Kalbi Social Club

Irvine is full of great Korean food, Kalbi Social Club stands out! The dining is an experience, The service is amazing (they do everything for you), and the meat quality is top tier. The kalbi short ribs (LA style) MELT in your mouth. But honestly, the kimchi salad was what made this place special . The lighting is great and the restaurant had a great ventilation system so that it isn't smokey. I'll be coming back

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 waiterThe 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 came here after seeing this place blow up on TikTok, and I was really excited to try it -- but unfortunately, it was a HUGE disappointment. We came during a slow time when the restaurant was pretty empty. Despite that, we stood at the front waiting about 10 minutes to be seated while what seemed to be the manager was glued to his phone at the bar. I had to wave him down just to get his attention, which already left a bad impression before we even sat down. When we were finally seated, the grill and table were still dirty with leftover food particles -- not something you'd expect when the restaurant isn't even busy.Considering the higher price point, the quality of both the food and service was underwhelming. Our server, who seemed nice, was the only one working at the time, bouncing between tables while also cooking the meat for us. He started cooking our brisket, but had to leave mid-cook to help other tables. By the time he came back, the brisket was dry, overcooked, and burnt. Brisket isn't hard to cook, but when left unattended, it's bound to turn out bad -- and that's exactly what happened. The 48-hour galbi we ordered was just as dry and disappointing. Honestly, the meat quality felt on par with lower-tier KBBQ spots like Gen -- definitely not what I was expecting for the price.Their signature unfermented shaken kimchi felt more like a gimmick than something that actually enhanced the meal. I get that it's a different type of kimchi, but regular kimchi would've been just fine. The steamed egg looked great on the surface, but underneath, it was dry and overcooked -- which seems to be a running theme here. The only thing I actually enjoyed were the dipping sauces, which were unique and flavorful -- but sauces alone aren't enough to justify the steep prices.If you're thinking about coming here, save your money and go to **Baekjeong** instead. The prices are about the same, but the quality of both the food and service is miles better.Overall, my boyfriend and I had a bad experience, and I wouldn't recommend this place.

Overall a fun and slightly higher end spot to eat KBBQ! I do think they tried to do something different with the side dishes which at times was overhyped but the meat is cooked to perfection!! For us the service was hit or miss with some wanting to accommodate our large party and others not as excited. We had the Shaken kimchi (3/5) - Gimicky and really just tasted how it looks - raw veggies in kimchi sauce Cheese Potato Pancakes (4/5) - Good but not really a get again kind of dishCold noodles (5/5) - Personally love cold noodles so I really liked it, but it was a mixed reaction from our table Medium combo 48 hours (5/5) - so well marinated and cooked!! If anything I would come back for a treat yourself just to get the meat again but the rest of the food wasn't something I'd repeat. The cocktails are good though!!

First time trying Kalbi Social Club, and it did not disappoint! The banchan is amazing--definitely not your traditional banchan, but in the best way possible. The flavors are unique and so well done, and the service was excellent. Our banchan plates were always refilled without even having to ask. The salad was super refreshing, and the shaken kimchi had just the right amount of heatThat said, the bulk ramen and corn cheese felt a bit overpriced at $15. It's decent for sharing, but I'd probably skip it next time. Combo C, though, was perfect for four people--great portions and really satisfying. Definitely worth coming back for!

Absolutely underwhelming. I'm not even sure where to start. Besides the decor and ambiance being really aesthetic and cute. Other than that, long story short - I would not recommend this restaurant. Esp if you're hungry. We had reservations for 13 to celebrate a birthday. The menu is over priced without a doubt, even for the quality of meat (but it was nothing mind blowing) esp it not being AYCE. We did the most expensive option which was $200 for 4 cuts of meat and the sides, which are not unlimited. Not sure how they expect you to get full for $200. Besides it being overpriced - the service was a doozy. (I don't mind paying for good food.) I understand serving a big group is never fun, but our server def wasn't friendly. We also understand Friday night can be short staffed as well too. But I personally had to ask for a side of salad 3 different times. Our drinks took forever to come out, server got our order wrong with drinks. The kimchi in a bag - is also nothing special lol. The meats agreeable were pretty good, but nothing memorable. For the $$$ and "quality" this restaurant is listed for. It's disappointing that they didn't meet what the reviews are saying especially while celebrating a birthday. Truly felt like our money was a waste. We'd hope they are able to fix their "we're currently backed up" because having to ask for something 3x is overdone!

New KBBQ spot at the Irvine Spectrum (next to the movie theatres and the comedy club). I made a reservation in advance but it was pretty empty when I went since I went right when they opened on a Sunday. It is a la carte (not AYCE) but they have combos available that come with different meats and sides. The kimchi is not fermented but still tasted good. The banchan (side dishes) selection was really light - I'm used to more traditional KBBQ where there's a larger selection of side dishes. I did like the service and how they cook the meat for you and also change the grill after each meat. It had a more upscale ambiance compared to other KBBQ spots. A little pricier but it is nicer and trendy. One huge bonus was that I didn't smell like bbq in my hair and clothes when I left.

The food was so good and service was pleasant! The combo K was plenty of food for 2 people and we also ordered the potato pancake, which was cheesy and crispy in the best way. Their sauces were on the saltier side but definitely compliments the meats well. Overall a really great experience and I would go back! Tip: reservations are recommended

The ambiance is nice and modern. There is a bar area and I really thought the ventilation was great! We had bbq and there was no smoke smell from the grill at all. Also, it didn't feel so greasy as you normally feel from Korean bbq places. It's located right across the movie theater and near sprinkles cupcake. We got the combo for two people and although our primary purpose to come here on a weekday was to try their lunch special, we drove all the way over to Irvine, so why not just try their bbq meat instead. Their shakin kimchi was interesting. They just shake it in a bag and serve it on a plate at your table. The kimchi was however so sweet for my taste. Not enough spicy kick but too much sweetness. Their salad dressing was so sweet too. The marinated kalbi was so sweet too but it was tender. The quality of the meat is good but I just thought the food was just too sweet for our taste. The service was attentive and nice as they came frequently to cook our meat and ask if we needed anything. Now that we tried the meat, maybe I will go back and try their lunch sets. Those did look good.

I recently visited Kalbi Social Club in Irvine for Valentine's Day, and overall, it was a great experience! Booking the reservation for 3 people via OpenTable was super easy, and they were very accommodating when I needed to change it from 2 to 3 people. I really appreciated how responsive they were through the OpenTable portal.The food was delicious! We ordered the combo set for 2-3 people, and it was more than enough to keep us stuffed. The meats were flavorful, and I especially loved the 48-hour marinade on the premium kalbi. The steamed egg dish was a hit for us as the eggs were nice and puffy. We did notice that the bottom part was a little burnt but it was still tasty. However, I'm giving this a 4-star review instead of 5 because the cocktails were pricey for the size, and I didn't really taste the alcohol. Another downside was that rice wasn't included in the combo set and had an extra charge, which felt a bit much.The atmosphere is upscale, but I think they could benefit from adding more appetizer and noodle options to the menu. On the plus side, the service was friendly, and there was plenty of seating available. One unique thing I loved was their "shake that kimchi" banchan, where the kimchi comes in a bag that the server shakes before serving. It's not fermented, so the cabbage is crunchy without the sour taste, and I'd definitely come back just for this!Overall, I'd return for the great food, especially the kimchi and premium kalbi. Just wish the drinks and rice were a better value!