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    Sonu BBQ

    4.5 (990 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 10:30 PM

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    SONU BBQ ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Sonu BBQ

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    Poke bowl

    As always this place is packed. They serve quality meat and seafood. All you can eat sides, like cream corn and kimchi rice. They also have poke bowl as part of the sides. This place is my family's go to Korean AYCE restaurant. The best!

    Eddie C.

    We put our name on the waitlist that said estimated 5-20 minutes while driving here since we were nearby. It's nice that you can check the estimated wait time and put your name on the waitlist from the Yelp app. The service was amazing for an all you can eat Korean bbq restaurant. Everyone was extremely attentive from when we sat down. They filled our water bottle twice without us asking and changed our grill twice without us asking. They asked us if everything is okay and if we needed anything multiple times and constantly looked at our table even as they were walking by to do something else. Amazing service for an all you can eat place which in my opinion is extremely important. Nothing feels worse than waiting a long time to order again. The food was solid. We got the deluxe plan for $30.99 per person, and it was above average. It's not the absolute best kbbq food place I've ever had, but it's better than majority of the kbbq places I've had in San Diego for $30.99. A bonus is they have corn cheese and steamed egg, which a lot of all you can eat kbbq places don't have now. Overall a great experience all around!

    Love the seasoned options
    Tajuana C.

    Loved it here, only thing is we kept ordering by things and didn't get what we ordered. I love when the grill is like this. One thing I don't understand is the fact it's bbq but these places never let you keep the grill when it really starts to charcoal up and the flavor is the best. It's most likely for easier cleaning but I'm pretty sure there is a way they could figure out how to make that part work in the future. One of my fav things to go out to eat is just sitting around eating food with loved ones. We love the cheese corn!!! It's always one of my favs but I really love theirs. The portion sizes could be smaller so you could try other things but omgahhh get the cheese corn!

    Nats L.

    Went here with family a while back and had a great time. Service was really good, our servers were friendly and funny. And loved the selection of meat you can get! The meat itself tasted great and overall felt like good quality. Even the side dishes were great. There was a kimchi stew or soup my sister ordered that I ended up trying, and it paired amazingly with the meat. The ventilation did its job because it did not feel too hot in there, or as hot as I would've expected. The tables are spaced out enough where your party has enough room to breathe and talk. For the price (which from what I remember was around $30-$40?) it is definitely worth it.

    Kenneth A.

    Super legit, one of our servers, Ms New Year is and was amazing. I think one of the best ayce kbb in town

    Corn cheese
    Kiyomi F.

    Service here was exceptional! All workers were very friendly and helpful. It was our first time here and we had a great time. Food came out fast! Corn cheese was HUGE! I was shocked to see the portion size compared to many other places that only give a little cup of it! I love that they had kimchi fried rice as an included side not an extra charge. Their kimchi however is a little on the sweet side, not very sour/tangy. Still good tho but personal preference I like the more fermented taste of kimchi. Lot of meat selections & good for the price. The inside is very clean and lots of tables for bigger parties if needed! We will be back!

    Amy A.

    This was my first time dining at a Korean BBQ place. The restaurant itself was clean and inviting. The food was just ok, thought the corn with cheese was phenomenal! The issue was with a couple of the servers. I stated immediately that I had never been to a Korean BBQ place so I didn't know how it "worked". The lady pointed to the qrcode and said to scan it which I did. The menu came up based on which price bracket I chose. That was it. She didn't tell me how it worked, what we were to do, etc. So I asked her again what I do and how it works. She said I order what I wanted from the menu and it would be brought to me. I asked if I cook it myself and if she had a list of cooking times for each type of meat. She said no and that I should just make sure it is cooked all the way through. I told her I am not an expert on such things and worried I would undercook something and get sick. She said "no just cook it all the way". We asked for rice which we never received, and had to ask for refills of water that took long to receive. I requested extra napkins and a plate which took 20 minutes to receive. The price was a little high for the lack of variety based on what I have seen from other places online (posted menus and such). All and all, it was an interesting experience but no one was very helpful for a newbie like me. I did get sick late that night, too.

    Brisket, Honey, Cajun Pork Belly, Kimchi, Bean Sprouts, and Daikon
    Breelyn P.

    This Korean BBQ's service is amazing! Jamie (I may have spelt it wrong) was very attentive and kind. The meats we ordered were yummy. My favorites being: Cajun Shrimp and Brisket. My least favorite was the bulgogi (may have been over marinated, not a lot of texture). The soju was yummy; we ordered the lemon and yogurt flavor. Both flavors were good, but if I had to choose one it would be the yogurt flavor. The music was upbeat and seating descent. The bathrooms could stalls and toilets need an upgrade.

    SONU K Bbq 3745 Mission Ave Oceanside, Ca 92058
    Shiela G.

    Our family of 9 ct. had a great experience at SONUK Barbecue in Oceanside. We arrived right at last call, 9:30 PM even though they were close to closing, Jason, the owner, graciously accommodated us with such kindness and professionalism. He made us feel genuinely welcome, never rushed us, and even encouraged us to take our time. Our server, Joey, was excellent, attentive, courteous, and provided outstanding service throughout the evening. The beef was especially impressive, very fresh, tender, flavorful, and generous in portion. We truly appreciated the hospitality and care shown to our Family. We left very satisfied and grateful. Highly recommend SONU K Bbq in Oceanside 3744 MISSION AVE OCEANSIDE, Ca 92058 Thank you Jason , Thank you Joey , Our Family will return to your establishment

    Brisket
    Hazel B.

    Food, service, price. Everything was top notch. Meat and side choices were abundant and delicious. The wait staff was very attentive and knew when to come around for refills. Our favorites were the pork belly, bulgogi and brisket. Highly recommend.

    Where my smile begins!
    Jonathan M.

    A staple in the city of Oceanside, SONU always satisfies our cravings with its variety of flavor, from marinated short-rib to honey Cajun pork belly! Nothing like sitting around a burner enjoying great food, sharing laughs with family and friends. What this little restaurant lacks in size it makes up for in charm and great hospitality. Make sure to reserve if you are coming with bigger parties as the wait times can escalate if you have more than 5 people. That just speaks to how popular this place is in our beach town!

    Thoa N.

    After many months away, I came back and was happy to see that the quality remains just as excellent as ever. The restaurant is always clean and spacious, and it never feels hot or uncomfortable. The staff are especially lovely, quick, and very attentive. They always check on customers in a thoughtful and caring way. I truly appreciate a place that offers both delicious food and outstanding service. Sonu BBQ is always the best!

    Amanda J.

    My first time here. Hubby and I came for dinner. Parking was easy and we were immediately seated after putting our names down. Our server was great. Restaurant is clean. Food was fresh and pretty good but I felt they had less side options than other Korean BBQ spots. I love green onion salad and was bummed that they don't offer that. I like that it's all you can eat. We enjoyed our dinner here.

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    2 months ago

    Great food. The cheese/corn casserole is unique. Only drawback is that the noise level is high.

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    4 days ago

    Absolutely pest Korean bbq in Oceanside!! Food is exquisite and service is excellent!!

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    1 month ago

    Food was good! Staff is friendly and if you time it correctly and add yourself on the yelp app there is little to no wait

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    Page 1 of 25

    Sonu BBQ Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sonu BBQ

    Can you place a to-go order?

    We do not do to go orders , only dine in .

    Are there any surprises or discounts for your birthday?

    They give you a Macaron ice cream of your choice ( they are all delicious, but my fave is the coffee flavor!) of course with a candle to sing happy birthday! 🥳💕

    Are you open for Thanksgiving?

    Yes, we open on thanksgiving but close early at 8:30 pm

    Can you take leftovers to go?

    No you cannot, actually if you over order I think they charge per pound.

    Do you have glass noodles (Japchae)?

    No they do not .

    Can I do the all-you-can-eat alone? Or they start with two or more people

    You can, but there will be a $7 surcharge .

    What are the hours on Labor Day?

    What are the correct hours of operation as of 8/13/20?

    Do they have social distanced outdoor seating?

    They don't have outdoor seating

    Is this kid friendly and do they have other options a for kids? My daughter is super picky.

    Yes they are kid friendly. They saw we had 4 kids and let us have the control for one of the Flatscreens in the back.

    Can you split one plan with someone? Like 2 people share the premium or deluxe plan?

    Unfortunately not. The price is per person, all people at your table need to order the same plan and it is all you can eat.

    Are there gluten free (no regular soy sauce- it has gluten) options available?

    Yes, the unmarinated meats are gluten free

    Does everyone at the table have to eat the price plan? For example what if one person wants the Premium but everyone else wants the Deluxe?

    Everyone needs to order the same. Because if they order premium and they share with you then you're now eating premium too.

    Do they have different prices for kids?

    Kids eat for $9.99

    Do they still have cheese corn?

    Yes they do!

    Do you have sushi?

    We do not .

    Is that the price per meat platter or is it an all you can eat and that price is per person?

    It's AYCE, the price is per person.

    Do they have rice paper or corn cheese?

    Yes, they have it now. I think they just change their menu for more options.

    View All 24 Questions

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    Heritage Beer

    Heritage Beer

    3.7
    (385 reviews)
    4.0 mi
    $$

    Took my mama bear out here for a little "treat yourself" moment after losing my dad. It used to be…read moretheir spot, so I thought, what better way to honor him than with ribs, mac and cheese, and a hopeful attitude? We ordered the 3 meats plate with a side of mac and cheese, thinking we'd leave in a food coma. Plot twist: for $45, we basically split a light snack. We asked for double ribs, but apparently ribs are weighed like gold here--so we got just a few sad little bones. When I asked the bartender, she hit me with a "it's weighted meat" and shrugged. Oh. Okay. Guess we're on a portion control diet now. The BBQ sauce? Meh. My mom and I both agreed it was giving "needs a little more love." The corn? Tasted like it defrosted just for us. Still decent, but not for the price tag. The mac and cheese though? A win. Warm, cheesy, and the only thing that arrived hotter than my mild frustration. Now let's talk service. Our bartender vanished mid-meal (poof! just like the ribs), didn't say bye, and didn't introduce her replacement. Instead, she sat at the bar with her friends while we played a fun game of "Where's Our Server?" Spoiler: we lost. Had to ask multiple times for refills. Not quite the relaxing "mom night out" I had in mind. My mom summed it up perfectly: "The prices went up, and the service went down." Poetry. Also, shoutout to the guy next to us who tried ordering half the menu only to be told, "Yeah, we're out of that" over and over. Management, a quick stock check might be helpful for you guest Lastly, don't come here if you're starving or in a rush. Our food took forever and was colder than my ex's heart by the time it arrived--minus the mac and cheese, the MVP. Would I come back? Maybe. But only after a snack and a pep talk. Management, if you're reading this, we just want hot food, a heads-up when the server disappears, and ribs that don't need a microscope to be seen. Is that too much to ask?

    Picked up some pulled pork and brisket to-go. Always greeted with a friendly smile and warm…read moregreeting. I annihilated the pulled pork before taking any pics and quickly snapped a shot of the brisket. Both were awesome. Pulled pork wasn't dried out like many other places. The brisket though... great crust, juicy, and flavorful. You can add some of their bbq sauce but you definitely don't need to. Solid spot for some great bbq

    Photos
    Brisket tack
    Brisket tack
    Chili fries
    Chili fries
    Brisket burger

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    Brisket burger
    KM BBQ

    KM BBQ

    3.8
    (338 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$$
    Women-owned & operated
    Free parking

    Came here after Legoland and we made a reservation since this place gets busy. First time here, the…read moreplaza was crowded when it comes to parking. This was a different Korean BBQ experience, very unique because you actually get to choose and grab your own meat, and their salad bar had good selections from spice to non-spice. Also, the perks they serve boba drinks here which was a plus for the kids, small selection, but it had Tapioca which made them happy. The table setting can be a bit tight, chairs close to other tables was my only con. The meat was favorable, the staff members were attentive and the kids loved the fact that they had a variety to choose from. I do like how they have the fans above the grill because it didn't smell as much like a typical Korean BBQ restaurant.

    So glad we came here! We were seated right when we entered…read moreand staff were friendly and approachable. Our drink order was taken and we're told we could immediately go pick which protein we wanted to pick. There is a sauce and side dish station along with a self serving of rice and miso soup. I loved the kimchi and radish, it was a great pairing with the meat we ate. There is a variety of protein such as beef, chicken, and sea food. We arrived early around close to 4:50pm and they weren't busy at all. Towards the end they give you free ice cream which tops off your meal. Will definitely be coming back!!!

    Photos
    KM BBQ
    KM BBQ
    KM BBQ

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    Texas Roadhouse

    Texas Roadhouse

    4.0
    (1.9k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    Great service! Bernie was the best server ever. Everything was delicious, especially the ribs. The…read morewait was worth it and loved the ambiance.

    Camille was amazing! She was very patient, super friendly, and genuinely sweet throughout our…read morevisit. Our appetizer was so good -- we had a TON of fried pickles, and everything came out fresh, hot, and delicious. I completely forgot to take a "before" picture because we started eating right away I had the New York strip with corn and veggies, and everything was cooked perfectly. We also ordered a ribeye to go with a baked potato and house salad, and that was delicious as well. And of course, the bread and cinnamon butter were a 10/10 We could have eaten that alone! Great food, generous portions, and even better service. Thank you, Camille, for making our experience such a good one! Camille was amazing! She was very patient, super friendly, and genuinely sweet throughout our visit. Our appetizer was so good we had a TON of fried pickles, and everything came out fresh, hot, and delicious. I completely forgot to take a "before" picture because we started eating right away I had the New York strip with corn and veggies, and everything was cooked perfectly. We also ordered a ribeye to go with a baked potato and house salad, and that was delicious as well. And of course, the bread and cinnamon butter were a 10/10 We could have eaten that alone! Great food, generous portions, and even better service. Thank you, Camille, for making our experience such a good one!

    Photos
    Roadhouse entrance
    Roadhouse entrance
    Cactus blossom
    Cactus blossom
    House salad

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    House salad
    Guahan Grill

    Guahan Grill

    4.4
    (1.1k reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    Cute little place in Oceanside, right past CVS, by Flying Pig. We never really walk out that far…read morefrom the pier area (and it's not really THAT far), but decided to go out a bit just to check it out. Scanned the QR code on the big banner from the outside and checked out their menu. Saw lumpia and thought it was a Filipino spot). Saw they had a happy hour menu and decided to check it out before our movie. The vibe we really cute and played reggae music. It was a relaxing, chill atmosphere with lots of tvs. The server, Jaz was really nice, friendly and very hospitable. She spoke of their Guamanian food, heritage and community. They've been in the current spot for the last 7 or 8 months, so fairly new, but were down the street for many years before that. We ordered 2 different kinds of BBQ chicken wings. Two orders of the sweet chili glazed (Pine Doni) and one of the other which was like a honey bbq glazed style. All were supposed to have 6 wings, but the honey BBQ one had 5 (?). The sweet chili was our fave of the two. Their chicken empanadas were huge, and served 3 per dish, were delicious and crispy, with an aioli like sauce with a wonderful kick. The spam roll was a masubi-like and was good (husband said it was the best he's ever had). The side of mac salad had great flavor! Jaz brought us some red rice to try on the house and it was really good! It reminded me of Vietnamese chicken rice, with chicken broth infused into the rice, making it really tasty and savory. First time having Guamanian food and we're stoked we tried it! All in all, great food and awesome service! If you've never tried it before...put it on your list! You won't regret it!

    This place is kinda far from where we live, but we wanna try a better Chamorro restaurant; (the one…read moreclose to us in Temecula, we have it a 1-star rating ). The place is, of course, decorated with an island vibe (just like the restaurants in Guam but a little bit fancier-as well as the price), coupled with an island music playlist. We ordered the Maga Lahi ($46.99) comes with salad, 4 small scoops of red rice,chicken kelaguen, empanada, 4pcs each of grilled pork ribs (so tender the meat falls off the bone) and boneless chicken with finadene; chicken kelaguen appetizer that comes with 2 scoops of red rice and emapanadas (3pcs an order). Overall we gave a 3.5 stars for the food because having tried the "real deal" in Guam, we haven't found anything like it here in the mainland US. Our server was very attentive even when it was pretty busy on a Sunday lunch and he was working by himself.

    Photos
    Lots of seats
    Lots of seats
    Diet Coke
    Diet Coke
    Front (downtown Oceanside)

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    Front (downtown Oceanside)

    Sonu BBQ - korean - Updated August 2026

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