Kalbi Social Club

If you’re looking for a next-level KBBQ experience at the Spectrum, Kalbi Social Club absolutely delivers. First off, the space is cool. It’s modern, sleek, and gives off upscale lounge vibes while still feeling welcoming. The lighting, the layout, the energy, it’s the kind of spot you can bring friends, a date, or even celebrate something special. Now let’s talk about the food. The cuts of beef are seriously impressive, beautifully marbled, high quality, and packed with flavor. Every bite tastes premium. Whether you’re grilling kalbi, ribeye, or other specialty cuts, you can tell they don’t cut corners here. Service was also on point. The staff is attentive without hovering, quick to change grills, and genuinely helpful with recommendations. It makes the whole experience feel seamless and elevated. And one of the most underrated things? The ventilation system. The vents are strong. You can enjoy all the BBQ without walking out smelling like smoke.

We ordered the Kalbi Starter Set <2 signature steakhouse cuts> $59 per person •American Wagyu Brisket •Signature Center Cut Kalbi 48hr 🇰🇷Accompaniments Included • Assorted Banchan •Crisp Scallion Salad •Fresh "Shake That" Kimchi •Kimchi Duet •Soybean Paste Stew 🥞Brisket Potato Cheese Pancake 🍚Kimchi Steak Fried Rice ✨We had the most elevated Korean barbecue experience at Kalbi Social Club and were beyond impressed by the beautiful presentation, attentive service, and high-quality dishes — from the premium meats to the flavorful starters and banchan. Everything was absolutely delicious, and I was so happy we had leftovers to enjoy later! I'd definitely come back with my fam to try more of their starters and explore even more meats. If you're in Orange County, visit Kalbi Social Club located at Irvine Spectrum Center .

Kalbi Social Club was such a pleasant surprise. Service was great from start to finish and our server was friendly and attentive. The only odd moment was that the receptionist asked for my phone number and name to put me on the Yelp waitlist even though there wasn’t a wait. Not a big issue, just unexpected. We ordered the Butcher’s Experience, kimchi fried rice, and two drinks. Everything was delicious. There were lots of side dishes and the standout for me was the fresh kimchi that they shake in a bag and then serve on a plate. The meat was tender and flavorful and the kimchi fried rice was great as well. The drinks were fun and well made. My old fashioned was served in a bowl which I didn’t expect, but it tasted great. The ambience had mood lighting and was quiet and relaxed. The restaurant is located inside the mall. We walked around first to see what was available and ended up choosing this spot. Glad we did. There’s also a parking lot which made it convenient. I would definitely come back and try more items next time.

What a fun experience at Kalbi Social Club at the Irvine Spectrum! We went in the evening for dinner and got the K - Kalbi Starter Set which comes with Wagyu brisket and Signature Center-Cut Kalbi 48 hour (and asparagus and mushrooms!), as well as banchan, scallion salad, fresh “shake that” kimchi, kimchi duet, and soybean paste stew. We also ordered the Brisket Potato Cheese Pancake and Kimchi Steak Fried Rice. Wow! Everything came out so fresh and delicious and I was in Kalbi heaven! Still dreaming about how amazing it all was! The presentation, the service, the whole experience was top notch. This is perfect for a date night or to celebrate that special occasion with a group of friends. Or if you’re just craving the best Kalbi around, go here! Make a reservation because it gets crowded!

Kalbi social club is such an underhyped kbbq spot in Irvine, how have I not heard of this spot before?? Located in the Irvine Spectrum Center, Kalbi Social offers a luxury kbbq dining experience. From its set value meals of premium cuts to their handcrafted cocktail menu inspired by Korean flavors, Kalbi Social club really nails the balance between modern vibes and comfort food. What stood out most was the quality of the meats — everything was tender, flavorful, and grilled perfectly right at the table. The banchan was fresh and thoughtfully curated, and I loved how each bite felt intentional instead of rushed. Their cocktails were also a fun surprise: creative, smooth, and the perfect complement to the richness of the barbecue. The space itself is gorgeous — sleek interiors, warm lighting, and a lively atmosphere that makes it great for date nights, group dinners, or even a celebratory meal. Service was attentive without hovering, which honestly made the whole experience even better. If you’re looking for an upscale KBBQ experience in OC that deserves way more hype, this is definitely a spot to add to your list. I’ll absolutely be coming back!

This restaurant offers a modern interpretation of traditional Korean BBQ, and my non-Korean friends truly enjoyed the experience. The galbi bar, where the meat is grilled right in front of you, was especially impressive. The regular table seating also felt comfortable and relaxed. One of the most memorable parts was the tableside kimchi, freshly shaken and prepared on the spot — a unique signature touch. The interior is stylish and modern, making it a great place for group gatherings. The A5 Wagyu, ribeye, and galbi were all excellent, and the side dishes such as doenjang stew, bibim noodles, and kimchi stone pot rice are highly recommended. Located inside the Irvine Spectrum Center, parking is convenient, and it’s easy to enjoy the area even after the meal.

The interior is modern and well designed, with a comfortable layout that works well for a social meal and casual conversation. We ordered the USD 69 per person set with sliced beef, plain short ribs, and marinated short ribs. The beef quality was good and the flavors were balanced, but the portions were small and not very filling. We added steamed egg, mushroom fried rice, soybean paste stew, and kimchi stew at USD 5 each upon the meal. All were fairly standard, without anything particularly memorable. Service was fine. The final bill came to USD 275 for three people including tip. Overall, the atmosphere is a strong point, but the value for money is low.

We made an unplanned visit on a Saturday afternoon while walking around the Irvine Spectrum. There's a low key atmosphere (at least late one weekend afternoon), and prices seem typical for Irvine. We were pleasantly surprised then when the food was delicious and service was top notch! The prices meet the value for all the food you get, the meat were good cuts, and the waiter helped us get everything cooked just right. Service was attentive but not overbearing. We also had a couple drinks that were top notch - one of the most unique Old-fashioneds I've ever been served (in a bowl, big serving, and delicious). If you like Korean BbBQ this is a must try for unique flavors, good value, and pleasant vibes. Ask for Martin, he was really cool and answered all our questions.

Our servers Vincent and Johnny were great. Very friendly and didn't let us down with their recommendations while ordering as first timers. Would go back for their service. The food was amazing with plentiful portion sizes.

i came with my husband and mom after walking around irvine spectrum. btw, there might be a line if you come after 6:30pm. the waitress was so helpful. my mom can't eat beef and didn't like the banchans. so our waitress mentioned are you 3 sets? I replied 2.5?.. so she said I can order 2 sets. which was perfect portion. the waiter and waitress will come to your table to cut the beef to smaller size. I loved the kimchi they brought in a bag. wow, i'm coming back for more. the ambience is high end + family oriented. saw tons of families here prob shopping in irvine spectrum or watching a movi. the beef was definitely high quality. would come back

Cool ambiance in a prime location at the Spectrum, with neat concepts like the brushing of kalbi marinade on the grill and their bagged kimchi, but the food leaves something to be desired. We got the 3-piece set, and maybe it was that the flavor didn't really stand out or that there was brown oily residue seeping from the other side of the grill pan (which was promptly changed for us), but it didn't seem worth $90/per after tip and tax. Could find better pure kBBQ spots in OC but solid spot for a date or group dinner.

Sean was awesome. Great service, this place is such a vibe, unlike any other KBBQ I've ever been to. Meats and sides are top tier - it's definitely the highest quality I've ever had. Mario- please get Sean a raise!! He made the experience incredible.

Finally a Korean bbq spot at the spectrum! This place is a lil more elevated with the bar in the middle and ambiance seems a lil more sophisticated than your normal kbbq spots. Not your spot for ayce but they have "experience" menu items which offers various types of meat cuts. Our party of 10 got "the butchers experience" which comes with American Wagyu brisket USDA prime ribeye steak USDA Prime skirt signature center And lastly saved the best for last is their signature center cut kalbi This was such a fun and fantastic meal.. we were all super stuffed by the time we had our last round of meat and sadly it was the best one of em all We also got to try their drinks, it's nice to have an option but I think their cocktails are all on the sweeter side on my opinion Overall great place for date night, girls night or celebration

The meat here are high quality, super tender, and have great marbling. We got 3 cuts of meat--Ribeye, brisket, and Wagyu. Of course, Wagyu cut was our favorite. The kimchi here is very different from other places as it is mixed in person and not marinated, so it tastes more like a salad with kimchi dressing. It didn't work for me. I prefer the traditional kimchi. The service here was terrific. They check up on us regularly, always quite polite, gave us recommendations, and provided great table side service. The interior decoration is very modern and sophisticated. It's a great place for a special occasion, a date night out, or splurge for some high quality meats.

Kalbi Social Club has officially become my favorite Korean BBQ spot! Every single item we ordered was amazing. This is one of those KBBQ places where the staff does all the cooking for you -- they marinate, grill, and cut the meat right at your table, which makes the experience feel extra special and stress-free. Service was excellent from start to finish. Our server was friendly, attentive, and made sure everything was cooked perfectly. The meats were incredibly flavorful and tender -- so good that after introducing Kalbi Social to my sons, they don't want to go anywhere else for BBQ! I have three boys, and my older two absolutely love it here. The ambiance is modern, clean, and upscale, and the location at Irvine Spectrum is super convenient. Pricing is on the higher side, but 100% worth it for the quality, service, and overall experience. Highly recommend for families or anyone looking for top-tier Korean BBQ!

It's hard to put into words how amazing this was. I've had my fair share of Korean BBQ, but admittedly I usually go for the lower priced option. This was our company Christmas lunch and we splurged on the Kalbi Reserve Experience. It's $85 per person and includes the following: American Wagyu 'Washugyu' Brisket USDA Prime Rose Steak * USDA Prime Ribeye Cap USDA Prime Skirt * Signature Center-Cut Kalbi Every single item was AMAZING! Plus the sauce pairings our server recommended really enhanced the food. It's a nice sized restaurant with lots of tables and elevated KBB decor, but service was attentive and we never felt rushed. I'll definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a higher end Korean BBQ experience!

The best Korean bbq place I've ever tried. We grabbed the second tier meat platter, and even though it's been about a month out since our visit, I can stop thinking about it. Loved the ambiance (chill vibe), smokeless grill, and amazing mouth-watering food, everything was great. Wagyu, kalbi, just divine,

This is truly an elevated Korean BBQ experience. The prix fixe menus offer a great variety, so there's something for everyone. I really loved the ambiance -- modern, comfortable, and perfect for a nice night out. The service was attentive without being overbearing, and the food quality was excellent across the board. Definitely a great spot for Korean BBQ if you're looking for something a bit more upscale.

Awesome kbbq spot! I've become a much bigger fan of non AYCE kbbq joints as the quality of the meat and banchan is noticeably better on average! Kalbi social club is no exception to this rule and is one of the better ones. Drinks were all good, not overly sweet, and the matcha cha is my favorite matcha based cocktail to date One note because of my personal taste is some of the items and banchan are a bit on the sweet side, but I don't think that's explicitly bad; the flavors are fantastic and work with it. The place was extremely clean and kit just enough. Our server Julie gave us a great experience and was very pleasant and professional. We came out full, happy, and surprisingly not smelly thanks to the built in table vents!

Yes, the quality of meat is good here, but everything else seems to pale in comparison. The food is expensive, with some options being excessively high. In particular, charging a Prisoner Red Blend for an entire Benjamin is pretty egregious, especially considering the fact that this isn't even a single vineyard bottle. The food is also just okay. The banchan variety is standard; you see the usual suspects of radish kimchi and Napa kimchi alongside the cheaper options (pickled daikon and fish cake). The "Shake That" Kimchi is their rendition of gutjeori or unfermented kimchi. The waiter specifically remarked that you couldn't refill this kimchi gratis, and there's no need to. It's overly salted and barely palatable. As for their kalbi? Also just tolerable. It's cloyingly sweet, an indicator that it's tailored to the western palate, yet lacked any of the multidimensional flavors of good traditional kalbi. Soowon Kalbi in KTown runs circles around this place, but I suppose that's to be expected with Kalbi Social Club's prime mall location and consequent abundance of non-Korean visitors. I think I'd rather go to Baekjeong, which also is pretty mediocre at least according to recent memory.

Food: The Butcher's Experience (4 Signature Steakhouse Cuts = $68/person) American Wagyu 'Washugyu' Brisket, USDA Prime Ribeye Steak, USDA Prime Skirt, Signature Center-Cut Kalbi, Includes: Fresh "Shake That" Kimchi, Kimchi Duet, Assorted Banchan, Crisp Scallion Salad, Stemed Egg Souffle, Soybean Paste Stew with rice Service: great, friendly service with great recommendations and explanation; they cook the KBBQ meat for you on the grill, which is always a plus!!! Design: elegant interiors is very modern with mood lighting to highlight Korean artwork & pottery; very dark ceilings, uplit & downlit stone wall to highlight the texture; wooden tables & chairs; they have a cool counter seating next to large glass wall visible from the outside Overall: if you want an AMAZING elevated Korean dining experience in OC area, then this is a MUST EAT!!!

This place is at the Spectrum near the movie theater. Note that this place is not all you can eat. We ordered the large set since we were a large party. One unique thing about this place is that the waiter cooks for you at the table. However, there was only one waiter handling all the tables during a busy Tuesday lunchtime. Because of that, we ended up cooking some of the meat ourselves so it wouldn't burn while waiting for him to come back. The banchan was decent but does not include rice paper. If you want anything to wrap around the meat, there is radish. Kimchi came in a shakeable bag and it was fresh kimchi, not fermented, which I actually enjoyed. The meat quality was standard. Ambiance was modern and clean. In my opinion, the price is on the high side for korean bbq likely because it includes the tabeside cooking service. The location is convenient especially when parking is available. Overall the experience was enjoyable standard kbbq.

Kalbi Social Club was such a pleasant surprise. Service was great from start to finish and our server was friendly and attentive. The only odd moment was that the receptionist asked for my phone number and name to put me on the Yelp waitlist even though there wasn't a wait. Not a big issue, just unexpected. We ordered the Butcher's Experience, kimchi fried rice, and two drinks. Everything was delicious. There were lots of side dishes and the standout for me was the fresh kimchi that they shake in a bag and then serve on a plate. The meat was tender and flavorful and the kimchi fried rice was great as well. The drinks were fun and well made. My old fashioned was served in a bowl which I didn't expect, but it tasted great. The ambience had mood lighting and was quiet and relaxed. The restaurant is located inside the mall. We walked around first to see what was available and ended up choosing this spot. Glad we did. There's also a parking lot which made it convenient. I would definitely come back and try more items next time.

What an experience - The Kalbi Reserve Experience! When I looked at this place on Yelp and saw the combos I was already in but then to come and see some changes on the menu I was a little disappointed but since I was excited to give this place a try I went for the best experience. Why not? I would have to say this place outperformed on food and service. The meat quality was top notch. They cook the meat for you and once you get that perfect bite it just melts with greasy bbq goodness! I would have to say the price is a bit on the higher side but you pay for the fancy decor and ambiance of the place. It is decked out pretty nicely. The drinks were good too especially the mmmmatcha. Yuuum! If you're in the area and undecided, this is where it's at. And Mario took really good care of us!

This place is amazing, from the service to the quality of meat to the flavors. First off, the service is top notch. Comparing this to Baekjeong, the service here is 100x better , they even will tell you about the sauces and it even comes with chimichurri sauce which was very delicious. Upon stepping in, it looks very high end. The meat quality is amazing. I would highly recommend doing Kalbi Reserve Experience. You get a taste of the different meats they offer here. You can't go wrong with going À la carte either. The meats are very tender and juicy, the servers cook it to how you like it, not dry at all and even without the sauces it's still superb. Definitely give this place a try it's worth the price.

I came here with a group of 8 and we decided to get two sets of Combo C which feeds 4 per set. The servers brought out each dish separately and I think it definitely helped pace us as we initially didn't think it was enough food at first. They offer refillable banchan and their soybean stew and kimchi were all very well seasoned and had a rich flavor. The server helped us grill and cut all the meat which was incredibly helpful and the service was great. We did get the sweet potato dessert which we initially thought was shaved ice but read it wrong. I think other than that initial layer of sugar, there was no sweetness or flavor to the dessert itself and just tasted like we were eating unsweetened sweet potato purer so I probably wouldn't get it again. Overall it was a still a great first time experience and I will definitely be back!

I'm a fan! This upscale kbbq experience is fantastic for celebrations!! I've been here twice now, once for a girls night birthday celebration and again for my anniversary with the hubby. The menu has changed slightly between the times I've visited but that was okay! For dinner, we ordered lots of different meats and I think the brisket is the stand out for me. It was a good balance of fat and lean meat on each piece. They gives you dipping sauces but you just gotta ask for sesame oil separately, they don't automatically bring it to the table. Their kimchi is pickled chives, great for me but I know different from other places. They also cook the kbbq for you so we can focus on catching up with our party. For lunch, they have a crazy good lunch special. 20 bucks for: choice of rice, noodle, or soup dish Choice of kbbq meat Choice of side We picked kimchi fried rice + brisket ramen, brisket kbbq + marinated short rib kbbq meat, and steam egg + potato pancake. All were delicious and an awesome deal!! It came fast so we were also in and out.

Make reservations ahead of time! Went on a Friday night with girlfriends and it was busy! They recently updated their menu, according to our server. They used to have combos but now charge per person for their main meats menu. It is a lot, we would probably order à la carte next time. Their meats were delicious, love their kimchi in a bag. Soooo much better than the fermented kimchi. You need to order their makgeolli with old fashion. It's a drink with a kick!

Have you ever tried kbbq where someone else does the cooking for you? From the ambiance to the high quality ingredients, flavorful dishes and service, this was such a special experience. We tried the steak trio which comes with American Wagyu Brisket, Prime Steak and Prime Skirt Steak -: well as a variety of high quality banchan included! We also got the Korean fried chicken and kimchi steak fried rice which were delicious! The pricing can be a little high but it balances out for the quality ingredients, dishes and service. There are also some very affordable ala carte options if you want the experience without getting the full sets. The banchan was also delicious in all the details. Thank you so much to our awesome server, Esther who made a special evening!

Tldr: they charge 3% for all card transactions lol. Spoiled cucumbers in salad, no apology. Potato pancake cold, undercooked. Banchans are laughable and they made the cheapest ones. Shake it kimchi way too sweet, artificially red. Meat quality is down. Soybean paste watered down. Kimchi fried rice meh. They CHARGE 3% for using a credit card lol. Their prices are not cheap and they also charge you, to use a credit card. So, I paid cash and it looked like they had no change so the manager had to go get some and instead of giving us the change. She gives it to a waitress who is busy cooking for another table, manager then proceeds to go to the front of the restaurant and just went on her phone laughing and talking. Was excited to try to place because I have been seeing it pop up on social media but they didn't seem live up to any expectations. The table we sat at still had water from a pitcher or water cups in 2 spots on the table. We ordered the 2-person combo for 119.99, potato pancake, kimchi fried rice. The combo is supposed to come with 4 banchan and it seems like they charge for extra since they even charge for white rice lol. The 4 banchans shouldn't even be called banchans. Maybe 2 are banchans and they give you so little like they are in a famine. The sauces also, so little ssamjang, like a literal drop. The shake it kimchi was some of the sweetest fresh kimchi(keutjeori) I have had. Also, the color looks like they artificially boosted it to be super orange/red, I say artificial because it was spicy at all, just super orange. The potato pancake came out after everything else and was cold the moment it arrived. Cheese cold, potato cold, not that crispy, and the middle had undercooked potato. My date and I had a slice each and couldn't eat any more of it. The salad had cucumbers that had spoiled, don't even think we heard a "sorry about that". I don't expect anything taken off the bill but literally nothing. The manager here seems to be in over her head or dgaf. Either way she seems under qualified to run a restaurant. To begin with, the waitress put all the brisket on at once. Then she turned off the grill so it wouldn't overcook. So, we had to eat cold meat for more than half the brisket. She then proceeded to stack the briskets next the vents on the grill, which always dries out meat. Then she changed out the grill for the marinated galbi and ribeye. Ribeye was cooked okay but the marinated galbi wasn't even cooked all the way and she took it off the fire. The kimchi fried rice, was meh at best. You can find any recipe on YouTube and can make it better than this. Beanpaste stew. Super light, and not much going on. Tasted watered down imo. Can find any recipe on YouTube and make a better beanpaste stew than this. The steamed egg was probably the best dish from the kitchen but it was overcooked inside, it was all shades of green and brown inside. Also, the meat quality wasn't the worst but looks like the brisket quality has gotten worse by looking at past pictures. Maybe USDA select at best? Either that or they don't know how to roll the brisket properly before freezing it to slice. The overall ambiance is super loud. When we got there at opening it was okay, but as people came in the whole restaurant echoes and it wasn't even half full. Might have something to do with not putting any type of ceiling or drop ceiling and opted to leave the ceiling bare. They try to nickel and dime you every chance that they get and frankly if the food was great and service was great, we might have had a wonderful meal. But this spot misses all the marks. I hope non-Koreans can figure this place out quick, because there are tons of better options out there for the same price and you won't have to deal with the spectrum madness. Honestly there are probably some all you can eat spots that have equally good meat quality and better foods.

We enjoyed another birthday dinner here! 3 of our friends have never been to this restaurant and we told them how good it was...and I'm so glad it did not disappoint. This place is so perfect for celebrating because it's such a fun and interactive meal. We ordered the Royal Feast set and it was the perfect amount for 5 women. Our server Johnny was very attentive and took great care of us. We started with a variety of banchan and a fresh colorful salad with a light refreshing dressing. As we finished several of the delicious sides, Johnny was so generous with refilling each item. The only side dish that's not refillable is their specialty fresh shaken Kimchi that you can even purchase to go. Our Royal Feast included so many cuts of beef including brisket, prime steak and different types of Kalbi. My favorites are the 24 hour marinated and the table side marinated Kalbi. Although I loved the sweetness of the marinades, it was nice to balance out with the non marinated items that went really well with the sauces and the side dishes. The steamed egg was yummy and the soybean stew was good but a bit salty for my taste. We brought our own birthday cake which they helped put in the fridge for us and brought it out with clean plates and utensils after clearing our table. They also brought the birthday girl a complimentary dessert with candle and helped us take group photos. Throughout the meal, the manager Mario came around to check on us and made sure we were well taken care of. He even ran out to give us an item my friend had dropped on the floor in the restaurant as we left. Bonus points for wonderful ventilation because it's not very often you can enjoy Korean BBQ without smelling like smoke!

IMPORTANT NOTICE: MENU CHANGE AS OF 01/16/2025. PORTIONS HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED WITH SOME STANDARD ACCOMPANIMENTS REMOVED. Kalbi Social Club at the Irvine Spectrum used to be one of our absolute favorite spots. From the moment we first discovered it, the quality and consistency made it a weekly tradition for us. We even had a preferred server and looked forward to coming back every time. That is why our visit on Saturday, October 17 was so disappointing. The menu has changed, and unfortunately the changes have significantly reduced the value. At first, I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt, but it quickly became clear that several accompaniments had been removed and the meat portions were noticeably smaller. We ordered the Kalbi Chef's Experience with four Signature Steakhouse Cuts, something we have ordered many times before. This time, the meat portion was shockingly reduced, easily forty to fifty percent less than what we previously received. For a premium-priced meal, this was simply unacceptable. What used to feel like a high‑quality dining experience now feels like a poor value. With so many dining and Korean BBQ options available in Orange County, there is no reason to pay top-tier prices for a significantly less experience. It is disappointing to say this, but after months of being loyal weekly customers, we will not be returning unless the restaurant reconsiders these changes. What was once a tradition for us has now become a place we can no longer recommend.

This spot feels less like dinner and more like a membership experience. High ceilings, moody lighting, gloved servers sliding up to flip your short rib like they're in the Michelin Olympics... yeah, I signed the imaginary contract and paid dues immediately. We went in deep on the meats and honestly? They don't miss at all The galbi is the star... tender, caramelized, and perfectly marinated so you get that sweet & savory bite with a little char. Some cuts melt, some chew, all of them make you question every life decision that wasn't Korean BBQ. They also shake your kimchi table-side which feels unnecessary and completely essential at the same time

I recently tried Kalbi Social Club which I found out was the first ever korean bbq restaurant at the Irvine Spectrum and it was a wonderful time! Kalbi Social Club is more of an upscale & elevated kbbq experience offering premium cuts of meats, banchan & shareable sides. The interior was impressive. It was very stylish with beautiful decor and lighting to set a great mood for a kbbq dinner. The service was excellent with the staff doing all of the cooking & grilling and I thought they did a great job. There's a variety of delicious sounding items for their shareable sides but we decided to go for the Spicy Cold Noodles & Spicy Corn Cheese Ramen. Both are great options if you love noodles and spice. There was also shaken kimchi which I really enjoyed. That kimchi was so fresh & crunchy. For the meats, we got the Crowd Pleaser Set which came with usda prime brisket beef, prime ribeye, table side premium marinated kalbi & 48 hour marinated kalbi. Each premium cut of meat was very high quality and so tasty. It was buttery, tender, full of flavor and just melts in your mouth. The kalbi here is a must try! If you're looking for a fantastic Korean barbecue dining experience in Orange County, this is a great spot to check out.

Oh this place is stellarrrr. Came here for my mom's birthday and it didn't disappoint! We were sat at a private table for our party of 6, and the servers were engaging, attentive, and really helpful. Robert and Esther were especially great! We ordered the Royal Feast, and everything was cooked perfectly - each piece of meat was juicy, tender, and flavorful! We also added on the kimchi fried rice and the cold noodles to the set, which were full portion sizes even though the prices were half of what they'd be if we just ordered them as appetizers. Definitely a nice touch and a good incentive to order the combos. The banchan and the fried chicken were also delicious. Nice that the banchan and sauces were refillable too :) Salads were fresh and we all really liked the tableside shaken kimchi! The only thing I wish they had was rice paper. Overall, this place is a great time and I'm excited to come again for a special occasion!

Came tonight for dinner and had a total 180 of an experience compared to my last visit, largely due to where I was seated (I promise this will make sense keep reading). When we arrived for dinner, we were ushered into the bar area to be seated, which was odd as there was plenty of seating in the main dining area we'd come to know and love. The bar area has a couple grills in the middle and 1-2 chefs cooking for about 10-15 seats that surround them. The grills aren't your standard Korean BBQ grills either, it's a mix of a flat top griddle and a couple stove tops, which was a red flag for me. I wish I had requested to be moved because I had a feeling this wasn't going to be a good meal. The staff working were nice, but they're having to serve 10-15 other people at the same time which completely kills the vibe and leaves you waiting much longer than normal. Aside from this, here were the other issues: 1) The chef only used the flat top griddle to cook, so everything was VERY oily since the oils couldn't drain off and there was no direct flame to cook it off. I had the worst brisket of my life tonight because it was cooked this way. Every time the meat was brought over, it just sat in a pool of oil on the serving plate. 2) They put the cooked meat on this tiny serving plate that's not suitable for serving meat due to its tiny size. Every time they'd load meat on the plate, it'd end up falling off the plate, wasting food (and money). These plates should be removed immediately and a better serving tray should be used. 3) The chefs aren't able to pay attention because of the amount of tables they have to serve, leading to mistakes. Our chefs were cooking meat (on the damn flat top) that belonged to other guests, and then serving it to the wrong table. 4) The open air cooking leaves a film of oil everywhere, my cup of water had a film of oil on top, which was a first at any KBBQ spot. I think that this bar area should be used for lunch or pre-fixed menus and not for guests that are looking for a premium dining experience, because this was simply bad. If your host tries to seat you in this area, please request they seat you in the dining area, or don't bother eating here.

Woah woah woah, what's goin on here? It's Kalbi Social Club in Irvine!This joint is a restaurant serving premium KBBQ, and it's delicious! Okay okay, before we get into that, look how nice this place is! It's at the Spectrum, so you KNOW they're absolutely serving! Great decor, and super trendy vibes! First of all, the sides! Plenty of banchan here, to spice it up a bit! Radishes, pickles, potato salad, the works! For the meat, we got the Rendezvous set, which comes with thinly sliced brisket, a big ol' ribeye steak, and some 48-hour marinated galbi, or short rib. This brisket was super super beefy, and look at that marbling! Great staple to have with your meal. The ribeye? Classic steak with an excellent sear. Shoutout to our server for cooking everything really really well! Finally, this 48 hour marinated galbi. Jeeez, this is something else! Super tender, super flavorful, and the perfect balance of sweet and savory! There's a reason why galbi is in their name! Now, the meat is absolutely delicious, but what about these stellar side orders? We got soybean stew, which is a classic. And don't forget the steamed egg! Silky, slightly wet(?), and just jiggly beyond compare! Mmmmm. Did we mention? It comes WITH the set menu! Double tap to absolutely love that! We also got 2 more shareables: the kimchi fried rice and potato pancake! Holy crap, these were killer! The kimchi fried rice was really hot and flavorful, and it had a lil yolk!!! How could ya say no!? I really liked this pancake too. Crispy, crunchy, strands of potato with some cheese on top? That sauce it comes with is insane too~! Guys, If you're looking for a pick-me-up, I've got a proposal, love: It's time to head on over to Kalbi Social Club!

I feel like this is one of the higher end kbbq spots around. It's m quiet in the afternoons and they have a good lunch menu, but nights are pretty full; have a reservation or expect a 30 min wait. Aesthetic & Ambience: 8.5/10 following a more western take on Asian aesthetics and a giant led wall at the entrance. Ambiance is fun and festive. Service: 9/10 service was good and pretty quick, they cook food for you, but you can let them know if you want it more well done or rare. Banchan: 5/10 was okay just not usual kbbq Banchan, also I'm not sure what the salad was but it had no dressing and the peppers on iceberg was an interesting offer. Brisket: 8/10 it was fresh and the server cooked it well 48h kalbi: 9/10 meat was tender and flavorful - cooked well and even deboned for us Fried chicken: 8.5/10 a little sweet but the fry was perfect and breading was right consistency Japchae: 8/10 good, but a little light on flavor Only other note I have is about the bag of kimchi - it's fun it's a show, it's fresh, but it's not the same as a pickled kimchi. It has a lighter taste and not as acidic.

This place gave us an experience we will never forget! First the ambiance and decor in this restaurant are on point! The vibe is chill but upscale at the same time! We came in with our 6 month old in a stroller and they found a table to accommodate us! We were comfortable! Our waiter, Johnny, was excellent! He was knowledgeable, kind and attentive! Also he offered to cook our food for us which we appreciated! He did an awesome job! My husband ordered an old fashioned and they added rice water to it and it tasted delicious! The amount of food we received was incredible! This is more than enough food for two people! Every single food item was delicious and so fresh! Also it is not even that expensive! I definitely recommend this place for the best date night!

This is one of the more pricier KBBQ places in Irvine. We ordered the rendezvous set with the 48 hour marinated kalbi with the spicy cold noodles and the fried rice. I loved all the banchan (side dishes) that they had, there were so many that it made me happy, everything tasted wonderful. All the meats are high quality and you can taste the quality of the meats without it being dressed up in marinate. The steamed egg was fluffy and tasty. The dumplings were fantastic. I wish I had room in my stomach to eat more of this but maybe next time! We didn't even make it to the soybean paste soup because we were so full. Service was good, they come around and grill the meats and bring out the foods. This helps get the conversation at the table going and that one person isn't always stuck grilling the meat. The inside is clean and has a minimal aesthetic. I would highly recommend either going during their off hours or making reservations because this place does get busy.

Exceptional service, and such a nice spot! We got the large Korean bbq order for 3 people. Btw, I LOVED the shakin' kimchi (and we ended up buying two bags of them to take home, hah!). You can also eat their fermented kimchi, and compare which you like better. The meats were great, and I love my doenjang soybean paste soup...as well as the steamed egg! Btw, there are high chairs and changing tables-yay!

High-end Korean barbeque experience, that's on the more expensive end of Spectrum dining pricing. Let's get this out of the way first: Kalbi Social Club is NOT an all-you-can-eat (AYCE) K-BBQ restaurant. This is intended to be upscale dining, with better service and quality of meats than you'll get at other spots. We had a great time here. The design of Kalbi looks great, the food is amazing, and the service is top tier. Our group shared a variety of appetizers, a Korean BBQ Set (Crowd Pleaser), and desserts. Everything we got exceeded our expectations. While the grill is at your table like other K-BBQ locations, your server can help prepare everything for you, to make sure everything is grilled to perfection. Random Info: Kalbi is part of the same organization as Robata Wasa, which is high-end sushi at the other side of the Spectrum. PROPS: Service, food, and location design is amazing SLOPS: Price is going to be something that makes Kalbi Social Club a turn off for local K-BBQ fans

Like many others, you were probably very excited that an upscale Korean bbq place opened in the Spectrum, well sorry to disappoint but keep looking. They definitely did a good job on their social media marketing because that's what attracted me and probably many others, but that's the majority of what they did well. The service was nice but ungraceful (hurried and rough), but the food was subpar. Let's start with the banchans since they are such an important part of the meal. Lacking. Honestly probably the worst selection of banchans at any Korean bbq place I've ever been to. For us to not request any refills on any of these small portions speaks for itself. The radish paper was soggy and soft and a bit warm and I think was the cause of some stomach problems that I felt midway through the meal. They did not even have rice paper. They had a gimmicky kimchi which is full of garlic flavor and is a fresher, crunchier take on kimchi, but it's completely different and not as good as the traditional fermented kimchi. The steamed egg was fluffy and good and the soybean paste soup was also good (2 of 3 positive things for the night). The salad was a probably the worst salad I've had at a kbbq place, with a random hodgepodge of cubed veggies thrown into a bowl with almost no dressing or tossing. We got the combo K for 2 and the brisket was hard to chew and overcooked by the time the waiter said it was ready. It's kind of really hard to mess up brisket but unfortunately it was and we didn't even finish it. The steak was surprising very good even though the marbling looked lacking, and the marinated kalbi was also pretty decent but a little on the sweeter side. So the steak was really the saving grace of the night and why this was got 2 stars instead of 1. We opted for the +$8 cold noodle thinking that it was naengmyeon only to be disappointed with a basically gochujang noodle with some cucumbers. I wish them the best for them but I will truthfully not be recommending anyone to come here and even almost 24 hours later, I still have an uncomfortable feeling stomach.

The quality of the meat was excellent, and the atmosphere was great. We visited with kids, and they provided coloring sheets, which the kids loved. When they finished, they even gave them ice cream ,such a thoughtful touch. The food was delicious overall, and the cheese buldak bibim noodles were especially amazing. A great place for families and a really enjoyable dining experience.

Kalbi Social Club brings KBBQ to the next level. It's innovative grill technology brings the ventilation into the grill, completely getting rid of the smells you usually get from KBBQ. I love that I can come here and not leave smelling like BBQ smoke. Their meat is truly high level and top tier. My favorite is the 48 hour marinated beef. Delicious! Their sides also blow me away with their unique Shaken Kimchi and other delicious and unique sides. The presentation is beautiful with every dish as well! Service is also top notch quality. I love the attentive and kind service from our waiter and all the staff. They really make the experience extra special! I love that they help us cook and will actively bring sides to our table when they notice us run out without us even having to ask!!! Such amazing service! Keep it up Kalbi Social Club! Can't wait for my next visit here.

Came here for the first time today and I gotta say, this place is mediocre at best and the portions are weak for the price. Ordered two $200 KBBQ sets which the server claimed a set to be enough for 4 people (we had 7 adults and one kid) but we come to find out that a set could easily be eaten by 2 hungry people. They served their kimchi in a bag which was an unopened bag of raw cabbage to which they open in front of you, add the sauce, shake up the bag and pour the contents into a bowl. It was so gimmicky. Just use regular fermented kimchi from a jar.... Nobody needs the show and the kimchi didn't even taste good. I actually had to ask the server if they served "regular fermented kimchi" which he brought out and tasted much better as expected. Anywho, not only did the set come with a meager amount of meat, but it was served with two thin pieces of squash and 3 shishito peppers for crying out loud. How can you split 3 little peppers and two thin pieces of squash between 4 grown adults? Ridiculous. You're definitely paying for the atmosphere here, not the food. And even the atmosphere wasn't even up to par. It was hot as hell in there - we were sitting inside borderline sweating so the servers were absolutely sweating bullets running around. I had to ask them to crank up the AC which didn't really improve things. So if you're a foodie like me and value quality/quantity of food over "ambiance" and "vibes", then avoid this KBBQ spot. Your money could be better spent somewhere else.

I love that there is an elevated Korean BBQ spot in town! The decor and service is modern and elegant so you can immediately feel the difference the second you walk through the door. I've been here a couple times and here's what stood out: 1. Their Non marinated and marinated kalbi are both very good but I really was put off by their 48 hour marinated kalbi. It was so marinated that it was super sweet and just mushy. Highly recommend the tableside marinade but not the anything more than that. Trust me, it is plenty sweet and soft. 2. Their side dishes are great and so are their appetizers so don't skip out on any of these! 3. I was not a fan of their shake kimchi and prefer the traditional kind. 4. The service... is not as good as I expected it to be. I have been three times and all three times something was either forgotten (like the shake kimchi the first time) or the server didn't understand that I didn't what the 48 hour marinated beef but also told me when it came out that it wasn't the 48 hour marinated kalbi. All in all, I would probably come back if someone wanted to try it but it also wasn't THE BEST service because I didn't feel that I was paid attention to.

It was my first time here and we put ourselves on the waitlist and got seated within 30 minutes. You have to put yourself on the waitlist in person and they'll text you when the table is ready. We got seated at the bar and the ambiance is super nice. They cooked the meat for us and each cut was delicious. I really enjoyed the marinated galbi and the cheesy crispy potato pancake. The side dishes were very fresh and delicious as well.

We managed to make a last minute dinner reservation and we're so glad we made the drive down! While the prices were steep, my first bite of their American Wagyu brisket dropped the f's I gave down to zero. Unbelievable fattiness, char and intrinsic savoriness. Next, the flavors of the 48-hour marinated signature center cut kalbi popped with just a hint of sweetness while the bounce of the prime ribeye cap ultimately turned out to be my favorite by the smallest of margins. To pair, we absolutely loved the robust flavors and acidity of their "shake that" unfermented (!) fresh kimchi along with the massive steamed egg souffle. For something a bit more kid-friendly for our son, the bulgogi cheese fries were stellar and this is coming from someone who doesn't even like fries in general! Loaded to the brim with cheesy, meaty goodness all while somehow maintaining the crispiness beneath. Many folks will often associate KBBQ with a lively, noisier atmosphere and greasy-smelling clothing, so we especially appreciated the change of pace at KSC. Still plenty lively, but elevated with excellent ventilation. In addition to the BBQ itself, our server Johnny took exceptional care of us throughout our meal - highly attentive, super informative, and damn good at grilling. Our favorite KBBQ experience yet and we can't wait to bring friends and family with us next time!

Kalbi Social Club is an elevated KBBQ experience from start to finish. This isnt your average KBBQ, this is date-night, come to impress, enjoy good company and have your meats cooked for you! The service was great, they cook each meat that come out to your liking, and it's almost a dinner and show. All the sides were amazing and different than your other run-of-the-mill KBBQ (Don't get me wrong, I love those too). Pricey is a little more but you get what you pay for and the quality of food absolutely shows. Will come back for special occasions!

Had an amazing Sunday night at Kalbi Social Club, and Jonathan made the experience truly memorable! From helping us with the grill to explaining the different cuts and sides, he was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. We ordered the middle tier combo with brisket, non-marinated kalbi, and marinated kalbi, Jonathan made sure everything was cooked perfectly and that we always had what we needed. His assistance and care really elevated the whole Korean BBQexperience & would absolutely come back and ask for Jonathan again!

Nice venue, surprisingly popular, but the place is so big that you can't tell from the outside haha. Its kind of a higher end, waiter grill for you, set menu kbbq style restaraunt. The service was very nice, its a medium noise level. Seating and ordering were very fast. Our server practically zoomed around cooking meat for two different tables LOL. It was kind of cartoony the pace he went. We went for the rendevouz set with the discounted add ons which was more than enough. It comes with banchan, shake shake kimchi, perilla seed salad, steamed egg, soybean paste soup. The server does all the shaking for you for the kimchi. I'm not sure if anyone else has this problem for waiter grilled kbbq, but I can never eat the meat at the same time they grill it. So we actually had to ask the waiter to stop grilling so we had time to eat the other food before the meat got cold. But he was very accommodating to it, serviced us with lots of water and bowls, and even grilled changed every protein. The rendevouz set is worth it for the variety, but the meats seem kind of small portion for the price. The 48hr marinated galbi was super tender and juicy and the waiter even tried his best to get the meat off the bone lol. The bone is ginormous though. He made sure to take care to grill it thoroughly (the prime rib was cooked perfectly), cut it into bite able pieces, and let us know when to eat so really feel like you're a baby hehe. Shake shake kimchi- good if you dont like kimchi, its fresh, kinda sweet and crunchy. Its a huugee amount. I would recommend offering leaving it in the bag as I doubt anyone finished the whole thing instead of pouring it out so customers can take it home. Steamed egg- my favorite, so worth it. Its hugee and has a slight fishy sesame oil flavor. But its actually jam packed full of egg like a thick dense mountain *Soybean paste soup- rich in flavor, has a few pieces of meat in it, robust, actually really well made and hearty Banchan- the banchan is refillable and of slightly higher quality. They have the typical pickles, radish, potato salad, the sweet potato chips? Mixed with gochujung and chives. Also a pretty spicy jalapeño salsa. Since you come here for the meat quality, you shouldn't need too much sauce. Perilla seed salad- okay idk what this was. It tasted nothing like perilla leaf and the veg kinda was just raw cut. For the price point, I definitely expect a higher quality salad (okay if small portion) where the dressing is mixed in and absorbed into the leaves. Bulgogi fried rice- cubed pieces of meat. Has distinct crunchy garlic/radish bits. Good flavor. Recommend. Wasnt able to get the crispy bottom but did come with a runny yolk Bibim cold noodle- looks nice, but nowhere near authentic. I dare say its even a little americanised? Not spicy at all. But i feel like the noodles weren't given anything to provide slip and kinda just glued into a mass. Since everything came at once its kind of hard to eat immediately, so id opt out. In my honest opinion, I feel like it was overpriced for the quantity of meat. Its like one plate of meat. The quality of the kalbi is definitely good, the meat is fresh but not like wow amazing meaty flavor. The soybean soup, egg, and fried rice were good. Maybe I'd try getting a la carte option. The potato pancake looked good. But this really isn't a place to "eat your fill", rather to enjoy the ambiance in a nicer setting of kbbq. I feel like more around 80 would be reasonable. Overall, this place is good if you can afford paying extra for convenience. I wouldn't say that this would be a treat yourself, but I can see this for someone of upper middle class & doesn't like to cook/save time. The service is attentive and the sets leave little decision making to be done. You just sit back and enjoy the variety. You get it grilled for you without moving a single finger. Its not really a chatting place as it can be moderately loud but its a good social time. I hope they pay their waiters well as they do make the exprience lol. I will say it feels nice coming out of kbbq and not feel greasy haha. Maybe id go back to try their lunch sets for more of the menu, but Im not sure of it'd be the same ambiance!

My wife and I came here with my kid when they first opened and also came back for round two with some friends since we loved it so much... but today when we wanted some quality or quantity, we were disappointed with what we received. We sat at the bar ( which we have done last time too ) and so far the service and atmosphere was just as we remembered. The bar was full, but the two cooks were doing their best managing 6 different parties at the bar. We ordered one hot water and one hot tea. This might be nitpicking, but from an Asian establishment, I didn't expect to get a hot water and teabag... but it was raining and I just wanted something warm to drink. On to the food, ( we ordered the middle experience ) and again, we absolutely loved our first experience here for the showmanship of the shaken table side kimchi and quality meat selection, but we just didn't get it this time. The kimchi was good and fresh, but I definitely miss how they presented it in the past. The quality meat LOOKED nice in presentation, but was just mediocre when we ate it. The cooks asked us how we wanted our meats cooked ( medium ) but the result was a mixture of rare and medium well. The meat also came out with a very burnt taste which I could appreciate a nice char, but this wasn't it. After bringing the quality issue up with the staff, we were informed that the cooks were new and still learning and offered a discount and ice cream. I can appreciate how they handled the situation, but our stomach could not handle the quality ( or lack there of ) or the meat we received as both my wife and I needed to take multiple trips to the bathroom after our time here. All in all, I probably will not be sitting at the bar again, but willing to give the place one more try in their standard dinning area before deciding if this place is just not worth it anymore. TDLR : Service - Good Food - Disappointing

We tried the Rendezvous Set for $119, and honestly, it wasn't worth the price. The biggest letdown was the galbi, which is supposed to be their signature item (marinated for 48 hours). Ours came out dry and tough, and we even overheard the table next to us saying theirs was the same. The prime ribeye wasn't much better. It was also pretty tough and didn't have much flavor. The surprise standout was actually the brisket, which is usually more of a filler cut at KBBQ spots, but here it was the best one. The kimchi was also underwhelming. It tasted really fresh and unfermented, more like spicy cabbage than proper kimchi. Not authentic and definitely not what we were hoping for. Service was decent, and the sides were fine. Nothing wrong there. But overall, the experience felt pretty mid, especially for the price. Maybe we caught them on an off night, but based on what we got, I wouldn't come back.

My sister saw KSC on Yelp with good ratings so we decided to check it out. The restaurant is new, modern, and chic, and definitely screaming high-end KBBQ. Service was prompt and friendly. Food, however, was extremely mediocre for the $199/set price tag. No rice paper and barely any banchan selections. Rice is an additional $3/bowl. Salad was very out of place with minimal dressing and weirdly cubed veggies that were not tossed properly. The kimchi was extremely gimmicky with cabbage shaken with seasoning in a plastic bag. Sure, it's crunchy and flavorful, but I want the option to get actual aged and fermented kimchi. We also added +$8 for spicy cold noodle thinking that it's naengmyeon but it wasn't (menu picture looked like it had broth but actual product was just noodles, toppings, and gochujang). We returned the noodles since menu was lowkey false advertisement. The item pictured on the menu was dongchimi noodles but they switched recently to something closer to bibim naengmyeon. Meats were just okay. The kalbi was underwhelming with sweet marinade. It's clearly a red flag if my favorite meat is the brisket at a restaurant supposedly known for its kalbi. Sadly, I do not recommend KSC and will not come back. Go somewhere else if you're craving a satisfying, fulfilling, and authentic KBBQ experience.

Kalbi Social Club is where the cool kids eat their KBBQ now, or so I've heard. With flashy, club vibes, and large beautiful tables and bars, this place seems to cater itself to group hangouts. Service was enthusiastic and relatively attentive though it took a few tries to get some items requested. The best part was they cook the meat so you can enjoy and socialize. Some standouts included their well-known "Shake Kimchi", which comes in a big that gets - you guess it - shaken, to create instant fresh kimchi. And for those that like fresh kimchi, this was refreshing and had a nice tang to it. The banchan were limited but all tasty - especially the pumpkin. And the 2-3 person combo combined with a couple of large sides was enough to feed a group of 6 adults and 2 kids. The meat quality was top tier, japchae delicious, and their crispy cheesy potato pancake had a great texture that keeps you coming back for more. And to end the very filling meal, we all received complimentary vanilla ice cream with Yakgwa, a honey-rich, deep-fried cookie that has a pleasant chew. The prices are on the higher end, but the quality and vibes are there. It's worth a visit, especially with a medium to larger group. But with a fun, up-scale but casual vibe and top-tier meat and dishes, it's probably worth the occasional small-group splurge. Did I mention they also have beer towers? Another nice addition to the Spectrum!

The meat is fresh and high quality! My friends and I came here on a weekend lunch, wasn't too crowded and got a table easily. Restaurant is huge, with fancy interior with a bar and lots of table seating. They have set menu with meat choice of 3,4,5 types of meat. You can also order meat à la carte and various side dishes. We got the 5 meat set ($85), fried chicken, and potato pancake. All meat sets come with 6 banchans. Out of all the meats I liked the marinated beef, very tender and not too oily. Fried chicken (8/10)- not too greasy and tender, wish it had more of a spicy kick but loved how it wasn't too heavy. Potato pancake (8.5/10)-comes with spicy sauce, crispy and good amount of cheese, great shared app! The kimchi was very good here, one of the best. I also had the skinny marg which was strong and refreshing. Overall service is fast and food is delicious! Would love to try the soups here my next visit!