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Little Korea

3.8 (213 reviews)
Open • 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated 1 month ago

Little Korea Photos

LITTLE KOREA ATMOSPHERE

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Annie S.

Had to give this place a try after seeing it on social media. Definitely not your typical Korean bbq restaurant that you'd see in the Bay or LA but good nonetheless. The self serve bar was pretty awesome. So many good sides that you can try and get full off of. There were some meats that you can self service as well such as pork belly and bulgolgi. There were a couple other things that you have to order off the menu (specific meats). Overall, good experience. I would definitely come back if I'm in the area and craving Korean food.

Banchan and table grill.
Stef D.

I was really excited to visit Little Korea, and it does seem like a good value with the all you can eat. Service was friendly and prompt. The vibe is laid back buffet, but our booth benches kept sliding around whenever we got up or sat down which was a little awkward, and the flow of the restaurant is a little off. It feels like you're frequently in someone's way as you get to where you're trying to go. Soft drink is included in the price, which is amazing for AYCE. We arrived right as they opened for dinner and were the first people to come in. Service was really quick. Kimchee was good, but a lot of the other banchan was a little disappointing. Japchae was a little hard in the noodles. Tteokbokki was overcooked and gooey. Some of the other banchan I had never seen before (I am part Korean). Lots of fried items. Few fresh banchan items I was hoping to find. The flavors of those chosen didn't really seem to go together. Trays didn't really support multiple banchan either. Sauces for the meat were lacking too, and none of the meat seemed very marinated in flavor, even basics like bulgogi. They also kept turning our grill down so we couldn't get any caramelization or char on the meat, and when we asked to keep it up the guy basically said no. There was no grill sizzle and it took forever to cook the meat because of this. The best way that I can describe the food experience: It felt like a Korean restaurant trying cater to an American who had never had Korean food. So maybe that's why I keep hearing so many good things. That seems to be a trend locally. If you are looking for large portions of Korean-esque food, this is a great spot. If you're hoping to eat a meal that feels like Auntie is spoiling you, you're out of luck. They are still in the opening phase, so I hope to try again once they are more established, but for now I'm a little sad that this was not the AYCE KBBQ place to rival those in San Jose. I will have to keep buying my Banchan from local Korean stores or making it myself for now.

Banchan: japchae, corn, rice cakes, daikon, kimchi, fish cakes
Merlissa A.

Who said there was a Korean bbq place in Marina?? Well my cousin and I just discovered it! Nom nom! The price for AYCE KBBQ was really affordable. Lunch Time on a weekend: $30 + tax (um, excuse me yes please) You got the meats, the cuts! All your KBBQ staples (beef brisket, pork belly, marinated steak, short rib)! + different ones I don't normally see like cow tongue. Don't expect the meats to be high up there in quality..- expect to be FULL though lol. Now.. for the main attraction imo: the Banchan that you carry on the gold plates. There is a legit bar place where you can get all the banchan and some other meats, plus soup! I liked how you can get up and readily get your sides without having to wait! That's a bonus! Plus meat comes out faast so you're gucci. Little Korea, I'll be back again with more "optimistic" things to say about you!

Vincent T.

Great meat. Well marinated. Super friendly and helpful staff. Ambiance is perfect with Korean cultural items. Five star all the way.

Amanda L.

We are from LA so we have been to many Korean BBQ restaurants. While the food was decent and it's AYCE, it's not your typical AYCE place we have been to. First off, it is more of a buffet style. While I don't mind getting side dishes and meat myself we also had to get to get utensils, napkins and water. It felt like a buffet and felt we should be tipping how we would tip at a buffet. We did tip them 20% even though we felt they didn't provide much service. They did bring out galbi that we ordered because they limit two pieces per person. Some other meat and took away some empty meat plates. That was the extend of the service, we didn't think that warrant the 20% tip. The grill was also exceptionally slow to cook. It wasn't strong at all. One of the staff said it was electric and that's the strongest it would be. We had two adults and one child so it wasn't too bad waiting. I can't imagine four adults sharing the grill that took forever to cook even thin slices of meat.

Sheri M.

We came here last Thursday for our 27th Anniversary. This place use to be the Japanese restaurant...funny thing is it's the same owners. Food: Fresh, delicious and tasty. Service: Friendly & knowledgeable staff Ambiance: Love the decor and feel of the place. I was surprised hubby enjoyed the food. I've been to many Korean BBQ places and this place was more subtle and cozy. The food wasn't overly marinated and salty. I know this because I hardly drank anything to wash down my food-which is a good sign. Overall, we will definitely be coming back.

Side bar at noon
Bella N.

TL;DR: Decent KBBQ option if you don't want to drive to San Jose for such an experience. About $40 per person for dinner, good service, and fresher sides/meats if you go earlier in the day. Grill can run uneven, and it gets hot inside, but for the price and location it's not bad. I've been here three times now, and as a local I was really excited to have a Korean BBQ spot close by instead of always heading up to San Jose - where I love Gens. For the area, I'd say it's a pretty good deal. If you're looking for truly top-tier Korean BBQ, you'll probably still want to go north, but for Monterey this place is currently I believe the only proper BBQ place. When they first opened, the prices felt a little steep for what you got, but they've since adjusted. Now it's about $40 per person for dinner on the weekends - their highest pricing per person from what I remember, which I think is much more reasonable. You do need at least two people in your party, and there's a two-hour time limit. The grills work ok - though every time I've been there one side of the grill seems hotter than the other. The grill space is also smaller than some places I've been, but it works. They have a self-serve station for sides and some marinated meats (like bulgogi), and you order other cuts--like brisket, pork belly, and short ribs--through your phone, usually three at a time. That setup feels pretty standard for KBBQ. I do recommend going earlier in the day if you can. At opening (or even midday), the sides are fresher and the selection is fuller. By late evening, it's clear they're winding down for the night and working with what's left. Service has always been good each time I've visited. The staff are attentive, quick to replace tongs, swap out the grill, or check in if you need anything. Tonight, Ignacio and Richard helped us and were both super pleasant--even though we stayed really late (about 9:40, close to closing) due to a late start. They were accommodating and didn't make us feel rushed, which I really appreciated. Non-alcoholic drinks are self-serve, and I can't speak to their alcoholic options since I haven't tried them. Expect to spend about $40 per person with drinks, sides, and meat, and you'll definitely leave full. One note: it can get pretty hot inside. I noticed tonight there weren't any windows open, which made it stuffy, though that might just be because we came later in the evening. Overall, for a local spot, this is a solid choice if you're craving Korean BBQ without the long drive. Fair prices, good service, and a convenient location make it worth it.

Grill
Carol S.

If you're a meat lover, you must check out this Korean barbecue spot--it's an absolute hidden gem! My friend and I left in the best kind of food coma because everything was so good. Not only do they have an incredible grill selection, but their mini buffet is packed with delicious sides--do yourself a favor and try the beef dumplings, Japchae glass noodles, and Tteokbokki spicy rice cakes. Trust me, you won't regret it. We loaded our table with chicken and steak (we're not pork eaters) and still couldn't stop talking about the flavors. The beef brisket? Hands down my all-time favorite--tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. We tried this Korean alcohol drink (see picture), and it was smooth and delicious. The service is fantastic, and I even had the pleasure of meeting the owners. They're originally from Korea and bring such an authentic touch to the whole experience--it truly feels like you're dining in Korea. I'm already planning my next visit. If you love great food, warm hospitality, and an authentic Korean BBQ experience, this is the place to go.

Self serve hot food area
Au'Breana S.

I'm visiting from out of town and had to leave a review because this Korean BBQ spot was amazing! I loved how homey it felt. Everything about this place exceeded my expectations the food, the price, and the quality were all incredible, especially compared to a lot of KBBQ I've had in San Diego. It's all-you-can-eat and more of a help-yourself style, which I really liked. Everything was fresh and constantly stocked. All of the banchan were delicious, but my absolute favorite was the cucumber kimchi. It was so crisp, flavorful, and refreshing. For the price, the quality of everything was seriously impressive. I had such a great experience here and will definitely be coming back the next time I'm in town. Highly recommend!

Pork belly (order from QR code)
Michael S.

Ugh I was hoping for more from this spot but the low ratings were accurate, unfortunately. Very thin kalbi, none of the meat from the mobile selections were premarinaded, only 1 order PER person (2 kalbis) with additional charge if you desire more kalbi, musical chairs that slide, sauce holders that can easily tip over (which it did for me), bland taste compared to so many other KBBQ spots I've been to, and here's the kicker - DO NOT bring your young kids with you to this restaurant. $20 for kids younger than 9, which includes 3 and 4 year old! $20 for the very small amount they eat?? Gotta be kidding me. Oh and be sure not to go past 90 minutes or you'll be asked to leave. Service was great, location is prestine in the mall with plenty of parking nearby, and ambience was fantastic. Order from the QR code the server gives you so your orders placed are directed for your table. Thing is, when you go to KBBQ you go for the food. This spot isn't it and is a far cry from other restaurants like Blue House, Red Castle, and Gen. Hard pass from my wife and I, definitely won't return unless plenty of much needed improvements are implemented. Highly doubt it!

Lunch $19.99 M-F

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3 months ago

Friendly staff and excellent food! Definitely will be returning again the next time we are in the area.

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Little Korea Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Little Korea

Is it worth it if you are a pescatarian?

No. Shrimp and squid only. But it'll take forever to cook on the electric grill. At least the squid will take a while. Shrimp don't take too long to cook.

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Husband and I were spending a long weekend in Carmel with our dog. We were able to make a…read morereservation ahead of time online- the system only does indoor reservations, so make sure you email them to let them know if you are bringing a pup and need a patio seat! The restaurant is located on the lowest level of the Carmel Plaza, I really loved the location because there are plenty of places to park right around there. Between the two of us, we shared: - Miso cacio e pepe: we came specifically for this! It's one of their most well known dishes, and I highly highly recommend! So creamy and savory, and the mafaldine pasta has such a nice texture, the ruffled edges hold on to sauce perfectly. We also added a bit of gochujang that came with the bibimbap and it was so good with some spice. - Dolsot bibimbap: my husband's favorite Korean dish so of course we had to get it! An excellent variety of veggies, which was nice since we barely got any veg on vacation. The kalbi beef was so juicy and delicious, and not overcooked. - Matcha Tiramisu: absolute must get, so unique. The cake layers were soaked in matcha, and topped off with some fresh fruit. - Grapefruit sake spritz: I was on the fence between this cocktail and the yuzu champagne spritz. Our waitress said that the grapefruit spritz was much less sweet, and I am so glad I decided to go with that option! It was the perfect amount of sweetness, not overwhelming. Overall, my husband and I agreed that the matcha tiramisu was the best bite either of us had all weekend!

We had some recommend us Jeju Kitchen, and prior to coming, I definitely did my Yelp research as to…read morewhat to order. Yelpers... thank you for recommending the creamy miso cacio e pepe. The noodles were both chewy and perfectly al dente. Such a fantastic texture. We also added pork belly, and that was a marvelous addition with allll of the fats and flavor. That was the only Korean aspect of our meal, which is why I rated Jeju a 4. Even though it's a Korean restaurant, I unfortunately didn't get any Korean flavors. Because we had stuffed ourselves with pastries beforehand, we opted for the Jeju garden salad. The salad comes with Ad Astra bread: pro tip... dip it in the cacio e pepe sauce. We loved the Ad Astra bread so much that I bought the same seed and grain bread the following morning at Ad Astra. I LOVE how the restaurants partner with the local bakeries and shops. What a lovely community. Back to the salad: it has a bit of everything, and was exactly what we needed. Quinoa, fruit, avocado, tomato's, lettuce. Great dish. The ambiance here is perfect: sit outside and enjoy some live music, and people watch! Highly recommend coming here if you're in the area! Overall, loved the food and would 100% come back when I'm in the area!

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I'm a local and pass by this spot all the time, so I was excited to finally stop in for dinner and…read moreit definitely didn't disappoint! Everything we ordered was delicious, from the side dishes to the kalbi. The kimchi was so good I couldn't stop eating it, and the fish cake and sweet, crunchy radish were just as tasty. The kimchi kalbi was so flavorful and so tender. The ramyeon was delicious, especially with the mandu added in, and the chicken bowl had great flavor too. I definitely recommend giving this place a try, and I'll definitely be coming back whenever I'm craving Korean food. The atmosphere is nice and cozy. It's a smaller space, but it feels welcoming. The service was excellent as well. I believe the owner was there cooking while we were dining, and he seemed very friendly and kind, chatting with customers and greeting regulars who stopped by. Overall, it was a great experience!

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We live in San Francisco and were visiting Monterey when we searched for a good Korean restaurant…read moreand decided to give this place a try. The restaurant was very busy when we arrived, and we were so happy to see such a wide variety of Korean dishes on the menu. The three of us really enjoyed the food, especially because there were many dishes that are not easy to find in the U.S. Everything was generous, flavorful, and tasted homemade, just like Korean food should. My mother especially loved the kimchi and said it was much better than the kimchi we usually buy at the market, so we even purchased some to take home. Honestly, the food was so delicious that even compared to what we would eat in Korea, we had absolutely nothing to complain about. Everyone who worked there was also incredibly kind and welcoming, which made our meal even more enjoyable. And I have to give a special thank-you to the staff for going out of their way to safely mail back the cardigan I accidentally left behind. I had only recently bought it, so I was really worried that I might lose it. I was so relieved and grateful to receive it back. Thank you so, so much! We were extremely happy with our experience and will definitely be coming back again! Thank you for the wonderful food and hospitality!

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Little Korea - korean - Updated October 2026

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