The Ultimate Guide to Korean BBQ in Portland

Are you looking for something new to try? If so, indulge in Portland’s Korean BBQ scene.

pork barbecue grill at portland korean bbq restaurants

Each restaurant or food cart has its own traditional or fusion way of creating iconic dishes such as bulgogi, banchan, kimchi, ramyun, Korean fried chicken, and so much more.

I took to the streets of Portland to find the best Korean BBQ dishes that struck my fancy.

Along the way, each venue did not disappoint.

This is why they are ranked the best of the best for Korean BBQ throughout the city.

Kim Jong Grillin

4606 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97206
Phone: 503-929-0522
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Kim Jong Grillin is a food cart located in the Richmond District just around the corner from Ivon Street Park here in Portland.

The menu is simple yet super delicious with traditional Korean BBQ dishes such as Bulgogi, Galbi, and Kim Chee fried rice.

I tried their spin on an American dish, the KJG Hot Dog featuring a hot dog from the Olympian Provisions brand on a banh mi baguette, pickled mango, sesame sprouts, kimchi mayo, and spicy daikon.

Their custom Bibim Box is named Portland’s hangover cure.

Choose a protein such as spicy chicken, spicy pork, or tofu, and it is paired with house-made rice, scorched Japchae, a fried egg, and Gochujang.

Chungdam Korean Fusion

7901 SE Powell Blvd. Suite# A1, Portland, OR 97206
Phone: 503-206-4515
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The South Tabor District is home to Chungdam Korean Fusion inside the Powell Street Station Plaza.

I tried one of their specialty dishes, Ojingeo Bokkeum (spicy stir-fried squid with vegetables).

The squid was cooked to perfection. The vegetables accompanied the squid’s pillowy softness.

Other specialties include Grilled Mackerel and Doenjang Jjigae (bean paste soup with veggies and tofu) and Osam Bulgogi (stir-fried pork belly and squid with vegetables).

When placing orders online, you get 10% off your purchase total. Lunch combos are $14.99.

Dinner combos cost $17.99. Visit the restaurant to discover their daily specials.

K-Town Korean BBQ Restaurant

5450 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266
Phone: 503-444-7700
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Do Korean BBQ your way! K-Town Korean BBQ Restaurant is an upbeat eatery in the Lents District that offers all-you-can-eat DIY Korean BBQ with soju as their specialty craft beverage.

I went during their daily happy hour from 1 pm to 5 pm with a friend of mine. All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ with a drink is $21.99 per person.

We chose four types of meat including teriyaki pork, chadol, thin pork belly, and pork jowl from a long list of meats to pair with stir fry vegetables.

I especially loved how the teriyaki pork tasted with onions and green peppers.

Toji Korean Grill House

4615 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97215
Phone: 503-232-8998
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Swing over to the Sunnyside District to try one of the four buffet options at Toji Korean Grill House.

I went with a friend because two adults must be present to partake in one of the four buffet options.

We discovered there is a special discount pricing for children ages four to eight and children who are three and younger eat free.

My friend and I chose Option A with chicken bulgogi, spicy chicken, beef bulgogi, and samgyupsal (pork belly), the four buffet options.

It comes with rice, side dishes, and delicious dipping sauces to customize the taste.

We loved our buffet at Toji and gave it a 10/10!

Always Spring Restaurant

3975 SW 114th Ave, Beaverton, OR 97005
Phone: 503-641-3670
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I drove 11 minutes outside Portland to Always Spring Restaurant in Beaverton, Oregon.

While their name is Always Spring, they have a rotating seasonal menu for the latter, summer, fall, and winter.

For example, their summer specials include Bibim Naengmyeon, Mul-Naengmyeon, and a Naengmyeon and Galbi combo.

All of these specials include cold buckwheat noodles with chili paste, pickled radish, egg, beef, and cucumber.

The cold noodles are great to cool down on a hot summer day.

I tried the combo and could not get enough heat from the chili paste mixed with the cold buckwheat noodles.

Cameo Cafe East

8111 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213
Phone: 503-284-0401
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Located in the Roseway District just a few minutes from Maywood Park, Cameo Cafe East offers more than the best Korean BBQ in Portland.

If you are in the Korean BBQ mood, enjoy stir-fry and bento with your choice of shrimp, chicken, veggie, tofu, or beef.

I tried the shrimp bento box and wished I ordered another round.

Try their house specialty Bulgogi Beef with Sue Gee’s seasoned sauce mixed with vegetables and rice.

Choose from salads, burgers, soups, and much more if you want something other than Korean BBQ.

Han Oak Restaurant

511 NE 24th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
Phone: 971-255-0032
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The Han Oak Restaurant in the Kerns District nearby the Serrano Apartment Building specializes in Korean BBQ dinners.

Check their website for when they are open to the public for dinner as some nights they are closed for a private event. Make your reservation on Resy up to a month in advance.

Han Oak operates on a seasonal menu, so check back often as dishes regularly update.

For summer, they have a chilled soba dish with nori, cucumber, and daikon mixed in white kimchi and beef broth.

Veggie skewers, koji rubbed pork coppa, and dry-aged New York strips are also a part of the summer menu.

I tried the dry-aged New York strip and it was perfectly cooked and deliciously seasoned for a mouth-watering bite!

JCD Korean Restaurant

3492 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR 97005
Phone: 503-644-7378
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I drove 11 minutes outside of Portland to JCD Korean Restaurant in Beaverton, Oregon.

I tried the marinated spicy octopus with udon noodles and vegetables featuring cabbage, Korean sausage, Vermicelli noodles, and pork intestines.

The dish had the right balance of different meats and seafood.

The crunchy cabbage brought it all together.

Besides the specialty Bulgogi and Galbi, there is even a section for “Risky Entrees.”

Indulge in spicy Korean soups such as the spicy Komen cabbage soup with pork and tofu.

Charcoal grilled chicken with house sauce is the definition of Korean BBQ at its finest.

Pair your delicious dish with soju or rice wine.

Kkoki Korean BBQ

8001 SE Powell Blvd Ste o, Portland, OR 97206
Phone: 503-327-8875
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Kkoki Korean BBQ in the South Tabor District competes with Chungdam Korean Fusion only two minutes from each other.

Kkokki’s specialty is all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ.

Select from four types of meat and pair them with vegetables of your choice.

Children ages five to 10 eat half price while children ages two to four eat at a flat rate of $6.00.

Look for the Lunch Special BBQ combos or the Lunch Special Plates if you dine from 11:30 am to 3 pm.

I tried the Beef Bulgogi lunch combo with rice, salad, and the day’s appetizer and was filled with satisfaction by the time I finished eating.

Korean Twist on 5th

310 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204

I stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Portland City Center and took a leisurely walk around the corner to a food cart called Korean Twist on 5th.

According to Yelp, the popular dishes they serve are Bulgogi Burrito, Spicy Pork Burrito, Taco Combo, Bulgogi Beef, Korean Tacos, Bulgogi Tacos, and so much more.

The Bulgogi Burrito is the most popular amongst Yelp reviewers because of its delicious Korean BBQ flavors wrapped up in a portable burrito perfect for on the go.

I tried it, and I agree with the reviewers wholeheartedly!

It was a deliciously modern take on a traditional Korean BBQ dish that I will be sure to try again on my next visit to Portland.

Sari Ramyun

2713 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
Phone: 503-841-5149
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During my stay in Portland, I was in the Kerns District and ordered the Dwen-Jang Ramyun from Sari Ramyun.

You can modify this to become gluten-free and/or vegan.

I took my lunch to Oregon Park a couple of minutes down the street for a personal picnic.

I loved how the mushroom broth soaked into the tofu and took on its flavor.

The soft-boiled egg was just the cherry on top of this Korean BBQ sundae.

The bean sprouts and scallions added an extra crunch that delighted the experience.

I look forward to trying the Chicken Dwen-Jang Ramyun next time!

So Kong Dong Tofu & BBQ

2850 SE 82nd Ave UNIT 11, Portland, OR 97266
Phone: 503-808-9990
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Song Kong Dong Tofu & BBQ in the Powellhurst-Gilbert District operates on the business motto, “Cleanliness, warm heart, and premium ingredients & taste.”

When I tasted the Chadol Beiji Beef Brisket on their table BBQ specialty, I knew this business was living up to its motto.

The Japchae was the right balance of savory starch from the potato, delicious meaty beef, and soft, crunchy vegetables stir-fried to perfection.

I could not resist the seafood pancake which changed my mind about this dish being the usual American sweet breakfast dish. 

Try other specialties such as a variety of tofus with shrimp, kimchi, beef, or pork, bibimbap, and ginseng chicken soup.

The Bulgogi + Dukuhbee Noodle

Northeast, 4232 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213
Phone: 503-327-8607
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I felt enlightened and comfy when I dined at The Bulgogi and Dukuhbee Noodle.

It gives off a casual dining vibe with vegan and vegetarian options available for everyone of all diets.

Grab a quick bite or a large meal to fit your hunger level. Since this was located nearby the Portland airport, I waited until the day I was leaving to try Korean BBQ here.

I ordered the Chicken Bulgogi with steamed rice, dumplings, salad, and pickled radish.

The soft pillowy dumplings complimented the deliciously seasoned chicken.

The crunch of the salad and pickled radish was the fresh accompaniment to a savory delicacy.

Happy Bibimbap House 2

4204 NE Halsey St, Portland, OR 97213
Phone: 503-477-6066
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The Salem Oregon restaurant has a second home in Portland. I was privileged to try the LA Galbi, which is marinated LA prime beef short ribs.

I paired it with the Dolsot Bibimbap which featured seasoned vegetables served over rice.

The prime ribs were falling off the bone so moist and tender.

I could not get enough of the soft and crunchy vegetables that paired well with the starchy rice.

The menu has three categories: Korean BBQ, Hot Pot Soup, and Combo Boxes.

This simplicity makes it easy to choose the Korean specialty you love and customize it based on your desired taste profile.

KPub Grill and Beer Tap Room

7339 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97211
Phone: 503-954-1722
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When I was in the Piedmont District in Southeast Portland, I stopped for a quick snack at the KPub Grill and Beer Tap Room before heading back to my hotel.

I ordered a Corona Extra which was $1 off because I was there during happy hour.

I also ordered Yakisoba Noodles with beef and vegetables.

The savory beef paired with the luscious beer was a great combination!

If you are looking for one of the best Korean BBQ restaurants in Portland with a bar attached, this is the one!

I was amazed at the bustling bar scene and how much people loved the Korean BBQ dishes.

Final Thoughts

Korean BBQ has a distinct taste from American BBQ. How the umami dances on your tongue is a unique experience.

Whether you are Asian or love Asian dishes, you will appreciate the authenticity of this Korean BBQ selection at the restaurants we chose in this lineup.

Portland also has a great selection of amazing Greek restaurants for you to check out as well!

Is there the best Korean BBQ restaurant in Portland that we missed?

Let us know in the comments so we can try the food and review it in a future article!

Best Korean BBQ Restaurants in Portland

  1. Kim Jong Grillin
  2. Chungdam Korean Fusion
  3. K-Town Korean BBQ Restaurant
  4. Toji Korean Grill House
  5. Always Spring Restaurant
  6. Cameo Cafe East
  7. Han Oak Restaurant
  8. JCD Korean Restaurant
  9. Kkoki Korean BBQ
  10. Korean Twist on 5th
  11. Sari Ramyun
  12. So Kong Dong Tofu & BBQ
  13. The Bulgogi + Dukuhbee Noodle
  14. Happy Bibimbap House 2
  15. KPub Grill and Beer Tap Room

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