Really enjoyed my lunch at Kalbi Social Club last week. The spicy cold noodles and crispy potato pancake were both delicious. I also added a side of protein, the marinated short ribs, which is also much recommended. Service was great here as usual. Very nice looking restaurant and ambiance.

Amazing upscale alternative to your traditional Korean bbq! Stunning atmosphere and top notch service! Jackie the hostess and J Chun the server went above and beyond to ensure our dinner was first class! They are an asset to the Kalbi Social Club team. Thank you!

I absolutely love Kalbi Social Club located at the Irvine Spectrum. It opened its doors in late November. I like that it is an elevated Korean BBQ restaurant. My cousin and niece have been wanting me to try this restaurant. It is totally worth it. We ordered the Combo K which is good for 2-3 people. There were four of us. So we ended up ordering another meat dish-LA Style Kalbi, Crispy Potato Pancake and another bag of Kimchi. This was definitely enough for 4 people. Featured: Drinks Cloudy Hanging River $16 Soju, Milkis, Blue Curacao Syrup, Lemon Juice, Cotton Candy Mak-Sey Old Fashion $18 Combo-K $109.99 Brisket Rib Eye KSC Premium Kalbi 48 Hr Seasoned Rib Shake That Kimchi Soy Bean Stew Steamed Egg LA Style Kalbi $55.99 Crispy Potato Pancake $17 Shake Kimchi 4 Combo Dessert Fire 📍529 Spectrum Drive Irvine, CA 92618

03/21/2025 - What a BLESSED surprise. Our first time to try Kalbi Social Club. It seemed a bit pricey when we looked at the menu, BUT it's worth every dollar we spent there. Tiffany, our server was FANTASTIC. She was so nice, friendly, catering and has a pleasant attitude. The food was FLAVORFUL, and Tiffany cooked our meats just perfectly. We enjoy eating at Korean BBQ restaurants for the variety and taste, BUT Kalbi Social Club is now our new STANDARD. THANKS Tiffany and Kalbi Social Club for the BEST Korean BBQ experience.

Definitely try this place! Quality of meat is fantastic. Banchan is fresh, tasty, and unlimited. Yes, it’s pricey but you would have to put in effort to not leave full, if not overly stuffed like you would after a holiday meal. The only criticism is the salad is a waste - very Americanized and not enough dressing - and the shake kimchi is super fresh - which is great for people that love crunch and to avoid sour/aged kimchi.

Kalbi Social Club is amazing! The food is so flavorful - the meat (especially the 48-hour marinated kalbi) is perfectly cooked and the small plates are incredible. The vibe is super fun and welcoming, and the staff are all so friendly and helpful with recommendations. I left already looking forward to my next visit!

I ate masala pav and misal pav...yummy. liked it as it is better than, what i get in Illinois.

Service was great and the price was so worth all the food!!!

Food is amazing and the atmosphere is perfect. Great place for a date

Excellent food, service and atmosphere

Great food and great service from Jonathan.

Fun time - waiter was social - ate good

Good taste, great service

This place is great for a date night! Awesome atmosphere and great food and drinks! Super clean and better grills without all the smoke. Highly recommended if you're craving Korean BBQ!

This place is fantastic for upscale Korean barbecue and perfect for a date night! All the meats are such high qualities and we loved all of the side dishes as well. Make sure to order the steamed egg and the shaker kimchi.

A new upscale KBBQ restaurant opened in Irvine Spectrum, so ofcourse I had to check it out. I love the interior, good service, and an extensive menu. We tried the started set that came with brisket and perfectly marinated galbi. We also ordered some shareables: steamed egg, kimchi steak fried rice, and garlic soy chicken. Decent portions that kept my mom & I full, I’d like to come again to try other set menus they have!

Overall, the food was excellent, and our guests especially enjoyed the rib eye cap and short ribs — they mentioned how delicious those were. Even our CEO and others in the group commented that we chose a great restaurant. There was only one small point — some felt the japchae was a bit too salty and mentioned it tasted like it might have bulgogi sauce in it. But our guests, who are American, actually enjoyed the japchae as well. The parking lot is a little bit of a walk from the restaurant, but the walk itself was pleasant, so it wasn’t really a downside. When it came time to pay, I was surprised the bill was lower than expected. It gave a strong impression of great value for money. We would definitely come back again and would highly recommend the restaurant to others. 음식은 전체적으로 다 맛있었고, 손님들이 새우살과 갈비가 맛있다고들 하더라구요. 저희 대표이사님 포함 다들 음식점 잘 골랐다고 하셨고요. 잡채만 좀 너무 짜다, 불고기 소스가 들어간 것 같다는 의견이 있었는데, 저희 고객은 미국분이라 그런지 잡채도 맛있다고 했어요. 주차장이 살짝 거리가 있다는 점은 있지만, 걷는 길도 괜찮아서 마이너스는 아니었어요. ㅎㅎㅎ 계산할 때 보니까 음식값은 제 생각보다 적게 나왔어요. 가성비가 좋다는 인상이었고, 재방문 의사 + 지인들에게 강력 추천 의사 있습니다.

갈비가 한국 수원갈비 맛 나요!맛있어요❣️ 생일 말씀주시면 귀여운 케이크까지!ㅎㅎ

갈비,김치,감자전등 훌륭.

I had such a great experience at Kalbi Social Club, and a huge part of that was thanks to our waitress, Esther. From the moment we were seated, she was incredibly warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. Esther made us feel welcomed without ever being overbearing—she checked in at just the right times and had great recommendations from the menu. You could tell she really cared about making our night a good one. Even during the busy dinner rush, Esther stayed calm, upbeat, and professional, and somehow still made us feel like a priority. It's rare to find service that feels both efficient and personal, but she struck that balance perfectly. If you're lucky enough to get Esther as your server, you're in great hands. Can't wait to come back!

I had an amazing dining experience at Kalbi Social Club! The food was absolutely delicious, and the atmosphere was fantastic. The quality of the meat was top-notch—definitely one of the best I’ve had, even compared to high-end Korean BBQ restaurants in Korea. The shake kimchi was simply outstanding, adding a unique and flavorful touch to the meal. On top of that, the manager and servers were incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring that everything was cooked to perfection. If you’re looking for a premium Korean BBQ experience with excellent service, this place is a must-visit!

Kalbi Social Club is the best restaurant we have been to in a long time. The interior and ambiance is beautiful, the service was outstanding and the food was next level! Every side dish tasted amazing, the freshly shaken kimchi was the best kimchi I’ve ever had! The brisket was delicious and tender, the ribeye was cooked to perfection and the Kalbi short rib marinated for 48 hours left me drooling. Was a great date spot for the wife and I. I highly recommend this spot for a great night out and a satisfying meal. Elevated K BBQ for the win!

Dined today during lunch time with Kaitlyn as our server. 10 out of 10, would recommend. As Koreans/Asians, we noted the high quality meats and delicious side dishes. Not to mention, the soybean paste soup and steamed egg was so tasty and full of flavor. You can tell a lot of thought went into the flavors so that they all intermingle well. Service was top-notch from Kaitlyn and very attentive. I dropped a chopstick and not even a single second later, another server grabbed me a new pair. I think we made the right decision to wait a few months so that they can get settled in and work out all the operations kinks because it was great. We will be coming back again, for sure!

This is the best KBBQ I've had! The atmosphere was awesome. The service was fantastic. And the food was phenomenal. My server, Johnny, made the experience sooooo fun! Kalbi will definitely be seeing me in the future.

It's a delicious, good atmosphere, and a great place for Korean cocktails that I've never experienced before.

+3

Our first time in a real Korean bbq. Definitely coming back, food was amazing and service as well.

Had low expectations but service and food far exceeded! Knowledgeable and helpful server, thoughtfully planned out meal and high quality meat. Would love to return again.

My second time here, and I still don’t get why this place has such a low rating! Sure, some might think it’s a bit pricey, but I honestly don’t agree. It’s actually cheaper than some of the well-known Korean BBQ spots in OC (and no, don’t compare it to AYCE places—at least compare it to similar spots in terms of price and atmosphere!). Given that it’s located in Irvine Spectrum, the pricing seems totally reasonable. Plus, the food is delicious! I definitely enjoyed it and will be coming back.

Easily the best K-BBQ I’ve had. Kalbi Social Club brings that real smoky galbi flavor — just like in Korea. Staff’s awesome, vibe’s great, and the grill masters? Total pros. 10/10, coming back for sure.👍

Luxury korean dining table in the Irvine spectrum mall.

Great service and good BBQ. Would definitely come back.

The food and place is amazing. We enjoyed every minute.

We had the most amazing experience here!! The food was delicious and the atmosphere and service were fantastic!!

The food and services here were insane. Martin took great care of me and my family. Excellent guy and 10/10 food and atmosphere. Awesome to see a cool new spot in the Spectrum!

Food was great,a bit on the expensive side but nonetheless overall experience was great,meat was so delicious and Nathan was excellent!

The food was great! I enjoyed the atmosphere and how prompt the service was. I would go back again! Pricing might be slightly higher than others but you get what you pay for.

We went in for the Saturday dinner. I mean food, service and the atmosphere is the best in town. 당분간 다른 KBBQ 는 안 갈듯요.

Everything was absolutely amazing! Enjoyed every second of it. Atmosphere was great, and service was fantastic!

Jonny is dope. The food is amazing

Amazing food, great atmosphere, and top-notch service. The meat quality was outstanding and the cocktails were delicious. Perfect spot for a fun night out, will definitely be back.

A one of a kind experience unlike any Korean bbq spot l've been to! Food, service and atmosphere were top notch!

We’ve been here several times, and it feels only right to finally leave a review after consistently great experiences. As a fan of Korean BBQ, I used to gravitate toward AYCE spots, but this place has completely won me over. The atmosphere is modern and inviting, perfect for a relaxing meal or date. The food quality here is on another level compared to typical AYCE KBBQ. Everything tastes fresh and well-prepared, and the portion sizes are generous. We usually go with the K menu and are never disappointed (one of my favorites is the 48-hour marinade). The service has been outstanding. We’ve had multiple servers over our visits, all of whom have been warm, attentive, and friendly. Most recently, we were helped by Esther, who was especially welcoming and made the experience even better. We also enjoy sitting near the bar, where the chefs are not only skilled but also friendly and engaging. One thing we also noticed is the presence of a gentleman who seems to be a manager. He’s always on top of things, stepping in to help wherever needed and ensuring everything runs smoothly. That level of attention really stands out. This has officially become our favorite spot at the Spectrum; for the best experience make a reservation ahead of time!

We went there last Saturday with our friends (party of 9). Our expectations were high because a Korean friend highly recommended it. AND IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT! Food was DELICIOUS! Service? Julie was AMAZING! OVERALL experience was EXCEPTIONAL. Great KBBQ atmosphere with unique flavors, delicious fresh kimchi, and BBQ. We will definitely be back and will be telling everyone we know to come here!

I had Beef Brisket, Ribeye, Korean Cut Kalbi (aka L.A. Galbi), KSC Premium Kalbi with table side marinated, and Ribeye Cap. The quality of the meat was fresh and really good. Korean Cut Kalbi was tasty, but honestly, the seasoning was too sweet. And, Beef Brisket would have been better if the meat was a little thinner. All the meat was grilled by the server right at our table, and all the servers, including the server in charge, grilled the meat really professionally and were also friendly. Kalbi Bar is going to operate on a reservation system in the future, so I plan to visit again soon and eat at Kalbi Bar. Btw, honestly, the restaurant’s name, Kalbi Social Club... hmmm... I don’t know what the company was thinking when they named it, but the name doesn’t seem attractive.

+6

Kalbi is right night to tender greens. Don’t do the rookie mistake where I parked by target and made the trek to Kalbi. Server was super friendly and the food was absolutely delicious. Will come back for their amazing kbbq

+6

I visited during my trip to LA and I loved the quality and the details of the menus. Especially geotjeori(shake kimchi) which is a side dish that we eat so much in Korea, was a nice touch to be interpreted like this. Kalbi and dongchimi(cold noodles with radish soup) was delicious!! Great place to meet up with friends, family, or even for casual business meetings.

+3

This is the first Korean BBQ at the Irvine Spectrum, and they’re literally pulling out ALL the stops. We got to experience the magic of tableside service as our server prepared a beautiful marinated short rib from scratch right at our table. And there’s more! We actually started out with premium brisket, fluffy jiggly steamed egg, then ribeye. I almost couldn't believe that all of this was included in their K combo feast, along with banchans and soybean paste stew that was arguably the best I’ve ever had! And for their shareables, I highly recommend the bulgogi japchae and crispy cheese potato pancake. Thanks for reading! ^-^

+6

LOVED all the flavors and quality of the food! Definitely planning to come back and try more! Everyone was so nice and the service was top notch!!!! Highly recommend🙂‍↕️

Made a reservation same day for dinner and everything was really good - I live in Ktown in LA and this place has better meat quality than most of the korean KBBQ places in LA. I would come back again! Our server Ray/Roy was so friendly and nice to us. Grilled the meats perfectly. Man this place is good

One of my favourite high end kbbq. Everything from the service, the place, the set up was amazing. Definitely try their short ribs, egg soufflé and wagyu fried rice. Will definitely be back!

Kalbi Social Club is one of the best Korean BBQ spots I’ve tried. The quality of the meat, flavorful marinades, and perfectly grilled dishes make every bite memorable. The atmosphere is inviting, and the dining experience is top-notch. Highly recommended for anyone craving authentic Korean BBQ.

We ordered the Kalbi Starter Set and it was honestly the perfect portion. It’s $59 per person and comes with two signature cuts — the 48-hour aged center-cut kalbi was super tender and flavorful, and the American Wagyu brisket was rich but balanced. Everything is cooked tableside, which makes the experience feel elevated and stress-free. The quality of the meat really stands out, and the shaken kimchi and sides made the meal even better. The space is modern, not overly smoky, and great for a date night or dinner with friends at the Spectrum. Solid food, great vibes, and definitely worth coming back for.

Kalbi Social Club is easily one of the most impressive Korean BBQ experiences I’ve had. This isn’t your typical casual spot; it’s a high-end establishment with premium cuts and unique culinary techniques that truly set them apart from the competition. The highlight of our evening was Esther. Her service was world-class—she was incredibly proactive and seemed to anticipate our needs before we even realized them. We never had to ask for a thing because she was already two steps ahead, managing every detail of our meal with speed and expert knowledge. If you are looking to impress business clients or host a special family dinner, this is the place to go. Ask for Esther—she’s a professional through and through.

Kimberly Do

Kalbi Social Club fue una grata sorpresa. El servicio fue excelente de principio a fin y nuestro mesero fue amable y atento. El único detalle extraño fue que la recepcionista me pidió mi nombre y número de teléfono para ponerme en la lista de espera de Yelp, aunque no había espera. No fue un gran problema, simplemente inesperado. Pedimos la Experiencia del Carnicero, arroz frito con kimchi y dos bebidas. Todo estaba delicioso. Había muchos acompañamientos y lo que más me gustó fue el kimchi fresco que preparan en una bolsa y luego sirven en un plato. La carne estaba tierna y sabrosa, y el arroz frito con kimchi también estaba buenísimo. Las bebidas eran originales y estaban bien preparadas. Mi Old Fashioned me lo sirvieron en un tazón, algo que no esperaba, pero estaba delicioso. El ambiente tenía una iluminación tenue y era tranquilo y relajado. El restaurante está ubicado dentro del centro comercial. Primero dimos una vuelta para ver qué opciones había y terminamos eligiendo este lugar. ¡Menos mal! Además, tiene estacionamiento, lo cual fue muy conveniente. Sin duda volveré y probaré más platillos la próxima vez.

Danny Liao

Disfruté mucho mi almuerzo en Kalbi Social Club la semana pasada. Los fideos fríos picantes y el panqueque de papa crujiente estaban deliciosos. También pedí una guarnición de proteína, las costillas marinadas, que recomiendo ampliamente. El servicio fue excelente, como siempre. El restaurante tiene un ambiente muy agradable.

Tina Tan

Si buscas una barbacoa coreana de alta calidad en el Condado de Orange, Kalbi Social Club en el Irvine Spectrum es una visita obligada. El ambiente es moderno y animado, perfecto para una salida nocturna con amigos o una cita divertida. Los cortes de carne son de alta calidad, los sabores intensos y el servicio amable y atento, lo que hizo que la experiencia fuera fluida y agradable. Definitivamente no es la típica barbacoa coreana tradicional; es más elegante, pero aún accesible. ¡Volvería con un grupo más grande para probar más del menú!

Breana McGowan

¡Sin duda, no te pierdas este lugar! La calidad de la carne es fantástica. El banchan es fresco, sabroso y sin límites. Sí, es caro, pero hay que esforzarse para no irse lleno, o incluso demasiado lleno, como después de una comida festiva. La única pega es que la ensalada es un desperdicio: muy americanizada y con poco aderezo. El kimchi batido es súper fresco, ideal para quienes aman lo crujiente y evitan el kimchi agrio o curado.

Jeff Ullen

Hemos venido varias veces y, después de tantas experiencias excelentes, por fin nos parece justo dejar una reseña. Como aficionado a la barbacoa coreana, solía preferir los restaurantes de buffet libre, pero este lugar me ha conquistado por completo. El ambiente es moderno y acogedor, perfecto para una comida relajante o una cita. La calidad de la comida está a otro nivel comparada con la típica barbacoa coreana de buffet libre. Todo sabe fresco y está bien preparado, y las porciones son generosas. Solemos pedir el menú coreano y nunca nos decepciona (uno de mis platos favoritos es el marinado de 48 horas). El servicio ha sido excepcional. Nos han atendido varios camareros en nuestras visitas, todos ellos amables, atentos y simpáticos. Recientemente, nos atendió Esther, quien fue especialmente acogedora e hizo que la experiencia fuera aún mejor. También nos gusta sentarnos cerca de la barra, donde los chefs no solo son expertos, sino también amables y simpáticos. Otra cosa que notamos es la presencia de un señor que parece ser el gerente. Siempre está pendiente de todo, ayudando donde sea necesario y asegurándose de que todo funcione a la perfección. Ese nivel de atención es realmente excepcional. Este se ha convertido oficialmente en nuestro lugar favorito del Spectrum; para disfrutar de la mejor experiencia, ¡reserva con antelación!

The interior is modern and well designed, with a comfortable layout that works well for a social meal and casual conversation. We ordered the USD 69 per person set with sliced beef, plain short ribs, and marinated short ribs. The beef quality was good and the flavors were balanced, but the portions were small and not very filling. We added steamed egg, mushroom fried rice, soybean paste stew, and kimchi stew at USD 5 each upon the meal. All were fairly standard, without anything particularly memorable. Service was fine. The final bill came to USD 275 for three people including tip. Overall, the atmosphere is a strong point, but the value for money is low.

Korean BBQ at Irvine Spectrum just got a serious upgrade. The atmosphere is sleek and lively, servers manage your grill for you (absolute game changer), and the short rib is melt-on-contact perfection. When I'm out with clients relocating from out of state, I love showing them the incredible food diversity Irvine offers — and this spot always seals the deal. Bring a group and order everything.

Everything was great. Did seem pricey... but maybe im just poor.

The atmosphere is definitely Irvine Spectrum but we're here for the food, Korean BBQ to be exact. The meat is definitely of higher quality, especially the rib cap, if all others being equal. And the price reflects that. Avg $100 per person.

Fresh and tasty food, recommend it!

+6

Food was great. I especially loved the service and hospitality from the host Robert! He was so kind and accommodating! Thank you for being so nice!

Great Korean BBQ with flavorful side selections, dips and sauces. Priced accordingly which makes it more of a special occasion spot rather than an everyday place to go for dinner. Wait staff are focused on cooking, so if you need more sides (or water / more to drink) you'll need to ask because they seem to forget to offer. Full bar with good selection and fairly knowledgeable bartender.

First time here and it was a neat experience. The food was good, but not GREAT. Flavor was good, pricing was a bit high, and bummed out the salad that comes with the combo was an extremely small portion for 4 people (with no refills). The potato salad was flavorful. The steamed egg was yummy and huge. I actually enjoyed the non fermented kim chi a LOT. I realized I like it more than regular kim chi. The rib eye was tender and flavorful. I got a gin and tonic and it wasn't that great. Honestly, I'm glad I got to try this place. It isn't somewhere I would go on a regular basis because I would personally prefer a traditional KBBQ place. If you haven't been, it's worth a try.

+6

Came here for a mom’s night out with 2 other girlfriends. 1. We got the combo set S for the 3 of us to share. It was more than enough. We were recommended to go with the table side sauce which did not disappoint. They cook everything for you and the grill was awesome because the room was not filled with smoke. The premium Kalbi was the best. Should have started with that first but the marinade was good. 2. Crispy Cheese Potato Pancake was so good. Kind of heavy because it’s potatoes and cheese but crispiness was perfect and I loved the sauce. 3. House made Kalbi Mandu was so good and juicy. Onion toppings was perfect too. 4. Dongchimi noodles were good and the flowers were a nice artistic touch. Was not as vinegary as I prefer and unfortunately they didn’t have any to provide on request. 5. Fresh shake that kimchi was pretty good with the sauce. Kind of cool that it comes in a bag and they shake it up. 6. Loved the service. Everyone was very attentive. We had dinner at 4:15 though but we were there almost a solid 2 hours. They got us water when we asked and we were asked if everything was going well several times. We got everything we asked for in a timely manner. 7. Drinks we got Makgeolli (Sang is the brand). It was pretty good. And the Creamy Makgeolli Shake tastes like an alcoholic horchata. Sweet but good. 8. Combos come with a dessert too- vanilla ice cream with a cute yakgwa snack. Side notes: the jalapeño sauce that comes out with the Banchan was good and spicy. Also we requested sesame oil for the salt and pepper. They also provided samjang on request. Had to knock off one star because I think the brisket was overcooked a bit because it was dry. This also could have been us because we were talking a lot over dinner- so that that star reduction with a grain of salt. The overall lighting is good- not too dark and it was not noisy at all. Def can have a nice conversation without yelling.

+6

This is the Korean BBQ spot inside the spectrum. We got the $79 per person set. The interior is really nice and the service is top notch. The food and banchan was good but not sure the value of $79 per person totally squared out versus the other really good Korean bbq spots in Irvine and Orange County.

+1

用餐環境很舒適。 在單點韓式烤肉他們的價位算中等，但品質卻是中下的程度。 服務與烤肉有很大的進步空間。

+6

This place was a bit pricey, but overall I had a good experience so I thought it was ok. What I don’t quite understand is the 3% credit card surcharge. With the minimum tip option set at 18%, adding this surcharge means you’re essentially paying about 21% more unless you enter a custom tip for lunch.

This is a premium kbbq spot. The atmosphere is nice and has an upscale feel. They offer two different dining options that come with different menus. One is at the bar where you get to pick from 2 different dishes and few different meats that is cooked in front of you. Second is a table where you have a wider selection of meats. I ate at the bar. Shared one soju with a friend and ended up spending little over $100. Definitely way more than I expected and still left hungry. You only get 2 cuts of meat with your meal at the bar. In addition to a bowl of soup. Overall a cool spot with great employees but I would rather eat at a traditional kbbq spot for half the price with unlimited food.

Food was decent enough. Service needs some work. The waiter who brought our dessert just literally dropped the spoons on the table and walked away saying, "Have fun!" In my ice cream, there was a broken piece of bowl in it. I told our waitress, who just said, "oh sorry" and blew me off. So when I asked for the manager, he comes over looking miffed and just asked, "do you want compensation?" Way to just put me on the spot there instead of addressing the issue. Oh and the kimchi is a joke. Fresh cabbage shaken up in a bag with some chili sauce. No Korean would call that authentic. Not planning to come back.

I refuse to believe they are trying to justify that their thinly sliced beef brisket and fake kimchi should be $50+ You're better off going to an all you can eat and pay less to get more of the same quality beef. The food is good but DEFINITELY NOT worth the price

The atmosphere at Kalbi Social Club was definitely a highlight — stylish, lively, and comfortable. The host at the front was welcoming and set a good tone for the evening. The food itself was pretty good, with a decent selection of meats and tasty sides. However, the service left something to be desired. Our server wasn’t exactly rude, but came off as inattentive and a bit dismissive. He was grilling the meat for us, but didn’t seem to care much about how it was cooked, and even tossed the receipt onto our table at the end without a word. Overall, not a bad place to try Korean BBQ, but the service could use more attention to make the experience feel truly enjoyable.

I visited Kalbi Social Club yesterday and came away pretty disappointed. We ordered both the non-marinated short ribs and the marinated kalbi. The non-marinated short ribs were decent, but the marinated kalbi had far too much fat. I understand that marinated cuts can sometimes use fattier meat, even in Korea, but this was excessive and really affected the quality. Another issue was the tableside grilling. The staff seemed to cook the meat too quickly and kept turning the fire off, so the meat cooled down fast and lost a lot of its flavor. Good kalbi should be served hot and enjoyed at the right timing, and that part of the experience was missing. Honestly, this did not feel like a proper Korean galbi restaurant. It felt more like an Americanized Korean-themed restaurant with a nice interior. The presentation may look polished, but food quality matters more than decor. The rice was undercooked, which is a major disappointment at any Korean restaurant, and the doenjang jjigae was nowhere near the quality it should have been. It was greasy and lacked the depth and comfort that this dish is supposed to have. Some of the side dishes also felt like they were there more for show than for quality. Overall, the meal felt overpriced for what was served. I would not confidently recommend this place to someone who wants to experience real Korean galbi. The interior is nice, but the food itself was not at the level the prices suggest. Korean food does not need to be overly Americanized anymore. If a restaurant presents itself as Korean galbi, then it should respect the basics and do them properly. For me, this place was all style and not enough substance. Very disappointing.

This place is such a rip off. I know KBBQ is becoming more and more expensive, but of all places to try and rip people off, they choose OC, which has an insane abundance of Korean food options to choose from. Us three girls came here for dinner and ordered the option S, which proclaims to be a “combo for 2-3” and cost $160 pre tax and tips. The starters were mid. The “shake that kimchi” was unfortunately one of the worst kimchi I’ve ever had (tasted like a white person concoction) and the soybean stew was way too salty and lacking in all other flavor profiles. Now here is the disappointing part. Server came out with the meat we ordered and started grilling it for us. The meat portion was NOT ENOUGHT FOR 2-3. I glance at my friend and remarked “I think that’s all the meat….” She laughs and said “no way! There’s more right?” And looks at the waiter The waiter actually GRIMACED, and said, I quote, “no that’s all, I’m sorry. Do you want to order more?” We paid MORE to leave the place hungry than if we had just gone to AYCE KBBQ, which for OC prices would have come out to less than $160 pre tax and tips for three people. The meat was tough and overcooked, did not taste good at all. I definitely won’t be coming back.

I went to this place with my parents-in-law at 9:02 PM. I had called earlier and was told the last seating was at 9 and they’d stop taking guests at 9:15. We valet parked and rushed over, but when we got there, they said there were no seats since it was past 9, even though I could clearly see empty tables. I was really looking forward to sharing Korean culture with my American in-laws, but instead I felt embarrassed and disrespected. We were planning to celebrate my birthday and were ready to spend a lot, but they just turned us away. They could’ve told me that on the phone. And no one even asked if I wanted to leave my name, even though I told them I was coming.

The quality of the meat was disappointing for the price. and others are just so so.It’s a stylish restaurant, so that was a letdown.

+1

We were disappointed with our experience at Kalbi Social Club. When we were seated, the grill immediately produced brownish, oily residue before we started cooking, suggesting it had not been properly cleaned. We had to change grills multiple times and speak with the manager before receiving a clean one, which significantly delayed our meal. Because the restaurant was very busy, the server (who cooks the meat for guests) nearly overcooked the meat several times. The restaurant also felt understaffed. While it’s understandable during the holiday season, the atmosphere was extremely loud due to many intoxicated guests, making it feel more like a pub than a restaurant. Considering the price, the meat quality was just average. Overall, we wouldn’t return and wouldn’t recommend this place.

Taste is not good

On Friday night at around 8 o'clock 2 of my friends and I went to Social club to see if they were taking walk-ins. I lead my friends into the restaurant and as I walk in two guys are at the front desk but they're facing the opposite direction. I say "HELLO!" as I walk up and no response. I turn around and one of my friends starts laughing. Eventually the manager turns around and I ask him if they're taking walk-ins. He says yes. After that I turn around for a quick second to ask if my two friends are ready. This is where the real disrespect comes in. A waitress steps in and asks the manager a question (which is fine). As we are waiting to be seated, the manager just leaves. No host. No waitress. No host. Nobody is at the front desk. I turn around and my friends are laughing again and now I am starting to think that this is racial (my friend and I are black). At this point me friends and I decided to just leave because they clearly didn't want our business. This was disgusting behavior and honestly I was surprised but Irvine has started show their colors.

최악임. 사람도 없는데 40분 기다려서 밥먹음.두 번 확인해도 오더 들어갔닫니니 오더 안들어감. 진짜 짜증.돌솥도 다 식어서나옴

to management team, front staffs here never stop talking and super noisy. ruins entire expeience. 밥먹으러 갔다가 짜증이 날 정도로 시끄러워서 대충 먹고 다른 곳으로 식사하러 갔습니다. 음식이랑 분위기가 기억이 안날 정도입니다.

된장찌게, 김치찌게시키면 반찬이 하나도 안나오고 찌게 하나만 나오는게 이해가 안갑니다. 이런 한식당 첨봐요.

Avoid this place if you value decent service and respect as a customer. This is my first negative review unfortunately , It was never my attention to hurt a business, but this restaurant truly deserves it. The food was just okay—overpriced for what it is, as other reviews have pointed out. The service was subpar from the start; we were short on plates, utensils, and other basics. While I understand the waitress was trying her best, it was clear she was overwhelmed and couldn’t handle everything on her own. The real issue, however, was the way the business handled our dining experience. At no point were we informed that there was a strict time limit for our table. Suddenly, in the middle of our meal, the manager approached us aggressively and demanded that we leave. I completely understand that a restaurant needs to turn over tables to maximize profit, but this should have been communicated upfront—not after we had already spent over $120 per person. What made it worse was the manager’s rude and unprofessional behavior—rolling their eyes, standing behind us impatiently, and displaying a terrible attitude. If the owner is reading this, I strongly suggest hiring a better manager because the way this situation was handled was unacceptable. This is my honest review, and if this is how they continue to operate, it certainly won’t be the last negative one they receive.

Our visit to Kalbi Social Club was deeply disappointing, particularly for a restaurant positioning itself as a premium KBBQ experience. My group of four ordered Combo C with the 48-hour marinated meat, and while the flavors were excellent, nearly every other aspect of the experience fell short. The meat was well-prepared and flavorful, but the portions were unreasonably small. Despite the combo being advertised as suitable for 3-4 people, it was barely enough for two. Each serving of meat felt more like scraps, leaving us unsatisfied. The kimchi presentation was disappointing. While I understand they were serving Geotjeori, watching staff mix pre-packaged napa cabbage and sauce at our table was shockingly unprofessional. If the goal was to create the impression of freshness, it failed entirely. A simple assurance of "fresh kimchi" would have been far better than seeing a plastic bag brought out to the table. This not only lacked authenticity but also detracted from the experience. Additionally, $3 for an extremely small bowl of rice felt excessive, further highlighting poor value for money. The ambiance was pleasant, with cozy lighting and a quiet atmosphere, likely because we arrived an hour and a half before closing. The service was attentive, and each table appeared to have its own dedicated waiter, which was a redeeming factor. Hygiene was a significant concern. Several bowls and utensils had visible food residue, and when I raised this issue, staff insisted the items were clean. I had to request replacements, which left me questioning the overall cleanliness of the restaurant. While Kalbi Social Club aims to provide a high-end alternative to AYCE KBBQ, it fails to justify its prices with portion sizes, authenticity, and cleanliness. Though the ambiance and service were commendable, these aspects could not compensate for the restaurant's shortcomings. I cannot recommend this establishment to anyone seeking a satisfying, fulfilling, and authentic KBBQ experience.

Great atmosphere, but that's about it. Do not order ribeye, they will cook it to death. And service was horrible. Had a very dismissive and "I'm busy and don't care" attitude. Meat was finished cooking before bringing out any sauce or banchans. Server said he would check. Nope. Servers would be chatting in the corner in the way of customers' path.

We were really disappointed. They made us wait over 10 minutes even though the restaurant was completely empty. It made no sense — the tables were right there, and when we asked why we had to wait, the answer was something about a “reservation” on a regular weekday. Truly frustrating and unnecessary.

It’s terrible that everyone has to order the same Experience. It is not all you can eat!! Stupid!! I won’t go again.

The meat is horribly below average. It smells bad and is so hard to chew.

We was here then other people and we order first but the food takes 40min and the people who came late get the food more early😡 and it was disrespectful i’m not coming here again

Brisket was so rough and hard. Hard to chew. Horrible quality. Can’t justify price at all

Not worth the price!! $580 for 6 people and the meat didn’t taste any better than a $30/ person all you can eat kbbq in OC. The sides were so basic and limited. Banchan was disappointing. The kimchi salad was probably the only good thing I had. Even the meat wasn’t that delicious .. it was all just very OK. Service was slow. I would have rather cooked it myself for the speed the server was cooking it. I am not coming back.

I went for lunch with my friends since one of them recommended it after seeing it on instagram. Place was completely empty but they still had to “check” if they had tables available. Their options are honestly really limited unless you have a lot of money to blow and most of the cheaper options are spicy so if you can’t handle it you’re stuck with boring platters. At the end when we wanted to pay the check, we split it not adding a tip since we literally couldn’t afford it. Got a email from the bank not to long after and it turns out they charged us an additional tip, one we did not sign off on, almost got an overcharge from the bank and now with almost $20 less in our pockets. We won’t be coming back which is a shame since the food is decent.