Orlando is no stranger to the Korean BBQ restaurant craze. Korean BBQ is an interactive dining experience that involves cooking marinated meats on a grill built into the table right in front of you. This to-die-for cuisine is known for its sweet flavors and charred, crispy textures. This is the perfect date night idea if you really want to bond with your partner and get hands-on with your food. In no particular order, here is your tasty guide to the best Korean BBQ in Orlando.
What to Expect at a Korean BBQ Restaurant
If you’re a novice to this Korean delicacy, you might not be sure what to order. Korean BBQ restaurants typically offer beef cuts, pork belly, chicken, and seafood. These proteins come with many different marinades and seasonings–soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and more. The most popular Korean BBQ dish is Bulgogi, which is thinly-sliced beef marinated with brown sugar, pear, and soy sauce.
Korean BBQ restaurants use both charcoal and gas grills that are embedded into your table. After you are seated, your server will turn on your grill and oil it up for you. When you order your meats of choice, they’ll serve them to you raw on a plate. All you have to do is use your tongs to place them on the grill in front of you and let them cook. The best part is you’ve got total control–you can make them as crispy and charred as you desire. You can also order some Korean side dishes and appetizers to accompany your tasty BBQ such as rice, potstickers, soups, and more.
Korean BBQ in Orlando
Bulgogi House Korean Restaurant
705 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32804.
Bulgogi House is known for its authenticity and quality. This small, homey establishment offers an all-you-can-eat menu for a fixed price of $24.99 per person. With this menu, you have up to two hours to order and grill as many tasty meats and dishes as you can eat. There are so many seasoned meat and side dish options, but their most popular menu items include:
- Beef Bulgogi
- Fresh Pork Belly
- Fresh Beef Brisket
- La Galbi (marinated beef short ribs)
- Bibimbap (traditional Korean rice dish)
- Pan-seared Potstickers
If you’re not in an all-you-can-eat mood, you can still order individual entrees. You can also enjoy some traditional Korean beers and wines to wash it down. This Korean BBQ restaurant is pretty cozy, so it’s perfect for a date night that is low-key yet interactive.
Korea House
4501 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
Korea House was the first Korean restaurant in the state of Florida. This business has been booming since 1982, so you’re guaranteed traditional and delicious Korean cuisine. They also serve a lot more than just table-top Korean BBQ. You can order unique plates such as:
- Mixed rice dishes
- Soups & stews
- Korean hot pot
- Noodle dishes
- Kimchi pancakes
If you’re sticking with BBQ, you can order la galbi, beef bulgogi, pork belly, beef brisket, and tons more. If you’re looking for a Korean BBQ restaurant in Orlando with variety, this one is definitely for you.
Shin Jung Korean Restaurant
Featured image from @shinjungkorean
1638 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
Shin Jung Korean Restaurant is nestled in Orlando’s Mills 50 district. This beloved Korean BBQ spot actually suffered damage from a massive fire in 2019, but re-opened two years later with a revamped interior. Now, their modern and contemporary atmosphere makes for a super trendy date night.
Shin Jung’s is known for their bulgogi and kalbi, which is a marinated short rib. You can also grill spicy chicken, spicy pork bulgogi, beef brisket, and more.
Korean Gogi Grill
7800 Dr. Phillips Blvd #300, Orlando, FL 32819
If you’re on the Southwest side of Orlando, Korean Gogi Grill is a great spot to get your Korean BBQ fix. This restaurant is located in the Dr. Phillips area. The dimly-lit atmosphere feels a bit more upscale and classy, but the price is still within an affordable range.
If you want to get the bang for your buck, try their combo meal: $70 for two people, $158 for four people, or $238 for 6 people. With this combo, you’ll get:
- Miso soup
- White rice
- Lettuce and other assorted side dishes
- Beef bulgogi
- Beef brisket
- Marinated short rib
- Chicken and shrimp
- Pork belly
Bee Won Korean
5100 Dr. Phillips Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
Bee Won Korean is a family-owned business that takes pride in its truly authentic Korean dishes. This restaurant is also located in the Dr. Phillips area and is best for a comfy, home-style meal.
Their traditional appetizers include Mandu (pork dumplings), kimchi pancakes, seafood flour pancakes, seaweed salad, and Korean fried chicken. They offer unique meats such as:
- Dak Bulgogi (spicy marinated chicken breast)
- Cha Dol (thinly-sliced beef brisket)
- La Galbi (beef short rib) marinated in their sweet house sauce
- Dwaeiji Bulgogi (sliced pork)
Here, you are guaranteed to get customary Korean cuisine that is served just as it is in Korea.
Worth the Drive Nearby
If you’re in Central Florida but not located directly in Orlando, you can still enjoy some tasty Korean BBQ. There are so many Korean BBQ restaurants in the surrounding areas.
Kimchi Korean Kitchen
7 Alafaya Woods Blvd #1000, Oviedo, FL 32765
If you want to stay out of the busy parts of Downtown and Mills 50, pay a visit to Kimchi Korean Kitchen in Oviedo. This laid-back and casual Korean BBQ spot is the most affordable option but has super high-quality meats.
Their grill options are very traditional: Gal Bi, Bulgogi, Sam Gyub Sal, and more. If you’re in a rush or want to stay in for date night, you can even order this Korean BBQ to go.
Volcano Hot Pot & BBQ
5877 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Volcano Hot Pot & BBQ is located in the heart of Kissimmee. If you spent the day at Disney World, this is a great nearby spot to grab dinner. This Korean BBQ restaurant is a massive space with a vibrant environment. You definitely won’t have to worry about not being able to get a table. Here, you have the choice of doing Korean BBQ or Hot Pot.
They also just opened a new additional location in Orlando on International Drive.
Seoul Garden Restaurant
511 E Horatio Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
Seoul Garden Restaurant is a highly-rated Korean BBQ restaurant in Maitland. They are known for their relaxed dining environment and huge meal portions.
You can table-top grill beef and pork Bulgogi, pork belly, and La Galbi. They also offer tons of distinctive dishes like Korean-style grilled fish, soups and stews, Bimbimbap dishes, and more. Date idea: head here before or after a movie at the Enzian Theater, it's just about five minutes away.
Related: 11 Ideas for the Perfect Date Night in Maitland
Get out of your comfort zone and have a fun, interactive date night with these incredible Orlando Korean BBQ restaurants.