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    Bonchon San Mateo

    3.5 (525 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Bonchon San Mateo Takeout or Delivery

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    BONCHON SAN MATEO ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Jonathan C.

    First time back in many years. Got takeout for the big game. The K-Meal to Go for 4-6 was plenty of food for at least 4 adults. Both the soy garlic and classic crunch were solid with the former being sweeter. The MoPo corn dog didn't have any meat, which was a bit surprising, just a mozzarella center. If you think of it more as a mozzarella stick with cornbread, it's quite tasty. The japchae was okay. Overall, a solid place for Korean fried chicken!

    Michelle S.

    I haven't had Bonchon for a while. The last time I had it was in the Philippines and I really enjoyed this experience. I was surprised with the new sampler that they ordered. It was tasty and it had a good variety of dishes-- it was definitely enough for me and my boyfriend The place was definitely empty compared to all the other stores along San Mateo but it's a good fix if you're hungry and looking for quick bite. Not much going on, but they did play a Marvel movie in the background, which is pretty cool.

    Vanessa D.

    Came here on a Tuesday for their 15 wings for $1 deal (offered Mondays and Tuesdays). We picked the Crunch flavor for the deal -- no sauce, just seasoning. Honestly, the flavor reminded me of an onion ranch chip. Not totally my thing, but the wings were massive, super crispy, and juicy. If you're into pure crunch and texture, you'll probably love them. We also ordered 16 more wings -- half in Korean Spicy and half in Soy Garlic. The Soy Garlic was easily my favorite -- sweet, salty, and perfectly coated. Korean Spicy was flavorful. The real standout of the night? The bulgogi fries. Absolutely phenomenal -- cheesy, savory, and loaded with tender bulgogi. Total comfort food. Overall, a great spot for crispy wings and shareable plates. Definitely worth checking out early in the week for that $1 deal -- just make sure you balance it with some saucy wings and those unforgettable fries.

    Happy
    Erin P.

    Food All the same standard quality you'd expect out of any BonChon chain restaurants Service Satisfactory Ambiance Plenty of seats, unclear if we had a trash can or to clean up, we left as is and was fine.

    Wendy H.

    We dropped by here for lunch. I wish I can say this was good but it was just ok. For some reason the Boneless chicken was not double fried. It tastes like what Panda Express does but panda's is crunchier. The sauce was also skimpy. Someone at our party had the chicken burger and he said it did not have any breading. The fries were the only crispy thing on the menu. I prefer the ssf location

    Bulgogi tacos
    Jodie S.

    Spacious restaurant with lots of seating and no wait at all. If you are starving and need food right away, this is a good option. The server was very attentive as well and checked on us every 15-20 minutes. The chicken were very large pieces and is fried very well. It definitely has the satisfying crunch. However, the soy garlic flavor does taste different from what I remember when they first opened. Not sure if it is just this San Mateo location or if it's all local Bonchons. If I were to describe it, the chicken tasted like fancy Korean chicken from a restaurant before but tastes more like chicken from a chain now. The tacos also tasted different from before but overall flavors aren't bad.

    Simple seating. Not a whole lot.
    Adem M.

    I LOVE THIS CHICKEN!!! Not a whole lot going on scenery wise but the staff is always friendly. Pretty basic on the inside but any flavor of the crispy, juicy, chicken pairs nicely with the pickled turnips. They could use some work on the seating and atmosphere. Nevertheless, definitely a good go to!

    Juanita M.

    The place gets very packed have been coming to this location for about a year now. Parking is harsh and it is located in a busy area. The chicken is hands down so fuxxxn good and they make it perfect. The Korean street corn is okay not too bad,coleslaw I don't really like but I do substitute it with the sweet pickled radishes which is so much better, Bulgogi Fries are super delicious with some spicy mayo dipping, Pork Potstickers are always fire I order also a side of white rice to eat with my meal. I love coming here a lot but last time I came the cashier was a little rude wasn't the same server I normally get I didn't catch her name will keep recommending this spot and will continue to come back.

    boneless soy garlic & korean bbq
    Lilly G.

    We ordered the medium boneless chicken with half soy garlic and half korean bbq to-go and ate it at home. Why did we pay almost $40 for this? We have been to this Bonchon location before for takeout and we've ordered the boneless every time, it didn't always look like this. These pieces are so small, and I wish I took a picture of it but when you bite in and take a look at the meat, it doesn't even look like meat. You can physically see tiny fibers in the bites that look fuzzy. The meat texture itself is a bit tough and hard to chew. There was zero difference in the flavor profile of the two sauces we got, everything looked and tasted exactly the same. I don't know what happened but unfortunately I'm not interested in coming back to this Bonchon location until something is done about the quality of their boneless chicken pieces. These are unironically the worst chicken nuggets I have ever eaten and with the price I paid I could have gotten like 140 mcnuggets, AND the sauce would have tasted better. Just saying.

    Large Mixed
    Nina L.

    One of my favorite for korean fried chicken from a chain restaurant. Super crispy skin and good flavor. Last time we shared the large mixed with sides of coleslaw between three people. We had three drumsticks to take home but the rest was gobbled up. We did half soy garlic and Korean bbq. Soy garlic is always a favorite. We also ordered potstickers. They're deep fried and delicious. We're not trying to be healthy. Just enjoy it. This time we sat down to eat and enjoyed a few beers. We were sold on the cool matte labels but the beer wasn't bad either. A perfect pairing with fried chicken. Good thing we don't have a bonchon closer to our house. We would order a lot more fried chicken.

    Half & half wings and legs
    Mino E.

    My friend and I ordered fried chicken from this place for the first time. We weren't sure which flavor to pick, so we chose half red sauce and half soy sauce with coleslaw. The outside of the chicken was flavorful, The inside was juicy soft, and still very warm. I was a little worried the chicken would be soggy because we're located far up the hill from the restaurant, and we used a delivery app to order our food. The chicken was delivered in 35 minutes and was properly packed. The box had several holes, which allowed for airflow, keeping the food fresh and warm. It was the perfect late-night weekend meal. Very delicious!

    Boneless chicken
    Cal C.

    Gosh, I wish I saw the review from just 4 days ago commenting on the boneless chicken. That would have deterred me from ordering from here!! We got 12 pieces of the boneless chicken (were these previously called boneless chicken strips?? Bc now they are just called "boneless"). Menu price is $17.50. Can you believe the size of these?? They're so tiny that they look like chicken nuggets or chicken meatballs. And the chicken was dry too. All around, very disappointing and a complete rip off. We haven't been to Bonchon in years and were excited to get this tonight for dinner, but it was a complete failure tonight.

    Edit: Back to one star, just got the the bottom of my box, giant curly hair chilling there, Jesus Christ. I'm bald and live alone, so...thanks for that. Back off the table for another year or two, or maybe I'll just go to a different store. Ok here we are, a year later, and actually. Good update, I had a craving looked for other places in the area and decided it was time to give this a try again. This most recent batch I got, was decent. Breading still there sauce still on point, I'm surprisingly the pieces were all pretty uniform. I didn't get any 1 mm wide, banana run over by a car pieces like I did the previous visits. Pricing is still absurd, I'll never go back to this again weekly as I used to but maybe a couple times a year is on the cards now. Very possible I just got a s***** batch last time, and or possible I got a really good batch this time who knows. Have to go back again in a month or two to see if the consistency is maintained. Still not a great deal, but with the jump in quality, I'd rate it a decent deal. I like the new boxes but for gods sake, stop stuffing a bunch of "crispy" chicken into a box with no ventilation. Yeah you got two little holes on the side but, steamed rises. Put a few holes in the top, if you ask anybody if they want warm crispy chicken or hot soggy chicken, it's not a competition. First thing I do when I pick up my order before I even walk out of the shop is pull open the top, but nothing 30 seconds in the air fryer when I get home won't fix. I'm due for a return to have it in restaurant I'm sure it's that much better. Cheers.

    Korean Donuts. 2 for 1, perfect ending.

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    4 months ago

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    5 months ago

    Soy garlic is my favorite for life!! Prompt service, go for the Monday/Tuesday special pricing.

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    Bonchon San Mateo Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bonchon San Mateo

    Question for the business owner. Is it better for me to order via Yelp/Grubhub before 12pm or order by phone? I want to make sure I'm fully supporting your business during these uncertain times.

    Ordering by phone would be the most beneficial for the store. As Grubhub charges 10 to 25% commission depending if it’s pickup or delivery order. Thank-you so much for your support. Looking forward to serve you in the near future.

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    Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup

    Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup

    4.4
    (977 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$$

    This Daeho location definitely feels busier than the others -- the wait can run 1-2 hours! We put…read moreourselves on the waitlist and hung out in the car. Pro tip: when you get in, you order first before being seated, especially the kalbijjim since it takes a long time to make. The kalbijjim, of course, is the star of the show and never ceases to amaze me. The veggies inside are flavorful and tender from marinating in the sauce for hours, and the beef is fall-off-the-bone tender and plentiful. It's expensive, but worth every penny -- and with the cheese torched on top, it's just perfect. We also got the bibimbap and steamed mandu, japchae, and they were amazing too. Service was great -- attentive even with the crowds. There's street parking, but 3rd Ave is busy, so your best bet is the parking lot nearby. Come hungry and be patient -- it's worth it!

    This is easily one of our absolute favorite places to go when we don't feel like cooking dinner…read more While we've noticed that their galbi jjim has declined over the years--becoming noticeably sweeter--their soups have kept us coming back. These days, we go for the seolleongtang. Our top picks are the combination seolleongtang and the yukgaejang (spicy brisket soup). The combination soup is rich, hearty, and feels like drinking pure liquid collagen. If you're craving something with a kick, the spicy brisket soup offers a much deeper, more savory, and flavorful spice profile.

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    Inside
    Inside
    B3. Doh Gal Jjim (Tendon) (EX) -@tinah
    B3. Doh Gal Jjim (Tendon) (EX) -@tinah
    Oxtail kalbijijim

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    Oxtail kalbijijim
    Olhso House

    Olhso House

    4.2
    (402 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Minority-owned & operated

    We were excited to try Olhso which brands itself as a premium korean bbq restaurant and made a…read morereservation for a grill table. Between 2 people we got the Olhso classic set which comes with a variety of beef cuts including beef tongue, wagyu flat iron and rib finger, sliced oxtail, and a choice of stew. Overall it was just ok. The meat cuts varied on quality and I can't say the wagyu tasted that great. We have bought wagyu both American and A5 to grill at home and honestly the meat quality here lags behind what we were able to get online. The kimchi stew was yummy and the banchans were solid but for the price I really expected better quality meat since that's what kbbq is all about. THere are definitely better spots in South Bay for the price.

    TBH I didn't expect to like Olhso as much as I did. It reminded me a lot of San Ho Won, which I…read morelove and have been to many times. We ordered the set menu that gets cooked in the kitchen and brought out. It's kept warm on the little dish thing. When it's fresh the meat is so good, but when it cools down it's definitely way less tasty. BUT you can reheat it with the stone, though we were too lazy to do it. Also really enjoyed the seafood pancake and free house salad. My only gripe is that the lettuce wraps cost extra. Service is really friendly yet professional and it definitely feels like a high-end place. Dim lighting with little lamps at each table and projections on the walls (which were slightly distracting). It would be great for an anniversary dinner or celebration. Excited to come back and try out the table grill.

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    Olhso House
    Olhso House
    Olhso House

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    Han Sang

    Han Sang

    4.2
    (495 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$

    This Korean soup restaurant is one of the few places in the neighborhood that stays open until 10…read morePM, making it a great option for a late meal. The staff are friendly, the restaurant is clean, and the extended hours are definitely a plus. Although the prices are a bit on the higher side, the ox bone soup I ordered was absolutely delicious. The meat was tender and flavorful, and the complimentary side dishes were tasty and came with unlimited refills. I didn't order their signature cheese beef hot plate, which costs close to $100, but seeing it served at another table, it looked incredibly impressive. If you're a meat lover, I think you'd really enjoy it. This restaurant is suitable whether you're dining alone or coming with a large family. Parking can be difficult on busy weekends, but it's generally manageable on weekdays. Overall, I highly recommend giving this place a try! 這家韓國骨湯店在這個社區營業到十點,算是比較晚的一家,友善的服務和營業時間,乾淨的環境。雖然價格略高,但是我點的骨湯非常的美味,肉質鮮嫩,小菜也是好吃又無限續。我沒有點那個將近一百元的起司牛肉鐵板鍋,不過遠遠的照那道料理,感覺喜歡吃肉的人應該會很喜歡。這家適合一人也適合一大家人來。停車在人潮擁擠的周末很困難,但是平常日還可以。推薦給各位。

    Got there before 6pm on a Friday and no wait for table for 8!! Very good galbi Jim and great…read morechoice of various hearty, brothy soups. A little pricey, especially if ordering individually, but not bad when sharing dishes with others. Will definitely keep on my list to go back and try again.

    Photos
    Receipt/tab holder
    Receipt/tab holder
    OX/RIB Jjim
    OX/RIB Jjim
    Gal Bi Jjim (@joeynht)

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    Gal Bi Jjim (@joeynht)
    Rin-Tei

    Rin-Tei

    4.7
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Takes reservations

    Visited on a Friday night with a friend, restaurant was about half full when we arrived so we were…read moreable to quickly grab a table. Space is minimalist with a clean aesthetic. As we finished dinner most tables were taken but a few bar seats were open so a solid spot for walk in dinner. Beverages: Sake Flight - we got the daily japanese flight which had a fun mix of sakes from japan two filtered sakes and one unfiltered giving us a range of tastes and textures Food: Vegetable Spring Roll - good, very light and refreshing, classic rice paper wrapper filled with crisp fresh lettuce, bell pepper, radishes, and carrots, served with a thick creamy peanut sauce with nice savory nutty notes a great starter Japanese Style Chili Garlic Poached Chicken - excellent, served chilled, tender poached chicken in a delicious spicy garlicy soy sesame dressing, served with cucumber which provided a nice cool refreshing bite, really well balanced with great depth of flavor Soy milk pho with chicken & vegetables- good, a very unique and interesting take on pho, broth has a subtle soy milk flavor with a nice depth from the chicken broth, served with flat rice noodles which made this a lighter dish, chicken in this was also very tender and juicy, the yuzu kosho added a nice subtle citrusy spice to the broth, noodles had a slight bite wish it was cooked just a touch longer, flavors were really balanced as well with lots of complexity Service was good, really quick and efficient, staff was warm and friendly and were knowledgeable about the menu with solid recommendations. Staff refilled our water throughout the meal and checked in periodically. Pacing of dishes also felt just right not much of a wait between courses. Overall really enjoyed our meal at Rin-Tei, a great spot for a nice dinner that's still fairly affordable for the bay area. Really loved the fusion and unique twist this spot offers. Definitely worth a try if you are in San Mateo

    I wanted to like this so bad. This was highly recommended by many folks, but now I'm questioning…read moretheir taste buds haha. Very clean and cute eatery with an adorable entrance. You enter and check in at the front where you will be seated and given menus. Once you decide on your order, you head back to the front to place your order and they'll bring it to your table later. Our order... Creamy Soy Milk Pho $25: It's straight forward, taste like pho with soy milk in it. The dish doesn't open some new flavor combo in your taste buds, just expect it as is. Keema Curry $23: I liked this a lot, fan of curry. However, this wasn't spectacular curry. Tasted as good as I can make it at home, but I'm not a great cook, just follow the instructions on the box. I liked the flavor but bummed that I paid that much for it, haha. I was very confused it tasted as such. Vietnamese Papaya Salad $12: Another of my favorites dishes, but boyyyy, this missed the mark. It was so strangely bitter. Again, the ingredients seemed quite fresh, but the sauce (which makes the whole dish) did not taste good. I would avoid. One note I will say is that the ingredients do seem fresh. I guess it could be considered clean eating? But over all, the visit was disappointing unfortunately.

    Photos
    Cold Sesame TanTan Pho
    Cold Sesame TanTan Pho
    Creamy Soy Milk Pho with Poached Yuzu Chicken and Greens
    Creamy Soy Milk Pho with Poached Yuzu Chicken and Greens
    Azuki Mochi Ice

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    Azuki Mochi Ice
    OLHSO Truck

    OLHSO Truck

    4.5
    (40 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    Large group friendly
    Catering service

    Was thinking of having Korean for dinner and decided to give the food truck a try. We ordered the…read moreSeoul set which was kimchi,belly pork,prawns and vegetables stir fry served with rice and 2 sides of kimchi and corn salad. Order was delivered to the house in 20 minutes and the presentation and taste was beyond our expectations . The ingredients in the dish tasted fresh and delicious. Would definitely try again.

    I've been wanting to try OLHSO Truck since it opened and finally had my chance during a catered…read moreevent. The concept of having Korean food cooked in a robotic food truck is interesting to me. Since the food was catered, unfortunately I was unable to see the robots cooking in action, but fortunately was able to taste the final products. I was able to try the Wagyu galbi (short ribs), dak galbi (marinated chicken), Seoul food bowl (stir-fried pork belly and shrimp), and japchae, served with their corn salad, kimchi, and white rice. The Wagyu galbi was very flavorful with a good amount of vegetables; though I enjoyed the inclusion of lotus root, the veggies seemed like borderline filler to skimp out on meat. The dak galbi was also flavorful though spicy, and again the inclusion of rice cakes seemed like filler. The pork belly and shrimp were delicious, and I liked that the pieces of pork belly I had didn't have an overpowering amount of fat. The japchae was pretty standard and was nice to balance out the meat. I enjoyed the corn salad because it added a creamy component to my meal. The kimchi got lost in the mixture of food in my bowl and the rice was cooked perfectly by the robot. Overall, I enjoyed the food prepared by OLHSO Truck. Unfortunately, since the food was catered and already prepared when I arrived, I cannot comment on the service or wait times provided by the staff. I would consider ordering food from the truck if I am craving Korean fusion type of food and am too lazy to dine in at a local Korean restaurant. If the food from the truck is a good representation of the restaurant in downtown San Mateo, I am more inclined to try the restaurant for a nice sit down dining experience.

    Photos
    Wagyu Galbi
    Wagyu Galbi
    Seoul Food
    Seoul Food
    Dak Galbi

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    Dak Galbi
    Kajiken

    Kajiken

    4.4
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Kajiken was the perfect Michelin-recommended lunch stop before my flight out of SFO! There was a…read moreshort line when I arrived, but the staff turned tables quickly and kept everything moving efficiently, so the wait wasn't long at all. I ordered their #1 recommendation, the Homura Aburasoba, and immediately scarfed it down. Popping the perfectly runny egg yolk into the noodles was incredibly satisfying, and every bite was packed with rich, savory umami. The noodles themselves were thick, chewy, and had a great bite that held up well to the sauce. I also tried the Wagyu dish, but it arrived more cooked than it appeared in the photos, which made the texture and overall experience a bit underwhelming. The sauce also leaned on the creamier side, which isn't my favorite pairing with Wagyu, so I'd probably skip that one next time. That said, the Homura Aburasoba alone is worth coming back for and easily earns Kajiken a well-deserved 5/5.

    Found another great ramen spot in downtown San Mateo. I had seen this place several times before…read moreand simply assumed it was trendy by all the youngsters lined up out front. This guy likes to let the hype die down before trying the latest "cool place". Kajiken specializes in Arubasoba, which is like a dry ramen. I haven't had it here in the U.S., but tried it in Tokyo and loved it. I was excited to learn that is what Kajiken was all about. I tried their signature dish Homura Aburasoba with two poached eggs. It was absolutely fantastic. I think I might have found a solid challenger to my favorite ramen place in the downtown. This dish was an incredible blend of soba noodles, spicy minced pork, fresh vegatables and egg. Wow. I am a huge fan. Just thinking about it now makes me want to jump in MINI and race down to them Italian Job-style. I also had the ponzu karaage and it too was simple delicious. The ponzu gave the wonderful fried chicken an added zip. Oh, yeah. Service was good and our service kept refilling out water carafe, which as appreciated. I needed it cool down the spiciness of the soba. Okay, time for the iPhone snaps.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)
    Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)
    Complimentary Accoutrements ($0) Vinegar, Chili Oil, Dried Garlic, Sesame seeds, & Chili Powder

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    Complimentary Accoutrements ($0) Vinegar, Chili Oil, Dried Garlic, Sesame seeds, & Chili Powder
    K. Grill & Tofu House

    K. Grill & Tofu House

    4.1
    (900 reviews)
    6.4 mi
    $$

    The soft tofu stew and Korean food were so delicious! And the staff was incredibly kind. I really…read moreenjoyed my Korean meal

    Am I in San Bruno or Seoul? The minute I walk in, I see majority asians and hear a good amount of…read morethe Korean language. Our server was a ajumma with a Korean accent, and I instantly felt like this place is authentically Korean, even to Koreans. Service is very quick even when busy, and the banchan comes out after you place your order. I came at 6PM on a Sunday and the restaurant had a few tables open. They can fill up quick, and appears to accommodate large parties by moving tables together. This is one of the few places I've been where they serve a fried mackerel with banchan iykyk. I ordered a Kimchi Jjim and seafood pancake. First off, their portions are large and their tables are small, so i found myself organizing our small table for two considering the banchan, water, bowls, rice, and main courses. The Kimchi Jjim was amazing - a good kick of flavorful and is not too spicy. They cut the kimchi after bringing the soup, just like how they do it in Korea. There was a lot of pork and substance in the soup, and it felt of really good value given how much you need to prepare to make a bowl of it. The seafood pancake was also a hit, but I recommend ordering and sharing amongst 4 people. It's a little oily, but the seafood taste and substance are not skimped on. It tasted freshly fried given how crispy it was, and was overall an enjoyable dish. With prices and portions in balance, it's no wonder this is one of the few places with a line out the door around 6:30PM on a Sunday. Given how many Koreans came here, I wouldn't doubt that this place falls any short of authentic Korean food. If you're a fan of Korean food and some lesser known Korean dishes, then you're in for a treat. Make sure to come early to avoid the wait, since the restaurant is a little small and spots can fill up quick.

    Photos
    Indoor ambiance
    Indoor ambiance
    Banchan
    Banchan
    Galbi $38

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    Galbi $38

    Bonchon San Mateo - chicken_wings - Updated August 2026

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