50 Best Korean Restaurants near El Cerrito

“The food was delicious!! we got the bulgogi it was grilled and marinated to perfection! They also gave a pretty generous portion so it felt very worth the price. Also tried the combination soonduboo which was soooo yummy. Definitely worth trying this place out if you’re looking for authentic Korean “

“we actually wanted to eat korean bbq with a grill and then came across a different kind of korean bbq - luckily for us. the food was bombastic. five of us went to eat and ordered a big pot for everyone. all the ingredients (meat, vegetables, cheese and spices) were so extremely delicious. definitely worth a visit if you make a trip to japantown.“

“A gem. SF is so lucky to have a place like this to call its own. Non-caricature chef’s tasting: in every bite you feel the chef’s soul and peer into his vision (if you frequent nyc fine dining or read Pete Wells’ piece on Nōksu, fair or not, you know what I mean.) Seasonal ingredients, personified in the chef’s diverse culinary journey.During the winter months, be sure to round up a crew of 4-6 and pre-order the king crab. The vibe is cali-convivial, in the best sense of laid back but get it done way.Early weekday seating, the restaurant is sparsely seated and it feels like you are a guest in chef’s home, warm and inviting.“

“Came here with a group of 5 for a friend’s bday and was so pleasantly surprised!Good:- The tater tots were awesome, loved the bulgogi- Great pricing for a large group not too expensive- The bulgogi hot pot was so good- I like the fruit wine here as well and came with a lot of ingredients in it- Service was great friendly staff who also brought out ice cream and sang happy birthday, food also came out quicklyBad:- The chicken karaage was pretty normal not super fancy though and was a bit blandOverall this place was a solid place for a hangout with friends and great Korean food. Was packed as well on a Thursday night“

“The food was good, but definitely not worth the price tag, with the exception of the uni toast (10/10), the pasta, and the oysters. The steak tartare barely tasted like steak, and nothing other than the uni was worth coming back for. Dessert was pretty good though. Ambiance was also very casual, but not “

“Solid place, but not all that special. Maybe I didn't order any of their really unique stuff, so that's on me. I like that they have a wide variety of hot sauces.I don't really like that between credit card fees, a 18 percent default tip, and the tip being calculated after tax and fees, things cost like 36 percent more than their listed price (rather than the standard 25).“

“We just got delivery and everything is really delicious and beautiful. My spouse who despises kabocha thinks the banchan kabocha, lightly yuzu-citrus flavored, is the best he’s ever had. Bummer we live in Los Angeles or we would be back frequently.“

“As a Korean-American, I hate Korean fusion or Korean flavor/influenced food. But, please TRUST when I say the kalbijjim pastry is soooo good. I thought it'd suffice because I needed something thick to take with my meds. I was pleasantly surprised as it was not heavy, nor was it excessively sweet. It did not have too much of that soy sauce + sugar taste that other places put in too much of. It was so perfect. I shoved it in my mouth as I was turning right, crushing the box on my lap, with a cop on the corner staring at me like I was so dumb to do this in front of him. It was worth it. Anyway, the lines aren't too bad as it goes by, and they are very nice there.“

“They have really pretty outdoor seating. The banchan is excellent (like some of the best ive had). The service was excellent. The main dishes I got were not very good, tofu stew was a little bland and they don’t have bibimbap, only stir fried veggies and meat over rice.Overall I really like this place but would order something different next time.“

“I made a reservation at 5 and we were seated immediately. The servers were very friendly & we were pleasantly surprised they cooked our meal for us. We ordered the Beef Combo & Stew Set B and that was more than enough for 2 people. Would definitely come back!“

“I love the Crammy Kimbap here!!! The crab and mayo combination is really satisfying and contrasts the pickled veggies well. They don't skimp on the portions and the staff here are kind. If you're looking for a quick lunch spot or some takeout in the Chinatown area, this is a decent spot to check out!“

“Kiss My Seoul is a great reason to come to the alley across from Hall of Justice, even if you don't have jury duty. A very well priced, very large bowl of food, with many ingredients. I had the pork, it was seasoned beautifully. This is now my go-to when I want "Seoul Food". ??“

“Very good Korean fare in a laid back setting. Ollei serves up tasty late night grub and vibes in Russian Hill. The grill is burning, the meat is cooking, soups are boiling, the drinks are flowing and kpop is popping, this is a good Korean restaurant in San Francisco. Tasty food at an affordable price and where you can also go to throw a couple back as well. It was the perfect place to warm up on a cold SF night, food and drink wise. I’m definitely coming back to try various other dishes. Very good.Kid-friendliness: Not really“

“This Korean market used to be in Downtown Oakland and a few years ago to moved to Montclair which is my neighborhood so I personally was happy it moved there.EM Deli has a wide range of Korean and Asian products ranging from meats, noodles, rices, some veggies and a variety of sauces and spices.There is some prepared cooked foods (fried rice, kimpap, etc.)They have a meat section which has Korean bbq grade cuts (thinly sliced steak, pork for hotpot or Korean bbq)“

“My cousin showed me this place and I fell in love! They always have k-pop playing and the corn dogs are so mouth watering good!Vegetarian options: They have dogs that don't have any meat in themParking: It's Berkley. The parking here is tough to find“

“Such a great spot. Been here a few times and the owner is super friendly, clearly cares about every detail. Food is amazing, everything I’ve had has been awesome. It’s the kind of place I really hope sticks around, they deserve it. Highly recommended.“

“3.5 stars - Excellent vibe and drinks. Service was friendly but slow. Food was just ok, and portions are small, so feels overpriced. Joodang is in the tenderloin, so inevitably, the area is a bit sketchy. This didn't stop us because I had been wanting to try this place since it opened! You just have to be careful and aware of your surroundings - nothing surprising if you're familiar with the TL. The exterior is quite unassuming. You could easily walk past it if you're not paying attention. The inside of the restaurant on the contrary is bright, modern, chic and clean. We had an early dinner reservation for 4 people on a Friday night and were cheerfully greeted and seated right away upon arrival. The restaurant quickly filled up, but I appreciated that the tables were comfortably spaced out and it didn't get too cluttered. They have Asian inspired cocktails. We each ordered a different one and they were all both aesthetic and delicious! We also ordered 2 bottles of soju to sip on throughout the meal. Loved how friendly and encouraging the staff was of us keeping the alcohol flowing! :-p Though the food was fine, I'd have to say the drinks were way more memorable than the food. Everything is meant to be shared, but be warned that the portions are quite small. We ordered: - Beef tartar: Tasted fresh, well balanced - Risotto: One of my favorite dishes of the meal. The portion was pretty small though. - Bulgogi tater tots: tbh can't remember what the official dish name was, but it was essentially loaded tots, topped with bulgogi. I enjoyed this dish and its flavors, but didn't find it to be particularly special. - Korean Fried Chicken: Portion size for this was extremely disappointing, as we just received a few wings on a plate. They were flavorful, but not worth ~$18. - Kim Chi Udon: Good flavors. I enjoyed the toppings too - Pork Belly Cheese Doboki - I will not be ordering this again next time. While it sounded promising, this was just way too pricey ($26) for a dish that lacked flavor. And unfortunately, the texture of the rice cake felt like it was microwaved from frozen. I really want to support Joodang still, and I hope they succeed. The staff was super friendly and nice. However, some of our food took a while to come out (which generally is fine), but we had to ask them to check on our order and also for the bill at least 2-3x. With that said, I really hope they can work out the kinks because they have a great concept and a lot of potential.“

“Value: 4.5/5Ambiance: CasualStumbled upon this restaurant after roaming Japantown. Such a great find. Our group ordered the Jokbal, seafood pancake, tteokbokki, spicy braised tofu, cheese pork tonkatsu, Jokbal fried rice, and kalbitang. Food was absolutely great and very comforting. Flavors hit home for me. Seafood pancake quality seems a bit better than comps around the city. Portions were sizeable and filling so the value is there. The reason I gave value a 4.5 is because some dishes are pricier than I'd expect. Service didn't miss.Overall, they didn't do anything wrong, dishes had authenticity, so no reason to take away a star.Would definitely come back again.“

“Best KFC in oakland hands down!! Everyone is super friendly and was so welcoming! I got the soy garlic chicken and the spicy rice cakes and it was so crispy and juicy! i love supporting small businesses and i cant wait to come back and try other things on the menu!!“

“Second time eating Kokio and still delicious. Spicy wings were not too spicy. I caved and used a glove like they recommended, much better eating experience. Would be nice if the tofu balls were a little smaller, they tend to fall a part, but that hasn't stopped my husband from gorging on them.“

“Food is amazing here! Everything from the short rib plate to burgers! The only thing better than the food is the people running it. Everyone is so friendly it's incredibly refreshing. James is usually at the register- awesome guy that treats you like family. Love it!“

“I've walked past this place countless times, and finally I stopped in yesterday for lunch with a friend. What a find! The food is simply incredible, and the portions are huge. I would recommend coming to eat with a group in order to enjoy this place family style. There was so much I wanted to try but, alas, only so much I could comfortably eat. For my fellow vegetarians: The japchae plate with a side of soup is to die for, and don't pass up the hot braised soft tofu (the pickled vegetables on the side really elevate the experience, too).Vegetarian options: Japchae rice plate, braised tofu.“

“Our favorite Korean restaurant in the East Bay. We eat here at least twice a month. Galbitang, kimchi soondoobu, bibimbap, dolsot bibimbap, bulgogi, kimchi/seafood/chive pancakes, chicken katsu, naengmyeon, banchan—everything is always amazing. The bibimbap can be made vegetarian with tofu instead of beef. Love the service, atmosphere, and that the broth soups are salted to taste at the table. It’s smaller and parking is limited so getting there early is a must.“

“Nice to have a neighborhood joint that serves Korean food! Nice decor place is conducive to group events. Fried chicken is good as is their kimchi fried rice. Also enjoyed the beef served with lettuce and condiments. My one complaint? I felt really short sitting at the bar, lol! The barstool to bartop height was a Challenge lol! Guess I will sit at a table next time!“

“Great place for a bite before the Orpheum. With so many closures in SF, its one of the few open eating near the theatre. That said, had a 4:30 reservation before the 7:30 show. Its was surprisingly full and looked like lots of theatre-goers. The service was excellent. The food was good. We had calamari and chicken wings appetizers, loco moco, and meatloaf entrees. Killed some time with coffee. Would recommend if you're going to the Orpheum.“

“Great brunch! We had an outdoor table in the sunny cool air. Lots of people were eating brunch. Our server came right away. . We had eggs Benedict with millionaires bacon, galbi jjn Benedict. And I had beef bulgogi fried rice. My beef bulgogi was good but a little mild - I ordered a side of Kim chi to spice it up. The setting was beautiful !“

“The best sushi I've ever had! I went during my vacation to SF, and you can definitely taste the difference compared to some of what is served back east. It was quiet when my family and I went, and they provided a cozy, friendly experience. The owner was very kind. I greatly recommend visiting if you're in the area.“

“Both of us enjoyed our dinner though we dined on starters because the entrees seemed to fit the colder weather. My dining companion had the fennel soup, which presentation alone made you want to tuck in. She also had the potato pancakes that were plentiful. I had the tuna tartare with a delicious herb sauce & the outstanding, crunchy chick pea fries with a tangy harissa sauce. The fries alone will make me go back. We will be back.“

“Kitchen Woori catered our wedding and it was amazing! All of our guests (even the picky ones and kids) raved about how good the food was. We got the spicy pork (my favorite) and beef bulgogi (also super good), veggie fried rice (delicious!), sweet and sour popcorn chicken (zero leftovers), kimchi and veggie pancakes, cucumber salad (mom favorites) and seasoned broccoli. My partner and I highly HIGHLY recommend Kitchen Woori for your catering needs!“

“I knew exactly what I wanted as I walked in. I smelled the Bibimbop and my tummy was already smiling. the service was great! and the food was delicious! our 3 year old approved the Chicken Cutlets with their special sauce! we're definitely coming back the next time we're in town!“

“Kurabuta pork and truffle oil dumpling soup easily served two as did the fried organic chicken breast sandwich on an Acme torpedo roll. Soup was complex and wonderful. Sandwich was hearty. The house-made pickles were just one more excellent thing about it. Will take pic next time. Big sandwich. Pick up times are accurate, if you arrive very early they have beautiful cookbooks to page through. Service is excellent. Once I found parking right in front. More often arrived at pickup time, order was ready, back in car in less than 5 minutes. Also, parking on west side of 23rd just north of Macdonald. There are fewer spots on east side of 23rd because of curb cutouts for the large McDonald's parking lot. (And if you see a hint there, OK.)“

“Came by on Tuesday night and it was a slow night, with lots of tables still open. Everything is pretty straightforward. You can add beef or lamb in your order at the counter (not available at the self serve area). I aimed for a medium plate of food and accidentally got myself a large plate by the time I got to the end of the self serve table. I just kept piling on item after item, oops! I did end up with leftovers, which I packed and happily finished for lunch the next day. I like heat, but the lowest level of heat for the stir fry was just about enough for me. Anymore heat and I don't think I could enjoy the food. I'd love there to be a level or two below this lol. I was expecting a mild, tinge of spice, but this felt like a full on medium. I liked my plate, but my stomach didn't like me afterward. Their strawberry tanghulu was good! Wanted to try a tomato version but the one left in the box didn't look really fresh. Looking forward to coming back to try more!“

“Went here after watching a show in the area. A small quaint place that is open till late. The servers were really nice and friendly. We got kinchi fried rice with chicken and spicy sauce boneless fried chicken. The spicy sauce was more sweet and less spicy and I wish it were the other way around but overall food was decent.“

“My fav place to eat in FiDi. Delicious food and variety with seamless operation and friendly staff. Always make it my mission to support this business and I am not the only one. Situated in a shopping center that is mostly all closed, Julie’s is one of a few tenants (3 or so tenants) that single-handedly drives a majority of the foot traffic in this shopping center. People come in either ordering buffet or their deliciously selected menu items. You can never go wrong with Julie’s!“

“Cozy little Korean spot that is bound to have something for everyone. I was surprised at how expansive their menu was here and a bit overwhelmed at what we should get. It does give vibes of a Korean pub but it was fairly tame since we came on a weekday evening for dinner. We ended up going with the Japchae and the Bossam. The Japchae was fantastic -- it had so much flavor and a ton of veggies in it as well. I'm a huge fan of Bossam generally, but theirs didn't quite do it for me. It didn't taste very fresh and I thought it was just a little soggy. They also cut it thick, which I don't think helped much. Not the best thing on the menu for sure, so I'd probably skip this next time. But the good news is, there's a ton more options to choose from here that are probably better. Food came out very quickly and service was great throughout! The lady working seemed really nice :').“

“We got here just in time before the huge dinner rush since discovering this place on tik tok! The food overall was good. Everything had a good kick to it. The soy marinated crab was really good and very popular. The DIY rice balls were so good and fun that you get to make your own. Soft tofu Soup was piping hot and very good. The cheese and chicken were also a hit! Will definitely be back! Service was so so once they got really busy.“

“We ordered take out and all of the food transported well including the crispy garlic chicken. The garlic chicken was the best - good flavor and good crunch - and the Yangnyeom chicken had a nice smoky flavor although not as spicy as we expected. Very saucy so have lots of napkins handy. Rice bowl and rice cake rounded out the dinner with decent sized portions. The spicy pork was tasty and it was good to get some veggies in. The rice cake is the only dish I probably would not order again as it was too chewy. Overall I would return here!“

“I LOVE Bento & Bowls. I always order the bulgogi bowl for take out online. It’s plenty of food and it’s consistently good.I’ve never eaten at the restaurant, it’s definitely meant to be a take out spot. There are a couple small tables if you realllly want to eat there.There’s a small, free parking lot. Could park on the street too.Anyway, go here if you don’t feel like cooking dinner :)“

“Clientele was all Korean during my late Sunday lunch here; always a good sign.Yuyu is not a “Chinese” restaurant in the American sense but is a “Korean-Chinese” joint. This style of food was developed by Chinese immigrants from Shandong to Korea and is highly popular in Korean communities across the world.There aren’t many Korean-Chinese places in the bay that are good but this is one of them. Both the classics ganjjajang and tang su yuk were excellent. The meat in the ganjjajang was SO tender and the tank su yuk was fried perfectly.“

“This place was very different and tasty. The rice triangles are wrapped in seaweed with your filling of choice, like a little sandwich. I got the 2 triangle order and it came with edamame. I got chicken teriyaki, which was tasty and fresh, although a bit sweet for my taste. It was my son’s favorite. I also got the spicy Ahi Tuna. Tuna was delicious. I would return.“

“Came on a Sun around 2pm for a party of 3. There was about a 20 min wait. Great food, no complaints! We ordered the Soy Garlic Chicken (half size), Creamy Rose Spicy Rice Cake, and Beef Short Rib Stew. The chicken and rice cake were both very flavorful while the beef short rib stew was light (just how we like it). Portions are pretty big so careful not to over order. We had left over chicken and rice cake to box up! Service nice and attentive.“

“Great food selection in a definitely hip Korean restaurant with a cool decor with tin walls and little street feel with tables in little private booths. Parking is a little dicey on this side of Telegraph but it is Oakland. I would say food is definitely on the pricey side like your typical Korean joint but the portions are great. Soups are really good and they don't skimp on ingredients. We had a rice cake soup as well as Kim chi pancake and bulgogi. Mandoo is was good too. The Korean side dishes were fresh. But definitely cost was up. Still I recommend going to go drinking and a good time. Chicken was decent but I wouldn't say the best Korean fried chicken I've had. Probably needs a little more sizzle to the seasoning. We got the sweet and spicy but next time will try the garlic soyParking: Don't leave belongings visible as it's an open street but should be okay.“

“It's near my job so I come here for lunch and it never disappoints. The food is always super good and fresh. The chicken is crispy and flavorful, the katsu sauce is also great. And for $11 at lunchtime, it's a lot of really good food.“

“The food and service was amazing here. Came on a Saturday afternoon, it wasn't packed, and parking was easy. We ordered the mild chicken wings, beef kimbap, and spicy pork bibimbap with the melon soju... EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING and enough to split with my friend. Food did take a little bit to come out, but I will never complain about how long it takes because it was fresh and made with love. I will be back soon, definitely try this place out.“

“Overall, the fish quality is decent. Wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but not a terrible option for sushi in the area.The Heaven Roll and the Bay Bridge Roll were pretty delicious! Honestly, simple options, but they satisfied my sushi craving for the day. The waitresses here were quick and efficient. No compaints on the service!This is located on the corner of a commercialized area. Near The Masonic, August Hall, Union Square, and Grace Cathedral. (expect parking to be tricky!!)“

“Great addition to the Berkeley community! I saw that they had bulgolgi fries so I just had to stop by and try. I ended up also getting an order of the kfc bowl with purple rice and japchae. Everything was made to order and came out super fresh. The spicy mayo was the perfect topping for both and made the food so much richer and flavorful. Our food also came out relatively quick and the presentation was beautiful (see attached photo)! We went during opening time so it wasn't busy but this place will be a hit for sure!“

“As a Korean person, I love this place. The menu is small but everything is amazing! The half and half noodles are my favorite, best of both worlds! The Tang-Soo-Yuk and friend chicken is always made fresh, so it takes some time, but totally worth the wait. The honey and cheese fried chicken is so delicious that we order 2 and take 1 of them home. Reheats in the air fryer perfectly!!“

“The food is delicious. We always get a takeout, and the only thing that bothers us is the occasional lack of consistency. We are used to bento boxes containing decent portions of meat, noodles, rice, and salad, but sometimes the portions are much smaller, to the point my husband is still hungry afterward... The price has been the same for the bigger portions as for the smaller ones, so naturally, we are disappointed to receive less food...“

“I love this place. Food is great, well-priced, banchan is super fresh, and the people who work here are so nice. I came in and ordered soft-tofu soup to go while I had a cold and the woman who brought my order said she gave me extra broth and hot rice for free because she wanted me to recover more quickly. Wonderful restaurant with a community orientation. Also, order the chicken wings. Just do it. They're amazing.“

“This place is AMAZING!!! We got the rose and carbonara tteokbokki and both were flavor bombs! The rose tteokbokki had a nice creamy consistency and slight kick (highly recommend adding sausages and mozzarella). The carbonara tteokbokki was literally one of best things I've ever had ~ it's creamy, flavorful, umami, and the bacon adds a nice texture! We also tried the so-tteok which was delicious! Highly recommend and will be back!!! Also the service is awesome ~ I think the owner took our order but he was so nice!!!“