Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    BAB Korean Bistro

    3.9 (263 reviews)
    ModerateKorean
    Closed 11:30 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order BAB Korean Bistro Takeout or Delivery

    BAB Korean Bistro Photos

    BAB KOREAN BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

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

    You might also consider

    More like BAB Korean Bistro

    Recommended Reviews - BAB Korean Bistro

    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

    Lizzie Y.

    We found ourselves in Brookline looking for a new place to try & ended up at BAB Korean Bistro. They have one other location in Malden that I believe is newer? They seem to have inconsistent reviews, some good and some not so great. After visiting, they honestly exceeded our expectations! I would say, don't come here expecting their food to be the best you can find, in terms of Korean food, but decent for a late night bite. What we ordered: - spicy pork bulgogi (1/2 portion size) -classic jjamppong -pork tangsu/ tangsuyuk (1/2 portion size) So, jjamppong and tangsu are both Chinese-Korean dishes, both our favorites from our meal here! We typically enjoy ordering spicy pork bulgogi but their version did not hit the spot. If you decide to give BAB a try, I highly recommend getting the Jjamppong! They have four different bases you can get: basic (what I ordered), white (non-spicy), mala, and creamy. The flavor was very good, wasn't too spicy, and the noodles had a nice chew to them! Came with zucchini, onions, squid, shrimp, & mussels. I love tangsuyuk! If you've never had it before, I would say it reminds me of chicken nuggets w/ sweet + sour sauce, BUT in the best way possible lol. We ordered the classic sweet + sour version, though they also have a spicy version. The spicy pork bulgogi was interesting. The cuts were very big and dry, so it was difficult to eat it overall... would not recommend ordering this dish. Something I noticed was that the portion sizes were pretty generous! We ordered half sizes for the tangsuyuk and pork but I feel like they were similar to a full size order at other Korean establishments nearby haha. I can see us coming back for the jjamppong and the tangsuyuk! ALSO, love that they are open pretty late on Fri/Sat-12AM (Mon-Thurs 10pm & Sunday until 9pm). Server was nice, gave good recs, & checked in on us frequently throughout our meal + refilled our waters. Parking: street meter parking

    Tofu Dolsot Bibim Bab
    Kami L.

    Was here for a late lunch and got the scallion pancake and Tofu Dolsot Bibim Bab. Both came out quickly and were accompanied by a few sides of kimchi, broccoli, and some sprouts. There were not very many other customers and the staff were very attentive.

    Magda C.

    Great meal and good service, fresh ingredients, no wait time. It comes very hot so I needed to wait 15 minutes to be able to eat it.

    Budae Jjigae
    Alejandra H.

    BAB Korean Bistro is perfect for a late night meal (open until midnight Thurs-Sat). We were quickly seated and we started our night with cheese Tteok Bokki and different banchan dishes. It was hot, cheesy, and there were some glass noodles in the sauce that add a nice chewy texture to the dish. It was surprising that the first thing that came out was my Budae Jjigae. It was so filling and was able to even have an extra meal back home since the serving size was so generous! My fiancé got the Beef Bibim Bab. It came out last, quite a bit after my dish, but still hot and flavorful. I think it will be a delicious, casual spot to go with friends and have a drink especially with their later hours on the weekend.

    Trad sides
    Joshua C.

    We were in town for the night looking for something delicious and this was a home run! Service was fast and friendly! Absolutely delicious and authentic! Hot, fresh, and just the right amount of heat! Completely recommend!

    Sides
    Rav H.

    BAB Korean Bistro is perfectly located in Brookline. Very close to many activitied like Knight Moves Cafe and the Clayroom. Its open pretty late which is convenient for a night out in Brookline. It isnt too crowded and the food is pretty good! I wouldnt say its the best of Korean cuisine, but pretty good for the area, which is why I am giving it a 4. As always the short rib was my favorite. They also recommended a really great mango soju. The service was prompt and the interior decor was pretty good. Parking was easy to find in the area

    A19. Soy Sauce Tteok Bokki
    Chrissy L.

    The banchan were great, kimchi tasty. I think we didn't order the restaurant's strongest dishes, but that's on us, not them. Being named BAB, I think one should order something with rice, like bibimbap. But alas, we ordered a soy (non spicy) tteokbokki since someone couldn't take spice, and we ordered a tteok mandu guk, since I wasn't too hungry and not in the mood for heavier but likely tastier dishes. The service was good, but let's just say, don't get the non spicy tteokbokki.

    Cold noodle
    Annie C.

    Everything we ordered was good, exactly as I expected. Prices are very reasonable, we will be back for sure

    A22. Haemul Pa Jeon
    Hursuong V.

    Good portions and friendly, homey environment. I enjoyed the food but it was not mind blowing. We got the tang soo pork, japchae, and seafood pancake. The menu has some Chinese-Korean items that others might not carry if you're looking for that, but missing some of the other items I usually look for like kimbap. They only have 4 different things for the banchan - it would be nice to have more. Otherwise, can be tricky at times to find parking around there if all the meters are full. We came on a Saturday night and our party of 4 was seated immediately. Other random note: the floor was oddly sticky and there were lots of mosquitos or fruit flies flying around.

    Spicy pork fried Rice
    Harley G.

    Was in the area for work, saw this place across the street, so my coworker and I decided to walk over and check it out. Nice restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Parking looks to be street parking only. The staff greeted us upon first walking in and were very friendly overall. The menu has a good variety of options that all sounded amazing. I went with the spicy pork fried rice, while my coworker got the short rib dolsot bibim bab. They bring you appetizers, like broccoli and kimchi, bean spouts and one other I couldn't quite place what it was... but all were delicious. Especially the kimchi. Food came at good speed and was fresh! The cooked on top was cooked perfectly and yolk ran into the rice, which took it to the next level! Spicy pork wasn't super spicy, but had decent spice level. Really great flavor! Could have gone for spicier, but I do tend to lean pretty spicy. This was honestly just delicious! My coworker gave it amazing reviews too! Very happy we happened to stumble upon this place and would highly recommend.

    KS16. Beef Soondubu
    Yutin Z.

    Ordered Beef Soondubu for pick up! Food was ready in about 12 minutes after my order was placed, service was good, and restaurant smelled like good food as well! I typically order jjambong when ordering Korean food, but was craving tofu soup today. The portion size (a quart) was decent for the price. The flavor itself was decent. There was a decent amount of beef and it was tender. I believe there were some cucumber or maybe crunchy zucchini that was in the soup which was a bit different than what I'm used to, but everything worked together nicely. It also came with three side dishes (kimchi, radish, and bean sprouts) which were appreciated. The serving size was enough for two meals for me. I would definitely be interested in trying other dishes from this place!

    KS11. Al Tang Soup, KS2. Haemul Dwenjang Jjigae Soup, korean scallion pancake
    Alanis S.

    Service was amazing, atmosphere was great (the music isn't too loud, perfectly dimmed lighting), food is very good. Accessible bathroom. Not too pricey. Not too crowded. Love this place. The scallion pancakes really satisfied my craving.

    M4. Pork Bulgogi
    Robo T.

    Absolutely solid korean. The banchan was on point - very very good kimchi, namul and radish. The steamed mandus are delicious. The ganjang KFC was too sweet for my liking but cooked perfectly. The spicy pork bulgogi was amazing and the portion was huge. My dining companion had stone pot bibim bap. It was served nice and hot so it crisped up the rice as he stirred it which is his ideal. He said a lot of places dont heat the stone pot hot enough. Theres a good amount of seating... its not the most comfortable but its still fine. The service was friendly and attentive. Highly recommended.

    KS16. Beef Soondubu

    See all

    Photo of Gee W.
    113
    389
    206

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 5
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joshua C.
    208
    17
    13

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ami Y.
    0
    33
    12

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Robo T.
    68
    950
    537

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Mylinh T.
    141
    9
    13

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of JB W.
    4
    96
    11

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Johnny G.
    57
    221
    502

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Woo K.
    848
    679
    1636

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 7

    BAB Korean Bistro Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - BAB Korean Bistro

    Creme saewoo and pork bone stew hot pot is not available anymore?

    No more

    View All 2 Questions

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Korean 12,286 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Kaju Tofu House - Ham and Sausage Tofu Soup

    Kaju Tofu House

    3.9(835 reviews)
    1.0 miAllston/Brighton
    $$

    I returned here for a late 2:30 pm lunch. Street parking was less terrible than usual, so I managed…read moreto find a spot right next to Kaju. The establishment was almost at capacity, but I got the last 2-top. I ordered the intestine tofu stew ($15.99). The tofu stew itself seemed decently savory with silky tofu, an egg, and well-cleaned intestines. It also arrived piping hot. The banchan seemed disappointing today. The radish kimchi was barely fermented and slightly bitter; it tasted like raw daikon purchased from the supermarket that morning. Cabbage kimchi seemed acceptable. Banchan sizes were quite skimpy; I ordered a refill for myself. This has convinced me to find another default / go-to place for soondubu / tofu stew.

    I appreciated the homey vibes of this spot- the atmosphere felt very welcoming and warming, along…read morewith the bubbling hot soups!! Though I haven't eaten a lot of korean food before, I felt this restaurant captures the essence of a traditional home cooked korean meal, with plates to share and perfectly personalized pots of their famous tofu soup. I would definitely recommend trying their beef and kimchi soup or their beef dumpling soup, both had standout taste while maintaining a simple flavor profile that you could continue to return to. I also absolutely loved their kimchi fried rice, so don't miss out on their additional menu items aside from their most popular offerings. Overall, I thought the food was tasty and satisfying, but otherwise there's not a specific thing that would continue to draw me back to this restaurant. The service was nice but mostly left us to ourselves and the food took a little while to come out. Unless you're really craving a korean tofu soup, I feel there's other restaurants in the area that serve up a little more variety and boldness in their flavors.

    Photos
    Kaju Tofu House - Interior

    Interior

    Kaju Tofu House - Bimbim guksu

    Bimbim guksu

    Kaju Tofu House - Kaju galbi

    See all

    Kaju galbi

    Coreanos Allston - Tteokbokki with Cheese Chicken Poppers Bulgogi Bibimbap Chicken Tacos Kimchi Fried Rice

    Coreanos Allston

    4.3(638 reviews)
    0.9 miAllston/Brighton
    $$

    We went to Coreanos for a Sunday lunch, but I have eaten here multiple times before. It is…read moreKorean-Mexican fusion, and to me, this is fusion done right! - Coreanos bowl: The star of the meal. It came in a foil bowl, packed with saucy rice and bits of meat/veggies (onions and carrots), then topped with a perfect sunny-side-up egg. The protein I got was spicy pork, but you can also choose other proteins. The yolk was still runny enough to mix in and make everything extra rich. The portion was huge. Not too spicy. It also came with miso soup with a few bits of tofu and green onion in it. - Quesadilla: filled with beef and kimchi, with two different sauces drizzled all over (one creamy, one a little spicy). A lot of meat inside! Not too spicy. - Peach limeade: a very refreshing drink, but on the sweeter side, I wish it were a bit more sour. Overall: This felt like the ideal casual lunch: fast and filling. You order at a counter and they bring the food to you later, if you choose to dine in. There aren't too many seats. You need to fill your own water cup, and they have cold and warm water. The portions are generous and the food is pure comfort. Would definitely come back anytime I'm craving something saucy and satisfying.

    I recently stopped by Coreanos for a Korean-Mexican fusion meal…read more I ordered the bulgogi, shrimp tempura, and short rib tacos. While waiting, I was surprised with a bowl of miso soup, which was warm, comforting, and flavorful. The tacos were generously filled and served on flour tortillas. I went in expecting the short rib to be my favorite, but the bulgogi taco emerged as my favorite. That said, because they were so well-stuffed, the tacos were a bit soggy. I also paid extra to add kimchi to one of them via the ordering screen, but it seems that addition was missed. I paired this with a Thai coffee, which was refreshing and delivered a noticeable caffeine kick. I'll definitely be back to try the kimbap. My partner, Anna F., ordered it, and after stealing a bite, I was left craving more. The restaurant is small, but we were able to find a table without issue.

    Photos
    Coreanos Allston
    Coreanos Allston - Bibimbap Kimchi Fried Rice

    Bibimbap Kimchi Fried Rice

    Coreanos Allston - Kimchi Quesadilla w/ bulgogi

    See all

    Kimchi Quesadilla w/ bulgogi

    Seoul Topokki

    Seoul Topokki

    4.0(179 reviews)
    0.8 miAllston/Brighton
    $$

    We came here on a Saturday evening without a reservation and were seated with no wait. The service…read morewas great and our orders both were taken and came out pretty quickly. For the food, we got the tuna kimbap, Seoul toppoki, and bulgogi hot pot for two. Everything was SO good. The ingredients were fresh and the food was flavorful (sweet from the bulgogi, savory from the mushrooms, spicy from the toppoki sauce, salty from the tuna, and sour from the pickled vegetables). The price for the portion size was a great value and we ended the night feeling very full and even had to pack up an entire container of the hotpot for two that we didn't finish. Overall, we had a great time and I can't wait to come back again. This might be my new favorite Korean food spot in the Boston area.

    This was our second time ordering delivery from Seoul Topokki. We remembered it being really good…read morethe first time, so we went for round two. We ordered the cheese topokki (soft rice cake, fish cake, vegetable, & mozzarella in Korean spicy sauce) & the beef bulgogi bowl (fried marinated beef, vegetables, steamed rice & side of soup). The cheese topokki was just as good as we remembered - chewy, flavorful, comforting, & a little bit weird. The cheese was poorly distributed, but it was still very tasty. The beef bulgogi bowl was really underwhelming. Firstly, it was very little food. We were promised vegetables, but there were only a few scarce onions & zucchini pieces mixed in. It was also dry. It was devoid of moisture & sauce, so we added some from the fridge at home. The side of soup was a joke. It filled only about 2/3 of the container & looked so sad, we wondered if it was the sauce that we we so desperately needed. Nope, just a meager amount of watered down miso soup. So the conclusion - great topokki, sub-par bulgogi, non-existent soup.

    Photos
    Seoul Topokki - Inside

    Inside

    Seoul Topokki
    Seoul Topokki

    See all

    Naksan BBQ - Spicy cold noodles

    Naksan BBQ

    3.9(244 reviews)
    0.9 miAllston/Brighton
    $$$$

    Great ambiance, nice dimly lit atmosphere and each grill is nicely spread out. The service was…read morequick and wonderful. The servers grill the meat for you here. The food was all divine. Meats were delicious and cooked great! Definitely on the pricier side but worth the splurge for a nice date or meal with friends. Parking can be a doozy but if you circle the block there is street parking on the opposite street. Would definitely go back, this is Boston's best upscale-esque kbbq that I have had. Overall an 8 or 9/10, only deducting points because I do feel the price is a bit much in comparison to other restaurants that offer the same (but I also understand this is the only place bringing this kind of service in Boston atm) signed, a KBBQ fanatic

    This was my first time trying KBBQ in Boston in probably 10 years or so. Based off of the photos,…read morebranding and ambience, I was expecting a somewhat upscale experience. While I appreciated small touches with being able to put your jackets in a plastic bag under your seat, everything else fell a bit short. The quality of the meats and produce was a bit disappointing. The onion our server used to flavor and start our grill with looked dry, the pumpkin seemed to have a bit of frost as though it were frozen, and the overall quality of the meat was a bit lackluster. Even towards the end of our meal, even when our server told us the meat was ready, a couple of pieces were still raw. The banchan was not bad and the bibim naengmyeon we had was probably the best part of our meal. Sadly I don't think we'll be back based on our experience.

    Photos
    Naksan BBQ - Banchan (side dishes)

    Banchan (side dishes)

    Naksan BBQ - Steamed egg (comes with the combo)

    Steamed egg (comes with the combo)

    Naksan BBQ - Premium pork belly

    See all

    Premium pork belly

    Kimchipapi Kitchen - KIMCHIPAPI FRITAS

    Kimchipapi Kitchen

    4.3(308 reviews)
    0.9 miAllston/Brighton
    $$

    Kimchipapi, consider me your kimchison(too much?) I must be a part of this family and all they…read morehave going on here. I mean, I've heard of rhdjdjd before, but my dislike for American corndog from a young age has kept me completely oblivious to an other version. Just a very select few times in my life, I have eaten something so good, it's made me question everything around me. Korean corndog?!? How could I have lived this long and overlook something so good? It is nothing like the corndogs we are used to in America. The panko is everything. The crunchy texture paired with the oooooeeeyyy gooooeyy cheese makes this what I can only describe as a eutrophic experience. Yes the corndog is phenomenal, but the crispy chicken sliders alone would have been worth the trip. The crunchy, light and airy breading is perfection. Paired with house made pickles, spicy mayo and a pillowy soft bun, and a honey teriyaki pineapple glaze crispy chicken. I did not come here for any sort of chicken item, but unexpectedly, this is easily a top 3 chicken sandwich/slider I've ever had. This little restaurant is dangerous. The menu is simply irresistible. Kimchi papi may be small in footprint, but it packs a huge punch to the tastebuds.

    Delicious, fun spot to go to with friends or family. The customizable Korean corn dogs are simply…read moresuperb, and they have same really fun combinations like Hot Cheetos. We also tried the Kimchipapi Fries, which had a great blend of toppings. There's some searing inside, though not a lot, but it wasn't crowded when we came. Would definitely recommend going if you get the chance.

    Photos
    Kimchipapi Kitchen - Nice art work of owner and logo name!

    Nice art work of owner and logo name!

    Kimchipapi Kitchen - SRIRACHA BBQ SLIDERS

    SRIRACHA BBQ SLIDERS

    Kimchipapi Kitchen - KIMCHIPAPI FRITAS

    See all

    KIMCHIPAPI FRITAS

    Korean Garden Restaurant - Steamed Egg

    Korean Garden Restaurant

    3.1(336 reviews)
    0.8 miAllston/Brighton
    $$

    Back in Boston for round two, and honestly, Korean Garden was at the top of my "must-visit" list…read more This place consistently delivers that authentic, comforting vibe that's getting harder to find. The Highlight: The Kalbi If you come here and don't order the Kalbi, you're doing it wrong. We got it prepared from the kitchen, and it was hands-down the best we've had in the city. * The Texture: Incredibly tender. * The Cook: Perfectly charred with that signature smoky sweetness. * The Verdict: We literally had to order a second round because one plate wasn't enough. It's that good. The Supporting Cast * Seafood Pancake: Light, airy, and actually crispy (no soggy centers here!). * Spicy Cold Noodle: The texture was spot on. Often these get overcooked and turn into a sticky mess, but these were perfectly chewy and separated easily. * Seafood Soondobu: Hot, comforting, and packed with flavor. A solid 10/10 for a chilly Boston day. The Banchan & Service The banchan (side dishes) were fresh and flavorful. The bean sprouts and kimchi were the standouts for me, though I was a little bummed they didn't have the spicy cucumbers . Service was fantastic--super friendly and very attentive without being overbearing. They kept the water filled and the vibes high. If you're looking for that perfect char without the DIY smoke on your clothes, let the kitchen grill the Galbi for you. They have it down to a science.

    Have no clue why this place has such a low average. Food is fantastic and you're always served with…read morea smile. Kbbq is good, but also a great option for soups. Their galbi tang is fantastic and banchan is delicious. Bossam is also awesome with nice, thick slices of pork belly, though I wish they came with more cabbage leaves or lettuce for wrapping. Fun and lively with large TVs with kpop for viewing while eating. No complaints!

    Photos
    Korean Garden Restaurant - Interior

    Interior

    Korean Garden Restaurant
    Korean Garden Restaurant - Kimchi Jae Yook Tofu - kimchi and marinated pork, spicy sauce and tofu

    See all

    Kimchi Jae Yook Tofu - kimchi and marinated pork, spicy sauce and tofu

    BAB Korean Bistro - korean - Updated May 2026

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