10 Best Korean BBQ Restaurants in San Diego

Add some sizzle to your dining experience at the best Korean BBQ spots in San Diego. While you’ll certainly find your share of excellent sushi, bespoke breweries, and as authentic as it gets street tacos in San Diego - don’t sleep on this Korean favorite!

Amidst the boom of Korean restaurants opening in San Diego over the recent years, Korean BBQ has been a standout for foodies. This one-of-a-kind culinary experience treats you to your own private table-side grill with dishes prepped right in front of you.

True Korean BBQ connoisseurs know that the best restaurants offer top-quality meats, delicious sides, and sauces. They also create a pleasant atmosphere for enjoying the cooking experience with friends and family.

We’ve cooked up the perfect list to help guests staying in our San Diego Vacation Rentals find the best local spots nearby to get the best that ‘America’s Finest City’ has to offer! Here are our recommendations!

1. Buga Korean BBQ Restaurant

• 5580 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA
• bugabbq.com
• $$$
• Authentic experience
• Reservations available

Since 2001, Korean cuisine lovers have turned to Bugs Korean BBQ for an authentic experience. Why change it if it works? This restaurant has discovered that sticking to traditions is the best way to keep the regulars returning and is a must-try for newcomers.

This restaurant preserves Korean BBQ traditions with self-cooking and tables comfortable for small or large groups. There will be plenty of banchan sides to share, rounds of soju, a Korean distilled liquor, and kimchi. Since we’re sticking to traditions, try the Ssambap style of wrapping the cooked meat in lettuce before eating.

2. Gen Korean BBQ House

• 10765 Westview Pkwy, San Diego, CA
• genkoreanbbq.com
• $$
• Popular restaurant chain
• Reservations are available for parties of 10+ only

From New York to California, Gen Korean BBQ House is a chain that has established itself as the best on any coast! The Korean symbol for ‘Gen’ translates to ‘the beginning.’ That way, you know that walking through the front door will be the start of an unforgettable culinary experience.

3. Manna BBQ

• 4428 Convoy St, San Diego, CA
• mannaheavenbbq.com
• $$$
• Great for group dining
• Reservations are available for parties of 8+ only

Manna Heaven BBQ set out to introduce San Diego to the Korean custom of cooking and eating together. Korean BBQ was the perfect way to achieve this, and this restaurant is designed for enjoying time with family or friends.

Spacious tables and booths put everyone within arm’s reach of the tabletop grill. It serves large portions of meat and banchan so everyone can get their fair share. The casual setting makes everyone comfortable talking, laughing, and debating who cooks the best bulgogi.

With nearly 50 locations open (and coming soon), it’s a place where once you’ve tried it, you can look forward to the same great experience every time. Let San Diego be your introduction to their quality meats and fast service.

4. DJK Korean BBQ

• 7905 Engineer Rd, San Diego, CA
• djkkoreanbbq.com
• $$
• Charcoal-grill Korean BBQ
• Reservations accepted

DJK is the hottest Korean BBQ spot in San Diego. It’s one of the only places in town where you’ll find a charcoal grill that delivers specialized cooking experience once you’ve mastered it.

KBBQ fans enjoy charcoal grills for smokier flavors, achieving the perfect crisp on your pork belly and a better sizzle after laying your meats on the grill. The high heat makes the food cook fast, so you’ll be enjoying the delicious food in no time.

5. 356 Korean BBQ & Bar

• 1640 Camino Del Este, San Diego, CA
• Website
• $$$
• Type of Food
• Reservations are available for parties of 8+ only

Located in the heart of San Diego, 356 Korean BBQ is conveniently located for guests staying in our San Diego vacation homes. It brings traditional Korean BBQ to a modern setting.

Fancy yourself cooking on tabletop grills in an industrial-style interior with several flat-screen TVs hanging to watch the latest sports. There’s also an outdoor patio if you prefer the Korean BBQ taste without the task of cooking your own food.

Insider tip: check for special promos on their Instagram page.

6. Jeong Won Korean BBQ Buffet

• 4690 Convoy St #104, San Diego, CA
• jeongwonkorean.com
• $$$
• Buffet-style dining
• Reservations accepted

Have you ever been to a buffet-style Korean BBQ restaurant? Most restaurants bring out pre-selected meats and side dishes. Jeong Won Korean BBQ Buffet is a self-serve, self-cook restaurant that gives you complete control over how full you get!

Pay one price when you arrive, and it’s all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ food! Visit stations dedicated to quality meats, sides, and sauces. Then, bring them back to your table to cook on the tabletop grill and eat.

The best part is there is no time limit!

7. Sura Korean BBQ

• 1960 Optima St, Chula Vista, CA
• surakbbqsd.com
• $$$
• Variety of meat options
• Reservations accepted

There are levels to enjoying Korean BBQ at Sura. ‘Sura’ is a Korean word meaning ‘king’s meal,’ and all diners are treated like royalty. It serves meats based on your preferred tier. Get the classic tier for standard meats like brisket and beef belly. Upgrade to premium for top-quality ribeye, beef tongue, and galbi. Splurge on the sura tier for lobster tail and Korean spicy ramen. There is a two-hour time limit for AYCE, and groups that finish their food within one hour will receive a special discount!

Take home their KBBQ-to-go for an easy-to-use kit preparing your own meal right in your San Diego vacation rental.

8. SongHak Korean BBQ

• 4681 Convoy St, San Diego, CA
• songhakbbq.com
• $$
• Specializes in beef intestines
• Reservations not accepted

Tired of the same meat options at every Korean BBQ spot you visit? SongHak is a go-to for something you often don’t see on restaurant menus—beef intestines! Try three styles of the Korean specialty—Gopchang, Daechang, and Makchang. They have their own texture and flavor profile, so it’s worth trying them all to find your favorite.

SongHak maintains high quality by serving only prime-grade meat prepped by a Korean Master Chef.

9. Prime Grill Korean BBQ & Restaurant

• 4620 Convoy St, San Diego, CA
• kprimegrill.com
• $$
• Best all-you-can-eat spot
• Reservations are available for parties of 5+ only during the week

Bring your appetite to the Convoy District because Prime Grill is one of the best all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurants in San Diego. Two hours is plenty of time to cook and eat all the food you have room for. Choose the original, premium, or supreme menu for your ingredient preference, then fire up the grill and start cooking!

This is a great spot for date night or group dining since there is a two-person minimum for AYCE. Don’t be shy about getting another round of meats because no take-out is available for leftover food.

10. Shabumi

• 5667 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA
• instagram.com/shabumibbqmi
• $$$
• Vegetarian-friendly
• Reservations accepted

Shabumi is a fusion restaurant specializing in Korean barbecue and Japanese-style hot pots. These tables look different from other restaurants because they have two cooking stations, depending on your pick.

This is an excellent option for vegetarians. They won’t have to sit out on the meat-eating fest. It has a salad bar and several vegetarian options you can cook on the grill.

Discover Top-Rated Vacation Homes in San Diego

Don’t miss out on your chance to indulge in the rich flavors of Korean BBQ in San Diego during your visit. Our San Diego vacation homes provide the perfect home base for exploring the best local Korean BBQ restaurants. Browse our collection of rentals and book your stay today!