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    HamaHippo Korean Kitchen

    4.6 (295 reviews)
    ModerateKorean
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Order HamaHippo Korean Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

    HamaHippo Korean Kitchen Photos

    HAMAHIPPO KOREAN KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Dolsot bibimbap
    Jeremy S.

    We visited on a Wednesday evening, and there was a FIFA World Cup match on the television that everyone took interest in. The ambience was lively, but at the same time only one server was taking orders and accommodating all the tables. As such, it wasn't easy to flag our server who busily took care of several requests at the same time. I ordered the dumpling soondubu (mild). It came with rice and an egg. Perhaps I was particularly hungry, but I relied on the banchan to feel full during this dinner. The soondubu was flavorful, and I enjoyed the slightly firm texture from the dumplings.

    Melina C.

    I got the mixed gomtang. It was good! It was the perfect sweetness and flavor without adding salt but I added a little anyways haha. The sides were great too. The service was excellent. Super friendly and kind staff. I also liked how the music was not too loud, the ambience was great. Definitely would come back and try the other items on the menu!

    Bulgolgi Bento Box
    Dustin B.

    Had dinner this time. The sides and the two main dishes were so good! We ordered bibimbap, bulgolgi, and friend dumplings for an appetizer. We ate everything! We even had seconds and thirds of the ban chan. Service was perfect and I got to use my Inkind discount (dm me for a code)

    26 - GALBI TANG
    Jason C.

    We came here because they take the InKind app. We got the Korean Fried Chicken, Dolsot Bibimpbap, and Galbitang. Your standard, tasty Korean food. The side dishes were really good! Here are things that are unique about this place: 1) Modern vibes 2) They take InKind but they also charge 2.5% surcharge 3) Good presentation (I think the place is a little more welcoming to non-Koreans) 4) Good diversity of Korean food

    12 - SOON TOFU - MIXED
    Kevin T.

    The flavor of the soup is perfect. It has depth and tons of flavor. It came out as medium spice level and I can definitely can go higher, but I like spice. The japchae also taste good, there's more ingredients in it making it more filling. The banchan is fresh and taste delicious, my favorite was their sweet potato! The galbi was cooked perfectly, really juicy and had lots of flavor. The service was excellent. Came in around dinner time and was seated right away! We didn't wait long until our order was ready. They also serve everything in the correct order by giving us our banchan first, then the japchae, then the main course of tofu soup and galbi. It's very clean inside and has plenty of seating. There was ample parking when we were there on a rainy day. I prefer this spot over BCD tofu house and it's a tough competitor against Kaju Soft Tofu. I'll definitely come back here again with a tofu soup craving.

    2 - SEAFOOD PA JUN
    Hanna Y.

    I came here with a friend because I wanted to try their galbi tang. We came on a Friday night and it wasn't too busy. They had a nice clean modern look to the restaurant. Plenty of parking! Let me start with the sides. I've never seen the crab salad and the cucumber tomato as a banchan at other Korean restaurants. Both were my favorite out of the sides. I got the galbi tang and seafood pancake. For the galbi tang I didn't need to add extra seasonings, it was perfect the way it way. Warmed me up and made my taste buds happy. The seafood pancake was also delicious. Perfectly crispy and soft. My favorite thing was that they gave us Korean rice punch for free after the meal. Which was a nice surprise because it's one of my favorite Korean drinks!

    Ann N.

    Went here on a Monday for a late lunch. We had a big group and the restaurant was able to accommodate us with no issues. No delays in service at all. Food were great and very flavorful. We had a few family members who were vegetarians and love the fact the restaurant had a good variety of items for the to enjoy with us. Very clean restaurant. Will definitely come back.

    Beef Bulgogi
    Gabe D.

    My local Korean spot (da Rae) closed so I wanted to try something new, so here I am at hamahippo and it's well worth it. So glad I found this spot. It's my new go to for Korean! Everything is quality and super friendly service. I got the spicy cold noodles, beef bulgogi, and the japchae. All delicious. The ambience can be a little loud due to all the hard surfaces, but there's nice plants and wooden accents in the dining area. The food is so damn good and very reasonable prices.

    26 - GALBI TANG
    Stephanie D.

    Ordered galbi tang and it was exactly what I needed. It was hearty and came out very hot on a cold day. It was savory and had the perfect flavor! There was one lady handling all of the tables, so service was a bit slow but she was very nice and attentive to my son when needed. Will definitely return if I'm craving hearty soup!

    Jeanivic A.

    Tucked in a small plaza with a small parking lot. Visited on a Sunday evening. There were only a few parties dining when my group arrived. The interior was modern but also cozy with touches of fake greenery to brighten up the space. There were two ladies serving the restaurant. The lady who served us was very nice, attentive and helpful. My group had a few questions, which she answered with patience and kindness. The other lady was busy helping other tables so we didn't have much interaction with her. The food was amazing! You can't go wrong with anything you pick on the menu. I will say though that 2 people in my group can't handle spice and they thought the Hama Chicken was spicy but still said it was good. I wanted to save my appetite for my own dish, which was their pork soondubu (mild spice). I love spicy food so this was very mild- I never know an individual restaurant's spice range so I always go with mild to be safe. It was still very good and warmed my soul! I also got their special kimchi pancake, which was so good, crispy, and flavorful! They also give ban chan (side dishes), which was all so good! Everyone enjoyed their dishes. I'm so glad I found this place on Yelp and was able to try it out. Now I have a go to place for Korean food when I need a fix!

    11 - SOON TOFU - BEEF
    Earl G.

    Beef soondubu was decent -- they don't ask for a spice level and it comes out as a mild-medium. The egg is only available upon request since according to the server, it can change the flavor of the dish. Their banchan is actually elite and one of the best I've had as far as I can remember. The fish cake, tomatoes, broccoli, and salad were all so flavorful -- might be even more than the main dish. The service is slow and our whole dinner took over an hour, but it's probably cuz there's only one server holding it down for the whole restaurant for both dine-in and take-out orders. Shoutout to Sarah! I'll be back to try the other popular dishes out but I'll temper my expectations with their long waits for dinner. (Side note they also have a 2.5% card surcharge)

    Beef rib soup
    Susan N.

    Awesome fried chicken and beef ribs soup! Nice staff but but poor follow ups and it is noticeable that Korean patrons are treated much better. I don't know why some Korean restaurants do this. It is not cool!! Not nice and poor experience. Unfortunate because their food is pretty good. I want to come back but thinking about experience makes me not want to! I would need to drag a Korean with me if I do haha!

    Seafood pancake
    John L.

    Hama Hippo in Fullerton seriously hit the spot. We ordered the seafood pancake, tofu soup, and galbi and every single dish came out on point. The seafood pancake was one of the better ones I've had in the area. Crispy on the outside, packed with seafood, and not overly greasy. You still get that soft, savory inside with the green onion flavor coming through, and it pairs perfectly with the dipping sauce. The tofu soup came out boiling hot like it should, with a deep, comforting broth that had real flavor instead of just spice. The tofu was silky, the portion was generous, and it's the kind of dish that makes you slow down for a second because it's so satisfying. The galbi was the standout for me. Super tender, well marinated, and grilled with that slight char that gives it the smoky sweetness. It didn't need anything extra, but wrapping it with the banchan and rice made it even better. Speaking of banchan, they were fresh and kept coming without us having to ask. Service was quick and the food came out fast even though the place was busy. The whole restaurant has a fun, energetic vibe and feels like a great spot for a casual dinner with friends or a late night meal. Everything we ordered was solid and I'd come back specifically for the galbi and tofu soup again. Fullerton has a lot of options but this one is definitely worth putting into the regular rotation.

    Beef soup  26 - GALBI TANG

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Loved the dishes we chose, cannot wait to try the rest of the menu. A delightful experience!

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    1 year ago

    Great location for comforting Korean food. My favorite was the Galbi and Seafood pancake.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    amazing food cute ambience. The most amazing home-cooked meal I've had run by my mother and daughter. I highly recommend.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    The food is so fresh and authentic. Our foodie grandson gave it thumbs up! Looking forward to trying the whole menu.

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Join the waitlist online. When we get there, it is close for private event. Restaurant should manage better on the reservation side

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    2 years ago

    This is authentic Korean food. Everything on the menu is delicious! The service is great too.

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    2 years ago

    Best Korean food in Fullerton hands down. Get the Korean pancake, it's one of the best I've ever had anywhere

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    Page 5 of 8

    Ask the Community - HamaHippo Korean Kitchen

    Can the mushroom soondubu be made vegetarian?

    Yes! Will make delicious for you.

    냉면발 기기로직접 뽑나여?

    No, we do not. But it still yummy!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    J’s Korean Cuisine

    J’s Korean Cuisine

    4.3
    (1.8k reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    They have changed locations and are located with Tokyo Eats but the food is still amazing and…read moredelicious! The bibimbap beef burrito is big and filled with lots of flavorful goodness! We ordered 24 wings and split it to try the soy garlic, K-sweet chili and Seoul spicy. Oh my! Generous size and served piping hot. Crunchy outside with tender chicken inside. Each one was very tasty and the spicy one hits you after a bit. So good! The K-pop street tacos were also very good and served with a spicy sauce. So glad they're still around. It's been a while since we came and we're happy and satisfied. Plenty of seating and the service is good. Attended to in good time and didn't have to wait long to get our food. Love the Japanese Cherry blossom decor mixed with K-Pop flare.

    We came expecting an all-you-can-eat chicken wing experience, but they no longer have that in the…read morerestaurant. So expect the regular menu. There is a small lot out front for parking, and I suspect you can park on the street when the lot fills up. We happened to come by during the Korea vs. Mexico game, and understandably, the place gets packed, with a line forming outside. We somehow beat the rush by about 30 minutes and were seated at a table as soon as we entered. We also realized then that they didn't have the all-you-can-eat option, so we ended up ordering the chicken wings, their version of loaded fries, and steamed rice. We also placed the order via the QR code. We had our drinks delivered to our table shortly afterward. The food, however, was taking a long time to get to our table. It may have been a combination of the FIFA World Cup and a staff shortage, but when we were there, there was only 1 kitchen staff member and 1 wait staff member. The lady on the wait staff did everything from serving food to accepting new customers and topping off water for all the tables. A wall separates the restaurant; there is a front room and an inside room, and both rooms had televisions broadcasting the game. The food itself was decent for the price that they charge. The chicken wings came out piping hot, crispy on the outside, and juicy inside. They have some options for different wing flavors. The fries were also delicious and well-fried. I hope the restaurant invests in more wait staff because there were times we needed something from the wait staff. Seeing how busy she was, or sometimes she's just in the front room, we haven't seen her in a while to get whatever we needed. Overall, it was a good experience. The food was good, and the atmosphere is very unique; it's definitely a nice place to get some Korean street food when you're in the area. The only things to note are that parking is limited, food will take a while to cook as it is made fresh, and there will be some waiting to be done if you need wait staff. Last thing to note: I love that they had some Korean Fusion dishes, and I wish I had a bigger stomach to try these as well during our visit, perhaps another time!

    Photos
    J's special menu's are here!!!
    J's special menu's are here!!!
    AYCE Menu! Only First Round can have a J's Super Fries!!! Only for J's Korean Cuisine!
    AYCE Menu! Only First Round can have a J's Super Fries!!! Only for J's Korean Cuisine!
    BIBIMBAP BURRITO 비빔밥 부리또

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    BIBIMBAP BURRITO 비빔밥 부리또
    Han Yang

    Han Yang

    4.3
    (1.7k reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$

    This is hands down my favorite Korean restaurant. The quality of the food and the portion sizes are…read moreboth 10/10. The kimchi, kkakdugi (radish kimchi), and gat kimchi are absolutely delicious. I heard that the owner makes everything in-house, and you can really tell how much care and skill go into the food. The staff are also incredibly kind and welcoming every time I visit. Galbitang (Beef Short Rib Soup) - This is honestly the best galbitang I've had in both OC and LA. The broth is rich and flavorful, and the beef is always fresh and tender. Whenever I'm craving galbitang in the OC/LA area, this is the only place I go. Yukgaejang (Spicy Beef Soup) - The amount of ingredients they give you is amazing. I've had it both dining in and as takeout, and it's consistently delicious every single time. It's perfectly seasoned, and has just the right level of spice. As much as I love the galbitang, I think I actually enjoy the yukgaejang even more. Pork Cutlet (Donkatsu) - This place is known for its galbitang and seolleongtang, so I wasn't expecting much from the donkatsu... but why is it this good? The cabbage salad dressing that comes on the side is seriously addictive. The portion size is huge, there's no way I could finish it by myself. It has the crispy texture of Japanese katsu, while still having a great pork flavor of its own. I honestly think this could be considered one of their signature dishes. If you're looking for authentic Korean comfort food with generous portions and warm service, I highly recommend giving this place a try. I'll definitely keep coming back!

    Delicious and authentic! The banchan was so fresh and more on the spicy side, which I absolutely…read moreloved because it was so flavorful. It honestly tastes just like a home-cooked meal. ​I got the bibimbap and the galbi-tang...both were excellent. Highly recommend!

    Photos
    Inside seating - decent amount of seats
    Inside seating - decent amount of seats
    Octopus bibimbap
    Octopus bibimbap
    Spicy sautéed small octopus bibimbap

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    Spicy sautéed small octopus bibimbap
    dPlace Steak & Pasta

    dPlace Steak & Pasta

    4.2
    (868 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$$

    The pasta was okay, my brother ordered that and I am not a fan. The flavor was extremely light…read more I ordered the ribeye and a side of rice. The rice was only $2 which is rlly nice. the ribeye was ordered medium rare and come out perfectly. While the center of the ribeye was lacking a little flavor and the crust wasnt the best, the cap of the ribeye was cooked beautifully and actually tasted very good. I've had many steaks while dining and this was the first steak to be cooked so evenly, and have flavor without overseasoning. The sleeper item of this whole meal however was the mash potatoes. extremely creamy, smooth, and rich. we also ordered the calamari as an appetizer (pictured not included) and the sauce was good, the calamari itself was okay in terms of taste, but the presentation was unique. it was the first time ive ever had to cut up my own calamari. scissors were given with the dish, and instead of the typical rings, it was more like whole squids fried up.

    We came in a group of 5 ordering several types of pastas and an order of the OC galbi. The Rose…read morepasta was definitely our favorite but the steak is the true star of the show (must try) There isnt really "service" here. Orders are submitted through tablets and delivered via little robots. Personally, I thought the staff could've been a little more attentive. Plenty of spacious seating and I felt very welcome coming in.

    Photos
    The entrance and bar area
    The entrance and bar area
    The Fried Calamari was a unique take and the coating was a panko
    The Fried Calamari was a unique take and the coating was a panko
    Spicy Gochujang Rigatoni

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    Spicy Gochujang Rigatoni

    HamaHippo Korean Kitchen - korean - Updated July 2026

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