This place reminded me of the service and food in Korea. It's definitely a hidden spot, and they deserve the recognition because I want them to stick around for awhile. I want to preface that this is not a tofu house or KBBQ, so if you're willing to trying something delicious and different this is the place to go. We ordered fire chicken ssambap combo, beef tartar bibimbap, and ganjang gejang (raw soy sauce marinated crab). All their sambbap combos comes with a various banchan (side dishes), beef and soybean stew, plentiful plate of crispy veggies, and fresh ssamjjang (seasoned soy bean paste). You know a place cares about the quality of their food when you see how good their rice is cooked! It was perfectly sticky but still whole and not mushy. You'll know what I mean when you see the rice glistening. They also add barley tea to your hot rice bowl, let it soak it gets better. The ganjang gejang, reminded me of Korea. It was so sweet and it had so much roe. The beef tartar bibimbap is soooo good. I've had this at other restaurants and it's often bland. This was seasoned so well, it's so good even wrapped as a ssambap. The fire chicken may be my new favorite craving, the torched cheese is great even wrapped in the vegetables and with a dollop of the ssamjjang. Honorable mention: usually side stews we get with combos are lack luster but man that beef and soybean stew was delicious, I cleaned the bowl. We will be going back soon to try their bbim naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles) read more

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Hidden gem in Buena Park! Highly recommend checking this place out. Their soy marinated crab is to die for! Not too salty or sweet. Perfectly marinated! All the side dishes are delicious... they serve course meal that comes with seasonal wraps (changes every season). Comes with a protein, soup and rice steamed in iron pot. read more

Wow~ what a treat!! I've found my new favorite Korean restaurant! This new restaurant is clean, cozy and uniquely beautiful with copper tableware. The rice is freshly made, cooked to perfection in its single-portion stone pot. Their menu includes artisan foods like the soy sauce-marinated crab and buckwheat noodles. Both were incredibly delicious!!! Finishing the meal with traditional scorched rice punch alongside a refreshing rice slushy was perfect! Not to mention our bill was wonderfully affordable! Can't wait to go back!!! read more

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Pleasantly surprised. Enjoyed some banchan that we haven't seen at other korean restaurants. All the dishes we ordered were flavorful and did not disappoint. read more

I'll admit--I'm a bit of a food snob, especially when it comes to Korean restaurants in OC, which I usually find underwhelming. But this place completely blew me away. From the first bite of their banchan, I was hooked. Everything was impeccably clean, the ambiance was stylish, and the food? Absolutely incredible. Hands down, the best gaejang (raw marinated crab) I've had in all of Southern California. I also tried the galbi (perfectly balanced, not overly sweet), the spicy squid (one of the best I've had--bold flavor with just the right kick), the soybean paste soup (deep, savory, and unforgettable), and their cold soba noodles (so refreshing and perfectly done). Every dish tasted clean, healthy, and thoughtfully prepared. Please open a location in LA--this city needs you! read more

Top Sot - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Just tried the new Topsot restaurant -- and wow, I'm in love! The place is super clean with a cozy, welcoming vibe. You can really taste the care they put into every dish -- even the side dishes felt special and different from anywhere else. The flavors were clean and comforting, like a warm hug. The staff was so kind and thoughtful, which made the whole experience even better. Everything was just so good... I honestly can't wait to go back. Totally one of those places you want to keep to yourself but also can't help recommending to everyone. read more

Top Sot - Newly opened "Topsot" restaurant is truly a hidden gem! - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

I've never been to this restaurant before but I was excited to try it. The staff were amazing! Very attentive and caring. They took the time to discuss menu options with me and explain what they were. When I was served the food, the server asked if I had it before and I told her I hadn't so she took the time to tell me how to eat it. I was so appreciative! Now for the food! Omg!!! I had the raw marinated crab. There was so much meat and it was so rich and just absolutely delicious! The side dishes (banchan) were delicious with the mustard greens and celery being my absolute favorites. They also gave me green onion kimchi, eggplant, stir fried fish cakes and spicy squid. The rice was also perfect! I loved every bite and every minute. I live an hour away but I will gladly come back to this location. Thank you for such wonderful food and service! read more

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Top Sot is an absolute gem for Korean cuisine lovers! From the moment you walk in, the warm atmosphere and friendly service makes you feel at home, but it is the food that truly sets this place apart. We ordered the Donkkatsu and the Grilled Flounder. The highlight for me was the Donkkatsu! *The SAUCE is to die for!* Their veggie plates are equally impressive, which showcase the best of Korean banchan tradition and is precisely what makes Top Sot stand out! The banchans were eclectic and modern in the best possible sense, and a huge shoutout to their SSAMJANG!*** Give this place a try OC folks! :) read more

Top Sot - SSSAMJANG! - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Had high hopes for this restaurant after reading the reviews but it was just OK. There seemed to be only two servers & they were busy. One server put the scan code on our table & did not say anything. After waiting for a while we asked to order & she said to order through the app. Food came out at different times & we had to ask for the small side soup as we saw everyone else receiving it. We used the "Call Server" but nobody came by so flagged down the same server who said that function doesn't work. It'd be nice if they shared information ahead of time. We had to wait a while to get refills on some of the side dishes. The food taste was mediocre, including the side dishes. The pork cutlet, Donkatsu, was thin & dry. The small soup lacked flavor (needed to be simmered longer). The best part was the rice in the hot pot. Got some nu-reung-gi, burnt rice, which we enjoyed. For the price & the mediocre taste, we don't think we will be back. The menu is a bit limited if you do not like meat. read more

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This place is a gem! The food tastes clean and natural, with minimal MSG. The staff are very friendly, and all the side dishes are delicious. Specially their pot rice is sooo good. I definitely recommend this restaurant if you're near Knott's Berry Farm. read more

Such a great way to present and serve korean bbq. I love the lettuce wraps and their homemade samjang. I've brought my baby here three times now and each time the waiters and waitress has been nothing but helpful and attentive. It's a new OC secret. read more

Tried the sotbap set and wow... so good! We got the buldak and the galbi, and both were delicious. The veggies and lettuce wraps were really fresh, so wrapping the meat made it even tastier. Super flavorful, fresh, and just really satisfying. I'd definitely come back! read more

Top Sot - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

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I think top sot is a bit of a novelty. You get your rice in a tin pot (sot) and you make it into NooRoongJi (scorched rice) when you pour water into it. The food was okay. Not a big variety. I'd recommend the Ssam Bap which comes with the wrap veggies. The banchan was decent. The restaurant is clean. The service is okay. My sister liked the beef tartare rice and it's half veggie (as stated in the menu) but still surprised at how little meat you got. Can't say I'll go back for sure but can't say I'd never go back. Lol. read more

I searched for good restaurants in Buena Park and saw that Top Sot was ranked #1, so I decided to go. The food was so clean and delicious -- not too salty or sweet, which I really liked. I'll definitely go back again with my friends. Above all, the napa cabbage kimchi, green onion kimchi, and radish kimchi were all delicious. Remember to ask for Napa kimchi, as it is served upon request! read more

One of the best spicy squid I ever had and everything here is so good ! And the service is great! read more

처음으로 hidden velly top sot 을 갔는데 정말 이런 음식을 식당이라고 문열고 팔다니 너무 한심하더라 한정식 이라고 문앞에 표지가 서 있기에 차돌 된장찌게를 두 사람이 시켰다 이건 정말 최악이다 차돌 돤장 찌게에 딱 한조각 차돌인지 뭔지 모르겠지만 그리고 밑 반찬 오이김치는 시어서 먹지 못할 정도이고 그외 3가지 기억도 안 날 정도로 최악 계산서에는 아예 10% 써비스 차지 서빙하는 여자도 불친절 최악의 음식점 다시는 안 갈거지만 다른분들도 참고 하시라고 리뷰 올립니다 I visited Hidden Valley Top Spot for the first time, and honestly, it was pathetic that they even have the audacity to open their doors and sell food like this. Since there was a sign out front advertising "Korean Table d'hôte" (Han-jeongsik), my dining companion and I ordered the beef brisket soybean paste stew. It was truly the absolute worst. The stew contained exactly one--and I mean *one*--piece of meat (whether it was actually brisket or something else, I couldn't tell). As for the side dishes, the cucumber kimchi was so sour it was inedible, and the other three sides were so terrible that I can't even recall what they were. To top it all off, they tacked a 10% service charge onto the bill, and the waitress serving us was unfriendly. It was the worst restaurant experience imaginable. I certainly won't be going back, but I'm posting this review so that others can be forewarned. read more

We just had an amazing meal at this Korean restaurant, and wow the food was SO GOOD! The place has a cozy and welcoming vibes. The staff was super friendly and helped us pick out some great dishes (especially helpful since not all of us are experts in Korean food). It was worth a 1 hour drive.BTW,the prices are reasonable The pork cutlet wasn't in the picture,definitely a must try! read more

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Food was so good! We didn't know about a lot of the dishes but they were explained to us and we made our choices. We tried the fried fish, bulgogi, beef tartare, braised tofu. All of the dishes were delicious! We will be back when back in Buena Park! read more

We got a variety of dishes including the pot rice pork bulgogi, squid bulgogi, beef bulgogi, seafood pancake. It wasn't overly salty and tasted quite healthy. The seafood pancake was really nice and would get it again. The best thing was the pot rice. My grandpa was raving about it and he's quite picky about his food. Will be back again! read more

Top Sot - Cold Noodle + Tofu Sushi - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Super yummy, their side dishes are quite unique, their samjang is the best I ever had, soups are on the salty side but still satisfying Will comeback ! read more

Top Sot - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Went last night with family and same as my first time, service was fantastic with great quality, Korean food. I love all the side dishes as it tastes so fresh! read more

Top Sot - #3 lettuce with spicy pork combo.. Also comes with soy bean paste soup which is not in this photo. - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

I came here with my wife last Friday and could not be happier that a restaurant like this opened in Orange County. All the side dishes were marinated to our liking - not too salty and a great balance of flavors. The eggplant was our favorite! The doenjang (which I am guessing is house-made) was also wildly good. We ordered the squid and galbi.. Thoroughly pleased at how well both dishes were marinated and cooked. The galbi marinade was not overly sweet (which most places tend to do) and the meat was tender. Same with the squid - marinade was great and the squid was cooked perfectly. The doenjang soup was so comforting. The real star of the show was the rice. You can feel the texture of the rice, which is only attainable if the rice is cooked perfectly. The rice was so good that I would've been happy just eating the rice and the side dishes. It is truly a pleasure to dine here and I wish them long success. The kindness of the staff and the quality of the meal made it felt like I was eating a home cooked meal from my mom. I will eat here again soon. read more

I went here after seeing it on Instagram, but it was such a disappointment. The place is called "Topsot," but they can't even make proper pot rice. When the rice came out, it looked more like porridge--way too watery. I was shocked. When I pointed it out, instead of apologizing, they just said, "That happens sometimes" and told me to wait ten minutes for a new one. Unbelievable. The table next to us had the same complaint. The main feature here is supposed to be the pot rice, yet they can't even get that right. There were two of us, and both rice bowls came out soggy. Pot rice should be fluffy, shiny, and perfectly cooked. By the time it was redone, the taste was already ruined. Most of the dishes were bland and lacked flavor, while the soybean paste stew was extremely salty. Honestly, I don't think I'll ever come back. Don't be fooled by Instagram like I was. read more

This is nee restaurant so i love how clean they are:) Soy sauce crap was the best for me i will come back next week to have it again lol read more

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This place recently opened and had been getting great reviews, so I was really looking forward to trying it--especially since I brought a guest with me and wanted to make a good impression. Unfortunately, the experience fell far short of expectations. 1. When we arrived, there were clearly empty tables inside, but we were still asked to wait outside. It felt unnecessary, especially since we could've waited seated inside. Eventually, we ended up standing and waiting until we were barely able to get a table. It seemed like the staff was having a hard time managing the seating. 2. We ordered the ssam combo and the noodle + inari sushi set, but it took about 30 minutes just to place our order. While waiting, we were told that the inari sushi was suddenly unavailable, and they offered a drink instead as compensation. Since we don't drink soda, we politely declined, but then were asked if we were okay taking the "loss" since we wouldn't be getting the full set. That comment felt a bit inconsiderate--there could've been other ways to resolve the situation, like offering an alternative dish or a discount, without implying the customer was at a disadvantage. 3. Oddly enough, a few minutes later, the kitchen decided to prepare the inari sushi after all and it came out quickly. After being told it wasn't available, this sudden change without any explanation was confusing and unprofessional. 4. Lastly, we ordered the ssam combo, but they forgot to bring the doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew) that was supposed to come with it. I understand it was a busy night, but the level of service was honestly disappointing. Overall, I hope the service improves in the future. As for the food, it was average in taste and felt overpriced for the quality. Nothing stood out enough to justify the cost, and unfortunately, I don't see myself coming back. read more

It's very nice and traditional Korean food. Standing alone one of kind. Simple menu to order. Wish had soju and macgully read more

Clean and unbelievably good Korean food. I never had this good beef soup before even in Korea. Recommend any of Ssam bap. read more

My family and I went here last night and had a wonderful experience. The service was amazing and the food was delicious. We had the pork and squid bulgogi and it came with an spread of fresh veggies and homemade doenjang. We also had several other dishes that were also great. Give this new spot a shot! read more

"My sister and I enjoyed the Squid Bulgogi and Grilled Sole sets at Topsot. The sides were incredibly fresh and well-replenished. The flavors were spot on--so delicious and neatly prepared." read more

Top Sot - Korean Near Me - Buena Park, California

Since we live nearby, my husband and I decided to give this restaurant a try recently. When we entered, the tall waitress with a wavy bob pointed to the table next to the door and asked us to sit there even though there were other empty tables. My husband was a little miffed since there was cold air coming through the door. The first impression of the restaurant was that it was clean and well organized. The tables were equipped with drawers that contained individually packaged utensils and extra napkins. The food was average--nothing really stood out compared to other Korean restaurants. Portions were a tad small but adequate for us. The service here is what stood out, in a negative way. Not once did the waitress come to our table during the meal to ask if everything was okay or if we needed anything. Towards the end of our dinner, I told my husband that this would be our last visit here and he replied, "That's exactly what I was going to say." And when we asked for our bill, it took about 5 minutes before we received it. She made 3 trips to nearby tables without brining out bill. Not able to multi-task? One other incident that caught our attention was that when an elderly customer at the next table asked her for plain hot water instead of the barley tea they served, she curtly replied, "No, we don't have it!" What kind of restaurant doesn't have plain hot water? She just didn't want to be bothered. That waitress needs more training on common courtesy. When we were leaving, no one said "thank you for coming in" or even a simple "goodbye". We regretted leaving a tip at all. read more

I visited this place several times. Every time when I visited, I really enjoyed eating. Food, service, and price are good to visit. I just want to take out order sometime later though I cannot eat nooroongji if I take out. read more

This place has menu for all ages. I was there with my daughter and ordered pork cutlet for my daughter and cold soba for myself. The pork cutlet sauce was like nowhere else that had rich and creamy taste. Will definately visit again. read more

Amazing korean food. Clean and no msg healthy taste. Absolutely loved everything we ordered. Will be back again.