YakiniQ Korean BBQ

My partner and I are big Korean BBQ fans and go often back home in NYC, so we were excited to try YakiniQ for the first time. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to expectations. The food was just okay and lacked flavor, even on the premium plate. The beef bulgogi didn’t really taste like beef, and overall, nothing stood out. Service was also disappointing. After waiting an hour to be seated, it took another 10 minutes before anyone checked in to take our order, and the couple next to us (who arrived after) were served first. Even water took about 20 minutes to arrive…. I also didn’t realize it was self-cook, which might be fine for some, but the experience felt very "here’s your meat, good luck." The ventilation could use improvement too; the smoke builds up quickly and makes your eyes sting. Overall, not the experience we were hoping for.

We had a great time cooking our bbq, service was quick and ingredients full of flavor. We ordered a little bit of everything with our favorites being the marinated pork rib and beef. Ventilation could be better, if you come here you’ll be smelling like bbq.

Our first visit here was 10 years ago on our honeymoon and when we returned to San Francisco for a business trip we had to make a stop for memory sake. DEFINITELY get the Premium option. It was Fantastic!!

I usually don’t leave negative reviews, but this experience was honestly disappointing. The service felt unprofessional — the manager spoke to customers in a very dismissive way and was throwing items around, which made the environment uncomfortable. I also had concerns about cleanliness after noticing staff using the same cloth to wipe both cookware and chairs. It may have been a misunderstanding, but it didn’t leave a good impression. Another issue was the number of house rules. None of these were clearly explained when we were seated, yet we were asked to leave as soon as their time limit was reached. When we asked for clarification, the response we received was simply that the rules were posted on the wall for us to read ourselves. Overall, the experience felt rushed and unwelcoming. I hope the management can improve communication and customer service in the future, but based on this visit, I personally wouldn’t recommend it.

Worth the price, isn’t too pricy for getting all you can eat for the quality of the food; immaculate. The staff are super sweet and friendly! None of the meat was old either, you can tell that everything is fresh! The marinated ribs were marbled so well and the flavor was ecstatic. We WILL be back here!!!

YakiniQ has some strong points, but overall, my experience fell short. As a first timer in a Korean BBQ costumer, I’ll start with the positives: the service is truly outstanding. The waitstaff is attentive, patient with explaining the process and how it works, friendly and quick, making you feel well taken care of throughout the meal. Now, the downsides: the food, unfortunately, lacked flavor. For a BBQ spot, I was expecting bold and exciting tastes, but it just wasn’t there. The restaurant also felt overcrowded, and with poor ventilation, the smoke from the grills clings to your clothes—definitely not ideal. At $45 per person, there are plenty of options for prime cuts. A big issue was the automatic 18% service fee for parties of 5 or more. While this isn’t unusual, the waiters should clearly explain this policy upfront, especially before asking for an additional tip. For those like me who don’t pay close attention to the bill, this feels misleading and can leave a bad taste after an otherwise polite dining experience. Would I go again? Probably. The service is excellent, but transparency around the service charge is a must.

Unsuspecting from the outside but totally impressive from the inside! This is my new favorite K-bbq spot in SF! They have a huge variety of side dishes that do not disappoint, the quality of their meet is fantastic and the staff is super helpful and friendly. This is an excellent choice for a date or large groups and parties. If you like Korean bbq, you will love YakiniQ!