Gen Korean BBQ

Korean restaurant · Middlesex County

Gen Korean BBQ

Korean restaurant · Middlesex County

1

1763 NJ-27, Edison, NJ 08817

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Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null
Gen Korean BBQ by null

Highlights

Korean BBQ with grilled tableside meats, banchan, and unique flavors  

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1763 NJ-27, Edison, NJ 08817 Get directions

genkoreanbbq.com

$30–50 · Menu

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1763 NJ-27, Edison, NJ 08817 Get directions

+1 201 201 8461
genkoreanbbq.com
thegenkoreanbbqhouse

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 10, 2025

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@eater

The Restaurants Behind Korean Barbecue’s Exciting Next Wave | Eater

"A prominent all-you-can-eat chain that helped popularize the affordable, abundance-driven model of Korean barbecue in the U.S., offering flat-fee, limitless slabs of meat and communal tabletop grilling that appeals beyond the Korean diaspora by delivering quantity and value in a convivial, smoke-filled atmosphere accompanied by soju, beer, and banchan." - Cathy Park

https://www.eater.com/23996994/korean-barbecue-modern-cote-san-ho-won-jeju
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Nicholas Clare

Google
We had such an amazing first experience at GEN! The service was fantastic! They were attentive and explained the menu, gave suggestions, and really helped us through our experience! The food was amazingly delicious! I was blown away by the different meat cuts as well as the crispy tonkatsu. The sides of kimchi were so delicious. This place is large enough for big gatherings or more intimate booths for a date night out. 10/10, can’t wait to go back!

Des KF

Google
I love Korean BBQ and couldn't wait to try this restaurant! When I arrived and I parked in the lot for the plaza. I walked into a nice restaurant. Jade was my server, and she was great. This spot is BYOB. I ordered: Zero proof Lemon Capri Blueberry mint lemonade Glass Noodles Korean Fried Chicken Premium Marbling marinated short rib Wagyu Pollo Asado Cajun shrimp I loved the food and the Korean fried chicken, and the short rib was my favorite! All in all, I had a great experience!

Annas Alhayek

Google
I had an incredible experience at Gen BBQ! The premium meat options were absolutely top-tier — tender, flavorful, and perfectly marinated. You can really taste the quality. What made the night even better was our server, Carlos. He was friendly, attentive, and made sure our grill was always stocked and perfectly timed. His recommendations were spot on, and his service truly elevated the whole meal. This spot is a must try, I'll definitely be coming back!

Cheng Hua

Google
probably the worst restaurant in the H Mart plaza. Everything tastes like plastic. Meat are not real meat, taste really weird. really bad service as well. i don’t know if the waiter think i am stupid or something. never gets me my order, always kept me waiting for longer than 15min whenever i wanted anything. when you order multiple things, they secretly make the size smaller. do not recommend. anything else in the h mart plaza is better than this. tried most of the things on the menu. not a single thing was good. really bad experience.

Niluka Udugampola

Google
Been Twice Already and Definitely Going Back Gen Korean BBQ in Edison is one of those places where you could go over and over and still not get tired of it. The menu is massive — they have everything. All kinds of beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and even more unique options like ox intestine or beef tongue if you’re in the mood to try something different. There’s so much variety that it’s honestly hard to decide what to order first. What makes it even better is everything is unlimited, so you can try as much as you want without holding back. I went for the Premium option (it’s an extra $20 per person), and it was absolutely worth it. You get access to all the top-tier cuts and dishes: • Premium Marinated Long Bone Short Rib Steak • Premium Marbling Center Cut Marinated Short Rib (limited to two orders per person — make sure to get it!) • Premium Wagyu, buttery and incredibly tender • Premium Cajun Shrimp, packed with flavor • Al Pastor and Carne Asada, both well-seasoned and delicious • And the Premium Taco Sampler, which comes with Carne Asada, Al Pastor, Pollo Asado, and Cajun Shrimp, plus unlimited tortillas to build your own tacos at the table. They also have a bunch of cooked appetizers, which is a great way to start. I tried the crispy calamari and the fried pork tonkatsu with cheese inside, and both were really good. The tonkatsu especially stood out — crispy outside, with the melty cheese inside giving it such a nice twist. I ended up making my own stir-fry at the table too, using the assorted vegetable platter and the Premium Wagyu. It came out so good that people walking by actually stopped to ask me what I made. It’s fun to play around and build your own combinations while you cook. They also offer a build-your-own K-Ramyun, which is like Korean-style ramen. I added cheese, jalapeño, and dumplings to mine, and it was seriously comforting. Spicy, cheesy, and a perfect balance to all the grilled meats. On top of that, they bring out traditional banchan (side dishes), which adds even more variety to the table, and they have a whole range of sauces you can order to mix things up. The service has been great both times I’ve visited — the staff is friendly, attentive, and keeps everything moving without feeling rushed. And for dessert, they serve this Korean pancake that’s crispy on the outside, dusted with powdered sugar, and has a dense, chewy inside that reminds me of mochi. It’s filled with warm brown sugar, and while it’s not fluffy like a zeppole, the texture and powdered sugar give you that same kind of feel. I liked it so much I ordered a second one right away. Overall, Gen is just a really fun place to eat. The unlimited options, the chance to get creative with your food, and the great service make it a spot I keep wanting to go back to. I’ve already been twice, and I know I’ll be back again soon.

Xuemeng Li

Google
So happy that we decided to give this place a try, despite all the negative reviews. We had a great experience on a Friday night! They are quite unique as a Korean BBQ restaurant - very different from the cliche type of Korean BBQ all-you-can-eat restaurants. Unlike the old picnic garden who marinated all the meat in the same sauce, every BBQ meat dish here at GEN we tried had its unique flavor. Garlic, rosemary, honey soy - very strong smell when you cook the meat, and the scent really comes through when you bite into the meat. I love the sauce plate: matcha salt, sesame oil, and sweet soy sauce. Our waitress Ashley was extremely knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly. She also gave us pickled radish, green salad, and spicy soy paste to complement meats and the combination worked very well. I forgot to take photos of their soup but the recipe was so distinctive in a better way. For apps, the cheese filled pork chop and KFC were impressive. As long as you stay away from the rice stick, you will be fine. Many negative reviews attacked their policy of ordering: unlimited rounds, but each round could only order 2 apps and 4 meat items. Negative reviews mentioned that each time they don’t give big portions. In fact, we found the policy for ordering quite reasonable. Since they don’t rush you to finish, you can cook your own food at a reasonable pace, not worrying the thin sliced beef defrosting too quickly by the hot pan. As we eat slow, we actually get to taste more. In total, we tasted 19 items from the menu. We finished everything we ordered and did not waste any food or drinks. We will come back with more friends. I hope food lovers will put down the fixed image you had on Korean BBQ and really enjoy the flavor and pace of eating this restaurant has to offer.

Alex

Google
I've been visiting this place since the Pre-opening and rest assured each time it got worse. First visit was 10/10 but as of today it is 4/10 at best. No banchan when the food arrived. When asked I was told "yeah, I can bring it to you". Out of 8 beef options 6 were "not available", which only learned this later. Instead they just randomly substituted two beef dishes with a pork without saying anything. The empty plates have been standing on the table for a good 30 minutes. The rice looks like milk rice, mushy and gooey. I had to request a new grilling pate as the smoke was making my eyes tear up and nobody would change it despite a cloud of smoke around the table. When they finally changed the plate, they didn't bother to turn on the grill. All in all a complete disregard to customer, a ton of food missing from the "all you can eat" menu and misrepresentation of food menu. I believe this was the last time I went here.

Nikhil More

Google
Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect when my friends suggested Gen Korean BBQ for dinner last night, but I'm SO glad we went! The moment we walked in, I was hit with that amazing sizzling meat smell that made my stomach growl instantly. First off, the vibe here is really cool - modern with these blue lights that make everything feel kind of upscale but still fun. We had to wait about 10 minutes (totally worth it though!) and the hostess was super nice about updating us. Our table had this built-in grill that became our entertainment for the night - cooking our own food was half the fun! Our server (I think his name was Mike?) was absolutely fantastic! You could tell he genuinely enjoyed his job. When I mentioned I'd never had Korean BBQ before, he took extra time explaining everything without making me feel stupid. He kept checking on our grill and showing us exactly when to flip the meat - total lifesaver since I would've definitely burned everything on my own! The meat selection... just wow. Everything was so fresh! The beef literally melted in my mouth, and don't even get me started on that spicy pork belly - I'm still dreaming about it. Those little side dishes (banchan?) kept coming and coming - the kimchi was spicy but not overwhelming. For an all-you-can-eat place, I was shocked at the quality. Usually unlimited food means mediocre quality, but not here! $32.99 per person might sound like a lot at first, but considering how much amazing food we had (and how full we were after), it felt like a steal. Pro tip: Save room for the marinated beef - it was the last thing we tried and almost missed out on it completely. Also, those little lettuce wraps with the meat and sauce? Game changer! This place has totally ruined other all-you-can-eat spots for me. Can't wait to go back!
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Paul P.

Yelp
Good food and a good deal, could almost just leave it at that. I'm usually not a fan of AYCE because I feel I'm subsidizing people that can eat a lot in a sitting, because I sure can't! But for the strong variety of things you can get and for the quality for this price is pretty fantastic. I mean you can easily spend $20 or so on a katsu or fried shrimp dish alone in restaurants. With that said, I only wished the batter on their fried things, such as their KFC and the fish katsu, was a bit lighter and thinner. But not like they're being weighted and charged by the ounce, so whatever. The thinly sliced brisket and bulgogi were my favorite choices. The banchans were all pretty solid, especially considering that a lot of AYCE places sometimes neglect having any, and they even have Korean-style potato salad (mashed potato salad). The daengjang jjigae was legit and the double dragon shrimps are hopefully here to stay. The sauce for KFC is good, but I feel proper Korean fried chicken should have a thin batter and double-fried, which unintuitively makes it less greasy (this wasn't oily, but did have a more fast-food style batter). It was pretty crunchy though so honestly just a preference. Kimchi fried rice was good. Fish tempura was a bit dry, but was a solid piece of white fish. Hotteok came out piping hot and fresh. Our server was pretty good as well. We didn't get the premium upgrade this time around, but the meat selection did seem worth it if you're picky about your meat and what you'd pay elsewhere for a serving of a similar cut and quality. That said, I wish they added some premium sides to the premium selection, such as gyeranjjim (steamed egg), naengmyun, and/or kimchi jjigae. But we're nitpicking here with how many things there is to eat! Overall, I'd probably return when I get the chance.
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Jo W.

Yelp
I was here last Sunday for dinner with family and friends. The place was not busy at all. I wished I had read these bad reviews before eating here. I totally agree the meat quality is way below average. We ordered the premium option and the meat are NOT premium. Definitely not!! The food was very disappointing and it was such a waste of money. Everything was awful! The meat was chewy, had no flavor at all. And wagyu? Haha what a joke! The shrimp was part of the premium option and it was not fresh. I had one piece and had stomach issues for 2 days. We also ordered the chicken and calamari for appetizers and it was all breading and again NO flavor! Ordered a tofu soup and it was warm water with chili paste. Nothing about this place would make us go back even If they paid us.
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Michelle F.

Yelp
We came here the other night. The food is great -- delicious. The service was pretty good, but can be improved. Reasonably priced. Sometimes, they forget your order. I did like how they serve based on rounds so you aren't over ordering. The place seems somewhat disorganized, but overall there's a lot of space between each table. Seems either understaffed or disorganized. The ambiance seems somewhat dark and cold looking compared to other Korean barbecue spots I've been to. Price wise -- the regular dinner menu is just fine. Plenty of options. I have been to the Las Vegas location and there were more offerings than this spot, but this spot is still very reasonably priced when it comes to the regular dinner menu. We really liked the: Spicy Samgyubsal - nice cut. I like it! Honey chicken - we love this!! spicy calamari - I actually liked this at this location than the one I had in LV. soondooboo soup - great! I gotta have my soup. corn cheese - you gotta have this as a dip. K-Gochujang Beef Belly -- really tasty, we preferred this over the premium chadol because of the flavor. I wouldn't order the Korean fried chicken again though. It was too doughy. Calamari rings and double dragon (new offering) were good fried foods, but I get it... when you go to a buffet, the rule is to not eat rice, starch, or fried foods. The food was good and we wish we got to try more, but we were full by round 3. In the end, I would come back for the food.
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Lianne Melissa O.

Yelp
I'm a big fan of AYCE KBBQ but I think this place fell short compared to what I'm used to. Banchans were nothing special. Having to pay additional $20 for premium menu was not really worth it when there was maybe only 3 things that were worth it (long bone short rib steak, premium wagyu, center cut short rib) Everything else was overwhelming because there's so many options. Service was also pretty slow considering it was not crowded and there wasn't many people. We went around 3pm on a weekday. We found ourselves having to wait around for the grill to be changed. Overall, I don't think I'd go back. I feel like there are better KBBQ in the area.
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Julia L.

Yelp
Good quality meat and diversity of options. When you sit down, they tell you to start with a round of appetizers, but that's optional- you can (and should) start ordering meat right away. Something interesting I didn't expect is the thinness of some of the meats, e.g. the rolls of beef pictured below (along the lines of what you would expect at hotpot). They cook faster and taste good though, so no complaints there. Service seemed a bit touch and go. It was a bit hard to get our server's attention, even though the place was definitely not busy when we were there. Perhaps a bit of growing pains due to it being a fairly new/revamped restaurant.
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Wt W.

Yelp
The quality of the meat seems Mid. Plus the dishes don't even taste like other Korean. Restaurants I been to. Meat had no flavor and some were already turning brown, which means it was sitting out somewhere! Nvr will go back... $200 for 4 ppl!
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Desiree F.

Yelp
I love Korean BBQ and couldn't wait to try this restaurant! When I arrived and I parked in the lot for the plaza. I walked into a nice restaurant. Jade was my server and she was great. This spot is BYOB. I ordered: Zero proof Lemon Capri Blueberry mint lemonade Glass Noodles Korean Fried Chicken Premium Marbling marinated short rib Wagyu Pollo Asado Cajun shrimp I loved the food and the Korean Fried Chicken and the short rib was my favorite! All in all I had a great experience!
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Tony P.

Yelp
Went to have AYCE lunch here on a weekday. The meat is freshly marinated. My first time here. Very nice and helpful serving staff. This place took a big decor changed as compared to the original Korean BBQ owner, updated smoking ventilation, lighting effects were upgraded and very clean.
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Mickie K.

Yelp
I was really looking forward to trying Gen Korean BBQ, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. The all-you-can-eat meat selection sounded great on paper, but the quality was underwhelming at best. Several cuts were tough, chewy, and lacked flavor. not what I expected from a place that specializes in BBQ. What really sealed the disappointing experience was the service. I had to ask just to get a glass of water. For a restaurant that expects you to sit and grill for a while, you'd think they'd be more attentive with basics like that. Not sure I'd come back anytime soon. There are definitely better Korean BBQ spots out there with higher quality meats and more attentive service.
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Karen K.

Yelp
Overall experience is just ok, nothing special to rave about. This place hasn't been open for all that long so we purposefully waited a bit before going. Upon arriving on a Friday night, we were seated immediately. I was surprised that it wasn't all that busy as I'm used to new places being packed. The waiter explained to us how there were 2 menu options for all you can eat; the regular dinner for around $30 or for an additional $20, there was a deluxe menu with higher quality meats like bone in rb and wagyu. Since this was our first time, we opted for the regular dinner because my thought process was, if a place isn't at least decent for the regular price, i would not pay for deluxe. When ordering, you were only allowed to order 4 meats and 2 appetizers at a time. We thought that would be ok but when they brought out the meats, the portion size was so small that we thought they should of allowed us to order more. The meat flavorings weren't anything special compared to other buffet places. We were excited to see that they had korean fried chicken as one of the appetizers but when it came out, we were very disappointed. Pieces were small and overly coated with sauce, not to mention that a lof of the pieces were nothing but fried breading. They also did not have the option of having lettuce to wrap the meats in which made eating just meat to be quite heavy. The only options they had were radish and rice paper but they had run out of radishes. Our waiter was very nice but in regards to service and being that they weren't all that busy, i thought it could of been better. It took a while for us to flag down our waiter to order more food and the fact that each order was so small, it really turned us off from wanting to return. Overall, not a very good experience for a place that we were super excited to try. Especially since the place it took over, Picnic Garden, was one of my favorite places. It would be nice if they had some self serve options, especially for the sides. As for ambiance, the interior is nicely decorated and clean. There are plenty of booth seats and well as big tables and the best thing was the huge exhaust system they had to pull out all the smoke. That was one thing that I appreciated. i
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Lina L.

Yelp
We came for dinner on a Friday around 6pm and it wasn't too busy but was filling up by the time we left (7:30pm). The staff are super friendly and our server was attentive. We got the regular dinner but you can pay $20 extra for the premium dinner menu. The regular dinner had a huge assortment. We liked most of the things we ordered especially any of the pork belly items. Drinks are really affordable and their lemonade/flavored tea are bottomless. The place itself is huge and super spacious. Even the tables are large enough to fit a group of people. We absolutely loved this place!
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Ivan B.

Yelp
Came here on a Thursday night for an earlier dinner and it was not too crowded but filled up as it got towards 7pm. The interior is much more sleek and modern than the old Picnic Garden. There is no self serve section and everything is brought to you a la carte by your server. When we sat down the waitress bright over some banchan which was decent but there wasn't too much variety. We opted for the premium menu and decided to only order from the premium section to get our moneys worth. We tried the ribeye, brisket, long bone galbi, marinated galbi, and carne asada. I would recommend everything except the carne asada. Also tried the kimchi cheese fried rice. The ribeye nicely marbled and very tender. The brisket also has a good amount a fat and melted in your mouth. The long bone galbi had a sweet marinade but wasn't too overpowering. This cut was slightly chewier but still tender. The marinated short rib was probably our favorite cut there. It had the sweet galbi marinade that everyone is familiar with that caramelized nicely on the grill and the meat itself was beefy and tender. The carne asada was decent but not memorable. We ordered it because our waitress recommended it but I would not get it again. Lastly the kimchi cheese fried rice was okay. It was very rich and kind of overpowering which took away from the flavors of the meats. One thing that I would stop me from coming back is I noticed that there may be different qualities in meat. We ordered two orders of the ribeye and the first one was excellent as I described above where as the second one seemed less marbled and much chewier. I definitely want to give this place another try as there are other menu items I didn't get to try that I would like to. For all you can eat the quality is pretty high. I just hope they stay consistent.
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Marvin S.

Yelp
Ambiance :8/10 The restaurant interior looks updated and modernized. Low light setting, and not your usual Korean pop music playing. Their choice in music was modern day hip hop and r&b which I found a nice change . Service: 10/10 Since they are a recently opened restaurant it's honestly going to be hard to say their service is poor. Hostess down to the server were very friendly and helpful. I want to see like 5/6 months down the line if the service still holds up and if they are still highly attentive and quick. Food: 8/10 The food was good . It came out relatively quick. The premium ribeye was good , pork cheek was good along with the center cut short rib and wagyu. The Wagyu and center cut short rib though was cut super super thin , to the point we were all like that's it ?? We also ordered cuts of pork belly; and I dunno if it was just us, but the pork belly cuts were more fatty and less meat if that makes sense . For the most part ,everything tasted good. However some things I found strange were that the restaurant did not have the usual banchan staples such as radish, the steamed egg , or even leaves of lettuce to use as wrapping on menu. Also this AYCE restaurant makes you pay $20 dollars more to access the " Premium " menu items . I went for dinner so dinner is $30.00 dollars and they wanted $20.00 dollars more to gain access to the " Premium dinner " which was an additional 13 menu items only . This place was good but not great . Not having the staple sides that you can find normally at a Korean restaurant is a turn off. And that extra 20 for premium tier access is a turn off too . I think I'll stay going to butcher 360 for now . Their meats a a lot better and there's no pay wall to access premium tier items.
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Sandy N.

Yelp
For a new Korean BBQ chain restaurant, it's a meh for me. I expected more from this place. Came here on a Saturday at noon. The ambiance of the place was nice. Opted for the regular dinner all you can eat, which was about $32 per person. Saw the additional $20 for the premium menu but did not go for it because I thought it was not worth it. Once you get your drinks, start ordering round of appetizers and meats. We were only allowed to choose 4 at a time but the portions were decent. The first around of appetizer took about 40 minutes to arrive. Different server looked confuse of which table to deliver the appetizer to. But the meat section arrives decent time. There not much option for the vegetables section. Not even lettuces alone to make a wrap with the meat. I tried the calamari rings, and it wasn't that great. It had a very fishy taste to it like it was not fresh. Seafood section is disappointing. There is only shrimp that is good, and I did not want to try the calamari since the appetizer one was bad. The meat section is decent but not great. There's like 6 different marinates for pork bellies. The only good meat was the sirloin, short rib, beef bulgogi, and pork cheek. Service was slow considering it was not crowded and there weren't many people. It was a bit hard to get our server's attention. It took a while for water to be refill. Overall, not planning to go back. There are better Korean BBQ in the area with the same price with more on the menu.
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Steph R.

Yelp
The place looked new and everything looked nice, dim lighting intimate tables with one grill. The servers were attentive and made good recommendations. We opted for the basic dinner all you can eat which was about $32 per person. The quality of the meat was just okay. The rolls of meat would stick to the grill making the meat get an odd texture. We did leave extremely full and couldn't taste the dessert. I really enjoyed the beef ribs and Korean fried chicken. I would visit again since it's inexpensive for what you get.
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Jonathan C.

Yelp
Extra star for a new establishment which still has potential to fix itself. Opted for the regular dinner menu, we were only allowed to choose 4 at a time but the portions was tiny. Honestly this was how picnic garden failed. Also the quality of the meat was very mediocre. For this day and age quality is important. Would rather go to Butcher360.
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Will B.

Yelp
Came in & left. The staff were friendly & funny, but admittedly they told they were out of a lot of the meats. Literally saying "Yeah, sorry, we don't have anything." Not literally, but a lot. Especially the meats that we wanted. Cool vibe, nice looking place, but Oh well. They got 3 stars this trip.
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Brian L.

Yelp
It's not exactly good but it's not the worst thing ever. If you're used to places in Ktown, Fort Lee or Flushing, you will be sadly disappointed at Gen Korean. While the place is huge and the menu is massive, nothing is particularly good. Bonchon is weak, there is no fermented bean paste, and the classic dishes are bad. You have to question the establishment if they have carne asada or al pastor on the menu. Might be delicious for others but it's not for me. People on the other hand are wonderful.
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Lauren S.

Yelp
now open! with multiple restaurants in usa, this is the first one to open in nj. this all you can eat korean bbq spot is worth all the hype. from premium wagyu to the premium marbling center cut marinated short rib-there is so much to choose from. there are two options-regular menu or the premium menu. the premium menu is totally worth it, there are so many premium cuts to choose from and it's all you can eat! premium ribeye premium wagyu premium marinated long bone short rib steak beef bulgogi- marinated prime chuck roll spicy samgyubsal-marinated spicy pork belly cheese kimchi fried rice
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Niluka U.

Yelp
Been Twice Already and Definitely Going Back Gen Korean BBQ in Edison is one of those places where you could go over and over and still not get tired of it. The menu is massive -- they have everything. All kinds of beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and even more unique options like ox intestine or beef tongue if you're in the mood to try something different. There's so much variety that it's honestly hard to decide what to order first. What makes it even better is everything is unlimited, so you can try as much as you want without holding back. I went for the Premium option (it's an extra $20 per person), and it was absolutely worth it. You get access to all the top-tier cuts and dishes: * Premium Marinated Long Bone Short Rib Steak * Premium Marbling Center Cut Marinated Short Rib (limited to two orders per person -- make sure to get it!) * Premium Wagyu, buttery and incredibly tender * Premium Cajun Shrimp, packed with flavor * Al Pastor and Carne Asada, both well-seasoned and delicious * And the Premium Taco Sampler, which comes with Carne Asada, Al Pastor, Pollo Asado, and Cajun Shrimp, plus unlimited tortillas to build your own tacos at the table. They also have a bunch of cooked appetizers, which is a great way to start. I tried the crispy calamari and the fried pork tonkatsu with cheese inside, and both were really good. The tonkatsu especially stood out -- crispy outside, with the melty cheese inside giving it such a nice twist. I ended up making my own stir-fry at the table too, using the assorted vegetable platter and the Premium Wagyu. It came out so good that people walking by actually stopped to ask me what I made. It's fun to play around and build your own combinations while you cook. They also offer a build-your-own K-Ramyun, which is like Korean-style ramen. I added cheese, jalapeño, and dumplings to mine, and it was seriously comforting. Spicy, cheesy, and a perfect balance to all the grilled meats. On top of that, they bring out traditional banchan (side dishes), which adds even more variety to the table, and they have a whole range of sauces you can order to mix things up. The service has been great both times I've visited -- the staff is friendly, attentive, and keeps everything moving without feeling rushed. And for dessert, they serve this Korean pancake that's crispy on the outside, dusted with powdered sugar, and has a dense, chewy inside that reminds me of mochi. It's filled with warm brown sugar, and while it's not fluffy like a zeppole, the texture and powdered sugar give you that same kind of feel. I liked it so much I ordered a second one right away. Overall, Gen is just a really fun place to eat. The unlimited options, the chance to get creative with your food, and the great service make it a spot I keep wanting to go back to. I've already been twice, and I know I'll be back again soon.
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Nathan L.

Yelp
Best Korean BBQ around! Have tried several others and they don't compare. Food is flavorful, great ambiance, and servers are always attentive. I'm not looking around anymore- this will be my go to spot from now on.
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Esther T.

Yelp
Pro: the decor looks good, newly renovated. Clean bathroom. Service was good. Meat quality was good for the price. Plenty of parking space. Con: the little side dishes came with the meal were not adequate. Both lacking variety and quantity. There were not enough choices in the menu besides meat. The 2 soups were like Mexican chili added water, didn't taste like Asian food. There was only one dessert and had peanut in it. We have somebody in the group with peanut allergy, so we didn't have the dessert. Bottom line is great value for a mainly meat dinner.
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Jennifer N.

Yelp
Have You Ever Experienced Korean BBQ Like This? If you're looking for a fun, interactive dining experience, Gen Korean BBQ House in Edison is a must-visit! With multiple locations across the U.S., it's so exciting that they've finally made their way to Edison, New Jersey--and trust me, it's a game-changer. From the moment we sat down, we were treated to an amazing spread of classic Korean sides--pickled onions, kimchi, radishes, and spicy cucumbers--setting the stage for an unforgettable meal. We kicked things off with kimchi fried rice, followed by a fresh, crisp salad, cheesy pork katsu, and some delicious dumplings. But the real highlight? Grilling up premium meats--I went all in and chose the premium meat package, and it did not disappoint. We started with a beautifully marbled Wagyu, a long bone short rib, a marinated short rib, and a ribeye--and let me tell you, that ribeye was so good, I had to order it again! To go with it, we also threw some Cajun shrimp on the grill, which added a perfect kick. Everything cooked up beautifully, making the experience even more exciting. To complement the meal, I sipped on refreshing mocktail spritzers--blue lemonade, dragon fruit, and pineapple wine--all vibrant and delicious. And because I couldn't get enough, I went back for round two with more ribeye and some pollo asada. By the end of the meal, I was completely stuffed, with no room for another bite. Whether you're going with friends, family, or for a unique date night, Gen Korean BBQ House is absolutely worth checking out! Watch the full video experience on @foodaholicnj
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Yixin L.

Yelp
Went for dinner and the server was really nice. For an extra $20 per person, you can add on the premium menu. They had 5 different side dishes. One of favorites was the pork chop. It's delicious and super soft when hot so kids can eat it easily; they liked it even more than chicken. The galbi was seasoned well and delicious. The spicy ribs were definitely very spicy. The one thing I was disappointed in was their soup. I had both of them. Instead of traditional Korean tasting soup, it tasted like Mexican spices and very salty. I was looking forward to the usual Korean tofu soup but instead met with very little tofu, lots of bell peppers and zucchini and tortilla tasting soup. The kids and I also liked their dessert. Very chewy with red bean inside. The inside of the restaurant was pretty dark with a light per table, but I wish it was a bit brighter inside.
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Kimberlie C.

Yelp
Rating this bc it's an established chain. It's still in its soft opening. Despite that, service was smooth and super attentive. A+. Unfortunately, my rating is coming from menu preference -- for $30+, I just want non-marinated options. It's hard to gauge the meat quality because the sauciness messes with the texture/makes it mushy, and it causes you to need to change out the grill more. But the biggest point of dissatisfaction was the sides. Yes, we're here for bbq, but we were itching for tteokbokki. They were cold, dry, and split. We tried the japchae -- a whole lot of noodle but the only veg was red bell pepper and onion. We were hopeful for the hotteok as a sweet cap to the meal. It was a little warmer than room temp, clearly reheated from frozen. Maybe this is a chain issue? Not super willing to drop money here again, especially in this plaza, where there are lots of food options.
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Rose F.

Yelp
All the food was amazing and the server James was amazing m.. we are from Maine and will definitely be back.
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Imani L.

Yelp
Okay so this place was cool. I was excited because of the area it's in but I have to be honest, competent to other KBBQ places, this location could improve a bit. To start with what they're doing that's really good-- I'll say the servers were sweet, the vibe & music are chefs kiss, and the just overall seating is super cute. But when it comes to the price for premium dishes vs regular dining, there's literally no huge difference. And for a $20 jump you would expect one. The veggie options are the most disappointing I've ever experienced at a KBBQ spot. The veggies were literally red and green bell peppers, and 2 slices of zucchini, couple of onion slices? and 1/4 of a slice of pineapple. Typically, customers get fresh spinach, bok choy, mushrooms, but here there's none of that. They do offer a fresh salad that looks like regular salad mix but other than that, I was really disappointed by the vegetables. Next the food. The meats were good but everything was just so sweet. Even the spicy dishes were sweet with in was strange for me. Like why does a spicy chicken dish taste like a dash of barbecue sauce? I didn't love that. I guess they're appealing to more American pallets but that's just disappointing when you're excited to have a true KBBQ experience. Overall, as I said earlier it's cool but there's just improvements that could make a world of a difference.

Jessica S.

Yelp
Really great new all you can eat bbq spot! Really big menu of AYCE items - both to grill and to be served. The servers were very nice and patient. And it's BYOB!
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Michael H.

Yelp
Went today for an early dinner. Not crowded at all. No alcohol, yet. It's still somewhat of a soft opening. I've been to at least 7 different Gen Korean bbq in cali and Hawaii. They pretty much all taste the same and have the same menu. Still high quality. No rice paper today, that was sad. Big pieces of meat, (that's what she said), steak and pork belly. Will come back again when it's after the grand opening around Chinese new year. Hopefully the wait time isn't as crazy as the ones in cali. 90 mins to 2 hours for a table during peak hours. Hopefully this yelp page will add a wait list, like the other Gens, as the place will get more popular and way more busy. Gen is still my favorite kbbq places to get my ayce fix.

Tiep H.

Yelp
Been here 4 times and each time it gets worst. This is NOT a buffet. When ordering, the table is only allowed to order 4 meats at a time. The portion that comes out is very little. Example we ordered the bbq ribs. Only 2 ribs came out for 4 diners. Asked our waiter to bring out more with the order and we were told 1) only allowed 2 pieces per order 2) running low on Kalbi beef ribs 3) not available. Once you finish eating your orders, it's hard to get attention of a waiter to order more food. The banchan were very limited and no lettuce for wrapping. Radish wraps were always out. Same with rice paper wraps. The last time we were there I had to have a talk with the manager as we were not able to get enough meats to grill and eat. Orders were coming out late or missing orders. Missing water. Missing meat orders. For an AYCE KBBQ this misses the mark. The first time we went. We elected for the upgrade. Our first order of the prime ribeye was ok. Ordered the second serving and the steak that came out was not a ribeye, but looked like a cut of chuck steak and much smaller in size. Same with the long pork with bone. All fat. Ordered the sliced wagyu and got only 6 slices. Place is big with lots of tables. Not enough staff on some nights. Waiters and cleaners were never around. Hard to get a hold to reorder. One time we were sitting there grilling garlic! Could not get our waiter to order more grilling meats. Parking during prime time is so hard to find in this complex. This KBBQ AYCE is not worth it. The old place was much better in terms of food (meats and banchan) serving staff, Korean atmosphere and overall worth.

Young J. L.

Yelp
On Sunday, July 13, 2025, 28 of us from our Korean church gathered at Gen Korean BBQ House for a mini BBQ feast -- and what an experience it was! We went all in with the premium package, and it did not disappoint. We kicked things off with thin slider Wagyu Chadolbaegi, moved on to juicy ribeye steak, and then marinated LONG bone short ribs...with sweet garlic sauce. It was absolutely divine. Our server James? A legend. Handling a group of 28 picky eaters with incredible efficiency -- he made it look easy (it wasn't). He remembered every request, kept the grills sizzling, and somehow never lost his cool. He deserves 20% tip just for surviving us. The salad was fresh, side dishes were flavorful, and the sauces were on point. We ended with some spicy and satisfying K-ramen, followed by sweet, chewy hotteok for dessert. A perfect ending to a perfect meal. The quality of the food -- especially the premium meat -- was outstanding. We'll definitely be back. Thank you Gen Korean BBQ House and James for such a memorable, mouthwatering experience.

May C.

Yelp
James the waiter made us familiar with the food selection.meat food are awesome. Service is fast. Highly recommend. Ambiance is awesome.
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Christopher P.

Yelp
Service is outstanding . Going into lunch, price was worth it for ayce . Unlimited meats and 2 appetizers for 20 bucks . Ambience is nice and trendy . Food Is amazing . Would recommend.

Noelani D.

Yelp
Service is top notch. Food is amazing, definitely go for the premium. Sides are great. A little pricey, but well worth the extra for premium meats. They are definitely flavorful.

Greg T.

Yelp
I've been to Gen Korean bbq in Vegas and Manhattan and was craving some no fuss Korean bbq. Our server James was attentive and kind. Despite dining at an off peak hour, the hospitality was great. If you're looking for some AYCE Korean bbq, it's worth it.
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Julie L.

Yelp
Celebrated Mother's Day with premium AYCE! It was fun and super filling! Premium is so worth it as the Long Bone Short rib Steak, Premium marinated short rib and Carne asada are a must have! The food was great, but the service was non-stop! Carlos was terrific and always stopping in to add to our order and make sure we were ok. Such great fun!
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Kelly W.

Yelp
Ameer took really good care of my family and I. He's very attentive and patient. He was able to provide good recommendations and delivered good service.
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Marsha S.

Yelp
The food was great, the ambiance really got upgraded and our waiter Avery was amazing. He kindly explained the menu and provided outstanding customer service. We will be back.
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Victoria L.

Yelp
good food + good service from Sinar! she was so sweet!they let you order 2 apps and 4 meats each round, and the quality of meat is great for all-you-can-eat!
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Elaine M.

Yelp
Excellent overall! We all loved the food and BBQ, but I especially enjoyed the fun and delicious drinks so we're coming back just so I can try other drinks

Null L.

Yelp
First time visiting this location with the new ownership (we visited many times when it was called "picnic garden"). The floor was slippery, felt greasy and AC was weak. Service was super slow. Portions are small. For a table of five we got a 4x one person portion of meat. Appetizers arrived well after the second round of meats. Banchan was 4 tiny plates (again for 5 people). The banchan potatoes salad was a liquidly mash potatoes. Dessert was sweet pancakes that were fried lightly on the outside but raw on the inside. Will not return and will recommend all my friends to skip this location.
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Kevin J.

Yelp
The service was great. The waiters and waitresses were super friendly but the food was horrible. I began having stomach issues the night I went there and still not doing great this morning. I don't recommend going here.

Doily B.

Yelp
First time being at this location and Ameer made the experience very enjoyable. He came back often to check in and made sure we had everything we needed. He explained the process and made some delicious recommendations. The place has a very nice ambience and very well up kept. Will come back soon!

Matthew S.

Yelp
Food was great, service was good too! They let you get multiple rounds at once which is legit Also the wagu is to die for!

Carlos S.

Yelp
Amazing Service! Jade was very helpful in deciding what to recommended and for us to try. She was quick and took very good care of us and the food was great as well.

John Randal C.

Yelp
Nice renovation of the former picnic garden. Service was slow. Food is not great; serving size was small. I expected more from this new chain Korean bbq restaurant. I still like the picnic garden which allows you to pick the food you want to cook and the waiters were assisting with the cooking and they really good with changing the grill periodically. Just go to Butcher360 in north Brunswick; it's worth the money.

Nicole L.

Yelp
We came in for dinner and got the premium (recommended by our server). honestly, i was a little hesitant on getting it but the longbone had to be my favorite cut on the menu! it's probably the thickest cut of meat on the menu and having it medium rare was such a good choice! also, the fact that they had ribeyes as well which are usually 20$ at the supermarket rlly sold it for me. I was kind of bummed they didn't have lettuce wrap, but the server offered me the salad with no dressing and honestly, it was a really good alternative. the rice paper was also so cool. i've never tried that before at a kbbq. I was debating between going to gen or butcher360, and i have to say, im glad i chose to come here

C M.

Yelp
We ate during weekday lunch,the place only had 3 tables occupied (ours included) Ambiance: it was ok, same setup as the old picnic garden korean bbq but seats were upholstered. each table only has 1 grill so if you had a party of 10 seated in the booth,it would take awhile to cook the food. Music was R&B and the place had dimmed lighting. it was easy to have conversations with people while eating Service was slow,the orders took awhile to leave the kitchen and was inaccurate,we missed a lot of what we ordered. we didnt receive bachan refills and we were missing the condiments (salt,sesame oil and some sauce), we asked for lettuce for wraps but was never given to us. Food was not good,and the serving portions are small. it is much better to eat at butcher360 or even at kpot. Lunch (Monday to Thursday til 3pm excluding holidays) costs 20.95 plus tax per person. if you want to order premium items its an additional $20 per person Lunch& Dinner (Friday to Sunday from 3pm to close ,including holidays) costs $30.95. Again if you want to order premium items,its an additional $20 per person Dinner (

Christine R.

Yelp
The food is very good, very delicious and the service is good as well. We had Ethan as our server and he is really attentive, I just hope he knows that we did tip him and it was one of the managers fault who helped us I don't know what she did but for some reason our tip not showing on Ethan's end. I'm so sorry Ethan we tip you 20%. And the hostess as well is very good. I forgot her name but she is very good. We are sure to be back. Love love love GEN K BBQ. Best bday.