Mashita! 25 Best Korean BBQ Restaurants in the United States

Korean food is on the rise big time in the States. From cosy BBQ joints to upscale eateries, more and more Americans are learning the magic that is Korean food. Japchae, kimchi, samgyetang are just a few of the usual offenders that get people hooked. Then, there’s Korean BBQ. Truly in a league of its own traditional Korean BBQ is a highlight of the cuisine. Whether you are a full-on convert of Korean food or looking to try some for the first time, here are the best Korean BBQ restaurants in the US.

Mashita! 25 Best Korean BBQ Restaurants in the United States, How do these rankings work?

1. Bori – Houston, Texas

Simply put, Bori is the gold standard of Korean food in the United States. This H-town favourite throws it down with their premium cuts of pork belly, jowl, beef short ribs and everything in between. Go all out on their Butcher’s Feast of beef belly, NY strip, boneless short rib and spicy pork ribs to see why they are one of the best Korean restaurants in the US. Don’t skimp on the sides either.

2. Meet Korean – Seattle, Washington

Meet Korean in the heart of Seattle is one of the best around when it comes to delicious Korean BBQ. Dive into any of their famous feast options such as the “Pork Feast.” This delectable spread includes juicy pork jowl, fatty pork belly and spicy gochujang pork belly. That’s not all though; you’ll also be treated with egg souffle, corn chean, banchan ssam and soybean stew. In short, Meet Korean is sure to hit the spot and satisfy the senses.

3. Quarters Korean BBQ – Los Angeles, California

California is home to the densest population of Koreans in the nation, so it’s no surprise the capital boasts some incredible Korean eateries. Head to Quarters Korean BBQ in LA for some of the best Korean bites in the City of Angels. Their menu will have your drooling in no time with everything from beef belly to rib eye to pork jowl and spicy pork collar. You really can’t go wrong with any item at this world-class restaurant, but we recommend opting for their Jumbo BBQ option – trust us.

4. Burnin92 – Dallas, Texas

Just a hop away from Crown Park you’ll find one of the best Korean restaurants imaginable – Burnin 92. Whether you’re after some beef tongue, pork belly or chicken bulgogi they’ve got you covered. Additionally, they offer a whole host of skewer bbq options perfect for throwing back some beers with. We recommend loading up on some pork ribs, shoulder and jowl. Don’t forget a kimchi pancake for the side.

5. Jeong Yuk Jeom – Los Angeles, California

Plain and simple, Jeong Yuk Jeom is the highlight of LA’s Korean food scene. This spacious two-story restaurant is the stuff of barbecue dreams. From the prime short rib to their incredible line up of dry-aged cuts, you can’t go wrong with any menu option. Be sure to fill up on the prime-aged ribeye and don’t miss the bulgogi pork.

6. Chicago Kalbi – Chicago, Illinois

You simply have not lived until you’ve torn into some of Chicago Kalbi’s famous barbecue. We’re talkin’ paper-thin ribeye, sauce smothered hone kalbi, tokujo-tongue and much much more. Run by Japanese chef Isao Tozuka, Chicago Kalbi perfectly blends Japanese and Korean style barbecue to make for feasts that are nothing short of epic.

7. SO Korean Grill – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philly is home to one of the Korean grills of your dreams – SO Korean Grill. This chic modern eatery takes Korean BBQ next level with all of your favourites plus more. Get stuffed off the sirloin, spicy pork bulgogi and pork belly. Or make it a surf and turf party with some orders of spicy squid and shrimp. Either way, you’ll be raving for days. Don’t forget to slosh it down with some soju.

8. Hae Jan Chon Korean BBQ Restaurant – Los Angeles, California

Hae Jan Chon Korean BBQ Restaurant is a cut above the rest with their perfectly marbled pork picks and melt in your mouth black Angus beef. Feeling a medley of the sea? Their small octopus, shrimp and squid lineup is some of the freshest in the Golden State. Best part? Their menu is all you can eat. I know. We can’t believe it either. Take your pick from 30 of their award-winning items and get ready to leave stuffed.

9. Miega Korean Barbeque – Cleveland, Ohio

Prepare your tastebuds for the absolute rollercoaster ride that is Miega Korean Barbeque’s menu. This Cleveland gem fires up some of the best Korean BBQ in the nation and is known for their down-home service and comfy setting. Light up your table grill and feast on one of their combo options like the Chef Combo 3. This option includes thin cut beef short ribs, beef bulgogi, pork bulgogi and pork belly. You really can’t go wrong.

10. Her Name is Han – New York, New York

New York is the authority on many of the US’ best Korean joints, and Her Name is Han is proof. This rustic Korean fave is known for their spicy pork BBQ smothered in gochujang and their house-infused soju. Whether you opt for the slow-cooked pork belly with kimchi, grilled bulgogi or spicy pork, you’re sure to be back for more. Don’t forget to top it off with a shot of any of their Korean spirits.

11. Jae Bu Do – Los Angeles, California 

Seafood is the name of the game at this East Hollywood fave. Where you’d usually see velvety pork belly and marbled bulgogi, Jae Bu Do does scallops, shrimps, eels and pretty much everything else from the sea. This humble Korean seafood BBQ spot is known for its laid back atmosphere and lifechanging shellfish picks. Whether you go for octopus, prawns, clams or hagfish, you’re sure to be delighted with every bite.

12. Sam Won Garden – New York, New York

Sam Won Garden perched on W 32nd is a fave for its galbi, marinated short ribs and paper-thin brisket. A sister to the famous Seoul restaurant of the same name, you can expect authenticity and mindblowing flavour in every bite. If you’re going to dine at one of the best Korean restaurants in the US, you gotta go big or go home. Order their Keun Modeum Gui. This assorted meat platter comes with sam won beef short rib, pork belly, sliced short ribs, marinated pork shoulder and even more if you can believe it.

13. Soh Grill House – Pasadena, California

This stylish BBQ grill joint is a staple in the Korean scene of Pasadena. At Soh Grill house they pride themselves on innovative twists on traditional Korean cuisine. Take their house grill sauce; for example, their super-secret sauce is made with over 30 different ingredients and takes more than 48 hours to make. We recommend ordering a slew of their kalbi bone-in rib that is smothered in the house sauce. Follow it up with some prime beef belly, bulgogi and top blade.

14. Kimchi Bistro – Seattle, Washington

Hidden inside Broadway Alley Mall, you’ll find one of Seattle’s absolute best-kept secrets – Kimchi Bistro. This simple, no-frills eatery is known for their killer traditional dishes that will transport you right to Seoul. The stars of the show here are of course the kimchi and barbecue. Take your pick from their spicy pork bulgogi, spicy octopus or spicy short ribs platters. Or better yet, just order all three.

15. Gopchang Story BBQ – New York, New York 

This bustling BBQ joint is a true Manhattan gem. Gopchang (grilled small intestines of a cow or pig) is the real showstopper here, but you can’t go wrong with any of their menu items. From the boneless beef short ribs right on to the grilled pork belly, each BBQ dish is more delicious than the last. Be sure to order their signature gopchang BBQ and soybean stew for the meal of a lifetime.

16. KPUB Grill and Beer Tap Room – Portland, Oregon 

One visit to Portland’s KPUB Grill and Beer Tap Room and you’ll be hooked for good. This Beaver State gem is famous for their sizzling pork bulgogi that is simply lifechanging. Even better? They have a beer menu to match. Load up on some piping hot BBQ and any one of their 12 different tap beers.

17. Manna Dosirak – Washington, DC

Manna Dosirak is the casual, affordable Korean BBQ spot to satisfy all your tastebuds in DC. This quaint and cosy eatery is known for their spicy pork, hot tofu and world-class service. Thanks to its affordability you can load up on just about every one of their menu items from the bulgogi to the hotteok. Don’t just take our word for how amazing Manna Dosirak is, the solid five star reviews speak for themselves.

18. Gogi – Chicago, Illinois

Relax and stay awhile at one of Chi-town’s most authentic Korean BBQ joints. Gogi is known for their authentic and laidback atmosphere where everyone is treated like family. While all of their choices are mouthwatering, the highlight is the beef short ribs. Fire up the table grill and get to roasting some ribs, pork jowl and pork belly for the meal of your life. Don’t forget to order a few brewskies to go with it.

19. Firepan Korean BBQ – Falls Church, Virginia

Firepan Korean BBQ is a leader when it comes to prime meats and traditional Korean flavours. Marinated, not marinated, seafood, veg – doesn’t matter, they do it all. The absolute best part? There are all you can eat options. Load up on brisket, soy sliced ribeye, firepan steak, thick-cut pork belly and so more with their Option A selection. Whatever you do, don’t skimp on the ribeye bulgogi.

20. Seoul K-BBQ & Hot Pot – Aurora, Colorado

There is simply no better place in the Rockies for classic Korean fare than Seoul K-BBQ & Hot Pot. This Aurora fave is regarded as the absolute best for classic table bbq with juicy, marinated meats galore. Opt for the three meat combo or go all-in on the pork – either way, you’ll be raving about it for days. Don’t forget a side of muk-bap, either.

21. Mapo Korean BBQ – Flushing, New York

Mapo Korean BBQ describes their restaurant as being “heaven-sent for homesick Korean expats who want to feel like they’re back in a home-style eatery in Seoul” so you know you’re in for a real treat. They take traditional Korean food, especially BBQ, very seriously. Whether you load up on the kalbi or go nuts on the bulgogi – it won’t be hard to see why Mapo has such a cult following.

22. Buk Chon Korean Cuisine – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

At Buk Chon Korean Cuisine, they are all about old school hospitality and Korean classics. Cosy, charming and distinctly Korean, you’ll find all your BBQ faves here and definitely won’t leave hungry. One thing worth mentioning is it is BYOB – so grab a six-pack and head on over for a meal you won’t forget anytime soon.

23. The Bulgogi + Dukuhbee Noodle – Portland, Oregon

Situated on 24th Ave in Portland, you’ll find one of the best Korean BBQ restaurants in the US – The Bulgogi + Dukuhbee Noodle. This snug Korean joint serves up beef, pork and chicken bulgogi that can only be described as lifechanging. Go to town on their beef short ribs or throwback some of their legendary bbq chicken wings- either way, you’ll be hooked.

24. 843 Korean BBQ & Sushi House – Charleston, South Carolina

Authentic Korean BBQ that’s marinated beyond belief is the name of the game at this Charleston favourite. 843 Korean BBQ and Sushi House pulls guests from far and wide looking to indulge in their sizzling meat barbecues that are enough to feed a small army. Go to town on their KBBQ 101 option with beef bulgogi, NY strip and pork belly. Alternatively, you can load up on their Pork Trio including pork steak, belly and jowl for the feast of your life. Either way it won’t take long to see why they are one of the best Korean BBQ restaurants in the US.

25. Jan Chi Korean Cuisine & BBQ – Austin, Texas

Everyone knows Austin, Texas to be one of the United States’ food capitals. The Texas capital is known for its incredibly diverse cuisine from all corners of the Earth, and Korean food is no exception. Jan Chi Korean Cuisine & BBQ is famous for their melt in your mouth pork belly and five-star bulgogi, but you really can’t go wrong with any of their BBQ dishes. While you’re at it, be sure to grab a bowl of their fiery kimchi jjigae to slurp up on the side.