Highly recommend joining the waitlist on Yelp, before driving here. We did, and took us less than 15 minutes of a drive and when we got there, we sat down for about 2 minutes and were called to be seated. Awesome! We had the deluxe plan and it had good choices! We had the beef brisket, marinated sliced beef, garlic finger meat and the teriyaki beef brisket. And corn cheese, the lettuce salad. The side dishes was also great, fast service for refills. Now the meats that we did not like was the garlic finger meat, it was too chewy and fatty for us. And the teriyaki beef brisket had an odd flavor, we did not even finish the whole serving. We loved the regular beef brisket and the marinated sliced beef. Also it was awesome that they give out a big portion! Highly recommend this place! And also, for a lesser wait time try to go before 7pm. It got busier as we were leaving around 8 pm. read more

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Good food. Great value if you can put away the food. You are also able to be creative.

Servers are awesome, they are very attentive and do a great job, very helpfull, food is also great, big variety of meats and non meats dishes as well. read more

Opens until 10:30pm. But last call is 9:30pm. Just a heads up for people so they don't waste their time

Yummmmmyyy!!!! One of our favorite kbbq places in San Diego county, including San Diego main!!! So first off, just a heads up, this place is not run by Koreans but Chinese. I know because they speak mandarin, the restaurant name is in Chinese, and their dishes have a Chinese spin to them. But but but that doesn't mean that it's not delicious. It's good in their own unique way. Some meats were lightly seasoned with salt and pepper that we don't see in other places. Usually the meat is either plain or marinated in a lot of sauces like bulgogi. Also, they banchans (little side dishes) had red chili peppers in them. I've never seen a Korean restaurants do that, but Chinese from central and northern part of China do that A LOT. They put chili peppers in many things (not the southern Chinese like Cantonese though.) So some recommendations for ya: Marinated short rib was tough. Can skip. Marinated beef slices, brisket (first round), finger meat were delicious. Bacon and enoki was delish. Cajun shrimp had good flavor but shell on so not good for lazy people aka myself. Corn cheese plate was huge, probably good fit 3 + people, delicious nonetheless. Spicy beef soup was delicious. Steamed egg was good too but not the best. Beef tongue was delicious and not chewy. Kobe beef and prime rib eye was aaaaammmmaaazzzing and was totally worth it to go with the premium plan. That's it. I'll see you there coz I'll be back shortly! read more

Sonu BBQ - Korean Near Me - Oceanside, California

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We love this place- close to the house and great selection of meat. The only thing I wish they had was the glass noodles

There is a reason why this place is always busy. The quality and quantity of the food is excellent and the servers are super attentive as well. read more

The general manager "new year" is her name very rude and disrespectful and show no empathy to her coworkers heard her tell one of her fellow coworkers "to get out of my way " instead of excuse me. Always fighting with her husband that works there in personal opinion they should not be working together! Because it obviously effects her work life if she acts like that she has slammed the plates of meat on the table that we asked for when it originally never came out ,people I know who worked there have quit because they get treated like children and apparently she doesn't care about how she treats them because she won't change and there's always salt on the ground just gives it a messy look and the food quality wasn't that good last time I went will not be returning! If your the owner change your general manager because she's doing you nothing but bringing the wrong attention to this amazing restaurant sucks because I used to eat here for the past 5-6 years no more !! read more

Food is amazing and staff is great. Place is always pretty busy even on a Tuesday. Make sure to reserve your spot on the waitlist before leaving the house. They play trendy background music that fits the environment so it's always a vibe. What separates this place is primarily the staff, they're really good. read more

This place is awesome. Something we enjoy once a month or so. It's all you can eat, so make sure you come hungry lol. You decide if you want the deluxe ($23.99) or premium meats ($28.99). If you have a larger party of 4 or more everyone has to choose to do the same basically all deluxe meats or all premium meats. The waiter/waitress will bring the meats of your choice afterwards. Make sure you eat all the meat or else you will be charged an additional cost on your tab. (We usually get the deluxe). The variety of choices are worth it. Prime rib, Kobe beef, shrimp, etc. They bring the raw meats for you to cook on your table. They also bring kimchi, rice, other sides to go along with the meat. The employees check on your table pretty often, change out the old cooking grill with a new one. There is also a bell you can press at the end of the table if you need anything else. Service is great. We really enjoy the friendly/hard working staff. I recommend the apple soju $9 very smooth, fruity taste that compliments the meal. read more

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Staff and service is great, food is on point. Honestly, a great variety of seafood options, and the premium includes a lot.

Walked in greeted by an iPad which told me 1 hr wait for 2 on a Wednesday night. No staff in sight. Had to run 1 down and ask if that was correct read more

Sonu BBQ - Korean Near Me - Oceanside, California

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10/10 my favorite kbbq spot, the staff here is so friendly and accommodating. We sometimes go here after a closing shift at work which leaves us with less than the two hour time limit to eat, but they do not make you feel rushed at all. New Year is so friendly and amazing, she's super fun to talk to as well. The selection of meats here are divine and unlike other kbbq places you can get a bowl of ramen as part of the premium menu! Their cheese corn is the real star of the show, hands down has my mouth watering as I'm writing this. It doesn't get too hot or stuffy in here, you can actually feel a cold airflow even when the restaurant is completely full. The music is always on point, so shout out to whoever's on aux also. Will always be my number one choice to eat for kbbq in Oceanside. read more

Okay I can't believe I haven't written about our girl new year yet!!! LITERALLY THE KINDEST! best place to be if you're looking for quality food & service! New year has always been so so great to us and we love it when she is there! She works so freaking hard and always has the best attitude! also super great memory too! #1 KBBQ spot! read more

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Best AYCE kbbq in Oceanside area (not like there are that many other options). Go to Sonu over Gaja bbq. I think we got our money's worth, and we both left very satisfied. read more

Sonu BBQ is our favorite place!! My husband and I really love the atmosphere and all the staff are friendly and attentive! We love their large selection of meat and always have a great experience! read more

Yesterday we went to Legoland and were looking for a restaurant on our way home to OC. We found this place on Yelp and chose this one over the other AYCE KBBQ place nearby because several reviews claimed Sonu was better. There was no wait at all around 7 pm on a Monday, which I found surprising. At least there's the option to join the Yelp wait list in case it does get packed. We opted for the Premium menu because we like beef tongue and Kobe beef, and since it offered ramen options which my daughter can eat. We were impressed with the quality of the meat, veggies, and banchan. Everything was flavorful and fresh. As for the meats, our favorites included the Kobe beef, black pepper rib fingers, marinated short rib, spicy Korean salmon, etc. Special props to the banchan as I'm not a veggie kind of gal. I even joked with the hubster that I've never eaten so many veggies during a meal before. I especially enjoyed eating the pickled cucumbers with grilled meats and rice paper. In fact, the cucumbers were so good that I plan to learn how to make them. I also loved how when we requested refills, they'd give us a very generous amount. We finished the meal with kimchi fried rice and steamed egg. What would take the kimchi fried rice to the next level would be to include more kimchi and serve it in a hot stone pot. But we could also put it on the grill next time so that it can get nice and crispy. The customer service was amazing, with the manager and staff regularly checking on us and changing the grills. The restaurant also offers a fun and relaxing atmosphere. Interestingly, at the check-in area, there is a note stating that the AYCE KBBQ pricing requires a minimum of 2 adults, and that a $7 surcharge would be added for individual diners. This was my first time seeing such a policy, and I am guessing it has to do with the lower ROI given staffing costs and other variables. In any case, we very much enjoyed our experience at Sonu, and will definitely return after our next Legoland visit! read more

The food and service are the best. I became a regular after my first visit. There was a point where my boyfriend and I were going once a week. They tend to be busy after 5:30 pm but is WORTH THE WAIT. Kobe beef and spicy miso ramen are the best items on the menu. I could write 10 paragraphs about how delicious the food is. It's a great dining experience and everyone needs to check out SONU ! read more

Me and my girlfriend love coming here, it's her new favorite spot. Jocelyn, a server, is who we always request. She's just always so nice and friendly. It's not too long of a wait for the food to arrive whenever you order a round. I would definitely recommend this all you can eat kbb to anyone who lives or travels by! read more

I've been coming here for a few months now and they never fail to impress me. Food is amazing and the service is quick and always respectful. They are so super sweet and I never feel rushed. read more

The food was great! And the service was overall amazing. Great staff! They were extremely friendly and quick!

Zhu and Newyear have amazing customer service and helped with our questions about cook time and didn't rush us very nice!

Service is always pretty great here whenever it's just my wife and I or when we bring our extended family over. Meat quality is up there and for the price for their P1 menu you really can't beat it with anything around north county! read more

First time at Sonu and will definitely be back! Great experience coming with friends-- lots of eating, drinking, and vibing. Service was quick and very nice. My recommended side dishes would be the cheese corn and the korean lettuce salad. As for meat, I would say the marinated short rib and spicy bulgogi are a must. read more

Sonu BBQ - Korean Near Me - Oceanside, California

My latest favorite kbbq spot! I'm so glad they have a spot like this in oceanside since I'm moved here from San Diego and convoy is my usual spot for korean foods. Now I can save myself from driving an hour. I love coming here on weekdays or weekends, their service is the same whether they're busy or not. I love their options for ayce, I've tried their premium selections but honestly the deluxe is pretty solid for us. Everyone here is friendly and nice, some of the newer staffs could be nicer and more attentive to splash the oil and sauce on their customers when they're changing the grill. We usually come a few times a month and always order the same things: [bacon wrapped enoki are my favorite] [beef stew soup] [steam eggs] [marinated short ribs] [brisket] [cajun shrimp and squid] [pork belly] [spicy kimchi and cucumber] read more

I love their food. They are reasonably priced and have great service. Great for eating with friends and family or a quick date night. Super easy to join the waitlist and the meat is FRESH. Top 10 for sure. read more

My husband and I visit this establishment very frequently. We love everything about it. The customer service is fast and great. The workers are very friendly and kind. We have visited many Korean BBQ spots and none are as great as this one. We love it, definitely a favorite place to eat. read more

Absolutely outstanding from the food to the service to the pricing! Everyone was so attentive and personable from the moment we walked through the door until we left the building - in a deep food coma and with wide smiles on our faces. The food- I think my boyfriend blacked out for a minute it was so good! The menu is extensive and well rounded with something for everyone. The meats are high quality, soups are delicious and the flavors were deep. I can't recommend this place more! That was such a treat! We will be back soon!! (And just a note about the pregnant waitress- she was absolutely lovely. So friendly and warm. Just thought I would add that since I read a pretty petty review that I don't think she deserved from what I experienced) read more

My favorite Korean bbq! Their salad is fire ! Their meat is so good and the rice is cooked to perfection.

Food is great. Closest I can get to Ugrill in Riverside County. Love they have steam egg and cheese corn. Service is awesome and staff is quick and brings food fast. The ambience is nice, mix of different music and a little on the loud side but nice bringing in a good atmosphere. Price isn't bad and they have 2 menu's. Best korean bbq I have had yet in Oside. read more

Solid 4. AYCE, get the premium, totally worth it. Order 4 meats at a time. To start, must have rice paper and salad. **the meat portions on the deluxe plan are HUGE! Ask for a half order** The good: American Kobe Beef, Prime Cut steak, beef tongue, shrimp, beef brisket, marinated boneless short rib. These are the really good meats! We especially love the American Kobe beef. It's perfectly thin, not too marinated and has good flavor. This is what we stuck with most of the time. Their beef tongue is also really good. It's perfectly thin and taste like butter. They also put a little salt and pepper on their shrimp! So good. The okay items: pork belly, squid, marinated sliced beef, steamed egg, spicy beef soup and their banchans. Pork belly portion was way too much, most of their portions are meant for 4 people, so get a "half order" if you can or else you'll be stuck eating just several items and won't be able to try it all. Marinated sliced beef had good flavors but just too sweet. The steamed egg was flavorless. Spicy beef soup had a Chinese taste to it instead of Korean. And their banchans (mini assorted item plates/appetizers) were pretty bad, sweet or bland. The kimchi and cucumber were way too sweet. Bean sprouts were the good. The fish cakes were too mushy and flavorless. Overall some better meat quality than Mannas IMO. But the banchans are a big let down. But it beats driving all the way to San Marcos!! Also, good service, just press the button when you want their attention! read more

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Servers Joe and D were great, really took care of us. Food was good too. Second time in, will be back.

This place was recommended by my hairdresser and it is the best recommendation ever! Food was delicious! Great portions! Best of all... the amazing customer service! We were recommended items to try and you just dont get that kind of service anymore. I love the bell you could ring, but the staff was consistently checking in on us and when we did ring the bell, the closest staff member jumped on it. I went Monday 4/15/24 at 7:30-8:45p.m. everyone working when i was there, thank you for the excellent experience! I've been raving about this place and letting my foodie friends know! read more

Back again recently. Service was very attentive and super quick bringing orders. Meat quality and portions are solid. I like the banchan and sauces here better than the new place, Gaja. Gaja is more stylish and has the cat robots though. Wish they would use real cups here. The thin solo cups for water still bug me. Everything else top notch. Don't miss out on the soup. You may want to order light on the bean sprouts though or you get a ton. read more

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Love the food the service and the atmosphere! They have very friendly and attentive staff.

AYCE BBQ place run by same ownership as Fire Spot down on convoy. Although Korean like there is a Chinese influence as noted by some of the marinades on the meats. Go with the premium menu well worth it with the salmon poke , beef tongue etc. The price for the quality of food is a great value. Get there early or you will be waiting ..great service and friendly staff .. you will leave here satisfied ! Recommend!!! read more

Sonu BBQ - Korean Near Me - Oceanside, California

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This place is the only KBBQ place I know that offers salmon poke as part of the course! That's insane. For what you pay for, you get a load more! I love that they have options other places don't offer such as shrimp tempura, tofu soup, and naturally the poke. Now, the quality of the meats - I guarantee some are definitely better than other spots I've been to. Service has to be called upon in order to be served - so it's nice that they have a button in the wall. At least, that's from my experience. It's nice and dark and the music doesn't blast your ears like other places, which is really, really nice. Overall, this place is one of my go-to's when I'm in the area! Def recommend! read more

Sonu BBQ - Poke - Korean Near Me - Oceanside, California

High quality meats, amazing soups, great pickled sides and the staff was so nice! It was worth the money!! I do recommend it be deep cleaned by an outside company cause the place looks a bit grimmy. read more

Sonu BBQ - Family time! - Korean Near Me - Oceanside, California

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Great food and service, meat was tasty and we eat so much. Price was not bad and they have salmon to grill.

We went right when the restaurant opened on a weekend (11:30am), so there wasn't any one waiting. We were the first ones there. Upon arrival, there was a staff member cleaning the glass window, but he didn't even greet us. We asked if we can be seated, and he literally just stared at us and turned away. That wasn't a good start in my book. But regardless, I figured he was busy, so I called for some assistance, and finally another male employee approached us and again, didn't say hi. He just made a hand gesture to follow him and told us to sit at a table. It was really dark inside, and the place wreaked of smoke (no brainer, since this is a kbbq joint). There is only a bright white light per table. I'm sure that's the ambiance of the restaurant. I looked around, and all tables had side dishes sitting out. I get that things pick up, but the side dishes are just sitting out unrefrigerated, for God knows how long. It's not very sanitary either, as there are pathogens in the air. Wasn't very settling for me. Plus, the seaweed salad was mushy, which means it has been sitting out for some time. It was our first time at this particular restaurant, but definitely not our first kbbq experience. The staff didn't even welcome us nor provided any instructions. The male employee who took our orders was barely talking, and when he did, we couldn't really understand him because he kept looking away. We were the only customers at the time, so you'd think customer service would be better! I was so turned off by their service that I wasn't even looking forward to the food. The male employees x2 were very dismissive. We had to ask them to change our grill as it was getting too smoky and burnt. You have to scan the QR code for their menu, and can order 6 items per order. We wanted to try the finger meats, but they only had marinated ones. My goodness they were EXTREMELY SWEET. We barely finished it. Not the typical kbbq, overly sweet. The beef brisket was good though. Better portions than the other local kbbq joints here, but don't expect OC or LA kbbq. Not sure what the hype is... maybe being Korean, I had higher expectations? The corn cheese was good too. I do have to say that there was one male employee who appeared later, who was actually very friendly and helpful. He made up for it at the end. We left full, so that was good. I wouldn't come back though. read more

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