Oakland isn’t Seoul, but it might as well be. With Korean eateries dotting every corner from Temescal to downtown, this city deserves its own bibimbap battalion. We’ve enlisted.
Seoul Gom Tang
$$ | (510) 597-9989 | WEBSITE
The ox tail soup at Seoul Gom Tang is incredible, whether you order it in the signature bone broth alongside crunchy banchan or the seafood pancake loaded with toppings. There are a ton of nourishing soup options like classic Gomtang, Gamjatang, and Yuggaejang, and you can add some perfectly cooked rice for an incredibly satisfying meal (or a warming winter dinner).
MUGUNGHWA Korean Restaurant
$$ | (510) 876-9988 | WEBSITE
MUGUNGHWA looks like it’s just another Korean spot in a bright, open space with sleek design. But it’s actually much more than that—they serve some outstanding food that’s way better than typical takeout. We’d be happy coming in every week for their crispy, juicy Korean fried chicken with garlic sauce. As far as banchan goes, spend the extra minute using the tablet to request refills of their fresh, flavorful sides.
Bento & Bowls
$ | (510) 350-7137 | WEBSITE
Bento & Bowls is a Korean restaurant located with a small, free parking lot, which makes it a great spot to grab a quick student lunch or pick something up on your way home. We love their bulgogi bowl, chicken teriyaki bento, and excellent banchan with very flavorful shrimp and pickles that have a fresh kick to it. We recommend dining in, since sometimes the seating area creates a welcoming spot for a satisfying meal.
Jong Ga House
$$ | (510) 444-7658 | WEBSITE
This spacious Korean restaurant is like gathering for a family feast, except affordable, with an extensive menu that literally offers everything from soups to noodles to various meats and kimchi. While half the fun of a meal here is choosing from the all-you-can-eat options, you can always count on some kind of comfort.
Like Mul Naengmyeon with hot mustard and vinegar that cuts through the richness, or Kalbi placed atop a sizzling grill that makes you reconsider just how satisfying Korean BBQ can be.
Pyeong Chang Tofu House Oakland 오클랜드 평창 순두부
$$ | (510) 658-9040 | WEBSITE
We could write odes about Pyeong Chang Tofu House’s sizzling dolsot bibimbap. But we could also compose verses about the kimchi jjigae. And the bulgogi. OK, every dish in this fantastic Korean restaurant is getting a love letter. Pyeong Chang is a great place to scoop tofu soup from clay pots, and while there’s a ton of meat options, this is the best spot in Oakland for vegans. Especially considering they have a $14 vegan lunch special with vegetarian soft tofu soup and tofu dol sot bibimbap.
Joodooboo
$$ | (510) 500-1001 | WEBSITE
Joodooboo is the best Korean restaurant in West Oakland. This tastefully-designed culinary oasis offers a modern take on Korean home-cooked meals, with a focus on fresh, creative dishes. Every incredible plate of food involves ingredients exclusively sourced seasonally—that includes the fried Dooboo Set with steamed sticky rice, house-made tofu, soup, and three banchan you’ll have at lunch and the acorn noodle with its flavorful taste that occasionally caps things off.
You’ll walk away feeling like there’s nowhere else in the city you could have a meal like this.
EM Deli Catering
$ | (510) 834-3651 | WEBSITE
When you’re in a rush, grab some kimbap to-go from EM Deli Catering, and then settle at the front table (after finding a spot) overlooking Montclair village. This deli offers a nice variety from bibimbap bowls to spicy rice cakes, stocks Asian groceries for quick meals, and provides friendly service. Plus, they have fresh banchan selections if every dinner plan on your list falls through.
Gangnam Jajang
$ | (510) 891-1335 | WEBSITE
This spot serves Korean-Chinese comfort food—but you’re really here for the stellar fried chicken. The half-and-half version is an outstanding plate of crunchy, golden-brown chicken that only softens slightly on contact with the tender, juicy meat inside. And it’s a dish that we want for dinner weekly.
The Black Bean Noodles with Pork and Veggies are also excellent, complete with savory sauce and fresh vegetables, all tossed to the perfect consistency with chewy noodles and a hint of garlic for a little depth.
K Banchan x Vons chicken
$ | (510) 988-7773 | WEBSITE
You might have driven past this Korean spot in what seems like a rough area before, not realizing that you’re actively missing out on fantastic Korean chicken. The food here includes crispy chicken wings cooked to perfection with a tasty sauce and generous portions of banchan like japche, rice, and pickled cucumber. No matter what, make sure you order the spicy pork plate or spicy Korean lunch box for the table.
Oori Triangles
$ | WEBSITE
This takeout spot serves Korean rice triangles like spicy salmon, unagi, short rib, spicy chicken, and ahi, and it’s all delicious. Give us a couple of those perfectly packed triangles, a plate of tender short rib, and a side of hands-down the best spicy chicken in Oakland. There aren’t many better experiences around town than grabbing a quick meal and enjoying the efficient service at Oori’s kiosks.
Hanshin Pocha Oakland
$$ | (510) 654-2000 | WEBSITE
This Korean pocha and late-night spot is part of Oakland’s vibrant food scene. And while it seems logical to swing by with friends for some drinks and socializing, be sure to stick around for the spicy marinated crab and DIY rice balls. There’s hearty food like the spicy pork belly with cheese, sweet and spicy boneless fried chicken, or the incredible Army Stew with its rich, savory broth.
And if you’re not into the fiery stuff, don’t let the spicy chicken feet stew scare you away—you can always order the golden tuna rice balls or the japchae noodles.
Ohgane Oakland
$$ | (510) 594-8300 | WEBSITE
There are not many Korean restaurants where you can grill your own meats and enjoy a quiet conversation at the same time. That alone makes this cozy barbecue spot worth visiting. Add excellent table-top grilled meats and a range of delectable Korean staples, and you have a terrific dinner setting. The Korean fried chicken is wonderful, though some find it pricey—a large order runs about $18.
But we especially enjoy the steak tartare and the kimchi stew, it’s refreshing and satisfying—definitely worth putting down your smartphone to give it your undivided attention.
Don Blanc
$$$ | (510) 380-4451 | WEBSITE
The marbled beef at Don Blanc is worth the trip alone to this Korean BBQ spot in the East Bay. The meat has a rich flavor from the lite marinades, perfect char marks from the grill, and comes with fresh, tasty banchan. You also shouldn’t miss Don Blanc’s unique dishes—come with a group and share the amazing intestines and stir fried chicken gizzards.
Daol Tofu & Korean BBQ
$$ | (510) 601-6001 | WEBSITE
Daol Tofu & Korean BBQ is a terrific Oakland neighborhood spot. It’s a lively, family-friendly Korean restaurant that specializes in authentic dishes like steamed beef dumplings, seafood tofu soup, and dol sot bibimbop in a hot clay pot. One of the best we’ve had was the Galbi grilled beef with pickled vegetables and white rice, but you also can’t go wrong with their Bulgogi or Yachae Sundubu tofu stew.
The complimentary banchan side dishes are freshly made and offer a big variety, and the staff is friendly and polite, ensuring a welcoming dining experience. With reasonable prices and simple, delicious food made with good ingredients, it’s a go-to spot for many in the neighborhood.
Tin & Pig – Kang Tong
$$ | (510) 658-2998 | WEBSITE
You have two Korean food choices in Oakland: go somewhere else and be disappointed, or go to Tin & Pig – Kang Tong and not be disappointed. Tin & Pig – Kang Tong is an authentic Korean restaurant offering comfort food in a lively setting with tin walls and a street feel. Their Oakland location is one of the best sit-down spots for a meal in the area.
It works well for a reliable group dinner involving kimchi stew with pork, bulgogi with rice & egg, and generous portions of fresh Korean side dishes.
Moo Bong Ri (MBR Oakland)
$$ | (510) 654-4606 | WEBSITE
A steady stream of regulars fills Moo Bong Ri’s cozy dining room even on weeknights. That’s because the fried chicken at this authentic Korean spot in Oakland is remarkable. It ranges from the classic perfectly crunchy version with balanced seasoning to the spicy braised beef that’s a little firmer but still flavorful, along with hard-to-find specialties like blood sausage or pork rib soup. And the generous portions here are just the right amount of satisfying—even the must-try tteokbokki.
Pair your meal with their full-flavored kimchi side dishes, and you’ll want to strategically plan visits for multiple days in a row—we did.
The Bento House
$ | (510) 251-1300 | WEBSITE
The Bento House is a cozy spot that serves a menu full of satisfying Korean meals. Their purple rice makes everything in the teriyaki bento box taste unique, from the beef bulgogi to the chicken bulgogi. This is also just a pleasant place to grab a quick lunch with some friends and a cold beer even if you’re in a hurry—there’s always ample seating, generous portions, and music quiet enough to enjoy but loud enough to feel lively.
Dan Sung Sa Restaurant
$$ | (510) 663-5927 | WEBSITE
At Dan Sung Sa Restaurant, a Korean spot in Oakland, they serve flavorful dishes like wings, noodles, and sundubu. If you’re with a group and can’t make a decision, stick with the hot pot with tteokbokki for $38, which has juicy meat and spicy rice cakes. The kimchi fried rice is a must-try, and the corn cheese is highly recommended. Diners often enjoy large and cheap beers, enhancing the fun experience in the enclosed table rooms.
The restaurant is open until 2am, making it ideal for a late-night meal with friends.
