I have always been a fan of AYCE of Kbbq, but this place has finally convinced me maybe a la carte could be the better option. You see, sometimes the quality does matter and quantity is something that is overrated. Meokja Meokja demonstrates that at times quality trumps quantity in Kbbq. The cuts of the meat were all very fresh. I especially enjoyed the beef brisket. It was very tender. A lot of the times at AYCE Kbbq, the beef brisket can be quite dry. Not the case here. The waitress cooked all of our food, which is something I haven't truly appreciated in a while. It does make the food a bit more enjoyable when I don't have to do all the work. This restaurant is not super big. It was already borderline packed despite that we went there right when it opened. My friend told me there is one time they waited almost an hour at 9PM. So I would definitely get here early to avoid a long wait. While I had always been a loyal fan of AYCE Kbbq, I have found myself over the recent years slowly being tipped over towards the a la carte territory. Meokja Meokja has been the tipping point that finally swayed me over. The price here is about the same as AYCE, but with better quality, and I don't feel like trash after finishing the meal. Overall, AYCE Kbbq can be a messy affair, but I felt very clean and satisfied after eating here. A very solid Kbbq meal that I haven't had in a while. read more

Another great dinner! The food here never disappoints, the meat is always quality and the side dishes never misses. Also, our waitress Lauren is great, super attentive, efficient, and very nice! Thank you!!! read more

One of my top list for K BBQ in NoVA. Quality of the meat always top par, with excellent table service. all servers knows how to cooks all kinds of meat and let's you enjoy without pushing you out of seats. The portion of each set gives a generous enough to fill up but not overwhelming. All side dishes well done. make reservations before hit this place and won't let you down. read more

The is a Fairfax institution. They serve high quality meats and have tasty banchan to go with it. I definitely prefer the beef cuts over the pork. Be prepared for a wait if you do not have reservations as they get extremely busy. read more

Meokja Meokja - Naengmyun (Cold Noodle Soup) - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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First time back in years--came here recently on a Friday night and it was just as good as I remembered! Pretty packed too, would recommend making prior reservations. For three people, we got the Combo 2 (brisket, pork belly, bulgogi and galbi) large portion for $138--this was plenty of food for us, we couldn't even finish it all, had to pack it to-go! My favorite was the Marinated Short Rib Galbi--meat was tender and flavorful. The Soybean Soup, Angry Egg and Corn Cheese were included too--all delicious. Service was great as well. Our server Subin was super cool and attentive. Will definitely be back! read more

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Had to make reservations for two here for a Friday evening Very dive-y, NYC vibe more than LA, grunge-y scene, which is appreciated since we're out here in Fairfax I love this place. Great service (oddly they're all REALLY attractive Asian guys... save for the front desk girl - and I'm a straight, married, asian male), prices are great for the quality of meat and service you get (they cook for you) They come with the little appetizer plates like most Korean restaurants do, and they all have their own little twist to them, not super vanilla but still keeping to their roots and simple flavors. The green onion one was particularly memorable Our side dishes were excellent. Cheesy corn and seafood pancake. Both come out in cast iron pan, so it's piping hot and super fresh. Corn is hella cheesy and paired great with the appetizers. The seafood pancake was DENSE - really packed with seafood and not so much filler We got their combo so it came with kimchi soup and egg soufflé. The soup was very simple, very spicy. The soufflé was a nice contrast - light, fluffy, honestly almost felt like a desert. We definitely done made a mistake because for two of us, by this time the meats were ready to be cooked, we were about 60% full - and there were 4 meats to cook through We got brisket, pork belly, bulgogi, and another beef I don't remember - ended up taking about 1/3 of it home and half the pancake Our server was attentive and busy managing other tables so it's great to see all these guys staying sharp Considering how much food we took home, the bill was quite reasonable. Eyes were definitely bigger than our stomach this time tldr; fantastic kbbq served by ridiculous hot Asian guys. You need a reservation to get a table here read more

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I see why alot of people say this is one of the best kbbq places in the nova area. The quality of meat is amazing compared to other places. My group ordered the prime combo which consisted of variety of beef meats! The cut of these meats were great with some marinated & non marinated. I definitely enjoyed the non marinated ones a little more so it's less heavy to consume but overall I think it was a great meal. They don't have AYCE so it is al la carte with combo packages to select from. Service was friendly & nice. I enjoyed the side dishes that came with the meal however I thought the corn cheese was a little plain & the soybean soup was a little salty. Indoor seating (however this is limited as the space is small) read more

Meokja Meokja - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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TLDR: Popular Korean BBQ spot with good quality meats, tasty banchan, and a cozy ambiance with longer wait times. I have been to Meokja a few times and only once did we not have to wait. It is very popular and understandably so. The banchan selection is solid and the side dishes are great, quality is good, including one of the better corn cheeses around. Last night I went with a group of five. We waited about an hour and ordered a combo along with cold noodles and brisket. For my taste, several items leaned too sweet and had similar flavor profiles. The banchan salad, dipping sauce, spicy wok pork, and the marinated pork dishes all fell into that sweeter category. The quality of the meats, dishes, and service were all about what I expected. I really enjoy the ambiance with its intimate space and low hanging lights. They also offer a nice range of combo options and the portions are enough. For me, the wait makes it harder to justify returning regularly, and next time I would skip the marinated meats. Since we had a larger group, it would have been nice if the banchan were placed on both sides of the table to start. Instead, they arrived on a few small standard plates and we had to ask for additional rounds 3 times. I was also surprised that our grill was not swapped at all. Parking can be a bit tough if you go during busy times. read more

Solid, tasty KBBQ place. Big thick cuts of meat, reasonable prices, and good sides. Good service too. I'm in Annandale but I would trek out here for KBBQ if I could get a reservation. The Prime Rib is really good, a nice big piece of steak and they cut it in front of you. I should know th Prime Combo is large, they say for 2, but we had a party of 3 and we could barely finish it, even 4 it would be enough. read more

Returned for another visit at meojka and truly hands down one of the best K bbq spots! read more

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Absolutely love this place! Meokja is my favorite kbbq place in nova. The quality of the meat is so soft and tender, especially the brisket and spicy pork belly. The pricing is also very good compared to other places that are à la carte. The sides are unlimited, and the kimchi tastes so good, not too salty or spicy. You do have to pay extra for a 2nd bowl of egg, soybean soup, or corn cheese, but I think it's worth! read more

Meokja Meokja - Corn cheese - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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Meokja Meokja is consistently one of the highest rated K-BBQ spots not just in NOVA, but in the entire DMV. The reasons are simple: * EXCELLENT overall quality, especially the meats - Meokja Meokja is not the typical AYCE joint, so they pride themselves on the qualiity of their ingredients. My go-to orders are typically the lean beef brisket, thick cut pork belly, and the marinated pork belly. The cuts of meat are always tender, taste super fresh, and are seasoned perfectly. Of the sides, the steamed egg, cheese corn, and spicy tofu soup are my favorites. And of course, free refills of the banchan, including their house made kimchi! Definitely request extra dishes of the spicy bean paste. * Service - Within a few minutes of seating, a friendly server comes to greet you to see if you patrons want beverages other than water. After perusing the menu and placing your order, trays of meat start arriving and are expertly placed on the sizzling hot grills and monitored. I always appreciate that servers are constantly circulating around the dining room to ensure that meats are cooked through, but not burned and charred. * Ambiance and decor - Meokja Meokja is not a large place by any means. The small-ish dining room fills up quickly, so reservations are HIGHLY recommended or get there 15-20 min before opening and hope they have availables tables. I also like how all of the banchan is already prepped at the table, so you can start munching on the delicious sides, while you wait for the entrees. And a seriously underrated aspect of the experience, is the ventilation system. Unlike at many K-BBQ spots, there overhead vents do a great job of cycling out the smoke from the grills. * Value. I'm actually leaning away from AYCE spots these days for health as well as value reasons. I mean, how much food can a person REALLY eat? Most of the meat entrees range from $15-$18. And one order of meat can easily feed two adults. Kind of tricky to find (look for the 7-11 facing Rt. 50 next to the Fairfax Circle Shopping center), and take my advice and park BEHIND the restaurant, as there are limited spots towards the front. read more

Meokja Meokja - Brisket and fatty Thick Cut Unmarinated Pork Belly - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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I understand why there is always a wait for Meokja Meokja now. This moody, modern Korean BBQ restaurant has great meats, delicious banchan, and great service. They do not offer an AYCE option, but the amount of food that came with an order for two people was perfect. Dim lights, warm colors, wood, and black metal helped create a cozy environment to dine in. The staff was polite and attentive. Our server was fantastic and great to chat with while he prepped the meats. All of the tables are set for groups of 4, and a few tables are side by side with a small barrier in between so it could seat up to a group of 8 pseudo together. With that in mind, regardless of your party size I recommend making a reservation at least 48 hours in advance, otherwise you'll likely be waiting 45 min to an hour and a half during prime time (Friday and Saturday evenings). read more

Meokja Meokja - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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Overall, a great experience except for the wait (even with reservations). The service was great though and the side dishes plentiful. Ordered the Combo 2 (large) that came with four cuts of meat to include pork and beef. I thought I needed the Large since we had three people but it was a lot of food so a good deal for the price but unless you have four very large eaters, I suggest the Regular as we ended up taking a large portion of the delicious Pork Belly and sumptuous Galbi home. Made great leftover fried rice the next day. Parking is not an issue, the restaurant is clean, the ambiance teaming with energy - there's a reason why it's so busy and packed. Again, make a reservation especially for the weekends. read more

All my friends have been raving about this place for years, but I never really got into Korean BBQ maybe because my past experiences were just okay. This place completely changed that for me. I absolutely loved the food and the service. I didn't do the ordering, but we tried four different cuts/styles of beef and every single one was delicious. And the corn cheese is a must! The only thing I didn't enjoy was the kimchi fried rice, but that's just because I'm not a fan of fried rice in general. read more

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My friends invited me here and when I heard it wasn't all you can eat I wasn't too excited since I'm used to KBBQ being ayce to get your money's worth. We came as a group of 8 pretty big guys and decided on Derek's Choice/Michael's Challenge. The service was excellent. Our waiter checked in often and kept the food flowing. Derek's Choice came with 6 different meats and by the fourth round we were already stuffed. Every cut was seasoned perfectly and cooked just right. The sides were fresh and flavorful and tied the meal together really well. I went in worried I wouldn't be happy but I left with a big smile on my face. Overall we had a great time. The food and service were top notch and we all left more than satisfied. And they let you take home whatever you don't finish haha read more

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Meokja Meokja is one of our go-to Korean BBQ spots. The food is consistently delicious and the staff are attentive, efficient, and friendly. Be aware, there will most likely be a wait, especially on the weekends, from Thursday on. You can make reservations through Open Table. This visit, we ordered combo #2 which consists of unmarinated Pork Belly, Brisket, Bulgogi, and Galbi. The combos also come with complimentary Angry Egg, Soybean Soup (although we requested to sub Kimchi Jjigae), and corn cheese. All orders include a variety of banchan. You can also request lettuce wraps, rice, and/or a kimchi pancake. The kimchi pancake is small, so it's perfect as a side. They have a variety of Soju, beers, sodas, etc. available on their menu. We enjoyed all of the items that we ordered. My favorites this trip were probably the Pork Belly, Galbi, corn cheese and Angry Egg. We did also request the rice, lettuce wraps, and kimchi pancake, all were great additions. read more

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I came with high expectations as growing up I was familiarized with Kbbq in Centreville along with CHOSUN that was down the road. Now I will say, this place was amazing. The prices here for the quality of meat is extraordinary. Our server was great, she checked up on us whenever we needed and the inside is really nice. I'm light sensitive in my eyes so when all the snow was out, the sun would bounce off making me squint but the inside of this place does a great job to where light from the outside doesn't overwhelm the inside. I really like this place and hopefully I can come back. read more

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If you know you know. Meokja Meokja might not be AYCE but to me they have the cleanest and most consistent cuts of meat in the DMV area. Need I say more? Delicious. read more

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Visited for dinner with my partner. After living nearby for years, I'm not sure what took me so long to finally try Meokja Meokja. We had a great experience and loved the quality of all the ingredients and meats. The atmosphere: Dark, cozy, and nicely decorated. It's smaller than other KBBQ spots, but has clear dividers at some of the longer tables to fit multiple parties. The food: We ordered Combo #2, which came with brisket, unmarinated pork belly, bulgogi, and galbi. Everything was delicious. Their banchan selection is honestly one of my favorites; I enjoyed every small dish. The meats were generous in portion, and the dipping sauces and soybean paste paired perfectly. We added corn cheese and the Spicy Cold Noodle on the side. The corn cheese was just okay (a lot of cheese and not much corn), but the Spicy Cold Noodle stole the show -- refreshing and flavorful, especially on a hot summer day. The service: Attentive and friendly. All of our food came out quickly, and the staff checked in consistently. read more

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We got the Meokja Combo (w/a request of 1 spicy thick pork belly instead of 2 thick pork belly). Shout out to Callie our attentive and kind server. It was a great meal, cuts of meat were good and tender. The combo also comes with corn cheese in addition to the steamed egg & spicy tofu soup. One word of warning because we did learn the hard way... Even the side of 7-11 tow away zone so park even further back $240 isn't worth the towing fee (on weekends during the day. It would have been $270 if at night) read more

Got the Meokja Combo and it was a total win--brisket, pork belly, and prime ribeye, plus unlimited sides, steamed egg, doenjang jjigae, and cheesy corn (yes, cheesy corn). Our server was very enthusiastic about how free everything was and honestly, it made the meal even more fun. Service here is next level. Our server grilled everything to perfection--none of that "here's your meat, good luck" attitude. They were friendly, efficient, and gave us space to enjoy our dinner without feeling rushed or hovered over. Pro tip: do NOT park in front of 7-Eleven unless you enjoy watching your car get towed. The staff literally goes around asking if anyone parked there just to help you avoid the nightmare. Shoutout to them for the save! read more

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Great service and our server was able to chat with us for some time too. The food was good quality and they refilled a few of our bonchons as it ran low. We had a combo 2 and it was more than enough food for 2 people with leftovers for home. read more

Meokja Meokja - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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Always such a hit. We got combo B - and it was amazing!! The waiter was super attentive and filled up our banchans multiple times. Cant wait to come back again. The galbi and corn cheese is to die for!!!!! Highly recommend and make a reservation!! read more

We got there on a Friday Night with no reservation and waited about 2 hours (expected). It was packed and a weekend night so we went over to the billards bar for drinks while waiting. Once we got a table, everything was extremely efficient. We got the combo 2 for 4 people and it was more than enough food. Everything was absolutely delicious. The Galbi was my favorite but WOW!! The quality of meats is great. The sides are delicious- I loved the kimchi pancake, cheese corn, tofu, steamed egg, and green onions! Also the service is spectacular, I've never wanted to tip more in my life bc they were hustling and so efficient and attentive. Absolutely nothing bad to say! read more

Meokja Meokja - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

The best Korean BBQ in NoVA. I have been to Meokja Meokja quite a few times and have enjoyed each visit. I don't eat enough to make all you can eat places worth it so I prefer a la carte. My favorite is the brisket and marinated short rib. The meat is not chewy or overly fatty. The marination is just right and no sauce is needed! I usually just get those two because they generously offer complimentary corn cheese, steamed egg, and soy bean soup. The steamed egg comes out pipping hot, super fluffy, and with subtle flavors. The staff is great and friendly. Wait time can be long though. read more

Meokja Meokja - Angry Egg - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

This was my first time having Korean BBQ and it was a phenomenal experience all around! The atmosphere was inviting and lively, but not too loud so you can easily have a conversation with your friends. The food was super tasty and there was nothing I didn't like! The meat was very high quality, tender, flavorful, and nothing was too salty. All servers were extremely attentive and we were never without water as they were constantly checking if we needed a refill or any other drinks. I tried a Korean wine and found it to be super tasty as well. This restaurant is very popular, so I highly recommend making a reservation otherwise you might have to wait a while. read more

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This place gets packed, so I'd definitely recommend getting a reservation if possible. We waited about 45 mins for a table. The bbq is not all you can eat, but the quality of the meats stood out for sure. We really enjoyed the galbi in particular. The corn cheese was good too. I would go back to try out more menu items. read more

Meokja Meokja - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Came here with a friend after catching a movie and it was awesome. We walked in and waited like 10-15 mins before being seated. We opted for combo 2 which came with brisket, pork belly, bulgogi (ribeye), and galbi (short rib). The portions were perfect for us since we didn't overeat, and the quality of the meat was definitely good. The sides that came were pretty tasty too. Our server was on point and cooked the meat perfectly for us. Will try to come back in the near future. read more

Meokja Meokja - Combo 2 - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Meokja is my go-to kbbq spot. The food is nothing over the top but everything is great for the price (~$35/pp). Better quality than most the AYCE kbbq spots around and the combo meals are a great deal since they also come with the sides (corn cheese, soup, steamed egg) I always get the Combo B (thin brisket, thick pork belly, bulgogi, galbi) read more

Meokja Meokja - Thin Sliced Brisket - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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We ordered the Meokja combo which was extremely filling for 4 ppl. We also got steam egg and rice. I love how you can keep asking for more of the sides that it comes with. The potato salad and fish cake were my favorite. The meat was very fresh and flavorful. I like how we didn't get any marinated meats so it wasn't sweet. The steamed egg was so light and fluffy. Service was quick and they were very attentive and friendly. Your clothes don't really smell either afterwards. Loved this place for Kbbq! read more

Meokja Meokja - Meokja combo - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

What defines a good KBBQ for me is the side dishes and quality of the meat unless it is AYCE. MM has good side dishes and quality meat. I like their scallions and Kimchi. What is different with MM is we also got the cheese corn. First time trying it and it was flavorful cheesy taste. The rest are pickled radishes, potato salad, angry egg and soybean soup. For grill meat we got the Spicy Pork Belly, which has a good mix of fat and meat. I don't like really fatty pork belly. It has good flavor like the marinated pork ribs. The best of the night are the Gabli. It was really delicious and full of flavor. There is one meat that missed the mark. It is the prime ribeye. It is not marinated and not aged resulting in lack of flavor. But, it was cook perfectly by the wait staff. It is meaty so if you want to just eat a meaty grill meat, this would be the one to get. The restaurant is small in size with a large party room in the back. I think they can probably seat close to 15 parties at a time so even with reservation, you might have to wait. Overall, I feel their meat quality is better than other KBBQ in the area and their price is reasonable as well. read more

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In my opinion, MJMJ has good quality meats and is a good place for a small group outing. It's very busy so you might have to park by the shopping center and/or wait a while to be seated. I went in a group of 2 on a Thursday at 6:30 and did manage to sit after only a few minutes but I'd say that was pretty lucky. The meokja combo was a comfortable amount for a group of 2 adults I'd say. read more

Meokja Meokja - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Came here for a date night. The meats tasted pretty high quality and had perfect texture. I personally wish they had more sauces but to each their own. It was pretty busy when we came in but we were seated and helped as soon as we came (thanks to our RSVP). The space itself is pretty cozy, like really cozy. It was a pretty intimate time with my boyfriend and our server. Otherwise, I can't complain the service was good, our server was friendly & attentive. Space was a bit cramped but seemed clean and maintained regularly. Definitely will be coming back again read more

Small Korean BBQ spot with fantastic food I came here with a party of 8 and we therefore split their combo designated for 8 people. We thought that this was the perfect scenario, but it actually ended up being way too much food, and we ended up having to take a bunch home. All of the food was totally delicious and the servers were all very friendly and attentive. There were a bunch of different varieties of food as well It is a little loud inside, but that is somewhat inevitable for Korean BBQ places Tip was included in our bill, which was reasonable given the quantity of food we had Recommended to make a reservation, as it is small and popular read more

My wife took me here for my birthday dinner after doing a lot of research, and the place did not disappoint. Attentive staff who were generous with refilling the sides. Good quality meat. We got the combo #2 between four people, and we needed a doggy bag after walking out of there completely stuffed. A bonus point is that the K-pop music in the background was at a level where you could talk to people at your table without yelling. A lot places play it at volume 11, so that was appreciated. With a lot of Korean customers dining there, you know it's legit. read more

Meokja Meokja - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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Meokja Meokja is hands down the best Korean BBQ in NOVA. The meats are incredibly flavorful, nicely cut, and tender. The banchan (side dishes) are also the best I've had compared to other KBBQs, especially for someone who is an avid corn cheese lover. One thing to note is that this restaurant is not all-you-can-eat, but they do offer prix-fixe combos for groups of 2 or 4. I'd much rather go to Meokja than an AYCE place, as I prefer the quality of the meats here over the quantity you get elsewhere. The service is generally standard unless you're lucky enough to have Noah, whom I've had the pleasure of having a couple of times now. He always goes above and beyond to accommodate our table's requests and is a happy, personable person who has enhanced our experience at Meokja. The restaurant is clean, seating is usually quick (though I'd recommend making a reservation if you can), and it's never hard to get a server's attention. I highly recommend Meokja if you're anywhere near Fairfax--I drive 40 minutes for great KBBQ and service. I'd suggest getting the 'Combo 2,' which includes brisket, pork belly, bulgogi, and marinated short rib ($120 for 4). If not, make sure to try the marinated short rib. read more

Meokja Meokja - Sliced Marinated Ribeye Bulgogi - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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EXCELLENT quality food, amazing service. This place is worth the hype. The place gets busy and the wait can be long so reservations are a good idea! The meat is great, and the staff does a great job being attentive and cooking it perfectly. The sides are great as well, the corn cheese and the potato salad as highlights. Highly recommended read more

Overall: 3/5 I came here with a friend, excited to try this place out after hearing so much praise. I made a reservation for 5:45, we got there at 5:40, and were seated at around 6:05pm. Food: 3/5 - We got the combo 2 which came with beef brisket, pork belly, bulgogi and beef short rib. The meat was good but honestly not something that was truly memorable especially for the price. The side dishes were good but we didn't get refills on any of the side dishes and also didn't get any corn cheese/steamed egg which I thought came with the meal. Service: 3.5/5 - Our server was kind but did not really talk or explain the menu at all. He just came to take our order and would occasionally come by to cook the meat, but did not give our table any refills on the side dishes. Value: 3/5 - Our total ended up being close to $50 with tip with the lowest suggested tip being 20% of the bill. I'm not too certain if that price point is worth the quantity, quality and service that this place has to offer. Overall, I came in with high expectations and left feeling underwhelmed. Because there are so many kbbq places in this area, I don't see myself coming back and especially without a reservation (where I have heard wait times can be up to an hour plus). read more

Meokja Meokja - Korean Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

I have been wanting to try this place so badly, and finally was able to go with a group. It was a bit hard to find as a huge plaza is behind it but don't be tricked thinking it's in the plaza it's right next to the 7-eleven. Once seated and ordered things move pretty quickly with how much they brought out. The meat was so tender but I honestly loved the pork belly the best. It was so thick the fat literally just melted in your mouth. Will totally be back! read more