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    Saemaeul Restaurant

    4.2 (586 reviews)
    PriceyKorean, Barbeque

    Saemaeul Restaurant Photos

    SAEMAEUL RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Saemaeul Restaurant

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    Pork combo
    Jennifer K.

    This is one of the many Korean barbecue restaurants in a 1 mile radius. I've come here before and tried the beef combo and this time decided to try the pork. The pork belly was extremely dry, but it may just have been that we were amongst one of the last customers on a Friday night. I would return here to give it another try and maybe try ordering something different.

    Ivan Lawrence A.

    Food Family and I came here after finding out this was Paik's restaurant(a judge from Culinary Class Wars). We've had our fair share of kbbq and this place really stood out on top for me. It's not an unlimited kbbq place, so we ordered the XL beef Special combo for our party of 6 and a green onion pancake. I believe that it was just the right portion for us wherein we were stuffed but not too full. The quality of the meat was top notch and we got pretty thick cuts and one of the servers cooked the meat for us. The green onion pancake was a fluffy pancake that just melted in my mouth accompanied by flavorful sauces. Overall, it's a bit more a premium place to go to but pretty worth it in my opinion. Service/Ambiance [[HIGHLIGHT]]On Saturday lunch, we were surprised that there were barely any people inside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe of the place was a bit more of an upscale casual kbbq place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The staff were nice and cooked the meat for us in our special combo.

    Julie Y.

    Hubby & I've been here many times even before pre-covid. Their meat quality has always been consistently good & flavorful. We ordered the chadol & kkotsal this time & it was tender. Their side dishes are delicious as well. Service is friendly & attentive. I like that they cook the meat for you & they change the grill when necessary. It's not AYCE but I prefer quality over quantity & they serve just the right amount meat. At the end, we ordered neng myun & kimchi jjgae. The neng myun was just okay but the kimchi jigae mixed in with rice was pretty good. We left home feeling full & satisfied. There are a lot of Korean bbq restaurants in BP area but I rate this one the best in my opinion.

    Rachelle L.

    Came to Saemaeul for dinner and absolutely loved the experience! I always prefer KBBQ that isn't AYCE and the small beef combo was perfect for 3 of us, we even had leftover to take home. I really appreciate that non of the meats were marinated compared to similar KBBQ restaurant combos. The service was amazing and our waiter cooked our beef to perfection, changing out the grill after every type. We came on the early side and didn't have to wait, but the restaurant started getting busy closer to 6! I regret not getting the cheesy steamed egg and will definitely be back again to try it. Food: 5/5 Price: 4.5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambience: 4/5

    Everything here is so fresh and the service is impeccable
    Sammy B.

    I could go lengthy into this restaurant, but a lot of what I'll mention will be easily experienced just by coming in yourself. Saemaeul is a Korean BBQ restaurant with some of the highest quality meats you can desire. Before even walking in you might notice the people who come here: they're almost all Korean. Just from the clientele you can tell this is going to be authentic AF. The staff are very kind. Obviously, if you speak Korean it'll be easier to order, but they do speak English and they are helpful. Because this is more traditional Korean BBQ and not an AYCE they will be cooking the meat for you, perfect for anyone who doesn't want to cook their own food. This means you benefit from their expertise and everything will be cooked perfectly for you to enjoy without the stress. The food is incredible in quality. For Korean cuisine it isn't just about the main dishes that make a meal. It also involves the quality of the side dishes and the ban chan here is incredibly fresh and vibrant in flavors. Saemaeul serves one of the best 된장찌개 I've had in America. A lot of places this fermented bean soup is either too watery or too salty, but here it is perfect and accentuates all the adjacent flavors. The meat is high quality with a butcher in the kitchen actually cutting the meats presented to you. Just writing this is making my mouth water. The price will be a bit higher. We got a beef combo that costs $138 but it was meant for 3 people so it made sense. Not to mention the quality is worth that much. Considering the high quality ingredients, the stress free eating experience, and an ambiance that would easily fit in any big city in South Korea Saemaeul is a perfect place to eat Korean BBQ where you'll leave not only full, but satisfied.

    Spicy Yeoltan
    Timothy T.

    Of course we had to visit after watching Culinary Class Wars on Netflix! The restaurant is located off Beach Blvd in Buena Park, where a number of other well-established Korean restaurants are located. The place was quite empty on a Wednesday night for dinner but service was really good. All the servers were very attentive, seriously like a hawk watching your every move (and plate). Dishes came out quick and the servers assisted in cooking your meats. Overall, I thought the quality and items were relatively similar to other 'higher-end' Korean BBQ spots in the area. My group thought it was a little better, but not by much. I'd say my favorite items were the Yeoltan Bulgogi (which you can also get $0.01 soju if ordered) and the Rice Balls. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restroom is a bit run down. Things are kind of rusty and moldy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I don't know how effective the ventilation is since there were times when each table had plumes of smoke. The vents didnt seem to work too well.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Ramonna B.

    This was my first time trying to location with my friend. We went here for my brother's birthday. It was 7pm on a Monday evening. It wasn't busy and we were seating right away. [[HIGHLIGHT]]When we were first escorted to our table, we thought the table and grill was pretty small for a table of 6 people. It felt like everything was crammed onto the table.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered the large order of the beef special. We ended up ordering extra brisket, beef tongue, and boneless short rib. We were very full at the end! Some of the meat quality was very good, and others were just okay. Service was good! All of the servers continuously checked in on us, and they changed the grill regularly. I thought they cooked the food really fast though. I felt a little rushed at some points. I'm not sure the price matches the quality of the meat.

    ZoEy H.

    One of the favorite spot to dine KBBQ in Buena Park. Good quality meant, my nephews love cheeses steam eggs. The service is pretty great, they grilled us the meats. The wait line wasn't bad at that time. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Each table wasn't crowded, They space out pretty good.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We love going back soon.

    Tina C.

    Their spread of banchan is plentiful in veggies and their meat is so tender and juicy! I love how they offer so many veggie side dishes because they all go very well with the meat. The meat is great quality and the servers were so attentive here. They refilled our banchan without us having to ask and we were really impressed by that. It's not often you find kbbq places that go out of their way like that. They also frequently switched out the grill so our meat was never burnt but cooked perfectly.

    Sophysna L.

    My friends and I visited SAEMAEUL Korean Traditional BBQ, and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the restaurant was clean and refreshing.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered a BBQ platter for about $80, which included three plates of meat, soybean paste soup, and a variety of delicious side dishes. The meat was high quality and well-marinated, sizzling over the charcoal grill, releasing an irresistible aroma. With a crispy outside and juicy inside, every bite was bursting with flavor! Paired with authentic Korean side dishes and a special dipping sauce, it was an incredibly satisfying experience. One of the most unique dishes was the old-school lunchbox fried rice (see Image 3). The server first brought out the lunchbox for customers to take photos before shaking and mixing the ingredients inside (see Image 4). The final result was a hand-mixed kimchi fried rice full of rich flavors. The cheese steamed egg was another highlight! It contained onions and other vegetables, making it both nutritious and delicious.

    Jessica Y.

    Stopped by here in a Saturday around 4:45pm. We just came before the dinner rush, as the line quickly became long with families after us. Originally came for X Fish but we didn't pre add ourselves to the yelp waitlist which was almost 2 hours. For two people we got the beef set for 2. The servicer saved us a lot of wasted money when we almost ordered the set for 4+ people (make sure you pick the right size for your party). The meats were delicious, and well portioned. They were cooking the meat quite fast so I did feel a little pressured to eat quickly. I like my meat (pretty crispy) so because of the pace we were being served I couldn't get that. The banchan was yummy as well. They continuously filled our rice paper refills because we went through over 4 lol. I do wish they had potato salad, fish cake and corn included though. Interior was spacious bright and clean. Was giving modern traditional Korean. Food: 4/5 Service: 4.5/5 Ambience: 4.5/5

    Max S.

    Another Korean bbq. I'm giving it 4 stars because of the consistently great service. Staff cooked the meat and changed the grill multiple times. I was a part of a large group of 13. No reservations, but we were seated fairly quickly. The restaurant is not set up for large groups, so we were split up into 3 small round tables. It's a lot of food. The side dishes are a little bit on the boring side, so I mostly stuck to the salad. The meat was okay.

    Outside
    Columbus B.

    Still the best Korean BBQ place in Orange County that I know. I never understood why people line up at Baekjeong. Their meat is absolutely disgusting. Anyhow the meat quality here is truly the best for the price around $50s per person. Also the staff here really knows how to cook your meat perfectly to keep the juicy part inside but render crispy part outside. I read some people complaining about the bland taste of meat. Ridiculous... Then how should the fresh meat taste as? Sweet? Salty?Peppery? They are probably talking about KBBQ marinated in lots of sugar and soy sauce. Trust me their meat quality here is excellent. Besides they provide the sauce and salt on the side. Just Make sure to order the beef combo. I think That's the best choice for the buck. Also I recommend steamed egg. That was also really good. One of the best ones I ever had. So creamy and buttery!

    Exterior.

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    3 months ago

    Bummer, this place was amazing. Why did it close. Perfect cuts of meat, and quality was always on par. I wonder why it's closed.

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    Page 1 of 15

    Ask the Community - Saemaeul Restaurant

    Can you still accept reservation for tonight for 4?

    Sorry. We do not take any reservations.

    Is there all you can eat?

    No, but the quality of the beef is good for the price. If you are looking for AYCE, Thirsty Cow - Puente Hills, CA - Worth the drive… Read more

    Do you take reservations for 10 ppl?

    When you order to go, is it cooked?

    S this place all you can eat Korean BBQ?

    How much does it cost to eat here?

    It is not cheep. 2 people for dinner was a little over $80 with out any alcohol.

    Do you take reservations for 8-13 people? Thanks!

    Yes we do. You can call it in, we'll be able to assist you.… Read more

    Hello, I am looking for a restaurant for the birthday party. Do you accommodate a group of 15-20 people? Thanks

    Hello! Yes we definately do. What day and time?

    View All 12 Questions

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    Wholly Smokes

    4.6
    (1.1k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    Deliciousness BBQ beef brisket with fried cauliflower. Spicy & mild BBQ sauce with pickled onions…read morewith jalapeños balance the sweet/spicy/rich meaty flavors. Fast service and friendly folks. Korean Fried Chicken (KFC) wings with garlic soy was great, but I forgot to take a photo ‍

    Yesterday, my wife made some black-eyed peas--but nothing to go with them. That was my cue to find…read moresome meat and cornbread. On the way home, I stumbled across Wholly Smokes. I'd never been there before, so this review is all about first impressions. As we approached, the sign caught my attention: "Under New Ownership." Outside, an employee sat scrolling on his phone. It was a quiet Sunday around 3 PM, and we were the only patrons in sight. Checking Yelp beforehand had been a bit of a letdown, as their menu featured items they no longer offer. No links were available either. We ordered half a pound of pulled pork, half a pound of brisket, and four pieces of cornbread--all priced reasonably. Their tap selection turned out to be decent. The Cali Squeeze Blood Orange was a standout, and they also seemed to carry Firestone Walker products, including 805. The staff were friendly and responsive, which was refreshing. While the brisket had cooled by the time we got home, it was still tender and flavorful--just like the pulled pork. The real surprise? The chimichurri that accompanied the brisket--an unexpected and delightful touch. Overall, I'd rate the experience as average. While it's clear they've got potential, a bit more effort could turn Wholly Smokes into a go-to spot. Leaning in on those small details would really elevate the experience.

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    Wholly Smokes
    Locked N Loaded fries with chicken!!

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    Locked N Loaded fries with chicken!!
    Q K-BBQ

    Q K-BBQ

    4.6
    (399 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$$

    PARKING: the restaurant has a hidden parking lot area behind with plenty of space…read more APPEARANCE: The restaurant itself is interesting upon entering. The outside is a bit unassuming while the inside looks a bit more like a "you're going to get a personalized experience." The tables were clean, the restaurant smell reflected that sentiment as well. My boyfriend and I come in and see one man running tables. After a short wait, he greets us and sits us down. Again, the grill was clean, the table didn't have that usual sticky residue from restaurants, and drinks were provided alongside some small side dishes. Presentation was already off to a great start! SERVICE: Two gentlemen took care our table. They ran the restaurant with ease and precision. I have nothing but great things to say regarding their customer service. A solid 10/10 from both my boyfriends and I :) y'all were KILLING IT!!! There was a nice dinner rush and we still received the incredible customer service. FOOD: oh my goodness! We absolutely enjoyed everything we ordered. That bulgogi stole the show for us tbh. The flavors all came together nicely. The one thing I wouldn't order again though would be the baby octopus, but that's more of a personal preference. My boyfriend enjoyed the flavor! Overall, definitely coming back for that type of food quality and service.

    I don't usually give bad reviews. But this place was super confusing:…read more1. Option to make reservation on here is not accurate. We got there and were told that they actually don't take reservation. We didn't get an apology or anything. The wait was 45 mins to 1 hr. So, we left because we were all very hungry and couldn't wait. 2. The name at the front of the restaurant is not Q K-BBQ...it's S & B (or something like that). They might need to update their info. Pretty disappointed :(

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    KIMCHI FRIED RICE
    KIMCHI FRIED RICE
    PRIME CHADOL (BRISKET), GARLIC CALAMARI, SPICY CHICKEN BULGOGI, SOY GARLIC CHICKEN BULGOGI
    PRIME CHADOL (BRISKET), GARLIC CALAMARI, SPICY CHICKEN BULGOGI, SOY GARLIC CHICKEN BULGOGI
    Q K-BBQ

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    Kyung Bok Kung Korean BBQ

    Kyung Bok Kung Korean BBQ

    4.0
    (525 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$$

    This is one of the best kbbq places I've been to. The quality of the meat is right up there. And…read morewhile it's not cheap, I think the prices are reasonable. We had the sirloin steak and the bone-in rib eye. They were both great. The server did a great job of cooking the meat perfectly. The steaks had a great sear and then he cut up the pieces nicely just as they got to about rare temperature. I like my meat medium rare, so I just waited another minute or so and it was perfect. My wife and I both thought the kimchi was fantastic -- and, other than the quality of the meat, the quantity of the kimchi is really let. We also ordered the egg stew and kimchi stew. They both had great flavor. The only thing missing was lettuce and rice cake wraps. The provide salad. But I'd much rather have just fresh lettuce. The bill was a little more than other places, but well worth it.

    I think AB steak is the best Korean bbq restaurant in LA. It's not my favorite just the best. They…read morenail everything in terms of quality and service. But since I moved out of LA, it's so inconvenient to get to. Enter Kyung Bok Kung -- what a find. I can get a fine dining korean bbq experience conveniently. I've been here a number of times, and this review reflects the few times I've been there. It's become the goto spot to take people from out of town who are visiting and want a Kbbq experience. Things I immediately noticed - lots of white and grey teslas in the parking lot during lunch - you know what that means? Golf Koreans. Yup. Go inside and you'll see incredibly well dressed older retired people with their buddies chatting up in private cubicles. Beautiful decor. It's like the background setting of a korean drama where there's a close-up of the guy and the girl - they're about to say something really serious to each other. The camera does a wide angle shot of them - and this is the restaurant it's shot in. Price points - this place isn't cheap, but they have incredibly good deals on a weekday lunch (cold noodles and meat set). Their dinner set course meals are priced around what you would expect from a quality steak house. This place is not as pricey as AB steak or Cote, but you're getting just as quality. Food - I've had the lunch set meals, the bbq grilled course, and ordered à la carte. One thing is for sure - they don't miss. I never had a 9 budda plate until I came here, but apparently it's like a thing that royals ate during the monarchy days. It was like a korean vegetarian taco. Very intricate (and slightly annoying) to put together but delicious - and a great test of your chopstick skills. Their braised beef (galbijjim) from their lunch set intersects savory, sweet, and tenderness in a way that only Korean grandmas do. I'm not a huge fan of Wagyu beef (just too rich and can never feel after eating it), but I have never felt that way coming out of here. Go here at night if you want to impress someone or celebrate something. Go here during lunch if you want a fantastic meal and want to see what the best korean food can taste like but don't want to break the bank.

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    Special
    Special
    Kyung Bok Kung Korean BBQ
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    Menu
    Boardwalk BBQ

    Boardwalk BBQ

    3.5
    (100 reviews)
    2.6 mi
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    Got this item as part of the 1-day ticket unlimited food option. 100% Great ticket option for those…read morewondering if they should get it! You can get food every 1.5 hours while in the park, which is enough to share between 2 people if you're good about getting meals on time. Chicken (8/10) - Comes with Cornbread + 1 side (we got mac and cheese) - Regarding the chicken itself...YUM! Juicy, soft, and HUGE! It's not just a single thigh, but literally half a chicken. It's a huge portion size for 1 person, meaning easily sharable between 2 people. Roasted until the outside is relatively crispy while maintaining a juicy interior - Cornbread was good, nothing special yet nothing bad about it - Mac and Cheese was slightly on the drier side, but still paired super well with the chicken Overall, great option and great portion sizes at the Boardwalk BBQ! Definitely go for the all day dining ticket if possible, otherwise prices may seem a little steep. Next time will definitely be back to try the brisket.

    Stopped here for dinner last night. Their berry salad was generous portions and had blueberries,…read moreblackberries, strawberries and feta cheese on a bed of luxurious greens! I had brought my own raw almonds so I added that for protein. Kind of pricy at $17.99 (especially because I forgot to pick up the salad dressing), so I was glad to have my 10% discount from my pass. They were setting up for live music on the tiny bandstand by the outdoor seating as we were finishing up. (At about 7). Service was okay but I think the cashier was confused when I showed her my pass. She asked, "oh, do you want to use your 10% discount now?"--are you surprised? When else would I use it? It's not as if it's a single use coupon...oh well, maybe she was being trained. The mashed potatoes I tried from my friend's plate were so good! Garlicky and with some peel still there.

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    Boardwalk BBQ
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    Main Dining Area (located outside)
    M Korean BBQ

    M Korean BBQ

    4.5
    (861 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$$

    Everything about this place was perfect. The location is wonderful, and the meat and all side…read moredishes were fresh and delicious. Our server, Mark, provided outstanding service; he was incredibly gentle and fully supportive of everything we needed. My husband and I had a great time. Thank you **Sorry I couldn't take more pictures, ate too fast. :)

    I came here to eat with a friend and even tho the food was okay (a little on the pricey side but…read moretaste was there tbh) our only issue was our server ( girl with really dark black hair) she was lowkey rude, dismissive, and avoided eye contact. It being our first time here, I wasn't sure exactly how their system works but apoun entering we stood by the computers and pos systems for a lil bit, it was loud and crowded and there wasn't a lot of free chairs. But we didn't mind. We were asked how much is our party and were told by the waitress that we can sit wherever we want. We sit in an empty booth and she then comes over to us and tell us we can't sit there.... Oh veh & then proceeds to put us in these horrible tiny seats in front of the walkway of the bathroom with a great view of all the kitchen hallway. We ordered our food and everything was fabulous. Towards the end of our meal my friend says "damn that waitress hates her job, she didn't check in on us one time" it was true. I had to flag her down to bother her for more napkins. Not once did she check in on how everything was or asked us if we needed anything. We asked for some to go boxes and she didn't even have the courtesy to pack it up for us. I did it myself.. to charge a 14.90 service fee and not offer any services is DIABOLICAL. Our bill was close to 170$ and my friend even tipped in cash like 30$ just as a olive branch because maybe she was having a bad day or whatever but the tall waitress with the beautiful curly hair that took the bill had significantly kinder energy and in the short interaction with her I wish she would have been our waitress. ..As we're leaving I look at the table where she moved us from and there's is this nice couple just vibing there.. like damn ok I see how Yall are... shame cuz this place really had the potential to be a vibe... but whatever what you give you get! So have fun with lil miss cranky scaring all your customers with her vibe. I'll never come back! L

    Photos
    M Korean BBQ
    The initial set up
    The initial set up
    Beef Combo (L)

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    Beef Combo (L)
    Smoke Queen Barbecue

    Smoke Queen Barbecue

    4.3
    (1k reviews)
    8.3 mi
    $$

    Everything was awesome. Food was delicious and worth the money. Parking is small so make sure to go…read moreearly. Will definitely come again. Staff was super friendly and made you welcomed. Service was fast. The ambience was family friendly.

    Came here on a Sunday for BBQ with friends and WOW... I get the hype. We arrived around noon and…read moresomehow got lucky with a close street parking spot. Since it's tucked away in a residential area, I can imagine parking gets pretty tough if you aren't as lucky as we were. The line was long (it stretched out to the street!), but it moved surprisingly quickly. There are actually two lines, one for food and another just for drinks. There were five of us, so we ordered the 6 meats & 6 sides, and it was PLENTY of food. We got the brisket, tri-tip, burnt ends, beef ribs (Sunday only!), siu yuk, and sausage links. For sides, we chose the cornbread, shells & cheese (which was actually cavatappi lol), sesame slaw, spicy cucumbers, tallow fries, and pandan pudding. We also couldn't pass up the new tallow churros with ube dip, plus a pitcher of sangria for the table. Honestly, everything was absolutely delicious. I could write a paragraph about each dish, but this review would never end LOL. There's plenty of seating in the back, though the teepees were definitely the most sought-after spots. Considering the crowd though, I would send someone to save your group a spot while you wait in line. There's bar seating, picnic tables, high tables, etc. I also loved that Junbi is in the same compound if you're craving a sweet drink afterward. Can't rave about this place enough. The food coma nap that hit afterward was absolutely worth it.

    Photos
    Doors open for the day ; picture of the order counter
    Doors open for the day ; picture of the order counter
    Pork Belly - Skin was nice and crispy
    Pork Belly - Skin was nice and crispy
    4 Meat 4 Sides: Pulled Pork, Sausage, Brisket, Char Siu. Double Tallow Fries, Sesame Slaw, Spicy Cucumbers.

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    4 Meat 4 Sides: Pulled Pork, Sausage, Brisket, Char Siu. Double Tallow Fries, Sesame Slaw, Spicy Cucumbers.

    Saemaeul Restaurant - korean - Updated July 2026

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