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FOOD Choi's Oyster Hour 4-6pm Tuesday-Sunday is a deal and so good for $1/oyster - I really like the Baja ones compared to their east coast and Pacific Northwest counterparts - plus the peppery cocktail sauce, black pepper mignonette and lychee liquor were super unique. The Silkworm Pupa Adobada Tacos are novel and Kimchi forward, served with charred pineapple wedges. It's a nod to the Korean fusion menu here. PARKING Validated for 2 hours in the garage on 12th Ave, don't forget to take your parking ticket to exit and re-enter the garage via elevator. AMBIANCE The interior has an elevated/refined modern vibe with a hightop bar and several tables throughout. There are also outdoor tables. SERVICE Staff were friendly, super helpful, and knowledgeable.
Honestly quite dumbfounded on all the 4-5 stars reviews on here. Is this the same restaurant? Went to the Padres game on Tuesday & happened to walk by & saw their HH sign outside so we gave them a try. Upon walking in they weren't that busy, the bar area was full & a couple of patrons inside & out. Checked out their HH menu. They offered $1 oysters 3 types Baja, Pacific & East coast. Everything else food wise looks good. Except if you're into soju types of cocktails. Strictly beer & wine. We ordered a bottle of flat water, half a dozen oysters of each (this came out last & they were out of almost every thing), bulgogi birria vampiro (lukewarm temp a tad too sweet), silkworm pupa adobada tacos (crispy silkworm but also lukewarm temp) & duck liver mousse (needed some type of acid like pickled onions to cut through the richness & sweetness). Hubby had their IPA (ordered another one & they came back with half a pint & a shot of soju on the house cause they ran out) & watermelon soju cocktail (too sweet). Service is extremely slow due to being understaffed maybe? Our drinks took awhile it came out after our two taco items. They ran out of oysters which took awhile & came out last (I didn't care for their 3 sauces). One was way too salty, some type of icy clear maybe lychee infused sauce & house made hot sauce VERY VERY SPICY one note (no explanation from waitress) & their IPA's. This is where we asked for our check. Beware, there's an automatic 20% service fee added to all checks no matter the size of the party or even for happy hour. They don't tell you this in person upon walking in but do advertise on their website. I have no problem with this if the service & food is great. But for you to advertise your happy hour for oysters & bubbles but you're out of oysters & beer on a Tuesday with very slow service?? And on a crazy busy Padres game & heritage night?! Plan better!! All in all food is okay nothing mind blowing for 4-5 stars, our waitress is nice but service is slow. Maybe dinner is better & not their Hh?
We made a reservation at 5:30pm and we were slightly late due to the increased traffic near the area from the Padres game. But although they had a 15 minute grace period, they were still able to hold our table and were super accommodating. They also had happy hour from 4-6pm I believe, which had a different and separate men Duck Mousse: It was part of there happy hour menu which ended at 6:00pm. The toast tasted so nice and the creme fresh complimented the duck mousse and toast. It was an amazing appetizer to get. Charred Gochujang Octopus: I love the flavors of the gochujang and how it doesn't taste too overbearing. The octopus felt a little chewy and may have been overcooked slightly. I liked how the charred tasting complimented the gochujang and it was not too spicy. Braised Short Rib: MY FAVORITE DISH. The wasabi mashed potatoes and kimchi demi was sooo delicious. The short rib was so tender and juicy and melted in my mouth. It was cooked to perfection and fell apart so nicely and smoothly.
For the first dinner for our Spring Break 2026, we booked Choi's at East Village. The restaurant is sleek and modern, and the service along rivals those of Michelin-quality restaurants we've been to. You even get a personal welcome card upon arrival. Parking validated 2 hrs in the secure, ACE parking structure behind the restaurant. The food is Korean-inspired, but with some influences from Mexico. Overall we enjoyed 4/5 dishes, so overall 4 stars. Although there's no kid's menu, our 5yo really liked 3/5 of the dishes. Best dishes: *Birria Taco with Bulgogi Sauce - This appetizer had shredded beef mixed with Mexican cheese and light bulgolgi sauce on a large, crispy blue corn (?) tortilla. Great contrast in textures and the flavor was more sweet than spicy. *Gochujang Octopus - Great tart flavors from the sauce, though octopus slightly on the chewy side. Wife enjoyed the dish. * KFC - Two crispy fried chicken thighs that are crispy and sticky outside and warm and juicy inside. Great flavors with sweet and tart balancing out. Our 5yo son ate like half this dish. * Dessert - It was a bowl that had the sugary, burnt crust of creme brulee, but underneath it was a light cheesecake filling that was thicker and less sweet than traditional egg custard. Loved this dish - and one order is good to share with 2-3 people. Mediocre Dishes: * Unfortunately, the wife did not enjoy the Miso Ling Cod. The side of Korean congee was well flavored with mushrooms and Bonito flakes. The fish itself was soft, but a bit mild in flavor. The real downer was the skin - although seared crispy it was super bitter for some reason. Overall an excellent find in San Diego for a modern take on Korean-inspired food and soju cocktails. I would probably recommend sticking to the meat-based dishes on the menu. Their menu does seem to change periodically.
I've been to Chois twice now, and unfortunately, it hasn't lived up to the expectations. The service is decent but the food lacks authentic flavor. The restaurant is located next to Petco Park and you can either try for street parking or park in the structure nearby. Interior is set up with bar seating and tables. The oysters during happy hour were a good price but messy (found several shell fragments), and while the octopus and lobster were cooked to the right consistency, the sauces were unrecognizable. The "Gochujang" octopus didn't taste like gochujang, and the "K-Town" lobster bisque tasted nothing like tteokbokki sauce. To top it off, the Hotteok was a stale puff pastry rather than the traditional version. If you're looking for real Korean flavors, this might not be the spot.
We were welcomed with a hand written note from the team. the ambiance is lovely. Very spacious and well planned. I liked that it was busy but it didn't feel crowded. You must get the fried chicken. My fiancé wanted to lick the plate - it was so good. The scallops were beautiful and fresh. And the pork belly wraps were my favorite. By the time we finished dinner, I requested we come back for my birthday. Then dessert came. And that was the nail in the coffin. Those Korean pancakes I could eat every day of my life.
Choi's is quite unique for a Korean restaurant in San Diego. Super design forward, stylish and contemporary, gives me KATO vibes almost. Love that they have lotsa plant-based options that are very creatively plated and executed. The service there is almost Michelin-quality like !! Parking tip: Can be really difficult especially during Petco games/special events - Please call them on the day of to check if validation system works to park in the same complex.
If you're a frequent purveyor of Korean food, this place is exactly what you should be anticipating as you read the menu. Overall, the menu is a surprisingly unimaginative take on classic Korean concepts and dishes (a lot of "good, but...", as you'll read); price doesn't translate well into execution or portions. It's astonishing that this restaurant was rated so highly by so many. Came here with a group of friends on a Friday evening; while the time we chose was late (7PM), the restaurant was only partially full - plenty of tables sat empty for the rest of our meal. First red flag for a Friday night, despite having a chic, modern layout and moderately lit interior (one would've guessed that this would've been a great date spot or general hangout, especially at 7PM on a Friday). We were seated as soon as the rest of our table arrived, and our server was quick to assist us. There's more nuance to how the service was (you can message me about it, I'm not dinging them for it, it was an observation), but overall what you'd expect from a restaurant of this status. While the cocktails started us out well, unfortunately that's where the evening just plateaued. I will state, I'm aware this restaurant is considered "Korea Fusion" and that dishes are served single-portioned but we were treating them family-style. Yellowtail crudo - great, crisp flavors that are balanced out well by the brine and coconut cream that accompany it. Portion for even a single person is on the smaller side. Saewoojang crudo - as advertised, closer in concept to an aguachile - flavors were predominately orange and oil; textures were of interest here in that they all matched effectively a "firm citrus" (you'd understand if you had it). Charred Gochujang Octopus - Sauce was good but could've stood to be a bit more punchy to match the firmness of the octopus. Crunchy onions on top did add a bit of texture and saltiness to it, but would've preferred that the flavor came more from the gochujang and that the onions were a textural boost. Octopus itself was good, but was just a touch firm (for the pre-portioned bite) to my personal preference. K-Town Lobster - Honestly just a butter-poached lobster sitting in a tomato bisque. The tteokbokki inspiration felt the same way that La Croix gets its flavor inspirations. The arancini texture did not come through as gimmari. Braised short rib - For the price, a lackluster portion atop some unoriginal sides. Wasabi was completely non-existent in the matched potatoes. Doenjang Risotto Gone Wild - The umami one would pull from a doenjang wasn't the star here, it was the oyster mushroom flavor, leaving the dish tasting like a standard mushroom risotto. Arborio was slightly undercooked in places. Choi's Crispy Chicken - A KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) that honestly tasted identical to bonchon chicken. Take that as you wish. Avocado mash (read: simplified guac) didn't augment the flavor of the dish in any significant way. Bokbunja Tiramisu - I'll help you with the description - it's Korean black raspberry wine that makes it Korean-inspired. Elements of a traditional tiramisu all are there enough to get by. Hotteok and vanilla ice cream - exactly as described - extra-crisp hotteok with vanilla ice cream. Nothing special. Last thoughts: As a fusion restaurant, I came to Choi's hoping to see Korean classics blended with local ingredients, local knowledge, and playfully re-imagined displays or executions that take what we know to be Korean dishes and changes how we think of their key elements. What I got was what felt like an upscale-d and glossed-over Korean dining experience. -1* - Price for value -2* - Flavor profile P.S. - Da Nang Skies implies a pan-Asian influence that is not seen anywhere in the menu. Not sure where out of all the Korean elements on this menu there is suddenly a Vietnamese reference.
Choi's by Jiwoo Choi -- where raw ambition, curiosity, and a deep love for Asian flavors meet San Diego's finest local ingredients The menu is unrestrained yet intentional, creatively unconventional, and largely gluten-free, with a strong commitment to sustainability and balanced eating. Featured dishes to fall for: * Saewoojang Crudo -- marinated shrimp with chive oil, chili oil, and seasonal citrus * Mango Nasturtium Kimchi Salad -- cucumber, pineapple, mango, and vibrant kimchi notes * Muscat Grape Toast -- charred muscat grapes, concord mascarpone, and hot honey * Bulgogi Birria Vampiro -- braised beef, queso Oaxaca, cotija, and citrus avocado mousse * Choi's Crispy Chicken -- Korean-inspired crunch with yuzu avocado mash and pickled mu * Miso Lingcod -- kombu-shiitake dashi, pickled shiitake, negi, and micro shiso * Braised Short Rib -- kimchi demi, pickled onion slaw, and wasabi mashed potatoes Desserts worth saving room for: * Hotteok with Vanilla Ice Cream -- gooey brown sugar pancakes melting into vanilla bliss * Bokbunja Tiramisu -- a Korean twist on an Italian classic * I Can't Believe It's Not Cheesecake -- rich, familiar, and delightfully surprising Sophisticated atmosphere, genuinely friendly staff, and dishes that are nothing short of divine. This is Asian fusion done with soul, intention, and serious flavor
Its year 3 for Choi's, and they've revamped the menu to include some new items! - PARKING - They validate up to 2 hours of parking! Go on 12th Avenue and you'll see a sign for Choi's parking. The gate is closed but once you drive up, it will automatically open. Make sure to take your ticket with you for them to validate! - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - Although the menu changed, the ambiance did not - still the same beautiful and classy atmosphere! They have a new soju infusion wall towards the back that I would recommend checking out - you'll see the labels of each jar and find the corresponding cocktail on the menu! Service was great then, and still great now. Very attentive, even though it was extremely busy! Javier was our server and although he was new, he definitely seemed like a veteran staff! So friendly and accommodating! I was very impressed when he remembered every thing we ordered without writing it down! - FOOD/DRINKS - = COCKTAILS = Gimhae Airport: So refreshing and delightfully sweet! Da Nang Skies: My husband ordered this and I was jealous because this was SO good!! = APPETIZERS = Saewoojang Crudo : The chive oil and chili oil with the marinated shrimp... just try it!! It's a fantastic way to start the meal if you like raw shrimp! Muscat Grape Toast : Sweet, savory, creamy - I'm also a mascarpone fiend so I loved it! Bulgogi Birria Vampiro : Compared to the other two, this didn't get a huge reaction but still good! = ENTREES = Tonkatsu Frontera : Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside! The grilled pineapples were a nice fresh bite to accompany the Tonkatsu. K-Town Lobster : Gimmari Arancini is a genius cuisine mashup! Lobster was just slightly chewy, but still a great portion. Galbi Glazed Tomahawk : You can't hate this cut of meat, especially when it has BONE MARROW BUTTER on it! This was the only slip up, but we mentioned my husband has a mango allergy and it looks like they still included the mango kimchi on this dish. Luckily he was OK eating the meat furthest away, but it would have been better for it to be completely separate. Note: must be ordered 24 hours in advance! = DESSERT = Bokbunja Tiramisu : Have I had Bokbunja before this? Nope. After eating this dessert I'm very intrigued! Think Raspberry Chocolate, but without the bitterness! Overall a wonderful dinner and a great way to start off 2026. I think as they hone in on this new menu and work out any adjustments, it will lead to another successful year for them!
Asian fusion restaurant reopened and it did not disappoint. The ambiance is light yet decadent with pockets of seating giving privacy. The drinks are fun and vibrant in combination of flavors. The apps were delicious from the oysters to the octopus to the crudo to the grape toast. The grilled octopus was my favorite - just needs extra sauce! The entrees were decadent especially the tomahawk with bone marrow butter and kimchis. Definitely a hearty entree with the crispy potatoes. Lobster was cooked perfectly and the sauce was so good. The miso lingcod was my favorite. The soupy sauce with mushrooms was light and full of flavor. The "cheesecake" was my favorite dessert. Light and airy with the tart fruit is a great combo. Family style dining is the way to go so you can try a bit of everything! From the ambience when you walk in to the friendly servers and chefs, this was definitely a wonderful dining experience.
~Food/Drinks~ Mokpo Skies: Tastes like a lychee yogurt drink and it's not too strong. I love that all of their cocktails incorporate some Asian flavors. Scallops on the Half Shell: Each order comes with a single scallop. Unfortunately, the scallops are really small but the sauce was good. At first, you just taste the oil but then the yuzu breaks through at the end. Bao Taco: Also only comes with one bao per order and you can pick either bulgogi meat or mushroom. The bulgogi meat was kind of tough and stringy, not like KBBQ bulgogi meat that's soft and tender. I liked that the bun itself was fried and had a nice crisp while still being soft and fluffy inside. Bulgogi Birria Mulita - The bulgogi meat here was much more like what i would expect. I'm guessing they used different cuts of beef for the Bao Tacos? This was a very cool take on Korean-Mexican fusion food. It's saucy, sweet, and savory. Charred Gochujang Octopus - Cut into bite-sized pieces, super tender and smoky. The slightly charred pieces were my favorite because you get a little crunch. The gochujang crema didn't really have that much flavor to it but at least it's not spicy. Choi's Crispy Chicken: Comes with 3 pieces of chicken, very crispy and juicy. This was my favorite dish of the night because the chicken was cooked perfectly and the blend of sweet and savory flavors were so good. The yuzu avocado is creamy but light, and it's a nice balance between the sweet, savory fried chicken. Grandma's Pork Belly Bossam: We splurged and ordered the bossam as well. This dish comes with three different types of kimchi along with lettuce to make wraps. The pork belly was tender and fatty but the flavor tasted slightly different than what I've tried before. I believe Choi said that this recipe was a family one and the salt is infused with flavors reminiscent of his childhood and family. Shiitake Kimchi Risotto: Considering all of the food we ordered, I could've done without this. I was kind of hoping for something similar to kimchi pasta but it wasn't as creamy or kimchi-flavored as I wanted. Galbi Tomahawk: This is meant for like 3-4 people and you need to reserve and pay ahead of time. This giant tomahawk steak is served over a bed of rosemary (that's torched in front of you), along with two bone marrow mashed potatoes. The galbi marinade flavor is pretty good but doesn't penetrate as much as your typical short rib. The meat is tender and has a lot of fatty pieces. The bone also has some meat on it and unfortunately, we forgot to tell them to pack it or at least cut the meat off the bone when they packed the leftovers to-go for us. Hotteok and Vanilla Ice Cream - This was on the house for celebrating a birthday and it was large enough for 2, maybe even 3-4 people to share! It kind of reminds me of a funnel cake with the ice cream but I was also surprised to find like a brown sugar syrup stuffed in the pancake. Highly recommend! ~Service~ The service was so attentive here! The head chef/owner was manning the front and was very welcoming and friendly. He even came and checked in on us multiple times and it looks like he does it for all of his guests. ~Atmosphere~ Pretty casual vibe at Choi's. You can dress up but it's not required. We simply went in T-shirts and even wore a hat. ~Logistics~ Choi's is located right next to Petco Park so parking can be difficult. To avoid it, we just took the MTS to the 12th & Imperial stop and walked over. I also highly recommend making reservations beforehand. We got there right when they opened so it was pretty empty but when we left, the entire restaurant, including outdoor seating was completely full. They do have bar seating, which might be for walk-ins. ~Conclusion~ Overall, a pretty good meal. We basically tried everything off of their menu and found some favorites and some we could go without next time. If they change up the menu, I'd love to come back and try the new stuff!
Wonderful dining experience! Great decor and vibes! We had an excellent server (Joyce Z) that helped with our selections. Limited menu but wonderful offerings! We wanted to share each dish to maximize the tastings. Joyce was great helping us figure out how many dishes to order and made sure we would get enough to eat for our party of five! We brought our own wine. It was a very special bottle for our evening out and paired very well with our dishes (Niner Twister Spur). Corkage fee was $25, very reasonable. They offer cocktails mixed with Soju that are supposed to be very good. Next visit, we are definitely going to try a cocktail or two! For the food, we started with Fire Roasted Olives (compliments of the restaurant) and Bao Tacos. Just as other have reviewed, excellent and a must here! For entrees we ordered Choi's Crispy Chicken, Ahi Tuna Tataki, Doenjang Oyster Mushroom Risotto, and the Galbi Tomahawk. The Tomahawk usually requires advance ordering as it marinates for five days, but they had one to offer us. We were an early dinner, first patrons, so if interested in the Tomahawk, I would suggest ordering in advance. The Tomahawk was quite a show (see video)! The Rosemary accents were smoked at the table. Such a nice aroma. Beautiful presentation with mashed potatoes creatively placed in balls on the platter. Truly a work of art! The marinade flavor was very good. Ahi Tuna and Oyster Mushroom Risotto were both excellent! The star of the food show was the Choi's Crispy Chicken! OMG so good! We all agreed the best dish of the night (all were excellent). Definitely had a nice kick. Great seasoning and flavors. Personally, I would skip the Tomahawk and order more Crispy Chicken next visit! Crispy Chicken and Bao Tacos! We ended the mea .with a dessert to share. One dessert was more than enough with a the dishes we had but it's always nice to end on a sweet note! We ordered the Hotteok with Ice Cream. Crispy Korean pancakes filled with brown sugar syrup and topped with Vanilla Ice Cream with fruit compote. Definitely delicious! All of the dishes were beautifully arranged. Highly recommend sharing, we had plenty of food but finished everything and nothing came home except bones for a special dog (Luca). The restaurant is located across from Petco Park. Definitely would suggest having dinner here and skipping the ball park food! Parking is located in an adjacent parking structure, with signage for "Choi's". Validated for the first two hours. Parking location and information is included on their website, nice to see that. We will be back next time we visit San Diego!
4 months ago
I rarely write 5 star reviews, and this is one of them. Something about this place, perhaps the authenticity? Really made it a memorable experience for me. I came here to celebrate my birthday. I am sharing the moments this place captured my heart: My husband said to me "the fish was like the fish your mom makes"... me being an immigrant with my mom still in Asia.. on my birthday... somehow this almost brought me to tears. Yes it was an elevated version of a home cooked fish dish but the flavor showed that the creativity did not lose its roots. I overheard the chef explaining the dishes in Korean to an elderly gentleman next table over. I was a bit surprised honestly that he took the time to do that, but very much touched by the effort and respect of the culture. The whole staff was amazing and provided top notch service. Part of me wants it to be super successful but part of me hopes it forever stays a hidden gem so it never loses its uniqueness and charm. read more
4 months ago
4 months ago
Choi's has a new Asian Fusion menu for 2026! The ambiance was welcoming and service was kind. Our server Daniel was exceptional and was very knowledgeable of the menu items. You get 2 hours of validated parking in a nice garage, so I think it's worth going even if there is a busy downtown event/ padre game! Highlight appetizers -mango kimchi salad -yellowtail crudo -gochujang octopus Highlight entrees -crispy chicken -doenjang risotto gone wild read more
I booked a reservation for four at Choi's before a concert at Gallagher Square, and it ended up being one of the most thoughtful and enjoyable dining experiences I've had in San Diego. I'd had this spot on my list after seeing it pop up on Instagram, and it completely delivered. From the start, it felt special. When we arrived, we found a handwritten welcome note from the chef on our table -- such a lovely touch. We were also served a complimentary pre-dinner non-alcoholic drink, which was refreshing and unexpected. The chef and owner even came out to personally greet our table, which really set the tone. We ordered: * Cucumber kimchi (spicy, but really flavorful) * Bulgogi bao tacos (SO good -- soft bao, great texture) * Charred octopus (not a standout, but solid, and the Thai basil pairing was a nice touch) * Slow-roasted eggplant (well done, but not as memorable as other dishes) * Choi's crispy chicken (crispy, bold flavor, but pretty spicy -- would be a lot if paired with another spicy dish) * Galbi hot stone bowl (my favorite -- rich, balanced, deeply satisfying) We also got a couple of their soju-based cocktails, which had great flavor but weren't heavy on alcohol -- something to keep in mind if you're used to stronger drinks. The service was excellent across the board -- our main server was attentive and friendly, and the support staff was equally helpful. Only small downside: the restroom had a noticeable mosquito issue -- not overwhelming, but definitely present. It looked like they were trying to manage it, so hopefully it's already resolved. We didn't have time for dessert, but everything we tried made us want to come back -- especially after seeing another table get the tomahawk steak, which looked phenomenal. Next time! read more
2 months ago
3 months ago
My fiancée and I went to Choi's for Valentine's Day, and I can genuinely say it was the best experiences we've ever had at a restaurant. Unforgettable. Unfortunately, the night before, my fiancée got sick and she wasn't able to eat all day. Even with everything that happened, she didn't want to cancel our Valentine's dinner, and we decided to still go. From the moment we arrived, the entire staff was incredibly kind, understanding, and compassionate about her situation. They went above and beyond to accommodate her, even preparing special dishes that were gentle and helpful for her to eat. Our waiter, Javier, was truly amazing so empathetic, attentive, and thoughtful the entire night. He made us feel cared for and comfortable, and his service was outstanding. Javier even took the extra step to pack up all of the food she wasn't able to eat so she could enjoy it tomorrow.. On top of that, the owner, Chef Choi, was unbelievably kind and personally showed so much care. You can tell this restaurant is run with heart. And the food... absolutely phenomenal. Every dish was incredible. I wanted to take more photos but each dish disappeared as soon as it arrived to our table. We will 100% be coming back to enjoy this experience again. Thank you to everyone at Choi's for turning a difficult weekend into such a special and memorable Valentine's Day. read more
3 months ago
1 year ago
We celebrated my husband's birthday here yesterday, let me just say, everything was amazing! Our server Dylan provided top notch service as well as Kyle and the entire staff. I ordered the shiitake fettuccine with shrimp and it was delicious! The flavor was light, creamy with a hint of lemon. We also had the pork belly bossam, meat was nice and tender, the kimchi that comes with it- so good! I could eat it by itself with rice. I can't forget about the bugolgi bao tacos- crispy fried bun stuffed with a tasty filling. Cocktails were good, my favorite is the Mokpo Skies. Thanks for stopping by our table Chef Paul, everyone enjoyed their meal. If you choose to drive, Choi's provides 2 hour complimentary parking nearby, you'll receive a text with directions. I love the cozy and intimate feel of the restaurant, will definitely be returning again in the near future! read more
8 months ago
My husband and I were in town for a conference, and this restaurant was truly an experience! Choi, the owner, personally welcomed us and introduced himself--his hospitality and love for his restaurant are unmatched. The wait staff and bartender were all kind, professional, and attentive, making us feel so well taken care of. I have no doubt this place will soon be the #1 restaurant in San Diego. Watch out, Choi--you built it, and they will come! Well done! read more
4 months ago
4 months ago
4 months ago
My Wife and I stopped by for a quick Oyster happy hour and ended up staying much longer. The customer service of JP behind the bar, and staff was superior and the food was amazing! Not usually a fan of rice based cocktails but all of their cocktails are infused in a way that complements traditional cocktails perfectly! A great find, and worth the visit! read more
I came to Choi's with two friends, it's located in a quiet corner next to Petco Park. There weren't too many people and this was on a Friday evening, so luckily we were able to be seated quickly! The staff were very nice and even brought us complimentary non-alcoholic ginger/lemon drinks. In terms of the food, the Galbi stone pot was delicious! The Galbi was cooked perfectly. I also enjoyed the bossam, but the pork was a little dry. We ordered a mushroom fettuccine as well, not pictured. Overall the food was good, but the portions were definitely a bit on the smaller side. Our bill came out to $182, though it isn't that bad considering that we ordered 3 dishes and 3 drinks, and Choi's is a higher end restaurant. I'd definitely recommend the cocktail that has lychee! read more
5 months ago
4 months ago
Here's a more casual Yelp-style version: Had such a great night at Choi's in San Diego. The food was amazing--Asian fusion done right--and everything we tried was full of flavor. Service was on point the entire time, super friendly and attentive. The cocktails were awesome, and shoutout to the bartenders Ryle and JP for absolutely killing it. Great drinks, great energy, and just genuinely fun people behind the bar. Even better, the chef came out to check on our food and make sure we were happy, which was a really nice touch. Overall, great vibes, great food, great drinks. Perfect spot for a fun night out. Definitely coming back. read more
This place has a lovely ambiance and I enjoyed sitting at the bar. The service was really great and food was alright. The Korean wings were really flavorful, juicy and crispy. I had high hopes for the octopus but I feel like it was a bit tough to chew on and I personally was not a fan of the creamy sauce underneath. There are many other options on the menu I look forward to trying in the future though. It's really nice they have a special ball menu for home game days. read more
4 months ago
10 months ago
Chef Choi is INCREDIBLE! Every single dish I tried I absolutely loved. Especially the desserts, which if you go I consider to be a must-have. The Crispy Chicken changed my life, I'm not sure any other chicken can ever compare. The Shiitake Fettuccine was cooked to perfection, perfectly al dente. I love Pork Belly, and this is some of the best I've ever had. The ambiance is very modern and clean. The touches of natural elements and wood with the concrete walls really brought a nice well rounded and trendy atmosphere. It was decently busy for a Tuesday night but plenty of space to sit. It was also very family friendly as I saw several families with young children dining together. They also have outdoor seating which is a huge plus because you can people watch Petco Park which is right outside. Speaking of baseball they have a Baseball Menu for all home games which everyone needs to try! The service was incredible. Dylan did a great job talking us through each course and the staff seem to be very knowledgeable about the menu and ingredients used. I also loved that they asked for any allergies right at the start, before even ordering. You can tell that Chef Choi cares greatly about his staff and keep them well informed of all changes and ingredients! Overall, my recommendation is to go and try it for yourself! read more
1 year ago
We came here during our SD staycation and were truly disappointed by the food. I'm actually surprised by all the great reviews. First, the parking situation was horrible. We had no idea where to park. They do have a designated parking lot but it was almost impossible to find without having instructions. Apparently, we were supposed to receive a text with parking details, but we never received that. We drove around for 20 minutes just trying to find the parking. The food was disappointing. It's supposed to be modern Korean-fusion but it has no resemblance of any Korean food. Tasted worse than something I could make at home for a crazy price tag. 30 something dollars for a squid tentacle? Fine, we wouldn't mind paying if it was actually good. The ambiance was also not as nice as the reviews made it out to be. Seating was a little weird and awkward. Service was mediocre. Nothing to rave about read more
Went to chois with a group of colleagues from work. The ambiance was very nice and classy. The menu doesn't have many options and was surprised for a Korean inspired location no ban Chan served you had to pay extra for it (and at that the selection was really small) The staff was very nice but clearly overwhelmed as they just forgot about my entree while all my other colleagues got their food. So I had to wait a lot longer than the rest before I could eat. I got the pork belly and it was not exactly what I was expecting. It was good but it just wasn't what I wanted when I ordered pork belly. Overall a nice place, a little expensive for what it is(~$32 an entree). I think if was to go to Korean restaurants I'd go somewhere else instead read more
1 year ago
11 months ago
Food was so good!! Everything was packed with so much flavor and cooked well. The mushrooms in the bao taco and the fettuccine had great texture and bite to it. The eggplant dish was probably my top choice- pleasantly surprised on the fried lotus root topping (so crunchy! I don't usually like lotus root) and the eggplant was also cooked well, good bite and not mushy. The eggplant dip that filled the bottom of the plate was packed with so much flavor - I need to try making it at home. We had such a great experience with Dylan, he was incredibly attentive and accommodating. First thing he asked us was about any dietary restrictions and we let him know that my friend is vegan. He immediately jumped around and pointed out everything that could be made vegan and if there was anything else we wanted to try to make some substitutions he'd be happy to help us with that. His bubbly and friendly personality really made our night and helped make my friend's birthday celebrations even better. Thanks so much for taking care of us!! We got the hotteok with berry compote plus ice cream on the side with candles for her birthday - so sweet! And delicious The restaurant had super tall ceilings, nice little table lights and the hostess offered us a bag stand for our bags. We were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the little addition for comfort! Also thought it was very comfortable and not too loud - had a great time. Overall really enjoyed Choi's and would definitely come back next time I'm in SD - would def recommend to my friends when they visit as well. read more
2 years ago
Our first visite to Choi's so the review is for initial impressions. On our monthly dinner, this was chosen. We knew that it's a more modern Korean cuisine. The parking is free under the hotel. We went during a Padres game still happening for the season but no problem finding parking (If you parked for the Padres game, it was 65 (ouch) but its a stone's throw away from the park). As a group of four we like to share the food and the setup for ordering here allows for that and also if you were just having dinner with someone. The place itself is pretty nice and open. Tables are not too close and they have a hanger for your handbag (just don't bring the whole shebang in there). We had several items below: Pork Mandu Charred Gochujang Octopus Pork Belly Bossam KFC (Koreand Fried Chicken) Comped Sesame Bean Sprouts (refreshing) Fried Oyster Mushrooms Drinks - Soju flight, and Gimhae airport (we did have pre-drink cocktail at another place) Of all the foods above, we can pick favorites,free bean sprouts as mentioned a nice starter. We did get a amuse bouche drink that was good. We loved the pork mandu (fried dumpling), pork belly wrap in lettuce with kimchi. KFC you can't do wrong but this should be a given. The Mushrooms were delicious and was eated by all of us satisfactorily. The cheesecake for dessert was a nice finish, event though we were full. Overall, I think since the Padres season is over, this will be a good place to catch a meal. I just saw they have Happy Hour, we will try that. Choi's - atmosphere 4 stars, attention and service 4 stars, 5 stars for most of the food. read more
4 months ago
Went to Choi's to experience their new menu last night! This is a level of cuisine San Diego is missing. Well crafted dishes with beautiful plating and incredible flavors. Choi's chicken is always a must but our favorite from the night was the short rib, unbelievably tender and rich. But the main highlight of this place is the service. Daniel, our server, gave great recommendations, was so attentive, and kept us laughing throughout the meal. I can't wait to come back! read more
5 months ago
Had an amazing time for a birthday celebration! The tomahawk was to die for, and I would absolutely get it again. I loved the touches of Korean culture and heritage that was infused in every drink and dish. Service was outstanding and the live music was a great touch. The atmosphere and aesthetic of this place was incredible. I will definitely be coming back when I'm in the area! read more
11 months ago
We had a fantastic dining experience at Choi! From the moment we were seated, our server Dylan S. took great care of us, very polite, attentive, and always checking in at just the right times. Though the kitchen was run by just two chefs that evening (which meant a bit of a longer wait), we actually appreciated the slower pace. It gave us time to soak in the warm, stylish ambiance and enjoy the great music. Nothing felt rushed--it was the kind of place where you could really settle in and enjoy the moment. Now for the food: everything we ordered was delicious and memorable. Goguma Salad was a standout starter--perfectly sweet for toddlers too, with sweet potatoes, crunchy garlic aioli, and celery and carrots. Bao Taco was perfectly crispy on the outside and soft inside then of course you cannot miss the slow roasted eggplant - party in my mouth,stuffed with incredibly tender, slow-roasted eggplant. Choi's Crispy Chicken had a spicy kick, but it was well-balanced and flavorful. The texture was spot on, crispy yet juicy. Shiitake Fettuccine with Shrimp had beautifully balanced flavors with a subtle peppery note that tied the whole dish together. We'd absolutely come back, for the vibe, the food, and the kind service. Choi is a gem in San Diego. read more
This upscale Korean fusion restaurant is right next to Petco Park. They offer 2 hour parking at the Ace parking garage right next to it. You have to get your parking ticket validated and then it's $2 per hour. I recommend making reservations so the restaurant can text you the parking information. The restaurant has modern decor. We were immediately greeted and seated at our table. They provided welcome drinks that tasted like lemonade (honey, lemon, and ginger). It was delicious. We started with bao tacos (one with mushrooms and one with bulgogi) and Mama's cauliflower. My husband loved the bao buns but I prefer a softer bao bun. The cauliflower tasted really good. We also shared the Mapo Tofu and Shiitake Fettuccine with shrimp for our main dishes. Everything was cooked perfectly and tasted amazing. read more
1 year ago
All of the food was great quality, so the hype is mildly warranted. The bill was akin to what you'd expect from an upscale place like this. The food here is not that great for sharing, as we tried to do family style with about 8 people and were advised to get 8-10 dishes accordingly, so about a dish per person. It's a good take on upscale Korean dining, and the drinks are very refreshing. The bossam was a crowd favorite, but I wish there was more lettuce to go with it, so it was more proportioned, based on the amount of pork slices there were, but very tender pork, otherwise read more
11 months ago
Perfect spot for a high end Korean vibe. Food is on par with price and experience; upper class with quality food. Relatively fair pricing. Our waiter was on top of it but not overwhelming. Would be 5 but serving Korean food with no chopsticks? :( read more
Overall solid meal. The restaurant was beautiful and food was well presented. What really stood out at this restaurant was the level of service from their staff. There was always someone attentively checking to see if anything is needed and your water was refilled almost immediately. We went as a family but this place would a great date place too since the atmosphere is upscale and romantic. Again, A plus service. read more
11 months ago
SO GOOD!! My friend and I went here to celebrate my birthday and we were blown away by everything. Food was fantastic with rich tasty combinations of flavor. I myself am vegan but our server Dylan was so helpful and accommodating and let us know all of the possible things I could eat or that they could make alterations to. We got some of the banchan--the sesame bean sprouts and cucumber kimchi, both delicious. The slow roasted eggplant was also so good--you could really taste the smoky-ness in the dish. My favorite was the bao taco with mushrooms--it was very flavorful and crispy yet soft. My friend also got the shiitake fettuccine that she really enjoyed. Huge shout out to our server Dylan, he was so friendly and made us feel so comfortable. He even offered to take photos for us and consistently checked to see we were doing okay. We got a complimentary hotteok with candles too on account of my birthday which was such a nice surprise. The atmosphere was very cute and made such a great dinner spot. Love that they provided hooks for our handbags and validate parking as well! Overall fantastic experience! read more
1 year ago
Was in town Memorial Day Weekend to celebrate our anniversary, while a little disheartened to find that some of the more popular and aesthetic restaurants in downtown SD were completely booked - we took a chance on this newer, less reviewed restaurant and are sure glad we did. Every part of the dining experience was very well thought out. From the moment we stepped in the front door until we left; the crew there, ESPECIALLY Dylan, took amazing care of us and made us feel special. We got a few different cocktails, appetizers and entrees to try and were happy with them all. I especially enjoyed the Gochujang Octopus, Bao Taco, Grandma's Pork Belly Bossam and the Galbi Hot Stone Bowl. The drinks were tasty and just the right amount of alcohol to not overpower the drink. Would definitely recommend Choi's over the other overcrowded and well-established restaurants in San Diego. Food 10/10. Dylan/Service 100/10. read more
4 months ago
Update to my original review: they stopped doing takeout and honestly, it's good that they did. They are focused on service and fine dining, plus the food and ambiance are all spot on. We went after they reopened and got the birria and yellowtail crudo for appetizers, and the lobster bisque and short rib for entrees. They were all amazing! As a Korean, I usually don't like Korean fusion because it's generally not Korean enough. But at Chois, I can't get enough of the food! It's well-balanced, not heavy, and just tastes great. Did I mention the great service already? On top of Chef Choi making sure that we enjoyed everything, the hosts were super attentive and made sure that we had everything we needed. I honestly love this place and I hope they end up getting a Michelin one day. read more
1 year ago
Had to come back a second time since our first time with Dylan & crew was so amazing! Also because I really wanted to try their wagyu. Unfortunately this time our server wasn't as great which was a bummer (realized a big part of why our first time was so great was because of the generosity & service of our server and the wait staff as a whole that shift, and all the personal touches we were surprised with!), but a lot of the crew was still amazing & they even gifted us some flowers for our joint birthday celebration! The man who came out in a suit (I'm assuming he was the manager) had a great big smile on his face every time we saw him & as he handed us flowers, which felt super warm & inviting. Loved the Chili Shrimp & Grits, and the Australian Wagyu was pretty good too! read more
TLDR: really wanted to love this place but left feeling disappointed both food and service. Don't think I'll return. Came here to celebrate my husband's birthday on a Saturday night. Put in a special note hoping they could do a little bit surprise in the end. The general manager acknowledged beforehand via message and hostess upon arrival gave us a handwritten card with his name on it. Unfortunately it all went downhill from here. We had a two hour dining experience - did not even get one "happy birthday". Mind you both tables next to us got complimentary welcome drinks, a free dessert with candle, and a flower. We saw multiple times of their "routine" thinking we would get in the end. Nothing. Our waiter asked if we wanted any dessert, we were too full so passed but I thought at least we would get a little note with a flower. Nothing. He gave us the checks and sent us home. What a weird and disappointing experience. For that only, I would not return. Plus the food is way overpriced and mediocre for how much we are paying and we tried a lot of items on the menu - most of them are underwhelming. Food: nothing mind blown. mostly are bland/could use more salt. The only one we both thoroughly enjoyed is the bao buns (5/5). Both beef and mushroom are good but I prefer the mushroom. The bao is slightly crispy outside but soft inside. The stuffing had a good flavor and very balanced with kimchi and other fixings. Cucumber kimchi (2/5) had a nice sauce but the cucumber itself had no flavor at all. We both feel like by calling it kimchi is very misleading and it needed more time. On the other hand the bean sprout kimchi (4/5) were well seasoned and we both liked. Octopus (3/5) texture was great but again under seasoned. Same with tuna crispy rice (3/5). It had good amount of toppings but I found myself constantly looking for more seasoning. We were very excited for the shiitake fettuccine (1/5) as it was highly recommended in a lot yelp reviews. First of all, our entrees took forever to come out. Secondly it tasted over lemony and we didn't even see one piece of mushroom nor did we taste any. Overall we couldn't finish it and it was a huge letdown. Also more salt needed please especially given the rich sauce and lemony taste. Galbi hot stone bowl (4/5) was the only dish we finished. Had decent amount of galbi which was tender and flavorful. Also enjoyed amount of vegetables in it - lotus root and mushroom. Is it worth $38? Probably not. Overall as mentioned earlier, would not return or recommend this place, given the poor service and mediocre overpriced food. read more
1 year ago
If I can give this place more stars I would! Came here to celebrate my birthday and our server Dylan was super nice and helpful. I first want to talk about the service we experienced. Upon sitting at our table, I was greeted with a personalized card that had my name on it and it stating happy birthday. Come to find out, the restaurant actually reached out to my boyfriend to ask him for my first and last name so they can write me the note. I thought that was the most sweetest gesture! That goes above and beyond what you would usually expect. During the dinner, I went to the bathroom and was pleasantly surprised with a rose! Dylan, our server sneaked a rose to my boyfriend so he can give to me when I came back. Again, such a sweet and kind gesture! For our dessert we actually ended up getting two birthday desserts due to some confusion that occurred. However, I thought it was so nice that they would give us two! We were also able to get a polaroid picture taken of my boyfriend and I which I thought what the cutest memento. In general, the service was amazing. The servers even aside from Dylan, were so kind and always being so attentive. They made sure that our water was always filled up, took away any unnecessary plates, and would ask us if we ever needed anything. Now for the food. I will have to be honest and say though the food was amazing, the portions are just very small. I'm sure that's expected from any fine dining restaurant, but I had to be honest in my review and say even though I did enjoy the food, I wish the serving sizes were bigger. My favorite dish of the night was shiitake fettuccine. Dylan actually recommended this dish and it was soo yummy!!! It had a nice lemony flavor to it and it was so creamy! I was mostly the one to finish this dish. The chicken was also very delicious. The chicken was so so soft and the sauce was flavorful. The appetizers were very good as well, i really enjoyed the spicy tuna. In all, I would definitely come here again! I loved the service and the food. I would recommend people to definitely check this place out! :) And a big thank you to everyone at Choi's for making my birthday so special and memorable! read more
Great service and ambiance at Choi's, an upscale Korean dining experience. Love that they have a whole soju cocktail menu! Busan Diego: A This cocktail had a good hit of alcohol without tasting bitter at all. Loved the notes of raspberry and rose water for a refreshing drink. Mildly sweet. Scallops on the half shell: A- Six scallops in a Korean chili oil and aged shoyu. Tasted pretty good and I found the technique to eat these is to make sure you take all the sauce with the scallop for max flavor. Also the seaweed salad was so good, perfect texture with the firmness. Korean crispy chicken: A Very crispy so appropriately named! It's covered in a gochujang honey soy sauce and sesame seeds. If you're familiar with Korean fried chicken you'll probably love this. The avocado mash was unique, wouldn't say it's my favorite but I appreciate it when a dish utilizes ingredients differently. Never seen avocados in a Korean dish! Red bean basque cheesecake: A They gave me a complimentary slice of cheesecake since the entree took awhile to come out, I appreciated the thought and I got to try another item! I don't even like red bean too much but this was a fantastic dessert. Such rich and creamy cheese layer and an intense red bean bottom layer, alongside some strawberries. Possibly my favorite restaurant in San Diego! Will have to come back when I visit. read more
25 days ago
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100 Park Plz
Ste 161
San Diego, CA 92101
East Village
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https://www.choissandiego.com
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Ask the Community - Choi's
Can they accommodate for a gluten allergy?
Hello there! Most of our menu is Gluten-Free, including our famous Crispy Chicken! :)
Is it kid friendly?
Yes, we brought our two month old. They don't have a kids menu though.
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Choi's - wine_bars - Updated May 2026
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