Seattle is a melting pot of diverse cultures, flavors, and cuisines. The city is home to an array of authentic Korean joints.
Korean BBQ is the king of communal grilling, offering a collective dining experience meant to be enjoyed with family or friends. Korean BBQ is known for its succulent meat roast, often grilled at tableside, served with tasty banchan side dishes and boozy soju shots.
The best 10 Korean BBQ in Seattle are:
- Meet Korean BBQ
- Joule
- Baegopa
- Son of a Butcher
- Old Village Korean BBQ
- Palmi Korean BBQ
- Korean Bamboo
- Exit 5
- Ka Won Korean BBQ Restaurant
- Korean Tofu House
Where to Find the Best Korean BBQ in Seattle
We’ve rounded up the best Korean BBQ spots in Seattle – they offer excellent service, flaming hot grills, smoky cuts of meats, and a decent selection of non-barbeque options. Enjoy embarking on a culinary journey as we explore the Korean BBQ restaurants that have earned their rightful spot on Seattle’s culinary map.
1. Meet Korean BBQ, Capitol Hill
500 E Pike Street
https://www.meetkoreanbbq.com/
Enjoy a feast of the senses at Meet Korean BBQ. It is a trendy, upscale Korean BBQ restaurant that focuses on providing Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood with traditional Korean barbeque dishes with a creative, modern twist.
Meet Korean BBQ focuses on using prime quality meat like Wagyu and Kurobuta Pork. The meat is traditionally prepared over a wood-fired grill at your table and served with unique sauces, fermented items, and seasonally-inspired banchan (sides). While wait staff are ready to attend the grills, the joint allows aspiring pit masters to cook their own meat if they wish.
Some must-try dishes are:
- Dry-aged prime rib-eye served with seasonal banchan
- Corn cheese
- Egg soufflé
- A modern Wagyu soybean stew
While bonding over a communal grilling, guests can enjoy a cold beer, glass of wine, or Korean cocktail specially made with Soju and spirits from the full-service bar.
While bonding over a communal grilling, guests can enjoy a cold beer, glass of wine, or Korean cocktail specially made with Soju and spirits from the full-service bar.
2. Joule, Stone Way (Fusion Restaurant)
3506 Stone Way N
https://www.relayrestaurantgroup.com/restaurants/joule/
Joule is an upscale, award-nominated restaurant prized for chefs Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi’s blend of Korean flavors and French techniques. Since its opening in 2007, the Korean BBQ joint has cultivated a loyal fan base with its bold flavors and modern perspective on Korean cuisine.
Joule is known for highlighting unconventional cuts of beef paired with delicious side dishes. Although the beef is the star of the show, there are non-meat options like:
- Smoked tofu topped with honshimeji mushroom
- Soy truffle vinaigrette
- Refreshing charred savoy cabbage salad
Do yourself a favor and make a reservation for a Saturday or Sunday brunch. Joule unleashed their playful side with a monthly rotating themed buffet that you can pair with a selection of dishes from the menu:
- Buckwheat Pancakes
- Breakfast Porchetta
- French Toast
- Steak with Sesame Waffles
3. Baegopa, Chinatown-International District
509 7th Avenue S
https://wwwbaegopabbq.com/
The Chinatown-International District is one of Seattle’s finest cultural and food destinations. Of the many dining options, Baegopa highlights some of the best dishes the Asian neighborhood has to offer.
Baegopa is a laid-back Korean BBQ joint where hungry diners can enjoy all-you-can-eat the following platters at reasonable prices:
- Prime slices of tissue-paper beef brisket
- Pork belly
- Premium rib eye
The above are served alongside bubbling soft tofu soup, salad, fried rice, and banchan like cucumber kimchi or spicy squid.
Guests can enjoy soju, beer by the pitcher, or a somaek tower – a fun combination of beer and your preferred soju flavor. Some of the best soju flavors include apple-mango, peach, green grape, and strawberry.
4. Son of a Butcher, Eastlake
2236 Eastlake Avenue E
Founded in 2019, Son of a Butcher is a Korean BBQ joint that serves a reasonably new and welcoming restaurant replacement for Dad’s Diner. The Korean BBQ joint offers a cozy, chic atmosphere and flavorful dishes paired with handcrafted cocktails, beer, and soju.
Son of a Butcher restaurant grills carefully selected cuts of meats on high-tech tabletop burners. Diners have a long list of items to choose from, including:
- Pork kalbi
- Hickory belly
- Bulgogi
- Brisket
- Ribeye
- Marinated LA-style cut short rib
- Tongue
- Korean boneless spicy chicken
The best sides for your tabletop grills include japchae noodles, steamed rice, corn cheese, pancakes, or baby back ribs.
5. Old Village Korean BBQ, Shoreline
15200 Aurora Avenue N
https://oldvillagekoreanbbq.com/
As its name suggests, Old Village Korean BBQ attracts loyal customers with its authentic and traditional Korean cuisine. If you are a fan of barbeque and grilling, you’ll be obsessed with Old Village Korean BBQ. The joint is famous for grilling your own barbeque.
People always claim to smell the tempting dishes from the parking lot – and it’s true! Old Village Korean BBQ lures guests with a savory smokiness before entering through the door. It is currently the only Korean restaurant in Seattle with charcoal barbeque burners built into the tables.
Diners can choose from:
- Brisket
- Skirt steak
- Bulgogi
- Short rib
- Beef tongue
- Kalbi
- Assorted seafood
Their traditional Korean meals are paired with a bowl of rice, soup, stew, and various flavorful side dishes made from fresh and healthy ingredients.
6. Palmi Korean BBQ, U-District
4538 University Way NE
Palmi Korean BBQ is nestled in the U-District of Seattle, northwest of the University of Washington. The joint is modern yet comfy, creating the perfect setting for a casual get-together with friends and family. Experience Korean BBQ food culture in full with their all-you-can-eat option.
Guests can enjoy a fun, memorable dining experience with in-table grills and a fine selection of premium meats, veggies, and Korean specialties. There’s something for everyone, from classic bibimbap and spicy bulgogi to thinly sliced brisket and boneless short rib. Pair your protein with a Kimchi stew, fried rice, japchae, or a seafood pancake.
This casual, no-frill joint fills up quickly during the evenings. So, ensure you grab a table early to avoid the disappointment.
7. Korean Bamboo, Belltown
2236 3rd Avenue
https://www.yelp.com/biz/korean-bamboo-seattle-3
Korean Bamboo is a cozy, simplistic Korean BBQ joint in Belltown. It is perfect for casual dining with friends and family. The food here is delicious and sure to hit the spot.
The two best-sellers at Korean Bamboo are the bibimbap and the short rib bone stew. The bibimbap is a classic Koran dish meaning “mixed rice.” The bowl includes steamed white rice with assorted sautéed vegetables, meat strips, an egg, and a dollop of spicy gochujang sauce.
Other popular dishes include:
- Silk tofu soups
- Spicy rice cakes
- Kimchi fried rice
- Soybean paste soup
- Seafood dishes
You can also opt for a combo deal to enjoy the best value for the price.
8. Exit 5 Korean BBQ, Renton
911 N 10th Pl Suite D
Renton is an inner-ring suburb of Seattle, as little as 11 miles from downtown Seattle. The city is home to Exit 5, a Korean BBQ restaurant totally worth the hype!
Exit 5 is a cavernous joint featuring long steel tabletops, each fitted with a recessed in-table grill. They also have built-in fans under the grills – say goodbye to BBQ smoke! While you can enjoy grilling your own barbeque, the servers are eager to assist or to take full control.
The restaurant offers a full menu of Korean classics like:
- Bibimbap
- Bulgogi
- Galbi
- Japchae
- Kimchi stews
- Bottomless banchan
- Fried chicken
- Barbeque dishes
The best-selling dishes are the soft tofu soup, bibimbap entrée, and japchae appetizer.
9. Ka Won Korean BBQ Restaurant, Lynnwood
15004 Highway 99 Ste A
https://www.kawonlynnwood.com/
Located just minutes away from Seattle, Ka Won Korean BBQ Restaurant is located in Lynnwood, part of Seattle’s metropolitan area. Ka Won is a fabulous choice for those looking for the full Korean BBQ experience.
Enjoy dining at an in-grill table where you can cook your own meats and vegetables. There’s a variety of other traditional Korean foods for those who prefer something different from barbeque items.
Our top recommendations to satisfy your cravings include:
- Black pork belly
- Kalbi short ribs
- Bulgogi
- Kimchi soup
- Black cod
10. Korean Tofu House
4142 Brooklyn Avenue NE
Although most Korean BBQ diehards claim that the only good Korean restaurants lie to the north or south of Seattle, Korean Tofu House is a welcome exception. It is a casual, quick-serve eatery that offers true value for money with its generous portions.
The main dishes include:
- BBQ options
- Soft tofu soup
- Bugogi
- Bibimop
Every meal is served with expertly prepared banchan sides, from spicy japchae to kimchi pancakes, fried rice, and more.
My all-time favorite is the spicy squid and pork BBQ with warm rice and sides. It’s the perfect choice for cold Seattle weather.
Conclusion
Seattle is a magical place, perfect for filling in on tasty foods, refreshing drinks, and indulging in its rich culture. Korean BBQ is the perfect excuse to hit the town and enjoy a unique group dining experience with family or friends.
