Saemaeul Restaurant

3 years ago

i think the meat quality kind of went down as i come here once in a while. The brisket was a bit drier than usual and the reason i give it 3 stars is the short rib is always so oily, like every bite just oozes oil where i have to spit it out. The seasoned short rib was also really fatty and not that flavorful. The only thing i liked was the cheese egg and the rice balls. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Forest L.

2 years ago

Cold noodle n 7 minutes kimchi stew not recommended. When I first eat, thought "WHAT THE...." Also some pice of plastic in the rice. Asked what is this? No answer No sorry hmmmmmm Finally no charged. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Christopher C.

Elite 24

209

240

359

2 years ago

I came here for lunch on the weekend and got really lucky with a parking space. It's shared between X-fish, so parking might be a challenge. I was actually on the waitlist for X-Fish but came here instead because their wait was way too long. Saemaeul didn't have a line and I was seated right away. We got the small pork+beef combination and it was great! Meal started off with complimentary seaweed soup which was nice. Meats were great quality and fresh. I think the portions here are a bit smaller in comparison to other kbbq spots in my opinion, but it was perfect content for us. The downside is that the combination doesn't include a steamed egg! Service is pretty quick and attentive. When I came it wasn't too loud either, which was nice. I'll probably return to this place when I get the chance to try their Yeoltan meats. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 1

M. K.

1 year ago

Saw this place is usually busy so wanted to try them out. Had to wait about 20 minutes so wasn't that bad. We got the combo 4 people. Good quality. I like how the server grill the meat for you. You just eat and don't have to touch the tong. They change the grill without asking. Good service and good food. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Kimberly H.

Elite 20

231

1027

18158

3 years ago

This is one of the best Kbbq places I have been to. It's unfortunate it's not in LA's ktown as I would go there all the time. The people are super friendly. There's a lot of selection available. The rice dish was especially fun to watch being prepared, as the server closes the lid and shakes it to combine the ingredients. Wooin/Alex was especially helpful and great at cooking the meat perfectly. read more

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Jason L.

1100

1088

2227

7 years ago

When you look around and you see nothing but Koreans dining, you know you're at a bomb KBBQ spot. If you're looking for quality KBBQ, look no further than Saemaeul. Hailing straight from Korea, it doesn't get much more authentic than this. I used to love AYCE KBBQ but these days, I'm much more about quality than quantity and this spot delivers. For a group of four, we got the XL special mix combo which includes their famous yeoltan bulgogi. If you're unsure which meats to order, it's probably best practice to go with a combo. While known for their bulgogi, which was good, my favorite was the marinated skirt steak (yangnyeom anchangsal). It was so tender and juicy! Also, the banchan was good and the kimchi jigae was really flavorful. If it weren't so far, I would frequent this place a lot. Hopefully they open up more locations soon! read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - XL special mix combo - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Helpful 11

Thanks 0

Love this 11

Oh no 0

Lilian B.

260

934

4 years ago

Haven't been here for sometime but glad we did! Service level was awesome! During the pandemic, they didn't cook your meat but now they are back at it and they are good! The Cheese steam egg is to die for and don't forget their hot noodle dish at the end! read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Yess!! Yumm - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Hot noodle soup - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Rainey C.

534

1984

3 years ago

We got 2 of the small combos: the Beef Special and the Special Mix. We also ordered the steamed egg and rice lunchbox. The amount of food was perfect for 4 people. My personal favorites were the Beef Brisket and Shortrib. We gave this place 3 stars because we wished there was a bit more variety in the banchan and also more memorable sauces. The Brisket sauce was too sour and besides that, they only gave salt and sesame oil. A special house sauce would've been great with the meat. We also thought the unmelted cheese was strange on the steamed egg. We would've preferred if it was torched or even pre-melted, because it was literally just like cheese bits on top of room temperature egg. Our server Nathan was great, wanted to give him a special shoutout. He was really patient with all our questions and very friendly. Overall a good meal, but probably wouldn't go out of my way to come here again. read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Small Combos: Beef Special and Special Mix - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Beef Brisket - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Banchan - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Steamed Egg - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

See all

Business owner information

Sehee K.

Hello Rainey,…

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Julie Y.

Elite 25

200

421

3 years ago

I'd say saemaeul is my favorite korean bbq restaurant around the area. Top notch meat quality and portions are so huge that it felt like AYCE. I got XL beef and small pork combo both were so delicious and prices are very reasonable. All the sides were so good especially the cheesy egg souffle. So yummy. Service was amazing. I'd say the best kbbq service ever. All the staffs are so kind and patient despite how busy it is. They are so attentive and extremely efficient. read more

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Brian C.

268

3 years ago

love this spot for orange county could definitely get busy at times we once came with a big group in the back it was tough to get some basic service ( water / sauce / banchan refill ) but besides that we love this spot its clean and somewhat of a ambience i guess v good quality especially for the area dont need to go Ktown LA for everything read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Adjoa O.

103

2 years ago

Food is awesome and worth the price. The service is great and fast. They cook the meat for you. It is clean and huge space

Helpful 1

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Christine K.

614

1036

1397

7 years ago

Similar price to KHDBJ considering they dont include corn cheese and egg in the combo. I ordered the Beef combo with a friend, 58.99. The chadol/brisket and the gotsal/short rib was delicious. The galbisal/rib meat was not so good. I especially didnt like how they cut it in the direction of the fat. Normally I dont enjoy it like this. The kimchi stew was good. It came with pork belly inside. The banchans are simple and tasted fine. There was no wait on 1/25 sat. It was Lunar New year though. I think next time I'll have to try their bulgogi specialty. read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Beef combo 58.99 - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - The spread - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - The gotsal so good!!! The rib meat behind was not so good. - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

See all

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Stella M.

360

737

1472

7 years ago

Overall a 4 star experience. My husband and I have been wanting to try here for the longest time and finally got the chance. We got their small beef combo. I liked their kkotsal the best. Very well marbled. Their chadol was ok... they could have cooked it a little crispier on hotter flame. And their kalbisal was good but meat was a little tough to chew. We also ordered their steamed egg which comes with corn on the bottom and cheese on top. This is not part of the banchan but you need to order for like $7. I thought it was worth it but I love cheese! The kimchi jjigae that comes with the combo was bland. Very basic.... I prob would try their soybean paste soup next time. PRO: 1) Another decent kbbq place. Meat was good quality overall. 2) Very attentive staff. They switched out the grill pan 3x for each of our different meats. And they were quick to refill the banchan and salad. I wonder if this is their norm or if it's because we went on a Thursday night and it wasn't as busy as a weekend. CON: 1) Expensive. For what it was I thought it was expensive. Small beef combo, steamed egg & 1 bottle of soju plus tax was $90 for two people. 2) They charge for their steamed egg. They charge if you want extra lettuce for ssam... really? 3) Sides were whatevers... I would have preferred them to give out their steamed egg and have less banchan. They can eliminate their seaweed soup in the beginning. It was mediocre and lukewarm. I think this place is head to head with the quality of meat at Kang Ho Dong but I prefer everything else at Kang Ho Dong... hence the 4 stars not 5. read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Beef combo - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Helpful 4

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Rav A.

207

571

3 years ago

In the early afternoon, the place wasn't busy. We got seated right away. Helped right away. We ordered a beef BBQ combo. The meat looked fresh and tasted fine. The grill is changed out each time when meat is changed. Very nice touch. We also ordered two noodle dishes on the menu. My bad- why did we order noodles at a KBBQ place. They were mediocre at best. Soup lacked seasoning... tasted like broth was merely seasoned with soy sauce. The cold noodle dish wasn't cold at all. It was room temp. The meat was good. read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Tyler P.

195

220

3 years ago

Saemaeul restaurant an average restaurant. The banchan is very basic and spicy. On a good note, the waiter cooks the meat for you. Now, let's talk the food. The menu offers a wide range of traditional dishes bursting with flavors. Brisket, corn egg with the option of cheese. The brisket was tender. Another favorite of mine a colorful lunchbox rice that was both visually appealing and incredibly satisfying. And of course, no visit to Saemaeul restaurant is complete without trying their kimchi - it's tangy, spicy, and absolutely addictive! The ambiance at Saemaeul restaurant is also worth mentioning. The space is beautifully decorated with a touch of traditional Korean elements. However, this place is noisy. Whether you're a die-hard fan of Korean cuisine or simply looking to try something new, Saemaeul restaurant is it. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 1

Esther C.

227

122

341

3 years ago

Worst service I've had in a while. Food was pretty good, nothing too special. Meat was clean - we got the Beef Special Combo and Special Mix Combo. The banchan lacked variety but the kimchi was very good. I would choose the doenjang jjigae over the kimchi jjigae. The steamed egg is visually appealing but quite dense and bland. Our first server was a lady with blonde dyed hair. She was visibly annoyed about everything. We found a piece of a stainless steel sponge in our salad so we showed it to her - without a word she grabbed the plate out of my mom's hand and brought a different one but didn't replace the salad. She then pushed the small side table with the meat on it very close to my mom, blocking her right side and making it hard to eat. I noticed that this server did that to the table next to us as well. After speaking with a manager, we had a new server that was very kind and attentive. He changed our pans often and replaced the side dishes when they were running low. Although I'm glad we got a new server, I couldn't help but notice that the blonde server was not treating her other tables well. There was a family across from us and their pan was black from burning. Big yikes. I'm also not sure if the ceiling vents are working. The smoke kept hovering and blowing into my mom's face so I switched seats with her. At one point the blonde server came back to our table to do who knows what and again pushed the side table right next to me. I assumed this was to make space between tables but when I pushed the table back, the other servers didn't touch it. I could go on and on about this server but lastly, when she moved my sister's cup, she grabbed it from the top instead of the side. In other words, her fingers were all over where my sister's mouth would be. Nice. Overall a disappointing experience. Although the manager switched out our server, we left with a bad taste in our mouths. The manager also mentioned that this server was still in training, but that's hard to believe and a bad excuse. We likely won't visit again or recommend it to others. You can find much better close by. Some extra things to keep in mind: - the tables are very small and crowded with the same 3 banchan just different flavors - the servers grill for you - parking can be a bit tight but there are spaces behind the building - the waiting area is outside read more

Helpful 3

Thanks 1

Love this 1

Oh no 1

Suzy C.

3 years ago

Their naengmyum tasted better than lasted year I've tried. The quality of meats and Bandhan were tasty and fresh. Service was adequate and prompt. I just wish the fans to such the bbq smoke could work better. Overall, we enjoyed the BBQ. read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - 돼지양념갈비 - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Foodie C.

162

3 years ago

Got the Beef Combo. The meat quality was excellent. Service was great. Our waiter cooked the meat perfectly and alway came by to see that we were taken care of. Our grill was changed regularly with out asking, so the taste of the Meat was good. The combination of Food Quality and Excellent Service I highly recommend visiting here. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Lorenzo V.

3 years ago

Our go to Korean Barbecue. Beef special Combo and the Special Mix Combo are both Excellent! Their staff are always friendly and service is awesome! Quality and consistency in their food. Been going here for 2 years now. Always hits the spot:) read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jagger J.

2 years ago

Owned by celebrity chef Paik Jong Won, we were invited to check out this amazing KBBQ place in OC! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Perfect for eating with friends and family because of the amount of seating at their restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Everything that we were served was absolutely amazing. With all of our takeaways, we especially loved their customer service. shoutout to our server William! He displayed fantastic customer service, we highly recommend checking this KBBQ spot whenever you are in the OC area! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jeong P.

346

676

2359

7 years ago

A very solid kbbq experience awaits you if you don't get caught up in the hype. First of all, the restaurant is not that big but they do have a back room with tables you can reserve for large parties. Secondly, everyone compares this place to KangHoDong, I assume because they both serve similar items and are associated with a celebrity. But each restaurant excels at their own things, so it's not exactly a great comparison. I came here with a large group so I was able to try a large sampling of their menu. What most people will end up ordering are one of their combos, which comes with an assortment of beef or pork. But what this place really specializes in is the Yeoltan Bulgogi. This thinly sliced pork in house marinade is sweet with a hint of spice, and the slight char from the charcoal grill imparts a subtle but sublime flavor. This dish alone is worth the trip. There were a handful of other items that I thought were pretty good including the marinated kkotsal, the pork belly, and the old school dosirak. My wife was partial to the giant steamed egg with cheese, while I appreciated the jumeokbap for it's comforting simplicity. The one thing I did not like, however, was the beef. Most of the beef items we had were a bit tough and lacking in overall quality. Overall, this place offers a lot of solid dishes to complete a good meal. I will definitely be coming back for more, and you can bet my next visit is going to include a hefty serving of that Yeoltan Bulgogi. read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Yeoltan Bulgogi. - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Large Beef Combo. - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Short Rib. - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Tteok-bokki. - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Naengmyeon. - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Ribeye. - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Seafood Pancake. - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Steamed Egg w/ Cheese. - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Brisket. - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

See all

Helpful 10

Thanks 0

Love this 8

Oh no 0

Parker N.

190

200

3 years ago

Big fan of this place. Good food and high quality meats. Only issues here are price and speed of the place. It feels like they want you to cook all your food and get moving. If you're looking for a nice slow paced meal, I'd keep searching. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Jamie B.

193

3 years ago

Went in yesterday night as a group of 4:) It was the best KBBQ experience I've had in OC so far! As much as I loved baekjeong, I'd say Saemaeul beats baekjeong for me! Servers were very caring and attentive and I appreciated how often they switched out the grill! Looking forward to visiting again!:) Food was amazing! read more

Business owner information

Sehee K.

Thank you so much for the 5-star review! We are thrilled to hear that…

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Erica H.

164

3 years ago

The restaurant is not bad but nothing special either. I think the meat at 강호동 is better. The large beef combo can feed 2 couples but would not satisfy four men. Tasty but not worth the hype. Get the 된장 찌개 over the kimchi stew when ordering the combo, was probably the best thing we had that night. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Cindy A.

Elite 24

138

693

3 years ago

I saw this location and decided to try it out. It's located in a shopping center with other eateries, but not that full when we arrived. The place is average size with fixed booths and tables . The menu was explained to us and we found staff to be friendly and funny. They cook your meat in front of you ,which I liked as I sometimes can overcook meat lol. We had various sides and also ordered a lunchbox type item that they shake, it was very delicious and the anchovies are very small so no fishy smell or taste. The meat was tender and tasted great. We also tried a soup that had kimchi in it ,sorry don't remember the name, but loved that too. I can definitely see myself coming back again, highly recommend you give it a try. The restaurant is clean inside and out and had a small open concept vibe. read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Sean S.

3 years ago

Food is always solid (tried it 4 times now). Would recommend always getting the cold noodle to compliment the bbq. Service is quick and friendly even during a busy Saturday night. Plenty of seating and never waited longer than 15 minutes. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Jae C.

181

346

353

7 years ago

Price wise it's slightly cheaper than Kang Ho Dong (which is down the street) and the quality of meat is about the same. I'd rather come here if that's the case. Beef combo is usually what I get and it's solid. 3 types of beef meat plus soup (I prefer bean paste soup over kimchi stew). They are also known for the old fashion style fried rice. Apparently before my time in high school they used to take these as school lunches and it tastes better in the gold tin cases. The steamed egg here is amazing. Layers of cheese inside steamed egg.... Genius! It's not AYCE so definitely it's on the pricier end, but I'd say it's worth it to come here. The only con is we had a party of 5 and the table was too small so there wasn't a lot of space to put anything anywhere. Aside from that, great service and great food quality! Highly recommend. read more

See all

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Jen T.

2 years ago

Food 4/5 Had to duct a point off because the Kimchi Soup tasted a little tomato-ish. But everything else we had was magnificent! We ordered the Combo Pork and Beef and lemme tell ya.... the boneless short ribs was great quality and melted in our mouth! Thinking about it now is making my mouth water. The pork didn't have much fat on it so it was a tad bit dry but it was good overall. Service was 5/5 I've been to many Korean restaurants but this is by far one of the best service we've had! Our server, David was wonderful!! Very attentive, multi task cooking on our table and our friends table next to ours. Also running back and forth with our requests. Talk about multitasking! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Sandy M.

109

1 year ago

Food was amazing!! Great quality meats and the perfect sides. The staff are amazing as well. Truly enjoyed it and would recommend it.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Travis D.

Elite 24

153

103

3 years ago

This is the best Kbbq location in OC. I'm married to a korean family and have been to the best kbbq locations in Seoul, nyc, and LA. Hidden gem. Insanely tasty meat, quick service and just environment. Say gam-sa-ham-nida and enjoy the best kbbq of your life. Go. Now. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 1

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Quang T.

101

3 years ago

This is the non-AYCE KBBQ place that make me feel reasonable with pricing and the amount of food. We got the small mix combo and the pancake and were pretty full for two. Nice ambient and very good customer service read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Christine Yuna H.

330

120

163

5 years ago

This is a legit Korean bbq place. The wait isn't too bad, but because of covid, they no longer cook the meat for you. The pork combo comes with kimchi jiggae or soybean soup which are both fabulous. We also got a steamed egg that was fluffy and cooked perfectly. Combo feeds about 2. read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Pork combo - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Mahya J.

211

747

770

3 years ago

The food is top notch, but the portions could be a bit bigger! The service is efficient but not too friendly. The ambiance was great, though, for the most part. Our server, Chris, was kind and polite. It's located in a busy area surrounded by other strip malls. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Kay C.

Elite 21

229

209

5 years ago

Stopped by this place after being sorely disappointed by the OC Source's food options. That place seems kinda abandoned at times, no? Regardless, I'm so glad I found this place. It has extremely high quality beef that rivals the best kbbq places (like baekjeong). Their pork jowl, which is hard to find at other places, is absolutely phenomenal and I constantly am craving it. It is perfectly marbled and when grilled/rendered correctly, leaves you with a flavorful pork nugget with a texture that transcends way past the divine samgyeopsal. I know about Berkshire pork, but does kobe marbled pork exist? If so, it must be the pork jowl here. It's rare that I leave an establishment with a full on grin, but that's exactly what happened when I dined here. What a gem. read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Pork jowl - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Myla A.

Elite 21

118

239

5 years ago

Lately it's hard to choose where to go when craving #koreanbbq Then I remembered Saemaeul in #buenapark But for the following reasons... my Yelp is lower than what it could've been.... 1) everytime the server changes the grill a piece of meat went away with it (da faq) one time is an accident. 2+ times were just rude. They couldn't even hear us complaining and yelling for the meat to be saved because of loud background music. Which comes to 2nd reason... 2) it's hard to have any kind of conversation because of loud music and noise. 3) I ordered the lunch box because of #squidgame and even before I can take a photo the server shook it up even when I reached out my hand and told her not to am I being petty? Maybe... So in conclusion... My pick : XL beef combo : fresh beefs (7/10) marinated beef (6/10) soybean paste soup (8/10) eggs (8/10) lunch box (just get it for the experience. Taste is 6/10) Fyi ; you cook your own meat unlike some other local bbq places in the area and also no rice papers. read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Lunch box like one from squid game - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - XL beef combo - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Brisket slices - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Set out - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - Egg with cheese - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

See all

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Julie N.

536

541

4 years ago

Wow so impressed. Came here on a friday night for dinner at 530 - the wait was about 10 minutes which wasnt bad. The small beef combo is enough for 2 people - we ordered an extra side of pork belly. The service was the best - our server cooked the meat for us and everything was perfect. I dunno how he kept track of our meat cause he had other tables to attend to but he was always there to flip it - nothing got burned. The kimchijiggae was bomb and the khotsal was sooo yummy. I loved our dinner! The portion size was perfect for the price. Sides were replenished without asking and the check was given at the end of the meal which i appreciated. This is my goto spot whenever i feel like eating bbq - so much better than ayce and baekjeong. read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Esther k.

2 years ago

The food was okay. The meat quality (brisket is chewy, cheap quality, the marinated ribs were the only decent meat) is sub par at best along with the side dishes. What I did appreciate is the constant changing of the grills. They were attentive at that. Overall, there are other Korean Bbq spots in the area that are better (King Chang, Mr. BBQ, Kang Ho Dong). read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Manny P.

3 years ago

I was really surprised by this experience, but it was one for the books. The style of KBBQ was a bit new to me. We usually are charged per person, but this has cuts and styles of meat and appetizers as options in groups. As strange as I found it, it was very accommodating. The staff was super friendly, informative and the best part, they cook instead of you doing it. The meat was fresh, well selected and just plain delicious. No friction or push back whatsoever. When I say everything was on point, I mean it fully. It was so good! The first meat came out and it was like A5 beef! It was red and marbled perfectly. The pork belly was thick and has a lot of smoked meat, not just fat. Everything we had was amazing! This is a must try and it is famed for a reason. Please try! read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Tim P.

384

1019

4 years ago

Welcomed the 30-40 minutes wait on a Friday evening as the food, ambiance and service were excellent. Dining area was surprisingly much roomier than a typical Saemauel Restaurant in Korea and their beef combo was a delight - much better than anticipated. Had a great time with friends and will definitely continue to return. read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Ji O.

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

1931

1018

6199

7 years ago

Another great spot for non-AYCE place for KBBQ This is a famous restaurant owned by Paik Jong Won (he owns lot of other restaurants around the neighborhood). He is known to make food that is good and cheap for customers. The tables they have are made where you can store your personal belonging on the side that way oil doesn't get on your jacket or purse. We came here on a Thursday night and they were busy. You sit down and they bring you the complimentary seaweed soup which was delicious to my taste. We ended up getting the beef combination that came with chodolbagi, kkotsal and sogalbisal. For the price and amount of food you get it was more than enough food to be shared among three people. With combination order you also get choice of kimchi jjigae or doenjang jjigae. We ended up going with kimchi jjigae which is well known dish from this restaurant. All the side dishes were delicious and loved how they used metal bowls/plates (something about metal things it reminds me a lot of korea). Their soups even came in yellow pot. Overall experience was good and if the other location is busy I would pick this place over other AYCE places. I ordered Yetnal Dosirak (lunch box) and it took me back to grade school. Thats how we used to pack our lunch. Although now thinking back I used to like the flavor of the sausage but not anymore (think my tongue acquired other goodies). When you order your soju they workers will shake the bottle for you which I thought it was very cool and I liked the cleanness of the store. read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - side dishes - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Saemaeul Restaurant - original soju - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

See all

Helpful 20

Thanks 0

Love this 21

Oh no 0

Page 4 of 15

5471 Beach Blvd
Buena Park, CA 90621
Directions
(714) 562-0900
Call Now

Hours

What time does Saemaeul Restaurant open?

Saemaeul Restaurant opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Saemaeul Restaurant close?

Saemaeul Restaurant closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Saemaeul Restaurant take Bitcoin?

No, Saemaeul Restaurant does not take Bitcoin.

Does Saemaeul Restaurant take credit cards?

Yes, Saemaeul Restaurant takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Saemaeul Restaurant have catering options?

No, Saemaeul Restaurant does not have catering options.

Does Saemaeul Restaurant have a drive thru?

No, Saemaeul Restaurant does not have a drive thru.

Does Saemaeul Restaurant have a happy hour?

No, Saemaeul Restaurant does not have a happy hour.

Does Saemaeul Restaurant serve alcohol?

Yes, Saemaeul Restaurant serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does Saemaeul Restaurant allow dogs?

No, Saemaeul Restaurant does not allow dogs.

Does Saemaeul Restaurant have TVs?

No, Saemaeul Restaurant does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Saemaeul Restaurant have bike parking?

Yes, Saemaeul Restaurant has bike parking.

Does Saemaeul Restaurant have outdoor seating?

No, Saemaeul Restaurant does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Saemaeul Restaurant have parking?

Yes, Saemaeul Restaurant has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is Saemaeul Restaurant wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Saemaeul Restaurant is wheelchair accessible.

Does Saemaeul Restaurant have free WiFi?

No, Saemaeul Restaurant does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Best korean BBQ in Buena Park

Ask the Community - Saemaeul Restaurant

Can you still accept reservation for tonight for 4?

Sorry. We do not take any reservations.

View 1 more answer

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…

View question details

Do you take reservations for 10 ppl?

When you order to go, is it cooked?

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

S this place all you can eat Korean BBQ?

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

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.

View question details

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

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

View 1 more answer

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 question details

View All 12 Questions

You might also consider

Jin Cook

Locally owned & operated

Family-owned & operated

Awesome place, awesome people, awesome atmosphere. Knew this place was the SH*T when I drove up and…read morethere were people scattered outside waiting. Joon was awesome as well, very quick, easy, and knowledgeable on the foods and drinks. 10/10 would come again and would recommend EVERYONE try this place out.

The food is always so delicious and the service is great even when it gets busy. I will keep coming…read moreback!

Pork suyuk and mushroom jap chae

See all

Tonkatsu

Misoolkwan OC

4.6

(1.9k reviews)

1.6 mi

Located in a newer shopping center, this restaurant is already drawing quite the crowd. As of now,…read moreparking is free, which is a huge plus. They offer valet parking at the entrance, along with additional parking around the corner. Since this place gets very busy, I'd recommend arriving early to avoid a long wait. This is a great spot for large groups and celebrations. The menu is designed for family-style dining, so you can order several dishes to share with everyone at the table, or you can order an individual entrée if that's more your style. Despite the packed dining room, the service was quick and attentive. Our food came out surprisingly fast, and the staff kept everything running smoothly throughout our meal. The food was delicious, full of flavor, and beautifully presented. Combined with the lively atmosphere and efficient service, it's easy to see why this restaurant has become such a popular destination. I'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu. Army stew was my favorite

Don't drink their water here...the tea water... leftover tea water gets poured into the trash can…read moreand rescooped into previously used pitchers.. basically they would pour the leftover water in the same bucket of water and rinse the pitcher in the same bucket of water and stack them up for resuse for next customer. And their hands go inside everything. They grab the rinsed pitcher, scoop the tea water and serve it. Also mind you, the tea water is inside those huge trash cans. AND when they were transferring the ice (from again those trash bins) they would lift it to pour all the ice in to the tea water bin and you can see all the dirty drippings from the outside wheels drip inside the container.. @.@ No its not a one time thing with one employee...they all knew the drill and did it like routine. Me and my friends watched the whole thing while we were just trying to enjoy some drinks at the bar. It was so disgusting, my friends wanted to pay and leave quickly but NO theres no way im paying for the drink i only had a couple sips of and couldn't finish. So i told the manager, didnt pay and left. He was not shocked ... wonder why. And now im just telling all my close friends not to go here... digusting.

Stir fried pork belly and kimchi

Kkanpung Chicken

See all

Beef intestines

Han Yang

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!

Was craving some Sul Lung Tang and found Han Yang! Looking back I should've tried their Galbi Tang…read morebecause that's what their more known for. Yelpers are saying its the best they have ever had. Came here and luckily didn't have to wait and it was also easy to park. We came on the weekend so I thought it would be the opposite. As for the Sul Lang Tang, I thought it was pretty good, I had to add more salt than some of the other places I've been to. The meat was tender and satisfied my craving. I wish they could've added more noodles but overall pretty good. Service was also really fast too!

Inside seating - decent amount of seats

Octopus bibimbap

See all

Spicy sautéed small octopus bibimbap

Jinsol Gukbap Buena Park

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.

Met up with 3 other people to grab some lunch at this location. We came in during a weekday for…read morelunch and it was very busy but no wait. I love that you order off their kiosk which is conveniently located at the table already. The staff was quick to bring out the banchan. To start, we shared their leek pancake and pork blood sausage. For my lunch I went with their cold noodles since it was a cold day. The people I came with had some pork spare ribs, which came with rice and bone knee soup. And a bibimbap. The leek pancake was the best thing there. The pork blood sausage was more of rice noodles rolled up with pork blood flavored. I can't imagine it being much portion. Eveything else was bland which we all agreed to. For my cold noodles I added plenty of vinegar and mustard but it was not it. Still lacked flavor. Also it only had half a boiled egg and two verythin slices of beef. The pork was over cooked, dry, and lacked flavor. The bibimbap was also bland even with their red sauce. We we were all disappointed. The pricing is affordable. The staff was nice and quick. They made sure to check up on us. Parking here is a tough even though it was a weekday. Their lot was full and you can park next door but by the dental office but that was also full. We waited a little and eventually found parking. The restaurant is very casual, clean and spacious. This was just really meh to me.

Near the cash register. 6/14/2025

Mul Naengmyeon (물냉면)

See all

Entrance. 6/14/2025

Kyung Bok Kung Korean BBQ

This is easily the best Korean restaurant around if you're looking for an elevated prix fixe dining…read moreexperience. Not only was I completely stuffed by the end, but every course felt so thoughtfully selected that I left feeling truly nourished within my body and soul. We ordered the Premium Han-Jeongsik, which featured a non-stop parade of incredible small plates: porridge, salad, radish water kimchi, spicy beef tartare, pan-fried sliced beef, braised short ribs, glass noodles with assorted vegetables, savory pancakes, seasonal scallops, and a rich kimchi stew. The dining experience felt wonderfully elegant as each course was brought out sequentially, allowing us to fully savor every unique flavor and texture. To top it off, they finished with my favorite sweet rice punch to cleanse the palate. While it certainly isn't cheap, this is definitely a "celebrate a special occasion or pretend you're royalty for an evening" kind of place. Lastly, the exceptional service makes every penny worth it. If you want to experience authentic, high-end Korean cuisine, look no further.

I went here because my cousin wanted to go and she treated us to an amazing lunch…read more We got there a little before they opened at 12pm on a Sunday and there was already quite a few people waiting for the place to open. It didn't get so full that there were no seats but it does get very crowded. Anyway, I don't know what we got since my cousin orders everything but the food was amazing. All the meat was really good and better than most Korean BBQ places I've been to. I would highly recommend this place if you don't mind paying the price

Special

See all

King Chang - Buena Park

If you're craving grilled intestine, this is one of the best spots to go! We ordered the large…read morecombo with both large and small intestine, and it came with plenty of sides, soup, and a savory pancake, making it a great value. The service was excellent. Our first server was especially patient, friendly, and helpful in guiding us through the meal. We also got lucky and arrived before the weekend dinner rush, which made for a more relaxed experience. Overall, King Chang is definitely a place I'd recommend if you're looking for delicious grilled intestine and great service.

I heard that a few Korean celebrities have eaten here, so I decided to give it a try…read more We ordered the Beef Combo Large, and my favorite cuts were the Prime Boneless Short Rib and Seasoned Prime Rib. Both were very tender, juicy, and full of flavor. I'm not usually a big fan of beef intestines, but their signature grilled intestines were surprisingly good. They were cleaned very well with no unpleasant odor. The outside was slightly crispy, while the inside stayed juicy and flavorful. Overall, the quality of the meat was great, and I can see why this place is so popular. I'd definitely come back.

Celebs have been to this restaurant

Large Intestine / 대창구이 / 秘制牛大腸

See all

Kimchi jiggae

Kobe Gyukatsu

I love coming here. I always order the same thing, Premium Gyukatsu. The meat is tender and I love…read morecooking it on the little hot plate. The sides complement the meat with the rice, miso soup, cabbage salad, edamame, and sauces all make a well rounded meal. Thank you Kobe Gyukatsu!

Saturday late lunch, lots of parking spots and able to get seated right away. The staff clearly…read morementioned 18% service fee for party of 7, appreciate the clear and ahead communication. Inside smells like Japan bbq perhaps because of the popular premium set, the 11 years old boy enjoyed the cooking experience and the food quality, unfortunately he didn't feel full after finishing the $46 set -- the food portion was on the small side, even the 6 years old boy almost finished everything except 4 slices beef left. Comparing with the premiums Kobe set , I enjoyed much with the fish curry katsu, flavorful , crispy and juicy inside. Also happy about the portion and price $18.50. For the plain udon, the little one really enjoyed it and the portion is good enough for the 6 years old boy enjoyed, around $9.95. Overall, the food is good, the inside ventilation needs a little improvement, and the premium set can add a little more . Recommended for family and friends gatherings if not too price cautious. The ingredients and food flavor are good .

Pork Cutlet

See all

We got beer as drinks

Baekjeong - Buena Park

Melvin was absolutely GREAT! It was my first time here and he was very helpful and friendly! will…read moredefinitely come back and recommend to my loved ones! Thank you again !

Every time my wife and I come here Melvin takes great care of us! thank you for the great service…read morebrother!

Got the small beef special, meat was pretty tasty. Didn't really care for all the side dishes

See all

Probably one of the best, if not, the best Korean BBQ I have ever had! The steam egg was extremely delicious let alone the meat!

Mo Ran Gak Restaurant

The best Korean restaurant I've been to!! Every dish was incredible!! We'll be back tomorrow!read more

We come here again and again and again cause we have not and will not ever find any other…read morenaengmyeon like this!!! (Or bibimyeon). We will wait in the queue for however long it takes (it can take over an hour at peak times--so be prepared) but we will never give up and will always wait to get seated. I dream about these noodles! Nothing else has ever compared. And def not the Fullerton location either lol sry bout it (not really tho) Yo this place is the OG and if you know you fffff knowwwwwwwww

Bibim naengmyeon / spicy cold noodles

Short ribs

See all

Brisket, marinated short ribs, Onions and mushrooms

Gangnam Station Korean BBQ - Buena Park

Awesome Service and good quality of meat&sides Special…read morethanks to Young Joon Would def come back soon

Amazing dinner with my friends with Gangnam our server hyoun Jin make us great dinner he is so cool…read moreWe will visit again here soon Ty gangnam and hi

Prime Black Angus Highly Marbled Short Rib

Prime Black Angus Highly Marbled Short Rib / Prime Beef Galbi Bone In

See all

Prime Rib Eye

Wyn KBBQ

Family-owned & operated

Free parking

The service was great and quality of meat was good. I would come here again with friends or family…read more Would recommend!

We arrived. Ambience is always great. Good stuff. And great service by JESUNG!! The dessert is my…read morefav

See all

Porto's Bakery & Cafe

Service, good quality, nice environment, fresh. Once you know. Can't wait to see again!read more

Yumiko was amazing. Came in and was greeted the lines weren't long I was helped quick I didn't get…read morethe ladies name that helped me but she was helpful. Yumiko Made my drink which is perfect 10/10. Service here was great.

Grilled chicken sandwich shown on specially requested french baguette. Served with plantain chips

Baking area

Raspberry Lemon Macaron

See all

Gangnam Station Korean BBQ - Buena Park

Awesome Service and good quality of meat&sides Special…read morethanks to Young Joon Would def come back soon

Amazing dinner with my friends with Gangnam our server hyoun Jin make us great dinner he is so cool…read moreWe will visit again here soon Ty gangnam and hi

Prime Black Angus Highly Marbled Short Rib

Prime Black Angus Highly Marbled Short Rib / Prime Beef Galbi Bone In

See all

Prime Rib Eye

Jin Cook

Locally owned & operated

Family-owned & operated

The food is always so delicious and the service is great even when it gets busy. I will keep coming…read moreback!

Pork suyuk and mushroom jap chae

See all

Tonkatsu

INS Ice Beer

4.4

(347 reviews)

1.6 mi

Mashiso~~~beer the best Foods are good and I love…read moreatmostphere. Fifa world cup lets go

Amazing food, great vibes, and my boy Jun is the GOAT! He never disappoints. The service was fast…read moreand friendly as always, and he made sure we had everything we needed. Jun is honestly one of the main reasons I keep coming back every week. The food always hits different with some soju!

Stir fried pork belly and kimchi

Sukiyaki

See all

Ice Beer

Misoolkwan OC

Kkanpung Chicken

See all

Beef intestines

Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - Buena Park

Recommend using the Yelp Waitlist feature to get a good idea of the line. It can get busy during…read moremain dining hours, especially since the dining area is pretty small (seats like 30 total?) Parking is a little weird (half the space in front is handicap/bank parking) so look around if you have to. Usually it's fine though. Food here is great, and it's why I come here! Gyoza is crispy and juicy and hot. Ramen noodles are all unique and more of that handmade vibe. We got the mentaiko ramen and green chili shio ramen. If you want a less fatty broth, then shio is your choice. Savory and creamy? Pretty much anything else. Always a good time here

Honestly it was just okay for me. I had the tonkatsu ramen and the broth didn't have much flavor…read more And the texture of the noodle wasn't my fav. We also had the karaage and it tasted like it the fryer was too hot as the outside layer was very brown and tough. But they were very busy and there was a wait. You can get on the waitlist before you arrive on Yelp. A lot of this is personal preference but it was just okay.

Juicy Fried Chicken (karaage)

Inside Kitakata Ramen.

Small Aburi Chashu Bowl

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

31 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

James N.

2 years ago

I had high hopes for this restaurant, but unfortunately, my experience was completely overshadowed by the service. When we arrived, the restaurant was empty, yet we were asked to wait outside in the cold for over 10 minutes while they "set the table." No greeting, no smile--just a cold, dismissive attitude from the male server the moment we stepped inside. The staff made us feel unwelcome from the start. Despite speaking English, they completely ignored our basic questions about sesame oil and salad, which created an awkward atmosphere. We attempted to break the tension by complimenting the female server, hoping to make things less uncomfortable, but she didn't acknowledge us at all. It's one thing to be inattentive, but their behavior came across as actively rude and cold. The table was tiny, and when my friend moved the water to the adjacent table to make room, the server came over in a very abrupt manner, asking if we still needed the water. After we explained that the table was too small, she simply snatched the water and placed it back on our already crowded table--without responding or offering any polite acknowledgment. The lack of communication and cold demeanor from the staff was shocking. There was no friendliness or effort to make us feel welcome. It felt as if they were treating us like an inconvenience. The food was good, but the service completely ruined the experience. We paid nearly $300 for the meal, and I can honestly say it wasn't worth it with the kind of treatment we received. It felt as though the staff was more focused on serving only certain customers, and others, like us, were left feeling like we didn't matter. If you're going to charge premium prices, the least you can do is train your staff to treat all customers with respect and warmth, not just certain groups. It was clear that there was no effort to communicate or be friendly. Instead, we were met with cold faces, rude gestures, and an overall feeling of being unwelcome. I would not recommend this place unless you're prepared for poor service. A word to the management: Please invest in proper training to ensure your staff treats every customer with respect and professionalism, especially in a multicultural environment like the US. read more

Yohan R.

2 years ago

AfterActionRheeview - Samaeul Shikdong, Buena Park, CA 1. What was expected to happen: I expected a high-quality Korean BBQ experience with well-prepared meats, good service, and a traditional Korean atmosphere. 2. What happened: The experience exceeded expectations. The Beef Special Combo ($81.99) included Boneless Short Ribs, Beef Finger Meat, and Beef Brisket, all perfectly cooked by our server. The side dishes, like Kimchi Jjigae and Egg Soufflé, were flavorful and plentiful. The atmosphere was cozy and authentic, with grills at each table. Service was friendly and attentive, with our bilingual server ensuring everything was cooked at the perfect time. 3. Sustains (What went well): Meat Quality: Every cut of meat was tender and cooked perfectly. Service: The server was attentive and bilingual (Korean and English), cooking each portion as we ate. Atmosphere: The restaurant felt authentically Korean, with a cozy interior and individual table grills. Side Dishes: Plentiful and tasty, with the Egg Soufflé covered in two cheeses, a unique and enjoyable touch. 4. Areas for Improvement: Pricing: We spent around $115 for two people (with a tip). While worth it for the quality, it may feel pricey compared to other BBQ spots. 5. Takeaways: The superior quality of food and service justifies the higher cost. This is the place to go when you want to prioritize quality over quantity, and it offers an authentic Korean BBQ experience. 6. Would I Return?: Absolutely. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for an elevated Korean BBQ experience. Definitely worth it for a special occasion or quality-focused dining. Mission Success: Mission Effective (4.75/5 Stars) read more

Jimmy H.

3 years ago

Korean BBQ has been consistently gaining popularity in recent years and for all the right reasons. Not only is it a fun dining experience, but the food is absolutely delicious. I recently tried a new Korean BBQ place in my neighborhood and I must say, it surpassed all my expectations. Firstly, the ambiance of the restaurant was perfect. The traditional Korean decor with a modern twist really brought out the authenticity and made me feel like I was transported to Korea itself. The staff was warm, friendly, and accommodating. They made the entire dining experience truly enjoyable. As for the food, it was outstanding. We ordered the beef bulgogi and it was cooked to perfection- juicy and bursting with flavor. The quality of the meat was definitely top-notch. Additionally, we also tried the kimchi fried rice, which was an interesting twist on the traditional fried rice. The kimchi added a delicious tanginess to the dish that I found to be incredibly satisfying. Overall, I highly recommend this Korean BBQ restaurant to anyone looking for a wonderful dining experience. The food, ambiance, and service were all top-notch. The prices were also reasonable for the quality of the food. I will definitely be returning to this restaurant in the future. read more

Hana P.

8 years ago

This place is a joke. I'll warn you that the service here is horrible, just go to kanghodong baekjung next door. Don't waste your time and money here. The waiters and waitresses are rude, unsocial (LIKE WHY ARE YOU UNSOCIAL WHEN YOU'RE SERVING FOOD) and they look really mad, doesn't smile, doesn't want to serve you food. I had to call out every time I needed something, they never came by once to check up on us. All they did was literally grill/cook meat and leave. Like, I can even do that. I honestly did not want them to cook the meat for me, but they wouldn't leave when I asked them to. The quality of the meat/food was also bad, almost disgusting. Price was ridiculously high and the soups were salty. Also, the side dishes were poorly made compared to other restaurants. Overall the service is pretty much non-existent and the taste is very mediocre. I rather spend my money on somewhere that's actually worth spending. Waiters and waitress need to be trained to properly serve customers. Literally all the waiters and waitresses were unsocial, and looked like they were having a bad day (why bring that attitude to work?). I want to give this place 0 stars if possible, do not waste your time and money here. NOT WORTH A SINGLE PENNY! read more

Sonam K.

See more unrecommended reviews

226

3 years ago

The highlight of Saemaeul is its excellent selection of meats that are cooked on the table-top grill, right in front of the diners. The quality of the meats is superb, and the cuts are well-marbled and flavorful. The marinated options, in particular, are a must-try, as the spices and flavors really infuse into the meat during the grilling process, resulting in a delicious and savory dish. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of side dishes that complement the barbecue, including kimchi, pickled vegetables, rice, and soup. These dishes are all freshly made, and the flavors are on point, making for a complete and satisfying meal. Another notable feature of Saemaeul is the friendly and attentive staff, who are always on hand with the grilling process and to provide recommendations on the best dishes to try. Their service is impeccable, and they are always ready to answer any questions or concerns that diners may have. Overall, Saemaeul is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious and authentic Korean barbecue experience. The food is top-notch, the service is excellent, and the ambiance is welcoming and comfortable. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great dining experience. read more

Richelle L.

3 years ago

WORST EVER. I recently visited this restaurant with a party of four adults and one child. Upon arrival, we were disappointed to see only one large table occupied in the entire restaurant, which gave us the impression that we would be seated soon. However, we were met with a rude attitude from a young server who demanded we wait outside despite the strong wind. When we requested to wait inside due to the weather, the server was dismissive and refused to accommodate us. Upon being seated, we were given a smallest table with three adults seated in a row and one high chair and one chair at the front. We asked to be moved to a different table, as most of the other larger tables in the restaurant were empty, but the hostess and the same rude server refused to make any changes. Ultimately, we decided to leave as the service was unacceptable and the experience was extremely negative. I have visited this restaurant four times in the past, and this was by far the worst experience I have had. I would not recommend this establishment, and I urge the management to provide proper training to their servers to ensure a more welcoming and accommodating environment for their guests. read more

Matthew C.

Elite 25

301

293

2 years ago

Saemaeul is a standout when it comes to KBBQ. I ordered the large beef combo, steamed egg, and kimchi jiggae, and every bite was fantastic. The beef combo was a highlight--high-quality cuts, perfectly marinated, and grilled right at the table. Each piece was tender and full of flavor. The steamed egg was light and fluffy, an excellent side to balance the richness of the meat. The kimchi jiggae was bold and satisfying, with just the right level of spice. The service was attentive without being intrusive. Our server kept the grills going and made sure everything was cooked to perfection, which really added to the experience. They were quick to refill banchan, which were fresh and varied, from crispy kimchi to savory potato salad. The ambience was lively and welcoming. It had a modern yet traditional vibe that made it a great spot for both small gatherings and casual dinners. The restaurant was clean and well-ventilated, which can be rare for KBBQ spots. Saemaeul nailed it on all fronts--delicious food, great service, and an inviting atmosphere. It's definitely a place I'd return to and recommend to anyone looking for a solid KBBQ experience. read more

Kevin L.

8 years ago

All I have to say about this place is stay out of it. Aside from their horrible side dishes and quality of the meat, the service was awful. Not a single time they asked if we needed something nor a single time they refilled our water. Now, when I went there, it wasn't busy. The waiters were hanging out at the back, doing nothing but chit chatting. Every single of them looked lazy. When I asked for something, the waiter cussed at me in korean, thinking I wouldn't understand. I clearly understand what the word meant and I felt very offended. All in all, I got zero to no service, and the food wasn't any special. I would never come here again, and I recommend trying somewhere else that actually have waiters and waitress serving you, not cussing at you. Stay out of this lousy restaurant. read more

Josh P.

8 years ago

Really disappointed with the service. I heard that you get steamed egg when you write a review or feedbacks on yelp, but the servers didn't offer us that service. My friend who came here was offered steamed egg from the server. I wonder if this is because we were asians... not sure. The servers were also unfriendly and they didn't smile. They were only focused on cooking the meat. They didn't ask us for any refills. The sauce that we tried was disgusting. Do not try it. Their soy sauce with sliced cabbage really ruined the taste. The salad dressing was also too salty. However, the meat was really good. Overall I would stay out of this place. Poor service, poor quality of side dishes and sauce. read more

Seojune P.

8 years ago

Food: 7/10 We got the SPECIAL MIX COMBO $87.99 (2 Kinds of pork and 2 Kinds of Beef + 1 Soup) All foods are quite OK, but the price is higher than other restaurant. Steamed egg and corn cheese are not included with this combo. Happily they have the Bokbunjajoo (black raspberry wine). Bokbunjajoo is best combination with meat! Service: 9/10 We visited non-traffic time so all servers attended us with good service. Vibe: 7/10 On traffic-time(dinner time), there are not enough parking spots. I like the vintage style of their interior. read more

Amy T.

485

3 years ago

First time here at this restaurant and will never be back. Bad customer service since we walked in. There was rarely people there and have a lot of tables inside. They told us to wait outside of the restaurant and will call us in which it fine.However, don't treat us like racist. No one came to our table and ask for anything. There was a group of family before us came in and they served right away with 2 waitresses. No wonder why the restaurant opened at 11am and only 3-4 tables there. It became a bad experience and unhappy Sunday. read more

Ji Won J.

8 years ago

I went there on last Sunday around 2 pm. Waited 20 minutes. The server was kind to us. I ordered beef combo 106.99 + tax Brisket and beef short rib was good but I did not like the rest. Rib eye was tough and the last meat I ate I don't remember the name but I did not like the taste of the sauce. And I also ordered steam egg for my son. It costed extra money. However my son just nibbled some litter. I am giving 4 star cuz the place was clean and servers were nice. read more

almond h.

4 years ago

10/10 for food 10/10 for service. We order large beef combo during the busy holiday however even though the resturant was really busy and packed the service was on point! If I have to recommend the store I would because they have really good portion of meat combo and cheese steamed egg was on point! If you haven't been to this place I recommend to visit! read more

Seino E.

8 years ago

Finally this restaurant opens! I've been to saemaeul restaurant in Korea. I wonder the taste of food is really similar to Korea. My answer is YES! I love their signiture of chilbun Dwaeji Kimchi. All of these food with MY BOKBUNJAJOO was perfect! Food: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Price: 4/5 (higher number is expensive) read more

Nolan T.

1 year ago

I had an incredible experience at this Korean BBQ spot! The quality of the meat was outstanding -- fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection right at the table. Every bite was tender and juicy, and you could really taste the difference in the quality. read more

Adagio Richard H.

7 years ago

Service Food+ Price is affordable + Employee is so Kind + Manager is Exciting and Active for their Customer^^ Try Side Menu. For Example , Duk Pob Ki and Nang Meon and something^^ Acutually, Duk Pob Ki is Real Korean flavor and Taste is Korean ^^ read more

Johns D.

8 years ago

Before Open, I expected a lot of Korean Food. However, There are a no difference Between other korean BBQ. Evenly, Price is so expendive than ka ho dong. And They did not use charcol. We asked that. Employee said...I do not know.. read more

Arnaldo R.

3 years ago

Fun place to enjoy food with the family I love that they actually cooked the food in front of you, on other Korean bbq places they just bring the meat and leave it there, here they do it all they prepare the food loved it read more

Sophia R.

3 years ago

Amazing!! i went here for my birthday and had a great time everyone here so helpful and the food is outstanding , so I came back today for another meal! the environment and experience was great. read more

Daniel L.

8 years ago

First time here love their service and their food the waiters seem to know what they are doing there is a little wait but its worth the wait

Saemaeul Restaurant - korean - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Saemaeul Restaurant also viewed

Sonamu

4.3

(118 reviews)

Best Korean food in OC with a ton of Banchan. Everything is always large portions so perfect for…read moregroups or individuals who want leftovers.

Went here for a weekend lunch with a group and was surprised by how slow it was. There were only a…read morecouple of other tables besides ours. The stir-fried squid with noodles was delicious and came in a generous portion. The LA Galbi also tasted good, but the portion was disappointing. It looked like we got mostly small leftover pieces with very little meat compared to other Korean restaurants, especially for $33.99. The stir-fried kimchi with tofu was another letdown--the amount of tofu was very small for $36.99. The food overall was tasty, but the service was one of the strangest experiences I've had. Our banchan (side dishes) didn't come until after the appetizer, and only because we asked. We also had to ask for water. Our appetizer arrived without any sauce, and later they brought soy sauce with wasabi, which wasn't even for our seafood pancake or fried dumplings. After all of our food was served, no one came back to check on us--not even once. I'm honestly not exaggerating. The staff kept disappearing, and at one point we saw them all eating lunch together in the dining area, which made us uncomfortable interrupting them. When we were ready to leave, we needed to-go boxes and the check, but no one was around. We finally had to ask a lady who had just clocked in. Our bill was over $300, and honestly, we didn't feel the service deserved a tip. This place is a hit or miss. The food is good, and that's the only reason I'd consider coming back. Unfortunately, the service completely ruined the experience for our entire group. As much as we enjoyed the food, we wouldn't recommend this place based on the service alone.

Kings Korean BBQ

4.1

(26 reviews)

This place was honestly such a gem. The BBQ eel was on another level. It was so fresh and flavorful…read moreit didn't even need much seasoning to be absolutely amazing (and the presentation was wild). All the handmade sides stood out on their own. The ginger with the eel was such a smart touch, the sauces were fun to mix and match, and every dish felt so fun and novel. The whole restaurant had this lively, upbeat energy that made it such a fun spot to be in, and the staff couldn't have been nicer. Warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, they made the experience feel special from start to finish.

This was our spot for a while! Literally would skip out on cooking and run down here with my kids…read more I recently went after awhile and noticed they have modernized it a bit more even adding a mini claw machine store next door :) my only disappointment was that it's extra pricey now ! We payed $28 for service fee plus the pricey menu options. Overall the food is amazing! But not giving a comfort Korean bbq spot like it use too. It's more like a Gen KBBQ.

Gamjagol

4.6

(121 reviews)

I am a regular at Gamjagol! I come here all the time, and my kids absolutely love it. The portions…read moreare huge and generous. The staff is incredibly friendly, and the service is excellent. I wish you all the best and continued success!

This restaurant is great. Waitress is very kind. The foods are delicious. I highly recomnend this…read morerestaurant for gatherings.

Seoul Tang And Noodle

3.6

(28 reviews)

Today : Sunday, May 10th, I went to the Regency Movie Theater at The Source Mall in Buena Park,…read moreOrange County, to watch a movie. Since we had some time in between, we had lunch here. I had stopped by this place before in January of this year and also last November, and I got the cockle bibimbap to go at that time. I remember it being a little spicy, but still very tasty. Today, we had the Stir Fried Spicy Pork Rice and Cold Buckwheat Noodle, and both were absolutely delicious. The service here was also very friendly. I asked for an extra bowl to share the Cold Buckwheat Noodle and he kindly gave us a large bowl. The food was delicious, and the service was very kind, so I really liked this place.

I ordered two combo meals that included cold buckwheat noodles and 3-piece galbi mandu. After we…read morereceived our food, the young server informed us that they were out of galbi mandu. My husband asked if we could receive a refund for the missing item, since the combo was $18.99 and the buckwheat noodles alone were $13.99 (a $5 difference). She responded that she didn't know how to process a refund because it involved taxes. Instead of offering a solution, she expected us to simply accept the noodles without the mandu. I then asked if we could substitute the galbi mandu with kimchi mandu, since they were the same price. Her response was, "Did you order it?!" I explained that we hadn't ordered kimchi mandu because we had ordered galbi mandu, which was unavailable, and we were simply requesting an equivalent substitution. She never apologized for the inconvenience and communicated with a rude, dismissive attitude throughout the interaction. To make matters worse, she initially only brought one order of mandu even though we had ordered two combos. My husband had to go back to the counter to ask for the second order, and she again responded with an unpleasant attitude. The food itself was okay, but the poor customer service completely overshadowed the meal. A simple apology, better communication, and a willingness to resolve the issue would have made a huge difference. Unfortunately, the server's attitude ruined what should have been an enjoyable dinner.

So Moon Nan Jokbal

4.6

(107 reviews)

Hubby got the soon-dae soup & said it was good. He enjoyed the broth & the meat in the soup. It…read morecame with 3 side dishes & each was overfilled - never saw food court being so generous with their side dishes. It's a small food court inside Hmart in Garden Grove. We enjoyed the food & less busy atmosphere so we will be back.

Have you ever tried braised pig's trotters (JOKBAL)? This Korean delicacy is often enjoyed at large…read morefamily gatherings and is meant to be shared. The meal is typically eaten as a SSAM, where you wrap the meat in lettuce and add toppings like minced garlic, jalapeños, pickled radish, and fermented shrimp. Depending on how you build your wrap, each bite can be RICH, BOLD, and packed with flavor. Pig's trotters are known for their gelatinous texture, and in past experiences, I've occasionally noticed small hairs along the edges of the meat. Thankfully, this restaurant did an excellent job with preparation. The price is a bit on the higher side, but the portion is generous and easily feeds two to three adults.

Delicious Table

3.7

(176 reviews)

This is my go-to spot when I'm craving authentic Korean food. One of the things I love about this…read moreplace is that they have an extensive menu--from spicy chicken stew to flavorful marinated raw crab. I also like how they sell their side dishes (banchan) packaged to go, so you can easily take your favorites home and enjoy them later. I frequently see people just come in to buy the banchan. The restaurant itself is quite spacious, and there's a dedicated table in the back where they display their packaged banchan, making it easy to browse and pick your favorites. The aunties here are friendly. While their English is limited, they're always checking in on you to make sure your experience is great. For me, everything I've tried was a hit! I've tried their non-spicy cold noodles, spicy cold noodles, seafood pancake, spicy chicken stew, soy marinated pork ribs, beef bulgogi lettuce wrap (ssam bap), pork bulgogi ssam bap, and marinated raw crab. Always coming back here when craving comforting Korean food!

We came here for the soy marinated crab and was very satisfied…read more The size of each crab was small but there were seven of them. Enough for three people to enjoy. There was also crab roe on all of them which is a good sign. Each crab head had enough sauce and the crab bodies were definitely infused with flavor. LA galbi was solid, the pork ribs were super thick. Tasty but definitely needed the scissors. I loved the sides, the eggplant had a great flavor and the potatoes were tasty

Abbaee Wang Soondae

3.8

(129 reviews)

I think we just found our new soondae spot. Hands down the best chapsal (sweet rice) soondae I've…read moreever had. We love soondae and usually try it wherever it's available, but most places in OC are pretty average. That all changed when we found Abbaee Wang Soondae. The interior isn't fancy--it's an old-school, hole-in-the-wall, mom-and-pop type of place where it looks like more orders are to-go than dine-in. But honestly, that's usually where the best food is. We came with my parents and ordered the Soondae Jungsik, which comes with a bowl of soondaetang and a soondae plate. We also got the bossam. The soondaetang was solid--mixed pieces of soondae in a mildly spicy broth with veggies. Pretty classic and comforting. But the chapsal soondae on the plate was the real star. It had an incredibly clean flavor with a perfectly chewy texture. Truly the best I've had anywhere. I honestly wish we ordered an entire plate dedicated just to that. The bossam was also super clean, tender, and fresh. None of the dishes had that strong smell that can sometimes come with these types of meats, which shows how well they prepare everything. I would come back again and again just for the chapsal soondae and the soondaetang. An absolute gem. The owner was also super nice and attentive :)

One of the best soondae places around. This place looks like it's been around for a while, interior…read moreis all outdated but don't be fooled by the appearance. Very amazing flavors. Highly recommend coming if you like soondae

Tang & Noodle -STN

4.2

(230 reviews)

We have ordered takeout several times in the past month. TNN has made the process smooth and…read morethoughtful for the staff as well as customers. The food is consistently good. To go orders are packaged well and with care. Orders are always on time, correct, and comes with side dishes and utensils. When in the mood for a light broth, I get the unseasoned broth + ramen + dumplings + brisket. For those that prefer a more flavorful soup base, the beef meat broth is on point. The cockle bibimbop and fried chicken are also very good.

Came here from LA to buy more than one plate girl have and…read moreaptitude like she hates to be busy Customer service is really bad coming from her Wish I could give the tip to the guys in the back they are the ones doing all the work

Kkanbu Restaurant

4.1

(110 reviews)

I love the home style fare. It's so loaded with veggies and different flavors and all feels very…read morehealthy and intentional. The umma who's working this place is so sweet and commands the entire place with such ease and love. Felt like eating at grandmas house and I really enjoyed it. All the side dishes were so colorful and delicious. Median priced and not fancy at all but great.

Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Ambiance: casual and comfortable…read more Amazing food. Small mom and pop shop with home-style Korean food (jip bab). Knew this place was going to be good when the side dishes came out and ALL the side dishes were good. ALL OF THEM. Reminded me of my grandmother's food. My parents both said they tried this place about a month ago and said the food was good. My mom, who never really has an opinion about anything, raved about this place and insisted we come here for mother's day lunch. Ordered the following: - Spicy glabi jjim (braised galbi) - Ahgoo jjim (braised monkfish with spicy sauce) - Grilled fish with soy bean paste soup - Glabi tang Can I just say....just try it all. JUST DO IT. NO RAGRETS. The server lady was so nice. Didn't mind when we asked for side dish refills about a thousand times. The owner, who is also the cook, was at the next table eating lunch. Interrupted her meal just to let her know that her food was amazing. No frills. Just solid Korean food.

Cafe Gunul

4.0

(131 reviews)