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    Ilbunjee

    4.2 (355 reviews)
    PriceyKorean, Barbeque
    Closed 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Ilbunjee Photos

    Business Info

    ILBUNJEE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Ilbunjee

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    Set for 2
    Jin K.

    If you want fancy decor and a quiet atmosphere, this probably isn't your spot--but if you want some of the best K-BBQ in Santa Clara, Ilbunjee is a total win. It's got that perfect, low-key "hole-in-the-wall" feel that makes it feel like a real neighborhood find. The staff is awesome too; they're fast and actually look out for you so you don't over-order. It can get pretty packed on the weekends, especially late at night, but that's just part of the charm.

    Shinae K.

    Food is fresh every single time! Service is always on point, and the vibe is lit. If you want quality Korean food with top-notch meat, this is your spot. Easily one of the best in town! Make a reservation because it can get packed!!

    Inside
    Mina H.

    Came in with 3 other friends since it's been awhile. We ordered combo for 3 people and a side of cold noodles. No other places do cold noodles like them in this area. The place is small and tight. I recommend calling them for large parties. Meat is filling portions and sharable. Service is quick and efficient. Still my number one spot

    Brisket, skirt steak y pork belly
    Leslie Q.

    Came to Ilbunjee for dinner with friends and enjoyed our meal! Located in a dinky strip mall with hardly any parking, Ilbunjee is a hole in the wall, "feels like home" Korean bbq spot. The inside is quite small! The four of us snugly fit around a little round table and proceeded to order: Brisket Skirt steak Pork belly Fish cake soup - This was alright Cold noodles - Super refreshing, only wished it was even colder The meat was very good quality and the amount was perfect for our party size. The meal also came with banchan and a really well-dressed salad. Service was really nice too. We were checked on frequently and they even help cook the meat for you. Overall, we paid probably $60-ish per person which is a bit high for a non-AYCE spot. The price plus how cramped I felt sitting at our table trying to fit everything we ordered on it dinged some stars.

    Joanne L.

    We came here for a friend's birthday since she prefers it over 10 Butchers, but I personally found it to be pretty mid. We ordered the meat combo, and the quality didn't really stand out. My friends also raved about the rice balls, but to me they just tasted like mushy sesame oil rice with some crushed seaweed--nothing memorable. Overall, it's not a spot I'd put on my list to revisit.

    2 lbs brisket
    Kevin T.

    This really hit the spot after a long Saturday hike. The quality of the food was amazing. Definitely on the pricier side, but all of their meat portions are 1lb which is actually a lot. 5lb for 5 people was more than enough to fill our bellies. We ordered 2lb brisket, 1rib eye, 1lb pork jowl, and 1lb pork belly. Next time, I'll probably stixk to only brisket and pork jowl because these were amazing. The spot is small, but the right size to make you feel how authentic it is. No shade to the big AYCE Korean spots etc. This is where you would want to go for the most authentic Korean night. First time, but I will be back! Oh yeah, they give you free fish cake soup which was fire

    Banchan
    Love K.

    As small as this Korean BBQ spot may seem, it fits large parties nicely. Our party of 6 had a great dinner at Illbunjee. The meats and banchan were very flavorful. The restaurant is not cheap with their banchan; they are quick to refill plates when they were finished. With that said, our waiter was also our cook. Our friends asked to take over but the waiter insisted. He insisted so much that he over cooked a lot of our meats. Personally, I like my meats well done so I didn't mind but even I received some over-done pieces. Our platter felt like endless meats and we were stuffed at the end. All in all, I quite enjoyed it. A heads up, parking is horrible. You are lucky to find a spot in the complex. Otherwise, you will have to find street parking in the residential area. Cheers!

    Trewen W.

    Came to Ilbunjee on a Saturday right when they opened. We were a table of 5 so the seating arrangement was kind of weird with 2 circular tables. The grill was on the side instead of towards the middle. However, the staff were super friendly, and this place is probably my top 5 favorite Korean BBQ places in the Bay Area. We ordered their Combination for 4, and also added beef tongue to our order. It also came with these delicious rice balls, salad, and soup. And we also added an order of cold noodles too a must order when getting Korean bbq. The meat quality was really good, the meats were well marbled and not too fatty. The pork jowl, beef tongue, pork belly, and brisket are definitely the cuts you have to order. Especially with the cold noodles, after every bite was refreshing and you were ready to have another bite. This is definitely one of the places I will come back to when craving Korean bbq.

    Jennifer Y.

    I've tried a lot of KBBQ and Ilbunjee has to be THE BEST I've had in the Bay Area! The quality is amazing and the beef was perfectly marbled. We tried a new menu item (potato seafood pancake) and it was delicious! The potatoes had the crunch of hash browns and the flavor was savory from the seafood and green onions. Don't forget to order their KIMCHI NOODLES! It pairs perfectly with the grilled meats and the broth is so flavorful! To top off everything, the service was amazing! They refilled side dishes before we even needed to ask and even brought an extra pair of chopsticks within seconds after seeing one of us drop one! This is a great place to celebrate birthdays, have a date night, and get your KBBQ craving fixed. I'll definitely be back very soon~

    Meat quality
    Helen K.

    This place gives total Itaewon Class vibes like warm, cozy, and a little hip, with food that completely hits the spot! The meat quality is incredible and the sides are all fresh and flavorful. You can tell everything's made with care. The owners are so kind and welcoming, it honestly feels like eating at a friend's place. Such a hidden gem in San Jose. I'm going back next week

    Combination for two
    Maggie W.

    I came across Ilbunjee when I was trying the Thai restaurant next door and thought to myself that I'd want to revisit this! I came with an acquaintance who also expressed a similar affection for Korean barbecue and lived in the Santa Clara area. We ended up ordering a bottle of soju and combination order for two guests, so that came with prime ribeye, sliced prime brisket, Berkshire pork jowl, and Berkshire pork belly. I'm not the biggest fan of pork, but the price difference between a combination and ordering their minimum of two entrees was negligible enough in my mind. The banchan was good and they have a side table for when your meats arrive, which is great. The portable grill is also really cute! The waitress helped us cut the thicker cuts of pork jowl and pork belly when she saw that we were struggling to fully grill them. My heart was not particularly into drinking, but she also looked out for me when my acquaintance was about to order two bottles but recommended that we start with one and then purchase the next once we finished the first. However, the price is the primary reason why I would not come again. It ended up totaling to $140 after tax and tip, around $70 per person. I understand that the cost of living in South Bay is high and running a restaurant requires a lot of overhead and indirect expenses, but as a patron if I were to spend $70 at a place I'd pick somewhere that has more of a higher feel to it.

    Soup
    Janet L.

    Delicious! My fav were the cold noodles.. and the pork was also really good! Service was friendly and attentive as well.

    Ilbunjee is one of the best spots for Korean BBQ! The service is friendly and attentive, the staff makes sure everything runs smoothly. The quality meat is freshly cut and perfectly marbled. The stews are hearty and so comforting. The potato/squid pancake is crispy and the squid sashimi is super fresh! The staff is friendly and the vibe is easy and fun. I've been here so many times with friends, and we always leave full and happy. This restaurant is one of the original spots on El Camino that my parents frequented in the 90s and now I go all the time! The best place for home cooked Korean food.

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    Ilbunjee Reviews in Other Languages

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    Chungdam

    Chungdam

    4.0(1.2k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    Chungdam is conveniently located at the corner right off El Camino Real. You won't miss its bold…read moresignage with an all-black background and white text. Another landmark is that it's right next to the Super 8 by Wyndham. Both share the parking lot, so finding a spot can be difficult, but there's street parking available too. RESERVATION/HOST I made a reservation for 3 at 7:30PM on a Saturday evening. I'm glad I planned ahead because, upon entering, there were about 5 parties waiting to be seated. My party was greeted warmly and was quickly seated after my reservation was confirmed. SERVICE Very prompt and professional service. The BBQ meats were cooked consistently, and every request was accommodated. FOOD Chungdam focuses on delivering high-quality meats for your Korean BBQ experience. The banchan was delicious! I was surprised that three spicy raw baby crabs were served. To be honest, it was my first time trying it despite hearing about the hype. It paired pretty well with rice. The dressing and condiments were perfect. I appreciated that salt was provided since we ordered all non-marinade meats. The fermented bean curd dip was my favorite. The seafood pancake we ordered took a bit longer to arrive, but it was delicious and crispy! The seafood was cut into perfect bite-sized pieces, so you get seafood in every bite. -USDA PRIME 차돌박이 100z - Cha-Dol (Beef Brisket, Thinly Sliced) -USDA PRIME 생갈비 16oz - Seng Galbi (Non marinaded Prime short rib) -Seafood Pancake Overall, the Korean food was delicious, and the customer service was excellent. We were even greeted when leaving. They offer kimchi for takeout in jars, available in 16oz and 32oz sizes. I particularly enjoyed the kimchi and had it refilled during dinner, so I decided to buy a 16oz jar to enjoy at home.

    Wow this place is incredible!! Definitely one of the top KBBQ places in the bay area…read more Ambiance: 10/10 very modern, love the elegant light, perfect for a special occasion! Yangnyeom Galbi : 10/10 just such an incredible cut of meat marinated with the most fragrant sweet soy. It was impressively tender and so easy to eat. Jul Mul Luck : 7/10 the meat was marinated really well, but the meat was definitely chewier than the galbi. Still a solid option. Additional notes on food: I can't believe they provide raw marinated crab as a side dish!! Wow it was incredible and such a nice perk that makes this restaurant stand out. They also provided a pumpkin soup appetizer and two slices of leek pancake. Service: 9/10 There was one server who was really on top of cooking our BBQ, but there was another server who didn't bring us our included complimentary soybean stew with our two orders of meat, even after we asked. I was disappointed.

    Photos
    Chungdam - Inside (7/1)

    Inside (7/1)

    Chungdam - Chungdam Bibimbap

    Chungdam Bibimbap

    Chungdam - Seafood Pancake

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    Seafood Pancake

    Jang Su Jang - Maeun Galbi Jjim ($75) Spicy Braised Beef Short Ribs

    Jang Su Jang

    3.8(2.3k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$$

    Jang Su Jang is one of the Bay Area's few Korean restaurants that still practices classical,…read moretechnique-driven K-BBQ at a level that feels disciplined rather than theatrical. This is not "trendy K-BBQ." This is craft. Premium Beef Sets The two beef platters show exactly why this restaurant has earned its reputation. Cuts are uniform, balanced, and beautifully marbled - not over-trimmed, not sloppy. You can tell each cut was selected with intent. And then comes the part that separates Jang Su Jang from the rest: The Ajeumma Grill Masters The ajumma who handle the grill are true specialists. They adjust heat, angle, and timing with an instinct that can't be engineered - it's earned through years of repetition. Fatty cuts get brief exposure to maximize aroma. Leaner cuts are rested, turned, and finished with restraint. Everything lands at the table tender, glossy, and perfectly rendered. This is the kind of skill you don't fake. Signature "Wang Mandu" Dumplings These oversized dumplings - often associated with Pyongyang/North Korean culinary tradition - are beautifully pleated, delicate, and generously filled. The wrapper stays thin; the interior stays juicy. A standout item, and a rarity in the Bay Area. Cold Noodles (Naengmyeon) A textbook bowl: * Broth clean and chilled * Buckwheat noodles with bounce instead of mush * Two precise slices of beef on top -- tender, thin, and chosen specifically because they don't fight the noodles' texture A lot of restaurants get this wrong; Jang Su Jang gets it exactly right. Spicy Shredded Beef Noodle Soup Deep red broth, long strands of tender shredded beef, and vegetables cut for texture rather than decoration. A bowl built for cold days, and executed with discipline. Service & Atmosphere Service here is closer to Korean fine dining than casual K-BBQ: * Full uniforms * Structured training * Staff who monitor your grill without interrupting * Adjusting cuts based on who's at the table * Cutting, rotating, and finishing the meat so you don't have to guess You feel taken care of - not rushed, not ignored. And yes, you'll leave with a little grill aroma on your clothes. That's the mark of a proper K-BBQ house - an imprint of the experience. A Note on Hanwoo If you truly want to experience Hanwoo, the most direct path is simple: from SFO or SJC, a few hours in the air puts you in Seoul eating the real thing. But within the Bay Area, Jang Su Jang is the closest expression of classical Korean grilling done right. If any restaurant here were to introduce Hanwoo one day, this is the one that deserves to serve it. In a region full of modern, high-tech, all-you-can-eat K-BBQ concepts, Jang Su Jang stands alone as the Bay Area's classical Korean reference point - precise, disciplined, and anchored in real craft. Five stars- on execution alone. - Dr C Only writing for what truly earns the stars.

    I usually don't leave reviews, but this experience was beyond disappointing. I normally go to the…read moreMilpitas location where the service and food are consistently good, so I didn't expect this at all. We came in as a party of seven and were seated in a corner where it felt like no one paid attention to us. We had to call the server multiple times just to request side dishes, which made the whole experience frustrating. It honestly felt like we were forgotten most of the time. A few things to note: 1. The attitude of the servers was not welcoming. 2. Side dishes are supposed to be refillable up to three times, but even getting a refill was difficult. I've never experienced service like this before. Definitely not coming back.

    Photos
    Jang Su Jang - Jang Su Jang - inside bbq seating area

    Jang Su Jang - inside bbq seating area

    Jang Su Jang - Haemul Pajeon aka Seafood Pancake ($29), expensive

    Haemul Pajeon aka Seafood Pancake ($29), expensive

    Jang Su Jang - #NoodlePull

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    #NoodlePull

    Paik's Noodle - Stir-fried Noodle ($14)

    Paik's Noodle

    4.3(1.8k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    I always come here whenever i am craving meat jajangmyeon and it never disappoints! I also order…read morethe tangsuyuk and stir fried noodles and it's so good and filling. I have put all my friends on this place and they love it every time i mention coming here. The meat jajangmyeon and the stir fried noodles is so flavorful and the tangsuyuk is so crunchy! For the price and the portion is heavenly sent too, so perfect. The only unfortunate thing is the parking lot outside is pretty small and limited, so keep that in mind. Sometimes i park across the street from the other plaza since the parking lot is bigger. Tungtungtungsahur rates 5/5

    FOOD: 4 SERVICE: 4…read moreAMBIANCE: 3 VALUE: 4 We were looking for something different for lunch and we came across Paik's. A no thrills Korean restaurant specializing in their black bean sauce rice/noodles. We ordered: Fried Dumplings - minced pork and vegetables dumplings deep fried to perfection. Crunchy, meaty and just need a dousing of vinegar. Jajang Rice - rice covered in shrimp egg omelette with the black bean jajang sauce on the side. The omelette was done right, not dry, but the black bean jajang sauce was really what made the dish. Beef Jjamppong - noodle soup with beef slices and mixed vegetables. Comforting bowel of needles with thinly sliced beef and cabbage. Jajangmyeon - their signature noodles with black bean sauce. Very umami and the noodles were done just right. Cheap (for nowadays) and good food, what else can you ask for?

    Photos
    Paik's Noodle - Counter / cooking area

    Counter / cooking area

    Paik's Noodle - Fried Dumpling ($8.50/8)

    Fried Dumpling ($8.50/8)

    Paik's Noodle - Chili Shrimp ($20)

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    Chili Shrimp ($20)

    Ilbunjee - korean - Updated May 2026

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