Daebak Korean BBQ

I love daebak! This was my go to spot for kbbq in Chinatown! The last time I was here was December 2024. I decided to come back here because I was craving kbbq. Finally came back and they changed everything. From the concept of AYCE to the food quality. The quality of the food was not how it used to be to be. I’m disappointed to even make this. At the end I ended seeing a roach. I miss the old Daebak! I was happy to pay the higher price for them to cook the food and the quality of the food.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 4

Don’t go to this restaurant. Seriously, avoid it. It’s absolutely terrible. The ingredients are extremely stingy, and not only are they of very poor quality, but they’re also cut ridiculously thick. Don’t even bother trying it. There’s no proper management — the Asian guy with glasses is probably the owner, and he’s discriminatory. They even force you to finish all the meat, even if there’s just a small piece left. The pork is super fatty and greasy, instantly off-putting. Don’t be fooled, everyone. And tipping is mandatory. don’t waste money

Food: 1

Service: 1

Terrible place. I won't come here again. The beef was very hard and should be the cheapest. If the boss can't afford to run a buffet, don't force it. There is no seasoning to choose from. I am really impressed that they still opened the door. The plates were not changed once from the time I entered to the time I left, and tipping was mandatory. The discrimination was very serious. Chinese compatriots should beware. At the end of the bill, they asked us to finish the remaining pieces of chicken. Oh my god. This is also discrimination without scruples.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

There’s nothing that would make me come back here!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

We originally came here because we thought it was the same place we went to before they transitioned to an AYCE. It was a waste of money at 30 dollars per person they didn't have many options for food. No Seafood and only 1 soup option. Side dishes were nasty and meat was tough. Apparently they reuse the plates for the side dishes, server got upset we stacked it when it was empty and were told that they now have to get new plates. Like you should have told use before throwing a fit. Our service was so shitty. So many other places at a cheaper price with better quality food that's AYCE. I left very disappointed this was called a Korean bbq. You know it's not a good place when you don't see other asians an asian restaurant.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

save yourself the trouble and don’t bother coming here at all. after changing to all u can eat, quality, service and taste all went downhill. the brisket was unimaginably chewy and hard to swallow. there’s no variety of side dishes anymore, which is what made this place stand out in the first place. soup options? no. fresh fluffy rice? no. also the service was not it. i’m so sad bc this was my favorite kbbq but im never coming again

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Quality went down ever since it's all you can eat. The workers have always been somewhat rude and rushy but I won't be returning due to the lack of quality it once had. Disappointed as this was my fav Korean bbq spot, on to the next for now.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 2

This is not the old Daebak anymore. It changed to all you can eat and it has a completely different system where you can only order three servings of meat at a time and you have to pick your side dishes instead of them just giving a selection to you like at any other Korean restaurants. They are understaffed and, to order more meat, you have to flag down a server every time. There is a 90-min cap. The system very much feels like it is designed to make you eat as slowly as possible. I didn’t feel good while eating bc, since we got tiny portions each time, one of us constantly had to focus on flagging a server. The meat is low quality—very rough and sinewy. The only reason I’m giving it two stars is bc it is so cheap—$30 per person with 18% mandatory gratuity. But I’m not going back. Miss the old Daebak—it was pricy but at least the food was good.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 2

This restaurant was a disappointment. I had previously visited before it became all-you-can-eat and had a great experience, so I arrived with similar expectations. However, the side dish options were limited, and the ones provided were either canned or lacked flavor. The unmarinated meats were frozen and of low quality, while the marinated options were overly sweet.

Toward the end of our meal, a Latino family was seated next to us. When they requested a meat refill, an older waitress raised her voice and condescendingly told them there would be an extra charge if they didn’t finish it—something they had already acknowledged. The policy was clearly stated throughout the restaurant, including on the menu, yet the way she handled the interaction felt unnecessarily harsh and discriminatory.

Additionally, I noticed a lack of Korean patrons, which was concerning given the type of cuisine. Overall, this visit was a waste of money, time, and calories.

Wheelchair accessibility: Steep stairs.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

All the meats they served were very low quality. Some of the staff were very rude in general and one of them was blatantly racist towards customers next to us. Not worth $30 plus their mandatory gratuity fees.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 2

I have been here several times but this last time was not great. Me and my friends ended up leaving. Maybe it was just an off day. I always enjoy the food but the service this time around was below average.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Korean Barbecue

The WORST service in Chinatown. DO NOT eat here. The old Asian waitress with dry hair had the worst attitude imaginable. It was a birthday celebration for my parent and she made sure to make it a bad experience. Go to the other KBBQ places nearby!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

A South American woman guided me to my seat at this restaurant. She led me to an uncomfortable table, so I politely asked if I could sit somewhere else. However, she firmly said “no” and came across as very rude, making me extremely uncomfortable. As long as she works here, I will never come back to this place.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

NEVER COME HERE. We ordered the all you can eat which costs $30. The meat was beef jerky and tough in general. The server was extremely rude, and we had to wait 10 minutes just for a meat dish with only 5 tables in the restaurant. We were served room temperature rice, not hot or warm, just room temperature. On top of all that, 18% gratuity is already included, meaning we had to tip the terrible service.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Server was rude. The all you can eat meat was like beef jerky. I would never come here again. This restaurant is absolutely terrible. You are better off making Korean BBQ at home. That is how low this restaurant's standard is.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1