We ordered the beef bulgogi bowl, rose ddukbokki (the cheesy pasta dish I had seen on Instagram/TikTok), and the sweet and spicy Korean fried chicken. All three were excellent. The bulgogi was tender and well seasoned, the cheesy ddukbokki was creamy, rich, and addictive, and the chicken had a great crunch with just the right amount of heat. They even give you gloves to handle it, which was a fun touch. Portion sizes are generous and perfect for sharing, we left with leftovers.

The atmosphere was relaxed with Korean music in the background, and there’s a call button at the table for service, which was really convenient. It seems to be very popular for takeout too, since I noticed a steady stream of delivery drivers picking up orders. Prices are reasonable for the quality and portions, and while they do add gratuity for dine-in, I thought it was fair given the service.

Overall, Seoul Bistro is a gem in Studio City. It’s approachable even if you’re new to Korean food, and the flavors really deliver. The 4.6 rating is well deserved, and I’ll definitely be coming back.“

“This place was definitely a place I was a little sketched out to stop by, but the reviews convinced me otherwise. I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW GOOD IT WAS! I have lived in Santa Monica for 2 years now and this was my first time - some of the best food I have eaten since living in LA. Very fresh fish and unique flavor profiles. I got the Alaskan spicy roll and it was one of the best sushi rolls I’ve ever had! 10/10 recommend!!! The gyoza was also phenomenal - very flavors and the sauce was awesome! I will definitely be ONLY going here for sushi moving forward!“

“Been familiar with Chef Celsie for some time. What is so imperative to highlight is the fact that when you have a true fusionist of tasteful delicacies; then you know you are just about to experience culinary heaven in your mouth. That is Chef Celsie, her deep knowledge of so many different kinds of culinary cultures makes her as force to be reckoned in La La Land. So in other words, you truly are in for a real treat!! #simplydelicious“

“One dish that eeally stood out to me qas their signature Chicken bowl. The grilled chicken tender and juicy, perfectly seasoned with their special marinade. The combination of the savory chicken, steam veggies and fluffy rice created a satisfying and well balanced meal.“

“My first time eating at a Korean BBQ restaurant. I really enjoyed the experience and the food.“

“i had their bowls and it was delicious and affordable for all that they put on there!! huge size and flavor.. 5* for me i highly recommend them...yummmmmm///. yo. comi sus bowls y les doy un 5* por tanta comida como buen sabor...buen precio por tanta comida...“

“Honestly, not sure why they received some low ratings for service. The food was fresh and exactly the type of asian rice bowl taste I expected with moist soft rice and lightly sauced grilled chicken; not greasy at all. The cash register employee and cook were both extremely nice and explained everything on the menu in detail and with good etiquette.“

“Driving through the area and spotted this little spot serving up some delicious food. The Bop is tiny, small tables, good music and friendly service. The menu offers a lot of options and I couldn’t decide what to order. I finally chose the bulgogi bowl and it didn’t disappoint. Great container to keep the food fresh and once I at down the flavors and textures were very satisfying.“

“organic taste 😋 and fast delivery 🚚 I recommend“

“Great owners, long time staff who are really good people. They all care about their food and their service“

“Nice and clean inside of restaurant and easy to order and the food comes out quickly( but good quality!). I had ‘Kimchi Bulgogi Rice’ because it’s one of my comfort food, it was so more delicious than what I had in Korea!!!
Definitely worth going back and trying other dishes again!“

“Great good and friendly staff🎉🎊“

“(Veggie) Avocado Bulgogi!!!!!! Ah man. I get excited just thinking about this dish. The "meat" is sooo tasty, with the roasted sweet potatoes, and rice... Simply delicious

Dietary restrictions: Gluten free, and vegetarian options“

“I ordered the tofu bowl from moon bowls today. The food was delish! This location is located in the Culver City Cuisine pick up area and I order from restaurants here all the time and had no idea moon bowls was located there as well. So good and healthy! Fresh tasting food. I will be ordering again!“