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    Don Blanc

    4.4 (301 reviews)
    PriceyKorean, Barbeque
    Open 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    DON BLANC ATMOSPHERE

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    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Don Blanc

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    Pork set
    Ki R.

    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!

    Intestine menu
    Dante B.

    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.

    Stacey I.

    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!

    Tteokbokki
    Grace C.

    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!!

    Ryan B.

    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.

    Brittney L.

    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.

    Chris T.

    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!

    Bulgogi and marinated prime rib
    mario l.

    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!!

    Tatcha O.

    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!

    Lizzie Y.

    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.

    Bossam
    Gillian Gail A.

    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.

    Beef Set A, Corn Cheese ($9), Mini Spicy Raw Crab ($25) and Tteok Bokki ($12) & Kimchi Soup.
    DeAjuané J.

    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.

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    1 year ago

    Amazing food! The large beef intestines are the thing to get and you will not be disappointed.

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Very accommodating service. Food had flavor. The environment was chill. Aside from the high prices, this is worth coming by at least once.

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    2 years ago

    Meats were top quality and the servers grill for you. The drawback is the location, since in Oakland. Parking is sketchy.

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    Page 3 of 8

    Don Blanc Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Don Blanc

    Is it kid friendly?

    Depends on your definition of kids friendly. I brought my kinder aged child there, I had to stay alert to make sure my kid stayed away from the grill. I saw other families with young kids too dining there. My child ate rice w some grilled meat (i… Read more

    Is parking safe?

    They have a pretty small parking lot. It get full at peak meal hours really fast. You will most likely have to street park. In any case, it is as "safe" or "dangerous" as any other parts of Oakland! Just don't leave anything in the car and pray it… Read more

    Is Don Blanc located at the old Koryo bbq space?

    Same location, that corner spot

    Is it self cook or tableside service?

    Table-service! Excellent and very friendly.

    Can I walk-in or is this reservation only?

    Yes you can walk in.

    Does this restaurant have outdoor dining?

    They have now!

    Do you sell Gejang?

    No we don't unfortunately

    View All 10 Questions

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    Horn Barbecue

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    I visited Horn Barbecue and I NEED management and ownership to read this carefully--because what I…read moreexperienced deserves to be recognized on a higher level. First of all, my order was TO-GO. And let me tell you... when I got home and opened that bag, I was honestly blown away. My food was packaged with so much care, precision, and pride--it was neat, organized, and handled like it actually mattered. That alone told me everything about the level of service in that building. Candalen--YOU DID THAT. The attention to detail on my plate did not go unnoticed. You treated my food like it was being served in-house, and that speaks volumes about your work ethic and pride in what you do. Aaron--listen... that peach lemon drop??? BABY. That was my first time trying one and it was EVERYTHING. Smooth, flavorful, perfectly balanced--you made that drink an experience all by itself. I will be back JUST for that. And let's talk about the vibe--the music, the energy, the atmosphere--it all came together in a way that made the entire visit feel GOOD. Not just food... a whole experience. But what really stands out is this: It has been a LONG time since I've experienced service this genuine, this intentional, and this excellent. Not rushed, not careless--EXCEPTIONAL. Management, if you are reading this--please understand--you have some powerful people on your team. Candalen and Aaron are the kind of employees that elevate a brand. They are the reason people come back. They are the reason I will be telling others. This wasn't just a good experience. This was the kind of experience that turns customers into loyal supporters. I will absolutely be back--and I will be bringing people with me. Until next time, WUHAPN NATION

    I have been telling my friend about how satisfying and delicious the food at Horn BBQ is, but every…read moretime we came by the restaurant was closed. Finally, we were so excited to see it was open on a Saturday an we came in for lunch. To order you need to scan the QR code and pay plus tip before a single person spoke to us or offered us service. From the menu we saw they were out of beef ribs, smoked chicken, rib tips, no peach cobbler, no banana pudding and no kool aid. I come for their brisket and my friend loves ribs so we went ahead and ordered combo plates to share. Mine was the brisket with a side of collard greens, she had the pork ribs, a hotlink with a side of Mac-n-cheese, & cornbread. For drinks we had lemonade and an Arnold Palmer. I'm not sure what has happened over the last few months but the quality of the food, the service and the expectation to pay and tip up front were very disappointing. The greens, Mac cheese, brisket and ribs were cold. The hotlink wasn't BBQ'ed it was pan fried. Everything tasted like warmed up leftovers and we will not return. For 2 of us to eat it came to $100 and we were not satisfied. The dining room is an attractive space, it was completely empty. The staff was unclear about what we ordered, had to be told to bring our drinks, bartender is also working as server and apologized for his uncertainty. I suggest this restaurant hire and train more staff if they intend to keep their doors open.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Brisket, beef rib
    Brisket, beef rib
    Full bar, paying homage to legends

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    Full bar, paying homage to legends
    The South Smokin BBQ

    The South Smokin BBQ

    4.4
    (729 reviews)
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    We were blessed today to visit this bbq restaurant. We were greeted by Tim the owner! Tim served us…read moreand even came over to chat with us regarding our experience. I can say of the hundreds of thousand locations I have graded. This is the best BBQ I have eaten in the East Bay! The drive was so worth it! Try it the sauces are made in house and have the best southern smoke flavor! Yum we will be back!

    What a gem of a restaurant!…read more We were looking for some bbq on a Sunday funday and were so glad we stopped by. It's in the grocery outlet plaza. Order at the counter and sit and enjoy kind of place. It's decorated simply with a tv that was playing ufc and we were welcomed by Tim who was so warm and hilarious our entire visit. First thing I noticed was how fairly priced the place is. 1lb of brisket is 30 dollars, potato salad is 5 dollars and soda is 2 dollars (some places charge like 4 bucks for a can!) Ordered, sat down and enjoyed some convo with the order and our food came out in about 10min. If there's one thing to get, it's the brisket fries!! Oh my word, the sauce and cheese all go so well with the bbq. I like how their sauce has a kick to it and isn't overly sweet. The brisket was really tender and smoked well. I personally enjoy fattier pieces of brisket but I bet if I would've asked for those cuts he might've accommodated. The smoked potatoes salad is almost a must. Very unique style of potato salad and pairs well with everything. We noticed they also do catering, and the prices for that also look very reasonable. Would definitely considering using them for our next party!

    Photos
    Inside, if you can catch Tim working you are in for a treat
    Inside, if you can catch Tim working you are in for a treat
    Pulled Pork Cheese Fries ($18)
    Pulled Pork Cheese Fries ($18)
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    Beef Lumpia
    Pig in a Pickle

    Pig in a Pickle

    4.0
    (302 reviews)
    1.8 mi
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    After hearing so many people rave about Pig in a Pickle, I finally made the trip over to…read moreEmeryville, and I'm glad I did. This place is located in a food hall, so there are plenty of other choices. If you're looking for barbecue that focuses on the meat first and doesn't rely on drowning everything in sauce, this place deserves a visit. I ordered a plate with brisket, a pork rib, hot link, collard greens, a side of BBQ sauce, and a drink for Super Duper. Brisket Without question, this was the star of the meal. I specifically asked for the fatty point, and it absolutely delivered. The brisket was incredibly tender with a beautiful bark, plenty of rendered fat, and a deep smoky flavor throughout. It had just the right balance of salt, pepper, and smoke without any one flavor overpowering the others. Honestly, this is the kind of brisket you don't even need sauce for, but I couldn't resist trying it with their BBQ sauce anyway. Pork Rib I ended up with an end piece, which can sometimes be a little dry, but that wasn't the case here. It was surprisingly tender and packed with flavor. The smoke came through nicely, and the seasoning had a great balance of pepper and salt. It wasn't falling off the bone--which, in my opinion, is exactly how properly cooked barbecue should be--but it pulled cleanly with each bite. I'd absolutely order the ribs again. Hot Link I've had plenty of hot links that were overly dense or aggressively spicy. These weren't. The casing had that satisfying snap when you bit into it, and the sausage itself was juicy and flavorful. The heat level was very approachable--enough to notice but never overwhelming--allowing the smoky, seasoned meat to remain the focus. A really well-made sausage. BBQ Sauce I mixed the mild and hot BBQ sauces together, and that ended up being the perfect combination for my taste. The mild sauce added sweetness and tang while the hot sauce contributed just enough kick without masking the flavor of the meat. That combination complemented everything on the tray exceptionally well. Collard Greens The collard greens were another pleasant surprise. They were well-seasoned, flavorful, and not overly spicy. The greens still had some texture without being tough. My only complaint is that I wish there had been a little more smoked meat mixed in. The flavor was definitely there--I just wanted a bit more of the meaty goodness. Overall, Pig in a Pickle impressed me from start to finish. The quality of the smoked meats really stands out, especially the brisket, which was easily one of the better briskets I've had in the Bay Area. The rib was excellent, the hot links were flavorful without being overly heavy, and even the sides held their own. I'll definitely be making the drive back to Emeryville to work my way through more of the menu. If the rest of their offerings are anywhere near as good as this tray, I can see why they've built such a strong reputation. Highly recommended--especially if you're a brisket lover. Simply Wonderful!!

    Got a hot link sandwich. 3/4 lb of brisket. Med potatoes…read moresalad, and med Mac and cheese. Everything was so disgusting. The hot link wasn't even spicy and was way too much smoke flavor. There was this weird meaty gristly thing in the potato salad which literally made me puke. I'm always looking for the next bbq spot. But could have done without this one. The service was good the food was terrible. Honestly $80 dollars horribly spent. Don't believe me.. go experience it for yourselves

    Photos
    Pig in a Pickle
    Beef brisket
    Beef brisket
    Beef Brisket - 1/2 lb. , House Made Hotlinks , Chicken Leg

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    Beef Brisket - 1/2 lb. , House Made Hotlinks , Chicken Leg

    Don Blanc - korean - Updated July 2026

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