Have come here twice in the last two weeks because it's so good. I don't usually like going out for Korean food because I can cook most things at home, but my partner and I were really craving meat on these occasions and wanted to go out. We've gotten the monster short rib, pork collar and butt, and daechang (large beef intestine), which I've always wanted to try. Servers cook the meat for you (though they're also cool with you taking the tongs to cook on your own) and it's a really nice experience. Nice array of tasty banchan, too. We'll probably be back again soon!! read more

Gopchang is kind of hard to find around the Bay Area but Don Blanc does it perfectly! The meat quality is amazing and service is very fast. We got the gopchang combo with pork jowl and pork belly as a la carte items. It comes with plenty of bonchan and lettuce wrap which is a great addition to the meat! read more

Don Blanc - Cold Noodle and Gopchang Combo - Korean Near Me - Oakland, California

High quality meats cooked in front of you, Don Blanc is easily the best KBBQ in the northern bay. It's not AYCE, but the meat quality will easily leave you satisfied and full. The best options for groups is the Combo Set (you can always top off al-a-carte if needed). Brisket is excellent, as is the marinated galbi. Also solid are the seafood pancake, kimichi fried rice and tofu soup. Everything about Don Blanc just gives "satisfying meal" vibes. If I'm looking for a reliable, high quality KBBQ experience, this is the one I'm checking out any day of the week. read more

Don Blanc - Korean Near Me - Oakland, California

Great surprise in finding this gem in Oakland. We Yelped obviously and are appreciative of the great reviews. It was a great experience overall. There are a few delicious menu options available pork, beef, and combo including seafood. We opted for the dwaeji/*pork, plain and seasoned. We did originally order a side of chadol/sliced beef, but after seeing the amount of pork we cancelled it. It was still plenty of food. The banchons and ssam/lettuce were amazing. Of course there were sliced garlic and jalapenos and kimchi to grill as well. Also, we ordered beer of course, usually pork goes great with soju. But, I had to drive to our hotel still. The service was great and everyone was friendly. The location is a bit hard to fine and tucked away a little, was worth it. The space is pretty good size and comfortable. If you're not into k-bbq(?) there are a few other choices next door. Enjoy! read more

Don Blanc - Pork set - Korean Near Me - Oakland, California

Don Blanc is our go-to spot for gopchang (small intestines) and daechang (large intestines). We've been here multiple times, and the quality and service are always top tier. On our most recent visit, we ordered the large intestine combo, which was served sizzling tableside on a grill. I recommend grilling the intestines until they're crispy on the outside while staying rich and juicy inside. Although the menu says it's for 4-5 people, our party of 3 (2 men, 1 woman) finished it easily. The portion felt a bit smaller than on previous visits, but we were still very satisfied because the quality of the innards was excellent--no smell or gamey taste at all. Don't knock it till you try it--this is one of the best spots for gopchang and daechang in the area. Parking: There are limited spots in the small plaza, but we've never had issues finding street parking in the residential area on 44th Street. read more

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Samgyeopsal (Pork belly) was grilled to perfection. The ban chan (side dishes) tasted fresh. The Lychee soju (Hallasan brand, my favorite) paired perfectly with the samgyeopsal. The manager was such a vibe, super friendly, held a great conversation with my boyfriend and me, and was overall very attentive. Everything came down to a total of $63! Not bad at all, and we were so satisfied and full. Don Blanc for the win again! read more

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I really enjoyed the food at Don Blanc! Definitely would go again. It was my first time and didn't know that they would cook the meat for you. The reason I can't give them 5 stars is because they burned the brisket bc they were servicing other tables. I was told by my group not to touch it bc they would come back but it was burning so I ended up cooking it and ordered a second order of brisket. Their corn cheese was really good! I thought it was a nice restaurant and it had a good selection of alcoholic beverages. The service was really great for the most part!! read more

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I judge KBBQ very seriously, I will say this place is on the higher end of meat quality. Service was great, we asked if we could cook it ourselves and the waiter understood, refilled our drinks, and checked up on us. The inside is really nice looking. Definitely recommend coming here. read more

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I always start by saying the parking situation, being a tiny tiny lot you need to be extremely lucky for. Even street parking on a weeknight is a bit hard because it's right where everything is on telegraph in Oakland. You'll find a spot around, just a matter of walking a bit further. It's not an AYCE spot but you're paying for the meat quality which is really worth it. The service is wonderful here. There's a button on the table if you can't flag anyone down if you need something. We got our appetizers first which is what I really like in a restaurant and then the good quality meat comes out. I always get cheese corn if I see it on the menu and tbh, this one was just ok. They come with a good big set of bonchons for you to enjoy as well. For 2 people, we got a 3-4 person meat platter (set A) and it was actually enough food for us to finish just because the meat was THAT delicious and great quality. They opt to cook for you as well if you're patient to wait because they do that for a lot of tables. We just weren't patient and cooked our own, they were already plenty busy, no need to add more work. If but you don't like cooking, but enjoy your kbbq, this is a good spot to check out. read more

TOP 5 KBBQ in the Bay Area! What else is there to say. Service was great, the ambiance with your family and friends just hits and the food cooked by your server was cooked perfectly. read more

Don Blanc - Korean Near Me - Oakland, California

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The ought this spot was a chill casual KBBQ restuarant. The manager was cool and he'll make sure you have the things you need. The servers would jump from table to table to cook the meats for you, but if you have some know how you have got to keep an eye on your food and chef it up too in case the server gets hung up between tables or your meat will be overcooked. Cuts were fresh and portion was perfect for us. It's not AYCE but we got one of the packages and it hit the spot for us. The marinated beef was preferred over the non marinated for me. Had good flavored meat was buttery and tender. Add that with your banchan and some good ol rice with chili paste and I'm good to go. Would come back. Before you leave they also have the game where you stop the timer on 10s exact and earn a $50 voucher for your next visit. Give it a try! read more

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Made a reservation on a Sat night dinner here. Ordered the supreme set A (feeds 4) for two people - we were ambitious!, and it was incredible. Don Blanc provides very high quality meat, comfortable spacious seating, and lots of banchan to pick from to pair with your bites of bbq! This type of meal is definitely on the pricey side, so not a weekly spot but for a nice occasion. Highly would recommend making a reservation - very easy to do and lots of times to pick from. Can't wait to return! read more

Nice cuts but didn't seem worth the price imo. The amount of meat you get is very little and we even over ordered just in case but we left hungry. Not saying an all you can eat place is better but you'd probably get more full ordering at other al la carte kbbq spots. Worth a try. Great vibes with friends! read more

To note: not a Kbbq connoisseur. Nestled in a little strip mall on Telegraph, filled with Korean businesses, this this not your typical all-you-can-eat kbbq place. At Don Blanc, not only do you pay a la carte for meats and sides, and to note they are meat heavy, but they also have a grill master for you. In this case, he was servicing about 5 tables and would come around and grill the meat, while also showing you what sauces are for what. The corn cheese side was solid. What shined was the high quality meats and the complimentary banchan - the kimchi was incredible. We did a range of beef and it was all quality. Seemingly, they are known for pork, but we missed it this time. Service was sweet. Ambiance is fine. It ended up being about $100ish/pp (a party of 2 very grown and hungry men and me) with drinks included. (We got a premium bottle of soju and a few beers). I'd come again, for sure! read more

I thought the presentation was beautiful and the sides were plenty. I couldn't get enough of the macaroni salad. I think I had like four bowls of it alone. The meat were cooked deliciously too. The staff cooked for us thank god cause if I had to do it would be burnt meat. read more

Ok 1st things 1st, the staff was super AMAZING!!! Best service I have received in a long time!! Attentive staff, informative, relatable conversation, and a passion for their job. Food was also amazing. Rice cakes!?? Delicious, flavorful and good portions. Restaurant was spacious, great music, and in this cold weather, staff was very polite and asked if we needed the heaters on for more comfort. We live in Richmond and def plan on coming back!! read more

Don Blanc - Bulgogi and marinated prime rib - Korean Near Me - Oakland, California

Had my birthday celebration here today with friends and Don Blanc Oakland did not disappoint! Amazing food, outstanding service, and such a welcoming atmosphere. Wi was really helpful, and John & Chris made the night even better with their great energy and entertainment. Perfect place for celebrations -- highly recommended! read more

Don Blanc - Korean Near Me - Oakland, California

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We came on a Friday night at 9:30pm and it was empty- which kinda made me nervous, but from the moment we sat down- everything was great!! The server (who also cooked our food) was friendly, attentive and interactive. He kept checking in on if we wanted more banchan. We ordered the beef combo b (2?) with kimchi stew- soooo good! We started with the brisket (which I thought was my fav) but then we moved on to the steak - tender and so good (I thought that was my fav) and we finished w the galbi and unpopular opinion- it's not normally my go to (I will actually order any other beef on the menu before galbi) but this was sooooo good!! On the platter, it didn't look marinated but the flavor was AMAZING! A little more on the pricey side, but sooo worth it! read more

We were looking for some dinner after spending the day in San Fran and the original spot we looked into going to had an insane waiting line. We were craving KBBQ but none of the spots near us appealed to us, so we decided to go over the bridge to Oakland, to try Don Blanc! Wow! Everything was so good! We decided to go with the Beef Set A and keep things simple. It came with the option of either kimchi or soybean soup, and I opted for soybean. I WAS A BIG FAN of the cheesy corn! It was absolutely delicious and not dry at all. I feel like many places, they make their cheesy corn with only cheese and corn, but I believe Don Blanc adds mayo + milk? Not entirely sure to be honest, but whatever they add, it made ALL the difference! The meat cuts from the set were very fresh and tasty. They cook the meats for you, which I appreciated. The first lady we had, she actually overcooked our meat and meat ended up being dry + tough to eat lol so we were questionable at first, but luckily two other staff members took over later in our meal and we had a much better experience. I would definitely come back again if ever in Oakland/SJ area. Also, for the bone in short ribs, they take out the bones for you, which I thought was neat! Never had that done before. Parking: free parking lot. read more

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The servers were so fun and energetic even at 10pm. They had conversations with you, they ask if you want assistance cooking for you, or you cook for yourself. The place was lively even late at night and not many people. The bossam was sooo good. Not too fatty which I liked. We also got the Beef set A. Meat was really good. All of this split between 3 people. We were stuffed and satisfied after watching going to the movie theater. read more

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Service here is great. They really cater to patrons. They do all the cooking and they even have those buttons you can press to call for them. Great to go if you dont want to the cooking yourself. I've tried their pork belly, beef brisket, and all their intestine options - all good, but the quality met average expectations. If you are an intestine fan, this might be the place for you. It came with kimchi stew, and all the usual sides but more authentic than your AYCE KBBQs. +1 for having great ventilation systems as it wasnt too bad smoke. read more

I'd like to start the review by giving a shout out to my server May who was RUNNING the place! She was very helpful, knowledgeable and kind! This was my friend and I's first time dining at Don Blanc and my friend's first time having Korean BBQ. May helped us understand the menu and Don Blanc's Korean BBQ set up. I called ahead of time to try to make a reservation, but I was told the reservation list was full and that we could walk in but the wait time was uncertain. When we arrived we were seated immediately. The restaurant was very clean and they have a doorbell push bell at the table that alert the staff when you have a question. We ordered Beef Set A (Prime brisket, Angus Short Rib "LA Galbi" & Marinated Angus Short Rib $149), Corn Cheese ($9), Mini Spicy Raw Crab ($25), Tteok Bokki ($12), Lychee Soju ($12) and a Mojita Mocktail ($6.95). The Beef Set came with sides that included kimchi, broccoli, lettuce and a bunch of other options. It also allowed us to choose between Kimchi Stew and Soybean Stew. We chose the Kimchi Stew and it was delicious (it does have pork in it). The only thing I wish is that they had seafood options to grill at the table. We did end up putting some of the mini spicy raw crabs on the grill at the suggestion of May and they were really good. All of the food was flavorful and well-seasoned. We really enjoyed the experience and delicious food. The portions were large and the staff were friendly. I would recommend Don Blanc and visit the restaurant again. The only thing that would make the experience better is more parking because it SUCKED, but that's not the restaurants fault. read more

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Absolutely amazing!! Our friend took us here for my birthday and everything was absolutely awesome. Their quality of meat is top-tier too The service here is beyond. Excellent I would definitely come here again. It's super clean and cozy inside the wait wasn't too bad either. read more

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Hosted a post conference dinner at Don Blanc back in August. The restaurant was such a joy to organize with. They were very accommodating, kept open lines of communication, and were kind throughout the whole process. I'm sure they operate the same way for regular customers, their customer service is top notch. The restaurant is huge. Plenty of seating everywhere, very well ventilated. The food was great. They have a variety of meat choices and every single choice felt of high quality. They also have cooked dishes you can order and I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. They all taste great. I'd definitely check out this gem of a restaurant if you get a chance :) I will be back whenever I'm in the area. read more

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I can't believe I haven't told the world how awesome Don Blanc is yet. This place is amazing. Not your typical Korean BBq selection. Yeah they've got good beef and pork but they also have an amazing selection of intestines as well as some other really cool dishes. You definitely need to try their stir fried chicken gizzards. It's a super chill spot with really friendly service. Definitely recommend read more

The restaurant is not the prettiest, but the quality is definitely there. The meats are well seasoned and tender. Service was very good. Definitely one of the better kbbq places in Berkeley-Oakland. read more

I had a great time at Don Blanc, I've been meaning to go here after hearing how premium the meat is! We were immediately seated on a Sunday night, and it seemed relatively spacious. Every table has a grill, and the server cooks for us! We got the Beef Set A, and that was enough to feed four people with our Fried Chicken. The banchans filled us up, and the server was so sweet to constantly refill for us. As they cooked, they told us what banchan or sauce to eat each meat with, and the pairing was delicious. Though each meat was good, I feel it was not as melty or flavorful as other places. I also really like the Soy Garlic Fried Chicken. It was so tender and crispy, it satisfies all the checkboxes. Overall, I am so happy to had experienced Don Blanc and had a great time. read more

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Nice spot for kbbq in Oakland! We got the set menu and added on a couple of meats and apps. Highlights were the pork jowl and chadol (thin beef brisket). We also enjoyed the pork belly with the ssamjang and sides provided. Service is great and they help you grill the meats if you're not feeling confident doing so. The parking lot does get busy though so depending on time of day it's likely you'll have to find street parking. read more

Don Blanc - Korean Near Me - Oakland, California

Amazing food! Lots of banchan and they cook the meats for you. I'm not super knowledgeable about meats but my friends who enjoy barbecuing enjoyed the meats and complimented the quality of them. Yes, it's pricy but you get what you pay for! read more

The meat is such high quality. The pork belly serving comes with 3 large portions, you're definitely getting the price you paid for. Pork Belly (4/5): thick cuts of meat, but perhaps a little greasy for my liking Buckwheat cold noodles (5/5): very chewy and broth was rich in flavor. Noodles were cooked well and had a nice stretch instead of breaking clean through. bowl was a palent cleanser with the fatty pork belly. Loved the complimentary variety of banchan, cucumbers, kimchi, pickled daikon/radish, etc and kimchi soup. In comparison to other korean restaurants, its definitely on the pricier end. Rice is not complimentary, but may depend on what you order. Servers were so friendly and chatty and can definitely help you make a decision or even grill for you. It's not too big inside, on a busy day, there may be a wait. I definitely recommend making a reservation beforehand, especially since street parking was difficult to find. read more

Don Blanc - Pork Belly - Korean Near Me - Oakland, California

Finally tried Don Blanc in Oakland since its one of the only restaurants left that closes late. When we arrived there's about 2 table that was filled. I'm not sure if our server was new but was not good. Burned our meet, I asked for some lettuce a hot tea and soda food came before the drinks and we had to re asked her for the drinks. I was really hoping that this place was gonna be good, but for the price range this Korean bbq was mediocre at best. The meats were good but they had very little side options. The meat was good quality, ofcourse better than your average all you can eat. Their stew was good and tasty. Honestly, I just got really irritated when we had to keep on asking for things we already had asked for. For the price range, customer service could be better. read more

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So so good! From the fresh and high quality cuts of meat to the excellent service, my friends and I had an excellent time. throughout our entire dine. We ordered three types of meat, a few sides, and a soup. The meal came with tons of banchan and some rice. I need to mention the cheese corn because it was mind blowingly good. I've had cheese corn before but never like this. Get this for sure. For meat we tried the Snowflake Premium Boneless Galbi, Marinated Boneless Angus Short Rib, and newly added Hickory Pork. The marinated boneless short rib was my favorite, but both were super delicious and beautifully marbled. Thanks to John, our top notch server and chef, all the meat was grilled to perfection. Also tried the korean fried chicken, soybean soup, and steamed egg. All were delicious! My party of three left super full and with tons of leftovers. It is a bit pricy to dine here but I think it's worth the splurge. Truly an amazing experience and we felt so welcome and happy throughout. Sad to see the place was so empty when we came on a Saturday lunch. Definitely gonna be back for a special occasion :) read more

Don Blanc - Hickory Pork - Korean Near Me - Oakland, California

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Nice facility that is not too busy. We wanted noodles and the staff was willing to make japchae for us for about $10. They have intestine which is special and more unique. I personally thought it was pretty expensive, maybe about $40-$50 per person for a fair amount of food. There are so many options which I appreciate in Oakland making korean food competitive. I would probably go for all you can ear in the future unless someone was looking for more specialized dishes like the intestine. read more

Don Blanc - Intestine - Korean Near Me - Oakland, California

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Wish I would have gotten a before picture! The food was delicious! We got the spicy rice cakes, bulgogi and the marinaded prime rib. All very tasteful and the service was perfect! read more

Don Blanc - Korean Near Me - Oakland, California

I usually go to AYCE places because it's more bang for my buck, but I think Don Blanc is worth the price due to the quality of the meat and the service provided. The place looks small on the outside but it's quite spacious. It wasn't super busy on the night I went but there was no parking in the small lot so I had parked somewhere down the street. The food was brought out in a timely manner and the food is cooked for you as well. I really enjoyed the pork jowl and I don't really order pork when I go out to eat at other KBBQ restaurants, but I'd definitely come back here to satisfy any cravings. read more

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Party of 5 came for dinner on Saturday at 7pm with little wait time. We ordered the premium set, intestine set, and rose tteobokki. Food was so good! We liked that they cook for you so you can focus on conversations. The attentive service makes this place a winner of kbbq in my books. They check on you often and cook everything to perfection. Even though the place got busier, the great service never faltered. read more

Overrated. High price, mediocre food. Bad service unless the owner serves you personally . Not a safe neighborhood. Never going back ever again. read more

The most expensive kbbq I've been at and there is no AYCE option. There are different meat selections and they sell by sets. The meat is fresh, not frozen like most AYCE kbbq spots. The presentation and the assistance in cooking gave a VIP feel. Banchan was plentiful and yummy. They have bean paste, but you'll have to ask for it and it's different from what I'm used to but still does the job. The pork butt was probably my favorite. It was thick and juicy, but not as fatty as pork belly. It also came with ghee placed on top of the grill so it was hot and when you dip the piece of pork butt... *chefs kiss*! I wish it was earlier in the meal because I was too full to eat more even though I wanted to. The ladies were patient and friendly. They answered any questions politely. They have a variety of soju and sake cocktails to choose from. The best part is that we didn't leave smelling like bbq! I'm not sure if their ventilation is that good or if it's because we didn't cook our own meat. All in all, it's a treat. Even though we got full with the set we chose, AYCE kbbq just hits differently. The quality of meat may be better here, but if you're all about quantity then this spot is probably not it. read more

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This is my favorite KBBQ spot without a doubt! I've had KBBQ all around the Bay and LA. This place has premium cuts of meat and the sides are so good. They also have the best service ever and assist with grilling. read more

Don Blanc - Korean Near Me - Oakland, California

I only recommend you go there for BBQ, the meats quality is great. But other foods were so so or below average. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. The restaurant located in a small plaza with other restaurants. read more

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