Chingu

•$$$

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.

Inside

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

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Oxtail kalbijijim

Olhso House

4.2(418 reviews)

Minority-owned & operated

•$$$$

Locally owned & operated

Everything about our experience at this restaurant was amazing!!! From the service to the food,…read moreeverything was amazing!! Specifically appreciated the attention from Andrew and our server Seymus! Definitely recommend to anyone visiting Bay Area

We came here to celebrate my birthday, and from the moment we walked in, we were greeted so warmly…read more My son especially loved the beef tongue and said, "It was so delicious--it's a must-try!" My favorite was the pork collar. It was flavorful and very tender. Our server, Fiona, was amazing! She was incredibly interactive, funny, and made us feel so welcome throughout our meal. The atmosphere was nice, relaxing, and comfortable, with very few interruptions while we enjoyed our food. Everything we ordered was delicious, and Fiona really went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time. One of the biggest pros was how attentive and engaging Fiona was. She was also fantastic at cooking and made the experience even more enjoyable. The only con was that it got a little noisy at times, but honestly, that didn't take away from how awesome our overall experience was. I really hope Fiona gets to see this review!

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Han Sang

4.2(500 reviews)

4.5 mi

I've been here twice now, once for the Galbitang and once for the Galbi Jjim. The Galbitang was SO…read moregood! The soup was really refreshing, comforting, and flavorful. I would definitely come back just for the Galbitang. The Galbi Jjim was also delicious, although it wasn't my personal favorite compared to other restaurants. We ordered Level 2 Spicy, but it wasn't quite as spicy as we expected. The beef was very tender, and the sauce worked really well with everything. There were potatoes, radish, glass noodles, and kabocha mixed in, and all the flavors and textures came together nicely. Service was also really good and efficient. Everyone was super friendly and attentive. Overall, definitely a place I'd come back to, especially for the Galbitang!

Been here a few times with my wife and some friends or family. Each time we tend to get similar…read moreitems because they're that good, and the portions are massive so it's best shared. We love getting the galbijjim here because the cheese and glass noodles are sooo addictive. The beef is super tender and packed with flavor! A side of wild rice and some banchan are essential. I'd say it's comparable to Daeho, which always has a line. The inside is very modern and updated. The staff make you feel very welcomed and are on top of acknowledging people when thy first come in. The galbitang was very simple and light, perfect with a little salt and pepper!

Receipt/tab holder

OX/RIB Jjim

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Gal Bi Jjim (@joeynht)

Rin-Tei

4.7(1.2k reviews)

0.2 mi

Locally owned & operated

Takes reservations

very cool restaurant, limited seats, but interesting flavor profiles. we started with the seasonal…read morechicken wings as an appetizer, i got the beef pho, and my wife got the green curry. both were very good. our party also got the seasonal soymilk cold noodles, and the milky broth pho. service was very great, overall pleased with visit.

The beef pho was delicious. And huge portion for $18 well well worth the price. Customer service…read morewas very professional. And food came out fast.

Cold Sesame TanTan Pho

Creamy Soy Milk Pho with Poached Yuzu Chicken and Greens

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Azuki Mochi Ice

OLHSO Truck

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.

Have been looking forward to trying the OLHSO Truck out. Unfortunately, after downloading the app…read moreand signing up, the checkout failed at 11:14am stating that the order failed and they are closed for business. It also said to check their Instagram for their schedule. Checked the Insta and the pinned post says it would be open for business today, Aug 8, from 11am - 2pm for zip codes 94403-94404 (which we live in). Tried again at 11:40am in case they're just behind schedule but still didn't work. Too bad as we have dined several times at their restaurant and love their food and service there. Hope they get their schedules worked out soon! Would not recommend depending on this as your lunch.

Wagyu Galbi

Seoul Food

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Dak Galbi

Kajiken

4.4(1.5k reviews)

I've come here twice now and I didn't realize I never left a review the first time I came! So now I…read morefeel I have even more to say how you much gotta come to Kajiken! Both times I've come I hadn't had to wait very long and our second time was with a large group including kids. Our server was great in helping us preorder before we could get seated and we only waited 15 minutes. We all ordered the same things: half of us ordered the original aburasoba and the other half ordered the homura aburasoba and the food came out quickly. They kindly gave us little bowls for the kiddos and forks and all the kids loved the noodles and the adults shared a large pitcher of beer. All in all, best aburasoba and one of my favorite spots in San Mateo!

Overall: 4.1/5 [dine in]…read more There was a line on Friday night but it moved fast. The seating inside is pretty tight so your table is basically an inch from the next one, almost like a communal dining experience. Nikumori Aburasoba ($18.50): Spicy pork, pork slices, green onion, and ajitama. The spicy ground pork was delicious and they were generous with the thin pork slices, though those weren't as good as the ground pork. The ajitama was perfectly jammy. The aburasoba flavors were okay but less flavorful than mazesoba, which I now know I prefer. Wagyu Roast Beef Aburasoba ($25.50) + Chashu ($1.75) + Spicy Minced Pork ($3.95) + Ajitama ($2.50): Wagyu roast beef, crispy onions, green onions, butter onion sauce, yogurt sauce, and raw egg yolk. The chashu was average but the wagyu roast beef was thin and incredibly tender. The yogurt sauce and raw egg yolk made this one pretty creamy which I actually liked more than the Nikumori. Ume ($1.50): Did not like this at all. Hard pass.

Inside

Oroshi Ponzu Karaage($10)

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Complimentary Accoutrements ($0) Vinegar, Chili Oil, Dried Garlic, Sesame seeds, & Chili Powder

Bonchon San Mateo

3.5(526 reviews)

Solid place for a casual bite and hang out. It's been a while since I had Bonchon and we waited…read moreuntil Happy Hour on a Sunday during Boba Day to order. Thankfully it wasn't super busy and we ordered a variety of food thanks to the Happy Hour menu. Food came out quickly and was fresh and more than we anticipated. The staff checked in on us many times which was nice of them. The onion rings were really crispy and the bulgogi fries were indulgent. Personally I like the chicken wings more than the chicken strips which were huge but drier due to it being chicken breast. The Soy Garlic wings were a tad too salty for me.

Good Korean chicken. The fried rice is really tasty. Lots of options. There is not a lot of…read moreseating, but they do a mean take away, too. The service is quick and very helpful they answered all our questions!

Happy hour and lunch specials!

Street corn

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$1 wings on Mon & Tue!

K. Grill & Tofu House

4.1(902 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

Best tofu soup that I've had in the Peninsula! Big chunks of meat, well seasoned kimchi, and really…read moredelicious broth. The kalbi, however, was just so-so. The interior is basic but homey. Overall, a solid meal. Just be prepared for a little bit of a wait. 5 stars for Korean food in the Bay Area.

Indoor ambiance

Banchan

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Galbi $38

Somisomi

4.2(370 reviews)

•$

I've been to SomiSomi countless times, and it never disappoints--especially during hot weather…read more It's one of my go-to dessert spots whenever I'm craving something cold and refreshing. This time, I tried the Milk soft serve with strawberry topping. It was creamy, smooth, and refreshing. The biggest hit, though, was with my 3-year-old, who absolutely loved it! Watching him enjoy every bite made the visit even better.

Was in the mood to have some Taiyaki, so I came to Somisomi in San Mateo. I believe they are a…read morechain. Since I really enjoyed the one in Cupertino, I had expected to receive the same quality from this establishment. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The service was good, the floor and tables were neat and clean. What was disappointing was the lack of filling in the Taiyaki's. Usually, one bite into the pastry and you'll taste the filling. I had to eat half the pastry before I got to any filling. Just a mouth full of mocha. I guess not all franchise locations are the same.

SOMISOMI SAN Mateo

2 flavors in one soft serve

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Ube/matcha swirl with oreo and macaron topping - yum!

Myung Dong Tofu Cabin

3.6(887 reviews)

2.6 mi

I'm here again at my favorite spot - tofu cabin. This time around, I got my spicy pork bibimbap,…read moreand it was mind altering. The service, as always, is amazing. And the vibes? Immaculate. Excited to come back again.

This is the second time I've eaten here, but the first with my parents. They're both pretty picky…read moreeaters and not often can we try different places with them. However, they loved this place and happy to say we will be back! We were greeted by a friendly staff member who seated and assisted us throughout our meal. The food was good. We decided to try the Soy and Garlic Fried Chicken, but wasn't quite a fan of that flavor. Would also like if there were more beverage options. But regardless of that, the food was delicious.

Japchae in the banchan - so good

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Galbi Half order $28

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Christine C.

Elite 26 All-Star

159

338

2427

2 years ago

We finally got a chance to try the much-anticipated army stew at Chingu! It truly lived up to the hype, providing the perfect warmth and comfort on this chilly evening. The stew was a delightful medley of flavors and textures. It was packed with ingredients like hot dog pieces, spam, rice cakes, enoki mushrooms, zucchini, napa cabbage, onions, and the star of the show - ramyeon noodles. The broth was perfectly seasoned, with just the right amount of spice to tantalize the taste buds. The portable stove kept the stew piping hot throughout our meal. While the portion size was ideal for two, it could easily feed a group of 3-4, complemented with 1-2 additional dishes for a larger party. Unfortunately, Chingu's popularity can make for a noisy dining experience. The restaurant was packed during our visit, and the loud conversations, especially from a large party nearby, made it difficult to have a quiet meal. Despite the noise, the army stew was a delicious and satisfying experience! read more

Emily T.

Elite 24

109

140

277

2 years ago

Chingu stays open late and caters well to large groups. Arriving around 11 pm, my group of 8 found ourselves immersed in a lively atmosphere, with K-pop blasting and shelves lined with glowing Soju bottles. While the prices lean towards the higher end, exemplified by the $25 Bibimbap, the dish itself was tasty. Served in a sizzling hot stone pot, the rice had a satisfying crunch, complemented by high-quality "Wagyu" beef. However, the accompanying banchan on the table fell short, especially the "pickled" radish which lacked any sour taste. Service, on the other hand, was great! Our attentive server noticed a delay in one of our friend's dishes and promptly apologized, offering a complimentary Soju bottle to compensate. In summary, while portions may be smaller and prices higher, the attentive service and lively ambiance make this spot a good choice for a late night bite with friends. read more

Victoria S.

171

408

2 years ago

I dine at Chingu at least once a month. I wish I could visit more often, but it's quite a drive. The late-night hours are convenient, allowing me to avoid traffic. The space is small, but some tables can accommodate small groups. The chairs are uncomfortable, likely designed for quick dining. The food is phenomenal, and the quality is outstanding. However, I have noticed that the portion sizes have significantly decreased over the past six months, which is why I gave it four stars. The servers are excellent, but my favorite is Aaron, who is incredibly friendly, attentive, and great with recommendations. read more

Hye-Jin O.

447

2 years ago

I was excited to try out this spot, especially impressed by the glimmering wall of signed soju bottles at the entrance. However, I left feeling underwhelmed. The "large skillet of Wagyu" was mostly vegetables and cheese, which was disappointing. The kimchi soup was also too sweet for my taste. The only saving grace was the friendly server and the unbeatable Pocha / Seuljib vibes. My partner and I both agreed the dishes weren't what we expected. We might come back, but we'll definitely try something else next time. read more

Ziling M.

Elite 26

221

8 months ago

This late-night Korean spot was such a vibe, and I really loved the overall aesthetic. The atmosphere alone makes it a great place to hang out and catch up with friends over food. The dishes we tried were solid across the board, but the kimchi fried rice stood out the most. A lot of places tend to go heavy or too light on the sesame oil, but Chingu gets the balance just right, which really made the dish shine. Overall, it's a fun, reliable spot for late-night Korean food with a great ambiance. read more

Bunny D.

128

2 years ago

I had an amazing time at Chingu! The service was top-notch with quick, friendly, and attentive staff who made the experience even better. The food was absolutely delicious--every dish was bursting with flavor. The atmosphere is lively and fun, with a cool Kpop vibe that adds to the overall experience. It's the perfect spot to unwind and grab drinks with friends after work. Highly recommend!!!! read more

Jess T.

6 months ago

Good restaurant with good Korean food and some items that I never had before but were pretty cool and tasty. Surface is fast, but the restaurant is pretty small and crowded. Overall, would come here for food but not for the ambience. read more

Ali H.

6 months ago

The service, food, ambiance, is all top tier. I make it mission to visit every time I go to California since I love Korean food. Shoutout to Jeanine! The best server in the entire world. read more

Ward E.

2 years ago

I had an amazing time here. The food is just amazing and scrumptious for real. The service is very attentive and respectful. The ambiance here hits different too! 5 stars, for sure. read more

Chingu - tapas - Updated September 2026

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