Korean Barbecue Grills Right At Your Table Make Dinner A Show At These 9 Washington Restaurants
One Washington restaurant lets you grill short ribs and simmer hot pot at the very same table. No choosing, no compromise, just two kinds of dinner happening at once.
That detail sent me looking for more places where the grill sits right in front of you. I found spots where servers cook the meat for you and others where the staff teaches you how.
One even sets a grill in the middle of the table and lets your group pick its own chef.
I love that the meal becomes the entertainment. Raw meat hits the heat, side dishes crowd the table, and somebody always gets bossy with the tongs.
It feels like a dinner party where nobody has to do the dishes.
The list stretches from Spokane to Vancouver and across the Puget Sound area. So who at your table gets to run the grill?
1. Seng’s Asian Barbecue & Hot Pot
Spokane finally has a place where the hot plate sits right in the middle of your table. Seng’s Asian Barbecue & Hot Pot runs on an all-you-can-eat format, so the meat keeps coming while your appetite holds up.
The menu leans on marinated meats and sides, with a Seng’s KBBQ Feast among the highlights. You cook it yourself on the built-in hot plates, which turns dinner into a group project.
Hot pot shares the spotlight here too. That means grill fans and broth lovers can sit together without anyone feeling left out.
Plant-based eaters get real options, since the restaurant offers full vegan and vegetarian menus. That’s a nice surprise at a place built around sizzling meat.
You’ll find it on North Monroe Street, just north of downtown Spokane. Paid lots and street parking surround the building, and space is usually easy to find.
Plan around the calendar a little. The restaurant is closed Mondays and gets busiest on Friday and Saturday evenings, so dinner reservations are a smart idea.
Lunch offers a calmer pace if crowds aren’t your thing. Doors open at 11 a.m.
Tuesday through Sunday, and mornings tend to stay quiet.
For Eastern Washington groups, college friends, or visiting relatives, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser. Just bring people who like sharing, because those tongs will travel around the table.
Address: 801 N Monroe St, Spokane, WA 99201
2. Gangnam Style BBQ
Never grilled Korean barbecue before? In Kennewick, the staff will show you how to cook the food on the grill set in the middle of your table.
Gangnam Style BBQ keeps things casual and hands-on. You handle the meat, and the crew stands ready with tips when the sizzling gets confusing.
LA galbi shows up among the menu highlights, and those thin-cut short ribs are made for quick grilling. Bibimbap is on the menu too, which helps if someone wants a bowl instead of a grill shift.
Side dishes play a big role at the table. Kimchi and bean sprouts are part of the lineup, and you can order an extra banchan set when the first round vanishes.
The Tri-Cities location on West Grandridge Boulevard makes it handy for a shopping day stop. Free parking lot and street spaces are usually plentiful, so arriving is painless.
Families can relax here, since the restaurant is good for kids and keeps high chairs on hand. Solo diners also find it a comfortable stop for lunch.
Hours run from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily, so plan for an earlier dinner. Friday and Saturday evenings draw the biggest crowds, and reservations are accepted.
Midweek afternoons tend to be quieter if you want more elbow room. That’s prime time for a first lesson in the art of the flip.
Address: 7903 W Grandridge Blvd, Kennewick, WA 99336
3. KINGKONG Korean BBQ
Somebody at your table has to become the grill boss, and at KINGKONG Korean BBQ you get to pick who. The grill sits smack in the middle of the table, and your party decides who cooks.
The Vancouver restaurant serves all-you-can-eat grilled meats alongside traditional dishes. That format makes it easy to try a little of this and a little of that.
Pork belly, LA galbi short ribs, and grilled beef brisket chadol headline the grill options. Thin brisket cooks fast, so whoever holds the tongs needs to stay alert.
Bigger appetites can branch out to dolsot bibimbap or ojingeo bokkeum, a spicy squid dish. Yukgaejang, a spicy beef and green onion soup, brings heat from a different direction.
A side salad with house ginger sesame dressing helps cut the richness between rounds. Kimchi jjigae also appears on the menu for anyone craving a bubbling stew.
Weekday hours start at 4 p.m., while weekends open at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings bring the biggest crowds, and reservations are accepted.
The place welcomes kids, with high chairs available for little ones. Free parking makes the trip from anywhere in Clark County simple.
Southwest Washington families looking for a lively group dinner have a solid option here. Just settle the grill boss debate before the meat arrives.
Address: 316 SE 123rd Ave #C3, Vancouver, WA 98683
4. Khói-Hot Pot And Grills (AYCE)
Hot pot or Korean barbecue? Khói in Olympia answers that tough question with a simple shrug and says you can have both.
The restaurant runs all-you-can-eat hot pot and Korean-style grilling at the same meal. You simmer vegetables in broth on one side and grill meat on the other.
A split pot option lets your table run two broths at once. That’s a peace treaty for groups who can’t agree on spice levels.
The grilling side features a meat and shrimp platter, so seafood fans get their turn. Premium meats and fresh vegetables are central to the whole setup.
Sauces get their own spot on the menu, and mixing your own dipping blend is half the fun. Full vegan and vegetarian menus mean plant-based diners can stay busy too.
Save room for homemade strawberry yogurt, a sweet finish after all that sizzling. It’s a fun little detail you won’t see at every grill spot.
The restaurant is closed Mondays and opens at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.
Weekend hours start at noon, and Saturday evening is the busiest stretch.
Families will find high chairs, and free on-site parking keeps arrival easy. Reservations are accepted if you’d rather skip a wait in the state capital.
Address: 918 Hensley St NE, Olympia, WA 98516
5. Cham Garden Korean BBQ
Small place, big heart, and owners who will help if the grill feels intimidating. Cham Garden Korean BBQ in Lakewood makes tabletop cooking feel friendly instead of scary.
The setup is simple and fun. You pick your sides and marinated meats, then cook them on well-maintained table grills.
All-you-can-eat dining comes with a two-hour limit. That’s plenty of time to work through a few rounds without rushing.
Marinated beef short ribs and LA galbi bring the sweet, savory classics. Thick-cut marinated pork belly gives you something hearty to watch crisp up.
Lettuce wraps and soybean paste ssamjang turn grilled bites into handheld packages. Cucumber kimchi adds a cool crunch between hot mouthfuls.
Fried rice fans have two options with kimchi fried rice and Cham’s fried rice. A self-serve buffet also helps keep the table stocked.
Weekends get busy, especially Saturday afternoon through evening and Sunday afternoon. Tuesday mornings stay the quietest, and the restaurant is closed Mondays.
High chairs are available, and free parking sits right outside on South Tacoma Way. Reservations are accepted, which helps since a wait is common.
Address: 10518 S Tacoma Way, Lakewood, WA 98499
6. Mukja Korean Barbeque
Grilled meat and Korean fried chicken under one roof sounds like a dream team. Mukja Korean Barbeque in Puyallup puts both front and center.
The modern restaurant specializes in table-grilled barbecue. Chicken bulgogi stands out on the menu for anyone who wants something lighter than beef.
Korean fried chicken gives the table a crunchy sidekick. It’s a great pick for kids or friends who prefer someone else to do the cooking.
Soup lovers can order beef short rib soup, known as galbitang. Cold naengmyun offers a chilly noodle bowl that balances the heat from the grill.
A private dining room makes the place handy for birthdays and family gatherings. Happy hour food and late-night eats add even more flexibility.
Little diners are well covered with high chairs and a changing table. The restaurant is good for kids, so parents can relax a little.
Doors open at 11 a.m. and stay open until 10 p.m. every day of the week. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest, and reservations are accepted.
Free parking lot and street spaces make it easy to pop in after errands nearby. South Hill shoppers have a tasty reason to linger.
Address: 214 39th Ave SW, Puyallup, WA 98373
7. Exit 5 Korean BBQ
Smoke in your hair is the classic Korean barbecue souvenir, but Exit 5 skips it. The Renton restaurant uses smokeless grills built into the tables.
This family-owned spot has a casual, warehouse-style setup with plenty of room. Big groups can spread out without bumping elbows over the grill.
BBQ sets and combination menus make ordering simple for families. Combo meals come with rice, salad, and refillable side dishes.
Beef bulgogi is a top pick for the grill. Corn cheese bubbles away as a gooey, sweet sidekick that kids tend to love.
Craving something beyond grilled meat? The menu includes a seafood pancake, japchae, hot stone bibimbap, and chadol dwenjang jjigae.
Night owls get a break here, since the restaurant runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Late-night food is part of the deal, which is handy after a long day.
Parking is a breeze with a free garage, free lot, and free street spaces nearby. Weeknights and weekend mornings tend to be calmer than Friday and Saturday evenings.
Catering is also available if you want the flavors at a party. Still, the grill is the star, so eating in is the full experience.
Address: 911 N 10th Pl Ste D, Renton, WA 98057
8. Janggogi : Korean BBQ & Sushi
Sushi rolls and sizzling short ribs on the same table might sound like a mix-up. At Janggogi in Bellevue, it’s the whole point.
The Crossroads area restaurant offers all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue and sushi together. You grill your favorite meats while ordering rolls and other dishes to share.
Beef, pork, and marinated Korean barbecue favorites fill the grill lineup. Traditional Korean side dishes round out the spread.
Freshly prepared sushi rolls give the table a cool, crisp break from the heat. It’s a clever combo for groups with picky eaters.
A fireplace adds a nice touch to the dining room. A private dining room is available too, which works well for celebrations.
Families are welcome, with high chairs and a kid-friendly setup. Dogs are allowed outside if your pup tags along for a walk first.
Hours run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. most days, stretching to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Late-night food makes it a handy stop after an Eastside evening.
Parking is easy, with a free garage, free lot, and street spaces nearby. Reservations are accepted, so you can lock in a grill for your crew.
Address: 15932 NE 8th St, Bellevue, WA 98008
9. Baekjeong Lynnwood
Want the show without the work? At Baekjeong Lynnwood, attentive servers cook the meat for you right on grills built into the table.
The restaurant has a high-energy feel and a fun, theme park kind of atmosphere. It’s the kind of place that makes a regular Tuesday feel like a night out.
Premium grilled meats come with signature side dishes. Marinated beef steak is among the highlights for anyone who loves a savory glaze.
Appetizers add plenty of personality to the table. Cheese mountain tripe fried rice, japchae, and stone pot bibimbap all appear on the menu.
Stews bring comfort between grill rounds. Beef brisket soybean stew and soybean paste stew warm things up, while spicy mixed cold noodles cool you down.
Kids get their own menu, plus high chairs for the smallest guests. A private dining room helps when the guest list gets long.
Saturday evening is the busiest time, so dinner reservations are recommended. Weekday mornings and late nights tend to be quieter.
Free parking makes the Lynnwood trip easy from across Snohomish County. It’s a fitting finale for any Washington Korean barbecue road trip.
Address: 3000 184th St SW #922, Lynnwood, WA 98037