Baekjeong Irvine
Korean barbecue restaurant · El Camino Real
14160 Culver Dr, Irvine, CA 92604
Highlights
Thinly sliced brisket, short ribs, pork belly, and cocktails
Thinly sliced brisket, short ribs, pork belly, and cocktails
"Baekjeong’s 2024 disappearance from 6th Street felt like a KBBQ whodunnit, but the beloved chain has returned, just a few blocks away in a shinier, larger space. The setup’s the same: a center grill surrounded by a bubbling moat of corn cheese and steamed egg, solid banchan, and combos with a mix of meats (get Hodong’s Favorite for both beef and pork). While there are higher-quality cuts at other K-town spots, Baekjeong remains a foolproof choice when you’re introducing someone to Korean barbecue or just want a reliably great meal with short ribs, soju, and zero risk of overcooked meat." - brant cox, sylvio martins, cathy park
"OK, so you’ll drop some cash at Kanghodong Baekjeong, but if you’ve never dined at this world-renowned Korean barbecue spot, now is the time to do it outdoors at one of its two less-crowded locations (there’s a second in Rowland Heights). The quality of meat at Baekjeong, which means butcher, is impressive, but don’t stop at the micro-brisket and the seasoned short rib. Here, you want to try it all - especially the ultra-fatty pork jowl, the fiery red spicy intestine combo, and the yangdaechang, which has both tripe and large intestine. You’ll need kimchi jiigae and gyeran jjim (steamed egg) while you’re at it, of course, even though the banchan are plentiful here. Or if you’re just in for lunch to go, order up the lunchbox, which has steamed white rice with a fried egg and your choice of meat." - dakota kim
"Since its inception at its Los Angeles location in 2012, Baekjeong has quickly become a Korean barbecue staple in Southern California. Derived from the word “butcher” in Korean, Baekjeong fittingly butchers all its own USDA prime beef and premium-grade pork on site. Though their meat combos are consistently popular options, customers most often gravitate toward the short rib, which comes in different preparations — bone-in, boneless, marinated, and unmarinated. Other cult favorites include the thinly sliced beef brisket, pork jowl, the cheese mountain tripe fried rice, soybean stew, beef tartare, and kimchi and seafood pancakes. Don’t miss out on the steamed egg and the corn cheese, both of which are also conveniently prepared on the grill." - Cathy Park
"Chau used the occasion to create charming videos of the restaurants he went to with his parents, which included treating them to meals at Baekjong." - Dianne de Guzman
"Note: As of early 2024, Baekjeong has closed but will be reopening in a new location. On a street loaded with KBBQ, Baekjeong—which started opening locations in California in 2012—stands out as the most consistently good option for tabletop grilled meats. Apparently, the rest of the city agrees, because wait times at this Koreatown restaurant can be horrendous. Either make a prepaid reservation (available for parties of six or more), or arrive early and find somewhere to hang until you’re seated. Every table is outfitted with a tubular stainless steel vent that looks like a slightly intimidating probe, and you should expect loud music and a mostly-drunk crowd. All of the meat options are fantastic, and everything else—from the pork mandoo and seafood pancake to the egg custard and cheesy corn—is just as great." - Kenny Yang
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