Meokja Meokja - Korean BBQ

Always high quality meat and friendly service. This place is one of the best Korean BBQ in the DMV.

Enjoyable dining experience. Good Korean food, friendly attentive service.

The flavor of the meat in this restaurant is so delicious! We enjoyed the cheese corn and the angry egg which comes free with your order as well as all the wonderful Kim chi, radish, mashed potatoes, salad, onions, and dipping sauces made from soy sauces and sesame seeds. It is a small place, but the meats are fresh and tender. We had the bulgogi, galbi, and pork ribs and they were all delicious. Our favorite meat is the marinated rib tips. It has the best flavor when grilled. This restaurant is the best Korean barbecue in Northern Virginia. We like it better than all the other Korean BBQ places because the marinade is excellent and the place is smaller than most places , but service is good. They prefer to grill everything for you. We will definitely come back and refer others. They do not take reservations. You need to come get on the waitlist and wait...most of the time it's over an hour long. They will call you when your table is close to being ready.

We’ve visited this restaurant many times and have always enjoyed the food, even when dealing with the usual challenges—limited parking and long wait times at the entrance. However, our most recent experience was unfortunately overshadowed by poor service. After being seated, our waiter immediately pressured us to place our order within just a few minutes, giving us little time to settle in. Once the food arrived, the service felt rushed and careless. Instead of the typical one-item-at-a-time grilling, the waiter placed two cuts of meat on the grill simultaneously. Before those were even properly cooked—still visibly pink—he attempted to add a third, telling us to “leave it on longer if we want it crispy.” I had to stop him and manage the cooking myself to ensure the food was safe and properly prepared. Despite being told to call him when we were ready for the next item, he returned abruptly and dumped the third portion of meat onto the grill without our request. The situation worsened when he tried to prepare for the final meat by stuffing the wire grill net underneath the existing grill plate—while our meat was still cooking. This careless move resulted in the hot wire grill becoming stuck. When it was finally removed with the grill plate, it fell onto the table. Thankfully, no one was injured, but it was a serious safety concern. While the quality of the food has typically justified the visit, inconsistent service like this makes the overall experience a gamble. Great food deserves great service—and unfortunately, this time, it was a major disappointment.

The prime bbq was good but the Goochang wasn't.…tasty… ehhh. The server was very nice.

As a Korean who eats this at home, Meokja Meokja is one of the very few Korean bbq spots that are worth it. Waitress is amazing as well! I recommend combo 1 for the best pork exposure.

By far best Korean BBQ! It’s not AYCE so it is so much better for me. I got to enjoy the food and the service without being rushed. I would suggest to come early for dinner. The place open at 5pm, but the line to get in started before 5. It also got filled up fast. Service was good. I def will be back :)

This is a great place to eat KBBQ! They have a variety of meat options and a plethora of sides to choose from. Even vegetarian members of your party will leave full and satisfied. The service is on point and our favorite manager, Beth, always makes coming here a great experience! We always look forward to our next meal here. Give this place a try - their soybean soup is my favorite!

This is my FAVORITE Korean BBQ spot in the DMV. This review is long overdue, but I can also give a more objective review since I've been here several times over the years since its opening. The best thing about Meokja Meokja is that the quality of the food and service has not declined at all since it first opened. Service is always spectacular and the quality of the meats remain consistently fresh. Prices for the different cuts of meat in my opinion have also remained extremely fair. The banchan are also plentiful and yummy. They also finally allow reservations as well (make reservations online)! I highly recommend the brisket, spicy pork belly, galbi, and thick unmarinated pork belly! Don't forget to also order the corn cheese and egg :) Don't forget to tip the servers! They work so hard and always grill the meats to perfection!

Meokja Meokja was highly recommended to us as the best Korean BBQ in the region. Given some of our experiences at Annandale's Korean restaurants, we had to give Meokja a try. We arrived on the earlier side on a Sunday and it was already a full house with a wait. The staff was able to get us seated and eating quickly. Part of the fun is always seeing the food grilled in front of you and they did not disappoint. They had great combo options and the food was tasty, fast, and filling. It was the right amount portion-wise and it continued to bring in a crowd as we left an hour after being seated. We'd come back!

About a 1-1.5: Meokja Meokja is one of those KBBQ places that starts off great, offering good quality meats at a competitive price, but starts to teeter off due to their popularity. They rarely have any availability, and one would have to make reservations at least 2-3+ weeks out. But, it's all hype. The meats are not consistent, and the ban chans/side dishes are plated in advance, so it's already dried out or lukewarm when they are delivered to your table. The servers who grill the meats do it so haphazardly that the raw juices just splatter onto the ban chans, your clothes, and all the surfaces. It's gross, and this shows that they want you to finish you up as soon as possible to let the next party seated. You know, kind of like an assembly line. If you want to do walk-ins, the only chance you'll have is to line up before they open to grab a table, but it's dependent on your party size. No dice, Meokja Meokja. +rushed service +inappropriately cooked meats +lukewarm side dishes +advance reservations recommended

I came here with my boyfriend on Sunday around 1:30 for lunch and there was a 30-45 min wait. We ordered the regular Combo 2. All of the sides here were delicious and actually came with 1 order each of corn cheese, steamed egg, and soybean soup. The small sides were refillable, but I think you have to pay extra to refill larger sides like the corn cheese, steamed egg, and soybean soup. We loved all of the meats from combo 2; very high quality! Our server was very attentive and cooked everything for us. Even though this wasn't AYCE, we were stuffed by the end. This is by far my favorite KBBQ place in NOVA! We will definitely be back!

Best KBBQ in the area if you're not looking for AYCE. The meats were really good quality and flavorful. For two of us who were not super hungry, we got three meats and were pretty full. You get the regular banchans but also steam egg, soup, and cheesy corn. Wait staff is super nice but the place gets crowded so definitely make a reservation.

One of the best KBBQ spots in the DMV? Yes. My friends and I got the Prime Combo, which was delicious and suited me since I don't usually eat pork and this is an all beef-option. Unlike many other KBBQ places, this place is not all you can eat. Which is not a problem because the set meals include a good amount of food. Their banchan dishes are also impressive/among the best in the area. Looking forward to my next meal here.

This kbbq one of the best in NOVA. We waited for 20 mins on Friday night around 8 pm. The waitress was super attentive and checking on our food. It's great for date and friend hangout. We got the combination a for over $50. I loved the steam egg and soup. The pork belly was my favorite thing. Whatever they marinated in was so good. The spicy pork wasn't actually spicy. They brought everything out. I love that house they give out take out boxes. Definitely coming back!

Definitely come here HUNGRY! I came with my family for Mother's Day as a group of 4 and we ordered the Large combo #2. Somehow after the first meat, the brisket, we were already feeling full. We ended up packing most to go LOL. The combo featured: - brisket - Pork belly - bulgogi - galbi Our favorites were the last 2 but we were so full we were fighting for our lives to keep eating haha. They also provide a LOT of free sides - banchan, corn with cheese, stew, rice, and a salad! Recommend this spot but would say it's on the pricier side as with a bottle of soju, this dinner was around $200 post tip.

Seems like they fixed the ac issue from the last time I came so it wasn't too hot! One of the best kbbq in the area Brisket - 4/5 yummy, similar quality to Gogiville Pork belly - 4/5 nice crust and lots of flavor! No too fatty parts Marinated galbi - 4.5/5 super tender and not too sweet! Rib fingers - 3.5/5 yummy but nothing too special Spicy cold noodle - 2.5/5 not too spicy, noodles thin and no bite, could have more flavor. Not the worst but I feel like some hmart packs are same or even better Angry egg - 4/5 well seasoned and so good Dwenjang jigae - 4/5 seasoned nicely and all veggies cooked perfectly Corn cheese - 3/5 one time was way too dry the next time was good though

MJMJ is one of my favorite KBBQ spots in nova. I've been going ever since they first opened. Even through the years, they have stayed consistent with the quality of meat. They survived through Covid with dividers between tables which they got rid of now. Not much has changed with their menu or taste. They have combo menus or you can order a la carte. Personally, I prefer ordering a la carte as it can be cheaper this way. You get the sides along with eggs, corn cheese and soybean paste stew. The service is good as the staff here seem to be pretty consistent. Ambiance is pretty lively in here always. I'd recommend getting in line prior to opening to get seated as you walk in. Otherwise the wait can get up to an hour if you come after the restaurant opens. I like their cold noodles out of everywhere in nova. There is a broth option and a spicy option. Overall, price could be more expensive than other restaurants, but you are getting a good quality and amount for what you pay.

Really enjoyed the high meat quality here, can definitely tell the difference in quality compared to other AYCE spots nearby. We got the Combo 2 and highly recommend if you prefer beef to pork. We also got an extra order of brisket because it was so good. Space inside is small, so highly recommend making a reservation at least a week in advance to avoid waiting for a table. Service was fast and friendly, and they helped us to cook our meats.

Excellent variety of meat selections that are tender and tasty. We ordered the combo dinner meal which is a great value. All of the meats are cooked by a friendly & attentive staffs. Service is great where the staffs keeps refilling the ban chans (side dishes) and beverages. Speaking of, we've enjoyed soju with our kbbq- a great combo - makes it even more delicious. All the tables were packed & if you didn't make reservations be willing to wait. You know they do kbbq right when all of their ban chans are also delicious. We've had kimchi and soybean soup which hit the spot when grilling Kbbq. Parking spaces are in the front of the mall. Hope you get to stop by and indulge in kbbq. Bon appetite!

Very busy and for good reason. Meokja Meokja is the only reasonably priced A La Carte KBBQ spot in NoVa. The only time you can walk in and not expect a wait is Sunday lunch, so you better reserve a few days in advance through Yelp. The servers cook the meats at the table for you. Interior is spacious and I'm a big fan of how large the vent hoods are because the restaurant is never smoky. My family ordered the Prime combo and a seafood pancake. The seafood pancake was huge! We still had over half of it left over after our meal, which we did take home. The prime combo comes with rib fingers, ribeye, galbi, and seasoned rib tips. The rib fingers were my personal favorite, a very tender and melty cut that most other KBBQ places around here don't offer. Every combo, regardless of price or size, comes with three sides: corn cheese, soybean soup, and a steamed egg. One thing to note here is that they don't really do sauce! They want you to eat the meat as it is off the grill. I do think they could benefit from having a light sesame sauce, or even some salt to dip your meat in because some cuts do need a bit more flavor. The server was pretty attentive, albeit a little forgetful. Forgot to bring us water and rice. I did have a bit of an issue where once we finished our meal, it took about 10 minutes for the check to come out. You'd expect such a busy place to want to clear tables as fast as possible but I guess that's not the case for Sunday lunch. Definitely a great KBBQ spot and worth the money if you want a slightly upscale experience without breaking the bank.

food was excellent! the quality of the bbq ingredients was outstanding! We went on a Tuesday at 7 PM and there was a short weight. This is a table top Korean BBQ restaurant and so be prepared to grill your own food AND smell of bbq'd meat when you leave. The ambiance is casual and the the place has high ceilings and is a little loud. It wasn't clear if they take reservations but we did get seated after about 15 minutes. It was well worth the weight. Our server was helpful, friendly and welcoming despite managing several tables. She was attentive without hovering and brought us refills our drinks and bonchon whenever we requested. I've been trekking all the way out to Centerville for my K-BBQ fix and now I won't need to! I can now go somewhere much closer to my home for delicious Korean BBQ just like home. yum yum yum! Can't wait to go back!

The best Korean BBQ in the DMV area! The meat is elite and I can never stop coming back! Even my hard to please Aussie Uncle approved! I normally get combo 2, and highly enjoy the short ribs and bulgogi.

One of the best KBBQ I've had in the DMV area so far, the quality of the meat was great, server was friendly and made sure we were taken care of. Personally not a fan of any AYCE with KBBQ, so I prioritize quality of the meat, and this place delivered with the quality! Would definitely make reservations, because we walked in and waited nearly 50 minutes (but worth it). All of the cuts of meat (brisket, pork belly, bulgogi) were tender and not fatty. We ordered steamed egg on the side, and it tasted unseasoned but overall okay. The side dishes aren't as good as some other KBBQ places, but alright overall. It's a smaller space, so definitely creates a cozier feel. Will definitely be coming back here for the quality!

Still the very best of nova & proud! I've been back several times and it's never disappointed. The wait times however are terrible but that's a good problem to have for them! :) plan ahead and come as soon as they open to at least get on a shorter wait list. Don't forget to finish your meal with a cold noodle!

Probably one of the best kbbq places I've been to in the DMV area. Wait time is a bit long (we got there at 6pm on a Saturday and got seated at 7:45pm), but I can definitely see why it's so popular. The prices are very reasonable for the meat quality, the meat is super fresh, and the banchan quality is great. Naengmyun was great too, but the portion size was humongous! Service was amazing (super friendly) and ambiance was great-- good to come with friends! I'll definitely be coming back soon!

I heard this was the number one kbbq place so I had to go here. We made a reservation at 9:15 and still had to wait awhile for our table. The one thing that stood out from other kbbq restaurants was the marinated bulgogi. Everything else was pretty similar. Cheesy corn was also nice since it was one of the side dishes.

Pretty good kbbq place in Fairfax. Pork belly is my favorite but the cold noodles and kimchi soup tasted pretty good as well. There isn't a lot in terms of variety in soju though. I can say they do allow birthday cakes to be brought in (you bring your own candles), but no sparklers allowed. Service is quick since it gets really busy. Even with early reservations, it is very crowded pretty much all days of the week. It's a very casual feel though.

We came on a Monday night and had to wait like 10 min. We ordered the combo that came with 2 pork's and 2 beef. They gave us a ton of banchan, including cheesy corn, steamed egg. Meat was really good and they cook it for you which is really nice. Pretty typical pricing for kbbq and everything was so good!

Boy OH Boy. This place always gets SOO busy. ALWAYS RESERVE. You will still have to wait lmaooo Meokja Meokja is in the heart of the ever so growing Fairfax city. It is not an AYCE place, but the quality of the meats are so good. My favorite is the 16 oz steak. Thicc and jooci, the waiter starts this off because of the longer cook times, but boy was it worth. My favorite banchan is the potato salad, and if you ask for more , they heap you up with a big bowl. We got the combo 2 which was a myriad of multiple meats, including pork belly and good beef cuts. the combo 2 plus extras can definitely feed 4 people. Power play? Kimchi fried rice with cheese. A dark horse. So good. Needs extra kimchi though

Loved this place, overall a solid KBBQ with all the necessities for a delicious quality KBBQ. We arrived right at opening at 5pm, so there was a small line but we were quickly seated. There is not an AYCE option on the menu if that's what you're looking for, but the quality and other side dishes were good! The overall experience was solid and reasonably priced so I'd definitely return, also not an overwhelming number of sides, calmer environment, and has all the essential Banchans: pickled radish, scallions, kimchi, salad, steamed egg (was ok), tofu stew (raw onions), mashed potatoes, fish cakes, corn cheese, and rice. Nothing stands out with the banchans. I love my kimchi though. For sauce: Ssamjjang, sesame oil/salt/pepper, and some kind of soy sauce water sauce (?) were provided. We got the COMBO 2: thin sliced brisket, thick unmarinated pork belly, marinated sliced ribeye Bulgogi, marinated short rib Galbi. My favorite was the Galbi! Pork belly was also really good with the ssamjjang. We also got the spicy Naengmyeon. Was not spicy in my opinion, but a very addicting beef broth and savory noodles with perfect chewy texture. We enjoyed this even though it was freezing outside Overall very happy with the quality and quantity of food for the price. Also excellent service as they helped us with cooking the bbq. There was a mix of younger people and families but the environment wasn't too loud. Would definitely return!

I know that there are so many kbbq places in the area but this place had just opened when I went so I wanted to try it out. There was a big line out the door which we expected so we had made reservations ahead of time. However, they still made us wait 20 min for our table, which wasn't great. The interior was pretty hip and cool with LED lights and Korean music playing. However, the food was not good. I've been to a lot of kbbq restaurants and this place doesn't make the list of places worth visiting. The prices were extremely high and the meat was not good quality. Even the sauced meat options were it good. It was so salty. The banchans were also not great and took so long to flag a server down to get a refill. The side dishes such as the steamed egg and doengjangjjigae were too salty. I was highly disappointed for a place that was raved about.

Atmosphere: Meokja Meokja is a modern and clean KBBQ spot. We were seated in a back room, which was private and quiet. Service: The servers were attentive, maybe a bit too attentive. While we appreciate that they make the cooking aspect easy, we personally prefer the occasional check-in rather than them taking complete control of the grilling experience. Food: We ordered Combo 2, which comes with thin-sliced beef brisket, thick unmarinated pork belly, bulgogi, and galbi. All of the meats were delicious and high quality! We're big fans of galbi, so we were glad to find a combo that included it at a good price. Overall: Meokja Meokja is a great option if you're looking for a KBBQ restaurant with high quality combos at a decent price. They don't have an AYCE option, but their combos are filling and well put together. We give them a 5, with our only piece of feedback being that they could ask their guests how involved they should be with cooking the food, because for us it somewhat interrupted our flow of conversations and the pace at which we wanted to enjoy our meal.

One of the few Korean BBQ places that stays consistent in quality, service, and pricing. If you are tired of mid quality from AYCE kbbq places, this is the best spot! At the end of the meal with their combo deals, you wind up paying about the same as you would at an AYCE spot but with far better quality meats. The combos have generous portions and excellent quality. Their brisket and short rib are by far our favorite meats to order. Service is always great and they will cook for you if you would prefer not to. The only downside is how busy the restaurant gets and seating is somewhat limited inside so a reservation is highly recommended or calling ahead. Even if you have to wait, it is well worth it for one of the best kbbq places in the DMV area.

Very bad service. No one came to us even when we were sitting there for 15 minutes? Excuse me? Even when we tried to ask for help from someone, he disregarded us! ???

This place is always packed with people, so it is definitely recommended to reserve a spot before coming, and come early (when it opens at 5pm!) Like many reviews, Meokja is not AYCE, but the quality of meat is unmatched and makes up for the fact that it's not AYCE. In fact, I don't eat much per meal per seating, so my trip to Meokja always comes out cheaper than AYCE BBQ and I appreciate ordering however much I can eat! Potato salad, corn cheese and steamed eggs are also delicious and top notch in the area. Definitely a recommended restaurant, and even more cost effective for people who don't eat much.

definitely one of the best KBBQ places in the DMV! I went with one friend and we got combo 2 which comes with brisket, pork belly, bulgolgi, and kalbi. the combo also comes with corn cheese, steamed egg, and kimchi soup. there's also an assortment of free unlimited banchan which is a must at Korean restaurants (though the fish cake banchan was not my favorite even though it normally is!). the server was very generous with pickled radish banchan after we kept ordering it and he came around often to help us cook. if you're planning on visiting, just note they don't take reservations but they do have a waiting list you can join either on yelp or by calling them and i would def recommend this! we ended up having to wait since we didn't know about the waiting list and i was hangry by the end but it was worth it!!!

Went on a Friday night with a few friends for the first time to see what the hype was about. Pleasantly, I really enjoyed my experience dining here at Meokja! Even though this place isn't AYCE, the quality of the meats make up for it. The Food: Everything we had was amazing. You can tell the difference in quality of the meats instantly compared to some other AYCE places. Notable mentions are the brisket, boneless rib and galbi! The had a decent choosing of banchan, but the winner was the corn cheese. That is a must. The Service: Service was great! The staff are very friendly and attentive to you, and the process of ordering more meats was very consistent. the staff are always paying attention and know when to come back to make sure your meats are cooked perfectly as well. The Atmosphere: The restaurant is very nicely setup. Dim lights with some soft lights make it feel a little like an underground/if you know, you know kind of spot. *Very limited parking and can get busy during peak hours, so get there early!* Overall, a 5/5! For an A La Carte KBBQ spot, this place is very good. Meat quality is very high and staff are friendly and attentive. Price may be high, but well worth the visit!

I cant believe I havent written a review for this place yet! If I were to choose a spot for KBBQ I would highly recommend Meokja Meokja. I honestly think this place is the most reasonably priced around the area. I personally do not think AYCE prices are worth it anymore without it sacrificing the quality of the food and service. Thus, making Meokja my top places to eat around NOVA. They are oftentimes pretty busy so I recommend getting on the waitlist early on. Nonetheless, the wait is worth it! I normally get the thick cut pork belly and the brisket! The rib tips, rib eye steaks, and galbi are also good if you want to splurge! The banchans are very good as well, their infamous cheese corn, steamed egg, soybean stew, and salad are my personal top picks! The service is friendly and fast! James did a great job serving our table and did a great job checking in on us! The parking can be a bit messy when it's busy but there's more parking behind the restaurant- make sure you do not park in the other shop's spots or you will be towed!! I've seen it almost every time I've dined!

This place never disappoints. I was initially reluctant to come here because of the wait but once you figure out the times to avoid and now you can reserve on the app it's super nice. The service is great. The meat is great. I love their sides. It's a bit darkly lit inside but once you sit at your table you don't notice. Bathroom is small but usually clean. Parking is a bit of a challenge but they have additional parking at the strip mall behind the restaurant.

Great place. Friendly service. We split the Meokja combo, Market price $90, between 4 people. It's meant to serve 3...but we still took home leftovers. You will not go home hungry, lol. The grilled meat was delicious. Comes with a lot of sides and dipping sauces. Sides include cheesy corn, a green dressed salad, potato salad, and egg soufflé. Rice. There are 2 different dipping sauces. Bean paste. Sliced radish and green onion. Cabbage Kim chi was yummy. If you are a non-Korean and are looking for a good place to start, this Meokja combo is a great value and will be very satisfying. Reservations are recommended. And I wanted to note, as far as tipping goes, this is not your normal dining situation. The server cooks your food right at the table, and refills your sides for you as often as you like. These servers really hustle. We routinely tip 25%-30%. So - just know that Korean BBQ tipping is different. You will see why. Hope that "heads up" helps, especially if it's your first time. I tend to prefer reservations for afternoon time slots, because the noise level is better. On a busy weekend night this place is booked solid, and it's pretty noisy with boisterous customers, the energetic music and grilling sounds. Great place to celebrate a birthday or special occasion.

From the food to the service and the ambiance, everything at this place is 10/10. Our server minchan was super attentive even though the whole place looked super busy! Everything came out super quick and delicious. This is the place to go to if you want nice quality meat. This is not an AYCE place but in the end we have always found it to be better because we actually spend less money and in turn our stomachs aren't hurting from trying to eat as much as you can... always leaving happy and perfectly satisfied.

Although I've known about this place for awhile I never got around to it until recently and oh boy! The first time I went, the wait time was 2 hours so my husband and I went to the Qui down the street. We just did a walk-in and probably should've called ahead. It makes sense it was such a wait as their establishment is on the smaller end so you can only handle so many customers at a time. Lesson learned, on our next round I was too late to book a reservation through yelp that I ended up calling and asking to be put on a reservation waiting list. With that, we only needed to waste 1 hour. Parking is a bit tight but not impossible. Upon arriving, I checked us in and the wait period was within 5 mins of our estimated reservation time. I recommend going in a few minutes earlier than your reservation time. Once seated, there were some delicious side items waiting to be tasted while trying to order. We used the QR code to pull up the menu and found that the combo for a party of two was perfect for first timers. It gives you a little taste of you have no idea what meats to pick. I like this option as I tend to always order the same thing over and over. We got the second combo and it was not a regret. I loved how quick the staff was to assist us in getting our drink orders, extra sides, and even cooking the meat for us. I had a recent issue with the fluffy egg at another establishment that this place made up for it. We've been to other kbbq establishments where we've gotten a combo and something always seemed slightly amiss. We figured out what it was once at this place. Not all, but some establishments save the best meat for last and by then you're slightly full and have to take it home. Don't get me wrong, although I love reheated leftovers, it's not the same as savoring that first fresh bite. We got to eat all of our meat and barely had leftovers to bring home. It was the perfect portion to try everything without getting overly full. On a side note, my husband who is anti-veggies couldn't stop eating the salad. He thought he could only eat salad with a peanut flavor sauce, however this establishment showed him the light of other flavors. I can't wait to come back.

Had a chance to come here for a friends birthday. We were in a large group (13 total) so that made logistics a bit difficult, but our waiter was a trooper. He was cooking both grills and constantly coming back and forth to help us clear out more space. The meat was good quality too, especially the beef. The brisket and galbi were absolutely delicious. The steak was fine but probably wouldn't get again. The pork belly however was pretty disappointing. Both the regular and spicy pork belly were very meh. Everything else though was great and the service more than made up for everything. We also got a seafood pancake and the 2 cold noodles. Everything was delicious. The banchans were good and so were the egg, soup, and corn cheese. The price however is a bit higher than other kbbq places in the area so makes it a bit tougher to swallow. Still, great beef and great service gets them 4 stars.

Exceptionally delicious spot that makes me feel like I have been transported back to Korea. It was pretty crowded upon opening at noon time and I am glad that we made a reservation for four of us prior to arriving. The free flow banchan was very generous and we were stuffed to the brim by the food. I wish they hired more staff so that they would be able to attend to our needs every now and then during busy times in the weekend.

Had to go here as in was in visiting the area, all the tik toks kept saying Meokja is the best Korean bbq in the spot so I had to see for myself. Meats were absolutely delicious, I did a bad job getting photos cause I was too starving and we had a 2 hour wait. I got combo 2 which comes with brisket, pork belly, bulgogi and Galbi. Absolutely delicious, I think next time I would get a la carte though, It would be best since I didn't like all the meats in the combo. Also, they gave out the sides with were the usual like kimchi, pickled radish, green salad, corn cheese, fish cakes, steamed egg, soup. Overall a great experience, service was great, we left satiated. Ambiance was loud and energy was high all around but great experience.

Meokja isn't an AYCE bbq restaurant but what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality! We got a large order of combo 2 for 4 people and I felt that it was a perfect amount. Each one was tender and cooked nicely. The server cooked the meat for us and he was also very accommodating when we asked to do the pork belly last because we had someone who doesn't eat pork. He also cooked the meat to different levels to match our mixed preferences (one friend ate meat raw and the other crispy). The side dishes were good as well. I just wish they offered lettuce that's not in a salad for lettuce wraps.

Definitely ranked #1 or #2 of all KBBQ in the DMV area that I've tried! They don't have an AYCE option, but the meat quality, marinades, banchan, and other sides make up for it all. The place is almost literally always packed so I recommend going early, either at or before opening hours to reserve a spot. Last time I went ~10 min after opening and had to wait 1-1.5 hours to get in, I didn't find too many places nearby to chill, but went to Cents Taro family to wait for our time. Apparently you can also call ahead to reserve a spot/time which would work better for people who can't arrive at open. Their menu says you can call 571-429-2875 between noon and 10pm. Even though it's not AYCE, the combo options end up being pretty similarly priced per person yet still super filling and with much higher quality meat than the other AYCE places. I could actually taste the difference in quality and flavor of the meat. There's a pretty standard selection of banchan, each one delicious, especially the kimchi. As for other sides, the corn cheese is amazing, gotta eat that while it's hot with the cheese pull (although when cold it's still ok). They switch the grill type depending on the cut of meat which is pretty unique from my other experiences, going between the "normal" grill and a mesh style one.

Saw this restaurant on social media and it was a pleasant experience!! It was my first time in NOVA and this was the first spot I needed to go. Be advised though, it is NOT all you can eat - you either get a combo meal to share, a la cart options or a bit of both. But the portion sizes are more than suitable and you'll leave at a comfortable level of full! Also, something that shocked me at KBBQ is that their servers typically do the cooking for you in front of you. Don't let it offend you or anything, it definitely caught me off guard as I'm used to doing the cooking myself at KBBQ. They're just trying to be helpful and I think to try and make the customer in-flow/out-flow a bit more efficient. Food quality is definitely really good, my waitress was super attentive and considerate. The atmosphere is super vibrant. 10/10 would recommend to anyone!

Quick and friendly service, great meal package options, DELICIOUS food! They are very affordable for a couple of people and the flavors of the meat are all 10/10. The dining room is on the smaller side and there isn't much parking in front of the building, so come prepared! Definitely worth the wait!!

I would rate this place a 4.5 if I could. Overall great experience, service was fast and the staff were super friendly. LOTS of sides included in the combos so definitely come with an empty stomach! The meats were perfectly cooked as well and plenty for 2 people. I do wish there was rice as a side and the meat could have had some more flavor/spice to it.

def one of the best KBBQ in the DMV area! also for the price, we got a huge portion! we ordered the first combo , the regular size and it was $55 with five different types of meat. it said it would feed 2 people but I think that it could easily feed 4-5 hungry people ! the three of us couldn't finish it and we had to get a lot of the meat to go. i loved their spicy pork belly, their regular pork belly, their wok fried spicy pork and the pork ribs !! also their vegetarian dosirak had a huge quantity as well - it was mainly just beansprouts and kimchi fried rice but sooo good! the corn cheese was amazing as well. we loved the kimchi so much we had to refill our kimchi 3 times ! highly recommend!! tip: we called to reserve the day of and they said that they didn't have any openings until 9pm, but they also entertain walk-ins and we were able to get a table at 6:30pm (with about 10 minutes wait!). overall, 10/10 can't wait to come back again!

I've been to Meokja Meokja twice and had a great experience the first time (I even made a recommendation video about it) and a less than satisfactory experience the second time. The food is amazing - the combos are great and I truly appreciate the high quality meat that the restaurant uses - while the prices are pretty steep, it's definitely worth it. There's a reason why this place is so popular even though it's not AYCE! The only reason for giving any stars is for the food. The service that we experienced this past Saturday was poor. Usually, the servers cook the meat for you (it's why the expected tip is higher than a typical restaurant), however, our server was so distracted by his friends at a different table, we ended up cooking our own meat for the most part - or else we'd risk the meat burning. Not a big deal, but you come to Meokja Meokja with the expectation that your server will cook the food so that was rather disappointing. In addition, the table next to us were regulars (based on what I could tell) and offered a drink to the servers. We saw servers and the manager of the restaurant take 3-5 drinks with the customers. I understand that in Korean culture, part of the service is being hospitable and chatting with regulars, but drinking with them?? I thought it was pretty inappropriate considering these servers were also serving other tables and were drinking alcohol while doing so. I do love the food here, but this recent experience was quite a turnoff. Really disappointing honestly

Consistently good food and service. Our go-to when someone wants kbbq. Recommend making a reservation as it gets pretty busy.

My favorite non-AYCE Korean bbq place in the DMV. Show up early, because this place is packed on weekends. All of the banchan are endless and delicious - I always get multiple servings of the potato salad. The corn cheese and steamed egg are also fantastic here. In terms of the meats: you can't miss the marinated galbi here - I've had a Korean friend tell me that it's the best galbi on the east coast. I'm also a fan of the consistently decent brisket. Prices are good and you'll be full after spending less than $40 a person unless you can't fit in a small rowboat. A+ Korean bbq

Overall, 4.5/5 but will bump it to a 5/5 since the pricing is decent for the quality of meat and our server was very helpful and friendly. Meokja Meokja screams modern Korean restaurant vibes and most (if not all) the servers were young (so not a mom & pop shop). It is hard to get a reservation here the day of, especially on a Friday evening so I'd highly calling a few days in advance to make one. My friend and I were able to get a 9:30 PM reservation, and for us, it was worth the wait since we were satisfied by the meats and sides we ordered. Also, the kimchi and fish cakes were plentiful and flavorful. I normally love ssamjang, but felt like it was too distracting tonight. I prefer lightly enhancing the meat with the sesame oil and salt. THIN-SLICED BRISKET - 14 This was my friend's favorite. There was a good amount of fat in each slice that gave it more "umami" and it was juicy. Good quality chadol. There was a fair amount of meat for the price and one of the cheapest beef options. We'd recommend it for sure. UNMARINATED SHORT RIB "GALBI" - 20 If your server is grilling the meat for you, make sure you ask him/her to shear off the meat/tendon near the bone. That was super delicious. The galbi was tender and delicious. Definitely go for the unmarinated version to enjoy the flavor of the meat on its own. I'd definitely order this again. SEASONED RIB TIPS - 22 By the time we got to this, we were already really full so we packed most of it to go. The couple bites I had were tender and flavorful, definitely enjoyable without any sort of sauce or dip. SOYBEAN SOUP - 5 My friend says this is the best doenjang jjigae he's ever had at a restaurant. For such a simple soup, it had a complex and deep flavor and didn't just taste like enhanced miso soup. While it was flavorful (slightly tangy, even), I thought it was a bit too salty. Regardless, this was a great side to enjoy with our meats. ANGRY EGG - 5 If you are in the mood for gyeran jjim, I HIGHLY recommend it. The egg was super, super fluffy and it was soooooo good. I don't know how egg + salt could be so flavorful, lol. It's probably one of my favorite gyeran jjims I've had in a restaurant. I was tempted to order another one. We ordered more than enough people for two people and had plenty of leftovers (including the banchan). Very excited to enjoy another round of KBBQ meat for another day. Again, our server was great and brought us a good amount of banchan. Fantastic dude, A+.

I hate to do this but on my recent trip to Meokja, the experience was less pleasant than it was previously and wanted to flag this for ownership. First off - a big pro is that they now allow reservations. I found this extremely helpful and will be helpful to ward off competition. Unfortunately, the docked star has to do with our server who was too distracted because his friends were sitting at a nearby table. We didn't need him to be overly attentive, but because he was distracted, there were multiple cuts of meat that were over cooked. Specifically: - The brisket was cooked crisp to be overly dry. - The bulgogi and galbi had burnt tips that were literally black. No apologies from our server. -The server did not change the grill between the other cuts of meat and galbi (the specialized grill too needed that looks like netting. Luckily, the cuts of meat were good enough that the parts that were cooked well were fine. But really, this type of service is incredibly detrimental. All in all, we had ordered 6 different types of meat and other additions and we would expect servers to be more attentive.