Best Korean BBQ in my hometown would be
Jeong Won Korean BBQ Buffet, San Diego CA
4690 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 292-4670
What is there not to like about this place when you can eat as much as you want? With a table of condiments/appetizers and meats for you choose from, it will be probably be very hard for someone not to find something to eat here. Their meat selections ranges from beef, pork, chicken, and seafood (all available in marinated and unmarinated). Grill tables are available for parties of 4 or more; keep in mind that they'll bring out a portable grill to your table if you have less than 4. Their meats are tender and juicy. The special pricing for happy hour is 16.99 per person; regular price per person is 19.99. This place tends to get busy during happy hour and dinner hours. Try to make reservations if you can. And remember to save room for dessert, they have a soft-serve ice cream machine that serves really good ice cream to end your meal ;p
This All-U-Can-Eat place is competition to the one above
Manna Korean BBQ
4428 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 278-3300
I came here with a friend after a good Zumba workout (haha I needed protein). This place just opened on February 3, 2011 so it's very new. I was able to smell the BBQ smell 100 ft outside of the place. Just a fair warning, always plan on smelling like bbq after you have a Korean bbq meal ;p This place use to be an office space so I was surprised to see how nice they renovated it into a restaurant. They had 2 All-U-Can-Eat menus. The A2 menu is what I got for $19.50 per person and as you can see from below (click on the menu), that's a lot of food. The A1 menu is priced at $24.50 and has additional items including seafood, prime rib eye, and prime short rib fillet. I was good with my A2 menu and it's cheaper ;p I practically ordered everything on the menu (keep in mind that one or two items on the menu comes regular or spicy). EVERYTHING WAS TASTY! The side dishes served to us included their house salad, fish cake (my favorite when grilled), kimchi, bean sprouts, and thin rice paper (to wrap the meat if you want). The meats were seasoned and marinated well. The cuts were generously portioned ;p My favorite meats on the menu would be the LA YangNyum Galbi (Black Angus LA Marinated thin beef), Jumooluk (Marinated boneless short rib cubes), Bulgogi (Korean famous marinated beef), Beef Tongue (YES you read it right), and one of my long time faves Pork Belly (well cooked of course). I was quite curious and ordered the steam egg (shown below in a pot); it was light and tasted as though it was steamed with a little white wine. I would say it goes well with rice if you want to take a break from all the meat ;p Don't forget to order the Korean bean and pepper paste to dip your your meat; usually other restaurants bring this out but you order it from the menu here. If you haven't experienced Korean bbq, you definitely should give this place a try. The waiters/waitresses brings out your meat choices (2 plates at a time) and sets it on your grill but you get to grill the meat to your liking. It's kind of fun to have a group of family and friends cook their own food. The staff was constantly busy attending to all the tables. There's a buzzer at your table for when you need something. I didn't want to buzz for anything because the 2 ladies that were waiting on us were really sweet and I just waited for them to come around. I'll definitely eat here again. Let me know when you want to go and I'll go with you ;p This place is open everyday from 4pm-11:30 pm.
Try some Bubbly Boilng tofu soup or rice served in a HOT stone pot at
Tofu House, San Diego CA
4646 Convoy St., Ste 116, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 576-6433
This is definitely one of my favorite spots <3 I come here on cold nights and lunches for their tofu soup. When seated, your waiter/waitress brings out the traditional Korean condiments/side dishes to your table including my favorites being pickle cucumber and fish cake (I usually run out and order another round of these). They have a lot of menu options including soups, hot stone rice, and grill dishes. I always get their soups and you can order ones that they have on the menu or you can order the 'as you wish bowl' where you specifically order items that you wish to be added to your soup. All soup bases include tofu unless you request not to have it . Depends on your taste, you can order it to be mild toVERY spicy. Just a warning, these bowls can get pretty spicy ;p The best part is when your soup comes out boiling hot, you can crack in an egg or two and let it cook in. Same goes for their hot stone pot rice items. They have a variety of rice combos; probably the famous ones are their bulgogi beef, short beef ribs, and chicken. But you can crack and stir an egg or two when you get it at the table. Prices on the menu already includes tax and the average price for the soups are $8-$9 so it's very affordable.
A Korean bar with good food does exist
MIN SOK CHON, San Diego CA
4620 Convoy St. #C, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 560-8168
I LOVE THEIR SPICY CHICKEN WINGS! Haha just wanted to share that with all of you ;p My second favorite thing to order is their chicken gizzard platter sauteed with onions and green peppers. Their food is served nice and hot on sizzling platters. Whether you order my favorites or their bulgogi, chicken , or short ribs you will not be disappointed. All food orders are accompanied with their condiments/side dishes. I love their fish cake and potato sides. Alcoholic and non-alcholic beverages are available. Go with a carafe of flavored soju for a big party ;p The place offers casual late night dining with benches and tables. Music is played throughout the night. Private karaoke rooms are available. Hours are from 5pm to 2am. Come, eat, and have a good time ;p
NYC has a place for Korean wings
BON CHON
Tucked away in the streets of NYC just like many other restaurants, is Bon Chon. I was recommended to go to this place by 2 different friends of mine who have been to NYC many times. Now I can tell you why they did...the wings here are SUPER GOOD! I believe they have several locations in NYC. Definitely a place to hit up when you're in the mood for some spicy burning wings; I don't mean just any old buffalo wings. This is the real deal! Their wings are spicy, crispy, finger looking good ;p I remember my waiter was from San Diego and I remember telling him that I guess whether you're looking for a place to eat or to work, this was the place to be if you haven't gone before.
Best Korean BBQ I've ever ate!
Koreana, Boston MA
158 Prospect Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 576-8661 www.koreanaboston.com
If you haven't tried Korean bbq...you are missing out. If you're in the Boston area and have not been to Koreana...you must be crazy ;p This place has to serve the most tender marinated Korean bbq meats known to man. I couldn't believe the texture and the marblelization of their meats. Everything was marinated well and was very juicy. Our waitress was cooking all the meats for us. I only wish I could have more bbq nights here ;p
