Mountain View is a simmering Korean food haven. And it should be—Silicon Valley’s global palate demands it. We celebrate having dozens of Korean restaurants that truly understand their craft. Daeho, Danbi, Jangtu. These are some of the most beloved (and authentic) names in Korean cuisine, and they call Mountain View home.
Woomihome
$ | (408) 212-0071 | WEBSITE
You’ll notice that Woomihome specializes in authentic Korean home-style cooking, so don’t bring your friend who just wants generic takeout. Both meal kits and pre-made dishes are reasonably priced at this welcoming South Bay spot—among the highlights is their famous kimchi, which many say is the best in the Bay Area. The menu offers plenty of variety for sharing, including hearty braised beef in soy sauce, perfectly grilled meats from their special grill machine, and spicy-sweet chewy noodles.
It’s a popular place for family gatherings, so call ahead to secure your order for kids’ parties or weekend meals.
So Gong Dong Tofu House
$$ | (650) 424-8805 | WEBSITE
With generous portions and consistently delectable dishes, but none of the pretension, Mountain View’s So Gong Dong Tofu House ranks extremely high on the satisfying-Korean-food-o-meter. This cozy restaurant in a bustling local strip is famous for its $18 lunch special with a steaming bowl of cheese tofu stew and a side of jap chae, which is admittedly more of a hearty feast than a light meal.
Regulars fill up on discounted double or triple orders of it, but our preferred move is the budget-friendly combo, which starts at $25 and features a sizzling beef stone pot bibimbap with a side of bulgogi pork.
bb.q Chicken Apple Park
$$ | (408) 320-2323 | WEBSITE
If KFC is the past of fried chicken, bb.q Chicken Apple Park in Mountain View is the present and future. Located in a busy plaza with easy parking, this upbeat Korean fried chicken spot has you order on iPads when dining in, then delivers piping hot chicken to your table in minutes. Everything here is a bit more generous than your average chicken joint, the chicken is a notch above what’s in typical fast-food places, but still very affordable.
The varied menu spans classic flavors like Golden Original and Cheesling, but the best values are the lunch specials, like the $12 boneless chicken combo with fries and soda.
Sogongdong Tofu Town
$$ | (408) 352-6840 | WEBSITE
There’s something about a proper Korean tofu stew that makes you feel like you’ve found a hidden gem, and if that’s your goal, the one with the best bang for your buck is at Sogongdong Tofu Town, a Korean spot inside Hmart in Mountain View. It’s about $18 for the Seafood Tofu, which comes with a spicy broth packed with shrimp and clams, a perfectly cooked egg, purple rice, and a side of spicy cucumber.
Just be sure to swing by when you’re already running errands—this place is perfect for grabbing a bite and stocking up on groceries.
SGD Tofu House
$$ | (408) 261-3030 | WEBSITE
Visit SGD Tofu House in Mountain View any day of the week and you’ll find a steady stream of families, tech workers on lunch breaks, and Korean food enthusiasts waiting for a table at this local institution. It’s a family-friendly, multi-location restaurant that’s been serving authentic Korean cuisine for over twenty years and specializes in traditional soondubu (soft tofu soup) and haemul pancake (seafood pancake).
Order the popular seafood soft tofu soup and seafood pancake combo for about $25, served with an array of refillable side dishes including the noteworthy kimchi banchan, so you can experience the full range of flavors this place offers.
Yummy Tofu and BBQ
$$ | (408) 984-1898 | WEBSITE
Yummy Tofu and BBQ is a classic Mountain View strip mall restaurant with a simple sign marking the entrance. Apart from the bustling tables during peak hours, the space is straightforward with a few booths and tables arranged efficiently. The Korean food, however, happens to be excellent and quite affordable.
The seafood pancake and seafood dolsot bibimbap are standout dishes, both under $15, and there’s a generous tofu soup option if you’re craving something hearty for $12 that comes with purple rice and banchan.
Seoul Tofu & Korean B.B.Q
$$ | (510) 790-8989 | WEBSITE
Mountain View’s Korean food scene was once hit-or-miss, then Seoul Tofu & Korean B.B.Q arrived. The clean, classic Korean space and $22 lunch specials feel authentic in all the right ways, and the food is satisfying for the price. Expect generous banchan refills, a hearty tofu hot pot, and sizzling pork belly with your meal. If you’re not in the mood for barbecue, you can also order noodle stews without your portions feeling skimpy.
Use it for a comforting weeknight dinner or casual group meal that doesn’t involve pretentious plating.
Bibimbowl
$ | (408) 481-9383 | WEBSITE
Mountain View has no shortage of affordable, authentic Korean lunch spots, and Bibimbowl stands out as a top contender (bonus points: it offers patio seating, too). Try to snag a seat at the welcoming counter—the woman working there is always friendly—and order the dolsot bibimbap with pork bulgogi. It comes sizzling in a hot stone bowl with soy sauce, and at $14, it’s one of the pricier options on the menu.
Add an order of their popular Hot Stone – Chicken and Shrimp with Brown Rice and the tasty vegetarian bibimbap if you’re feeling adventurous.
Seorai Korean Bbq
$$$ | (408) 490-4912 | WEBSITE
If you’re tired of hearing about how great Korean BBQ spots are, sorry, we have nothing in common. This local gem has cracked the group dining code and remains a weekend staple whenever a meat craving hits us on a random Friday. Our Seorai love stems from the fact that it’s hard to find consistent, well-marinated meats at these prices anywhere, and also their table iPad ordering being so darn convenient.
You’re looking at a five-person feast with a variety of meats and seafood pancake for around $235, and there’s probably a table available within a 15-minute wait of your arrival.
Soo Ja Fusion Bistro
$$ | (510) 226-6024 | WEBSITE
We love this Mountain View spot for its late-night hours and fusion menu that blends Korean classics with Western comfort food. But one corner of the menu deserves special attention: the burger section serving up creative takes at casual dining prices. The pork katsu burger is a standout for around $15, but if you’re feeling adventurous, we also recommend the bulgogi tacos, budae jjigae stew, and seafood hot stone bibimbap, all made fresh to order.
With pitchers of cocktails and beer flowing, pop culture references on the screens, and friendly staff keeping things moving, it’s the perfect place to unwind with friends after hours.
The Magpie and Tiger
$$$ | (408) 320-2130 | WEBSITE
We’ve all endured a karaoke night where the song selection is stale and the food is an afterthought, but The Magpie and Tiger is a cut above. This lively Korean spot does chewy, flavorful tteokbokki and group-friendly karaoke at prices that won’t make you cringe. Dishes hover around $12–16, and the rose tteokbokki stays wonderfully hot and satisfying even after you’ve belted out a few tunes.
There’s also an iPad ordering system that lets you add wings, kimchi pancake, or bossam with a tap, plus a YouTube-based song catalog where you can search everything from K-pop to classic rock. The Magpie and Tiger is a fun night out worth planning ahead for—grab a soju or a crema rose rice cake and sing your heart out in one of the spacious, modern karaoke rooms. Or don’t. The lively ambiance of regulars singing in multiple languages is entertainment enough.
Bae Go Pa KBBQ
$$ | (510) 656-1001 | WEBSITE
Stepping into Bae Go Pa KBBQ, the cozy Korean spot in Mountain View, is like discovering a hidden culinary treasure. This intimate restaurant is often filled with groups sharing sizzling platters of Galbi ribs and solo diners enjoying lunch specials like bossom and spicy bulgogi. But Bae Go Pa is more than just a find—they serve some of the most flavorful Korean dishes in the area, including perfectly marinated Galbi and Pork Belly plates for $24 each.
If you arrive particularly hungry, upgrade to the combo versions for $8 more to get more meaty goodness, including generous servings of Mackerel and Jachae.
Pocha K
$$ | (669) 248-6103 | WEBSITE
Pocha K is a gem. This spacious Mountain View spot serves up delicious Korean fare, a lively K-pop atmosphere, and reasonable prices. You’ll likely hear the buzz of conversation over the music, but it’s worth it for the must-try cheese rice cakes ($14). Watching a plate of soy garlic boneless chicken arrive at your table is a quintessential Korean food experience, but you also can’t go wrong with the extensive soju selection.
Omee J. 2
$$ | (408) 320-2511 | WEBSITE
Omee J. 2 is—here it comes—pretty tucked away in Mountain View. But once you make your way into the relatively unassuming spot, you will be rewarded with delicious, fresh, and affordable bowls. For $14.95, you can get a generous spicy pork bowl with purple and brown rice, and not just at dinnertime like other similar places around town. Cash only.
Ondam
$$ | (669) 242-7824 | WEBSITE
Years ago, Ondam was one of Santa Clara’s best Korean restaurants for a lively night out. Then it got too popular. But now the spot is still going strong, and the food (and atmosphere) are just as good. If you’re a fan of Korean classics with a modern twist, Ondam’s menu is the South Bay equivalent.
The $25 spicy raw marinated crab includes fresh crab with a sweet, not-too-salty marinade, and a dish of whatever the friendly server recommends that day (seafood Kalguksu with crisp edges, on our visit). There’s also steak with rice and soft tofu stew, too, if you want to mix things up.
Vons Chicken | Mountain View
$ | (650) 282-5315 | WEBSITE
This modern spot in Mountain View couldn’t be more different from the traditional Korean restaurants that dominate the area, which often feel like family kitchens that serve banchan. In fact, Vons Chicken is a departure in the opposite direction, a high-tech branch of a Peninsula favorite where you’ll find tech workers on quick lunches enjoying $12 plates before heading back to the office.
The chicken here is similar to classic Korean fried chicken, except with more options we prefer, such as the $28 family-style meal for four with crispy drumsticks, garlic cheese balls, and a side of kimbap.
Kami Korean Kitchen
$ | (408) 246-6630 | WEBSITE
A family-run gem in the Mountain View Korean food landscape, Kami Korean Kitchen has been serving authentic snacks and meals since it opened as a mini banchan factory. These days, you’ll find it tucked away in a casual strip mall location, where regulars often chat with the friendly staff while waiting for their made-to-order kimbaps. For lunch or dinner, $18 gets you a generous bowl of their standout jjolmyun with perfectly balanced texture and flavor, plus a side of kimchi.
There are also affordable options like the delicious beef kimbap or spicy kalguksu that stay under $15, with the spicy level adjustable to suit any palate. The homely atmosphere and warm service make it a must-visit spot for Korean food enthusiasts looking for that rare instant tteokbokki or hearty Ddukbokkee stew.