Finding killer Korean BBQ in Seattle, WA is easier than you think, especially if you count the surrounding cities with a high Korean population, like Lynnwood or Federal Way. Each spot offers a unique dining experience, with some being casual and DIY, and others being more high-end in their service and accoutrements.
Korean BBQ is perfect for date night, socializing with friends, or even a larger group outing. Since there are more than a few options in the city, I’ve created a round-up of the best Korean BBQ places I recommend time and time again.
Korean BBQ in Seattle, WA
In this post, I’ll touch briefly on what Korean barbecue actually is, what it tastes like, and what makes it a popular cuisine in Seattle. Then, I’ll share my roundup of the best Korean BBQ restaurants in Seattle and surrounding cities.
What is Korean BBQ?
Korean BBQ is a communal dining experience where everyone sits at a table and cooks meat on a grill in the center. Thin slices of beef and pork are most common, though you’ll also find chicken, seafood, and vegetables.
Freshly grilled proteins are served with rice and small side dishes called banchan, often including kimchi, fresh veggies, pickles, you name it. The entire process is meant to be DIY, but servers typically walk around to assist newbies with grilling meat or refill banchan as needed. There are a few places that do the cooking for you, but typically your table is the chef.
A popular Korean BBQ concept is all you can eat, known as AYCE for short. As it sounds, AYCE BBQ provides unlimited proteins and side dishes for a set time, typically two hours, for ~$30-50pp. Most spots don’t allow leftovers when you do AYCE, and some even charge you if you don’t finish anything. What’s more, many spots require the whole table to participate in AYCE, which can be a problem if dining with picky kids or vegetarians (like my niece). I’ll break down which ones below offer AYCE and the rules for each.
What does Korean BBQ taste like?
When it comes to the meats, I find the flavors of Korean BBQ complex, with notes of sweetness and smokiness. Unless you get proteins with a marinade, the meat is often unsalted so you pick up flavor from the grill and adjust the seasoning to your liking with salt and sauce dips. It’s not uncommon for each person to get their own salt and sauce dish. Common sauces include sesame and hoisin-based sauces. Sometimes you’ll even get peanut-based ones depending on the place.
For the sides and banchan, Korean food is known for balancing sour, fermented, and earthy flavors. There’s also often a lot of spice and garlic, but people who don’t love extremely spicy food can always find something to eat at Korean BBQ. The best part? You always get banchan at any Korean restaurant, BBQ or not, and they’re almost always refillable!
Why is Korean BBQ so popular in Seattle, WA?
Washington state ranks among the top five states for Korean Americans, and most are within the Seattle area. This is largely due to the early 20th-century labor opportunities in Washington’s agriculture and cannery industries. After the Korean War, many flocked to the coast for the job market and educational opportunities.
Over the years, most of Seattle’s Korean immigrants flocked to the greater Seattle metro area. While I did my best to include the best Korean BBQ in Seattle proper, insiders know the best Korean cuisine is in Lynnwood and closer to Tacoma, near Federal Way and Lakewood. That’s why my list below includes spots from all areas so you can eat at the best of the best.
What is the best Korean BBQ in Seattle WA?
Alright, now that we’re on the same page of what Korean BBQ actually is, let me share my favorite places to get Korean BBQ in Seattle! I’ll try to give you a sense of pricing with a $$-$$$$ scale so you can get a sense of which are the priciest.
Save this list to Pinterest for later, as I’ll add more spots as I discover them.
Bellwether
website | neighborhood: Chinatown-International District (get directions) | price: $$$ | best for: clubby vibes & all you can eat | AYCE? yes
Bellwether is one of my favorite Korean restaurants in Seattle proper, equally for their thinly-sliced meats and techno clubby atmosphere. They offer AYCE, and kids under six free. They even have a cocktail list that rivals some of the best cocktails in Seattle.
The menu has two choices, option A (~$36pp) and option B (~$46pp). Option B includes everything in option A, plus superior cuts of meat like wagyu and prime ribeye. Everyone at the table must participate, with a minimum party of 2. Make sure you eat all the meat you order, as they charge 50% the cost of one person if you don’t and won’t allow leftovers.
Unlike most other AYCE Korean BBQ places, Bellwether only offers an all you can eat menu. In addition to unlimited proteins, guests have full reign of a salad bar with veggies you can grill along with rice cakes, noodles, and wings, to name a few.
The staff is constantly on the move, so you’ll need to wave them down if you need them. But boy are they efficient with changing the grill grates before they get mucky. If you want to optimize what you order, I’d skip the lamb and seafood in favor of the pork belly, beef, and pork jowl. I also love how Bellwether offers kimchi tofu stew and steamed egg as an unlimited menu item. Make sure those are on your table, too!
Ka Won
website | neighborhood: Lynnwood (get directions) | price: $$ | best for: lots of authentic banchan | AYCE? yes, weekdays only
Ka Won has been a Lynnwood staple since 2001, and remains one of my favorite KBBQ spots north of Seattle. If you ask me for the best KBBQ in Seattle and are willing to travel, this is one of two spots I’d send you. It’s casual and has hole-in-the-wall vibes, a sign of a great Korean BBQ spot.
The reason I love them so much is that they go all out with the banchan. It’s typical to only get 3-5 banchan at Korean BBQ in Seattle, WA, but Ka Won serves a whopping 10 refillable small plates. You’ll find the typical items like kimchi, daikon, cucumber, and fish cakes, but also more interesting authentic items you don’t see in America. My absolute favorite is acorn jelly, which is wiggly like jello but nutty and savory. I’ve only found 2 places in the greater Seattle area that have this banchan, and Ka Won is one of them!
As for the rest of the BBQ experience, Ka Won offers AYCE weekdays for ~$33pp, which is on the lower end of KBBQ prices. You can also order combination plates that aren’t all you can eat. Both options come with yummy pork belly and expertly-sliced beef that’s always well seasoned on its own. You’ll also get comforting red bean soup, some of the best steamed egg custard in the area, and salad with your meal.
The Grill King
website | neighborhood: Shoreline (get directions) | price: $$ | best for: affordability | AYCE? yes
The Grill King is one of the cheaper all-you-can-eat spots around Seattle, at only ~$30-35pp with a 18% gratuity added on top of your bill. You’d think lower prices mean you don’t get quite as much banchan or extra sides, but The Grill King still serves a respectable six side dishes and tofu soup upon request. Their banchan often includes kimchi, spicy cucumber with peanuts, pickled daikon, mac salad, fish cakes, and fresh bean sprouts. The cucumbers are my favorite for their kick of sweet, acidic, spicy flavors.
You can order either AYCE or non-refillable Korean BBQ at The Grill King. The whole table needs to do AYCE and you only get 90 minutes if you’re a table of 3 or less. What’s unique about The Grill King is that they allow for solo AYCE diners for a $5 surcharge and only 40 minutes at the table. While we weren’t charged for having a bit of uneaten, but cooked meat, you can’t take leftovers.
Meat-wise, The Grill King is still offering good quality for the price. The short rib and brisket are a must-try. I love how the short rib doesn’t get too chewy and the marinade is packed with flavor. If you want other proteins besides beef, I’d skip the pork belly and shrimp in favor of the spicy marinated pork. It has great depth of flavor and packs just the right amount of heat.
Baekjeong Korean Barbecue
website | neighborhood: Lynnwood (get directions) | price: $$$ | best for: grilled ribeye & marinated meat | AYCE? no
Baekjeong is an LA-based chain designed to look like you stepped into a bustling Korean city. I love that they have unlimited banchan, and while they don’t have AYCE, the portions are more than generous. You can order meet a la carte or partake in one of their combos that feed 2-6 people ranging from ~$85-150 for the table. All combos come with your choice of soybean or kimchi stew, plus cheese corn and steamed egg. And bonus, the staff cooks for you!
I’ll admit they don’t have many vegetarian options, but the staff is accommodating and happy to omit egg on bibimbap and sub tofu. They even have nori, which greatly impressed my niece when we last visited. Plus the tofu topped with spicy sauce was a unanimous favorite of all the banchan, a win for vegetarians. If you’re with pescetarians, I’d skip Baekjeong, as they also don’t have any seafood for the grill.
The meat selection is excellent at Baekjeong, which is fitting because the name means “butcher” in Korean. My favorites include the marinated pork steak and ribeye. If you get Hodong’s Favorite Combo, you’ll get both of them alongside brisket and pork belly.
Exit 5 BBQ
website | neighborhood: Renton (get directions) – opening in Ballard late 2026 | price: $$$ | best for: hearty beef combo | AYCE? no
Exit 5 BBQ wins for having some of the nicest staff. Their first location is at The Landing in Renton so it’s always buzzing with people. The walls are made to look like Korean storefronts, offering a fun vibe without being pretentious.
You won’t find AYCE at Exit 5, but they do offer hearty meat combo platters that come with one meat refill of your choice. Or you can order non-refillable a la carte meats. If you go the combo route, they feed 2-5 people for ~$99-160 and come with rice, salad, banchan, and dipping sauces. Of the unlimited banchan, my favorites include the fish cakes and potato salad. I usually don’t love fish cakes, but Exit 5’s aren’t overly fishy and have a bouncy, soft texture.
The pro Korean BBQ order is to get the small beef combo for 2-3 people and an a la carte order of pork belly. I especially like Exit 5’s beef, so this lets you optimize for getting brisket, boneless short rib, and a choice of prime beef short rib or ribeye. While I prefer a thinner-cut style of brisket than Exit 5 offers, the flavor is spot on and one of my fave bites! The other standout is the pork belly, where the staff can help you render the fat until it’s almost crunchy.
Exit 5 BBQ also has a la carte menu of non-BBQ dishes. I really like the pork bone soup that comes with heaping portions of succulent, fall-off-the-bone meat. They give you plastic gloves to eat the meat right off the bone! They also have one of my favorite Korean dishes: grilled mackerel. It’s always slightly crunchy and full of grilled flavors.
WuJu Korean BBQ
website | neighborhood: Lynnwood (get directions) | price: $$$ | best for: bulgogi | AYCE? no
WuJu is a hidden gem not nearly enough people talk about. It’s discreetly tucked on a side street near the Lynnwood Convention Center. The staff is friendly and proactively sets up your grill so as not to produce too much smoke. They have a steep menu of a la carte dishes plus combos, and while it’s not AYCE, they offer ~$85-260 combos for 2-6 people and you’re able to take home leftovers.
Of all the high-quality meats at WuJu, the bulgogi is likely the best I’ve had at any BBQ place because the meat is thicker cut and gets a gorgeous char on the grill. The steak, short ribs, and brisket are other favorites. Each combo order comes with eight banchan, though it’s the tofu soup that steals the show for me.
WuJu also has grilled mackerel, so get that too. It’s huge and pan-fried until crispy, creating a delightful texture. Granted it’s a labor of love to get through all the bones, so only order it if you’re willing to be patient.
Seoul Meat Co.
website | neighborhood: Kirkland (get directions) | price: $$$ | best for: short rib | AYCE? yes
Seoul Meat Co. is the only spot I’ve seen with an outdoor patio for KBBQ, which greatly helps with fumigating the smoke. There’s often a wait since it’s in the Totem Lake shopping center, so I suggest arriving early. It’s ~$48pp for AYCE and everyone at the table is required to partake (yes, even the veg). But they have a variety of side dishes they’ll be able to eat, such as fries, veggies, steamed egg, and fried rice. Like other AYCE spots, they charge for leftover meat and don’t let you take it home.
One of reasons this is on my list of the best Korean BBQ in Seattle, WA is because there are a ton of beef, pork, chicken, and seafood options to choose from. My favorite is hands down the short rib, followed by the truffle parm pork belly, marinated rib fingers, and spicy BBQ chicken. You don’t often see truffle in Korean cooking, but it adds a depth that’s very interesting. While brisket is one of my favorite meats, it’s not my favorite at Seoul Meat, so I’d skip it in favor of the top blade steak or more steamed egg and sundubu soft tofu soup.
One quirk with the AYCE menu is that you can only order one ribeye per person. Make sure your best cook keeps an eye on it, as it can go from perfect to tough in a split second. Another difference is that you only get four banchan, which is on the low side. However, what they serve is solid. The kimchi especially is a favorite, as it has a bit of heat and sour funk that I really enjoy.
So Moon Nan Jib
website | neighborhood: Federal Way (get directions) | price: $$ | best for: ribeye steak & acorn jelly | AYCE? no
This spot was recommended to me by an Instagram follower, and I’m now obsessed. In fact, it’s one of my top 3 favorite Korean BBQ in Seattle, WA and the greater surrounding area. For one, the staff is great. They brought out daikon and pickled radish when I asked one time because I like wrapping my meat in the pickled rounds.
Second, So Moon Nan Jib offers high quality meat, especially ribeye steak and brisket. They don’t offer AYCE, but the portions are hefty. You can order meat a la carte or go for the combos that range from ~$85-220 for 2-6 people. We often get the combo B for that claims to feed 3-4, but the four of us always leave seriously stuffed. It comes with salad, spicy bean paste soup, and a variety of flavorful dipping sauces beyond your everyday sesame oil and soy sauce.
The best part about So Moon Nan Jib is their banchan spread. You get a whopping 10-12 dishes, all made in house and rotating regularly. They have my beloved acorn jelly, which they explained is uncommon since it’s difficult to make. But it goes to show that So Moon Nan Jib isn’t skipping corners.
We got combo B for $155 that claims to feed 3-4, and the four of us were seriously stuffed. It comes with salad, a large portion of spicy bean paste soup, and a variety of flavorful dipping sauces beyond your everyday sesame oil and soy sauce. All of the meats are high-quality, especially the ribeye steak and brisket.
Do Si Korean BBQ
website | neighborhood: Kent (get directions) & West Seattle (get directions) | price: $$$ | best for: marinated meats | AYCE? yes
Do Si Korean BBQ almost didn’t make it on my list of the best Korean BBQ in Seattle, WA. I’d been to their Kent location and thought it was just ok, but then I went to their newer Alki Beach location and, despite receiving really inconsistent service the first 20 minutes, ended up really enjoying the meal. Given their new location has beautiful water views and an upstairs patio, in the end, they deserve to be on this list.
Both locations are more clubby than other Korean BBQ spots thanks to loud K-pop music blasting through the space. The inside is smoky, so don’t wear your favorite jacket unless you can easily wash it!
But the lingering smells sticking to your clothes is a small price to pay for yummy food. Do Si offers an a la carte menu and AYCE for ~$45-60pp. Unlike other spots you only get 90 minutes. They also say everyone at your table must do AYCE, but they were nice enough to let my vegetarian niece not participate and order a la carte. Like all other spots, you’re charged for leftover meat and can’t take any home.
The AYCE menu comes with a lot of beef, pork, chicken, and seafood options. I loved all the meats we ordered except the brisket, which was bland even with dipping sauces. But the beef and pork belly, galbi, and marinated pork collar? Exceptional. When paired with the eight banchan of kimchi, cucumber, bean sprouts, daikon, pickled radish, fish cakes, broccoli, and potato salad, it’s a satisfying feast.
Do Si also has an extensive side dish menu you can order from when you get all you can eat. It’s not common to see bibimbap on the AYCE menu, but they offer a hearty portion that goes great with the grilled meats. The kimchi and soybean stews are also standouts on the side menu, so make sure you get those too!
More Asian eats in Seattle
After you make your way through this list of the best Korean BBQ in Seattle, WA, check out my other guides to Asian cuisine around the city.
