Daeho kalbijjim & beef soup

Craving some Korean comfort food, my partner and I headed in to Daeho, however we didn’t order the kalbijjim like everyone else. Instead, we ordered suyuk. The food was super delicious and I couldn’t complain about the flavors at all. They hit the perfect comforting and home-y notes that were perfect for such a gloomy day. However, everything that was good was soured by the experience we had with our server. She was incredibly awkward. It made me feel weird just sitting there. When she had first arrived to our table she said hello and waved in a way that I thought must have been an act. Asking for extra banchan even felt scary as I thought she had something against us or something like that. As a server myself, I know there are times when your service isn’t that good, but this one was extremely weird.

Probably one of my partner's and mine's favorite meals. The food was flavourful and the portions were huge. We ordered the regular size and we were barely able to eat half (probably more like a third lol). The meat is incredibly tender and both of us were stunned at how "fall off the bone" the meat was. We came in around 2pm on a weekend day and we're sat almost immediately. They took our order when we walked in then was escorted to the table. Service was quick and efficient. Parking can be difficult in the area so best to give yourself time to park when coming here.

I ordered the bolgogi bibimbop. When the dish was served the bowl was so hot the rice on the bottom completely burned black within a few minutes. There was not enough rice or meat for the amount of veggies. The food itself was very bland (even after adding extra toppings and sauce) and, because of the imbalance of veggies, wet. Since the bowl was way too hot, the food took a long time to cool down enough to eat. I set my spoon down in the food for a second to add more toppings (like 30 seconds tops) and by the time I picked up my spoon again I burned my fingers. A very disappointing meal. The place was absolutely packed and very very loud and my friends and I were having to nearly yell just to talk across the table. The same 5-10 songs from 2015 kept repeating. My friends ordered the shared ribs dish and one other person ordered the seafood bibimbop. All of us were disappointed with out meals. For how inconvenient it is to get here (make a reservation AND order ahead) on top of how expensive the food was, this was a big disappointment. Also, the server literally just gave us someone else's bill and credit card at the end of our meal. We had to flag down a server to let them know we had been given someone else's card and bill.

This is my new top favorite spot for Korean food. High quality, big portions, abundant veggie side dishes (banchans) if you eat in, the cleaning crew that cleans up the table after is like a mini show in and of itself. They're quick, efficient, and very impressive. My friend and I got two beef tendon soup ($26 each) and the beef bibimbop ($25). Definitely a spot I will be back again, again, and again.

The food here is delicious and flavorful. While it isn't the most tender kalbijjim I've had, it really hits the spot and I love how customizable you can be with add ons, spice level, and type of meat. The cheese topping is a must here! I enjoyed my experience overall although it did feel a little rushed as we were gently urged to pay the bill while still eating. I'll definitely be back when in the area though!

This location is hard to find street parking but after 6p on weekdays , parking is free. Came here on a Wednesday evening for hubs Bday and good thing we came early before 6p because after that, the place was full, and plenty of waiting people were standing out by the sidewalk. Looking on the outside, you would think this place was small but there have plenty of seats. Was here with a group of 7 without reservations. They do have a waitlist but didn't have to use it at that time. We sat a little close to the back by the bathrooms. They seated us in a small table for seven. Good thing, we only ordered four things. We did have to order before sitting us down though. Drinks offers to see are by the QR code on the table. Their strawberry slushie was very thick and strong alcoholic; just like how I like it!!! LOL We ordered their Cheese Corn Steamed Egg.; it's like a sweet egg soufflé but very good since they have it with melted cheese on top. We also ordered two of their large Daeho Premium Kalbijjim Short rib medium spice which has carrots, rice cake and potatoes. One with cheese and one without. I love it with melted cheese! We also ordered their regular size Ttoek Kalbi Tang which was beef rib soup with rice cakes and egg. This was pretty good if you add green onions but I could do without. All good flavors, good for groups and strong drinks! Service is ok. Prices are pretty expensive to me but good to try if you want to treat yourself. Our family will be back and will bring others.

Wow... Their regular will easily feed 3-4 normal people, so order carefully or be prepared to workout the following day. Staff are nice and hustle. It can get chaotic when the place is packed so be nice to your servers. Sometimes the staff let you order your dishes while you're in the queue for a seat, and the food appears at miraculous speed. Been here twice and the food is consistently good.

My boo brought me and his friend for dinner here one night, and it was a cool new experience for me. The food was so, so good. The kalbijjim was big enough for the three of us to share. The decor was very modern, and the place felt like a nice casual place to come with friends and family. Will be back again!

SO GOOD! Came on a Sunday AM 15 min after opening time and there was no wait. Panchans were all delicious and the service was great. Waiters/waitresses came by a few times to make sure we were okay and to see if we needed anymore panchans. The regular sized galbijjim was super good and more than enough for 3 people. Meat was extremely tender and flavorful. We added glass noodles (which I highly recommend) and cheese on top (kinda meh for me, it's overhyped and just for the pics/vids). I'll definitely be back for more galbijjim and to try other dishes!

This was my second time eating here and it was significantly better than the last time I went (first time was right around its opening). Parking is in downtown San Mateo so it can get busy. Make sure to hop on the Yelp waitlist ahead of time so there's less of wait too. They queue up slightly differently too. After some time on the waitlist, they'll call you up first to order. Then back outside you go. And they'll call you one last time to be seated, when we got our food within 5 min. I ordered the braised short ribs combo with oxtail and cheese add on. Got the smaller one and easily enough for 2. Add the cheese so you can ig that infamous cheese pull (but mainly cause it tastes good). The Galbi ribs were so flavorful and tender. The potatos and carrots that come with it are almost stewed and brewed in the same sauce and it all flushes down swimmingly with your rice and side dishes. 5/5 this time around!

May seem pricey but portion can definitely be shared between a party of 3-4. The add ons are quite generous! Our add on was glass noodles and boy oh boy it was kind of a mistake because they were so generous with it, the pot was drowning in it. We could not finish! The pot is so flavorful and everything is good really well. The ban chan is appropriately mild to balance this out. All of this are definitely rice thieves. The interior is beautiful and merry and I definitely noticed the inviting feel especially with the wall of a display of traditional alcoholic beverages! Bathroom is clean and spacious--convenient! Next time I would get: -5. beef brisket point (the broth looks milky from the richness of the beef and the chives with radishes seem to balance the brisket sooooo well)

I love this place. I used to go to Daeho in SF a lot but I'm glad they have on in downtown San Mateo. This location is less crowded and the quality of food is the same! I really enjoy the Galbijim and the cold noodles here. But u wish they had more rice cakes. Overall I had a good experience but the staff gave us the check before we asked for it, so I wish they didn't rush us and were more attentive.

My son wanted to come for his birthday, so we had a group of 8. This is one of his favorite places. First, it was uncomfortable as we were stuck in the very back against the wall and corner and no elbow room for 3 x 6 feet tall men and really on top of each other. For what we ordered there was just not enough space on top of the table so the waiter gives me to hold the plate which is heavy with cast iron and moving other dishes that my other son's plate just slid off and under the table! Banchan- the KimChee and Daikon were good and the usual banchan. But this is the first Korean restaurant that I have been to with such a poor variety of banchan especially for the prices of the dinner! No fish cakes, no potatoes, or spinach. Like green jalapeños and green onions- that is not really any good banchan imho. So 2 stars for that. Main dish- the braised short ribs with cheese. Most Asians are not that fond of cheese and usually lactose intolerant. Koreans have a love affair with cheese when American bases came to Korea. I wonder if it is mainly the younger generation vs the older generation though? The braised beef falls off the bone and with the carrots and potatoes were delicious. It reminded me exactly of my own oxtail stew with carrots, potatoes and onion. I dug under the cheese to look for the meat and vegetables. This is good for a cold winter night. I know the show with torching the cheese may amuse some, but I am all about the food. For me, the cheese was ok, but I think it detracted from the actual stew. And at the price point of 88.00( up to 111. for the other ones), it just wasn't that special a dish imho. I will give it a 4 star for the taste. The rest of the dishes just did not impress me. Honestly, I have had better. Tartare- I don't touch raw meat, so didn't even eat it. My son loves this though- he eats everything and does not have usual tastes- he will eat what most won't like alligator, think it was iguana, etc. Japchae- it was a 3 star. Just average/ok. I have had much tastier ones with much more vegetables. This one was bland and thicker noodles. Bibimbop- this had some black burnt rice on the bottom but couldn't really taste the burnt taste so that was good. It was bland as well even with the gojuchang. I used all of it so maybe needed more. I like egg over mine as well, but I wasn't there to order and my son ordered all of the dishes. I definitely have had better ones of this dish with a lot more vegetables and meat. So 3 star since it was just ok. The rice cake dish also had cheese all over it. Rice cakes were ok and for me, the cheese was just ok( this was torched as well). So 2.8 stars. Honestly, other than the main dish which was 4 stars ( preferably without the cheese for me- and I do love cheese but on Mexican and Italian or American food- not on my Asian food- but that is just me)! So 2.96 (3.0 rounded up) average stars for the dishes I rated, so nothing special for me especially since my own stew tastes like it. If the accompanying dishes were better than I would come again, but not just for one special dish at such a high price point. Our bill came out to 270. for 8 people(2 were toddlers who didn't want to eat it), so really only 6 adults so like 45./ per person. And I absolutely LOVE Korean food, there are better options out there- this one was mediocre to me with the exception of the main stew dish which you don't find at many places so maybe that is why the hype. I do agree because it gets busy, waiters are running around and you feel like you are in a hurry to get out as well lol! It just seemed so claustrophobic. You hated to ask for anything bc you knew they were so busy. I rather have a calmer atmosphere. Oh, I did like the purple rice though it didn't really taste different from regular rice, but I did like it! Note I didn't include rice in the rating because that side won't make me change my mind in determining if I would eat here or not!

Daeho has multiple locations across the Bay Area and they're best known for their kalbijjim, or braised beef short ribs. This location is in downtown San Mateo on 2nd Avenue. We ordered the kalbijjim (regular for $82) with rice cakes ($5) and cheese ($6). You can choose your size (regular or large), your spice level, and any optional toppings. Personally I think it needs at least a little spice to make it taste better and cheese to make it decadent. I think the regular is enough for 4 people even though it says its for 2-3 people. We also got the kalbi tang ($26). The broth was good and the beef was tender but they had smaller portions of noodles. I always leave Daeho feeling stuffed and satisfied because the food is so good and I can't control myself. The service was great as well and I especially love their kimchi banchan.

This restaurant is a gem! I've been a fan since they opened their first spot in SF Japantown, and their San Mateo location does not disappoint. While their famous kalbijjim is always a hit, I want to highlight some of their other excellent dishes. With the recent heat wave, I was craving naengmyeon (cold noodles), and the one here is one of the best I've had. The Asian pear and beef broth were excellent, providing a refreshing and flavorful experience. A tip for those who want a taste of the kalbijjim without committing to a full order: try the Tteokbokki with cheese appetizer. It comes with the same delicious sauce and chunks of beef, offering a satisfying alternative. Service is always attentive and efficient with K-pop playing in the background gives you the casual k-vibes.

We recently visited Daeho and had the pleasure of trying their signature Kalbijjim and cold noodles, and we were thoroughly impressed. The Kalbijjim was exceptional. The short ribs were incredibly tender, falling off the bone with ease. The rich, savory sauce was perfectly balanced with a hint of sweetness, making each bite a burst of flavor. The accompanying vegetables were cooked to perfection, adding a nice variety of textures to the dish. The cold noodles were a refreshing complement to the hearty Kalbijjim. The noodles had a great chewiness, and the broth was light and flavorful, with a subtle tanginess that was very refreshing. It was a perfect dish to cool down with, especially when paired with the rich Kalbijjim. Overall, our dining experience at Daeho was fantastic. The signature Kalbijjim and cold noodles are a must-try, and we can't wait to return and explore more of their delicious menu.

We actually intended to go to Kajiken but the line was pretty long so we walked around the corner to Daeho and there was no wait! We ordered a large kalbijjim to share for four people, plus a cold noodle on the side (though this wasn't necessary as the kalbijjim was plenty filling). We added cheese and rice cakes to the braised short rib kalbijjim, but who really gets this without cheese (wish it was included)! They melt the cheese in front of you with two blowtorches and it is marvelous. The large order comes with 3 rices and you can pick white or purple. It comes with a good amount of meat -- they don't skimp, as well veggies and potatoes. Sauce was very flavorful and you can adjust the heat based on what you can tolerate! The cold beef noodle was also very good -- very tart and tangy - a nice sharp contrast to the kalbijiim. Portion size was surprisingly large too. Located in downtown San Mateo so look for metered parking or one of the parking garages (pay via app or kiosk). It's one block away from the 2nd street garage.

This location was pretty packed but we were still able to get seated without waitlist or reservation within 20 minutes. The restaurant is very spacious and clean, and the servers work at a great pace and attentive manner. The food was absolutely spectacular and I would definitely go to this location again. We ordered the Kalbijjim (L) with extra toppings, Jap Chae, and Bibim. The Kalbijjim was very filling - everything was to perfection and the meat was super tender. I wish we ordered more rice cakes because it never felt like enough (since any time we uncovered one hiding in cheese when we thought we ran out, we got excited). The japchae was so flavorful and tasty, we up ordering another one towards the end because it was that good. It was my first time trying Bibim, and I was a bit hesitant since I've never really had cold noodles before but it was amazing just like everything else we ate. These plates filled my group of 5 and we took the Kalbijjim to go.

Absolutely delicious food that's full of flavor and stunning presentation. We got the #2 which was beef and oxtail and even though it had a hefty price tag, it was easily enough food for 5 people. The meat was so tender and the sides and rice helped support the strong flavors. The restaurant is very clean and the staff is very friendly and fast.

I love daeho! I used to go to the one near Japan Town in SF, but it's exciting to have one in my old home town for when I visit. We came on memorial Day and the wait wasn't bad. They had a nice orderly ordering line inside. One confusing point is they took our names off the wait-list when they were ready for us but a while before they called us, and we panicked thinking we'd been kicked off. The front desk person wasn't very nice about us asking. For three people, we ordered the #3, regular size with cartilage, and added extra rice cakes and noodles and cheese. We managed to still have leftovers! Note to self: don't need the extra rice cakes or noodles (one of them).

This was my first visit there ever. Your whole party has to arrived before getting on the waitlist. You also have to preorder food before sitting down. The service was not great. I guess because there were so busy that they were not nice to the customers. They can also improve on the bunchun (Side dishes) The choices were limited and not interesting. To the management, please improve your side dishes choices and have more traditional ones :-)

It was pretty good minus the food poisoning. Several of us got sick after having their beef tartare with raw egg.

Came here for an early Mother's day dinner. Tried to use the yelp wait list and was all set when it suddenly disappeared! Checked with the front desk and they put us back on and said to pre-order which helped the food get there quick to get us out for the next party. This was my first experience here and everyone had been talking about it for about a year or so, so I had pretty high expectations. The food was different and I thought pretty good, but my Korean DIL says it was average hahahah. Of course I think half it was about the presentation and how they flame the bowl right in front of you! It's a festive place but pretty noisy and busy. The waiter was great but I felt bad for him because he was running around like crazy. The frenetic pace did not make for a calm eating experience. I felt a bit rushed because you know there are tons of people waiting for your table so if you don't mind dining and dashing, go for it.

The kalbijjim (beef short rib) was divine. We got cheese, rice cakes, rice noodles, and extra meat. The meat is so tender and flavorful. The dish also comes with potatoes and carrots too. The gochujang sauce it's drenched in is so good. Nice mix of sweet and spicy (we got mild this time). Personally think the rice noodles are skippable but the rice cakes are delicious. Definitely get the cheese for the torch show and added cheesiness. The kalbi bibimbap is a nice break from the sheer amount of carbs and meat. It's a lot of vegetables on a hot stone pot so it crisps up the rice on the bottom. This creates a lovely mixture of texture. The banchan side dishes felt even more flavorful than in the SF location. Fast service and much shorter wait than in SF. Great lively energy inside. These two dishes fed 5 people for around $35/person.

It's always a spectacle to order the Kalbijjim with cheese, as they torch it right in front of you when they serve it to you. Definitely a must get if you haven't tried. We got a single large portion for the three of us to share, and the portion size was so large we even had enough leftover for a couple more meals. We usually go for the Kalbijjim, but the other noodles dishes are also worth a try! Definitely would recommend coming here

We came at around 6:30 on a Friday and were able to beat the rush and get seated immediately. We ordered the Doh Gal Jjim and 3 purple rice bowls. This was the perfect amount to feed our group of 6. The food was really good and the wait staff was very quick about getting our food. Compared to the SF location, I think you don't get as many side dishes and you also don't have the seafood option available but I think the service is a lot quicker. Would definitely come back. Make sure to go early to look for parking!

I love taking visitors here! Definitely busy but an easier wait and parking situation than the SF Japantown location. Despite the long lines, they are very efficient. Pro tip: Check the Yelp waitlist before you head over! Once they call your party, don't expect to be seated right away. They will ask you to pre order, so be prepared! The kalbijjim is obviously a must. Highly suggest to add cheese because it's part of the torch experience!! Also suggest the purple rice. Spice level is inconsistent, my theory is it depends on the spice of the fresh peppers they use. The regular size kalbijjim is advertised for 2-3 people but honestly you could prob get away with feeding 4-5 ppl who have a smaller appetite. The only other thing I've ordered here is the Yuk Hwe (beef tartare), and I'd highly suggest it if you are adventurous!!!!!! Banchan here is delicious, my favorite is the chives one. Once you're done eating, they monitor how long you stay cuz they're ready to clean and get ready for the next party. So don't expect to be able to linger, they'll respectfully nudge you out.

Came right when they opened at 4:30 and was seated immediately. Tables began to fill up super quick. Ordered the braised short rib kalbijjim with extra rice cakes and cheese. The service was fast and the food arrived in less than 10 minutes. It's always fun seeing them torch the cheese. Meat was tender and the sauce was SO good. The cheese pulls were heavenly. I found the carrots and potatoes to be a bit on the harder side this time around. Usually, they are soft and melt in your mouth. The ban chan options didn't quite hit the mark for me on this visit. They usually rotate their ban chan dishes and 3 out of 4 were the same, all with the same sauce on different vegetables.

I came here twice within two weeks - that's how good this was. You have to join the waitlist to Yelp but that does not represent your place in line. Only when you go in to order, does your place in line actually begin. Kalbijjim (with cheese): the first time, I came with my friends and it was delicious. The second time, I came with my grandparents and they also found it delicious. Very tasty and well seasoned! Although its a LOT of cheese - warning to my fellow lactose intolerants out there. With four people, you can get a regular and order 1 more thing - you'll be fine. With five, we ordered a large. Japchae: Their japchae the first time I had it was delicious, the second time it came out a bit sticky (either the sauce was too heavy or the noodles just stuck together for some reason) Sweet potato noodles: these were really good and a nice change of pace from the kalbijjim! The noodles were nice and bouncy but the oxtail it came with was difficult to eat (because of the bone... because it was oxtail LOL)

I've been going to Daeho since it first opened in SF a few years back. The food is still on point and I appreciate that the San Mateo location didn't have an outrageous wait time. I cane Saturday at 6:30 at only had to wait about 20 minute. The best part is that once you sit down the food comes out right away since they'll have you preorder before being seated. I am sad to see that the prices have increased significantly. What was once an affordable treat is now definitely a splurge when you're craving this kind of food.

Top tier restaurant with amazing food and great service. It's my second time coming here and it did not disappointment. Parking can be tricky in this area since downtown San Mateo gets busy. There is street parking as well as parking lots and garages in the surrounding area. Try to come early because the line does get long. There is a Yelp waitlist but they won't sit you unless your whole party is present. All the dishes are big enough to share. My table of 3 ordered 2 things and we still had to take some home. Their braised beef short rib is what they're known for. Highly recommend adding cheese and they will melt it in front of you. We didn't get it spicy so I'm not sure how the spice levels are. I was also craving soup so we got one of the bone soups. I liked it, but I think I prefer the daeho suyuk. I know it isn't the same, but I wanted to get something smaller since the daeho suyuk is huge.

So, my friend invited me to give this place a try for the first time (It's my first time trying, while he's been here a couple times). As expected, the line was pretty long, but luckily, we didn't have to wait too long to get seated. The atmosphere at this restaurant is really chill - perfect for hanging out with friends or bringing the family along. We decided to eat good and ordered the KALBIJJIM and NAENG MYUN, and let me tell you, the portions were more than enough for the two of us. They even threw in some sides like kimchi and veggies, which was a nice touch. Now, I will say, it's not the cheapest place around. You're looking at $$ prices, but honestly, it's worth it for a special occasion. Treat yourself - you won't regret it!

I've been a Daeho fan for quite some time and this location in San Mateo doesn't disappoint! Note that the wait times can be very, very long as this is a popular location and the restaurant isn't huge. They don't take reservations but you can show up ahead of your dining time and add yourself to the waitlist (unfortunately can't add until you arrive). Came here to celebrate a birthday in a group of 5 and we were seated quickly due to the early dining time (though the restaurant was plenty filled even at that time). You're also able to view the menu before being seated so that can cut down on wait time as well. Of course we had to order the famous galbi jim (you can add extra toppings - we went with rice cakes and extra meat) along with some noodles on the side. The ban chan and rice come with the dish and were delicious. The galbi came out sizzling hot and is mouthwateringly good! San Mateo doesn't have much parking available so you'll likely have to do paid parking and walk over. Located downtown so you have many drink and dessert options nearby if that's what you're seeking.

Came here with a party of 5 and we waited maybe about 25 minutes and got sat at a table in the back area. They're super busy so it's kinda smart that they have you order first as you're waiting for your table so when you get sat, the food will arrive shortly after. We shared the galbijim, chadol, bibinaengmyeon and beef tartar. I'm not a big meat eater so galbijim isn't that worth it to me but daeho is of course known for this dish and a good reason why. It's super flavorful with a blend of meat, carrots, radishes, and rice cake. The chadol was very delicious but the pot was very shallow. One of the waiters told us that you can actually refill the soup for the chadol 2x! So of course we took advantage of that.

The line here is always long, but the interior is a little bigger than the Milpitas location, so be sure to get here earlier! They also have another location in SF. I actually prefer this location because the vibes are so cute and homey.        Their menu is limited because they specialize in galbi jjim and beef soup. We got the braised beef rib with cheese added on top which they blowtorch for you. You can also choose the level of spiciness. We shared this with a total of fiv friends, but we still couldn't finish so the portion is big! It also comes with a bunch of side dishes (banchan) and purple rice. It's definitely a fun experience to share with friends!

Came here with my friend and was seated immediately on a Monday evening around 5:30? This location is much more spacious compared to the one in Japan town in SF. Like usual, they take your order before they seat you at the table. We had the Cha Dol & Kalbijjim. We loved both dishes. Our kids really enjoyed the bone broth and the meat was super tender! Did not have any issue with service. I would definitely come back!

While a bit pricey, this was a very good Korean food experience. The service was great. And lots of tables. Really amazing place. Love the San Mateo downtown area. Lots of culture and things to do. We will be back.

I've tried the Daeho in japantown SF and I've had the Daeho in San Jose...but I feel like this Daeho tastes the best??? I'm not sure if it's the meat quality, portion sizes, flavor or what but this is my favorite location out of all the Bay Area locations. Daeho specializes in galbi-jjim, which is Korean braised beef short ribs in the most delicious sauce. You MUST get the cheese on top because they torch it at your table and it makes for a great IG story haha. I also like to get rice cakes in it. The large size can feed a table of four. The spice level is kind of inconsistent among the chains or even on certain days. I usually get spicy and I thought it wasn't spicy, during my most recent trip. (Maybe my spice tolerance went up? Maybe the chef just made it less spicy?) If you're unsure what spice level you are, I would err on the side of less spicy because you can always add spicy to it later. Aside from the beautiful galbi-jjim, I think everything else on the menu is pretty good. I like to pair my galbi-jjim order with a cold noodle to offset the heat. I think the soups here are so good. Their galbi-tang (short rib soup) is perfect on a cold day.

If you're craving authentic Korean comfort food with ample parking and a spacious dining area, Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup in San Mateo might just be your next go-to spot. Parking is a breeze with various options available nearby, including parking garages and street parking, making your dining experience hassle-free from the get-go. Compared to its counterpart in San Francisco, this location offers a larger, sit-down space, providing a more relaxed atmosphere for enjoying your meal. Similar to other locations, the ordering process begins before seating, streamlining the dining experience. While the sides may differ slightly from traditional Korean BBQ accompaniments, they remain consistently good, offering a unique twist that complements the main dishes well. However, if you're expecting the typical array of KBBQ sides, you may be surprised. Speaking of main dishes, the kalbijjim boasts decent meat quality, albeit slightly lacking in quantity compared to the abundance of carrots and other vegetables. A bit more meat would elevate the dish to match its price point. On the other hand, the kalbitang shines with its flavorful broth and tender meat. While a tad more glass noodles would have been appreciated, the overall taste is so satisfying that it's a dish worth ordering again. In summary, Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup in San Mateo offers a comfortable setting for enjoying Korean comfort food. While there's room for improvement in terms of meat portions and side dish selection, the flavorful dishes and convenient location make it a worthy dining destination.

Omg I love their Galbijim, it's so delicious so much so that I would purchase their sauce any day! The customer service is good, but the food is where it's at. I am not too keen on oxtail, as it's bony, so I go with the typical and though it has chewy tendons too, it has good soft pieces of meat and some sauce and veggies is all you need. I love the cheese on top, it's delicious! The purple rice is delicious! Parking for San Mateo downtown is always hard, but it's worth it. Their waitlist starts with Yelp they have a little podium you can add your name to, and then they call you and you order your food, and wait outside until they have a table for you. After the food order is ordered your name disappears form the waitlist but you are on some internal waitlist since you ordered the food. The inside the Resturant is always busy, most during peak hours but it's nice. Overall good ambiance and great spot!

Daeho is always a go to comfort spot for me as I know I'll be fed well, it'll taste good, and I'll walk out full. I typically go to the Japantown location but opted for the San Mateo location this time as we were meeting friends halfway. We walked in as a party of 7 and, to my surprise, actually got a seat in a couple minutes. We had actually tried to walk into two other restaurants prior without success. We were seated near the back at a large table. Ambiance is viby and high energy. We ordered one of my go to dishes as well as a dish I'd never tried from Daeho before. Large kalbijjim, mild, with rice cake and rice - this is my go to dish and comes with prime rib, carrots, potatoes, radishes, rice cakes, and leek. The flavor is savory, lightly sweet, comforting. We didn't get it this time around but I also recommend adding cheese. Daeho suyuk, brisket point - this dish consisted of meat and scallions boiled together in a milky broth. I didn't eat too much as it was on the other side of the table but it was tasty, with the broth having a savory yet clean taste. I do think service could have been a bit more attentive. We were rarely checked upon and always had to flag someone down for water refills.

10/10 food, service, and time at Daeho! I've been to the Milpitas location, but due to the crowds/location/milpitas stink I don't like going there. THIS location however is great since downtown San Mateo is pretty nice, and in my experience the wait isn't as bad. Came twice in two weeks, once on a Monday and once on a Saturday. No wait on the Monday and maybe only a 10-15 minute wait on a Saturday!!! I'm sure like most people we ordered the popular Kalbijjim. I never get cheese because of that good ol lactose intolerance, but it is still phenomenal nonetheless. I have tried all three spice levels and I think mild or medium are the way to go. I absolutely love spicy things, but I think since the Kalbijjim is so hot (temperature), the medium and mild are more enjoyable. The meat is always super soft and big pieces, the other vegetables/potatoes are soft and well cooked. The rice cakes are soft and there is a lot of sauce. We also got the cold noodles and it was great! We did not get the one with spicy one, but the one without spice was super refreshing and yummy. I'd even go so far as to say it's comparable to ones i've had in Korea (way more expensive here though)! Rice-wise they give you an option or purple or white but I think everybody in our group likes the purple better. Service is super quick and food doesn't take too long to come out. They do give you kimchi, pickled jalapeños, kimchi radish, and kimchi green onions. Definitely a spot I'll come back to every time I'm in San Mateo!

This place is amazinggggg!! We went on a weekday for dinner around 8PM and there was no wait for a party of 2! I know Daeho usually gets very busy on weekends especially their SF location but it's totally worth it as their KALBIJJIM is to die for! The galbi is so so tender and we always order it with cheese and glass noodles! We got the spiciest level and it wasn't too spicy just the right amount if you're a fan of a little kick. For a party of 2 you could definitely opt for the regular size but we ordered a large to to-go as the price difference is ~$10 and it was a great day 2 lunch for us. Love that this place doesn't charge you to togo like the other locations. Great spot to come with friends as this place can get pretty loud since people usually drink beer/soju here as well! Overall 10/10!!

Do I even have to say anything? Great place to go share a meal with friends. I could eat this every day if I could! The flavor of the sauce and tenderness of the meat is to die for!!!! My favorite part of this is the daikon and rice cakes hidden in the clay pot, though. + all the side dishes... it's amazing! I usually get this with melted mozzarella cheese on top but opted out for today.

Arrived here on a Wednesday night and it was fairly busy. Lots of customers ready for a warm meal on a cold rainy night. We ordered the Kko Gal Jjim (Braised Beef Rib with Oxtail) with a mild spice, rice cake, vegetables, and cheese on top! We also ordered purple rice on the side. I highly recommend trying any of their Premium Daeho Kalbijim menu items - meat was tender, toppings were cooked perfectly, and it was so flavor packed! There were 4 people in our party and the dish was enough for everyone to share. Plus the service was fairly quick and ambiance is great for small and large parties. I'll be coming here again!

Everything about here is 5/5!! (maybe except for the price, it keeps getting more & more expensive, used to be ~$55 for the regular) This place is always packed no matter what day it is, but it's not as busy as the SF location since there's way more seating available. There is an online waitlist so if you check-in online, you won't be waiting for long. As you wait / check-in, make sure you take look at the menu because you will be pre-ordering -- that way when you sit down, your food will arrive shortly after. Galbijjim is perfect, my favorite restaurant and food in the Bay Area. The meat is super tender and fall off the bones, the veggies soak up the sauce well, and the tteok pieces at the bottom of the pot has a nice char too it. Don't recommend adding the glass noodles to the dish if you're a sauce person as that would soak up all of it. Also if you don't love the potatoes, wouldn't add extra veggies as they pretty much only add extra potatoes (& maybe a few daikon / onion). Galbitang is also one of my favorite things here. The bone broth is really flavorful; however, if you're not use to eating at korean places, you should be aware that you might have to add additional salt or pepper to season the broth to your taste. The broth is already good when it comes out, but like traditional korean places, they leave it up to you to flavor it to your liking. Meat is of course, super tender. We recently tried their yukhoe and it is so so good. If you're a fan of raw meat, you definitely have to try this. The meat is really tender and has great umami flavor. It comes with thin sticks of cucumber and pear on the side which add a nice crisp texture and sweetness to it. The egg yolk also adds a rich creaminess that is amazing. The banchan is surprisingly very mediocre. Every time I visit Daeho, the kimchi and radish kimchi taste whatever - something about it just isn't very good. Store bought kimchi from the korean market would taste better. But the kimchi chives is really good.

I have been looking for good Naeng myun in San Mateo/ nearby since I can't always make the drive down to Santa Clara and this is going to become a new go to spot. The menu is by online QR code so the menu on here is outdated. Things were a bit out pricier than expected. The tteokbokki was $13, Naengmyun $23, and Haemul bimbimbap $25. The service was super fast, from being sat down, to taking order, to the food coming out. The staff was friendly and professional. It's dark inside, so be prepared for that if you then walk outside and it's the bright afternoon; it's like a movie theater experience. There's plenty of seating and goes back pretty far. I'll deff visit again next pay check.

There's really not much else to say about Daeho that hasn't already been said. Their menu is fairly limited, you won't find your normal BBQ meat items but they do offer lots of different soups (no tofu soup though), bibimbap, and cold noodles. The highlight really is the galbi jim and I can't imagine going there and not ordering this. It's offered in Regular or Large size, with a $10 price difference. The regular is good enough to feed 3 hungry people, but the waiter made sure to let us know it only comes with two rice bowls. He said this multiple times so IDK if the 3rd bowl of rice ended up being an upcharge or not. The rice bowls are standard size. We opted to add glass noodles (up charge) so two bowls of rice was enough for 1 guy and 2 girls, however I could see how most people would want one bowl of rice themselves. The noodles added into the galbi jim is a wider glass noodle at the way bottom. The galbi jim comes with potatoes, daikon, carrots and rice cakes, but you can opt to add more. For an extra fee of course! Make sure to get the cheese. Yes you'll pay the cheese tax ($5) but you'll regret it if you don't. The cheese just makes the dish that much more hearty and it's a nice show when they come torch it at your table. You get to choose your spice level and I honestly feel like medium is perfect. You get the burn without the tears lol If you can't hang though, definitely stick with mild because it's pretty spicy if your tolerance isn't high. FYI if you add noodles, the noodles will soak all the sauce so when you eat it, your mouth will burn x 2 lol I was doing fine until I started eating the noodles. Your meal is served with 4 banchan dishes: pickled radish, green onions, pickled jalapeno onions, and kimchi. I love them all and I feel like they're a great palate cleanser in between bites of rice and galbi jim. You can ask them to refill these for you as well, once you finish them. My group was so lucky because we came on a Sunday at Noon and there was no wait. We were seated right away, and waited the usual 15-20 min for the galbi jim to come out. It's typical for this place to have long waits of over an hour or two, so this made our meal that much more enjoyable. This meal hits every time, and I'd come back time and time again, especially during the cold months.

Daehoe is my favorite korean restaurant. We got the yukhae which is raw marinated beef with a raw egg yolk. Its so good! We got the kalbi jimm with cheese and the short rib is tender and well flavored with umami and sweetness. The seafood bibimbap was nicely seasoned and had a tone of vegetables! The kalguksu was warm and comforting. It's a mild flavor that goes perfectly with the saltiness of the galbijim!

Top notch food, service and value. 4 people split a large kalbijim and a japchae - around $35pp and all left very full and happy! I was amazed at how flavorful both the kalbijim and the japchae was. Definitely add the cheese(extra $5). Besides the meat, the kalbijim also comes with rice cakes, carrots, potatoes,daikon and lots of onions. Got here around 6 on a rainy Saturday and there was no wait. Spacious restaurant with good service. Great for a meal with friends. Not too noise inside. The left overs are packed for you and sealed in a takeout container. Highly recommend when you want something hearty and flavorful with a group of 2-4 friends!

Jumped off of the plane from Los Angeles and right into the Kalbi tang in San Mateo. So happy this place opens at 10:30 am, we got a good jump on the crowd right as they unlocked their doors. If you can believe it or not, we were the second party in as a line was already starting to form. Our server was quick to our table and ready to take our order. This was our first time here so we needed a minute. As I observed the other tables around us it became apparent that if you were coming this early, you already KNEW what you were ordering. The menu is not huge and after a few recommendations from our server we decided against the Kalbijjim was going to be way too much for only 2 people. Instead we ordered the Kalbi Tang with abalone and shrimp and the kalbi Bi Bim Bap. We marveled at all the giant dishes being delivered to the tables around us. Our food came out quickly. We quickly mixed the bi bim bap so we could let it sit and crisp up in the hot stone pan. There was a good amount of kalbi to have with every bite. The kalbi tang was a perfectly simple beef broth filled with kalbi, 2 bones with meat so tender it slid off of the bone when I went to bite into it. There was a whole abalone still in the shell that we cut up into each of our bowls. Going right when they opened on a drizzly Saturday morning was perfect for soul warming soup and rock star parking. We found a spot right in front, was seated as we walked in and was attended to quickly. By the time we left an hour later, all the tables were full and there were parties queueing up outside. I'll definitely be revisiting with a bigger party so that I can dig into that Kalbijjim!

Daeho impresses with its unparalleled kalbijjim, delivering a burst of flavors in both the meat and sauce. The succulent beef and rich sauce create a memorable dining experience. Don't miss out on the delightful touch of purple rice, elevating the meal to perfection. A must-visit for Korean beef stew enthusiasts! I got the medium hot and it was not spicy at all.

This place couldn't be more perfect for a rainy day! I went here for the first time, and my experience was five out of five. We had the Doh Gal Jjim, and it was perfect! The sauce and the meat were cooked to perfection. You could tell the meat was marinated with flavors. We had it with cheese, and when they bring it to you, they torch the cheese in front of you! Dinner and a show! The Doh Gal Jjim has rice cakes inside, and they're to die for! The service was also outstanding. It was busy when we got there, but we were seated right away. Food came hot and fast. Our servers were very friendly and made us feel welcome. The place is big as well. They have another section on the other side with more tables. This was my first time trying Korean Kalbijjim, and I am so glad I went here! I'd definitely come back, five out of five stars!

As of May 2024, I'm officially torn on Daeho. The flavor of the food is still top notch and very consistent every time, but the price has just gone through the roof with no sign of stopping. The large kalbijjim with all the add ons is $114 and feeds 3-4 people. Last time we went it did not feel like there was that much meat, and frankly everything else is just filler anyway. I get that Daeho is very popular and can get away with it but it's ridiculous that every time I go the price is $5 more. Service is just okay. Typically they're too busy to really pay attention to you or refill banchan or water. It also gets reaaally hot when there are a lot of people. If you don't want to wait 45mins-1hr, I highly recommend going Sunday evening around 7:30-8pm. There was no wait when we went. Despite my frustrations with the pricing, I will probably still go when the craving hits.

I've had Dae Ho once before by takeout but this was my first time eating in. PRO TIP: you can sign up for the waitlist on Yelp. Make sure to keep checking it because a five minute difference can change the wait from 30 mins to over an hour! Luckily our wait was only 30 mins on a Friday night. They have a good system going on where once you check in with the host, you also order your food so make sure to have your order ready! The final minutes of waiting for you table, they're prepping your food so once you sit down, the foods all ready! We were walked to our table and the interior had a really cool vibe. We were surprised to find out there's a whole back seating area, more than what you see when you just enter. We ordered a Kalbijjim with added noodles and also ordered suyuk! The beef in the Kalbijjim was really tender and pretty much falling off the bone. It went really well with the purple rice. The suyuk was perfect for the cold weather outside. The servers were super on top of it, constantly clearing tables quickly and also checking in on us. The service here is the best! I definitely recommend eating Dae Ho and even more coming and eating in!

Daeho has only gotten more popular since the pandemic! It's the perfect place for friends gathering and food sharing. Besides their famous galbijjim, I highly recommend their beef broth soup. You can ask for refills! Service is also attentive, but they are super busy most nights. So get on the waitlist early!

First time to Daeho on a double date. I loved it and will be coming back (will try their Milpitas location which is closer to me than San Mateo) for sure! We ordered the main dish #1 Kalbijjim large, with cheese, and the #6 Suyuk (ask for broth refills). We were so caught up in the delicious food that we didn't even order drinks! Just had water. We joined the Yelp waitlist when we parked, pre-ordered with the hostess, and were seated in less than 10 minutes on a Saturday. Out the door for four people tax and tip was $200 and left with leftovers packed nicely.