Andy and manager they really good guys and they really fast and all the food is delicious jope

Service was rockstar. They gave us suggestions on what to order as this was our first visit here. The options were delicious. Could not ask for a better price and value. #17 stood out. And the brisket. I forgot what number that was. They also offered to change our grill twice. We only needed it changed once. I was worried the wait would be long tho Sunday night but it wasn't at all. Our family had a great time and would do this again. Thank you for giving us all a wonderful experience. read more

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This is my honest opinion after seeing how this company has changed over the years. The food itself isn't the biggest issue--it's the way the business is being run. Ever since GEN went public, it feels like the overall experience has gone downhill. The quality isn't as consistent as it used to be, service has declined, and the restaurants often seem understaffed. From what I've seen, the company appears to prioritize cutting labor costs over providing a good experience for both customers and employees. Servers and managers often seem overwhelmed because there simply aren't enough people scheduled on the floor. That leads to slower service, longer waits, and a stressful environment for everyone. It's disappointing because GEN used to be one of my go-to Korean BBQ spots. Now, it feels like the focus has shifted away from quality and hospitality. There are plenty of competitors offering a better overall experience, and unless things change, I'd recommend checking out other Korean BBQ restaurants instead. read more

I just wanted to check in and provide a few updates. Gabriel reached out to me and explained that he was backed up with multiple tables. I sincerely appreciate him taking the time to respond. I also want to apologize if my review came across as being directed at Gabriel. It seems this is a recurring service issue at this location, and I truly believe it is not the servers' fault. From what I observed, the restaurant wasn't very busy, but Gabriel appeared to be handling most of the workload himself. My concern is with the staffing and management, not with Gabriel. As a business, I hope you can do better in supporting your employees, especially during lunch rushes and other busy periods. Proper staffing and support can make a significant difference for both employees and guests. Throughout our interaction, Gabriel was kind, respectful, and professional, and I treated him with the same respect. My review was never intended to hurt him personally. It was simply an honest reflection of an overall disappointing experience that seemed to be beyond his control. Thank you, Gabriel, for remaining kind, helpful, and professional despite the circumstances. I truly appreciate your effort, and I hope management gives their employees the support they deserve. read more

I realized I hadn't been to this spot in over ten years! I think places like Goku and Seapot, where you get Korean BBQ AND hot pot have been my preference over just Korean BBQ. But Gen is definitely the original. We went for fourth of July, after calling to confirm they would be open. I think they said they don't close for holidays. For about $32 a person, you get all the meat you want. They have some kind of premium option, but the regular one seemed sufficient. There was no wait at all - plenty of empty tables. Service was pretty fast, and they were good about changing the grill out or bringing us more things when needed. They were out of Napa cabbage kimchee, which was annoying. I had to try the carne asada, and it comes with tortillas and salsa. It was actually really good. Actually all the meat they had was good, and we tried the garlic beef belly which I haven't seen at a lot of places! read more

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I come here a lot and I'm not too happy with the front person Jazmin. At the moment she needed to walk us to our table she kept looking at me and seemed like i did something wrong to her. I also had asked her for More ponzu sauce and she didn't even say word. She also had to help me out when i paid for the meal and it felt like she did not want to be there. She should have taken the day off if she wasn't in the mood for customer service. This is making me not want to come back read more

I took my mom here for lunch as she has never been here. All you can eat lunch for $21.99. We picked four different types of meat and end up also getting a mild tofu soup, four different types of appetizers. We were so full. We had a late lunch. I end up not eating dinner because I was so full from lunch. Everything went well. Server Alex was great! Ambiance is great too. read more

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I stopped by on a weekday for lunch. I got a seat right away. Most of the folks having lunch appeared to be on the early twenties. All you can eat lunch price was reasonable. There was a heated plate in the middle of the table, and I had to cook it. I was doing this for the first time, and had difficulty to get it right. Woo beasal and Beef bulgogi were my favorite meats. I had difficulty to get Chadol cooked right. After cooking for a while, I went for some cooked food and felt instant relief. Bulgogi fries, calamari rings, double dragon shrimp and pocorn chicken were all good. I also cooked some spicy chicken. read more

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Gen was on fire with their marinated meat during my last visit. I've been to this location once before and love how accommodating they are to larger groups. For unlimited, the price is excellent. Kwan was so great in making sure we had everything we needed and checking in with each sections of our group. I also appreciated how the hostess let us know tip was included because of how large our group was instead of us finding out later when seeing the bill read more

Had to try it again since this one was always popping whenever I go to the Heytea next door. The meat quality definitely fell off but I can see how this maybe a good option if you just want a KBBQ fix in. It looks like they added a bunch of new sauces and side dishes to try which I liked. Only other thing I will add is that I don't like how their ventilation in the restaurant is not good. My hair, clothes, and face reeked of KBBQ. Given that there have been more upgrades, I would hope that Gen would get better ventilations over the years. read more

I used to come here a lot pre-COVID and during COVID, but honestly it's fallen off a bit since then. Decided to give it another shot on a Friday evening. I will say, they've added more options to the menu, which is a nice change. I tried some of the newer, non-BBQ items and they actually weren't bad at all. That said, compared to spots like YakiniQ (my go-to), the meat marinades here just don't hit the same. Overall, not terrible, but not quite what it used to be. read more

Gen Korean BBQ House - Korean Near Me - San Jose, California

Came for the about 10th time now and loving all the impgorem! The portions sizes are definitely much bigger now so that's appreciated. The food is also coming out much faster than before when there were long waiting times (10+ minutes). A separate shoutout to our waiter Alex (worked on Saturday 4/4 at around 12 pm) who was very attentive, fast, and polite. Will be back againt :) read more

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We came in after hearing their lunch AYCE was one of the more affordable options around, and for the price point, it delivers solid value. Service was attentive and efficient, refills came quickly, plates were cleared without asking, and the staff kept things moving without making us feel rushed. The food itself was good, not exceptional, but fair for what you're paying. We went through three rounds of steak along with several other cuts of meat, plus a rotation of sides that were simple but satisfying. Nothing felt premium, but nothing felt disappointing either...it matched the expectation of a budget-friendly all-you-can-eat. If your goal is to leave full without stretching your wallet, this spot makes sense. It's not a culinary event, but it's a dependable, value-driven lunch option. read more

Gen Korean BBQ House - Korean Near Me - San Jose, California

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Can never go wrong with gen for kbbq! Their sides especially the soy marinaded radish, salad, and potato salad are top tier. The service was kinda slow for a slow week night, but was still good. It's been so long since i've been back, but they have a handful of new meats. My favorites are the pork cheek, honey soy beef belly, and hawaiian steak. read more

Gen Korean BBQ House - beef belly, hawaiian steak, pork cheek, honey soy beef belly - Korean Near Me - San Jose, California

Valentine's Day at Gen is not for the weak. We joined the Yelp waitlist at 5:30 p.m. Estimated seating time showed around 6:46-7:06 p.m. We did not get seated until 8:05 p.m. So yes... bring patience. And maybe a snack. To be fair, it was Valentine's Day. The place was packed, chaotic, loud, very "love is in the air but so is smoke from 40 grills." Food We did the Premium selection. * Premium Wagyu - solid marbling, cooked beautifully on the grill. Worth ordering early. Our favorite * Marinated Short Rib (center cut) - tender, flavorful, dependable. * Skirt steak - good sear, but not life-changing. * Brisket - we tried brisket and honestly 1/5. Ever since they had the premium upgrade, I feel like the regular meat plates went down hill * Bulgogi fries - honestly? The sleeper hit. This plate disappeared fast. Overall, The meats came out consistently and quick! Service Our server was hustling. He grill swapped 2x and didn't forget us. Even got us napkins without asking and if you've ever been to Gen, this is gold Wait Time This is the category that hurt them. 2.5+ hours from waitlist join to being seated is a commitment. Especially for a party of two. If you're going on a holiday, adjust expectations accordingly. Overall Gen is still Gen. Good value for AYCE, fun group vibe, solid meat options. I like the upgrade. read more

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Gen Korean BBQ is a fun all-you-can-eat spot, especially if you're going with friends or a group. The regular dinner menu already has a good amount of options, but if you want wagyu and better cuts of beef, you do have to upgrade to the premium menu, which is about $20 more than the regular dinner price. I think it's worth considering if you really care about meat quality and want to try the nicer cuts. The experience is still enjoyable either way because you can order a lot and cook everything at the table. Overall, it's a good place for Korean BBQ cravings. read more

Gen Korean BBQ House - Beef Bulgogi 1lb - Korean Near Me - San Jose, California

We tried this Gen Korean for the first time to celebrate Grandma's birthday and had a blast! Parking can be tough in this single level shopping plaza, but very early Saturday evening at 4pm, it was manageable. The AYCE deal without the premium cuts seems to be the best value and has plenty to offer. For a party of six, we were seated with two grills. Everyone was very professional and friendly, and efficient about replenishing us with a fresh grill. The stand-out meat cut to me was the honey soy beef belly with the green onions...super flavorful! Thank you for a great time Gen Korean! read more

Gen Korean BBQ House - Korean Near Me - San Jose, California

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Service was great overall. Got refills of sides when needed. Was hard to reorder meat a couple times. Love that they have corn cheese now. Calamari wasn't great, would not have to order again. We ordered our usual meats and they were great. The brisket is always hit or miss. This time the brisket was not marbled well. read more

I agree with a few other reviewers that if you're looking for a more budget friendly kbbq spot, Gen would fit the bill. We came here for dinner and ordered off the regular AYCE menu. We didn't splurge for the premium menu, and we were definitely satisfied. The hits were the honey soy beef belly and premium steak. The misses were the premium brisket (dry and not good), as well as the calamari rings (arrived almost cold/very lukewarm). I wish there was an included dessert option here. Our server and the employees walking around were attentive and helpful. We arrived before 6pm on a Friday night and we got a table right away. The tables did start filling up as the night went on. read more

Great experience at Gen Korean BBQ in San Jose! The food was fresh, flavorful, and came out quickly. There was a great variety of meats and side dishes, and everything cooked up perfectly at the table. The staff was friendly, attentive, and checked on us regularly even though the restaurant was busy. The atmosphere was lively and fun, making it a great place for dinner with friends or family. Definitely come hungry--you'll get your money's worth! I'll be back again soon. read more

This place should be labeled as the worst KBBQ spot in the bay. Bad service on top of very low quality meat. The whole atmosphere in there is just sad, my group of 4 didn't even finish leaving before wanting to pay and leave even getting the check took forever. Don't recommend. read more

Gen San Jose. What the hell is going on? A couple days ago I broke my boycott of Gen, my first regret of the New Year. Why was I boycotting? Because the service was horrendous. 10 years later, nothing has changed. Gen was our last resort to satisfying our late night KBBQ craving, as any other place we would have gone to was closed. Getting seated was rather quick, but once seated, we waited 15 minutes before flagging someone down. We were as patient as we could be, but after a while, it was just like.. what are we doing here. It came to a point where we considered leaving. We decided to stick out because we were hopeful it would get better. Spoiler alert: it did not. Lets get into these pictures, shall we? The rice paper was greasy and hard definitely been out for too long. The mash potato dish. Dirty as hell. The ring of red that could literally be scratched off? Insane. Bulgogi fries were sad, cheese isn't even remotely close to being melted. The last picture was the most comical. The black grill. Our server looked at our grill as he walked passed and didn't even think about changing it. Might as well just have shrugged in my face and told me we were SOL. Every single time we needed something we had to ask. Felt like we were bothering him. Our server did not come to us to check without us having to flag him down. On top of that, our plates were stacking up like Tetris at the edge of our table. I think the biggest note to make is that it was not THAT busy. And even if it were, we are very understanding, having worked in the service industry. But this, was just downright unacceptable. Another issue that we had was that not only was the service so damn slow, but people were just standing around. Doing NOTHING. I could have been fooled into thinking there wasn't management present, it was so bad. The only reason why this review is 2 stars instead of 1 is because the food was decent-ish. Banchan though, tasted as if it had been marinating since last year. Overall, theres a bare minimum standard that restaurants should operate at. Prompt greeting, quick ordering, checking in every now and again. Grill change. Clean dishes. Needless to say, Gen San Jose is not operating at that minimum. I will be boycotting for at least another 10 years, and hopefully by the time I return they either have their act together, or that location is replaced by a KBBQ spot that is not abysmal. Message to GEN Management if you see this: For the love of God, do something. This is just ridiculous. read more

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The service here and the food is always good. Shoutout to David and Albert for always providing the best service and making our experience beyond enjoyable! They always go above and beyond because they always remember our order and have our drinks and food at the table by the time we even sit down. Make sure to ask for either of them and they will take the best care of you! read more

Our group of 5 came to Gen BBQ around 6pm on a Sunday - we joined the waitlist ahead of time and were seated promptly after checking in. The space is very large and spacious, and surprisingly well lit at each table despite the darker club lighting ambiance. It is quite loud and chilly inside though. Service was very good throughout, and we were able to find someone to order or change our grill, and our server Sean was excellent and checked in to ask if we were doing okay or needed anything throughout our meal, which we appreciated a lot! The exhaust fans also work very well here and there was basically no smoke in the air. Dinner was $31/person (we didn't opt for the premium option). They have no physical menus, so you scan a QR code to look at the menu on your phone: qrco.de/bbZYzP here's the one from when we were there for reference! The quality of the meats was really good, and this location seemed a lot cleaner than some of the other Gen locations I've been to. I like that you order the banchan, salad and other side dishes and even sauces a la carte, so nothing goes to waste! we enjoy the galbi, chadol, and woo beasal as our main proteins, but always enjoy trying some other options from the extensive menu! Definitely get the radish and rice paper to go with your meats too. Overall, this was a great experience and I'll definitely come back to this Gen location in the future for the great service, cleanliness, and quality :) read more

Gen Korean BBQ House - inside - Korean Near Me - San Jose, California

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We visited San Jose and ate dinner at Gen Korean restaurant . We loved the food , the quality meats like bulgogi, riblets, pork chops and steak. Our waitress was awesome, very attentive and helpful. It was fun to cook the food. We will go there again soon. read more

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I've always enjoyed coming to Gen Korean BBQ because of the great vibes and energy the restaurant gives, along with their amazing selection of delicious dishes. I always recommend this spot to friends and family visiting from out of town and they always say the same thing, that being it is very flavorful food and they plan to visit it every time they're here. Our server was very friendly and polite as well, keep doing your thing Gen! read more

Gen Korean BBQ House - Spicy Pork Bulgogi 1lb - Korean Near Me - San Jose, California

As of recent the service has improved and on Saturday night they were staffed accordingly with enough servers, hosts, food runners, and bussers. It was pretty busy but our server, I believe his name was Jose or close to that, made our experience smooth from the beginning to the end. Very personable, attentive, and easy to find when we needed something. I also want to say they have definitely increased the portions on the honey soy and spicy pork belly platters which is great! All our meats came out quick including the deep/light fried items. We'll be back! read more

I bought two GEN Korean BBQ gift cards from Costco for $79, but their actual value was $100. For Mother's Day, I took my husband and child there to eat. I would rate the food around 3.5 stars, but the staff service definitely deserves 5 stars. I would suggest that the restaurant add a salad bar. Eating too much meat is not very healthy, and nowadays people should eat more vegetables. I hope the restaurant will take this into consideration. read more

Gen Korean BBQ House - Dinner for Mother's day at Gen BBQ. - Korean Near Me - San Jose, California

Definitely not the same as it used to be. The quality of the meat has definitely gone downhill and so has the service. My go to order is always the brisket but it was frozen when it came out and became clumpy once cooked! The other meats as well were not good. It was a pretty slow Wednesday night and the service was still very slow and our server also had a bad attitude. I will definitely not be returning! read more

Came here on a weekend, with no reservation, with a party of 30. Before you judge, I was not the host... I was simply invited. With that being said, the staff at Gen KBBQ we're so accommodating and attentive to my party. We were able to be seated after waiting an hour, and we were immediately served side, dishes, waters, and our orders were immediately being taken. I really appreciated how flexible and kind the servers were to our extremely large party. There was never a delay in food, and the only time we had a delay in drinks, the issue was immediately addressed by the server. Even through the chaos, the staff made everyone feel cared for! read more

Gen Korean BBQ House - KBBQ - Korean Near Me - San Jose, California

Where do I start? I used to love coming here, it was my go to spot for date nights. But the last few visits have been extremely disappointing. The food is still delicious, but the service has become absolutely terrible. On my most recent visit, I waited an hour and a half for my second round of food, had no drink refills, and overall experienced horrible service. I can't really blame the servers, though; the place is clearly understaffed, and the staff who are there seem completely overworked. After finally speaking with a manager, all we got was an apology and an explanation that they "couldn't discount anything" because we had already received two rounds, even though the restaurant is supposed to be unlimited. I went with a party of five and paid full price for what felt like half a meal. Safe to say, I won't be returning to this location, or any of them read more

Almost certainly one of the worst KBBQ dining experiences I've ever had. Wednesday isn't a particularly busy day and despite being told it'd be a reasonable 10-20 minute wait, they didnt get back to me for almost an hour until I went up to them again and they claimed "oops, I guess our system deleted you." After that wait, I then waited another 20 minutes before someone asked if I was in the system and I obviously wasn't, so I had no service again for another hour before I gave up any expectations of even a subpar meal. Pretty close to the worst experience I've ever had in a restaurant ever. I legitimately couldn't even be paid to try to eat here again. I can't comment on the food at this location, but it should presumably be comparable to other Gen locations which often have problems but aren't this bad. I've never seen an experience this bad. If you have any choice, I'd recommend going to any other possible location. Food is basically fine though, on par with other Gen locations. read more

My family and I have eaten at Gen at this location and other branches. By far Yaneisy gave us the most phenomenal customer service. Has great memory, awareness, attentiveness, timing, accuracy, friendly communication, and very sweet. Stay awesome Yaneisy! read more

You get what you pay for. Went for dinner and price was very reasonable. It covers the basic, short ribs, brisket, pork cheek, pork belly etc. For the price ratio, they are on the cheaper side compared to other AYCE Korean BBQ. But as I was dining in, I noticed they were selling some ramen as a side dish. (For an extra $8). So i tried it. And i was amazed how great it matched the bbq! I mixed it with sub du boo tofu stew and the brisket i grilled AND it was very tasty. Price was good, food for the price ratio was worth it. Atmosphere and service was ok, but doesnt stand out. read more

Gen Korean BBQ House - Ramen - Korean Near Me - San Jose, California

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This review and these 5 stars is specifically for you, JOSUE!! Let's be real!! Gen Korean BBQ House isn't what it used to be & yes I'm speaking on negative aspects. Inflation consistently continues to increase and the portions and food quality persists in declining. With that being said, I sometimes find myself craving Gen primarily when my toddler is in school and I am able to eat foods that she is not a fan of. Visits during her school hours also allow for me to take advantage of Gen's lunch pricing of $22/person. As a forewarning, that low cost comes at a price of long wait times, your party being neglected/ignored, and half a** service. Today's visit was the only time I enjoyed a meal and left truly & completely satisfied with the customer service provided. That is all thanks to Josue. First and foremost, this young man was hustling. Juggling multiple tables, satisfying our requests, and doing this all with an upbeat attitude. He was extremely polite, easy going, and very patient. I appreciated him constantly checking in on our table whenever he had a moment. Food wasn't anything spectacular but it was very doable given the price. Our server is what made the visit memorable. Two thumbs up for Josue!!!!! read more

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Long time favorite, go to place for AYCE Korean BBQ, so up one star. Good quality, popular yet not too crowded, and decent service. read more

Gen Korean BBQ House - Korean Near Me - San Jose, California

Here's a polished review with your tone and humor kept strong: I remember when Gen Korean BBQ House first opened--this place was the spot. The meats were high quality, the restaurant was clean, and it was absolutely worth the wait. Back then, you knew you were getting a solid dining experience. Fast forward to now, and it's honestly gone downhill. The biggest issue? The wait time just to order your next round of meat is hella long. It completely kills the flow of an all-you-can-eat BBQ experience. And let's talk about the "premium" steak... it's not so premium anymore. It was so tough, I swear my jawline got more defined just trying to chew through it. Cleanliness has also taken a hit. The floors were so oily and slippery, I felt like I could moonwalk across the entire restaurant without even trying. That's not exactly the kind of experience you expect when you're out trying to enjoy a meal. Overall, it's disappointing to see how much this place has declined. There's still potential, but they really need to step it up--better service timing, improved meat quality, and definitely safer, cleaner floors--if they want to get back to what made them great in the first place. read more

The food was amazing but my mom was suspiciouis on the black dots on the beef belly she said it didnt look safe to eat but the food was very amazing i shd deduct a point on the black spot but however the food was too good read more

Best Gen I've been to in the Bay. Came just befor 6PM on a Saturday and was immediately seated when the rest of my party of 4 arrived. Service is excellent--our kind server continuously checked on us and our orders, coming by every 10 minutes or so, even more often sometimes. The food came out very promptly after ordering and everything was good. Portions were pretty small, but that was fine because it kept us accountable for our meats and we were always free to order more whenever our server swung back around. Truly no complaints! Except that maybe they don't carry lettuce or other fresh veggies )': The radish wraps were a good sub though. With Hey Tea right next door, this place is iconic for dinner + dessert. read more

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Food, price, atmosphere, customer service are excellent here. I do also want to recognize Andy especially for his excellent service. Also Albert too for great service. Will definitely come back to dine here again. Normally we dine at the Mountainview location. read more