Seoul in SoCal: Buena Park’s Koreatown Food Guide

Korean BBQ
Arisu BBQ delights patrons with traditional banchan and succulent proteins like tender galbi and bulgogi. Gangnam Station infuses modernity into its dishes, serving up fusion flavors alongside classics such as spicy pork belly and savory stir-fried chicken. KingChang is a feast for the senses, offering a premium selection of meats, including richly flavored brisket and melt-in-your-mouth pork belly. M Korean BBQ merges the old with the new, presenting a menu that features both time-honored dishes and innovative creations. Baekjeong stands as a testament to Koreatown’s BBQ excellence, with a long line of locals always waiting to enter its doors.

Korean Pubs
Koreatown’s nightlife is a must-do, featuring vibrant pubs where distinct flavors and clinking glasses create unforgettable evenings. Misoolkwan OC offers an extensive variety of soju and family-style dining with fan favorites like corn cheese pancakes and spicy tteokbokki in an 80’s style Korean pub. NOLZA livens up the scene with an upbeat atmosphere, where friends gather to share bottles of makgeolli and plates of savory jeon fritters. Orange Bar stands out with its low-key decor and wide variety of beer on tap, adding a sports bar-like twist to the Korean pub experience. Itaewon Street is a neon-drenched paradise featuring an array of food and bar stalls under one roof, instantly transporting you to the iconic street in Korea from which it gets its name.

Soul Food
Jaws TPK is the destination for authentic Korean street food flavors. Their signature gimbap is a crowd-pleaser, offering a perfect blend of rice and various fillings, all neatly wrapped in seaweed. K Soul Food adds a twist with its carbonara tteokbokki, a dish marrying the chewiness of traditional rice cakes with a decadent, creamy sauce. Their spam roll is another innovative creation, combining egg, spam, and tangy pickled radish for a satisfying bite. Jjang Restaurant stands out with its classic pork katsu, a crispy, breaded delight paired with the piquant flavors of kimchi. Dine Korean is known for its comforting seafood pancakes and traditional bossam—tender pork wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves for a harmonious blend of flavors.

Fried Chicken
Bb.q Chicken excels with its traditional hand-battered and hand-brushed Korean fried chicken, fried at lower temperatures for an unforgettably crispy texture. Their menu boasts a variety of flavors, including spicy hot mala and classic honey garlic, ensuring there's something for everyone. Just a stone’s throw away, KyoChon Chicken is beloved for its soy garlic and sweet honey wings, perfect for both quick bites and leisurely meals. Pelicana Chicken, established back in 1982, offers over 50 variations of chicken. Their fried chicken, available in a multitude of sauces, has been tantalizing taste buds for decades.