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    Saemaeul Restaurant

    4.2 (586 reviews)
    PriceyKorean, Barbeque

    Saemaeul Restaurant Photos

    SAEMAEUL RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Saemaeul Restaurant

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    Pork combo
    Jennifer K.

    This is one of the many Korean barbecue restaurants in a 1 mile radius. I've come here before and tried the beef combo and this time decided to try the pork. The pork belly was extremely dry, but it may just have been that we were amongst one of the last customers on a Friday night. I would return here to give it another try and maybe try ordering something different.

    Ivan Lawrence A.

    Food Family and I came here after finding out this was Paik's restaurant(a judge from Culinary Class Wars). We've had our fair share of kbbq and this place really stood out on top for me. It's not an unlimited kbbq place, so we ordered the XL beef Special combo for our party of 6 and a green onion pancake. I believe that it was just the right portion for us wherein we were stuffed but not too full. The quality of the meat was top notch and we got pretty thick cuts and one of the servers cooked the meat for us. The green onion pancake was a fluffy pancake that just melted in my mouth accompanied by flavorful sauces. Overall, it's a bit more a premium place to go to but pretty worth it in my opinion. Service/Ambiance On Saturday lunch, we were surprised that there were barely any people inside. The vibe of the place was a bit more of an upscale casual kbbq place. The staff were nice and cooked the meat for us in our special combo.

    Julie Y.

    Hubby & I've been here many times even before pre-covid. Their meat quality has always been consistently good & flavorful. We ordered the chadol & kkotsal this time & it was tender. Their side dishes are delicious as well. Service is friendly & attentive. I like that they cook the meat for you & they change the grill when necessary. It's not AYCE but I prefer quality over quantity & they serve just the right amount meat. At the end, we ordered neng myun & kimchi jjgae. The neng myun was just okay but the kimchi jigae mixed in with rice was pretty good. We left home feeling full & satisfied. There are a lot of Korean bbq restaurants in BP area but I rate this one the best in my opinion.

    Rachelle L.

    Came to Saemaeul for dinner and absolutely loved the experience! I always prefer KBBQ that isn't AYCE and the small beef combo was perfect for 3 of us, we even had leftover to take home. I really appreciate that non of the meats were marinated compared to similar KBBQ restaurant combos. The service was amazing and our waiter cooked our beef to perfection, changing out the grill after every type. We came on the early side and didn't have to wait, but the restaurant started getting busy closer to 6! I regret not getting the cheesy steamed egg and will definitely be back again to try it. Food: 5/5 Price: 4.5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambience: 4/5

    Everything here is so fresh and the service is impeccable
    Sammy B.

    I could go lengthy into this restaurant, but a lot of what I'll mention will be easily experienced just by coming in yourself. Saemaeul is a Korean BBQ restaurant with some of the highest quality meats you can desire. Before even walking in you might notice the people who come here: they're almost all Korean. Just from the clientele you can tell this is going to be authentic AF. The staff are very kind. Obviously, if you speak Korean it'll be easier to order, but they do speak English and they are helpful. Because this is more traditional Korean BBQ and not an AYCE they will be cooking the meat for you, perfect for anyone who doesn't want to cook their own food. This means you benefit from their expertise and everything will be cooked perfectly for you to enjoy without the stress. The food is incredible in quality. For Korean cuisine it isn't just about the main dishes that make a meal. It also involves the quality of the side dishes and the ban chan here is incredibly fresh and vibrant in flavors. Saemaeul serves one of the best 된장찌개 I've had in America. A lot of places this fermented bean soup is either too watery or too salty, but here it is perfect and accentuates all the adjacent flavors. The meat is high quality with a butcher in the kitchen actually cutting the meats presented to you. Just writing this is making my mouth water. The price will be a bit higher. We got a beef combo that costs $138 but it was meant for 3 people so it made sense. Not to mention the quality is worth that much. Considering the high quality ingredients, the stress free eating experience, and an ambiance that would easily fit in any big city in South Korea Saemaeul is a perfect place to eat Korean BBQ where you'll leave not only full, but satisfied.

    Spicy Yeoltan
    Timothy T.

    Of course we had to visit after watching Culinary Class Wars on Netflix! The restaurant is located off Beach Blvd in Buena Park, where a number of other well-established Korean restaurants are located. The place was quite empty on a Wednesday night for dinner but service was really good. All the servers were very attentive, seriously like a hawk watching your every move (and plate). Dishes came out quick and the servers assisted in cooking your meats. Overall, I thought the quality and items were relatively similar to other 'higher-end' Korean BBQ spots in the area. My group thought it was a little better, but not by much. I'd say my favorite items were the Yeoltan Bulgogi (which you can also get $0.01 soju if ordered) and the Rice Balls. The restroom is a bit run down. Things are kind of rusty and moldy. I don't know how effective the ventilation is since there were times when each table had plumes of smoke. The vents didnt seem to work too well.

    Ramonna B.

    This was my first time trying to location with my friend. We went here for my brother's birthday. It was 7pm on a Monday evening. It wasn't busy and we were seating right away. When we were first escorted to our table, we thought the table and grill was pretty small for a table of 6 people. It felt like everything was crammed onto the table. We ordered the large order of the beef special. We ended up ordering extra brisket, beef tongue, and boneless short rib. We were very full at the end! Some of the meat quality was very good, and others were just okay. Service was good! All of the servers continuously checked in on us, and they changed the grill regularly. I thought they cooked the food really fast though. I felt a little rushed at some points. I'm not sure the price matches the quality of the meat.

    ZoEy H.

    One of the favorite spot to dine KBBQ in Buena Park. Good quality meant, my nephews love cheeses steam eggs. The service is pretty great, they grilled us the meats. The wait line wasn't bad at that time. Each table wasn't crowded, They space out pretty good. We love going back soon.

    Tina C.

    Their spread of banchan is plentiful in veggies and their meat is so tender and juicy! I love how they offer so many veggie side dishes because they all go very well with the meat. The meat is great quality and the servers were so attentive here. They refilled our banchan without us having to ask and we were really impressed by that. It's not often you find kbbq places that go out of their way like that. They also frequently switched out the grill so our meat was never burnt but cooked perfectly.

    Sophysna L.

    My friends and I visited SAEMAEUL Korean Traditional BBQ, and the restaurant was clean and refreshing. We ordered a BBQ platter for about $80, which included three plates of meat, soybean paste soup, and a variety of delicious side dishes. The meat was high quality and well-marinated, sizzling over the charcoal grill, releasing an irresistible aroma. With a crispy outside and juicy inside, every bite was bursting with flavor! Paired with authentic Korean side dishes and a special dipping sauce, it was an incredibly satisfying experience. One of the most unique dishes was the old-school lunchbox fried rice (see Image 3). The server first brought out the lunchbox for customers to take photos before shaking and mixing the ingredients inside (see Image 4). The final result was a hand-mixed kimchi fried rice full of rich flavors. The cheese steamed egg was another highlight! It contained onions and other vegetables, making it both nutritious and delicious.

    Jessica Y.

    Stopped by here in a Saturday around 4:45pm. We just came before the dinner rush, as the line quickly became long with families after us. Originally came for X Fish but we didn't pre add ourselves to the yelp waitlist which was almost 2 hours. For two people we got the beef set for 2. The servicer saved us a lot of wasted money when we almost ordered the set for 4+ people (make sure you pick the right size for your party). The meats were delicious, and well portioned. They were cooking the meat quite fast so I did feel a little pressured to eat quickly. I like my meat (pretty crispy) so because of the pace we were being served I couldn't get that. The banchan was yummy as well. They continuously filled our rice paper refills because we went through over 4 lol. I do wish they had potato salad, fish cake and corn included though. Interior was spacious bright and clean. Was giving modern traditional Korean. Food: 4/5 Service: 4.5/5 Ambience: 4.5/5

    Max S.

    Another Korean bbq. I'm giving it 4 stars because of the consistently great service. Staff cooked the meat and changed the grill multiple times. I was a part of a large group of 13. No reservations, but we were seated fairly quickly. The restaurant is not set up for large groups, so we were split up into 3 small round tables. It's a lot of food. The side dishes are a little bit on the boring side, so I mostly stuck to the salad. The meat was okay.

    Outside
    Columbus B.

    Still the best Korean BBQ place in Orange County that I know. I never understood why people line up at Baekjeong. Their meat is absolutely disgusting. Anyhow the meat quality here is truly the best for the price around $50s per person. Also the staff here really knows how to cook your meat perfectly to keep the juicy part inside but render crispy part outside. I read some people complaining about the bland taste of meat. Ridiculous... Then how should the fresh meat taste as? Sweet? Salty?Peppery? They are probably talking about KBBQ marinated in lots of sugar and soy sauce. Trust me their meat quality here is excellent. Besides they provide the sauce and salt on the side. Just Make sure to order the beef combo. I think That's the best choice for the buck. Also I recommend steamed egg. That was also really good. One of the best ones I ever had. So creamy and buttery!

    Exterior.

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    2 months ago

    Bummer, this place was amazing. Why did it close. Perfect cuts of meat, and quality was always on par. I wonder why it's closed.

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    Page 1 of 15

    Ask the Community - Saemaeul Restaurant

    Can you still accept reservation for tonight for 4?

    Sorry. We do not take any reservations.

    Is there all you can eat?

    No, but the quality of the beef is good for the price. If you are looking for AYCE, Thirsty Cow - Puente Hills, CA - Worth the drive… Read more

    Do you take reservations for 10 ppl?

    When you order to go, is it cooked?

    S this place all you can eat Korean BBQ?

    How much does it cost to eat here?

    It is not cheep. 2 people for dinner was a little over $80 with out any alcohol.

    Do you take reservations for 8-13 people? Thanks!

    Yes we do. You can call it in, we'll be able to assist you.… Read more

    Hello, I am looking for a restaurant for the birthday party. Do you accommodate a group of 15-20 people? Thanks

    Hello! Yes we definately do. What day and time?

    View All 12 Questions

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    Misoolkwan OC

    Misoolkwan OC

    4.6
    (1.8k reviews)
    1.6 mi

    I've been here a few times but recently had dinner here with my coworkers. It hits every time and…read moreis a perfect place to drink, yap, and grub! it can get really crowded so definitely try and get here earlier if you can: There's always plenty of things to do though since it's at The Source and there's so many shops and photobooths while you wait. The restaurant is pretty huge but it gets super loud! The screens are always playing kpop groups with music playing and its always fun to watch. For food, I've tried a lot of their menu and everything is so good and shareable. The korean fried chicken is crispy, not dry, and seasoned so well! A favorite amongst the group was the beef intestine, which I've never had before and was pretty impressed by. It was super juicy and paired well with the scallions and sauce. Another favorite of the group was the corn cheese. It was like a pizza but corn cheese. My absolute tried and true is the pork belly. It is soo good, especially with the kimchi, peppers, and roasted garlic cloves. It definitely is my personal favorite on their menu! I can definitely see why this place is so popular!

    I came here on a Sunday right at 5 when it opened. It was easy to get a table for 6…read more We got the grilled pork belly, army stew, garlic fried chicken, and seafood pancake. The grilled pork belly was really good, and we even placed a second order! The rest of the food was good enough, as expected for Korean bar/drinking food. Service was okay. They had forgotten to give us the soju we ordered, so we had to ask for it. I enjoyed the casual vibes. It's a good spot to go to for casual Korean food and drinks. And you don't need to tip at this place! Although there is a 10% service fee or something like that.

    Photos
    Stir fried pork belly and kimchi
    Stir fried pork belly and kimchi
    Kkanpung Chicken
    Kkanpung Chicken
    Kkanpung Chicken

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    Kkanpung Chicken
    Han Yang

    Han Yang

    4.3
    (1.7k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    You know you're at a legitimate Korean restaurant when all the waitstaff is hardworking Korean…read moreaunties. The menu seems bit limited but it actually covers a wide variety of Korean food: boiling hot soups, cold noodles, something fried, and something with rice! Portions are huge and they give you three types of kimchi that taste house-made. My favorite here is the NakJi Dol-Sot.

    I've been coming here for many, many, many years. Am I a fan of this place? YES! Do I love the…read morefood? YES! Does the food taste great? YES Is the place clean? Yes. Is the service good? NO! Are the servers nice? NO! Is the price decent? NO! Here's my reasoning: I used to bring my grandfather here because he loved their soup. If I didn't bring him I would buy the galbi tang and take it to him. And back then the service was amazing, the ajummas were so nice and would get you extra servings of banchan and brisket sauce but sadly throughout the years they've become very stingy and just plain out rude. I understand the cost of inflation and it's very real but I used to get their galbi tang for less than $10. At this rate it's costing me $27 for a bowl of soup and no extra gimme with not even a smile. Will I still be back? Yes but not like before. With the competition out here there are other places to go but I do keep coming back. Oh what's a girl to do. Will I recommend this place? That's a hard NO.

    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
    Jinsol Gukbap Buena Park

    Jinsol Gukbap Buena Park

    4.3
    (384 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$

    came here with a large party and called ahead of time. they were able to accommodate us and we had…read morea great time. staff are so nice and are able to handle the rushes of people. their cold noodles were delish!!!! it is a very high contender to being one of my favorites in all of OC! so much flavor and generous portions. loved their seafood pancake and their kimchi stew was so comforting. the broth was thick and flavorful and the pork belly in the soup was meaty galbi was flavorful and seared nicely but i didnt enjoy their pork soup which they're known for, but that's completely on me since i usually don't reach for it.

    I've been to the Buena Park location twice so far, both times during breakfast hours…read more The restaurant itself is actually nice. The interior is clean, newly built, and has a modern Korean hanok-style look. The servers were also friendly both times, so I didn't have any issues with the service or atmosphere. Unfortunately, the main problem for me was the food. I've eaten at the LA location before and never really thought the food tasted bad there, but at this Buena Park location, both visits gave me the impression that the food didn't taste as fresh as it should. On my most recent visit, I ordered the soondae gukbap, and the soondae had an unpleasant off smell and didn't taste very fresh. It almost tasted like it had been sitting for a while. On my first visit, I tried the regular pork gukbap, and the pork flavor was also stronger than I personally prefer. I do tend to like cleaner-tasting gukbap, but this stood out to me because I don't remember having the same issue at the LA location. After the first visit, I thought maybe it was just an off day since the restaurant was still new. But after having a similar impression on my second visit, I'm not sure if this location is consistent yet. The space is nice and the service was good, but for a gukbap restaurant, the food has to be the main reason to come back. Based on my two visits, this location was disappointing for me.

    Photos
    Near the cash register. 6/14/2025
    Near the cash register. 6/14/2025
    Mul Naengmyeon (물냉면)
    Mul Naengmyeon (물냉면)
    Entrance. 6/14/2025

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    Entrance. 6/14/2025
    Kyung Bok Kung Korean BBQ

    Kyung Bok Kung Korean BBQ

    4.0
    (523 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$$

    This is one of the best kbbq places I've been to. The quality of the meat is right up there. And…read morewhile it's not cheap, I think the prices are reasonable. We had the sirloin steak and the bone-in rib eye. They were both great. The server did a great job of cooking the meat perfectly. The steaks had a great sear and then he cut up the pieces nicely just as they got to about rare temperature. I like my meat medium rare, so I just waited another minute or so and it was perfect. My wife and I both thought the kimchi was fantastic -- and, other than the quality of the meat, the quantity of the kimchi is really let. We also ordered the egg stew and kimchi stew. They both had great flavor. The only thing missing was lettuce and rice cake wraps. The provide salad. But I'd much rather have just fresh lettuce. The bill was a little more than other places, but well worth it.

    I think AB steak is the best Korean bbq restaurant in LA. It's not my favorite just the best. They…read morenail everything in terms of quality and service. But since I moved out of LA, it's so inconvenient to get to. Enter Kyung Bok Kung -- what a find. I can get a fine dining korean bbq experience conveniently. I've been here a number of times, and this review reflects the few times I've been there. It's become the goto spot to take people from out of town who are visiting and want a Kbbq experience. Things I immediately noticed - lots of white and grey teslas in the parking lot during lunch - you know what that means? Golf Koreans. Yup. Go inside and you'll see incredibly well dressed older retired people with their buddies chatting up in private cubicles. Beautiful decor. It's like the background setting of a korean drama where there's a close-up of the guy and the girl - they're about to say something really serious to each other. The camera does a wide angle shot of them - and this is the restaurant it's shot in. Price points - this place isn't cheap, but they have incredibly good deals on a weekday lunch (cold noodles and meat set). Their dinner set course meals are priced around what you would expect from a quality steak house. This place is not as pricey as AB steak or Cote, but you're getting just as quality. Food - I've had the lunch set meals, the bbq grilled course, and ordered à la carte. One thing is for sure - they don't miss. I never had a 9 budda plate until I came here, but apparently it's like a thing that royals ate during the monarchy days. It was like a korean vegetarian taco. Very intricate (and slightly annoying) to put together but delicious - and a great test of your chopstick skills. Their braised beef (galbijjim) from their lunch set intersects savory, sweet, and tenderness in a way that only Korean grandmas do. I'm not a huge fan of Wagyu beef (just too rich and can never feel after eating it), but I have never felt that way coming out of here. Go here at night if you want to impress someone or celebrate something. Go here during lunch if you want a fantastic meal and want to see what the best korean food can taste like but don't want to break the bank.

    Photos
    Special
    Special
    Kyung Bok Kung Korean BBQ
    Menu

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    Menu

    Saemaeul Restaurant - korean - Updated June 2026

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