Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Kimchi Korean BBQ

    4.8 (68 reviews)
    ModerateKorean, Barbeque, Hot Pot
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Waitlist - Kimchi Korean BBQ

    Waitlist closed

    The restaurant is not taking waitlist parties right now

    Order Kimchi Korean BBQ Takeout or Delivery

    Kimchi Korean BBQ Photos

    Business Info

    KIMCHI KOREAN BBQ ATMOSPHERE

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

    More like Kimchi Korean BBQ

    Recommended Reviews - Kimchi Korean BBQ

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

    Reviews With Photos

    Menu
    Henry D.

    Historically this location has been a Korean restaurant according to the staff. So when the previous one closed they knew they had to keep the torch lit. The Banchan is delicious and I can really taste the original flavors I remember from living in Korea. I enjoy the variety and I've since been here twice and really enjoy the array of flavors. The Hot pot and Chap Chae were so good. Immediately takes me on a sensory trip The new decor makes it look bigger inside. Nice clean and simple. I look forward to coming back. You should really make your way there you won't be disappointed.

    Shauna C.

    Amazing Korean food that's not all the way on the east side. The bibimbap is fantastic! Loved all the sides including kimchi. Service is always so kind. Definitely recommend checking out if you want some delicious authentic Korean food.

    Cheesy corn.
    Cecilia O.

    Love mom and pop spots family owned!!! We sat in the back, the server was very friendly. The food came pretty quick from appetizers, to main dishes. Wow, such a delicious selection of foods. The ambiance was casual, the food was yummy. Loved every flavor and the kimchi. The owners are very kind and welcoming. You gotta try it if you love Korean bbq!!

    Menu
    Danielle L.

    Came back after a few years of not having been here, at first we were unaware that there had been a change or ownership but they did not disappoint at all as everything we got was good. The creamy corn was so delicious and it's not like many other places where it's a small portion as they actually stack this plate up and you have cheese and sauce dripping on the side, which is a huge positive. Next appetizer we had was the chicken wings which were good because they were nice and crispy on the outside while being good and juicy on the inside and the Korean taco was really well put together with a good amount of meat and onion and cilantro on top with the sauce on the side. For the meat, we got the sliced ribeye and the short rib which were both really good and tender, especially because you can cook them to your own liking with those two options did not disappoint, and the Bulgogi fries really nicely put together as well. Service was good as they kept checking on the table making sure if we needed anything and constantly following up to see if there was things missing., finally the ambience on the restaurant was really nice because compared to the last time we had been there the place was really well lit up warm feeling with good music playing around, totally different experience in the last time we were here and we really enjoyed. It definitely will be back.

    Sides
    Jasmyn W.

    When you walk in it is very mom and pop style in there. We ordered some pork gyoza and edamame to start. Both were very good. Then we ordered some Tteogbokk-i it was my first time trying that. Was pretty good. For out main dishes we got marinated beef short ribs and mild pork belly. Both were very good. The ladies very very nice and brought all the little side dishes out and our drinks. I would go back. But maybe do the grilling ourselves next time.

    Leah W.

    Lots to choose from and kind staff. The food came out hot and tasted so good! I had the beef stew and the meat was so tender on the bone! Great banchan and they marinate their meat so well! My husband had the spare ribs!

    Kimchi stew
    Katelyn H.

    If you're looking for an amazing Korean spot in AZ--this is it. Everything was made perfectly, and it's probably the best Korean food I've had in a while. I'll definitely be coming back! Service was quick and efficient! The place is also open and clean. Even my fiancé, who is not a foodie at all, said he hasn't enjoyed food this much in a long time. He was so happy there, which says everything.

    Becca W.

    This place used to be Takamatsu, which we loved, so we were curious to try it under new ownership. The owner and staff were super friendly and attentive, and the inside feels brighter and more open than before. We got the Korean Fried Chicken Wings, Chicken Katsu, and Hot Stone Bowl Bibimbap with beef. The wings were crispy outside, juicy inside, and tasty even without sauce. The Chicken Katsu was perfectly fried and so juicy. The bibimbap was good, though it didn't have the crispy rice you usually get, which was a little disappointing. Their banchan is homemade, and we especially loved the kimchi cucumbers. Overall, everything was tasty, the service was great, and the place is really welcoming. Can't wait to come back and try the Korean BBQ next time!

    Banchan side dishes
    A N.

    My family has been long-time customers of the Korean restaurant that Kimchi Korean BBQ took over, so we were excited to try the new spot, and it did not disappoint. From the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed by the owners and staff, and, the interior was inviting and relaxed, the kind of place you instantly feel comfortable settling into. We ordered the Haemul Pajeon (seafood pancake) extra crispy and the Dolsot Bibimbap. The seafood pancake was loaded with a variety of diced seafood, green onions, and vegetables. The batter was perfectly light and crispy on the outside, while soft and slightly creamy on the inside. It paired beautifully with the tangy soy dipping sauce. The dolsot bibimbap came out sizzling in a hot stone bowl, topped with rice, assorted vegetables, beef bulgogi, and a fried egg. That stone bowl creates the most satisfying crispy rice layer on the bottom. Once mixed together with the gochujang sauce, it was a full-on flavor and texture explosion, absolutely delicious. Highly recommend checking out Kimchi Korean BBQ. We'll definitely be back.

    Precooked galbi--too fatty! Barely any meat

    So disappointed!! Wanted to try out this new Korean restaurant in the area with my family. Met with disappointment and disbelief sadly. We went in on a weekend, front room was completely full so we were placed in the back room which was of course fine. What was not fine was how we were treated. Our waitress was an older Korean lady, who didn't smile at us once. I'm not one to assume prejudice, but it was pretty clear that she was much friendlier to the customers in the front room from the start. We ordered pajeon, bulgogi, bibimbap, and an order of precooked galbi. The food came out quickly and actually was relatively good so I wish I could give a better rating. However, the galbi was full of fat as pictured here. We maybe ate 2-3 pieces of meat and everything else on this plate was fat. Since the price was nearly $30, we flagged down a different waitress and let her know there was mostly just fat, and she said "I'll take this back." Now usually when someone says that it means that, it means they're gonna remake the dish from my experience. No one clarified with us what was going to happen. We also asked for refills of the banchan side dishes (which is usually standard protocol at Korean restaurants) and no one brought us any refills or told us why. No one came to check up on us once. In fact, they ignored us for at least 30-40 minutes as we were the only ones in the backroom. The older lady only came back with the check for us--even though we didn't ask for it yet. So weird. She said they cancelled our galbi order so it's not on the bill and acted very unhappy with us. We were so confused as no one told us our galbi order was not being remade, cancelled, or even apologized after we just waited for so long. We expressed our confusion and frustration and she just brushed us off. We asked to speak to a manager and she told us "the manager is outside" not sure what that even means or if it was an excuse. She only apologized half heartedly after my parents became upset. Whether or not this was a miscommunication or language barrier, your customer service shows in situations like this. No one should ever feel like they are an inconvenience and unfairly treated based on their race. And if this is how you want to run a new restaurant, honestly good luck. Being Asian, I am always wanting to support and root for Asian owned businesses, so it's disappointing to have been treated this way and having to leave this review. Please do better and treat your paying customers better! Basic respect and communication is the bare minimum.

    Colette C.

    This Korean BBQ spot hits a little differently than other ones. For starters, they have tables with or without the grill. Quality meat!!! Good portion size for a fair price. What I love most about this place is that whatever you don't finish eating, you're able to take home -- no extra charge! Our waiter was so sweet, attentive, and very accommodating. She gave me honest feedback when I asked her about their alcoholic beverages. Another plus side to this restaurant is that it's very close to home so the drive isn't too hectic :)

    Spicy beef soup
    Brittany S.

    Impressed is an understatement!! This place recently took over the old Takamatsu spot and it's excellent! The ban chan selection was great. I had the stone bibimbap which was great, the sauce was perfectly balanced. The spicy beef soup was also very good. The vegetables gave it a nice balanced flavor. The kids had ramen which was inexpensive and tasty! Service was also great. Two small downsides are there is no refill on sodas and would love to see a draft beer selection.

    Bibimbap
    Shu Huan Y.

    We love trying new restaurants and especially small businesses! Definitely a great spot for Korean food, I'll be thinking of the beef tofu soup till I come back..! The owners son seated us and the owner came to make sure everything is good. The service was great and the food is my palette of food! The banchans are delicious and I'm happy with our selections!

    Kimchi Stew

    See all

    Photo of M F.
    0
    1
    7

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    26 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gina L.
    696
    646
    1559

    11 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    27 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John W.

    John W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Leah W.
    307
    395
    1063

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John W.

    John W.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of A N.
    0
    76
    185

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John W.

    John W.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John W.

    John W.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John W.

    John W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John W.

    John W.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    I was devastated when Takamatsu closed but the new Kimchi Korean BBQ that took over the building is delicious! Highly recommend trying it!

    Business owner information

    Photo of John W.

    John W.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John W.

    John W.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Seung L.
    152
    162
    164

    2 months ago

    As Korean it was not the best nor it was satisfying. The waiter was demanding more % on tip and the food was not the best taste.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Grace F.
    107
    10
    0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John W.

    John W.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John W.

    John W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John W.

    John W.

    Thank you for the recommendation and comments.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    These place never disappoints, it's great food and service is great. Had the spicy pork and it was amazing

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Carolyn W.
    122
    61
    31

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chau T.
    65
    65
    101

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John W.

    John W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Amazing food, great service, relaxed atmosphere. Has a wide selection of options for people who eat fish but not meat.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John W.

    John W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John W.

    John W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Kimchi Korean BBQ

    Jin Shabu - Jin Shabu

    Jin Shabu

    4.3(778 reviews)
    22.5 mi
    $$$

    Delicious food, calm atmosphere, and great service. It was my first time trying Jin Shabu, but the…read moreexperience was wonderful and I can't wait to visit again. They offer a sort of cook-it-yourself experience where you order up to two kinds of broths, and they bring them to you in a large pot that goes over your tabletop grill. You receive meats from your server, and have access to a self-serve bar of vegetables, noodles, seafood, and spices. Because it is so customizable you can really experiment with flavors and come up with some delightful combinations. I was a big fan of the brisket and octopus in the spicy broth, and my fiancée enjoyed the pork belly in the sweet broth. Both pots also complemented each other quite well! My favorite part of the ambiance was the privacy curtains. Because tables are all next to each other I imagine it would be easy to see what other diners are doing, but the curtains add a sense of privacy that made us feel like we were almost dining alone. Our service was also excellent. We had several people working in the restaurant come by during the meal to make sure we had all the broth, water, and meats that we wanted. Definitely try Jin Shabu! It is delicious and well worth the money spent!

    Pros: Great selection of meats! Very tender and juicy. The all you can eat veggie buffet table also…read morehad really fresh mushrooms and greens. Staff were very cordial to guests. Super fun hanging out with a group of friends, but there are also more intimate booths for smaller parties. Perfect for a date or a family event. Cons: The soup bases are very salty while the flavor didn't quite meet expectations (I.e. mala spicy broth could've been spicier, and the tonkatsu broth didn't really taste like tonkotsu) Overall, this is a solid hotpot restaurant!

    Photos
    Jin Shabu
    Jin Shabu - Had 8 portions

    Had 8 portions

    Jin Shabu - The set up

    See all

    The set up

    Tasty Pot - Beef Hot Soup

    Tasty Pot

    4.2(193 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$
    Wheelchair accessible
    Free parking

    Went here tonight with a gf of mine. I have never experienced a hot pot…read more I got some Gyoza to start they were very tasty. They did not come with any sauces. But they were on their own very good. I got the Japanese Miso Hot soup and added instant noodles and lobster balls. Mild weather on the spice. It was still pretty spicy. Cleared my nostrils right up My friend got the beef hot soup also mild and mine was a lot more spicy lol. But said it was very good I also got a Thai Milk tea with 25% sugar which was nice. You walk in get seated. Then that is really the last time you talk to someone. You scan the menu and order from your phone. I think this cuts out any confusion. You then have someone bring your food and drinks to your table. They do walk around and offer your more broth as there is a lot of food in those bowls. And when you add the dry noodles you need more broth. I think that is cool. They do drop off the check midway through. It does get busy around 7pm we got there just before 6 so got in no problem.

    I was craving hot pot, but there was not many options never our hotel. I've seen Tasty Pot in many…read moreareas, but I have never been. There was a long wait. When we got a table, we ordered using the QR code. It took a bit of time for our food and drinks to come. But the spot was pretty busy. Only saw the server when they brought our drink and our food, and when we ordered additional drinks. This is not like the typically hot pot spots where they bring you the broth and meats/veggies separately to cook yourself. You pick a "soup" premade and it comes to your table in a hot clay pot. It's a bit heavier broth. Definitely not what my taste buds enjoy. However my husband liked it. I don't think I'll dine here again only because I prefer the cook myself experience, simple ingredients, and lighter broth.

    Photos
    Tasty Pot - Main seating area

    Main seating area

    Tasty Pot
    Tasty Pot - Sichuan Flavor Hot Soup (Larger Size Pot)

    See all

    Sichuan Flavor Hot Soup (Larger Size Pot)

    PK Shabu & Grill - Karage Chicken

    PK Shabu & Grill

    4.1(259 reviews)
    19.5 mi
    $$$

    I came here with my best friend and her husband with a new concept that offers stir fried meat and…read moresome appetizing type dishes along with the shabu as the main hero of this location. Cost is $35.99/adult. With its extensive options, it's a competitive for its pricing. I enjoyed it very much, but their steamed egg and pork belly stir fry was a bit too salty for my taste. Everything else tasted fine. It's a huge restaurant that holds an extensive amount of people. It a comfortably seat a party of 4-6 people. The staff was super attentive and kept coming back to check on us with our experience and we definitely appreciated that.

    This place was interesting. I enjoyed the personal hot pots. We had 5 at our 8 person table and…read moreit was tight. I can't imagine 8 people.. we had an issue with my pot at the beginning, one coworker thought it was the burners, but then another saw it was because the pot wasn't making full contact with the burner, and as a safety feature, the burner doesn't get very hot because of it. They swapped my pot and it worked perfectly. I wish they would train their staff about this, so they know moving forward. Once it was all working, then it became an enjoy full experience! The veggie bar was very fresh!! They have some meats at the bar as well. We practically filled up on the bar side. Between 5 of us we ordered 8 plates of meats and we were good. So it's probably best to skip the bar with all the extras for a while. They let me mix up to 2 broths together, I mixed curry and mushroom. Perfect combination! I ordered spicy tuna and spicy salmon, one was packed very nicely, the other was quite sad looking. The desert is included in the all you can eat price. The only thing not included was my alcoholic beverage. All-in-all, I'd definitely come back, very tasty flavors and everything!

    Photos
    PK Shabu & Grill - Veggie section

    Veggie section

    PK Shabu & Grill
    PK Shabu & Grill - Sushi menu

    See all

    Sushi menu

    Sizzle Korean Barbeque - Marinated Short Ribs

    Sizzle Korean Barbeque

    4.0(820 reviews)
    12.7 mi
    $$$

    As my first Korean BBQ experience in Arizona, it did me proud. First, the decor is fantastic. It…read morecould have easily passed as a Michelin restaurant in a New York Four Seasons hotel, or at the Aria in Vegas. It was simply.... cool AF. The food presentation and layout also delivers. Someone clearly spent time with the visual experience. This is what I call a restaurant designed for the 'Gram. However, a couple things that didn't quite full send. First, the service is incredibly slow. Staff was friendly, but "nice" doesn't equate to the textbook definition of hospitality. Things were slow, and unlike top end Korean restaurants I'm used to in NY and LA, where any floating staff can assist with cooking, things just took unnecessarily long. This is a pain point they really need to address, especially as a Korean restaurant. As a half-Korean, service and efficiency is part of our cultural pride, so this disappointed. The marinated beef ribs ("kalbi") were perfect. I grew up with this my whole life, and Sizzle's quality is right up there with kalbi royalty. If you've never had Korean bbq, and have only one chance to eat it THIS is the dish you want. The beef brisket ("chadol") was good too, but what makes this dish popular is the sauce. There are places in Korea and LA that people line up for specifically because of the chadol sauce. They didn't have a dedicated sauce, so if you've ordered and liked it, you're only getting half the picture. Dedicated chadol sauce is THE key, instead of the rudimentary salt or sesame oil. HUGELY disappointed! It's like trying pizza for the first time without tomato sauce, no matter HOW good the crust and cheese is. Other than that, like I said, they represented. However, I'd elevate on my 2 critical points, because someone could easily open up a competing restaurant, and wreck this place on service and sauce. Sizzle, you're very good, but you could be great!

    @sizzle desert ridge mall…read more First, of all the Korean BBQ restaurants in Phoenix, their meat quality is the best. I applaud them for having good quality food, the prices reflect quality. On my last experience, Saturday March 28th, it was disappointing due to the way we were treated. We requested fish cake upon ordering and was told they just ran out, I commented/asked if that was truly the case as it is always out. At the very least, it's been the last 10 times they've been out of this side. We do go frequently, so it was surprising to hear him make this excuse. The remaining food service was average, it was busy so the server did the best he could under the circumstances. He attitude seemed fine and we moved on with our meal. Upon receiving our check, he decided to autograt our bill for a party of 5. I brought this up to our server and he stated it is managements decision to autograt parties of 5 or more (I call BS) and asked if it was because I seemed displeased at the ordering of our food due to the fish cake questions? I asked if I was profiled as someone who doesn't tip for any other reason? He insisted that all parties of 5 or more at the restaurant are autograt, at all Sizzles. At this point, if servers are now able to autograt any parties they feel a tip is not earned, it's no longer a tip and a restaurant charge. if I was profiled, it would seriously be disappointing. I'm happy to share all receipts showing a minimum of 20% at every restaurant, many cases even more, including at Sizzle. Deeply disappointing at this restaurant and may consider not going back. There are many options but to be treated this way is again, disappointing at best. I rated 2 stars due to the interaction and excuses for the autograt and will be writing a letter to the management but affirm the food/meat quality is very good, this was a very bad reflection of service and decision for the service staff to secure their tip this way. If they're out of fish cake, I do not blame the server and it is not their compensation that should be impacted but the action taken by the staff is questionable.

    Photos
    Sizzle Korean Barbeque
    Sizzle Korean Barbeque - Marinated Short Ribs

    Marinated Short Ribs

    Sizzle Korean Barbeque - Mango shaved ice

    See all

    Mango shaved ice

    Pop Pot & Tea - 泰式香茅鍋 
Thai Style Hot Pot

    Pop Pot & Tea

    4.0(72 reviews)
    22.6 mi
    $$

    I tried Pop Pot & Tea for the first time and ordered the #13 Satay Beef Pot, popcorn chicken, a…read morenoodle side and tea, all for under $40. With rising food prices, I thought it was a great value. The service was excellent, which can sometimes be hit or miss at small casual spots, and the ambience was nice. The broth and ingredients were flavorful, and I appreciated the sauces available at the table. The fire-broiled soup was aromatic without being overpowering. The food did take a little while to come out, and the broth was slightly gritty. Maybe possibly due to the soup I chose. I also noticed the bowls are shallow and packed with meat and vegetables, so there wasn't much actual soup. When I asked about it, I was told additional broth would be an extra charge, which was a bit disappointing. That said and regardless, everything tasted fresh and delicious, and I would definitely come back.

    Pop offers another excellent option for hotpot, perfect for those cooler months. They also offer…read moreother Taiwanese appetizers for those that want something else. I also liked the option to add additional sides to add to the hotpot. As for me, their mixed pot of mushroom hotpot was perfect. It tasted healthy as there were ton of mushrooms with many varieties. It also had some pork and various vegetables. Hubby enjoyed their Taiwanese hotpot with extra spice. Portions are spot on...we saw some couples sharing one. The dining room was very clean and service was excellent. Will return to try more things. We're eyeing their pumpkin hotpot next. They also had the stinky tofu hotpot on the menu. Highly recommend!!

    Photos
    Pop Pot & Tea
    Pop Pot & Tea - Stinky tofu

    Stinky tofu

    Pop Pot & Tea - 臭咬豬 
Fried Stinky Tofu w/ Sausages

    See all

    臭咬豬 Fried Stinky Tofu w/ Sausages

    Zu Izakaya

    Zu Izakaya

    4.5(1.9k reviews)
    15.1 mi
    $$

    Popped into this place for our last meal before leaving AZ and it did not disappoint! We were the…read morefirst people in. When we walked in it had a very fishy smell, so it kind of made us second guess our choice. But we went for it anyhow. The greeter/server was very pleasant and sat us. It was very clean inside with ample space between seat. We browsed through the menu and started with our usual edamame and pot stickers. The edamame was salted well throughout where a lot of places just put the salt on top only. We ordered a couple varieties of sake which were both good. Out of all of the things we ordered the karange skewer was just a little more oily than were use to, but still good. The spicy salmon roll had really great flavor and the lollipop roll was probably one of the better versions that we have had. The musubi was giant to say the least, it was good, but offered a bit too much rice. Overall the food and service was great and we were very happy that we ended up here!

    On a Sunday evening, after checking out the Desert Botanical Garden, I was looking for some food in…read morethe area. I came across Zu Izakaya and it's great reviews as one of the options. I love Japanese food so my decision was made. I drove over and parked in their complimentary lot. Ambiance (3.5/5): I've been to Japan and there are plenty of izakayas there. Think of them as small bars which often serve solid food. Zu fits that bit. It's a relatively small restaurant, probably seats about 30 people. and it's pretty no frills for a Japanese spot. I was seated at a booth in the corner of the restaurant. They have free WiFi which is always a good touch. Service (3/5): Service was friendly, though a bit inconsistent. My waitress wasn't as attentive as I would have liked. The type of service where you have to flag them down to get what you want and to close out. Drinks (4/5): Zu has a nice menu of Japanese and Korean beverages, including sake, soju, Japanese beer, and more. With that being said, I just had an iced green tea. Food (4/5): I got a nice variety. I went with the Japanese sausage off of the grill menu, the OBI mayo roll off of the sushi menu, and the cheese corn off of the appetizer menu. Let's start with the sausage. It's a small item, two small sausages, but absolutely delicious. The sausage was bursting with flavor and basted in a sweet sauce. Minus the portion size, perfection. The cheese corn also hit the spot, but the execution was off. The corn is served on a hot platter, and unfortunately some of the corn on the edges was badly burnt. The type of situation where they should start over. Which they didn't. Lastly, the OBI mayo roll is essentially a California roll with marinated warm shrimp on top in a mayo sauce. I didn't love the hot and cold combo (shrimp and sushi), but outside of the temperature, it was a delicious roll. All in all, a very food meal. My only gripe with Japanese food is that it can get expensive quick. Given that Zu is in Tempe, I was hoping that prices would be a little cheaper. With that being said, they do have a solid happy hour (and reverse happy hour) with both food and drink specials. Next time I stop by, I'd like to check out some of their Korean options. I focused on the Japanese stuff this time (which makes the majority of the menu). Next time around, the bulgogi is calling my name!

    Photos
    Zu Izakaya - Lots of inside seating options

    Lots of inside seating options

    Zu Izakaya - JJAMBBONG POT

    JJAMBBONG POT

    Zu Izakaya - NIGIRI OMAKASE

    See all

    NIGIRI OMAKASE

    Seoul BBQ & Sushi - J14. Eel Roll

    Seoul BBQ & Sushi

    4.0(723 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    We took our small family to Seoul BBQ & Sushi and it was such a wonderful experience. The food was…read moreabsolutely delicious, especially the meats , super fresh and full of flavor. My son couldn't stop smiling because the food and he loved the mochi ice cream there too Everyone enjoyed all kinds of meats, everything tasted so good. The restaurant is clean, nice, and very comfortable, and the service was quick and super friendly. It's a little bit pricey, but honestly worth every penny you spend. Such a great place for family time with amazing food and happy memories. We'll definitely be back

    We ordered takeout from Seoul BBQ & Sushi and liked it. We specifically got the bulgogi bento,…read morekimchi fried rice, Korean fried chicken (with spicy sauce), goon mandu and shrimp shumai. The order came with some banchan; stir fried fish cakes, cucumber salad, and kimchi. The bulgogi itself was good but didn't have a very smoky flavor. It came with fried vegetable spring rolls, shumai and goon mandu. I didn't realize it came with the same appetizers we ordered but didn't mind as they were tasty. The only item we didn't care for were the spring rolls, which were mushy. The kimchi fried rice was ok, I'm not sure I'd get it again. I really enjoyed the goon mandu and would definitely order it again, it was crisp, the filling well seasoned and I especially loved the dipping sauce it came with. The shumai had an interesting spongy texture and nice shrimpy flavor which I enjoyed. Warning, the spicy sauce for the wings is not for the faint hearted! I was not prepared for that level of heat but if you enjoy really spicy food you'd like it. It was too much for me and my boyfriend who typically eats really spicy food. Thankfully, the sauce was on the side and the wings themselves were nice and crispy so we ate them without the sauce. The prices were reasonable and portions were large. I would definitely come back!

    Photos
    Seoul BBQ & Sushi - The small bar

    The small bar

    Seoul BBQ & Sushi - Octopus

    Octopus

    Seoul BBQ & Sushi - Beef rib soup

    See all

    Beef rib soup

    Kimchi Korean BBQ - korean - Updated May 2026

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