The Absolute Best Korean BBQ Restaurants In The US

Korean barbecue restaurants take the concept of group dining to the next level. The Korean barbecue experience features tabletop grills flanked by seared meats and an array of condiments. Diners who partake in the Korean barbecue experience are encouraged to explore their food as much as they are to eat it. The cuisine and its communal approach have ancient, historical roots. 

Bulgogi is a kind of salted meat that is frequently consumed at Korean barbecues (via Food Worth Waiting For). Bulgogi was originally called maekjeok and originated in the Goguryeo era, which spanned from 37 B.C. to A.D. 668. This marinated meat became very popular in the 1950s, with the rise of slicing machines that were introduced to Korea during the Korean war. 

Most Korean restaurants serve meats such as bulgogi with banchan and barley tea. Banchan includes dishes such as kimchi and kongnamul or seasoned soybean sprouts (as per Thrillist). According to Statista, "Korean cuisine has continued to gain worldwide popularity since the early 2010s, and roughly 30 percent of respondents in a survey on Korean cultural contents in 2021 stated that Korean food was very popular in their country." The growing popularity of Korean barbecue restaurants means that lively barbecue joints can be found nationwide, from strip mall haunts to fine dining favorites, from the incredible quality to simply average. 

Bar-hoppers and gourmands alike will find lots to love with Quarters. The Koreatown staple's name cheekily references its quarter-pound portions. The restaurant hit the scene in 2014 following founder Cris Lee's prior success in bringing Korean BBQ franchise Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong to the U.S., which has become a prime LA barbecue spot (via On6thAvenue). Both establishments are located in the Chapman Plaza. Diners at Quarters BBQ can expect this Korean institution to really deliver on tastebud-bending fare. Quarters' boundless menu encourages experimentation at every juncture, ranging from helpings of short rib and pork jowl to inventive sides.

Rolling up the perfect morsel of meat to stuff into your mouth is just one incredible part of the tantalizing journey. Since Quarters is all about indulging the senses and having a good time, it makes sense to dine in groups so the whirlwind of flavors can be appreciated in full. The pork jowls and beef short rib, for example, impressed the Los Angeles Times, which described the gochujang marinade coating them as "a perfect balance of spicy and sweet" and suggested the larger combo platters for better value. If you're extra hungry, order a round of tapas like the 3 Alarm Wings or Korean Nachos for the table. You'll want to try these before the meat coma inevitably settles in. 

San Ho Won has truly carved out a spot in San Francisco. The founder of this trendy Mission District restaurant, Corey Lee, is also the mastermind behind Benu, a fine-dining destination that has received glowing accolades from Eater, Esquire, and The New York Times (as per Eater). Oh, and on top of that, Benu has three Michelin stars, which tells you all you need to know about its quality. 

Obviously, San Ho Won has a lot to live up to, and the eatery achieves this through ample flourishes of authenticity. The menu features condiments like kimchi, which is fermented with shrimp, seaweed, and 1000-day sea salt, while the grills are fired upon a bed of lychee wood coals. In a review from The Infatuation, Julia Chen waxes poetic on the galbi, calling it "a gateway to epiphany-inducing euphoria." The satisfaction is palpable; the review goes on to reverently state that "one bite of the double-cut beef short rib will make you reconsider everything you thought you knew about galbi." Connoisseurs of Korean cuisine heading to the Golden City will certainly have their meats cut out for them here.

Fall-off-the-bone ribs may reign supreme in Texas, but they ain't the only barbecue game in town (as per MasterClass). Bori is a popular Korean restaurant in Houston (via Houstonia). Bori channels the Lone Star State's penchant for juicy, fat-rippled meats, but with the strong, fermented spices that draw diners to Korean cuisine. Local honors, such as the Houston Press bestowing the restaurant with the title of Best Korean in 2020, certainly add to its buzzworthy status. The restaurant has an art gallery that showcases the family's art collection as well as local Korean artists. The space is available for parties and private events.  

The atmosphere is upscale, but its communal nature invites plentiful opportunities for filling your plate. Instead of smoky, sugary barbecue sauce, you've got gochujang. Instead of tangy coleslaw, there are pickled radishes. Corn on the cob, meet creamy corn cheese. There's enough overlap between Korean BBQ and American BBQ that all meat-lovers will find plenty to fill their plates and their bellies. One downside (if there is one) to Korean barbecue is the strong scents that seep into your clothes. Bori remedies that by having vents at every table, letting you bring home memories of your delicious meal, not the smell. 

When in the Windy City, feasting at Cho Sun Ok is a must. Chicago's Lincoln Square is filled with bars and incredible eateries (via Time Out). This historic Chicago neighborhood has harbored hidden gem Cho Sun Ok since 1980 (via OpenTable). Don't be surprised to find long lines trailing out the door on Lincoln Avenue — this restaurant's cramped interior is too small to meet the feverishly high demand that the charbroiled meats have incited for over 40 years (via Foursquare). When you finally do get a table, be prepared to fill up your plate. 

Servers will be working the grills at break-neck speed, maneuvering the tongs so that every juicy morsel is delivered right at the peak of freshness. As per one reviewer on Yelp, "Everything tasted like home-cooked food and soups were delicious. I was happy we left with some fried rice made with the leftover banchan and rice they brought out, and it made for a yummy snack later that day." As for drinks, guests can imbibe their own beverages because the restaurant is BYOB. If you can set aside the cramped dining room and slow service some customers have mentioned, you'll find a restaurant that's on par with the gogi-jips in Seoul. Try everything, if you can. What have you got to lose?

Portland residents with a liking for pork bulgogi, pan-jeon (green onion pancake), or concocting colorful bibimbap bowls can be found at KPub Grill and Beer Taproom. This trendy Korean establishment has served as a gathering place for barbecue fiends since 2019 (via Foodeist). In addition to having 14 beer taps and a bibimbap bar, KPub Grill and Bar Taproom is located in Park the Carts, a food truck hub that boasts diverse cuisines from around the world. Park the Carts aims "to bring the community together through love and food."

Contrary to the carnivore-heavy leanings of traditional Korean barbecue, vegans and vegetarians won't need to worry about being the odd ones out in the group. Tofu can substitute chicken or pork in customizable bibimbap bowls. Don't forget to wash it down with any of the beers available on tap. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and has plenty of dining options such as takeout, delivery, or dine-in to ensure that this delicious KBBQ is never out of reach.

It's easy to work up an appetite in Vegas — all that blackjack and shopping are bound to take their toll. Moo Woo Korean BBQ is located in Centennial Hills in Las Vegas and is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Don't be turned off by this restaurant's somewhat suburban placement — it has all the components of a solid barbecue joint. Diners can stuff themselves on delicious appetizers and meats, with prices that won't threaten to break the bank. Everything you could possibly want after hitting the slot machines, no?

If the restaurant's name intrigues you, it should: According to the website, "moo woo" is named after the happy noises made by cows. True to its name, customers happily gush about this eatery. Reviews on Tripadvisor consistently highlight the excellent food and service. One person raves about Moo Woo Korean BBQ's "yummy food" and "fantastic service," in addition to praising its authenticity: "Always personal and cheerful service and always delicious food! We lived in Seoul for 8 years, and this tastes like home!" 

People in Chicago craving spicy, umami goodness have a wealth of options for KBBQ at their fingertips. San Soo Gab San was voted Best Korean Restaurant by Chicago Reader; Cho Sun Ok Restaurant, which is also mentioned on this list, bagged the runner-up position. San Soo Gab San is also the recipient of the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand. This casual stop really does serve some of Chicago's finest KBBQ, offering a sprawling spread of grilled meats, stews, and so much more. 

At this place, feasting your eyes goes beyond metaphor. As one reviewer on Tripadvisor notes, "I can't begin to pronounce what we had for lunch, but when you are served 14 different sides and three different meats, rice, and a complete vegetable stir-fry, you've landed in foodie heaven." The cuisine, as the Michelin Guide notes, stays pretty true to its native roots and doesn't "bow or cater to Western sensibilities," so Korean transplants feeling homesick will be delighted to dine here. The ambiance may be fairly basic, but with good friends and good food, it won't matter a bit. 

The first Baekjeong in the U.S. opened in Los Angeles in 2012. Baekjeong NYC opened in Manhattan's Midtown in 2014, following off the success of the international chain's Los Angeles location two years prior. Since then, they've expanded to seven outposts across California and New York, with two arriving in the spring — one in San Jose, another in Lynwood, Washington.

The vibe, as Gayot notes in a review, is both "festive" and "upscale." It's also a beacon for celebrity sightings: A hall of fame photo gallery on the restaurant's website showing past visitors like Anthony Bourdain, Ed Sheeran, and Channing Tatum only adds to its hip pedigree. 

But Baekjeong (Korean for butcher) lives up to its name, with tender meat morsels capable of withstanding the heat. The rest of the menu, however, is just as stellar. New York Magazine calls the banchan "reliably on point" and the kimchi "requisite," both necessary components to enjoy the pork jowl or sliced brisket's "superior quality." One pro tip? Listen to Yelp reviewers and get on the waiting list through Yelp's app. It'll save time for more eating and less waiting.