Cancel

Open app

Search

2N1 Korean BBQ

4.2 (209 reviews)
PriceyKorean, Barbeque
Closed • 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated 2 months ago

Waitlist - 2N1 Korean BBQ

Waitlist closed

The restaurant is not taking waitlist parties right now

2N1 Korean BBQ Reservations

2N1 Korean BBQ Photos

Business Info

2N1 KOREAN BBQ ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - 2N1 Korean BBQ

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Pedro S.

First time at 2nd1, and overall a great place to get your Korean BBQ fix. It's a very clean spot with plenty of meat options to choose from, and the spicy options have a good kick. There are plenty of sides too, so there's something for everyone. It's a good place for big groups, with plenty of parking. Definitely worth checking

Spread
Jemiah J.

Came here with the hubby, and we had a good experience. The grill was a bit small, but it was perfect for two people. Service was also fantastic. We got the pork bulgogi, brisket, and pork belly. I enjoyed the meats, grilled corn, and steamed egg. If you're coming here for the side dishes, the salad appetizer and kimchi they are mediocre. The meats, grilled corn, and steamed egg are the reason I'm giving it four stars because they were tasty.

Unlimited side dishes with over 30 different items
FoodDinosaur P.

This is a legit kbbq restaurant with super fresh meats. You can tell how much they pay attention to the quality of ingredients in each side dish. Everything tastes so good and they're experimenting with new flavors for dishes and drinks which keeps things interesting. Need to shoutout to our waiter, ERIC, who is the best waiter I've ever encountered. He is so fast and swift, he has whatever you need before you even ask. His humor and friendliness is such a pleasant addition to the restaurant. Also, how do they make the ramen taste so good?!! You have to try the ramen

Gary M.

When you first step into 2N1 Korean BBQ in Vista Village, it immediately feels promising. The place has a sleek, modern vibe--clean lines, shiny new tables with built-in grills that look fresh and well-maintained, and an organized layout that makes the limited seating feel efficient rather than cramped. The decor is contemporary and inviting, which sets high expectations right away. The food arrives incredibly fast, thanks to attentive (and understandably hurried) servers who keep things moving in a busy spot. Ordering is straightforward with plenty of options via the menu or perhaps digital aids, and the all-you-can-eat setup includes a solid variety of meats (pork belly, brisket, bulgogi, chicken options, etc.) plus unlimited sides like corn cheese, steamed egg, kimchi, japchae, and more. The quality is decent--the meats grill up nicely, the sides are fresh, and everything tastes good overall. That said, as someone who's hit up many Korean BBQ joints (especially in areas with stronger Korean food scenes), the flavors here feel noticeably milder and less bold. The marinades and seasonings don't pack that distinctive, punchy umami or spice punch you get at top-tier places. It's enjoyable, but it doesn't stand out in a memorable way. The biggest issue, though, is their strict leftover policy: If the server deems there's "too much" food left on your plates at the end, they can hit you with a $10 fee per table (or similar charge for waste). This is common in some AYCE KBBQ spots to curb over-ordering, but what makes it frustrating here is the no-take-home rule--even if you're willing to pay the fee, they won't let you box anything up. It feels arbitrary and punitive, especially when you're paying a premium for AYCE and trying to enjoy the experience without waste. That policy alone soured the visit and dropped my rating significantly. Service is quick and efficient, which fits the fast-paced environment, and the grills/ventilation worked great--no smoky mess. But with other solid Korean BBQ options nearby in the Vista/Carlsbad/San Diego area that deliver bolder flavors without the leftover hassle, I'd suggest trying those first unless you're specifically in the Vista Village area and want something modern and convenient. If they revisited that policy (maybe allow take-home for a fee or make the waste charge clearer upfront), it'd easily bump up to a 4. As it stands: solid 3/5--promising setup and good food, but held back by execution on taste intensity and that unbelievable no-doggie-bag stance. Would return? Maybe for a quick lunch special if I'm nearby, but not a go-to spot.

Sylvain B.

Unbeatable for lunches! Enjoy their lunch specials for AYCE priced at $25! It includes beef brisket, lot of pork, some chicken and about 35 sides and veggies. Had a blast with the beef, japchae and onion salad for about 2 hours ;) All side dishes were well seasoned and tasty. Perfect sized potions. Great attentive and super fact service! Place is large, spacious and clean. Will go back! ps: they sell (at an extra cost) some really nice green tea ice cream cakes!

Julie T.

First time in for dinner this evening (11/15/25), and the hubby and I were not disappointed! It's an AYCE concept, so come hungry! We ordered the regular dinner option for $33.99, as it was our first time in, and wanted to just get a feel for the place. The options were varied and the quality was very good. Our favorites were the chopped beef and the brisket. We also ordered the spicy chicken, and bulgogi which were both delicious as well. They have tons of sides to order from to go with your proteins and they all come out of the kitchen super fast. Speaking of super fast our servers tonight were Jacob, and then Jahir towards the end, and they were both fast and super friendly! I'd honestly come back just for their great service. The dining room is super spacious and a little noisy, but that's all Korean BQQ restaurants. I'll definitely be back again soon, and often.

Mary L.

Stopped by on a Monday to try their lunch special. Was seated within 5 minutes, Wally was our server. He and the other staff was so on point, efficient and quick on their feet. We thought the lunch special would be not as good as their regular menu, but we were wrong. It was pretty much the same, still a lot of meat options and side dishes. We also love how there was less people, so less noisy and more chill. Overall, highly recommend trying the lunch menu.

Drink menu
Krystal R.

Food is soo good Service is so fast and kind Restaurant itself is huge and very spacious. Love the fact that they change out your grill when it gets too dirty Came for the lunch special and it's worth it! I'll be coming back for sure!

Michael C.

​2n1 KBBQ is a fantastic, new, and clean establishment that's already making a name for itself in Vista. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is welcoming and spotlessly maintained, creating a pleasant environment for a comfortable meal. ​The dining experience here is set apart by the background music--a curated playlist of Millennial R&B that provides a fun, nostalgic, and chilled backdrop for your grilling session. ​The food quality is reliably good. They offer a decent selection of meats for your KBBQ fix and the banchan selection is handcrafted, which elevates the AYCE experience. These fresh, unique side dishes offer delicious depth and variety, perfectly complementing the grilled items. ​For families, this place is a thoughtful choice; a major perk is that kids under 5 eat free, making it a budget-friendly outing for those with little ones. ​We've visited this place several times with the family and have had a consistently good experience. My daughter loves to help grill and enjoys the food here. If you're looking for high-quality, handcrafted sides, clean surroundings, and a great vibe, you should definitely give this place a try!

Dumplings
Wayne W.

Ah-mazing! This is my second visit to this restaurant, and it didn't disappoint. I opted for the all you can eat lunch special priced at $24.99. Nite- if you don't finish your food in 2 hours there is an additional $10 charge. The staff was incredibly prompt in delivering my food and ensuring that I had everything I needed. The casual atmosphere was enjoyable. Overall, this was a truly exceptional dining experience, and I can't wait to return.

Dawne M.

Finally made it to 2n1 Korean BBQ after way too long... and WOW, I regret nothing except not wearing stretchy pants. We went all in. Appetizers? Yes. Meats? All of them. Self-control? Left at the door. By the end, we were deep in the "meat sweats" phase and still contemplating one more round like champions. Staff was on point; super attentive without making us feel judged for the absolute damage we were doing to the grill. Pricing? Shockingly reasonable for how much we put away. Food? 10/10 no notes, just pure happiness. Also... it being 10 minutes from my house is both a blessing and a serious threat to my future. Already planning who I can drag here next for lunch and dinner. Highly recommend ! Just come hungry and maybe warn your waistband in advance.

Banchan
Samantha G.

Came here on a Friday evening and it was busy but the we didn't wait a long time to get seated. They didn't have much beef options which I was pretty bummed out about. The service was good but took awhile to get a grill change. Our grill was burning for a while and eventually we had to turn it off twice because no one came to change it. The sides were okay but it's still a nice Korean bbq place to eat with friends and family.

See all

Reviews are largely positive. Many highlight the attentive and friendly staff, fresh and flavorful meats, and a clean and modern atmosphere.

Read the full review summary in the app

Photo of Ted K.
15
200
516

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 day ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

5 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 1

10 months ago

Helpful 9
Thanks 4
Love this 10
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

5 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

20 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of Dawne M.
251
96
171

7 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Kyung min N.

Kyung min N.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 2

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

5 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 4
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

This place is delicious. Would highly recommend for someone looking for a decent priced Korean bbq meal. Would absolutely recommend

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Business owner information

Photo of Kyung min N.

Kyung min N.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1
Photo of Mina D.
0
49
59

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jj N.
0
37
25

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 6

Ask the Community - 2N1 Korean BBQ

You might also consider

Manna Heaven BBQ

Manna Heaven BBQ

4.3(1.9k reviews)
8.6 mi
•$$$

Manna HEAVEN KBBQ continues to live up to its name, because every time I come here, I leave…read moreconvinced I briefly visited a higher plane of grilled-meat existence. Kim was our server, and she was absolutely amazing. She had the perfect balance of attentive, kind, quick, and somehow magically aware of when we needed something before we even fully realized it ourselves. Drinks? Handled. Meat? Flowing like a delicious Korean BBQ river. Table check-ins? Perfectly timed. She moved around like the conductor of a smoky, sizzling symphony, and we were just lucky enough to be sitting in the orchestra section. The meat was incredible as always, fresh, flavorful, tender, and cooked into the kind of happiness that makes you pause mid-bite and question whether you've been appreciating food enough in your life. Every round just confirmed what I already knew: Manna Heaven KBBQ is my favorite for a reason. Great food, great energy, amazing service from Kim, and the kind of meal that makes you immediately start planning your next visit while you're still digesting the current one. Kim deserves applause, a raise, and possibly her own ceremonial golden pair of tongs.

Customer service was disappointing, and there was no air conditioning. After a long, exhausting day…read moreat Comic-Con, we were looking forward to enjoying some KBBQ. When we arrived, the restaurant was uncomfortably hot, and we almost left because of it, but we were too hungry to go elsewhere. The service only got worse. When we were ready to leave, we requested the check six different times and even used the call button multiple times, but no one came. We ended up having to get up and approach a staff member ourselves before we finally received our bill. By that point, we just wanted to get out of the restaurant as quickly as possible. Between the poor customer service, the excessive wait just to pay, and the lack of A/C, the experience was very disappointing. We won't be returning to this location anytime soon.

Photos
Manna Heaven BBQ - WHY PAY MORE?

WHY PAY MORE?

Manna Heaven BBQ
Manna Heaven BBQ

See all

Sonu BBQ

Sonu BBQ

4.5(998 reviews)
5.3 mi
•$$$

This is such a great local spot for kbbq! The food is great, the team are amazing, and the…read moreenvironment is perfect for a date night and/or friends get together. We've been going for years and it's the best kbbq that we've found locally.

I came to this place with my husband after being out all day. I was pretty hungry so we were happy…read moreto find a decently priced ayce restaurant. I like that this place uses the Yelp waitlist because I put my name down as we were on our way over and arrived just in time. We were seated quickly on a Saturday evening around 6 pm. There are a good amount of tables inside. They also had some TVs showing baseball games around. The service was amazing here. It felt like the waiters and waitresses were constantly eyeing our table to see if we needed anything or were ready to order more. They refilled our water carafe before it was completely empty, changed our grills before we asked, and took away empty plates as soon as we cleared them. I also appreciated that they put salt or something on the ground so it wasn't too slippery. The only complaint I had about the place was that it was really hot but I could see the waitresses were also really hot as they fanned themselves walking around. The food were was actually pretty solid for an ayce restaurant. We got the deluxe plan which is the cheaper option for $30.99. The brisket came with some salt and pepper on it and looked like a better cut than I've seen at other places. We also got some kalbi which came without the bone which is so nice because we didn't have to cut it off and have little meat left over. My husband and I also really liked the marinated steak. I typically like non marinated meat better but the steak was tender and the marinade wasn't too sweet. I used the salt to help cut the sweetness and wrapped it in a lettuce with some radish. I really liked all the meats we tried here. They also have really good sides here that you can't get anymore at a lot of kbbq places like the steamed egg or corn cheese plate. All of the food options were so good and I left very stuffed. I would definitely recommend then kbbq ayce restaurant to anyone in the area!

Photos
Sonu BBQ - Fried rice, beef brisket, boneless beef rib in the back, mushrooms and bacon

Fried rice, beef brisket, boneless beef rib in the back, mushrooms and bacon

Sonu BBQ - Outdoor seating

Outdoor seating

Sonu BBQ

See all

KM BBQ

KM BBQ

3.8(346 reviews)
4.8 mi
•$$$
Women-owned & operated
Free parking

Came here after Legoland and we made a reservation since this place gets busy. First time here, the…read moreplaza was crowded when it comes to parking. This was a different Korean BBQ experience, very unique because you actually get to choose and grab your own meat, and their salad bar had good selections from spice to non-spice. Also, the perks they serve boba drinks here which was a plus for the kids, small selection, but it had Tapioca which made them happy. The table setting can be a bit tight, chairs close to other tables was my only con. The meat was favorable, the staff members were attentive and the kids loved the fact that they had a variety to choose from. I do like how they have the fans above the grill because it didn't smell as much like a typical Korean BBQ restaurant.

Horrible experience. We were here celebrating my daughter's 18th birthday. We had purchased…read more Groupons where 6 could dine for $140. We were told drinks were not included so no biggie, we were happy to pay for those. We were also later told we would pay tax and gratuity which I was happy to do. The service and food was fine but when it came time to pay, my bill came and was approximately $95 and the math did not add up. I also had a black marking through a portion of my bill. They had attempted to charge us sales tax on a full priced meals for 6 plus drinks plus an 18 % gratuity on what full priced meals would have been. It's just shady business. I asked the worker to explain it to me and she said "people just usually pay it without the questions" to which I let her know how unethical that was. While the food and service were good up until this point, the shady dealings definitely put it on the NEVER AGAIN list.

Photos
KM BBQ
KM BBQ
KM BBQ

See all

bb.q Chicken Vista

bb.q Chicken Vista

3.6(116 reviews)
2.5 mi

Could my Korean fried chicken life get any better? YES, IT CAN! OMG! LOVE!!!!…read more I finally got to try bb.q Chicken the month before last, and let me tell you, it has been a relationship made in culinary heaven! I would argue that this is now the BEST Korean fried chicken I've had in North San Diego County. And believe me, I don't make that declaration lightly! What makes their chicken so exceptional? For starters, it's the way they portion and prepare it. Rather than frying enormous, unwieldy pieces of chicken, they cut the larger portions into smaller, individually battered pieces. A half breast, for example, might become two or three pieces, and the same principle applies to the thighs. The result? Beautifully and evenly fried chicken with a wonderfully crispy exterior and an exquisitely tender, succulent, juicy interior. Even the breast meat is spectacular! Now, I've NEVER been much of a breast man. Give me a juicy thigh any day! But bb.q Chicken has completely changed my relationship with breasts. In fact, the breast is now the FIRST piece I reach for when I open the box! And instead of one enormous breast, I get several smaller, adorable, delectable little breasts in my mouth. And let me tell you, they're DIVINE! My usual order is the Golden Original Whole Chicken, approximately 16 glorious pieces of golden, crunchy deliciousness, accompanied by EXTRA pickled radish. That wonderfully refreshing radish provides the perfect contrast to the rich, savory chicken. And the sides? Oh, they're not playing around! The coleslaw is delightful. The French fries are among the best I've had in the area--beautifully crisp, crunchy, and utterly addictive. The onion rings are another favorite, with their satisfying golden coating. Then there's the So Ddeok So Ddeok, that fabulous Korean street-food appetizer featuring skewered rice cakes and sausage. The combination of textures is wonderful, but that delicious sauce takes the whole experience to another level. Absolutely YUMMYLICIOUS! And finally, we need to talk about their Cheesling Cheese Balls. OH. MY. GOODNESS. Golden and crispy on the outside, warm, creamy, cheesy, and gloriously gooey on the inside. These little balls of happiness have officially converted me into a ball-eating kind of guy! Who knew a fried chicken restaurant could completely transform my appreciation for both breasts AND balls? I've certainly never felt quite this way about either before! All kidding aside, bb.q Chicken has earned my enthusiastic FIVE STARS. The juicy chicken, remarkable crunch, delicious sides, and consistently satisfying flavors have made this my new favorite destination for Korean fried chicken. Congratulations, bb.q Chicken! You've won my personal trophy for BEST NEW FRIED CHICKEN FAVORITE in North San Diego County! ROCK ON, bb.q Chicken! You've got yourself one VERY happy chicken lover!

I'm surprised I haven't reviewed this before as I been coming in since it opened. Anyway, it's…read morehidden away in a little strip mall that has mostly restaurants. I have ordered mostly Korean fried chicken. I've tried the original, Caribbean spice, honey garlic and soy garlic and have enjoyed them all. The Caribbean was a bit too hot for me but still good. They are crunchy, yet tender and juicy inside. On this visit I was craving beef bulgolgi so I ordered the rice bowl. It didn't disappoint. It was flavorful and hit the spot. There was a bit of tough gristle which was disappointing. I don't eat fried food a lot but when I crave wings this is where I usually go.

Photos
bb.q Chicken Vista
bb.q Chicken Vista
bb.q Chicken Vista

See all

Guahan Grill

Guahan Grill

4.4(1.1k reviews)
7.7 mi
•$$

We were a little nervous entering because we have never had Chamorro/Indigenous Guam food before…read moreand we were worried it would be far out of our comfort zone. It isn't - it's akin to Hawaiian food or Polynesian Food with its sauces, carbs, and protein options. We loved our visit! The food here was so good. It was admittedly on the heavier side, but it was very satisfying. We were really sad we didn't get another opportunity to visit. We got: Guam Bomb - Definitely order this! It's loaded fries with grilled chicken, spicy mayo, cheese, onions, and bbq sauce. It was so good and savoury. Beef Rib Plate - This was great too! It came with an interesting soy sauce-esque dip and it went well with the red rice, and macaroni salad it had. We really wanted the pork belly but sadly they ran out that day. Guahan Grill has great customer service as well. They were super friendly and were helpful when ordering.

Exceptional service is the prime reason I'm giving them a 4. The guy who took our order was…read moreprofessional and attentive. Food was a 3 in my opinion. The red rice was perfectly seasoned and actually the best part of my meal. The salmon was ok but the ribs were tasty. Salad was good. The lumpia was just hamburger meat wrapped in Errol wrapper. Needs more seasoning and maybe onions. Place had outdoor patios. They had a bar area. The table we had was sticky. Wished I brought my wipes. Street parking.

Photos
Guahan Grill - Lots of seats

Lots of seats

Guahan Grill - Diet Coke

Diet Coke

Guahan Grill - Front (downtown Oceanside)

See all

Front (downtown Oceanside)

Sky Sushi

Sky Sushi

4.3(234 reviews)
0.7 mi
•$$
Locally owned & operated
Large group friendly

After another restaurant failed to respond to my catering request for over a week, I looked on…read moreYelp, saw that Sky Sushi was highly rated and near me. I went there on Friday evening to see if they could put catering trays together for midday Sunday. I spoke with Sue, she wanted to know how many guests (14). How much did I want to spend per guest, I gave her what she said was a generous $ amount and told her a few things I would like to have on the trays, but beyond that left it to her discretion. At 1:30 Sunday afternoon they called to say it was ready to pick up. When my son and daughter returned from the pick up, I could not believe it as they brought tray after tray of beautiful sushi and sashimi into the house. See photos. The quality was top notch and the quantity was epic. Sue followed up with a call to make sure I was satisfied. She did not ask for this review. Sky Sushi is now my #1 Sushi restaurant. Thank you Sue and the crew.

Decided to try this spot on a whim, as it's not far from my place and I'm new to the area. A sushi…read morespot for me is a MUST. My first visit I tried their Sky Sushi, and for today's visit I went with their Red Dragon Roll. My favorite is the appetizer soup that comes with your orders. Never been big on tofu, but however they make that soup really pleases my taste buds. Truly wish they had a chefs kiss emoji, because thats how good this place is. I'm all about quality and freshness and Sky Sushi delivers that. To finish off both visits of course I had to get dessert. I've tried both their matcha and coffee macaron ice cream mini sandwich thing. Dude, if I had a whole box I'd be going to town. I've had the pleasure of seeing the owner there, working hard and having a smile on her face. You can tell she truly loves her space and the food she provides. You can even see her in the video here coming around the corner with a smile. The other employees there are also very friendly, polite and quick with their service. The decor there is also super cute, I find myself looking at different subtle pieces, and (totally random) the wall colors are easy on the eyes. It almost feels relaxing in there. Highly recommend Sky Sushi!!

Photos
Sky Sushi - Chef Choice Sashimi

Chef Choice Sashimi

Sky Sushi
Sky Sushi

See all

CHIKO - Fried rice // ribeye & rice cakes // spicy soy wings // potstickers // orange-ish chicken

CHIKO

4.4(746 reviews)
10.7 mi
•$$

for nearly two years, Scout, my orange, husky-looking mut and I have been driving by their…read morenow-shuttered Encinitas location four times a week after playdates at Power Lines Dog Park. every time we do, I think "we gotta back there for another visit." pretty sure CHIKO has aged out of my draft queue. now that I've finally gotten around to finishing the review, they've been closed for months. in the draft, I suggested CHIKO might not be a destination restaurant, but if you happen to be in the neighborhood, it's definitely a place worth stopping by for eats. if you wait long enough, like I did, the nearest ones are in the DC area and probably not worth a cross-country trip. sad.

Post-mortem... I was sad to hear that CHIKO permanently closed their doors at the end of last year…read more It's rare for an East Coast based Asian chain restaurant to migrate to California, but that was what CHIKO did. As noted by its name, this place served a fusion of Chinese and Korean cuisines. Their Encinitas location took over what used to be a roadside diner along N Coast Hwy 101. The seating capacity was less than 40 people which included a few high-top counter spots. At my last visit, I came for a late dinner before their closing time. A large menu was posted on the wall behind the service counter that listed about two dozen food offerings. The items seemed to be comfort food like pot stickers, spring rolls, fried rice, and chicken wings but flavored with unique combinations of seasonings and spices. I started my meal with the Marinated Beef Tri-Tip Skewers which came as a set of three and a Chinese mustard for dipping. The meat was very tender and well-seasoned. I also ordered the Cumin Lamb Stir Fry which the cashier said was medium spicy. After tasting a couple of bites of the noodles from the serving bowl, I agreed that the heat level was moderate, even for my palate. I thought the portion size should have been more for the price. That was my main criticism for both items, otherwise the food was solid for an Asian fusion eatery.

Photos
CHIKO - I love chiko-lada! Soju is deadly (good).

I love chiko-lada! Soju is deadly (good).

CHIKO - Pork and kimchi potstickers

Pork and kimchi potstickers

CHIKO - Sesame custard

See all

Sesame custard

2N1 Korean BBQ - korean - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...