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Korean date spots in Irvine

Sharing a Korean meal is a low-pressure way to spend an evening getting to know someone new.

Based on 555 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
All That Shabu image 1
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Shabu-shabu restaurant

Spacious shabu-shabu restaurant with self-serve ingredient and sauce bars and clean, well-organized cooking stations. Atmosphere balances family-friendly and bustling energy with comfortable noise levels and room to move. Offers varied broth and meat selections alongside sides and desserts, creating a lively yet inviting dining experience.

Broth and self-serve hot foods like Korean fried chicken and bulgogi beef stand out. Cooked sides include rice, rice cakes, and bulgogi to complement the meal.

Offers a comfortable setting for couples and groups to talk and enjoy meals together. Frequented by couples for its relaxed atmosphere and shared dining experience.

People are saying

"I loved the shabu shabu buffet with its great variety of meats and ingredients."

"The Korean food buffet had amazing selections of fresh meats and vegetables."

"The food here is so fresh and tasty for Date Spots."

Good to know

1

The all-you-can-eat price is $35.99 per person on weekends.

2

Reservations require the entire party to be present.

3

Expect long wait times on weekends; arrive early around 4:30 PM.

02
Dpot image 1
Shabu-shabu restaurant

Shabu-shabu restaurant offers all-you-can-eat menu with fresh ingredients and a DIY sauce bar for personalized flavors. Indoor and outdoor seating create a family-friendly atmosphere with a relaxed, welcoming vibe. Noise levels vary, sometimes making conversation difficult during loud gatherings.

Nine soup bases offer unique flavors, including a bulgogi flavor and a Korean spicy rice cake base. The all-you-can-eat menu features high-quality meats, especially the galbi eye steam stacker.

Spicy broths like Seafood, Pork, and Bulgogi offer bold flavors that make meals feel lively. The spot suits couples ready to share and try a variety of dishes together.

People are saying

"The meats at this buffet, especially the rib eye, were super fresh and delicious."

"These hot pot Date Spots have tasty broths and a great variety of sides."

"I loved the all-you-can-eat Korean food with fresh seafood and meats."

Good to know

1

Dpot offers an all-you-can-eat menu for $35 per person.

2

Lunch prices are around $50 for two people, including tax.

3

The restaurant is closed every Sunday.

03
Nice to Meet You Skewer Hot Pot - Now AYCE image 1

Hot pot restaurant offers all-you-can-eat skewers with a self-serve fridge stocked with diverse meats and vegetables. Interior blends modern and traditional Chinese decor creating a warm, cozy atmosphere suitable for groups and casual dining. Sauce station and drink bar add customization and convenience to the lively dining experience.

Cold noodles stand out with a refreshing texture. Kimchi soup base offers a mild, pleasant flavor without heat, though other broths like sukiyaki and tom yum come off as bland.

Warm and inviting atmosphere sets a relaxed tone for a casual date night. Variety of skewers like brain flower and lobster add unique food options to enjoy together.

People are saying

"The soup bases here are rich, flavorful, and satisfying."

"I loved the Korean food, especially the kimchi soup base."

"The ribeye and Wagyu sirloin at these Date Spots are so tender and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Lunch special is available until 4 p.m. on weekdays.

2

Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends.

3

Dinner costs $38.99 plus tax and tips, while lunch is $28.99.

04
Marble Steakhouse & Grille image 1
Korean barbecue restaurant

Spacious Korean barbecue restaurant with a modern, upscale design and a quiet, calming atmosphere. Guests enjoy table-side steak grilling and a wine and cocktail bar that adds to the refined vibe. The setting suits date nights and special gatherings with its comfortable yet exclusive feel.

Upscaled Korean BBQ offers a smooth, stress-free experience with superb flavors. The banchan side dishes taste great and pasta is available alongside the BBQ.

Upscale yet comfortable atmosphere suits date nights and special gatherings. It works well for celebrations like birthdays.

People are saying

"The Korean food here has such flavorful, tender meat."

"The steak here is juicy and cooked to perfection."

"The steaks here are premium, flavorful, and cooked to perfection."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for dinner, especially after 5 PM due to high demand.

2

Expect a wait time of less than 5 minutes for seating on Sundays.

3

Parking is plentiful in the plaza surrounding the restaurant.

05
Baekjeong Irvine image 1
Korean barbecue restaurant

Korean barbecue restaurant features interactive table grills with overhead ventilation that minimizes smoke. Atmosphere is loud and lively, with music often making conversation difficult. Large space includes a separate bar area and outdoor seating for waiting guests.

High-quality Korean BBQ gets grilled right at the table with excellent service. The Baekjong Combo offers a solid sampling, including marinated kalbi, making it a standout for Korean BBQ outside Korea.

Staff handle all the cooking, letting couples relax and enjoy the meal. The soup stands out as a favorite, adding a cozy touch to the date night experience.

People are saying

"The Korean food here is amazing, with outstanding service."

"I found the Korean BBQ here to be one of the best I've ever tried."

"The food quality here is amazing for a date spot."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends to avoid long waits.

2

Expect wait times of up to two hours for walk-ins during peak hours.

3

Happy hour runs from 2-5 pm on weekdays with half-off drinks.

06
Its Tofu image 1
Restaurant

Clean, modern space with spacious seating booths and classy table settings creates an inviting atmosphere. Korean dishes come with a wide variety of banchans served in bronze tableware, adding a royal food vibe. The vibe is hip and trendy, with an authentic feel and welcoming smiles.

Bibimbap stands out as a rare find in the area. Side dishes impress with variety and flavor, including grilled mackerel, seafood pancake, mixed tofu soup, and cold noodles.

Lunch here offers tastier tofu compared to other spots. It works well for couples looking for a reliable date spot with good food.

People are saying

"The Korean food's side dishes were so clean and delicious."

"The tofu soup here has a good kick, especially the spicy one."

"The service for date spots is friendly and efficient."

Good to know

1

Expect wait times of up to 45 minutes for weekend dinners.

2

Prices for entrees can be high, with a tofu pot costing around $20.

3

The restaurant offers lunch and dinner service, as well as takeout options.

07
Chubby Cattle BBQ | Irvine image 1
Barbecue restaurant

Modern space combines cozy, friendly vibe with thoughtful family design and beautiful dรฉcor. Cramped layout creates a busy, energetic atmosphere with frequent movement. High-quality wagyu and a self-serve sides bar add to the engaging dining experience.

Offers all-you-can-eat wagyu with fresh ingredients and great meat options. Includes a self-serve area for kimchi, wagyu curry, and milk teas to complement the Korean BBQ.

Personalized service stands out with servers like Aspen and Alex making celebrations special. The spot suits intimate dinners and first-time visits with a welcoming vibe for couples.

People are saying

"Our server helped us cook the steak and gave great recommendations."

"I found the Korean barbecue here to be amazing."

"The Date Spots here have top-tier meat that's incredibly flavorful."

Good to know

1

Expect a wait time of 1-2 hours during peak dinner hours.

2

Put your name on the waiting list early to avoid long waits.

3

The restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat option with high-quality dishes.

08
All That Barbecue image 1
Korean barbecue restaurant

Korean barbecue restaurant with cramped seating and unique grill design creates a loud, smoky atmosphere that feels bustling and family-friendly. Tables are small and the space gets hot from cooking stoves, making conversation difficult. The place fills up quickly and does not accept reservations.

Offers all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ with a great selection of meats and dishes like steamed egg, corn cheese, and stews. Includes really good banchan, plus kimchi and soy bean soup that stand out.

Offers a casual dining atmosphere suited for couples and small groups. Serves KBBQ-style dishes that create a shared, interactive meal experience ideal for date nights.

People are saying

"I thought the Korean BBQ here was a great value for the price."

"The Korean food here has decent umami meat and pork belly."

"The filet mignon and teriyaki beef were the best Date Spots options."

Good to know

1

Reservations are not accepted, so expect to wait for a table during peak hours.

2

The all-you-can-eat lunch price is $29.99, while dinner costs $38.99.

3

There is a two-hour limit on all-you-can-eat orders, and charges apply for uneaten meat.

09
Yoo's place image 1
Korean restaurant

Casual Korean restaurant with a homey atmosphere and bright fluorescent lighting. Offers unlimited side dishes and complimentary bone broth served in stainless steel tumblers. Busy during lunchtime, it attracts those seeking authentic Korean flavors in a simple, comfortable setting.

Cold noodles stand out with authentic flavors. The banchan offers a varied and plentiful selection, including fresh kimchi made daily. Soups and stews stay true to Korean tradition, while dishes like spicy pork bulgogi and bibimbap in a hot stone bowl deliver classic tastes.

Dinners here offer authentic Korean flavors with dishes like kimchi and beef soon tofu that make for a satisfying date night.

People are saying

"The home-style Korean food here is so delicious and fresh."

"The savory, comforting broth is perfect to start the meal."

"The portions at these Date Spots are humongous, you can't finish them!"

Good to know

1

Yoo's place is very busy during lunchtime, expect longer wait times.

2

The menu at Yoo's place is extensive, featuring many popular Korean dishes.

3

Expect to pay a bit more, as some find the food expensive for the portions.

10
YUP DDUK IRVINE image 1
Korean restaurant

Small, cozy Korean restaurant with loud music and limited seating creates a casual, unassuming vibe. Popular for authentic tteokbokki with a range of spice levels and unique ingredient combinations. Strong focus on takeout convenience with app discounts and a steady flow of customers near a university campus.

Tteokbokki here features a unique mix of gochujang, cheese, sausage, and kimchi with huge portions that can feed 2-3 people. The spicy pork bulgogi and chicken stew stand out with full flavor and good heat, satisfying cravings for classic Korean dishes.

Offers a bunsik style Korean food experience similar to spots in Buena Park. The spicy bulgogi stands out as a flavorful choice for couples.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing, delicious, and comforting."

"The Korean food's tteokbokki is packed with gochujang and cheese."

"The service here is amazing and the staff is really nice."

Good to know

1

Customers can get 50% off when ordering through their app.

2

The restaurant has limited indoor seating capacity of 24.

3

Outdoor seating is available for those who prefer it.

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