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 sti

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 took my friend here for the 1st time and he loved it! Our server, Carlos, was very friendly and did not judge us for ordering soooo much food. Thank you Carlos for your great customer service. The variety of meats here was delicious. We will definitely be coming back.

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 c