Matko

We are 4 Germans on our road trip through America. Today we went to this great restaurant. We have all never eaten Korean food before. We were greeted warmly by the owner and given a good introduction to the menu selection. You could immediately feel her love for her work. The food was exceptional and simply delicious. Simply recommended.

I love Matko bowl- so delicious bulgogi, kimchi tofu, and spicy pork!! And I get to choose base and banchan toppings. I also enjoy drinking beer with their fried chicken or Korean snacks (anju!). Highly recommend it if you’re in Valencia area. 👍🏻

Matko "Flavors of Korea" delivers an exceptional dining experience. The food is simply amazing, bursting with authentic Korean flavors. The service is spectacular—my server went above and beyond, providing detailed information that ensured I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and had all my expectations met. Even provided me with samples to try out something new. Highly recommended!

Excellent quick, healthy, flavorful meal. It’s not the same as full-blown Korean like you’d get at a traditional place (hopefully clear to you). But as far as slightly Americanized dish with good Korean flavor and an incredible array of packaged Korean foods, it does great. Informal friendly atmosphere and excellent value. Happy to go back anytime it’s convenient!

Very tasty spicy pork belly on japchae noodles for $19.93 w tax and tip. Just the right portion size. Not too large. Very clean and small space.

We randomly stumbled upon this restaurant and I am so glad we did! The food was delicious and warmed up soul! It was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. The staff was amazing and very helpful! We will definitely be returning again to eat and purchase more of their homemade sauces! I can’t wait to try the magic aioli with some fries!

Awesome place full of Korean food & snacks! My mom and I stumbled across it while walking on Valencia and saw the sign for the new misugaru latte (미숙가루 라때). We HAD to try it because it's not yet popular in the states and were so curious how it'd taste with coffee! We got it with the korean cereal on top (조리퐁) and it brought back memories of my childhood. Will visit again!

Walking down Valencia I spotted their sandwich board advertising home style Korean food with a photo of a delicious looking plate of Bulgogi. I’ve been a huge fan of kimchi and bulgogi since my time in the Army and some nostalgic comfort food sounded just right. They had one of those step by step menus where you choose your protein then your starch and any add ons. I went with the Bulgogi, rice noodles and kimchi on the side. It came out looking just like the picture. Although the place is small there are counters to stand or sit. I found a nice sidewalk table spot where I could watch the eclectic traffic cruising down Valencia’s bike lane. I’ll admit I felt a bit like a rockstar as the natives walked by and admired my food. The food was good, hearty but not heavy, and just the comfort I needed.

I came here on a Sunday afternoon for lunch. There was no line, though people did trickle in and it got busier over the next few hours. Seating inside is minimal (maybe 12 stools?) and there are a couple areas to sit outside as well. Service was great, the bathrooms were clean, and the food was good! Because of the small space, the kitchen is essentially right next to the seating area, and whenever they blended something, it was definitely loud enough to pause conversation for a minute. On the food: I got the tofu bowl with half japchae, half purple rice, and added kimchi/seaweed salad/ssamjang. It came out to about $19 with tax/tip, but you do get 1.5 servings (maybe 2 if you got full rice). The flavors blended well and the ssamjang was lovely. It's pretty difficult to find vegetarian dishes in Korean places, but everything here is customizable and very veggie-friendly. I would definitely return if I was craving Korean food in the Mission.

I came here with some friends in the middle of the day for lunch. It was a nice spot, very clean, good airflow, and chill environment. The employees seemed like they were in a good mood, and that's usually a good sign. Music was at a good volume so we could still chat amongst ourselves. I ordered the bulgogi & purple rice bowl, with kimchi and gojuchang for $18. I didn't realize until later that kimchi and gojuchang would be another $1.50! The food was good and large portions, so I was able to split it into two meals. It's roughly an 8/10 for me. I'd definitely come back, but I don't know if sauce is worth an extra $1... seems like it should be included drizzled on top. I wish it had another ingredient or two (included), like sesame seeds and another vegetable though. My friend ordered the side of boneless chicken and I tried some- it was really moist and well seasoned.

I've never even seen or heard of fast casual korean food like this, so when I spotted it on Valencia street I knew I had to give it a try. The bowls are delicious! All of the ingredients are made fresh and to a high standard. If you're confused what to order ask the wonderful Aina or anyone else which pairings to get and they'll show you the way. I like the Bimbimbop with the egg, with Japchae noodles/rice combo and the Gyunchang (butchering the name) sauce. I've NEVER been to a place where the staff remember your name, meal preferences or even ask what you're up to. Truly a hidden gem that should come to San Diego one day's! :D

I appreciate having a Korean option in this part of the city, however Matko caters to the Valencia-mission types who likely work from home, can't cook, and have abundant disposable income. Tasty but pricey small portions, poor man's purple rice (mixed with white), and nude japchae (brrrr!)

Doubled the fishcake on the bulgogi and it was so good! The bulgogi overall is good. Few things though: it took sooo long - i had it delivered and it was transferred to 3 different riders because of the delay; another is the beef , which is quite dry; finally, the japchae is quite bland. Will definitely be back for fish cakes though!

Great food!!! Ordered the soft tofu kimchi bowl. Really appreciated the vegan friendly menu including their kimchi which is pretty rare. Portion size was solid, ingredients fresh and flavor on point. The owner was in and she was so friendly and took the time to tell us about the different food and the origin story.

Love the freshness and quality of the food. I get the beef Bulgogi on japchae and spinach and it's delicious.

I was really looking forward to a spicy kimchi and soft tofu soup that I've gotten at other Korean spots and this fell flatter than flat. I don't mean to exaggerate but this was honestly one of the worst bowls of soup I've had in my life and it pissed me off because I was in a pinch before work and decided to stop in and I regret it. I ordered also the misugaru latte WITHOUT cereal and he said with cereal? and I said no without and then he said ok with! and I was like is he playing with me??! Then I said NO CEREAL PLEASE and he just said ok then a few mins later, I was given the latte WITH the cereal. Oy vey. I'm giving two stars cuz the lady refunded me a dollar for the add on he put without my consent so that was decent and honest. But the latte was just a thick mess and I regretted the whole thing then after. Never coming back here ever again.

Mall-kiosk-type Korean food for techies. Save your dough and go to a real Korean spot in the City.

Everything was excellent -- food ambiance customer service. I had to take off a star because the food was served lukewarm.

We ordered delivery from here specifically because we were looking for a place with more sustainable (and not black plastic) delivery packaging. Unfortunately, this came in the same black plastic with clear plastic lid delivery containers that are so ubiquitous. The banchan each came in separate clear plastic containers. The food was good (it was still Korean food after all) , but we won't be ordering from here again because it wasn't outstanding and there are many other amazing Korean places if it's going to come with all this plastic.

Soon tofu soup is not tasting authentic at all. Unfortunate, but I am not surprised. This is a pretty gentrified version of Korean food in a pretty gentrified part of the Mission.

Great service. The food was excellent, especially the pork belly. I paired it with some aioli and the purple rice. It was perfect. If you're not sure of what to get, they have a step by step menu that helps you choose what pairs well with your protein. And once you're done eating, you can buy banchan sides and Korean snacks!

Delicious food, tastes homemade and great portions! I wish the sauce wasn't extra though, as it's definitely necessary.

Really tasty Korean food! Grateful to get a taste of home here in the mission. Dined in the restaurant and got to hang with the lovely owner but I think most people do takeout. And getting to buy authentic side dishes and Korean to take home is an added bonus :) now I feel like I have my friendly neighborhood ajumma's cooking down the street haha

Really wanted to love this place, but unfortunately this was one of the worst meals I've had in a while. My girlfriend and I ordered the bulgogi beef bowls and what we got seemed to be steak-umms level meat that was an unappealing grey. The meat was tough and chewy and had no flavor to it. The corn included with the bowl seemed to be just canned corn and the kimchi lacked a lot of flavor. Ultimately it was a really underwhelming meal, the flavors were nonexistent and the meat quality was really bad. The gojuchang sauce was decent, but it is a $1 up charge. It's worth it as it was the only reason the bowl was tolerable. Bonus for the cool snacks and drinks selection, as well as the huge portion size. It's a massive bowl for the money, but the flavor isn't there.

The food was delicious! There were great portions, the servers were courteous, and I liked their cool selection of drinks!! The picture would've shown how good the spicy pork belly was but we ate it too fast lol

Food was so tasty and the staff were friendly - I'm already scheduling my next visit!

Love having a convenient bibimbap place on Valencia . Both the pork and beef are delicious and plenty of food. Usually my wife and I split a bowl with an egg on top for a perfect lunch.

The hangover soup was appropriately named and rescued me in my time of need. Also, nice bathroom decor.

Really excellent fast casual. We had the bulgogi beef bowl and it was delicious, would highly recommend.