+1 858-505-0611
Located in the heart of San Diego’s bustling Kearny Villa neighborhood, KOGI Korean BBQ offers an authentic and delightful Korean barbecue experience that food lovers won’t soon forget. Specializing in Korean BBQ and buffet-style dining, this vibrant restaurant masterfully blends traditional flavors with a convivial atmosphere, making it a top destination for locals and visitors alike.
From the moment you sit down at KOGI, you’ll be seduced by the enticing aromas of grilling meats and the inviting sizzle of premium cuts on your tabletop grill. The menu is a celebration of Korean culinary craftsmanship, featuring standout dishes such as Pork Kalbi, Marinated Short Rib, and Thin Pork Belly that arrive bursting with juicy, smoky goodness. For those looking to explore beyond the barbecue, the restaurant’s Corn Cheese offers a creamy, indulgent side, while Kimchi Fried Rice delivers that perfect hint of spice and tang that pairs beautifully with every bite of grilled meat.
Among KOGI’s crowd favorites are the Prime Brisket and Beef Large Intestine—each expertly prepared to highlight rich textures and bold flavors. The Kimchi Pancake offers a crispy, savory contrast to the smoky meats, while unique regional dishes like Hoe-Deopbap invite you to savor even more of Korea’s diverse palate. Not to be missed is their Steamed Egg side dish, a velvety-smooth treat that comforts the palate between bites. Coupled with a selection of signature sauces and refreshing beverages like the crisp Hite or a playful Sake Bomb, the dining experience becomes a full sensory delight.
The atmosphere at KOGI Korean BBQ is both lively and welcoming, perfectly capturing the social spirit intrinsic to Korean barbecue culture. Guests commonly note the spacious interior that surprises many, with an energetic vibe that invites groups to linger over grilled specialties, laughter, and conversation. Service here is attentive and efficient—even on busy weekend nights, the staff ensures your table is well cared for without feeling rushed. One customer, Jade Dorsey, expressed amazement at the generous portions and timely service, while Cero Grubs described their premium menu adventure as “spectacular,” highlighting the joyful communal dining experience.
Whether you’re craving a flavorful bite during their popular happy hour specials or settling in for their limitless late-night all-you-can-eat options, KOGI Korean BBQ offers remarkable value without sacrificing quality. Fans praise the wide variety of meats and sides, with Nancy Dong recommending the late-night AYCE special as a wonderful blend of taste and affordability.
From the first smoky sizzle to the last savory morsel, KOGI Korean BBQ delivers an immersive experience steeped in tradition, warmth, and authentic Korean flavors. It’s more than a meal—it’s an invitation to gather, indulge, and create memories around the grill with every visit.
Best Korean BBQ we’ve been too since being here, the meats are amazing and flavorful, the amount of meat they bring out is more than I expected, the sides are also top tier. The staff is for the most part pretty quick, we went around 6pm on a Saturday so it was busy but never waited more than 10 minutes for someone to come back around ask if we wanted the plate changed out or if we were ready to order more meat or drinks. Parking is a little rough, you either need to get lucky with a parking spot behind the building or find street parking. Pricing was great, we did the premium selection and order drinks and still spent less than what I expected. 10/10 would recommend!
We came here for the late night AYCE special and everything was delicious! There are a wide variety of options for meats and sides, making it such a great value. Do be prepared to wait though, but the waitlist goes by pretty fast!
Was very excited to come back here for my second time, And it was spectacular as the first time I came here. Came here with my buddy and we loved it. Service was great and fast, which is always nice at Korean barbecue restaurants. We got the premium menu because we wanted to try a little bit of everything. Our favorite beef items were the beef, Bulgogi and the Korean short rib bone in. The beef brisket and beef belly were also yummy. Our favorite chicken item was the spicy and barbecue chicken. For seafood, we got shrimp and octopus, and it was tasty. We got a strawberry drink. I forgot the name of it, but it looked like it was mixed with strawberry and milk, and it was insane. Restaurant was clean and staff was friendly and helpful
Amazing for such a hidden gem. The door and front of the restaurant appear like a hole-in-the-wall, but the inside is deceptively gigantic. Food service and food itself is ideal, as the dining experience is not entirely about the food, but rather a social experience. Cuts of meat were primarily excellent, only a few pieces with unsatisfactory cuts - but that is typical of all Korean BBQ restaurants. Rice temperature could have been much more hot rather than warm. Sauce is a bit limited, offering a general flavor, but getting creative with the ratios makes the difference - that is where the surprise happens with the cooking and final flavors. Overall, it's a fantastic dining spot, and I will be returning for more. The chicken portion is more than healthy, and the cheese corn is welcoming before the meal begins. Don't forget about ordering Kim chee as it perfectly accompanies the meal.