Top Korean Restaurant in San Mateo
Myung Dong Tofu Cabin
2968 S Norfolk St, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States
Typical Korean authentic restaurant. The best recommendable Korean dishes served in San Mateo area.
Ninja Sushi & Tofu
681 San Mateo Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066, United States
Came here a around 9:30 pm on a Sunday nightThe staff was very friendly and took my order promptlyThe food was good, about what you would expect from a Sushi/Korean restaurant.
moonbowls (Healthy Korean Bowls- San Mateo)
66 21st Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States
I absolutely love this place! I have Celiac Disease which makes it really hard and dangerous to eat out. However, everything at Moonbowls is gluten free so I don't have to worry about getting sick! I'm also vegetarian and a lot of their items are vegan.My favorite items are the Gochujang sweet potatoes (vegan and gluten free) that come with a vegan ranch that they make! I also love the Potstickers that are made with impossible meat and come with this tasty ginger garlic sauce. (Vegan and gluten free). I haven't tried any of the bowls yet, but I'm assuming they are great as well. I've tried the sweet potato potstickers and wasn't too big of a fan, but I just think they were a little charred. As a dessert, they have Sweet Loren's edible cookie dough and the birthday cake one is delicious (vegan and gluten free).Two small mentions are that the cookie dough cup was much smaller than I would've thought for the price. However, I looked it up and that's the average price those cups go for. Also, adding extra sauce is $1.50 for a little container. This price seems steep to me, but then again everything is house made.Customer service is awesome- every time I order, someone named Sam (I'm assuming manager?) reached out to me to see if everything was good. One time I mentioned that they forgot to add the extra sauces I ordered and they gave me credit for my next order.Lastly, order from the moonbowls website or the mb app because the items cost a little less than on Doordash. Also, they give you loyalty points for ordering from their website!
Daeho kalbijjim & beef soup
213 2nd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401, United States
Cheesy Short Rib ?There’s no doubt that Daeho has been one of the hottest Korean restaurants in the Bay Area for the past couple of yearsNow with three locations with the opening of their newest San Mateo spot, this was my first time back since they opened Daeho Milpitas to join their flagship San Francisco locationI was determined this time to try the Kalbijjim with cheese (I thought it was gimmicky a few years ago) while also sampling more of their menu with a larger groupWhile there was a line, it moved quickly with first seating and the San Mateo interior may very well be their largest locationYou preorder on entry and while I thought the server suggested we order too much, it was actual spot on with the plentiful orders resulting in just a bit of leftovers (appetites are easily stimulated by delicious food)My favorites are definitely the beef ribs with cheese (it’s a great addition), the chadol (great soup broth) and the cold noodles. The stone pot rice and the spicy cold noodles, I’d skip next time. The price is elevated but portions and service are top notch. Now with three locations, crowds are more manageable although still popular.? Kalbi Jjim $85 ~ Braised Beef Rib with Extra Meat, Mild, Topping Cheese +$5 / Chadol (Brisket Point) Daeho Suyuk $55 / Kalbi Stone Pot $26 ~ Sizzling Rice Bowl w/ Mixed Vegetables & Grilled BBQ Beef Ribs / Mool Nyaeng Myun $20 ~ Noodle with Cold Beef Broth / Bibim Naeng Myun $20 ~ Noodle with Cold Sweet and Sour Spicy Sauce?DaeHo Kalbijjim & Beef Soup (San Mateo, CA)
Bonchon San Mateo
220 S B St, San Mateo, CA 94401, United States
Chain korean fried chicken restaurant locates in san mateo downtown, 2nd ave and B street (former tea river) the fried chicken is legit, crispy skin layer and good texture on meat. You can choose from wings, drums and stripes with garlic soy, spicy or half n half flavor. They have bar area and about 7-8 tables inside, no outdoor seating. They offer lunch special which is good for people working nearby. I visited during their soft opening and it seems this is a must try spot in San Mateo for fried chicken lovers.
K-Grill & Tofu House
617 San Mateo Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066, United States
I was down in San Bruno to buy a car and drove by this place at 7pm. There was a line waiting outside in the cold. So I joined ‘em, a 20 minute wait. I ordered the bibimbap, a simple meal. Came away hungry. Just kidding. Stuffed to the gills and delicious. Why are Koreans not grotesquely overweight? I’ve never under-eaten at a Korean restaurant. There’s a lot to choose from Asian-fusion wise in San Bruno, but you can’t go wrong with the K-Grill. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Seapot
1952 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States
Customer Service - 0 StarsVariety/Selections - 3 StarsBroth/ Sauce - 2 StarsI was in the area tired and hungry. I looked for suggestions for something different, and found Seapot. Hotpot with conveyor belt! I figured, I'll try it, and if it's good, I can convince the family to try it.Customer Service:You walk in, put your name, number in party, and phone number. Some people put their phone numbers, some didn't. I did not because I had every intention of standing just 8 feet away. Sure enough, I could clearly hear the hostess call the names. She only had to use the phone once when the guests were outside. Then she called 3 parties that came after me. I walked up, and asked if it would be much longer. She said no. She called 3 more parties. That was 6 people that she called that came after me! I went up, and pointed it out. She said she called my name but my number wasn't on it so she couldn't call my cell. I pointed out that I was just standing there, and she never called my name. She kept insisting she did. I asked her how much longer, she said “just a second.” One minute later, she sat my lone self in a 6-table setting. The couple called next was seated in an 8-people setting.I placed my order of Diet Coke, Herbal Broth, and Rib Eye. 15 minutes later when the three tables around me got their meat but my rib eye never showed up, I asked the server. She said it was coming. Five minutes later when everybody around me got their 2nd/3rd helping of protein, I asked again. They got me the beef but it wasn't the rib eye. I got one more beef order, and I never saw the server again. I really wanted more drinks.When I got my check, it was for $21. I put $25 cash with every intention of the $4 tip even if the service was really lacking. I usually tip more but the service and the food did not call for more than 18% tip. However, I never even got the change back! They made the assumption that the change was theirs to keep without even asking! Yes, that was the plan but I hate that they never bothered asking!Conveyor Belt:Small plates of seafood, vegetables, noodles, fresh fruits and other stuff go around for you to pick and cook. Some selections disappear fast never to be seen again.Sauce/Broth:The broth was pretty bland. You have to be creative when you make your own sauce. The “hot” chili was not hot. I think it's because there aren't really any hot oil.VibeSome people seemed to really enjoy it. Maybe a bunch of people called out, and they're short staffed. I don't know if I would go out of my way to come here and try again.
Chingu
211 S San Mateo Dr, San Mateo, CA 94401, United States
New korean food restaurant at San Mateo downtown. We arrived before they opened. We got seated right away. It is interesting that it looks like they only have 2 copies of menus, and it is rotated among tables. We took photos of the menu. Menu is simple, and the dishes are similar dishes you find at korean restaurants. We placed our order, and the server didnt write it down and just memorized it. We ordered steam egg, bimbimbap, and kimchi tofu soup. The egg came in a reasonable time. It was good, but it looks like it is not as soft as it should be. The bancan is ok. They are not that special.We waited a while for our other orders. The bimbimbap is yummy. The kimchi tofu soup is good. It is not apicy. Overall, we enjoyed our dinner, but service needs to be improved. It seems the kitchen was overwhelmed. For our bimbimbap and tofu soup, we waited for more than an hour. There is an additional around $2 service charge on the bill.
Minari
449 San Mateo Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066, United States
It’s great to have this Korean option in San Bruno. Water is self service with tiny cups. There were only 6 bonchon dishes. Some restaurants have 10. Food was otherwise pretty good including Spicy Squid. Service was perfunctory. For the pancake, they don’t cut it for you, but leave you a butter knife.
yumkimbap
66 21st Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403, United States
Yumkimbap was something we were missing in the area! Finally we have true authentic Korean kimbap. Its nothing like TJ kimbap, you will know as soon as you get the taste of it. Its so fresh and scrumptious. We got beef yumkimbap and vegie yumkimbap at their pop-up shop today and it reminded me of a good time in Korea at one of our aunts house, eating her handmade special kimbap! And I learnt that Yumkimbaps founders are Korean and their chef is Korean nutritionist /mother/grandmother/aunt. Besides the taste and quality, I loved their packaging. Omg, you gotta try their chocolate mochi :) yum yum yum. Such smart, hard working people - thank you for bringing not just kimbap but insanely authentic, yummy YUMKIMBAP to the area! And their price is nothing you could easily find in this area. Thank you for that too, anyone can afford the best taste.