Maybe just a hair under 5 stars but we've been here several times and the food is consistently good and the quality of meats is solid. In the Tri-Valley, there are several Korean BBQ options and we've tried most. YakiniQ consistently gets our business for consistent quality. We were tempted to try the "new" wagyu AYCE place but the multi-hour wait at that place is an absolute no-go. I cannot call YakiniQ a backup since the family always enjoys the food and ordering process here. I am glad we came here instead. Service is always fast, attentive and efficient. Being in downtown, after the meal we have a chance to also try and walk off the over-eating event. read more

Went here with my husband and a friend. We waited 45 minutes to be sat after being told 20, which is fine - there was an event in downtown Livermore so we expected it to be busy. The internet was down so it was cash only - which was fine, inconvenient, but not their fault. We ordered with the hostess because their QR code menu wasn't working, probably due to the internet being out. Also fine. We ordered two plates of spicy bulgogi, one order of chicken, and three bowls of rice. The rice was dry, but that's fine because that's not why you go to kbbq. The portions were small, which should have been fine because it's all you can eat. However, we could not get any more service. The manager had taken over taking orders, and we watched her walk past our table multiple times. We watched her service other tables and not hear us try to get her attention. We got the attention of the hostess (with the help of the table next to us, who was also struggling to get any attention) who then said the manager would be right over to us. We never spoke to a manager. We decided to ask for the check instead. I had to step out because my baby was becoming a handful. My husband asked for the check, expressing that paying the full charge for the lack of service or food we received felt disrespectful, and was told the manager could help us. The manager never spoke to him, despite him waiting after the hostess told him again that she would. The only person in our group of three who left satisfied at all had already ate a lunch somewhere else before. My husband and I left hungry and disappointed. Two stars because the hostess was friendly. We will not be back. read more

There are many Korean BBQ restaurants popping up all over the Tri-Valley. This is one of my favorite if I am in the Livermore area. Thank you to Yelp waitlist feature my family and I were able to get seated fairly quickly and swiftly. Keep this feature running. It's great. Food is plenty to choose from and the cuts of meat is good quality. Also the appetizers or sides to choose from is plenty. Overall a great dining experience. read more

YakiniQ - Beef taretare - Barbeque Near Me - Livermore, California

Thanks to Yelp waitlist, wait was completely acceptable. Food was delicious especially the waygu beef belly and beef brisket. Usually I do not order a lot of brisket, this one is great! Atmosphere is very nice. I haven't been her for a while, and servers are still very attentive and quick to serve. The premium menu is only $4 more: $39.99, totally worthed it. Will come again. read more

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Pretty disappointed, I've been to the one in sf multiple times and it just doesn't compare , the meat and dishes seemed very low quality here at this location. Two stars for the service though. read more

Love this place so much I came two weekends in a row to introduce it to more people! The thing I like most about this place is the service. You order via a QR code and the items come out super fast. Not only that, but they are constantly offering to change the grill. Inside there is plenty of seating and tables with one or double grills. I think the quality of the meats is great and I love their sides. As of 4/13/26 the AYCE price is $35 for regular and $40 for premium and the prices are the same all day. I came on a Sunday around 3pm and it was not busy, but a lot more people came in around 5pm. TIP: Join the waitlist on yelp to be seated upon arrival! read more

YakiniQ - Barbeque Near Me - Livermore, California

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Came here on a Friday night & was seated down right away. The quality of the meat is amazing and service was great. Highly recommend! read more

YakiniQ - Barbeque Near Me - Livermore, California

My friends and I ended up going to YakiniQ since the other KBBQ place we wanted to go to had a long line. When we got to YakiniQ, we waited about 20 minutes because we didn't want to have a shared table. The place had plenty of seating, but the table we got was small; it got full and crowded with banchan, meats, and plates. We only had the "Regular" price, and the meat variety was great and good enough for us. We used the QR code on the table to order, and we were surprised that they came quickly. The staff also made grill changes every time they noticed we needed a new clean one. The only thing they forgot was to give us our complimentary ice cream at the end. A staff member asked us if we wanted an ice cream, but they forgot to serve it to us. Overall, we enjoyed our visit to YakiniQ. The meat quality and service are great. The price was also affordable, especially for the amount of food you get. read more

YakiniQ - Barbeque Near Me - Livermore, California

This place is 10/10! You scan a QR code which leads you to their website where you can order your meats, sides and drinks! You can order as many as you like or as little. They also give you complementary ice cream I choose green tea! It was super delicious and wasn't too strong. The service is great they bring everything out quickly and ask you if need a grill change. Also on the website you can order a grill change too! The style of the restaurant is beautiful with low ambient lighting! Make sure to check this place out it's incredible! read more

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If you look at my review history, I've reviewed plenty of Korean restaurants, and this is absolutely my go to! My family's favorite go to for kbbq all you can eat! The food is great quality, especially their marinated kalbi, the ambience is comfy and roomy, and their service is top notch! You order via your phone and they come really soon after you put in your order. Fast grill changes also! Very friendly staff! My only request for this place -don't change on us! read more

YakiniQ - Barbeque Near Me - Livermore, California

Everything was great until the meat stopped coming. Came here on a Saturday around 5ish and was seated right away. Was able to order everything via QR code and they were very quick serving us the meats and sides. Towards the end, we had ordered a few more meats and they never came out. We kept seeing other tables get their meats so we thought our orders kept going elsewhere. Bummer. We waited for so long and spoke to a few people about our order, but it wasn't resolved until I talked to another staff who was finally able to get our orders in. Not sure what happened but our table got ignored a few times. I would've given it a 5 star had we not waited 20-30 mins for 3 meats and a soup. read more

YakiniQ is the spot to be for great quality Korean BBQ, especially if you go for the premium version, which costs just a few dollars more. This is the second location I have visited, and it's a true sit-down restaurant where I have celebrated many birthdays. My first experience with YakiniQ was in San Jose, and that location offers a more lively dining atmosphere with mixed drinks, circular tables, dim lighting, and music. The Livermore location also does not disappoint and has many positives. First, the wait time is usually much shorter since there are more tables and plenty of space. Second, they serve beer towers that are perfect for small groups, though they do not offer mixed drink cocktails like the one in SJ. In case you need to wait for a table or if there's anyone running late, Livermore Yakiniq has a mini bar in the corner. Third, the servers are more attentive thanks to the open layout and better lighting. Parking is very limited, but you can always find parking across the street. If you need your Korean BBQ fix, YakiniQ is the place to go. You just have to decide which location matches your vibe for the day or night. I'm looking forward to trying the SF location next time. read more

YakiniQ - Good company - Barbeque Near Me - Livermore, California

Overall, the dining experience was enjoyable, with some room for improvement. The food was great--especially the American Wagyu brisket and beef belly from the premium menu. They offer special items limited to one order per person, but there's no clear way to track how many you've ordered, which made it difficult to make sure to stay within the included limit. Ordering via phone was convenient. Each table gets a QR code, and multiple people can place orders from their own devices, which I appreciated. However, no one greeted us or explained the system when we arrived. We sat waiting for about 5-10 minutes before I had to ask a staff member how to order. The sides were solid--I especially liked the japchae and other banchan. The rice, however, was way overcooked and mushy. I also found out from Yelp that they offer complimentary ice cream, but it wasn't mentioned in the digital menu. It would've been nice if that was made clearer. I ended up asking a staff member, and yes, we got our ice cream. In short: tasty food and convenient tech, but the experience would be much better with a clearer menu and a bit more guidance or communication for first-timers. read more

YakiniQ - Lunch - Barbeque Near Me - Livermore, California

Definitely I recommend to dine here, great food, Services, and good ambiance. The prices are not too bad, I would say affordable.

FAST AND DELICIOUS!!! Literally such good service and experience . I come here every other week with my friends and we always have a great time! Shout to Millan!!! HE HAS AMAZING SERVICE!!! So sweet and attentive!! read more

Millan is an A+ server! Have been here so many times and is consistently so great. Always serves with a smile on his face and is so sweet! He's extremely attentive and makes customers feel very welcomed. read more

Service is so fast! Around the clock workers who refill water, ensure you never run out of napkins, changing grills, and bringing the next round of food! My fiancé and I live in the valley and can't seem to find anywhere closer like it. We don't mind doing the drive out here!!! read more

They got the meats -- and most importantly Wagyu! YakiniQ is one of my fav kbbq spots and it's one of the nicer ones close by. It holds a cozy atmosphere with a slight modern vibe. There's a hidden bar area in the corner and all the meats are presented on metal plates with a bed of lettuce. A room full of gender neutral bathrooms are available at the back with one general sink area. I've seen different prices of ayce kbbq, especially steeper ones at dinner and/or including more expensive cuts of meat like wagyu and this place ~ so far ~ seems worth. I'd opt to go here for lunch, which is $34 for the regular menu. The wagyu add on is $39.99 with only 5 items being the main difference. I love wagyu, but I will say that this is not an go to price I could afford just for a special kind of meat. The experience of the regular menu was just as nice or if not the same...Their electronic service of ordering is super fast though just as a heads up! Be prepared to eat once you order. I love how there's a good amount of options of sides, appetizers, and meats. There's already banchan on the table (japchae, tofu, salad, kimchi, potato, and sauces). We love a good potato. As for meats, their wagyu options, miso pork belly, beef brisket, and beef belly are my favorites. My cousins and I also LOVE the corn cheese here and it's a great portion. Not super mayoey and lots of corn. Kimchi fried rice is also a crowd favorite and perfect to share between 3 people. Didn't really care for anything else though. Not many drink options though -- besides tea, soda, and soju. I did knock down a star because of the lack of communication with online ordering and the extra fee. Beware that if you order more than 4 rounds on one phone instead of spreading the ordering out on the other devices you will be charged $5.99 per round. We tried to ask the hostess if they could change it, but she didn't even attempt to dispute or hear us out... Still enjoy this place, but after that extra fee incident I'm looking forward to giving the new kbbq spots opening up in the area a shot. read more

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Solid place to get KBBQ, good value. Especially the Pork Collar and Galbi/Short Ribs. The Wagyu Brisket was solid as well. Bulgogi and Pork belly was okay. We had a 30 minute wait to get Kimchi read more

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I've been to the San Jose location many times. Always long lines in a limited parking lot and restaurant space. I was in the area and decided to check of Livermore. I suppose real estate is more affordable up here, the dining hall seems to be at least twice the size as San Jose. We had a reservation but there was also no wait. Food quality wise, I like San Jose better. I had the seaweed soup towards end of my meal and was parched overnight. read more

I've had YakiniQ SJ before and really enjoyed the food, but the wait times are always crazy, the interior is cramped and dirty, and the restaurant is noisy. I must say that I much prefer this location over their SJ location. This place is nice, bright, and clean and there wasn't even a wait. The meat quality was good and not too fatty. I like the variety in banchan, sides, and sauces that they provide. The restrooms were also individual and were nice and clean. So glad we came to check it out after our hike at Del Valle Lake. The strawberry ice cream at the end with a bit of whipped cream was also great. The scoop of ice cream felt bigger than what I remember getting at the SJ location. read more

New to the area and i really wanted KBBQ, this place met all my expectations. Its very cute inside too. Upon going in you are asked "Premium or Regular" there was only a $5 difference but i decided that i wanted the regular. With the premium it includes great cuts like a couple waygu meats. Our grill was changed every 10mins. The workers were walking around being very attentive and making sure that their isnt any burning activities going on. The cheesecorn is out of this world. In the first picture you can see i ordered Spicy porkbelly & Spicy pork bulgogi. But My favorites was the beef selections. In the second pic is beef short rib along with some beef belly. The short rib was offered at 1 per person/order and it was two of us. Very delicious Only thing is i wish the sauces on the side was explained to me, i kinda had to squeeze and try as i went on and ate but it was a chili garlic sauce that was delicious with the meats! Also salt, pepper, and chilli powder was included on the table. I mention this because at most AYCE KBBQ places they dont even have condiments or S&P ever on the table so that was GREAT. All in all i give this place a 9/10 & I will be back for more beef read more

YakiniQ - Barbeque Near Me - Livermore, California

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A solid 3-star AYCE korean bbq spot. This restaurant pops up on my Yelp feed a lot, so we decided to drive out to Livermore one weekend to give them a try. Parking: very tiny lot. Not many spots but a lot of customers so parking is a pain. Park on the street if you do come. Ambiance: open and spacious restaurant. The decor is what you would expect for a typical AYCE Korean place. It's great for big parties and family celebrations or friend hangouts Service: excellent. We didn't have a reservation and we came during dinner hour so the wait for a table took almost an hour. Once seated, and we ordered, the food came out fast. The staff were very quick to change our grill which we really appreciate. Food: average quality meat and side dishes. The meat was fresh but there wasn't anything that stood out to me. Cost: $. For the price point we paid, the meal was great value. Will I return? Probably not. It's out of the way for me and it's quite a bit of a drive from Castro Valley. read more

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Best AYCE Korean bbq in the tri-valley. All the meats are super tender but some items are additional charge. Ventilation isn't the best so be ready to smell like food lol. For the price of a galbi dish at a regular Korean restaurant, you might as well spend the same amount for AYCE. They were every attentive to changing out the grills too. read more

YakiniQ came recommended from multiple sources, and it didn't disappoint. On a slow night, I still waited about 30 minutes for a table- you are able to join the Yelp waitlist from a distance, which spared me time waiting in the lobby. Staff was incredibly friendly and incredibly attentive, with the grates being replaced every 5-10 minutes. The QR system is convenient here- allows for fast ordering, and the staff doesn't use it to become neglectful of tables. The price is a steal for the quantity and quality of food. Unlike some other Korean BBQ spots I've been to, this one doesn't sacrifice the meat's quality, so it's flavorful and tender. They provide sauces (which I appreciate since I'm not a bland meat girlie). I left needing to be rolled out- and for the cost of it all ($35 per person for premium), it's a steal for a hungry person. read more

YakiniQ - Kimchi - Barbeque Near Me - Livermore, California

We went on a Monday night and went with the premium selection. We were seated immediately and our order of meats were brought out quickly. Honestly the service was amazing, the staff was attentive and would clear up our plates and our grill would be changed every time we needed it. The ambiance was lively with music and the chatter of other tables. The food was delicious, they do give you 2 hours and with how quick the service was I feel we got our money's worth. Left incredibly full and will definitely be returning read more

YakiniQ - Barbeque Near Me - Livermore, California

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***Review #800*** YakiniQ is a small cafe/Korean BBQ chain in the Bay Area. Their Livermore location is situated in a quiet neighborhood near downtown. On 11/01/2024, I attended a dinner hosted by fellow Elite George F. Among the attendees were George's family, a few of his family friends, and Elite Steve T. and his wife. The whole party arrived at around 5:30pm and we were seated immediately by the staff. The interior was clean and vibrant. There was a small bar with TV near the entrance. George made the executive decision of ordering the premium option for everyone, and his daughter K took charge of ordering, which was done using a smartphone. Food started arriving quickly. We ordered many items throughout the meal, and there wasn't anything that we didn't like. From appetizers to different meats to seafood, the quality was excellent. On the service front, the staff were friendly and efficient. Grills were changed often, banchan and water were refilled without asking, and requests were fulfilled promptly. IMHO, YakiniQ is now on the top of my KBBQ in the Tri-Valley/Central CoCo County area. Definitely worth checking it out if you are in this part of East Bay. Mahalo to George for treating me to this excellent meal. 5 stars! read more

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Wow came here after a day of shopping at the Livermore outlets two years in the summer and had craving for some good Korean food and group of 5 of us was great! Food was tasty and fun cooking food and chatting with friends. I was able to split a Good Day bottle strawberry soju with friend since we both don't drink much. It was tasty and also relaxing. Kim Chee fried rice with egg on top was good. Love the steak, meats and small plates appetizers. I have no complaints. Great place to drive to when in the area and good service as every table was full. I rather eat here than fast food places around the outlets. Left happy. Yummy in my Tummy. read more

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There's a really good selection and quality of meats and chicken here plus the value is great as well. We were seated almost instantly and were constantly tended to, the service was beyond great. Nothing but good things to say about this kbbq spot- probably one of the better ones I've been to in the bay. If you're a kbbq fan I'd def check this one out. Oh yeah and the free ice cream at the end was so good read more

My family and I decided last minute on YakiniQ in Livermore for my mom's birthday as they just got back from a trip. Our part of 7 got there late around 8 PM and ended up being the last group to leave around 9:40, but the staff stayed friendly and attentive the whole time. Service was honestly what stood out most--everyone was kind and attentive, promptly catering to all of our needs and requests. Ordering is done through a QR code, which was easy and straightforward. Food came out pretty quickly and everything tasted good for the most part- meat quality could've been better, but gets the job done. My dad raves about the raw beef tartar--we ordered it a few times. It has good flavor and it's pretty much cold so it's a nice alternative to the other more oily hot items. There was a good variety of meats and sides, and most of the banchan were solid. The kimchi was okay, and the seaweed soup was hearty and a nice way to end a meat-heavy meal. The place has a more relaxed vibe--not too loud and chaotic. It's not super big, but there's a bar area on the other side we didn't get to check out as we sat in the corner. Overall, great service, good food, and a nice spot to celebrate. We even shared some of our cake with the staff before heading out. Would definitely come back IF in the area as it's pretty deep in downtown Livermore... read more

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My second time at YakiniQ and it was just as amazing as the first!! Everything here is sooo good. Things that set this place apart from other KBBQ places we've frequented in the Bay: - the variety of sauces they have available--besides the standard sesame oil and salt combo, they have multiple condiments on the table like the creamy mustard-like sauce, as well as order-able sauce like the brisket sauce (so fire with the thinly sliced onions) - the service is EXTREMELY attentive, kind, and quick! multiple staff members visit the table basically every couple minutes or so to make sure we're all good--whether it's for a grill change, clearing empty dishes, or bringing extra napkins. truly appreciate their attention and effort to make our experience super pleasant! - all the banchan dishes they offer are amazing--no misses - they offer ice cream & fried banana at the end of the meal Love that they opened a location here in the East Bay. Looking forward to being back next time! read more

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The food was delicious!! Every time my family and i go, the cuts and veggies always look super fresh. The sides are so delicious and in my opinion, the premium package is so worth it. I never feel scammed out of money here like I do at other kbbq joints. Also, the people I've brought here including myself have never gotten ill or had stomach problems after dinning here and the service is amazing! They're super attentive, kind and very helpful. The ambiance is great too! Super lively, there's always something fun happening inside. 10/10 best kbbq I've had! My family and I travel maybe 25-30 minutes just to eat here. It's our favorite! I've brought friends, family and my boyfriend to this place and we all share the same love and appreciation for this hidden gem! read more

YakiniQ - Barbeque Near Me - Livermore, California

My new favorite AYCE korean bbq place! The first time I had it with my mom, we immediately noticed the meat and service was way better than the new korean bbq place that recently opened up in Pleasanton (will not mention name lol). Hate to compare, but it's just that different when it comes to the quality of the meat, especially at a kbbq places and the sides. The second time I went, it was even better with my boyfriend. He's a pretty fast eater and the meat came out so quick, which is very important (kbbq eating method wise). We loved the brisket and the brisket sauce! And the workers were so quick to change the grill, they changed it almost everytime we got new meat. We left there very pleased and full, and definitely worth the price! We will be returning again! read more

Finally got to try this place, and it didn't disappoint! From the moment we walked in, the service was very quick and efficient. For ayce, the table was pre-set with sides. Once we put in any orders via our cell phone, things came out so quickly! And the staff kept on checking on us continuously to make sure any empty or dirty dishes were taken away. They also asked us many times if we wanted a change in grill. For being a busy restaurant and ayce, service was so prompt and attentive! The menu had lots of variety, from soups to meats to side dishes! The meats were good, and the sides were plentiful. Overall a pleasant experience! The ice cream with fried banana was a nice way to end the meal! Nice ambiance and pretty clean! read more

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We went there for a dinner barbecue with friends the food was great variety of options the price is reasonable the service was fast and friendly But make sure you have a reservation or prepare to wait for a long time because we waited for more than 1 and half hour to even get seated which was not really fun and the waiting area is really small so I really don't recommend going as a bigger group we were 9 read more

I saw an ad for this place in facebook which made me decide to give it a try. There was 8 of us in the group and you can enter the waitlist if you are within 10 miles of the restaurant. It didnt take long when we got there to be seated eventhough the place was a little busy. The place itself has a small and narrow parking area but plenty of street parking nearby. Food- there is a lot of meat options and you can either go regular or premium. We did the premium but I would say that the regular would have been fine. We tried almost each of their meat option and I would say it was just okay. There is not much flavor on most of them and youll have to rely on their sauces. Service- i like that they do Qr code ordering which makes the wait time a lot shorter when getting your orders. No need to wait for a server, just send it through your phone. Their servers are very pleasant too! Value- price is comparable to most Korean places we've been and more on the affordable side. We live about 50 miles away and probably would come back if we live closeby but personally not worth it to drive that far since we have other korean bbq places nearby. read more

YakiniQ - Barbeque Near Me - Livermore, California

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My favorite kbbq spot is YakiniQ in SJ and I'm happy to say this location is also super delicious! The short rib galbi and thinly sliced beef belly were my favorite. The galbi was really flavorful and the beef belly was buttery. On the other hand, the brisket was a bit dry. The steamed egg was really flavorful and fluffy and all the side dishes were delicious. I liked that they offered strawberry ice cream and fried banana at the end, since it was a nice refresher after all the meat and salt. The service was amazing! Everyone was really nice and attentive. We never had to wait long for any of our items to arrive and every time we finished a plate, someone always showed up within minutes to take it away. The page says there's a private lot but it's pretty tiny so I recommend looking for street parking (plentiful but can be full on the weekends) or parking at one of the free public lots and walking over. read more

The computer system was not working. We ordered things over and over and 10-15 things never came. Never was able to order some of the meat we wanted, never got prime beef, couldn't get extra water, corn never came, pineapple never came, potato never came, etc etc. The waitress told us the computer system wasn't working right. We stopped people numerous times to try and order things "manually" so to speak, which never came. We explained all this to the maitre'd, she basically just shrugged and said "yep it's been hectic today and things aren't working right" YET REFUSED TO APOLOGIZE OR TAKE ANY MONEY OFF. Ridiculous, cheap people. Didn't give a shit things weren't working. We left absolutely zero tip as a result. read more

Extremely disappointing. We love Korean BBQ and was willing to try a new place on the way home. Tables too small for the number of people and literally couldn't find space to put anything. Food quality was only okay but my biggest grief is 1) price for kids 4-9 is $28 when the 4-6 year old will eat nothing 2) they served rocky road insisting there are no nuts when there were clearly nuts in it once consumed by adults without allergies. Would have cause anaphylactic shock in two kids if we had listened to them. They didn't have any other alternative which was disappointing for two of the nut allergic kids. read more

Asked to wait in a waitlist for an hour Says cannot accommodate solo diner afterwards. No seating even offered paying for two seats. They don't give a flying f**k about your time, or money. Just some f**king policy. Would avoid this business at all costs. read more