There are few meals I enjoy more thoroughly than Korean BBQ.
Mountains of flavorful meats, a spread of Korean sides called banchan, and leaving the restaurant perfumed by the aroma of grilled short ribs and brisket—Korean BBQ is as involved as it is tasty.
Lucky for you, New Jersey’s Korean food scene is expansive, and it’s growing every day. In fact, Bergen County, NJ—where a vast majority of New Jersey’s Korean restaurants reside—is home to the second-largest percentage of Korean residents in the nation, beaten only by Los Angeles County.
These days, Korean BBQ can be found across the Garden State. From obvious hubs like Fort Lee and Palisades Park to lesser-known enclaves like Cherry Hill and Matawan, Korean food is spreading its influence. Curious which spots to check out? Here are seven places to eat Korean BBQ in New Jersey right now.
Wooga
Tableside grills scatter the dining room, dotted with sizzling slabs of USDA Prime and Miyazaki Wagyu beef. If you’re looking for all-you-can-eat, Wooga is not the place for you. Instead, the popular Fort Lee K-BBQ destination offers some of the highest-quality meats you’ll find in Jersey. Dry-aged Prime ribeye, marbled A5, crescent duck, and Iberico pork belly are just some of what’s in store at Wooga.
Obaltan K-BBQ
Obaltan offers quality with a scaled-back approach. Prime beef and well-marbled pork sear on grills throughout the dining room, with a spread of homemade banchan dotting the tabletop like landmines. But it’s the seafood options that really set Obaltan apart. Locals flock to the tiny, neighborhood Fort Lee BBQ spot for clams, mussels, shrimp, and more, which delicately cook on grill tops until they pop. For Korean BBQ superfans who think they’ve seen it all—give Obaltan a shot.
Butcher 360
For fans of all-you-can-eat, North Brunswick’s Butcher 360 is the perfect option. Guests pay a set price of $44.95, or $29.95 for lunch, and enjoy two hours of unlimited grilled meats bombarding the table. The options are endless, but don’t skip the shaved brisket, beef bulgogi, marinated short rib, or spicy pork bulgogi.
‘Ono Korean Barbecue
You won’t find all-you-can-eat or tableside grills at ‘Ono, but you will find platters packed to the brim with Hawaiian-style Korean BBQ, noodles, kimbap, and more. The small, mostly takeout spot is owned by a husband-and-wife team from Hawaii, who bring a unique Korean–Island fusion to Matawan. ‘Ono literally means “delicious”—a very fitting name.
Keumho Garden Korean BBQ
Well-marbled, marinated meats, an abundance of banchan, and real charcoal grills are the name of the game at Edison’s Keumho Garden. The à la carte K-BBQ excels in authentic Korean flavors and the style of service to match. It’s a remarkable option for those looking to experience true Korean BBQ in the Edison area.
Deh Gee Koom
K-BBQ is not hard to come by in Palisades Park, and Deh Gee Koom offers the real-deal experience. Thin-sliced pork belly and brisket are obvious choices, but locals tend to spring for the mackerel—a skin-on filet of fatty fish that blisters and chars directly on the grill grates. This tiny eatery delivers the authentic experience Pal Park is known for, while still offering something outside the box.
Dolsan Korean BBQ
Down in Mount Laurel, NJ, Dolsan dishes out authentic Korean BBQ alongside some seriously good sushi. Enjoy sashimi platters filled with fresh-sliced fish while you wait for your tableside grilling experience. When it comes to the grills, flame-kissed short ribs, pork bulgogi, and calamari are just some of the options that keep people coming back.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
