The first time I stumbled across California Gogi Grill, it seemed to hit all of the notes for me - quick, conveniently located, (relatively) budget friendly, customizable, and, most significantly, they serve Korean food, which is always a plus in my book. So, with just enough time to pick up a quick bite, I couldn't help but satisfy my curiosity and check this place out. Even if it came at the expense of going back to Kare Curry in the same complex, which is one of my favorite spots in Irvine! With a set up similar to that of Panda Express (or the old Sorabol chain in the Bay Area), where most of their food is already prepared instead of made-to-order, California Gogi Grill is definitely optimized for folks grabbing their food on the go. However, despite how everything sits out, the majority of their dozen or so meat options and sides still looked decent. Of the various options they have on the menu (combos and bowls with your choice of meats and sides), I opted to go with a STACKED BOWL with their Spicy Pork, Bulgogi, and Japchae over White Rice and their Pickled Cucumbers, Kimchi, Broccoli, Pickled Soy Radish, and two sides of Radish Kimchi (I asked for the mild kimchi, but got another of this instead). On the plus side, I liked how the sides are on a separate tray with slots to help keep them segregated from each other and the meats/japchae looked decent. However, the taste of this fell short. Maybe I just chose poorly, but both the bulgogi and spicy pork felt a bit bland (more so the former than the latter) and some pieces bordered on dry. As for the sides, the broccoli, spicy cucumbers, and radish kimchi were fine, but the kimchi was a lot more sour than I expected and I didn't care for the pickled soy radish. The rice also felt a little overcooked, but the japchae was actually pretty solid, especially since I figured there was a good chance of being mealy. Between how everything sits out and how it was well after the lunch crowd (not as much turnover), it bothered me less that the meats were dry-ish and more that they were so light on marinade/sauce. Still, even though they didn't do much for me, I can see the appeal California Gogi Grill can have with UC Irvine kids. If nothing else, the portions aren't too shabby for the money, they have multiple options at different price points, and they get you in and out pretty quickly. Perhaps I'll come back and try again, especially closer to peak lunch or dinner hour, when the meats might be have been more recently cooked, but, for now, TWO AND A HALF STARS rounded down. Sorry. read more

California Gogi Grill - Stacked Bowl - Bulgogi and Spicy Pork over Japchae and Rice - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

As my homie said, "it's like a Korean chipotle!" Super affordable and packed to the brim portions with good taste. I got the bibimbap with the Korean fried chicken and it did not disappoint. The sides were all really good and filling too. The bowl already comes with rice and salad so you can get all the nutrition and taste in one bowl. It's really easy to order and tastes pretty fresh! read more

California Gogi Grill - Bibimbap with Korean fried chicken - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

It's been a while but I've always been a fan of the Gogi concept. It's like the Korean rice bowl version of Chipotle and I like the separate side dish containers. It is a delicious treat in this center. Please come and create your own adventure. read more

See all

yummy food! i love a good build your own bowl/plate place. there were so many bowl and plate options for all appetites. so many protein, vegetable, and sauce options which i loved. the service was quick and efficient and the vibe of the place is chill. enough seats for a quick pay then sit down restaurant read more

California Gogi Grill - bibimbap - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

The food is good for a casual eatery and the prices are great. The KFC for my bento was a bit dry, but all the other proteins we had were good. I like the variety of sides you can choose from for your meal. It was our first time here, it's nice to know my daughter can get a balanced meal on a budget near school. read more

See all

Located in the center at UCI. With so many choices of places to go to, this place offers decently priced bowls of Korean food. We came in an ordered the Bento box like the pictures on the wall. The server brought out a measuring cupto measure the amount of meat for our Bento Box. Red flags went off in my mind. Wow, are they really doing this? We made a choice of pasta salad and bean sprouts as our sides. I am being very objective and say, she used a pair of tongs to carefully, slowly, scoop up two bites worth of pasta salad and two bites of bean sprouts. I immediately protested and told her that is not fair for the price based on the pictures on the wall and what I am paying. Please give me more. I'm not a bird. I'm not a rabbit. We paid $10 for this food. She defended shop policy. This is how much we give. She relayed my feedback to the owner. Please read what he said below. He took out his camera and took a picture of my food and gave me a choice, "Do you want it or not?" We reached an impasse. This is a recap of what happened. I saw a product in the form of a picture on the wall. I ordered that. What I got was a lot less food as in the picture. They refused to give me one ounce more. I gave the business some valuable feedback. They ignored my feedback and defended their policy. I paid and left with pre cooked food scooped up out of a warmer that was not enough food to feed a grown adult. The owner took a picture of our plate for evidence in case I wrote a negative review of their food. I also took a picture. There are so many choices of other places within walking distance from this place. Other places where you get a lot more food for your money. Other places that value its customers and care whether or not you leave their restaurant happy and full. Most owners listen to their customers and value their feedback. Remember, you have the choice to go where you want to eat. There are so many other places that give you a fair amount of food for your hard earned money. I do not recommend this place because of how small the portions are. Please read what the owner said below. read more

California Gogi Grill - Minimal amount of food for the price. - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

Korean cuisine is a perfect balance of bold flavors, comforting textures, and rich cultural tradition. From sizzling plates of bulgogi to hearty stews like kimchi jjigae, every dish feels both satisfying and full of depth. One of the standout qualities is the variety--meals often come with numerous banchan (side dishes) such as kimchi, pickled radish, seasoned spinach, and bean sprouts, which make the dining experience dynamic and communal. ..... read more

California Gogi Grill - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

3.5/5 I come here pretty often as it's my go to spot close to campus. i like it because it seems like a more well rounded meal. they give smaller portions and it can be a bit pricey for the bento but it's a good amount for a quick lunch. the meat quality is meh but it does the job. the sides are simple & tasty. overall it's a solid staple for ppl that want lunch. read more

gotta give a great review because i've been here a bunch of times and the food always hits. i love a good casual fast food joint like this with lots of options. whenever my boyfriend and i aren't sure what to eat, we can agree on getting gogi. i wouldn't come here expecting Michelin star, master chef korean food, but the foods pretty consistent for me and is super quick to pick up. great price too! everyone who works here is always super kind. excited to come back soon read more

California Gogi Grill - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

Really delicious solid food. Got the kpop bowl and the bulgogi meat. Super flavorful, fast service, and affordable (only $8.95) - it was plenty of food and I had enough leftover for dinner. Awesome! read more

Overall, this has been one of my go-to places for the past two years at attending UCI. It is quite affordable for the amount of food you get and it is always fresh as well. Workers are always friendly and attentive. I will say that sometimes it can be very inconsistent with portions as sometimes I feel like Ive gotten skimped but other times it is the perfect amount, I think it just depends on who is serving you. The korean fried chicken is amazing and this used to be hit or miss before but something changed and it is really good. There is a wide variety of sides. Some of the pickled stuff can vary with flavor depending on how long it was pickled but it is still pretty good. I also recommend the sriracha aioli sauce to pair, it is really good ! There is also a good amount of seating. read more

California Gogi Grill - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

Always a favorite when in the area! The KFC is bomb and ofc gotta get the bulgogi. Always hard to choose 6 sides but yummm. The workers are always very friendly and patient (when i can't decide). It's why I come back to this serene place after many years! read more

California Gogi Grill - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

Every time I come to Gogi, they always give generous portions and they've always been so nice. This is probably my favorite place at UTC Irvine and I'm always nostalgic coming here because the quality has stayed great and I've been coming here for 10+ years now! read more

Got food for lunch today. Instead of chunks of protein in KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) there were thin small strips which were heavily breaded. KFC quality has gone significantly downhill. It felt like mostly eating breaded crumbs that had practically no chicken in them. The entire pot from which the KFC was taken out looked the same. read more

California Gogi Grill - KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) without chicken - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

The place has a lively atmosphere, perfect for going with friends. The side dishes are fresh and varied. read more

California Gogi Grill - Bento box - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

The shop is located in the University Town Center, with hip college hub vibes. The food is actually pretty good for the price. My favorite thing to get is the KFC. It's sweet and yummy, but the strips are kinda thin. I wish that they were chunks instead. I really like the japchae too. They have a nice texture and go well with the meat. The most fun part is the side dishes you get to pick for the top! They have lots of options like macaroni, potato salad, and pickled veggies. I like to pick sides that make my bowl colorful. The service was fine. read more

California Gogi Grill - Stacked bowl - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Oh my gosh I love Korean fast food style! I approved this! Must try all the side dishes! read more

California Gogi Grill - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

The food is decent - the bulgogi was decently flavorful and tender. The KFC style one was literally all breading - not a single piece of protein to be had. The line moved pretty quickly on a Tuesday night during UCI's first semester. Nothing special about the ambiance - just another food place with minimal decoration. Would I go there again? Probably not since there are better options in that center. Would I go again if a friend insisted? Sure read more

amazing service, cooked to perfection. Really good chicken and amazing variety. Gogi is an amazing spot that never disappoints. The food is always fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, especially the grilled meats, which are tender and seasoned just right. The banchan selection adds great variety and complements every bite. The atmosphere is welcoming and clean, making it a great place to eat with friends or family. On top of that, the service is friendly and attentive without feeling rushed. Overall, Gogi offers a consistently delicious and enjoyable dining experience. read more

California Gogi Grill - variety - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

This place is an absolute gem. From the moment you walk in, the vibe is welcoming and the staff is genuinely friendly without feeling over-the-top. The food is the real highlight though--everything tastes fresh, well-seasoned, and clearly made with care. I ordered one of their signature dishes and it came out hot, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor. Portions were generous but not overwhelming, and the ingredients tasted high quality. Even the little details, like the sauces and sides, were on point. read more

I've been coming here since college and it has been one of the most consistent spots ever. Always great service and generous portions.

The prices are affordable for college students but the food wasn't that impressive. I do appreciate the variety of banchan sides but taste wise everything was just alright. The salmon took a while to come out because it's made to order while the other meats are basically already prepared and ready to go. There was only one guy in the back cooking the meats to refill the trays and making the things that were made to order. For seating you could sit inside or outside. The line was fast and they give you a chip to collect your order. read more

Majority of the bowl is glyphosate pesticide covered lettuce and rice. Upset stomach after eating this. Staff is not positive. Communication difficult due to owners accent. Ambiance lacks power chargers. Very limited topping size. Tofu is excessively fried. Doubt its organic. Possible misrepresentation. read more

been coming here for years and the quality of the food is still great! i usually get a stacked bowl with kfc and bulgogi with other toppings. the portion is pretty big and filling. its flavorful and tasty. the shop is spacious with lots of seating. service is friendly and quick. i recommend this place for anyone who likes korean food! read more

We love the tofu stacked bowl! Super vegetarian friendly, and my mom and sister love the bulgogi Super friendly and quick service too read more

My fiancé and I used to frequent this place quite often a few years ago. The quality of food back then was delicious and flavorful. So, we decided to give it another try recently. That was our worst decision of that day! The quality has significantly declined, while the prices have gone uphill. The food has become bland, and one of the meat pieces in my fiancé's bowl (chicken bulgogi) was raw. The kimchi tasted strange, and the Thai tea had an unpleasant aftertaste. My partner even felt a stomachache after eating too much! To be honest, the only redeeming quality of our bowls was the rice. We are deeply disappointed because we used to love this place. Please avoid this place until they bring back their original quality! read more

People love this place. I think I just ordered the wrong thing. I ordered the K-Pop with KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) the KFC was delicious but melted cheese over white rice and kimchi is not my jam. Spencer ordered the stacked bowl and loved it. The place was pretty busy but they crank out those bowls quickly. Its like a Korean Chipotle. read more

See all

The service was very quick and nice, and the food is very fresh! I will be coming back!

This place is a go to for me and my friends I always get a stack bowl and get kfc chicken and Bulgogi beef, this place is definitely a spot I go to whenever I'm Want to get lunch but not sure what ti get, it is always a safe choice read more

California Gogi Grill - Stack bowl with kfc chicken and bulgogi beef - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

i got the salmon bowl, and i got two bites of meat for $13.45. it turned out to be undercooked, so i couldn't even eat it. never coming here again. read more

California Gogi Grill - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

I love this place. Spicy chicken and pork were bomb as well as veggies! Definitely coming back !!

Pretty good bowl and tasted fresh. Shame there aren't more locations. Service was good. Ambiance was good too.

Came here for lunch on wednesday, its located in the utc complex so theres a lot of parking available. There were a few other customers when we went there. It was our first time going to gogi because we heard it was like a korean chipotle lol. We asked how it worked and the guy explained all the bowls and stuff well and nicely. We ended up ordering just the stacked bowls. I got brown rice with bulgogi chicken and the korean fried chicken. The bowl comes with japchae too and many side dishes. It was good overall, i like the sauces that they give and they have a good amount of variety for the sauces. There was a lot of rice at the bottom lol and not thattt much meat but it was okay. The japchae had good flavor and the meats were good. Overall its a solid place. Not that expensive and pretty decent portions and had friendly workers and good service. read more

California Gogi Grill - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Best bowl ever ! Food so tasty place so clean stuff friendly fresh ingredient , open late u should try

Love coming here for lunch! Beef bulgogi and KFC are really good! Always recommend for coworkers to stop by for food as well.

Food was great! The bowl was filled to the top and the topping were all good. Everything was great! read more

California Gogi Grill - Toppings - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

not sure why this place is rated so low, but I thought it was pretty good! conveniently located in the UTC, I say this is a good spot to grab a quick lunch/dinner to go. 'stacked bowl': you get two meat options, I chose bulgogi and korean fried chicken. I really liked the marinade on both, the bulgogi was slightly sweet and savory, while the kfc was sweet and tangy. I thoroughly enjoyed them both equally! you also to get to choose 6 sides, my favorites were the kimchi and potato salad. all the sides though were very flavorful! the ordering concept was simple and sorta reminds me of chipotle! everything was overall really flavorful and really filling! read more

California Gogi Grill - stacked bowl - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

Quick, fast service! Clean and nice place to sit. The bowls have large serving. Lots of side options to choose from.

Our first time trying this place! It was sooo yummy and tasted so fresh. We loved it! Will definitely be back in the future and would 100% recommend you try it! read more

I do like this place a lot. Pretty economical. Love to get their stacked bowl with 6 sides and 2 proteins. Their KFC and bulge go are good. When you're hungry for something like this and don't want to pay too much, it really hits the spot. read more

California Gogi Grill - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California