Kalbi Social Club

I absolutely love Kalbi Social Club located at the Irvine Spectrum. It opened its doors in late November. I like that it is an elevated Korean BBQ restaurant. My cousin and niece have been wanting me to try this restaurant. It is totally worth it. We ordered the Combo K which is good for 2-3 people. There were four of us. So we ended up ordering another meat dish-LA Style Kalbi, Crispy Potato Pancake and another bag of Kimchi. This was definitely enough for 4 people. Featured: Drinks Cloudy Hanging River $16 Soju, Milkis, Blue Curacao Syrup, Lemon Juice, Cotton Candy Mak-Sey Old Fashion $18 Combo-K $109.99 Brisket Rib Eye KSC Premium Kalbi 48 Hr Seasoned Rib Shake That Kimchi Soy Bean Stew Steamed Egg LA Style Kalbi $55.99 Crispy Potato Pancake $17 Shake Kimchi 4 Combo Dessert Fire 📍529 Spectrum Drive Irvine, CA 92618

We’ve been here several times, and it feels only right to finally leave a review after consistently great experiences. As a fan of Korean BBQ, I used to gravitate toward AYCE spots, but this place has completely won me over. The atmosphere is modern and inviting, perfect for a relaxing meal or date. The food quality here is on another level compared to typical AYCE KBBQ. Everything tastes fresh and well-prepared, and the portion sizes are generous. We usually go with the K menu and are never disappointed (one of my favorites is the 48-hour marinade). The service has been outstanding. We’ve had multiple servers over our visits, all of whom have been warm, attentive, and friendly. Most recently, we were helped by Esther, who was especially welcoming and made the experience even better. We also enjoy sitting near the bar, where the chefs are not only skilled but also friendly and engaging. One thing we also noticed is the presence of a gentleman who seems to be a manager. He’s always on top of things, stepping in to help wherever needed and ensuring everything runs smoothly. That level of attention really stands out. This has officially become our favorite spot at the Spectrum; for the best experience make a reservation ahead of time!

Definitely try this place! Quality of meat is fantastic. Banchan is fresh, tasty, and unlimited. Yes, it’s pricey but you would have to put in effort to not leave full, if not overly stuffed like you would after a holiday meal. The only criticism is the salad is a waste - very Americanized and not enough dressing - and the shake kimchi is super fresh - which is great for people that love crunch and to avoid sour/aged kimchi.

The atmosphere at Kalbi Social Club was definitely a highlight — stylish, lively, and comfortable. The host at the front was welcoming and set a good tone for the evening. The food itself was pretty good, with a decent selection of meats and tasty sides. However, the service left something to be desired. Our server wasn’t exactly rude, but came off as inattentive and a bit dismissive. He was grilling the meat for us, but didn’t seem to care much about how it was cooked, and even tossed the receipt onto our table at the end without a word. Overall, not a bad place to try Korean BBQ, but the service could use more attention to make the experience feel truly enjoyable.

03/21/2025 - What a BLESSED surprise. Our first time to try Kalbi Social Club. It seemed a bit pricey when we looked at the menu, BUT it's worth every dollar we spent there. Tiffany, our server was FANTASTIC. She was so nice, friendly, catering and has a pleasant attitude. The food was FLAVORFUL, and Tiffany cooked our meats just perfectly. We enjoy eating at Korean BBQ restaurants for the variety and taste, BUT Kalbi Social Club is now our new STANDARD. THANKS Tiffany and Kalbi Social Club for the BEST Korean BBQ experience.

We went there last Saturday with our friends (party of 9). Our expectations were high because a Korean friend highly recommended it. AND IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT! Food was DELICIOUS! Service? Julie was AMAZING! OVERALL experience was EXCEPTIONAL. Great KBBQ atmosphere with unique flavors, delicious fresh kimchi, and BBQ. We will definitely be back and will be telling everyone we know to come here!

First time here and it was a neat experience. The food was good, but not GREAT. Flavor was good, pricing was a bit high, and bummed out the salad that comes with the combo was an extremely small portion for 4 people (with no refills). The potato salad was flavorful. The steamed egg was yummy and huge. I actually enjoyed the non fermented kim chi a LOT. I realized I like it more than regular kim chi. The rib eye was tender and flavorful. I got a gin and tonic and it wasn't that great. Honestly, I'm glad I got to try this place. It isn't somewhere I would go on a regular basis because I would personally prefer a traditional KBBQ place. If you haven't been, it's worth a try.

Came here for a mom’s night out with 2 other girlfriends. 1. We got the combo set S for the 3 of us to share. It was more than enough. We were recommended to go with the table side sauce which did not disappoint. They cook everything for you and the grill was awesome because the room was not filled with smoke. The premium Kalbi was the best. Should have started with that first but the marinade was good. 2. Crispy Cheese Potato Pancake was so good. Kind of heavy because it’s potatoes and cheese but crispiness was perfect and I loved the sauce. 3. House made Kalbi Mandu was so good and juicy. Onion toppings was perfect too. 4. Dongchimi noodles were good and the flowers were a nice artistic touch. Was not as vinegary as I prefer and unfortunately they didn’t have any to provide on request. 5. Fresh shake that kimchi was pretty good with the sauce. Kind of cool that it comes in a bag and they shake it up. 6. Loved the service. Everyone was very attentive. We had dinner at 4:15 though but we were there almost a solid 2 hours. They got us water when we asked and we were asked if everything was going well several times. We got everything we asked for in a timely manner. 7. Drinks we got Makgeolli (Sang is the brand). It was pretty good. And the Creamy Makgeolli Shake tastes like an alcoholic horchata. Sweet but good. 8. Combos come with a dessert too- vanilla ice cream with a cute yakgwa snack. Side notes: the jalapeño sauce that comes out with the Banchan was good and spicy. Also we requested sesame oil for the salt and pepper. They also provided samjang on request. Had to knock off one star because I think the brisket was overcooked a bit because it was dry. This also could have been us because we were talking a lot over dinner- so that that star reduction with a grain of salt. The overall lighting is good- not too dark and it was not noisy at all. Def can have a nice conversation without yelling.

Food is fantastic, The service is excellent! Hyelee is great, an expert, so friendly. And Felix is simply awesome!! What a wonderful place to celebrate the birthdays of my friends. I highly recommend this Korean place. They are so friendly, too!!!

Julie is an amazing server!! Friendly, attentive, and represents the restaurant very well! We had a great lunch here. Food was delicious and plentiful. Will be back

We went there for my son's birthday and had an awesome meal and experience. Felix is the guy you want to have as your server. He absolutely made the whole evening. We had never been there before, and he took the time to explain the food and choices. We would absolutely go to this restaurant again.

Delicious food, great service! Came on a Friday evening with reservation for a party of 6. We ordered the large combo-- upgraded for cold spicy noodles and kimchi fried rice. Added on bulgogi fries and beef tartare. The meats were so delicious. The LA galbi in particular was crazy-- literally melt in your mouth. Our server was amazing. Forgot to catch his name. But he was super attentive and responsive to all our little requests. Beef tartare was great. Heavy on sesame oil and aroma and full of garlic. They gave seaweed strips to wrap. Fries/rice area definite must order. A great shareable for the table. Spicy cold noodles were blad for me. It was still refreshing but I would've liked a stronger kick.

Kalbi Social Club in Irvine Spectrum offers a more upscale take on Korean BBQ, and overall, it was a really enjoyable experience. The space itself is sleek and modern, with stylish decor and a comfortable, slightly upscale atmosphere. It feels like a great spot for a nice dinner with friends or a special night out. What stood out most for me was the service. From the moment we sat down, the staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. Our server walked us through the menu, offered recommendations, and even handled most of the grilling for us, which made the meal feel relaxing and special. The tableside service, especially for the marinated galbi, was a highlight--they seasoned and grilled the meat perfectly right in front of us. Our favorite dishes were definitely the 48-hour kalbi and the tableside kalbi. Both were tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. On the other hand, we did not enjoy the chadol--the meat looked miscolored and didn't taste fresh. I also ordered a cocktail, which was extremely strong in alcohol; something to keep in mind if you prefer lighter drinks. The sides were also great. I loved the shaken kimchi they prepare tableside--it's fresh and slightly tangy, a nice change from the usual fermented version. The steamed egg was fluffy and comforting, and the soybean stew was hearty and flavorful. Pricing is definitely on the higher side, and it's not all-you-can-eat, so portions are set. That said, the overall quality of the food and the service make it feel worth it, especially for a more polished Korean BBQ experience. Overall, Kalbi Social Club at Irvine Spectrum is a great spot if you're looking for premium meats, excellent service, and a stylish atmosphere. It's not the place for casual AYCE-style dining, but if you want a more elevated experience, I'd definitely recommend giving it a try. I'll be back for sure, especially for that tableside galbi and the fresh shaken kimchi.

I wish i took better photos that actually did the food, taste and quality justice, but i was so focused on eating that unfortunately this was all i could swing :P Kalbi Social Club, our server, Esther and the chef were ALL AMAZING. We tried the crowd pleaser set, with the prime ribeye cap and seriously the meat just melted. the 48 hour marinated kalbi was perfect. i usually stray from anything marinated because it tends to be way too sweet, but this one was the perfect blend! The brisket was perfectly marbled and the table side kalbi was BOMB. The beef tartare was SO GOOD. tasted fresh and crisp and refreshing, and the asian pear and salted dried seaweed was a perfect pair. We also had kimchi brisket fried rice, spicy cold noodles, kalbi dumplings, crispy potato cheese pancake, steamed egg, korean fried chicken and soybean paste soup. Truly enough food to feed a village. legit felt like i needed to be rolled out of the place. Esther was so attentive and provided top notch service. Made sure we were happy at all times, and i assure you, we absolutely were :) It's a bit of a trek from LA, but hands down will return!!

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 an upscale Korean BBQ restaurant that blends traditional Korean culture with modern Western sophistication. The servers cook high quality meats for you at the table, and uniquely shake plastic bags with kimchi seasoning and chopped napa cabbage for a non-fermented take on kimchi and brush sliced beef short ribs in a sweet, savory sauce before grilling them tableside. We ordered their $199 Royal Feast BBQ Set which is perfect for larger groups and was incredible. You start with their unique banchan that also includes potato salad, radish wrap, perilla seed vinaigrette salad, steamed egg, shaker kimchee, and soybean paste stew. You sit back and watch our server, in this case, Preston, smokeless grill the beef brisket, ribeye, 48 hour marinated kalbi, tableside premium marinated kalbi and LA Kalbi Short Ribs to perfection. We also had the spicy cold noodles which was excellent and at the right spice level. My favorite was definitely the tableside premium marinated kalbi. Every morsel of food that we had though did not disappoint and was an elevated culinary experience. Service was excellent. Preston was our server and was knowledgeable, friendly, and was always available for us. They have a full bar but limited in their selection. Opened less than a year ago and located across from the Regal Theaters, Kalbi Social Club is a welcome addition to the Irvine Spectrum. It is truly one of the best upscale Korean BBQ restaurants in Orange County.

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!

I came here for lunch and hoping for a reasonably priced Korean bbq. And instead I got a reasonably priced lunch special because reasonably priced bbq does not exist here. Bring your bucks if you want to eat good here. The lunch specials were just decent typical Korean staples - might be on the little fresher side but still something you can get anywhere. Vibe is basically your rich boss will make a dinner recommendation and you're stuck here paying $100 plus for korean bbq.

Pretty good kbbq in Irvine at the Spectrum. Went on a Saturday evening, was pretty busy and had to wait until our reservation to sit - which was fine. Ordered the normal combo for 2 people. Came with banchan, salad, egg, and soybean soup. The kimchi was the fresh sort, and I think I prefer the more fermented ones to cut through the kbbq - so something to note. The meat cuts were of good quality and the server cooked well - they are smart about putting veggies underneath the meat to stop it from burning while on the grill (after it's done cooking). It's a good safe spot for kbbq - would go again if I'm in the area.

This has to be one of the best experiencing in Irvine. From check in the staff was extremely helpful and hospital-able. The quality of meet in the premium package is amazing. The staff cooks the food for you and event asked what temperature you like your meet cooked. Absolutely no fat in the meat!! They also have unlimited sides. I strongly recommend this place for a date night.

Pretty good meat here and some things are a little different, I didnt feel like I got ripped off, it was reasonable for the place. Weekdays they have lunch specials as well. I would go here again, meat was very good. I'd rather they have fermented kimchee though. Cold noodles we ok, but seemed a bit off. Bingsu was ok as well

Great experience at Kalbi Social Club! Several highlights to the meal here, but a few of them were the banchans/combo offerings, meat quality, service, and smokeless grills. We ordered the K combo which was plenty of food for two- might even be good for 3 people who aren't too hungry. I also thought the price was very fair for everything included in the combo (steamed egg, soybean soup, dessert). We chose the non-marinated meats and all three were delicious and super juicy. Their cuts aren't super fatty but still so tender! Our server Johnny was great and anticipated everything we needed without us having to ask. Finally, the smokeless grills are amazing at keeping that typical kbbq smell at bay and not all over your clothes/hair. 4 stars- would come back if I was in the area!

Lucky we got a reservation here! Our party of 6 got bar seating on Friday night, although regular seating was all booked. Everything we ordered was tasty. The combo feast had great cuts. Japchae was good. Potato pancake was bomb, to me resembled sort of like a savory Korean hash brown quesadilla but without tortilla. Try it! I enjoyed being able to see them grilling the meats in front of us. Servers were really friendly and offered great recommendations! They kept the cake for our birthday girl and kindly served it when we were ready. Overall loved the vibe here and would come back again.

Wow. This place was amazing. The meat was great, the shareables were all so unique, and the SERVICE was amazing! Julie was our server and she really took the time to help grill the meat so exquisitely. I was genuinely surprised at the quality workers that they hire. The vibes of the place was great, and the place was decorated with cute and upscale decor. I really liked the plates they used as well. Fave dishes: -THE MEAT -the potato cheese pancake -ramen (they added bean sprouts) FAVE SIDE DISH: FRIED LOTUS ROOT (oh gosh) i wish they sold those separately cuz i would buy a jar full

Kalbi Social Spot is a high end Korean BBQ spot that just opened up at the Irvine Spectrum. They have lunch and dinner set menus as well as some a la carte items. The interior is sleek and modern, and all the meats are cooked table side by your server. I visited to celebrate a birthday with 2 other people and we settled on a set menu. This is not an AYCE restaurant, the meats here are high quality. Set Menu S ($160) - This came with beef brisket, ribeye, and premium kalbi beef. Sides included: steamed egg, soybean paste stew, fresh kimchi, vinaigrette salad and 4 banchan (sides). All of the meats were so flavorful and tasted incredible. Our server was extremely informative and did a great job entertaining us. This was some of the best Korean BBQ that I have tried and if I had to pick a favor it would be the kalbi beef. The meal also included some vanilla ice cream with a short bread cookie. Overall my group really enjoyed the food here and this was definitely one of the best Korean BBQ spots we have visited. The kimchi tasted incredible. I'd definitely be back for a special occasion.

A friend took me here for my birthday and we absolutely loved it. The space is modern and clean, the service was TOP NOTCH (shoutout to our server Johnny), the meat and sides were excellent quality and super tasty, and really loved that you don't leave smelling like smoke and kbbq because of the way their grills suck all the smoke out from underneath. We ordered the base combo plus a side of their shaking kimchi, which was more than enough food for two girls to share. The shaking kimchi is so fresh and crispy and we liked it so much we ordered a couple bags to go. One of our meats "didn't look great" according to our server Johnny, so he proactively took it away and gave us a brand new order. Amazing service!!! Can't believe he did that without being asked. They really stand by their quality! Highly recommend Kalbi Social Club for celebrations, date nights, double dates, or just a casual dinner out!

It's a very pretty restaurant and good service as they cook the meat for you. It wasn't too busy when we went for an early Wednesday dinner. We could book reservations online but maybe wasn't needed. Food is good but the ambiance was the selling point here. Dimly lit and beautiful interior design. Food wise: The 48hour marinated kalbi is what stood out from our 2 person option. I would just order this alone next time. The shaken fresh kimchi was new to me, and although I prefer the pickled version, this was also good and a favorite for my husband. He couldn't stop talking about it! The side dishes it came with were ok but if ordering the single meat preferences rather than combo I would have tried the other specific options. (Maybe next time). This is on the pricier side for this type of food and amount. Their bbq system is cool too, no smoke up in the air, it gets sucked into the sides of the grill which leaves guests not smelling like meat like at other grill at the table restaurants.

I absolutely love this restaurant located at the Irvine Spectrum. It opened its doors in late November. I like that it is an elevated Korean BBQ restaurant. My cousin and niece have been wanting me to try this restaurant. It It's their favorite in the OC. It is totally worth it. We ordered the Combo K which is good for 2-3 people. There were four of us. So we ended up ordering another meat dish-LA Style Kalbi, Crispy Potato Pancake and another bag of Kimchi. This was definitely enough for 4 people. Featured: Drinks Cloudy Hanging River $16 Soju, Milkis, Blue Curacao Syrup, Lemon Juice, Cotton Candy Mak-Sey Old Fashion $18 Combo-K $109.99 Brisket Rib Eye KSC Premium Kalbi 48 Hr Seasoned Rib Shake That Kimchi Soy Bean Stew Steamed Egg LA Style Kalbi $55.99 Crispy Potato Pancake $17 Shake Kimchi 4 Combo Dessert Fire

I came here for an early lunch around 6pm on a Monday and it was pretty empty. I made a reservation just in case since it was Memorial Day and spectrum can get pretty crazy but it wasn't too busy. The food was great, I really enjoyed the brisket here, we got the combo with the 48 hour marinated galbi. And while the galbi is the highlight here I actually enjoyed their brisket the most. Side dishes were pretty standard, the steamed egg was slightly over cooked. Their salad was really good and the fresh kimchi is different. Service was also really good, they were on top with refilling our sodas and side dishes so I appreciate that. They do not offer pickled radish or rice paper btw. I would come back if I was at spectrum, craving kbbq, and there was no wait. But idk if I would go out of my way to come here.

We had a reservation and were told there would be a 30 minute wait when we got there. That was not a problem initially but we ended up being given inaccurate wait times, having to ask for updates, and ended up getting seated an hour past our reservation time. Just be transparent with your customers. Service: our waiter was great- he was attentive & friendly. Ambiance: modern, clean, sleek, comfortable. Good ventilation Food: good quality meats, but extremely sweet marinated meats. We opted for mostly unmarinated. Side dishes were low quality and not good. Cocktails weren't great either, they just weren't tasty. The salad barely had any dressing on it. Soup was mediocre & lacking. My group ended up walking away from this restaurant feeling full but unsatisfied + underwhelmed. We'd probably opt for baekjeong instead of this place in the future. This place is cute but that's about it.

This new Korean bbq spot decided to compete with other kbbqs in Irvine right in the mall of Irvine spectrum itself, and I think it did itself well. I can see it surviving and attracting those who love beef--such as Keto Dieters or Muslims--and people new and old to Korean cuisine. Parking will be the standard in one of the three parking structures in Irvine spectrum, choose your reservation wisely, especially if it's on a weekend. The ambiance gives a chic vibe that gives the impression of fine dining with the heart of Seoul. The experience is that of A La carte, similar to Baekjeong but more upscale. The servers are well versed in their cuisine and go out of their way to describe what they are serving. We went with the K course with the table side marinade for the Kalbi. This place has amazing meat, as it does not need any flavoring. The ventilation grabs all the smoke so there is no need to take off jackets or wear hair nets for the ladies. The kimchi shake is more than just a gimmick as my partner was able to enjoy kimchi (it was a sweet sesame taste) as he "doesn't like the spiciness from regular kimchi." The food here doesn't stem too far from its Korean roots as it introduces the foundation of the flavors while still catering to American taste buds. I can see this as a place I will use as a stepping stone to friends who are foreign to cuisine like this before I branch off to BCD tofu, Sol and Bean and Baekjeong (also Americanized by still can steer away some people I know). Thanks again for this experience, you made this Yelper's anniversary with his partner amazing and also regret having moved to San Francisco as the food in Irvine is in a class of its own.

Tried this new spot for KBBQ! The service was great- our server was kind, quick, and attentive. However, the servers do cook the meat for you most of the time which is nice and super convenient, but you can expect them to be there for like 20% of the time you're seated. The interior is super cool and sleek. When a KBBQ spot is not AYCE, I automatically set the standard just a little higher because I'm probably eating less for a higher price, so I expect higher quality food. Some things I really liked about this spot: - The fresh shaken kimchi is AMAZING!!!! I really don't like very fermented kimchi so this was so perfect for me as it was so fresh like a spicy salad. - The smoke ventilators attached to the grill itself is awesome. You never have to worry about smelling like meat after eating here! - We ordered the set C, and all the different cuts and marinades were very yummy!! The quality of the meat was pretty good. Things I didn't really like: - Not pictured but I ordered a kimchi jjigae, and it was so thick and very sweet, not what you would expect from a traditional kimchi jjigae. It didn't really taste like kimchi either, it would have made a very good sauce for something but I did not like it as soup. - The cucumber kimchi was also strangely sweet, was not a fan of that. To be fair though, the items that I truly disliked were the ones I ordered in addition to the set menu. So if you stick to the set menu items it'll be a great meal! I think those items were bad because they're foods that are usually never sweet so it's kind of strange for me, but also someone who has never tried the og way might love it. Overall, I think it's a great spot to hit up every once in a while but I don't know if I would have been any less satisfied eating at a standard AYCE kbbq.

This isn't your average Korean bbq. Instead of a smoke-filled all you can eat restaurant, you'll find an elevated dining experience with quality meat. There are plenty of dining options at the Irvine Spectrum but KSC brings something new to the table. When you enter, there's a bright, lit up wall as if you're entering a nightclub. The modern ambience and decorative details are nice. There's a bar in the front where you can hang out if you need to wait for the rest of your party. I tried one of their signature cocktails the Cloudy Hangang River ($16). It's a pretty blue soju based drink with a cotton candy garnish. Very cute but too small and not strong at all. Our group of 5 shared Combo C ($199.99) which was just barely enough food but we could've eaten more. The banchan is different from most places and I enjoyed them all but couldn't tell you what some of them were. Their perilla seed vinaigrette salad was very fresh and colorful. They don't start you off with a lot of banchan or salad but they are refillable. Our meal also came with steamed egg and soybean paste stew. Both were good but the stew was very salty. A fun thing they have here is fresh kimchi that they shake at your table. It's like a salad with the flavor of kimchi but without the tangy fermentation and not too spicy. Of course the stars of the show are the meats. Out of the brisket, ribeye, KSC premium kalbi and Korean cut kalbi, I enjoyed the premium kalbi and ribeye most. We chose the 48hr marinated kalbi and the flavor was perfect. I love that the servers cook everything for you so that you get to enjoy Korean bbq without the work. The restaurant is also well ventilated so you don't leave smelling like bbq. If they had a better happy hour with discounted food I would come back more often.

Kalbi social club is a fairly new kbbq restaurant specializing in kalbi. We ordered the S combo which came with beef brisket, ribeye, and your choice of galbi. We went for the table side marinated version. The combo also comes with 4 kinds of banchan, steamed egg, soybean stew, salad, shake that kimchi, and dessert! The star of the meal was obviously the galbi. Super juicy and well flavored. It came with jalapenos and zucchini which was a nice addition. The S combo is for 2-3 ppl but was enough food for our family of 4. We also ordered a cold noodle which was refreshing. Located in irvine spectrum so you can take a walk after your delicious meal

Wow, what an incredible dining experience! There's no shortage of KBBQ spots in the area but I felt like KSC is a bit more elevated than a typical spot for a couple of reasons: 1. They cook your meat for you at the table, including marinating the galbi table side if you request it. I like this because I'm always a little anxious about not cooking the meat to temp so it's nice to let a professional handle it, which is probably why this spot is a little more expensive. 2. The drinks were so wonderfully crafted and creative. I got the Hangang River cocktail and it came with a little cotton candy "cloud" and had a gorgeous blue hue. Everything we ate was delicious, but my favorite non-meat item was the steamed egg. So yummy! The shake that kimchi though was a close second. I love the crunch that you don't get from traditional kimchi, so fresh and tasty. Our combo S came with brisket, ribeye, and tableside marinated galbi and each were delicious. It's definitely more expensive than a typical KBBQ spot but I would definitely come back for a special occasion.

Such a fun and great "treat yourself" KBBQ! The interiors felt so elevated and luxurious. The booths where we sat were really nice as well. They had a variety of seating so that made it feel very personalized and intentional. We ordered Set K (good for 2)which included banchan, steamed egg, salad, soybean paste stew, shaken kimchi, dessert, beef brisket, ribeye, and premium kalbi. We chose the 48 hr marinated kalbi and it was very rich. All the meats were cooked to exactly our liking. Their burdock root banchan was so so so so good !! Our waitress was so sweet and knew how much we loved it she made sure our trays were never empty lol. Our total without tax and tip is ~$110. So we will only get on a special occasion because of the price point. But will definitely get a chance to go back in the future~

I've been excited to try KSC since I heard it opened, and it certainly didn't disappoint! It's located in the Spectrum across from the Regal Theater (pro tip: park across the street at the business center lot), and like many others have said, it's a much more modern and upscale KBBQ spot. One of the most impressive things about the restaurant is the ventilation system they use at their tables; my wife and I walked out smelling as fresh as when we arrived, which is a first for us after KBBQ. Also they allow for reservations which is almost always unheard of at KBBQ spots (and was VERY much appreciated). Service was fantastic here, easily the best service we've had at any KBBQ spot. The staff were incredibly attentive and friendly, and didn't rush us through our meal. It was a very refreshing experience and certainly a highlight for us. For the food, we got the Combo K, which was more than enough food for me and my wife. The side dishes were all good, and the fresh kimchi was a new take. They also have fermented kimchi, but I would argue it was "too" fermented. I think they need something a bit less fermented that is halfway between the two options they currently have. The meats were all great quality - the brisket was solid, and the ribeye and Kalbi were both tender. My only critique is the Kalbi marinade was a little too sweet, I'd probably do no marinade or their soy marinade next time (the table-side marinade definitely caters to a more western palate). They also closed the meal out with a scoop of ice cream which was a nice touch. Overall this was a 4.5/5 experience with outstanding service and amenities, and the food was quite good. I'd go as far as saying it's the best KBBQ spot in OC if you're only looking to eat beef (they only serve 3 cuts of beef), and top 2 in OC all things considered. I absolutely plan to come back and try some of their other dishes next time too.

The food was delicious! I enjoyed all of the side dishes that came with the combo. The restaurant was a nice mix of traditional Korean culture with modern vibes. Service was great! All the staff were so kind. Julie was so kind and cooked our meat perfectly to make sure we had an awesome experience. Preston was awesome too! Will definitely be back again.

First time trying Kalbi Social Club, and it did not disappoint! The banchan is amazing--definitely not your traditional banchan, but in the best way possible. The flavors are unique and so well done, and the service was excellent. Our banchan plates were always refilled without even having to ask. The salad was super refreshing, and the shaken kimchi had just the right amount of heat That said, the bulk ramen and corn cheese felt a bit overpriced at $15. It's decent for sharing, but I'd probably skip it next time. Combo C, though, was perfect for four people--great portions and really satisfying. Definitely worth coming back for!

Overall a fun and slightly higher end spot to eat KBBQ! I do think they tried to do something different with the side dishes which at times was overhyped but the meat is cooked to perfection!! For us the service was hit or miss with some wanting to accommodate our large party and others not as excited. We had the Shaken kimchi (3/5) - Gimicky and really just tasted how it looks - raw veggies in kimchi sauce Cheese Potato Pancakes (4/5) - Good but not really a get again kind of dish Cold noodles (5/5) - Personally love cold noodles so I really liked it, but it was a mixed reaction from our table Medium combo 48 hours (5/5) - so well marinated and cooked!! If anything I would come back for a treat yourself just to get the meat again but the rest of the food wasn't something I'd repeat. The cocktails are good though!!

More of a 3.5. For the prices, we were expecting something better. It was more expensive than baekjong but not as good. The banchan was really tasty, including the kimchi as other reviewers have stated. The meat was really good but both of us weren't huge fans of the short rib. It had a lot of chewy parts and the marinade was a little too strong and drowned out the beef. The pear drink was really yummy though.

New KBBQ spot at the Irvine Spectrum (next to the movie theatres and the comedy club). I made a reservation in advance but it was pretty empty when I went since I went right when they opened on a Sunday. It is a la carte (not AYCE) but they have combos available that come with different meats and sides. The kimchi is not fermented but still tasted good. The banchan (side dishes) selection was really light - I'm used to more traditional KBBQ where there's a larger selection of side dishes. I did like the service and how they cook the meat for you and also change the grill after each meat. It had a more upscale ambiance compared to other KBBQ spots. A little pricier but it is nicer and trendy. One huge bonus was that I didn't smell like bbq in my hair and clothes when I left.

Very nice interior BUT... despite being a Sunday morning and mostly empty, service was really shaky. Had to remind them that the appetizers had not come out despite our meat being in the grill. They must have rushed because the Mandu came out half cooked. Very nice taste but the uncooked raw portions took away from the experience. We also ordered two combos and the 2 shaken kimchi sides never came out. A very exorbitant price for the med quality and service. Could have had twice the food for half the price in a lot of other places. Positive vibes and best wishes to the owners and hopefully they tighten up the service and food quality.

The food was so good and service was pleasant! The combo K was plenty of food for 2 people and we also ordered the potato pancake, which was cheesy and crispy in the best way. Their sauces were on the saltier side but definitely compliments the meats well. Overall a really great experience and I would go back! Tip: reservations are recommended

NEW FAVORITE KBBQ SPOT AT IRVINE SPECTRUM! From the moment you walk in, the ambiance is gorgeous--I fell in love with the traditional Korean decor and artwork. It sets the tone for an authentic and elevated dining experience. This spot instantly became my go-to for KBBQ. The meats are top quality, cooked to perfection, and paired beautifully with their fresh table-side kimchi--crisp, spicy, and the ultimate bite with every cut. The salads and banchan (sides) were fresh and flavorful, and the Korean bean paste soup was rich and comforting. A huge shoutout to Julie, our server--sweet, attentive, and truly made our night. If you go, make sure to ask for her! We finished with the coffee bingsoo (shaved ice) and WOW--absolutely perfection. Light, creamy, and the perfect way to wrap up an amazing meal. If you're anywhere near Irvine Spectrum, do yourself a favor and check this place out. Already planning my next visit!

Kalbi Social Club is the newest premier kbbq experience in Irvine! This spot is located at Irvine Spectrum right next to the Improv. There are parking garages all around and parking is free. Reservations are highly recommended as spots do book up pretty fast. Wifey and I made dinner reservations for 6:45pm and were seated right away upon arrival. Inside, they have a gorgeous modern interior with odes to Korean culture. As for their menu, they have a selection of different sets, a la carte, shareables, and entrees. We opted to go for the Set K (combo for 2) which comes with Beef Brisket, Ribeye, and a Premium Kalbi of your choice. In addition, we added side orders of the House-Made Kalbi Mandu and the Crispy Cheese Potato Pancake. Overall, everything we had was delicious here and we thoroughly enjoyed our experience. We loved all the banchan they had to offer and I would really recommend choosing the Table Side Marinated option for the Kalbi. The staff here cook all the meat at your grill for you and they are very friendly, welcoming, and attentive. This spot definitely stands out as a more premium kbbq experience with its upscale ambiance, high quality meats, and excellent service. Book your reservation now and come back to this post to thank me later!

I've never seen a restaurant asks you to +$8 to get cold noodle means you need to delete one item in the original combo.. the tofu was here but my waiter removed it from our table and said we're not suppose to get it. The quality is very average. A entry level costs us $160 after tax and tip. If it's $70 it's ok, but for $160 out of pocket, thanks and we'll never come back.

Nice concept, but unfortunately the execution just wasn't there. Service was extremely slow--we waited over 20+minutes just for side dishes and a salad, even after repeatedly asking multiple servers. The phrase of the night was definitely "It's coming", which got frustrating fast. For the steep price, we were expecting a higher level of quality and attentiveness. The 48-hour marinated meat was the standout and delicious, but everything else felt pretty average. What really surprised us was the lack of rice paper and standard banchan sides--a pretty big miss for a Korean BBQ spot. Overall, it felt like a lot of frills without much substance. With a few key improvements, this place could be great, but right now it's just not hitting the mark :/

We have been here a couple of times and both times were amazing. It's located across from the movie theater in Irvine spectrum next to the comedy club. The inside is actually a lot bigger than it looks from the outside. The inside had really cool vibes. And our server was awesome. We had made reservations and were seated almost immediately. We ordered the combo for 2. It comes with three types of meat, plus steamed eggs, kimchi, 4 banchan, and a salad. We also ordered a potato pancake. The food was all very good. The server did all the cooking and cutting for us which is super nice. We were super full by the time we were done which is super great for a non ayce kbbq place.

Good service and nice ambiance. Went on a Friday night around 5:30pm and got seated around 6pm. Ordered the K combo with table side marinade (the options are for the Kalbi only). The sides were good and the idea of the shake kimchi was cool although I prefer the traditional fermented kimchi more. I liked the table side marinade Kalbi, it was just the right amount of sweetness- the 48 hour marinated may have been too sweet for my liking so I'm glad we got the table side. The brisket was my next favorite because the beef had a strong taste without needing the brisket sauce. I would rank the ribeye last because it wasn't that mind blowing. It was a thin cut of ribeye and the flavor was whatever. I felt like I could easily buy this quality cut at the store. It was a good experience, a nice date night or semi-fancy dinner spot. For 2 people the subtotal came out to around $70 per person which I felt was a little overpriced for the overall taste and quality of the meat. I would come back but with other people to make the cost lower.

by far the best premium kbbq me and my bf have tried. this is his absolute fav and well keep coming back :) friendly service and every bite was so tender, worth it!!

Wonderful experience here. My date and I bought the course for two, which turned out to be too much food. The service was excellent, though word of warning: this is a KBBQ where you do not cook your own meat. They put it on the grill for you and attend to it. It was very busy when my date and I went, which was on a Thursday night. The tables are close together, and with the server cooking it is probably not the place you want to go to for a very intimate experience. The food is delicious, though, and very good value. Would be an absolutely perfect place for celebrations and such.

First time here and very impressed with the meat quality, decor and service. Martin was our server took great care of us. He was super friendly and always brought us refills of the side dishes and cooked all our meats perfectly. We came to celebrate a birthday. 5 of us ordered two of the small combos, and it was just the right amount of food for us. We weren't stuffed but we were definitely satisfied. All the cuts of beef were very nice quality and tender. We enjoyed both types of kalbi but I have to say the table side marinaded kalbi was delicious! I also liked their table side kimchi that came with the combo. The salad was also really good and refreshing with fresh lettuce, cucumbers, beautifully colored bell peppers, and a sweet and tangy soy based dressing. Their side dishes were pretty good but there's not as much variety as other places. You have to request regular kimchi, which is complimentary. However, there's no rice paper or radish wraps, and rice has an extra charge. Dessert was a small serving of creamy vanilla ice cream with a small flower cookie. Finally we ended with the special birthday ice cream Martin brought over. It tasted like Cinnamon Toast Crunch topping, and was really good! Thanks for a great meal. We will be back.

Service: 2 Food: 3.5 Should've read the 1-star review before I came. My bad on that. I share the sentiment with a lot of what was highlighted in those reviews. First off, this is located at the Irvine Spectrum. The name is Kalbi Social Club, and it's a fairly newly established spot. I should have set my expectations accordingly. The ambiance is nice and unique and would categorically be considered a "high-end" KBBQ experience. The presentation, concept, and decor are definitely reflected in the pricing--but I wouldn't consider it overpriced. Overhyped? Based on the clientele (lol), yes. The meat is good quality. The marinade is a bit sweet, but I assume that's to cater to the Irvine/Newport demographic. I can definitely see why some people wouldn't prefer this type of marinade, but the quality of the meat is there. The "Shake-It" kimchi was decent! I liked the freshness and the gimmicky nature of it being "shaken" tableside. The front host was lovely, sweet, and helpful--loved my interaction with her. Our waiter, however, seemed extremely inexperienced and pretty forgetful. We ordered rice at the beginning, reminded him once when the brisket was already gone, and then ultimately had to ask a third time as our last meat was being cooked. Each time, there was no acknowledgment of the mistake--he acted as if we were placing a new order, which threw me off. I started second-guessing whether he had heard us the first two times. We also requested a salad refill--first with our waiter, then with another waitress helping us. Toward the end of the meal, she came by and said, "Oh, we'll bring you your salad," to which I replied, "No thank you, we're almost done eating." She didn't respond and just sort of walked off. When we asked to pay, I tipped 20% while recounting our poor experience to the waiter, including the rice and salad issue. He responded with, "The salad never came?" Not sure who was supposed to bring it out if not you, but okay. Anyway, the meat was good quality. The waitstaff seemed extremely unseasoned and new to the industry. Management could definitely use more insight into how the staff is performing and implement a better onboarding strategy. That alone could help with the restaurant's long-term survival. All in all, I love KBBQ and enjoy trying new places. This one has been checked off the list. I gave them a try. The End.

I came here on a weds 5pm and met my family there. I was the first one there and was sat at our table while I waited for my family to get here. I was hesitant on the service at first because I was sitting for 10 mins...... and nobody asked me if I wanted a drink or anything, keep in mind I was literally the only customer in the whole place at this time lol. Eventually I asked someone for a beer. My family arrived and our server Johnny came over fairly fast! Johnny made this dining experience for myself and my family here way over the top. I honestly would go here just to have him as our server even if the food wasn't that good We got the combo K overall 8.5/10 -Brisket -Ribeye -48hr marinated Kalbi The banchan was different as they included a few items that only they had which was enjoyable The fresh shake that kimchi was 10/10 Never had kimchi served this way before and I loved it! -Dongchimi cold noodles (8/10) Not something I would normally order but glad we did as I really enjoyed it -crispy cheese potato pancake (10/10) I'm a sucker for cheese so this one really hit the spot! The interior decor was super modern and nice. All in all a great experience! Thanks again to our server Johnny! We will be back again!

My sister and I were in Irvine Spectrum and decided to try Kalbi Social Club on a whim. Kalbi Social Club is a Korean BBQ restaurant that offers combination and a la carte options, rather than AYCE. Prices are a bit high, so I was curious to see how the meat quality compared to AYCE. My sister and I ordered the K-combo with Table Side Marinated Kalbi. The combo was $110, but came with several sides, dessert, brisket, ribeye, and of course Kalbi. The banchan were all delicious. The only item I had mixed feelings on was the Fresh Shake that Kimchi. It's unique to KSC, because it is not fermented and is made fresh at the restaurant. However, I actually really like the vinegar-y taste of kimchi, which was missing. The brisket was perfect, especially when paired with the house sauce and salt/seasoning. The ribeye was also good, but a bit chewy. The marinated Kalbi was very flavorful and delicious. However, because it was the last meat dish, it sat a bit heavy in my stomach. Still, I'm interested to try the 48hr marinated Kalbi in my next visit. Service was fantastic. I wish I caught the name of our waiter, because he was very friendly and attentive. Overall, this was a great experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in fancy KBBQ.

We are so glad we came to Kalbi Social Club and were taken care of by Sam at the bar; Sam was excellent! The service was impeccable with a great view of Spectrum and our Kalbi being cooked perfectly. We both ordered the Kalbi Bar Set Menu which comes with both marinated and regular Kalbi. Also, you get plenty of side dishes such as delicious Burdock root, Kimchi, Pickler Veggies, and rice. You also get to choose between a Soybean Paste Stew or Cold Noodle Soup; we both chose the Soybean Paste Stew. All of these side dishes felt premium with an intense flavor. The Kalbi also had immense flavor with our favorite being the marinated. We also ordered the Milk Bingsu; they also have a coffee flavor available. This was pillowy soft with a strong, creamy taste that was sweet but not too sweet! Definitely recommend it; I mean, look at the picture! Side note: This place is very clean with plenty of care scrubbing the grill and utensils between customers.