Excellent service (they grill for you, expertly), tender cuts (our favorites were the outside skirt, the garlic marinated beef, and the pork jowl), and tasty banchan (replenished on the house). This meal knocked it out of the park. The cast iron cooking surface is unique; I wish more K-BBQ restaurants in the U.S. would adopt it. It's low-smoke, and the meats cook more evenly/efficiently than they do on a traditional grill. The prime sampler was more than enough meat for two people, but we were gluttons and added a couple of extra à la carte cuts. No regrets! They were all terrific in their own right. read more

SOT BBQ - Finger ribs and grilled veg on the cast iron sot - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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This is better than most bbq chains we've tried. The quality of the food is great and the service is unmatched. Our server Hanjoo was very knowledgeable and was able to explain the cooking method and provided suggestions for the food. Everything was prepared to our liking. Wagyu Short Rib was amazing, we enjoyed the SOT sampler as well. Highly recommend, beef brisket was good. Nate also assisted us while we were there and he did fantastic. Plenty of banchan provided and they even cook the kimchi and bean sprouts if you prefer it that way. We came on a Friday as soon as they opened and it was clean and quiet. Even after they got busy it wasn't packed and loud which was great. We brought our baby with us and a stroller, there is ample open spots to park and the tables are not as crowded which was great. Plenty of parking available in the plaza. Highly recommend to visit if you are in the area. read more

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Food: 3/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 This Kbbq spot features traditional cast-iron cauldron grilling, with the staff handling all the cooking tableside. Tonight, four servers rotated between tables on our side of the restaurant, grilling meats and keeping everything running smoothly. While I appreciated the full-service grilling experience, I had mixed feelings about this dinning format. Reason being that at times, it felt like there was always someone flipping meat right in the middle of our conversation, which kinda took away from the intimacy of the dinner. To be fair, the staff wasn't hovering at the table the entire time. They would cook a round, step away, and give us a few peaceful minutes before returning. Still, at times I wished we could slow down, enjoy our conversation, and savor the meal at our own pace, as the experience felt a bit more rushed than relaxed overall. That said, our servers Heejeong and Brittany were genuinely pleasant and easy to talk to, and their attentiveness clearly reflected good service. As for the Wagyu Platter we ordered, the cuts were nicely marbled, with the short rib easily my favorite. And while the meat quality was definitely above average, I expected something closer to top-tier A5 wagyu at this price point. Overall, it's a decent option if you're looking for something different from the typical AYCE experience, but the premium pricing is a bit hard to justify based on the meat quality alone. The strong service helped bring this up to a 3.5-star rating.. read more

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So I'm giving this place 3 stars because for my family of 5 it cost us $250 for dinner and my boys were still hungry. You just don't get a lot of food for the prices. The food was good and I love that they grill the food for us so I can eat my food while it's still hot. The service was good. It felt like a typical kbbq place, big, no frills and good ventilation. The only thing holding me back from going back is the price. It's just way high. I would rather go to an AYCE and cook for myself. read more

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Sometimes you just need to treat yourself. Whether it's after a long week or a friend's birthday this is the spot. Came here for premium KBBQ at SOT (not AYCE) and ordered the SOT sampler. This is an elevated experience where they cook the meats and veggies for you on the grill. For food: - Prime short rib - highlight of the meal. Rich, tender, and almost wagyu like - Ribeye - a bit on the chewy side compared to expectations. - Beef belly - really delicious, great flavor and texture. - Pork belly - solid - Mushrooms - simple but really good and juicy, absorbed the grill flavors nicely. The cooked kimchi and potato salad were standout banchan. The fried rice at the end was a great meal bookend. They mix it with the leftover meats and sides, which makes it super flavorful. You can also add cheese, which takes it in a richer direction. We were actually pretty full at this point and ended up taking most of it home. Service was mixed. Our server was very quiet and mostly hands-off. Kai who was also manning the front on the other hand, was excellent - stepped in to help cook, explained things, and brought energy to the table, which noticeably improved the experience. The interior of SOT is really nice and newly renovated. The ventilation is strong and I didn't feel the same eye burn from the bbq smoke that I usually have at other KBBQ joints. Overall, SOT had high-quality meats with a few real standouts. Service can vary, but when it clicks, the experience feels very premium and worth it. read more

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Sot BBQ on Clairemont Mesa in San Diego is the best Korean BBQ spot in SD. My father in law has raved about it for months and I'm glad that I had a chance to come in last night! Though it's not all you can eat, they feature top quality, thick cuts of beef and pork at a reasonable cost. We started with their Sot sampler, which gave us a better appreciation of the quality of their ribeye, pork belly, short rib, and beef belly. Also got a full sized order of their pork jowl, which was delicious. The signature element of the Sot experience is their huge cast iron pan. Their staff will grill the meats for you to get the perfect crust and doneness. Definitely take advantage of their banchan. I really enjoyed their herb salt with ribeye and I made my own ssam with their thick cuts of pork belly with salad and soybean paste. San Diego deserves a great Korean bbq spot and they have one here in Sot! read more

Love the cast iron grills! Cooks the food very fast and the server comes to assist in preparation. When dining at a Korean BBQ restaurant, you tend to want to try all cuts of meat. Easy to do at this place but your final bill will be high. First time, you have to do this because you can then identify the cut that you want more of or will order mostly next time. Quality of meat is fantastic. Service was attentive. One of the better KBBQ restaurants in San Diego + parking is readily available. read more

SOT BBQ - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

It's a kbbq kinda day but you don't want to cook for yourself so, where do you go? SOT! My family and I were in a mood for kbbq and decided to try out SOT for the first time. We were seated immediately upon arrival. There was a pretty big variety of combos to choose from and we went with the SOT sampler plate. We figured the plate could feed 3 people well but I still wanted to add some cold noodles, kimchi stew, and steamed eggs because those are my goto. (I believe the steamed eggs were already part of the sampler plate?) Service was phenomenal and the staff were great. They not only cooked well but were super attentive and one of them chatted happily with us and explained to us the different things on the table which really elevated our dining experience. The soju cocktail was great and complemented the meal well (flavor recommended by the waitress). The restaurant is a nice size and we saw a number of corporate diners, friend group diners, and family diners which showed that this was a restaurant meant for all types of crowds. Food overall was great, service adding a cherry on top. I highly recommend trying and I will definitely be coming back soon. Overall Rating: Food: 10/10 Service: 11/10 Menu: 10/10 Restaurant Vibes: 10/10 Price to Overall Dining (POD): 10/10 read more

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Came here with a party of 4 and decided to go with the A++ Sampler Plate ($285). It was the perfect amount of food for our group. First things first: this is not AYCE, it's à la carte. The sampler option makes it easy to try a variety without over-ordering. The very first cut they put on the grill (can't remember the name, but I *believe* it's the A5 Wagyu Ribeye Thick Cut) was insanely good- super soft and literally melted like butter. The marbling on it was ridiculous. The rest of the meats were solid too. Loved the variety of banchan. They gave a lot of sides and it kept the meal interesting. Also appreciated that they cook the meat for you so you can just sit back and enjoy. Our server was nice, but like other reviews have mentioned, they seemed stretched between multiple tables. We ended up flipping some meats ourselves and pulling pieces off to avoid overcooking. A few cuts ended up more done than they should've been, which was a little disappointing given the price. Overall, it's on the pricier side, but you're paying for quality. Good for a nicer KBBQ night, just be prepared to step in and babysit the grill a bit. read more

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I always seek K BBQs that aren't AYCE. These places are known for quality over quantity, but still get filled. SOT was definitely that place, with a value over most places we visit in LA's Koreatown. Great service, attentive staff, excellent Kim Chee and banchan. When in SD again, we'll be back! read more

SOT BBQ - Their $99 sampler, nicely fed our family of 4! - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

Quality service, meats and venue! 10/10 recommend. Visited on a Sunday and received friendly, efficient service. The sides were varied and delicious (and quickly refilled.) We tried the SOT Sampler, Jowl and Brisket. - The Short Rib and Jowl were amazing. - The Ribeye was soft and very good. - The Brisket was underwhelming. The space was very clean and the venting was good. Can't wait to come eat here again! read more

SOT BBQ - Brisket, Jowl and SOT sampler - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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Quality meats and good service. My party of 3 arrived on Friday at 6 pm with no prior reservations and was sat within 10 minutes. Parking can be difficult later on in the night so come early to snag a spot. The table came prepared with a variety of banchans before you're sat. We ordered the Prime meats sampler, an order of chive pancakes and 3 rice bowls. The beef was juicy, tender and had great marbling on it. Your server/host will help cook the meats and everything for you - and they do a great job! I'd say the prime sampler does feed a party of three - but for you extra hungry folks, might be worth ordering some appetizers as well! If you want quality kbbq and good service, I would recommend SOT BBQ. Just keep in mind, this place is A La Carte only, no AYCE. Which in my opinion, is the superior way to enjoy Kbbq! read more

SOT BBQ - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

6 stars is more like it. Attentive service maybe a little too fast. Food was perfect. Decor is modern and cool. A great korean bbq. read more

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A luxurious and unique dining experience that hasn't let me down yet! SOT BBQ uses cast iron cauldron lids as their 'grills', and outside of their beautiful appearance, the lids also cook the meat perfectly! - PARKING - It can get busy in this plaza, especially during peak meal times! - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - Tons of seating arrangements available, for large or small parties. I would recommend making a reservation as there can be large rushes of people sometimes. Really nicely spaced out, doesn't feel cramped at all, and the ventilation system is great. The staff cook for you here, so you don't have to worry about manning the grill, or lid in this case! All servers were very friendly and welcoming throughout our meal. - FOOD - SOT Sampler: This came with Prime Short Rib, Prime Ribeye, Pork Belly and Beef Belly. I personally enjoyed the Short Rib and Beef Belly the most. I love how they give a large variety of banchan, so that you can enjoy your meats with different sides in each bite. Wagyu Top Blade: We've had their wagyu before, and so we couldn't help ourselves but add in an a la carte order! Definitely a nicer quality than the other meats! - OVERALL - A great dining experience if you want an elevated KBBQ meal! read more

Probably one of the best KBBQ spots in SD! San Diego is lacking in the KKBQ scene and SOT BBQ is definitely raising the bar! They offer a more upscale experience with an a la carte menu, an impressive array of side dishes, and a traditional cast iron grill. We got their Sot Sampler Plate which features prime short rib, ribeye, pork belly, and beef belly. A really well-rounded spread if you want to try a bit of everything! Their staff is super attentive and cooks the meat for you, making sure everything is cooked to perfection. While super yummy, I think there are a few spots in LA/OC that trump them in terms of meat quality. Excited to see how they'll continue to expand! read more

SOT BBQ - Sot Sampler - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

We tried the SOT Sampler, Jowl and Brisket. - The Short Rib and Jowl were amazing. - The Ribeye was soft and very good. - The Brisket was underwhelming. Don't know why. Really downer since this is the one I normally love and can down at AYCE lol We can when they opened for lunch and it wasn't busy. The service was top notch helping with the cooking and getting more sides. I'd come again. read more

It wasn't too busy when I came on a Thursday at 5:30pm. It did get pretty packed after 7:00pm. They had set menus (a la carte) which I liked and I loved how they grill it for you. My friend and I got the Sot Sampler Plate which came with a good variety of meats. It was super tender and juicy and I loved how the cooked meat came out. I also loved how there were many different sides that came with it and complemented the meats. I would definitely come back again with friends! read more

SOT BBQ - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

This KBBQ continues to shine and be the best in the SD area in my opinion. Despite being a busy Sat night and I was worried about the wait being listed 12 I was still seated in 40 mins. Super efficient, clean and service is amazing. Table side cooking by the staff is dying these days and it's amazing to see them continue to pull this off well. All the cuts are great but I recommend pork jowl and beef rib as my fav read more

Located in the Convoy area of San Diego. It's in the same plaza as Menya Ultra and Daiso. It is not all you can eat. There are set meals. We came with a large group of about 11 people and got two of the set meals and there was plenty of left over. The service is amazing and they cook everything for you at your table. Sorry, I don't know what we ordered but the quality of meats were superb. You also get a large number of banchan and everything is great. This is my new favorite KBQ in convoy. Note, you can also order things like bibimbap, soon tubu (tofu stew), or yukgaejang (spicy beef stew) if you don't want to eat bbq. read more

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Fancier kbbq experience with premium meats. We order the a5 plater. Its enough to serve prob 3-4 people. We had 6 so were still a bit hungry afterwards. Whats unique is they add matcha to their salt for dipping and a different clay pot for cooking. Also add wasabi on top. The best cut was the rib cap. Its a cut of meat we usually dont get and butchers keep it for themselves. I'll prob order that again. The servers cook for you so sit back and enjoy. Theres plenty of tables but that parking lot does get pretty busy. read more

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Sad that they discontinued the lunch specials but the meal was still delicious and attentive service. read more

SOT BBQ - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

Second time here with friends was fantastic again! Service was friendly and prompt. And of course the food was delicious! It was busy as usual but that added to the atmosphere and didn't detract from service. Until next time! read more

SOT BBQ - March 2026 - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

We (party of 2) had the sot sampler. From the photos on yelp, I was wondering if it would be enough food, but it was actually more than enough, especially because it comes with a free steamed egg as well. For me steamed egg is indispensable to a KBBQ meal, so I'm happy it was included! I thought the meat quality was quite nice. I've never had KBBQ cooked over rosemary before! It was fragrant without being too overwhelming. My husband's favorite cut was the ribeye and mine was the short rib. I love that they torch the pork belly too! They were on top of the cooking. 10/10 service! I like that they asked if we needed more time to pace ourselves before putting the next item on the grill. It wasn't cheap, but I enjoyed my meal here! For how full you get, I didn't find it overpriced. read more

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Everything was good and you don't have to worry about cooking it yourself. I've tried the prime sampler platter in the last and there were 1-2 cuts of mean that I liked. Today I tried the wagyu sampler platter and I loved every cut especially the ribe eye cap which you don't really see anywhere else at other bbq spots. It's a bit pricey but you get what you pay for here. Service great, shout out to Khai who did all the cooking for our table. Parking sucks at 1:30pm so keep that in mind. But the lot had more spots at 2:30 as we were leaving. read more

Definitely was not expecting to go here tonight but we are so glad that we did! The wait wasn't too bad for Mother's Day. We got here around 6:30pm and got seated 10-15 minutes afterwards. Before you even sit down all the sides were ready for you which is nice since hubby was hungry. We got the sot sampler which is $99 but was plenty to feed more than 2 people and take home left overs. The meat was so tender and juicy! I'm so grateful that they do all the cooking lol. Will definitely be coming back again! Totally recommend this place! read more

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"SOT" is a Korean style cauldron that the meat is cooked on. I'm not sure what the material is, but I would describe it similar to a cast iron where it retains heat well, providing a nice char on the meat. It was my first time here and I would gladly come back. It is NOT all you can eat and they have signage at the front that states that. It is a little pricey, but you get quality and service with the staff cooking the meat and everything for you. All the servers work together, so you most likely won't just have one server. They are very attentive and will gladly refill any additional sides, sauces, drinks, or rice that you need. I got the prime Sampler that came with four different cuts of meat and it was just enough for two people. Next time if I'm feeling in the mood to splurge, I would like to try the Japanese a5 waygu sampler! read more

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Attentive staff. Great meats and pan chan side dishes. Very solid KBBQ compared with the top venues. Wasn't too busy for a weekday; about half full. The staff were excellent. read more

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The best KBBQ in San Diego, hands down! Great service and the staff is all very nice and welcoming.

Tried SOT with a group of 6 for a birthday dinner and it did not disappoint. For the size of our group, we opted for two sets of the Wagyu Sampler Plate and it was worth it. Prices are pretty steep which may be surprising at first, but after experiencing the meal and the service, I can say it was worth the treat. The meat was high quality and our server cooked everything for us. The sampler plates come with unlimited sides, and there's additional sides that you can order a la carte. This was such a nice treat and I'd come back again. Parking is shared in a small plaza and could get full sometimes so I'd plan ahead. read more

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Stopped by with family during lunch time, right when they opened at 1130. I didnt think it would be to busy during a rainy day, but who can resist good food in front of a warm flame. Upon entering the building The building felt spacious, however when seated and dining the table surface was cramped. Each table was had their own cast iron couldron that looked like a rice field hat, that took a good portion of the table. I liked how durable these were and didn't get crusty with charred meats as with other places. This dining experience is different than the AYCE variety. Instead of cooking your own and having an unlimited supply of meat, you buy set menus and the staff cooks it in front of you. We ordered the SOT Meal Set and added a side of brisket. In the end the total amounted to a similar cost going to an AYCE spot. Since you're kind of lounging around waiting on the staff to cook for you, your eating pace is slower and this allowed my stomach to feel fuller quicker than normal. It didn't feel rushed nor we didn't order too much, for our party of 4 the two sets were plenty. Their bonchon offering is decent, a minor disappointment to me though. They didn't have any of my favorites such as fish cake, radish paper or japchae. I enjoyed the alternative concept and the service was exceptional. read more

This place was great. Parking is easy for the area with a lot more spots. It's close to Convoy street so you can go there after for dessert if you want. I am a sucker for Korean bbq where they cook it for you (I am always nervous I am going to mess it up so I really prefer places like this). I thought the staff was friendly and did a great job explaining things while they helped cook. My favorite was the pork belly but honestly everything was good. It's pricey but pretty standard for Korean Barbecue. I like that they offer fun things like fried rice (which can be made after all the meat is cooked) Everything was very tasty. read more

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Definitely good quality meats here. My favorite was the ribeye cap, which I don't think I've had before! The servers were attentive and friendly. The restaurant gives a more classy kbbq feeling. Personally, I don't appreciate fine meats as well as others, and prioritize feeling full over meat quality. If you are in the mood to appreciate good meat and want to treat yourself to a good meal, come to SOT! If you have trouble differentiating meat and just want to be full, perhaps another kbbq place is for you. read more

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Hands down one of the best Korean barbecue spots I've ever hit up. We came here with a big group of 15 for a friend's birthday, and they accommodated us way faster than I expected, major win already. The premium cuts are next level. We went for the wagyu beef and honestly... zero regrets. Every bite was buttery, rich, and cooked perfectly. They actually grill everything for you, which is such a treat when you're busy chatting or celebrating. Every single thing they served was delicious... The banchan hits too -- kimchi, pickled radishes, all the classics and all super flavorful. It's the kind of spread that makes you forget you came for the meat because the sides are also popping off. Drinks? They've got soju, beer, all the essentials for a proper KBBQ night. Service was great, super friendly, and really on top of things even with such a big group. The whole vibe just made the experience feel smooth and fun. If you're in San Diego and craving some top-tier Korean barbecue, this spot is a must. Amazing food, great service, and absolutely worth the hype. Easy 5 out of 5 !!! read more

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Food: It's a Korean BBQ place so it's the same standard options that you get from other places. To me, it was the presentation that stood out, like the wasabi on the top of the hot plate. All of the apps were good, the steaks were cut thin and cooked well (you don't cook it yourself here). Asparagus was grilled and cooked well, that's like a personal pet peeve of mine. You serve me boiled asparagus, you get a 1 star review right there. Great food and lots of it. Service: It depends on the table. Like I said, they actually come out to cook the food for you, so some of the "chefs" were talkative and others weren't, so it's really a mixed bag. It's a pro and a con. The cool thing about cooking yourself is you don't have to talk to people but then you end up bringing you food (or at least I do?) so if you have someone that cooks for you, they need to be a little outgoing, IMO... Atmosphere: It's cute inside, they have enough space for large parties but definitely call ahead! We came on a Thursday night and it was packed! So it helps to make sure you have time to wait. Looked clean from my perspective. Price: Probably the biggest shock to me was the price. Wow. I mean, I've been to other Korean BBQ places and the price will be like 60$ a person for all you can eat... and I thought that was expensive! But here, it will run you, depending on the type, 80$-120$ per person. I think it is because they also pay the cooks to come to the table for you, so it is, in my opinion, very pricy. Overall: It's a good place, solid and cooking for you is pretty cool. But the price is a lot and I didn't see anything that was like super unique. Maybe I don't look hard enough...? Regardless, I have no complaints on the food or the personnel, just the price was a little much for me. read more

SOT BBQ - Sample Platter - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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They have so many lunch options so it was hard to pick one. I am a huge fan of buddaejiggae (Army Stew) so ended up picking that. The secret to buddaejiggae is the broth which it's on point. Even though it's an individual portion it still has all the ingredients like spam, beans, sausage, kimchi, and a fried egg. The side dishes were also very note worthy! The portion was so good we didn't have to ask for refill (not sure if they offer that either). Be sure you let the host/hostess know if you're here for kBBQ or their lunch specials as they will put you in different seats. I can't wait to go back and try their other lunch menu items. read more

SOT BBQ - Big bite - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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It's been some time since we've had KBBQ and Sot BBQ really hit the spot! We tried their SOT set which had a nice variety and honestly the perfect amount for 2 people. The meat quality was incredible, as you can see in the photos the marbling was perfect. We've never had this style of BBQ where veggies can be placed on the side like this and absorb all the meat flavor while not being burnt to a crisp. We loved the ban chan (side dishes) as well! All the variety of kimchi were the best balance with the fattier meat. At Sot the server actually helps you cook which was really nice since I'm always a little nervous to cook nicer cuts of meat. They had a cute little rack to place the cooked meat on so it would stay hot but wouldn't overcook. We had such a good time at Sot and I would definitely come back! read more

SOT BBQ - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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I remember when this place used to be Olleh Sushi. That place was pretty good, but this place is just as good! It was a Saturday night so it was super busy and loud, but my wife and I were able to get a table for two pretty easily. Our server was on super friendly and introduced us to how everything works. This place is NOT all you can eat, but the meat quality and service make up for that. I highly recommend the Sot Sampler. It's pricey, but since it comes with all the vegetables AND combine they with the fact that they cook everything for you like in Korea, more than makes up for it. I'm definitely coming back here. read more

SOT BBQ - Sot sampler - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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We come here for lunch usually to avoid the dinner rush. The short ribs here are the best in Convoy and I assume the rest of San Diego county. Their set menus are convenient and a good mix of beef and pork. Their banchan (side dishes) are the core ones we like and they're all prepared well. Everything we have ordered here is good and the meat quality is superb. Their dalgona coffee is delicious--but it'll keep you up if you have it too late. Still worth it. Crowds are lively and busy during dinner. Lunches are expectedly more tame and great service. Attendants are always walking by to help. read more

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High quality Korean a-la carte BBQ where they cook for you! They grill their kimchi and bean sprouts and it's so yummy! Since it's a-la carte, whatever you don't finish between the BBQ and the banchan you're able to bring home. We got the SOT combo and thought it was a good amount for 2-3 people. Banchan was plentiful and the service is great as they're super attentive. I'd definitely recommend coming here read more

SOT BBQ - SOT - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California

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For some reason I had low expectations coming in for their lunch specials since they were non KBBQ items. Out of their lunch menu items the only one I think that's worth $20 is the Kalbi Tang. The Kalbi Tang came in a very generous 2 large rib bones and so many delicious banchans. I was really impressed how the ribs were tender/fall off the bone. With the soup it's super flavorful and really hits the spot on a chilly SD rainy day. Within the soup there's also a small amount of noodles, egg strips, and radish. You can also tell the side dishes are made in-house and not pre-made due to the complexity of it (see pictures). Service was quick in terms of ordering, but the cooking did take a while even though there were not that many folks. May be hard for people to make the time to dine in if they are on a crunch time for work. I would definitely come back and order this again. read more

SOT BBQ - Korean Near Me - San Diego, California