Gen Korean BBQ House

Gen Korean BBQ has always been a spot I’ve enjoyed, and it started off great for me. The meat selection is still really solid, and there’s a lot to like about the overall setup. That said, on my return visits it’s felt like they’ve started cutting corners a bit, especially with more and more items disappearing from the menu over time. One thing I do want to call out in a positive way is the service. The servers have consistently been friendly, attentive, and genuinely helpful, which goes a long way and keeps the experience feeling welcoming. The biggest downside lately has been the grill situation. They recently changed the process so they don’t swap out grills anymore, and instead you’re expected to clean it yourself with a piece of radish. In practice, that radish gets dirty fast and it ends up feeling messy and inconvenient, which takes away from what should be a fun, easy dining experience. I still think Gen has a lot going for it, but I’d love to see them bring back a few of the removed items and reconsider the grill cleaning change so the experience matches the quality of the food and the staff. I'm rooting for them as it is a great addition to the town center and will definitely give it another change and change my rating if it improves.

Their quality and service have changed drastically since my first visit. Our grill pan was burnt, and when we asked for a replacement, the server told us they didn't offer replacements, only giving us a new white radish to wipe it. My sister clearly stated it was burnt and couldn't be wiped. Finally, a female server came over and tried to clean it, so we had to watch her perform. She eventually couldn't clean it either and finally gave in and replaced it for us. Throughout the entire visit, no one came to refill our drinks or replace our plates. The experience was absolutely terrible, and I will never go there again.

My husband and I have been adventuring out since we’re new to the area and on the hunt for our new go-to Korean spot. Gen’s popped up, and I immediately got excited because this was our favorite Korean restaurant back in Hawaii. We walked in and were greeted right away. It wasn’t very busy, and we were seated immediately. Our server was brand new and ended up getting three tables after us, but she truly did her best. What stood out the most was that the manager came by to check on us, which we really appreciated. Everything was delicious, and we were completely full by the end of the meal. This is definitely our new Korean spot!

Could be my mistake for getting to go but I was disappointed with the quality of food. The first picture is the garlic pork I got, it has a weird slimy coating on all of it, not sure what it is but it’s a bit off putting. Next is the Japchae, I’ve had authentic Japchae before so maybe I’m biased but the raw veggies were also very off putting. I also got the Hawaiian steak which could have been marinated but it tasted completely plain and just had a slice of canned pineapple on top. The sides were fine but kimchi and pickled veggies are usually more crisp and fresh these were quite wilted. Perhaps it’s better fresh made on the bbq but I would strongly discourage takeout. I got a green tea boba and that was also not good. I felt it was far too expensive for the quality of food we received.

Wonderful atmosphere. Well seasoned meats and plenty of movement for food. Everyone is great!

The service was outstanding. There was only one server who did phenomenal at taking care of all the tables, on a Saturday night. He was on point. The food was good. Really enjoyed the kalbi.

My friends and I decided to check out the all-you-can-eat Gen Z Korean BBQ spot at St. John's Town Center since it was my friend's birthday and we wanted to try something new. Overall, we had a great time and will definitely be back, plus we’ll recommend it to our friends and family. PROS: 1. The place was spacious and clean, with a lively vibe that seemed perfect for a younger crowd. 2. The staff was super friendly and attentive—big shout-out to our server, Zau! The manager, Kim, and assistant manager, Sara, were also great, always stopping by to see how we were doing. They even surprised my friend with a free dessert and the staff sang Happy Birthday! 3. The meat we ordered was fresh and delicious. Our waiter brought out the meats in batches to keep the table from getting too crowded. The appetizers were a mixed bag; the calamari and fried dumpling wrappers were a bit chewy, but everything else was really good. 4. The drink/ adult beverages had a lot of choices, but a bit pricey. CONS: 1. Parking can be a bit tricky since the restaurant shares a lot with other places at St. John's Town Center. 2. We definitely left smelling like Korean BBQ! Not sure if the exhaust was on while grilling, but even my purse had that BBQ scent. It’s not a big deal if you’re just heading home to shower, though!