38 Best Korean Restaurants near Santa Monica

“Everything was so delicious 🤤🤤 My favorite dish was the galbi-jjin - they even used fire to melt the cheese, which was such a fun touch. We also ordered the rose tteokbokki with ramen noodles, and it reminded me of a spicy version of Filipino spaghetti The cheese curry katsu was perfectly crispy and so tasty. Bibimbap a was a great Vegetarian option. Highly recommend!!

Our server was incredibly sweet, and the portions are generous, best for sharing as we still had leftovers to take home. Will definitely be back again!“

“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!“

“Had a great meal at Sun Nong Dan Sawtelle tonight. We ordered the #3 and #10 soups, and both were absolutely delicious—rich, flavorful, and super comforting. The portion sizes were incredibly generous, easily enough to share or take some home for later. Our server Moses was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed without ever feeling rushed. Overall a really enjoyable experience with great food and great service. Definitely looking forward to coming back!“

“I stayed at my friend’s place for five days while I was in LA. On the last day, I wanted to repay them a bit with a meal. It was a nice Korean place. I knew they wouldn’t let me pay, so I slipped out in the middle of the meal, gave my card to the waiter, and paid. I really thanked him for going along with it. The place was packed by noon. I can see why it’s popular.“

“Amazing food and service. We tried various bowls, tacos, and dumplings. All were great! The real winner were the loaded fries. Everything was super fresh. Forgot to take pictures before we ate.
Justine was very helpful in getting our order put together. Great service!!“

“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. ☺️“

“Love the taste and selection of the foods!“

“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.“

“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...“

“Food was super tasty! Price was great for the portion they give and they really load up the bowl. Service was quick and my cashier was nice!

I got the spicy mayo chicken bowl and the chicken was juicy with a crispy batter. The sauce was really spicy which I loved and it went great with their house made pickles! Rice was perfectly cooked and soaked up all the sauce. I also got a side of their kimchi and it was good not as spicy as I like my kimchi but it had a good brine and crisp flavor and was a perfect combination with the spicy chicken.

Overall I will be coming back and am very happy that they’re a quick walk from my job!“

“Finally - a solid, quality KBBQ option on the west side!

We ordered Course Combo A for 2, kimchi fried rice, dumplings, and the soybean paste stew. The meat was great quality, our server cooked the meats for us perfectly the entire time, and we left really full and satisfied! While the banchan might not have been as thorough/traditional as some spots in Koreatown, the flavors were still authentic and solid.

The ambiance inside was also nice, bright, and modern, making it the perfect spot for a date night (it's also right next door to AMC!!) or celebratory meal. Parking was also super easy and free in the structure.“

“Great food, service and atmosphere“

“This is the BEST fried chicken 🍗 I have ever had, no joke. Sauces are wonderful too but I always get the classic golden fried. My bf said he thought they serve turkey since the chicken is always so big. 🤣 very juicy and crispy, the best!! ALSO make sure to get the cheese balls they will change your life.“

“We came for a friend’s birthday party. Looks like a new restaurant in a less visited plaza off 405. However when I stepped in, I waited for 15 mins to be seated as they were very short staffed. Nevertheless, food was good. We ordered AYCE $39.99 Menu B and were happy about the portion and quality of the meat. The room was a bit more smokier than I would like. If they keep the door open they won’t be a problem!“

“Casual dinning atmosphere“

“Love the side dishes and all of their jiggaes. I got the mushroom jiggae, and it was great. I’ve been going here for awhile, and the food always comes out super quickly, prices are reasonable, the side dishes have a good variety, and there always seems to be at least one table open. Or even on the rare occasion that all the tables are full, the chefs get the food out so quickly that the wait is never long.“

“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.“

“Best Korean bbq in Los Angeles. 강력추천합니다.“

“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.“

“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.“

“Deli Deli si lo recomiendo“

“I almost didn't want to post about this place because i dont want this place to get too busy! I like the chill (titanic) vibe and delicious food above all. I get my most frequent take out dinners here. My favorite is Galbi-Tang, its very similar to caldo de rez, but with different veggies. Anyway, hoping this helps someone decide this is a good reliable spot to try sometime when youre craving Korean food.“

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

“I enjoyed it! I got the Korean spicy chicken bowl with green onion only, and I thought it was very flavorful and spicy for sure! I took my meal to go, but the space was very small so if you wanna sit down make sure there isnt a big group of you.“

“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“

“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!“

“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.“

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

“organic taste 😋 and fast delivery 🚚 I recommend“

“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!“

“10 out of 10!!!
Wow exceeded my expectations
A Must go! I’ve been to so many Asian bowl places! This is my fave!

Got the rainbow don (included piping hot miso)
Lots of warm rice with furikake-like seasonings
It doesn't even need spicy mayo and all those other things poke places have“

“(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“

“Great good and friendly staff🎉🎊“

“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!“

“The menu offers an impressive variety inspired by many Asian cuisines, giving you plenty of options to choose from. Even though it is served buffet style, the food tastes freshly prepared and full of authentic flavor. Everything I tried was hot, well seasoned, and satisfying. It is a great place to enjoy a wide selection of dishes in one visit.“

“Food was delicious. great customer service, great price“