Came with a group of 5 and we got seated in the back room. That room has a table that can fit 14 people and also has 4 tables of 6. So if you have an extra large group. They can accommodate. Service was amazing. They cook everything for you and when you need them, they come right away. Only down side is the grill is at the corner so your friends will have to pass you the meats. Soju here is probably the cheapest at $10 each compared to any other place that sells it for $16. 5/5 They give you seaweed soup as a banchan. We ordered the large beef set. I was not a fan of the brisket. Not sure if we went on a bad day, but it was super dry and had no flavor. 2/5 The 2nd and 3rd meat that came out was alot better 3.5/5 We also got 2 steamed eggs and seafood pancake. The egg comes with cheese and corn. But if we had known that the seafood pancake was made wit alot of eggs we would've just gotten 1 steam egg. I never had eggy seafood pancake before but it was good and crispy. Can't go wrong with eggs. 4.5/5 Also got a pork belly to try and it feels like we should've got the pork combo instead. Next time I will try the pork combo. read more

I can't remember leaving this place regretting it. Something has definitely changed. The food quality and the service was so bad that for sure I'm not coming back. For Saturday dinner time it was pretty not packed and for sure not busy. It's spacious but for sure it wasn't as clean as I remember this place. For the price, food quality and service I say skip this spot. There's so many great Korean bbq that for sure you'll love. Save your money and your stomach for a quality bbq somewhere else. You're welcome read more

A group of 6 of us had lunch here last Friday. The ambience is nice, fashioned after old-school Korean restaurant. The service was good. For a party of 6, they seated us at the largest table they had available (which only had one cooking surface which is not typical for a table of this size). They don't have any larger tables, so if you have more than 6 in your group, they have to separate you into separate tables. We had the large beef combo, and added an extra order of the boneless short rib. Overall, the meats were good (not great). I thought all the meats were pretty bland. Boneless shortrib (3.5/5), Sirloin (3.5/5), brisket (3.5/5) and marinated boneless shortrib (3.5). The combo came with a side of soybean paste stew (very good - 4.5/5). The accompanying banchans were a bit less varied than you get at other Korean BBQ restaurants. The restaurant deserves a 3.5/5. Rounding down as there are so many better options to have. read more

Great kbbq spot, good pork and beef combo selection. The workers cook and cut the meat for you. The banchan is pretty good, but it was missing a couple of typical dishes like the fish cake strips. There were 4 of us at a circular table, and even then, our table was pretty full of dishes. I like their steamed egg a lot! We went right before 5pm, so it was only about half full. One issue I had was the air vent because from where I was sitting, the air from outside would blow the smoke in my face. The vent wasn't close to the grill, so it was ineffective whenever someone opened the doors. My friends didn't have that issue from where they were sitting. Other than that, I'd come here again! read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

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Hey @saemaeul.us , nice to MEAT you! If you've been looking for the MOST AUTHENTIC Korean BBQ, you definitely have to check them out! @saemaeul.us is a KBBQ chain owned by Korean celebrity chef Paik Jong Won (who's basically the Korean equivalent of Gordon Ramsay), and they're known for his signature dishes such as yeoltan bulgogi and pork kimchi. I was impressed with how quick and efficient their table side service was- the waiters literally have their cooking times and check-in's down to a science, and you'll definitely never have a shortage of freshly cooked meat. Equally impressive was their selection of meats and side dishes- my favorites were the beef special combo (which comes with kkotsal, sogalbisal, and Chadolbagi), kimchi jjigae, and dosirak (lunch box with rice, kimchi, anchovies, spam and fried egg). If you're in the Buena Park area and craving KBBQ, this would definitely be my pick for higher end + incredibly authentic KBBQ spot to check out! Featured here: beef special combo steamed egg kimchi jjigae dosirak read more

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Great quality meats and service! Very attentive to our table and meats were delicious. Biggest surprise was the steamed egg. That thing was enormous and the melted cheese on top was fantastic. Only thing was wish they had more dipping sauce flavors to change up the taste! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]I love this restaurant and their service atmosphere and food with passion![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They welcome you and seat you. They will serve you delicious house soup on the house, they'll even refill it. They will bring you cold water in stainless steel container with a glass of water. Their house kimshe and the rest of the delicious house items are fresh crispy and t Yummy The main courses are boiling hot fresh tasty and the egg is ready to crack and miix and enjoy They will keep checking on your needs even as they get busier. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They get packed in early evening.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Most importantly before I forget THEIR PRICES ARE INCREDIBLY REASONABLE. read more

A pleasant dining experience with many service offerings provided at meal time. Good quality bbq meat. read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Side dishes provided during the meal - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Really great good with amazing service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We came in on a Tuesday afternoon and there wasnt a lot of people there.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server Seungmin was fast and super attentive if we needed anything. The meats were great and the other dishes were all seasoned very well. I would definitely come here again in the future. read more

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Worth your time & money. Perfect amount of serving. The dude who was serving us was the best! I think he was the only server there & there were 3 other parties eating. He even cooked for us . I'm sorry we didn't get your name. The beef was so tender & yummy & satisfied our kbbq cravings! BUT THE STEAMED EGG WITH CHEESE WAS THE STAR OF THE SHOW OOOO SO GOOD!! Literally I would come back here just for that. The complimentary seaweed soup was very warm & homey. Oh the rice is unli & free!! read more

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Baekjong's line was too long so I opted for this place. I had high expectations for this restaurant due to the owner's appearance on a Netflix show, but unfortunately, the experience fell short. Most of the side dishes had an overly sour taste, and the kimchi soup resembled a strong rice vinegar flavor, which was not to my liking. Even the dipping sauce was sour, I don't know how they can messed up the sauce. The meat quality was also disappointing and it lacked tenderness and didn't seem fresh, even though it was cooked to medium rare. Service was great and fast. The price did not justify the quality. I felt the experience didn't justify the hype. read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

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Love this Korean BBQ restaurant! Why I prefer it over other KBBQ places: Lots of parking Bright, clean, well ventilated dining area (I didn't smell like bbq all day) Excellent service and they cook the food for you. If one person in your party is running late they will seat and serve you anyway. Affordable (party of 4 was $109) It is not all you can eat. They give you amazing, high quality, well prepared meat and side dishes (attention to quality not quantity) Located next to my favorite Korean Shaved Ice place for a light dessert after. Worth the wait and everything is yummy! read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

I celebrated chuseok in 2023 here! apparently is a well known restaurant in Korea. the service is good and meat was good too. my favorite part of the meal tho was actually the pa-muchim. I'm not in Buena Park often but I look forward to coming back here someday! read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

I tried the beef combo for the first time! With the mixed rice where they shake for you! Everything was delicious but the music was a little too loud for me! Service was quick and fast! read more

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

We were invited to try out this very delicious Korean bbq spot that is of the OG spots in Buena Park. You know it's good when it was super packed on a Tuesday night! We got the small beef combo for two people with kimchi soup and the steamed egg. Please get the cheese on your steamed egg, it is definitely a game changer. The service was attentive and they cook all the meats to perfection. I definitely can't wait to come back! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]It is a typical Korean BBQ decorations inside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]They have big party rooms available for dinner only.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] ( yes we asked one time when we were there for a Sunday lunch with a big group) We came here many times , including the celebration for my husband's 50th birthday. Food is always great and service is usually fast. If you like KBBQ, this is the place to be at. They cook for you right the perfect meat! read more

The main reason I am giving this restaurant 3 stars is because it is definitely over priced. I've been to many KBBQ locations and this was not the best experience. 1. It is not all you can eat, but instead you have to choose between certain preset packages that include random meats. 2. They do not have traditional bulgogi in any of these packages. That's the best part of KBBQ. 3. They grill for you. I wouldn't mind this, except you are left waiting for them to return for each meat. 4. Limited beverages. Besides alcohol they only had canned Coke, Diet, and Sprite. 5. The meat is not quality. Quality meat might justify the price, but the meat was not great and some of the meats had hardly any flavor. 6. They gave you few sides. (Although, the salad and cumbers were tasty) The service was decent and the kimchi soup was pretty tasty. Like I originally said, it was just overpriced and I didn't like the preset packages. We only went here because it was Father's Day and everywhere else had a line. I guess I see why. There are many other, better choices in the area. read more

We got the special mix combo with the combo kimchi Jjigae and all the meat was very good and high quality! It was nice that there was people that cooked for us but i definitely felt a little rushed while eating. All the sides were yummy! Although the steamed egg was mid because the egg was dry. It was a good portion size and the service was really quick! My favorite was Yangnyeom Kkotsal meat but all of the meat was great read more

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My co-workers/friends and I were craving kbbq so we decided to come to saemaeul in Buena park. I chose this place because I do not like cooking my own food; I'm one of those who wants to sit down and enjoy myself while the staff cooks the food for you. Now, this is not AYCE place; they have certain sets menu, which i love. we got their famous little lunch bento box where you have to shake the box in order for the food to get mixed real good. pretty much it's a little bimbimbap in a box.. The staff here is very welcoming and friendly. I'm guessing that it gets busy during dinner, we came here for early lunch. I wouldn't mind coming back here again read more

This K-bbq place serves high-quality meat and cooks it for you. The small beef combo was perfectly cooked & juicy, and dipping it in the flavorful sauce was a delight. The cheese steam egg was the best I've ever had, so cheesy and soft inside like a pudding. The lunch box was mixed perfectly by the server. The indoor and outdoor patio areas are beautifully designed with a touch of Korean culture. The servers were super nice and took great care of us. I give this place 5 stars and can't wait to come back with family & friends! read more

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Impeccable meat and food service I've eaten a lot of Korean BBQ and not many stands out but man this place is on the top list in LA area. The place is very clean and staff is responsive. We live the quality of meat and homemade variety of kimchis. read more

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My friends and I were craving for Korean BBQ the other day so we went to try Saemaeul for the first time! We ordered a beef combo, yetnal doshirak and cheese gyeran jjim which is so good! The meat here has the best quality! We had the best Korean BBQ experience ever! The staff here was very friendly and helped us by cooking the bbq for our table! The interior is super nice inside! It's a perfect spot to come with a group of friends and family! read more

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If you watched Netflix's "Korean Pork Belly Rhapsody," you'll notice a famous Korean chef named Paik Jong Won. He's like the "Gordon Ramsay" of Korean food--probably THE biggest celebrity chef in Korea. He mentions his 7-minute dwaeji (pork) kimchi as well as his yeoltan bulgogi on that show. Well, those items are served at his Saemaeul Sikdang (Restaurant) all over Korea, and his one location in Socal, which happens to be in Buena Park. Before we tried this place out, we actually made it out to his location IN Seoul, specifically went to the Hongdae Branch, and our minds were BLOWN at how good this food was, and how affordable it was. SO, while I DO LOVE this location, and do think we need MORE in Socal, I have a hard time giving it 5 stars BECAUSE of that comparison I couldn't help but make with the Korean location. PRICE: Food costs in the US is NUTS right now. As expensive as it is to LIVE in Seoul, food and drinks are significantly cheaper than it is, especially in the LA/OC area. The US dollar is pretty darn strong right now, so the impact of the price difference was even bigger. To compare the signature dishes mentioned above, the yeoltan bulgogi here is over $20. In Korea, it was 9,000KRW which is $7. The 7-minute kimchi here is approximately $10. In Korea, it was 6,000KRW, which is $4.50. My post-Korea trip food depression is stemmed primarily in the cost of food vs. Taste. COMBOS: This location formatted their combos similar to places like Baekjeong--large or small beef or pork combos, that comes with a stew (jjigae). In Korea, they have combos around their signature yeoltan bulgogi. And since I always want the yeoltan bulgogi, I end up having to order more here, or just pick items a la carte. SIDES: Like most American KBBQ restaurants, you can ask for unlimited refills of sides. In Korea, you can CHOOSE to pay a few thousand KRW per person to get access to their "self bar." This self bar is basically like a sides buffet bar. You can get all of the lettuce, garlic, sauces, etc. You need yourself. TASTE: The taste itself is comparable. The signature yeoltan bulgogi is delicious. I usually like the spicy, but if your group can't handle it, the regular nonspicy is still delicious. FYI it's a pork bulgogi. The soybean stew isn't quite as memorable as the Korea one, but it's still one of the best soybean stews in the area. The 7-minute kimchi IS NOT THE SAME as the kimchi jjigae. You have to order it separately. The 7-minute kimchi is saucier, and not as soupy, and has these amazing delicious chunks of pork. You can ask for rice, and you top your rice with this amazing kimchi pork combo, and they bring shredded seaweed to top it off. AMAZING. The rest of the meat here has been superb as well. On par with many of the better KBBQ spots in LA/OC. TOTAL EXPERIENCE: I get that there's factors like cost of food and labor that make this experience a lot more expensive than in the motherland, but it's honestly hard for me to look past the VAST difference in cost, which is why I gave this place 4 stars. Honestly, the food itself is 5 stars. The taste is CLOSE to the original in Korea. It's fantastic. So yes, it's worth coming here and I'll come back here again and again, just to get a taste of the deliciousness we had in Korea. read more

FOOD IG: @northtx.gemz **** WHAT THEY'RE KNOWN FOR: a fancy version of Korean bbq that is SO worth it. Created by celebrity chef Jong Won Paik. Portions are huge and tbh it's not that much more expensive than a typical AYCE Korean bbq. Rice cakes and japchae THE VIBE: pretty intimate, would recommend a group of less than 4 only because I'm not sure how they would have the vents work with pushing tables together. PRICE: gifted WOULD I COME BACK? Yes!!! **** Overall Rating: 12/10 - Yes, this is probably my highest rating on a restaurant yet!!! The food was THAT good. The quality of the meat, the servers were so sweet and attentive, and just the quality of the side dishes too blew me out of the water. - The beef finger meat was the only thing that was marinated in a little bit of sauce but the other meats were such good quality they were left on their own and you can dip it in their sauces or add a sprinkle of flaky salt. I was obsessed with the beef quality. - The japchae has so many high quality ingredients which you could tell by the mushrooms and I believe really thinly sliced egg on top. This was the best japchae I've ever had. There's so much detail that goes into their food. - The amount of food we got was probably good for 3-4 people because of the Tteokbokki. It was a huge portion and everything about this was perfectly. It had two eggs and was perfectly spicy and slightly sweet. - I can't stop raving about this place it truly was a great experience. read more

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Saemaeul is a kbbq opened by Korean celebrity chef Paik Jong Won. I was excited to visit this place since watching him on Culinary class wars on Netflix. The food was really good and the meat was great quality. What stood out the most to me was the exceptional service. The waiters changed our grill after each meat cooked and we never had a smoking grill just sitting there for very long. They were super nice and even when it was busy they were super attentive. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We went on a weekday so it wasn't too busy but I hear on weekends it's super busy[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Came here last Saturday with my bf and we waited for about 30 minutes to get a table. The parking is very difficult, but it's nice that they have benches for you to wait at. We got the small beef combo and I thought it was pretty good but nothing outstanding. I also thought some of the meats were kind of dry. My favorite was the short rib. However, the steamed egg here is definitely the star of the show. It was very unique and I always crave it! read more

Had a great time. Went with 7 other friends and ate a modest amount. Their large meats serve 3-4 while their smalls feed around 2-3. I really enjoyed their spicy kongnamul meuchim side dish. They do grill all the meat for you. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I do wish they sat us a little better as there was one grill in the middle for 8 people total which I don't know was optimal for everybody.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

10/10 customer service! the servers consistently checked up on us and would ask if we needed anything. the meats were cooked very well. i ordered the beef combo & wasn't a fan of the brisket and beef finger meat. both the banchan and steamed egg were just okay. my favorite side was probably the seaweed soup they served. would not come back here since there's better options. read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

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Food was ok and We ordered pork skin came out super spicy and tasted like MSG . Am I coming back here ?!!! Absolutely no . Nothing special here for sure !! read more

They close at 10 PM but turn people away at 8:49PM. Extremely unprofessional. We drove 40 minutes. The owner should deal with his staff or close at 9PM Instead of close at 10PM and turn people away at 8:49PM. That said, we called KING CHANG across the street, they had a table ready for us the food was excellent and most importantly they're staff was extremely professional. Goes to show, employess can make a business or kill a business. read more

Fiancé and I came here to visit some of our friends on a Saturday for lunch for 6 adults and my 4 month old and there was surprisingly no wait! They were able to accommodate our baby and sat us away from all of the foot traffic in a quiet corner which was nice especially for a weekend. Food was bomb. We ordered the small mixed combo, beef tongue, and the spicy bulgogi and the quality was top notch. I'm normally not a fan of bulgogi, but the one that they have surprised me! The meat was tender and not overpowering with the marinade. The steamed egg with cheese was good once you get to the egg. Personally, I think they put too much cheese on it. They cook for you and the prices were comparable to the higher end kbbq places I'm used to in Vegas. Definitely recommend! read more

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

Place is now under new ownership. Service is not as good as it used to be. Keep in mind if you come in you have to cook yourself now, unlike before. Definitely makes a difference if you come in as a family. read more

I always passed by Saemaeul but realized I actually never ate here before. My boyfriend talked about how good the yeontan bulgogi was in Korea so we had to give it a try to see if it was any similar. We waited about 15-20 min for a table for 3 on a weeknight around dinner time which wasn't bad at all. I love the vibes inside - kinda similar to Baekjeong with the wooden beams and slightly retro Korean aesthetic. One thing I really appreciated was how the smaller tables weren't super close to each other. Servers were very attentive despite being busy. We ordered a small pork combo to share plus the yeontan bulgogi since that's what they're famous for. My boyfriend was raving about their kimchi jigae and it was really good! One of the best kimchi jigaes I had at a KBBQ place hands down. Meats were all really good quality especially the pork jowl! That was my favorite cut for sure and the pieces were large and well-marbled. There was lots of side dishes which I loved since I can make every bite different. I saw on Yelp later that they have this insane cheese gaeran jjim and I definitely need to try that next time. Amazing meat quality and can't believe I only tried it now! read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

The food is great meat quality is awesome and the XL combo can feed 5-6 depending on how much you eat. The service is also quick and good but the ambiance is smoky as the air vents aren't strong. The tables are also tiny and they squished 6 of us on one of those tiny tables. They have more tables in the back for parties of 7+. I would recommend coming if you're looking for a yummy kbbq place not AYCE! read more

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Very solid kbbq spot in Buena Park! It's not AYCE, but they offer both beef and pork combos which are probably the best bang for your buck. I had the small pork combo and it was the perfect size for 3 girls to share. If you're super hungry or have a big appetite, a small would probably be good for 2 as well. The workers grill the meat for you, and the quality of the meat as well as the sides was on point. The soybean stew is bomb here! Overall, no complaints and would return. 4 stars- would come back if I was in the area read more

Quality of meat is below average for the high price you pay for. The meat was not tender and extremely chewy. What's sad is that you can get Ayce for better quality meats than this place. If the high price delivered with the quality I would not have any issues but this place was not it. read more

Saemaeul Restaurant - Large set for 125 - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

I usually have a late lunch here. Service has been good and the waiters cook the meat for you which I like. Food is good too. Plus is that it's not crazy crowded for lunch and a more peaceful quieter atmosphere with solid food. read more

Good food. Friendly service. They accommodated our big group of 26 sitting us all close together.

Higher cost is better. This Korean BBQ is of better service and quality meats. We stopped by this eatery in Buena Park while driving back home after a weekend fun with kids at Lego Land. From outside, it looks like a joint that's been here for ages. Inside, it is new. There is a sign-in sheet; must be busy on weekend evenings. However, we were greeted and immediately seated at a booth. Team of workers immediately set up the table, brought seaweed soup and rice for kids, and brought side dishes (cucumber kimchi, fermented napa kimchi, pickled vegetables in soy sauce, rice papers, salad mix, and spicy green onion salad), salt, dipping sauce, and water. We ordered the beef combo $139.99, comes with kkotsal (boneless rib meat), deungsim (rib eye), chadolbagi (brisket), yangnyeom kkotsal (marinated rib meat), and choice of kimchi soup or doenjang (soybean) soup. As for the meats, the best tasting was kkotsal (tender and melts in the mouth), rib eye (juicy and tender), marinated kkotsal (not sweet and not salty), lastly chadolbagi (not greasy like typical AYCE, this was more meaty). All the meats were of great quality and freshness. After all, the price was up there. More meat then say Soot Bull Jeep, Park's BBQ or Gilmok in Los Angeles but the sides are not as tasty or varied. The best about this eatery is that you do not cook. The staff cook the meat from start to finish. The lady who attended our grill did a fantastic job. The meats were all juicy; perfectly seared on the outside and pink on the inside. Still, great meat, kids approved and clean dining hall and restrooms. read more

The food here is excellent. You'll get the KBbq experience and taste that you want for a decent price. We got the small beef combo for 2 people and it was perfect. You can order this with three people as well and order another dish. They don't just have combos but have other dishes that seem interesting! The service was quick and efficient and they also cook for you. We went there during a weekday lunch time and it was about half full. The ambiance is great, it wasn't loud at all or blasting music. It's approachable and has the feel of a kbbq restaurant. If you haven't been here. I'd definitely recommend it! read more

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