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    Sookdal

    4.5 (545 reviews)
    PriceyKorean, Barbeque
    Closed 4:30 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Sookdal Photos

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    SOOKDAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Sookdal

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    banchan (sides) top to bottom -- pickled garlic leaves, pickled cabbage, pickled cucumber, pickled radish
    Criss N.

    Sookdal is a great spot if you're trying to upgrade out of AYCE and into a higher quality option for meat. Sookdal is also great if you're trying to understand premium pork belly, compared to your standard pork belly. The meat here is aged, flavorful, and tender. I think what makes this place especially good is the variety of banchan, or side dishes. Pickled garlic leaves were my absolute favorite! There are so many combinations that you can make throughout your meal to make it interesting and fun. The servers are also very attentive about cooking the meat for you so that you don't have to worry about anything other than enjoying yourself. Wash everything down with an ice cold beer and you're in for a good time! Parking is plentiful in the plaza, and wait times are pretty manageable without a reservation, even on weekends for dinner.

    Wet aged for 8 days
    James K.

    Solid Korean bbq with a twist. They age their pork 8 days to give it a little different taste and texture. Pork belly and Jowl was my favorite. In Korea tried a 30 day aged pork belly, this had slight similarity but can't taste the aging distinctly with only 8 days but it does something to make it taste better for sure. Service was GREAT. Legit grilling techniques. Would def be a regular stop when in OC

    Risotto with Cream Sauce
    Bach V.

    Sookdal has been on my saved list for awhile, and I've finally got a chance to visit during special occasion. I'm usually a bit skeptical about having just pork BBQ, but high quality pork does make a big difference. The store is clean with strong smoke fan. The staff here are really nice and intentive, always cook the meat to perfection. We got ourselves a pork combo along with Risotto with Cream Sauce and Grilled Cheese. Though aged pork could be really fatty, the fat was firm and didn't feel too much. Besides the high quality and tasty pork, the risotto was also surprisingly good and not too creamy. And you can't go wrong with pieces of cheese grilled to perfection. One of the side dishes we loved the most was the pickled garlic leaves which went so well with pork, or any cut of fatty meat. Overall, my experience here was really good with lots of delicious food. High quality, aged pork really made such big differences. Can't wait to visit again!

    Cydia N.

    We came to Sookdal with a larger group and we ordered two combos, I believe it was combo c and e. It ended up being just enough food for everyone, which worked out perfectly for our party size. One of our combos included ribeye, and it was so delicious. It was so tender and definitely the highlight of the meal for me. The meat quality of this restaurant is excellent. I would definitely come back for

    combo C
    Brittany E.

    I recently visited Sookdal Garden Grove and it was definitely worth the wait! We put our name down on the old-school pen-and-paper waitlist and waited about 45 minutes, but it went by pretty quickly. Once seated, they started us off with a great selection of banchan, including kimchi, pickled radish paper, and fresh collard greens. We ordered Combo C, which they said feeds 3-4 people, and it was the perfect amount for our group. It came with pork collar, pork belly, jowl, stew, and cheese--we chose the kimchi soup for our stew option. Everything was delicious. The meats were juicy, tender, and full of flavor, especially paired with the bean paste and the variety of sauces they provided. Service was attentive throughout our meal, and the bathrooms were clean, which is always a plus. Overall, a great KBBQ experience. I'd definitely come back!

    Combo B
    Vivian Y.

    Came here with my bf on a Wednesday night around 7pm - the store wasn't very crowded towards later in the night when we were there. The store was clean and servings were all set up when we got there. We got the Combo B with pork belly and soybean soup which was delicious. Our server cooked each type of meat super carefully, pork jowl was cooked just right with the right crispy edges but the skirt meat was a bit tough. We also ordered the cold noodles - but we were not a fan. Too sour and not enough flavor compared to other spots. Id skip this! We were recommended the cheese risotto by family so well be trying that nice time. Very solid pork belly spot I'd recommend & great for big groups!!

    Pre game
    Jaclyn D.

    Saw this place on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. They specialize in aged pork BBQ and let me tell you now, it was delicious! Their waiter cooks for you, so definitely a plus, which makes the meat so tender and the fat, mouth-watering. Together with banchan, it was THE perfect joy for my mouth. It's tucked in a very small business complex so parking can be a nightmare and get there early because it will get crowded for dinner. It is not AYCE but their combo gives you plenty of meats along with their choice kimchi stew or bean paste stew, and a very light pork broth, and also their unlimited banchan - heaven! It is a small restaurant as well, so seating is limited and tight but if you time it well before dinner rush, you'll be seated right away to enjoy their fatty aged pork! Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Price: 5/5 Parking: 4/5

    Jenn C.

    Sookdal is an absolute pork lover's heaven. The quality of the aged pork here is top-tier, and having it barbecued to perfection right in front of you makes the experience even better. Every cut was incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. The pork pairs perfectly with the sauces and side dishes, making every bite feel intentional and well balanced. Service is brisk and attentive. The staff keeps things moving and makes sure the grill is always handled properly. Ambiance is your typical KBBQ joint: lively, casual, and all about the food. The only downside: you and your clothes will smell like BBQ for the rest of the day. Pro tip: leave your expensive bag and jacket at in the car unless you want them permanently scented like grilled pork. Still 100% worth it. Would happily come back again and again with the pork-loving foodies!

    Banchan
    Jessica C.

    Hands down the best Korean BBQ I've ever had. We arrived at 6:00pm on a Thursday and didn't have to wait. By 7:00pm, the waitlist was full. Just sign in outside and staff will call you when your table is ready. For starters, we had salad, delicious kimchee stew, and bean sprout soup. The banchan was fresh and perfectly marinated, and every time we ran out of a side dish, it was immediately replenished. For the main course, we opted for the pork belly and ribeye, which was perfectly portioned for two. Our server explained that some meal selections feed 3-5, while others are meant for pairs. Our server cooked our food for us, which I truly appreciated. The accompanying sauces complemented the meats and really enhanced the flavor. There are a few beer, wine and soju options. I ordered the black raspberry wine, and it was slightly sweet, tart, and a great accompaniment for the steak. The price was beyond reasonable for the quality and quantity of our dinner and the table side service. $87 for the meal, $15 for the Bokbunjaju wine, and $9 for a Cass beer. I will absolutely return again - Sookdal is just incomparable!

    Amy E.

    Was craving pork belly and kbbq in general so we decided to try Sookdal for the first time! It took about 20 mins of waiting on a busy Saturday night for our party of 2. Once seated, the service was fast and efficient. The staff cooked our meats to perfection which paired so well with their recommendations and unique banchan. Combo A was the perfect portion for 2 and we also added another soup on accident. The pork belly was really good quality and had a good chew.

    Justin H.

    Sookdal Korean BBQ in Garden Grove absolutely lived up to the hype. Everything about this meal felt high quality and well thought out from the banchan to the main meats to the soups. We ordered a pork combo and the cuts were beautiful: thick, juicy slabs of pork belly and pork collar that were clearly high-grade and grilled to perfection. The meat was incredibly tender, flavorful, and rich without being overwhelming. You can really tell they take pride in the quality and aging of their meat. Watching it sizzle on the grill was already mouthwatering, and the final result did not disappoint. The banchan spread was generous and fresh--kimchi, pickled radish, pickled cabbage, greens, and other sides were all crisp, well-seasoned, and perfect for balancing out the richness of the BBQ. The steamed egg was silky and comforting, and both soups we had were fantastic--deep, savory broth, piping hot, and super satisfying. Service here was too notch as their cook all of the meats for you. Everything felt premium and thoughtfully prepared, from the presentation to the flavors. The experience overall was clean, modern, and very this was probably due to their wet aging of their meats, it was enjoyable. If you're looking for top-tier Korean BBQ in OC, Sookdal is a must-visit. We'll definitely be back.

    Combo C
    Boris M.

    We came on a Wednesday evening for a birthday celebration. Sookdal doesn't take reservations, and we were lucky there was no wait. The ambiance is rustic and warm, with wooden tables and chairs and a large, open dining area. Staff set up the table with side dishes upon seating. We opted for Combo C, which included pork belly, pork collar, skirt meat, pork jowl, plus stew and cheese. The waitstaff grilled and sliced the meat for us at the table. The quality of the meat was excellent: our favorite cut was the pork jowl, which was deliciously crispy. The skirt meat was more mixed, with some pieces being a bit chewy. The side dishes, including a generous bowl of spring onion salad, along with the stew and clear soup, were all excellent. Service was top-notch throughout. Overall, good value for money and a very pleasant experience.

    Pork belly
    Jenny K.

    Saw good reviews about Sookdal and this restaurant was broadcasted on tv in Korea that we wanted to check it out! We got combo A. Comes with pork belly and brisket and stew. The meats were fine... didn't wow us at all. The pork belly was tough and chewy. The side dishes were all pickled which was fine because it goes well with pork but they were all on the sweeter side. would have been nice to have a bit more variety. We got an order of pork Jowl and that was probably the best meat out of the three. Don't think I will be back. Not worth the one hour wait. I would personally go elsewhere

    PORK BELLY

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    1 month ago

    SO GOOD! The cheese (?) with pork paired surprisingly well, every bite was tender and savory. Will definitely be back

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    Page 1 of 14

    Sookdal Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sookdal

    Do you cook your own food?

    no, the servers cook for you because the pieces are thick so they know the right time of cooking so it wont be raw when you eat it.

    Does the combos come with the wet age pork or just regular pork?

    all of their pork is wet-aged i believe, as that is their specialty!

    Are gift certificates available?

    Not full on certificates, unless you asked (i havent) but there is little papers telling you what cut the pork is and how long its aged.

    Can i make a reservation?

    The don't take reservation.

    Cool your own food?

    wat do you mean

    Open on memorial day?

    ALWAYS OPEN except thanksgiving christmas nd new year :)

    Is outdoor seating still available?

    No, They don't offer outdoor

    Hi! Are you guys open on labor day?

    They open everyday like there is no today

    Do they offer lettuce wraps?

    no lettuce or rice wraps. GARLIC LEAF WRAP is outstanding that u wont need such things. radish wrap yes

    On average, how many adults could a combo feed? 2? 3?

    Portions are on the smaller side so I'd say 2, unless you have adults who don't need a lot then 3 is possible.

    How is the portion size? How big are the combos?

    The portion is small, not allot like other bbq places.

    Is this place all you can eat?

    No. Kinda expensive place but worth it to try.

    Does this place only serve pork? Is there beef? Is their beef good?

    Yes they have beef brisket and ribeye as alternative options

    View All 14 Questions

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    Drove all the way from New Port to Garden Grove to eat here. Actually, flew from Colorado to OC…read more Early Sunday morning, only one server but had 3 tables already occupied. Must be good. Ambiance? Just mom and pop restaurant fell. Service was good. We got the Dried Pollack Soup (북어국) and Dumpling & Rice Cake Soup (떡만두국). Pollock soup was hearty, clean tasting and exceeded the expectation. Dumpling soup was very rich and filled with lot of dumplings. Side dishes were delicious too. We were so full, we didn't even bother ordering anything else. Will definitely come back to this location.

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    Food Order: Pork Katsu with Curry (1)…read more Bibimbap with bulgogi add on (1) teok bokki (1) Highlights: - great ambiance, friendly staff! - good side dishes, generously given - good texture for the curry and food was not too spicy - gochujang with the bibimbap was amazing! Cons: - everything was a bit sweet - the pork katsu was a bit bland as well as the mac salad side dish - the pork katsu sort of peeled away from the meat because of the heat of the dish overall: - great service, big portions, would visit again! just beware if you want a spicer version of these dishes and a stronger taste. the katsu could have been a bit crisper as well, I think the bibimbap was done very well. the dishes are served in a stone plate keeping them hot through the meal

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    I've been a regular customer here for 14-15 years, but it's time to leave them for the sake of my…read moreown peace. Food is good as always. We ordered galbi with tofu soups. However, service is horrible. They only came to deliver the food, but other than that, it's very hard to request them anything. We've never struggled so much in a restaurant just to get service. Obviously, when there's no service, there will be no tips. My rule of thumb is simple, good dining service in restaurants 20%, meh service 10%, no service 0%. There was a Korean waitress who chased after me after I left the restaurant and aggressively asked me to leave a tip. Calmly, I told her to rate her service and see how much she'd give herself before asking the customer for a tip. I also noticed how she tried to rush other customers when handling them the payment machine. I was wondering why but I figured it out. She just wanted them to enter the tip percentage as quickly as possible. She tried to snatch the machine from my hand before I'd even finished my payment. I've never felt robbed in any restaurant like today. I'm shocked to find out that some other Kaju customers were also in same situation. This is so wrong, or worse, it may even be illegal, and that's exactly what I told her. I told her she shouldn't make it look like I didn't pay for the bill and persistently stop me from leaving the restaurant.

    Sookdal - korean - Updated May 2026

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