Nestled on the second floor at 1640 Post Street in San Francisco, YakiniQ Korean BBQ offers an immersive Korean barbecue experience that skillfully balances tradition and vibrant modernity. As a standout Korean restaurant specializing in barbecue, YakiniQ invites diners into a spacious yet inviting setting, perfect for both lively group gatherings and intimate date nights.
The menu is a treasure trove of authentic Korean flavors, meticulously crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Signature dishes like 차돌박이 (Thinly Sliced Beef Brisket) and Galbi (Marinated Fresh Short Rib) showcase tender, marbled cuts that sizzle beautifully on your grill, releasing irresistible aromas that instantly awaken your appetite. The Spicy Pork Belly and Beef Belly offer layers of rich, savory heat balanced by the smoky char, while the Hot Pot and Glass Noodles provide comforting, flavorful contrasts that round out the meal.
A highlight that perfectly encapsulates YakiniQ’s commitment to quality and variety is their Signature Bento Boxes. Whether you choose the savory 삼겹살 도시락 (Pork Belly Bento) or the fiery 매운 갈비 도시락 (Spicy Short Rib Bento), each box offers well-portioned, delicately marinated meats complemented by classic side dishes like refreshing Kimchi, crunchy Home Made Radish Wraps, and the ever-pleasing Japchae. These carefully curated components make the experience both satisfying and convenient for those craving authentic Korean flavors with a refined touch.
The beverage selection further enhances the sensory journey with choices like Makgeolli, the milky unfiltered rice wine, crisp and subtly sweet, and a variety of Korean beers including Cass and Terra. For those wishing to cool down their palate, comforting warm drinks such as the Sweet Potato Latte or indulgent Nutella Latte create a delightful finish to the meal. The Matcha Shaved Ice is a refreshing, textural treat, adding a playful and memorable dessert option.
YakiniQ’s atmosphere strikes a lovely balance between roomy and bustling. Customers have noted the expansive San Francisco space as a refreshing change from cozier locations elsewhere, allowing for a relaxed dining experience without losing the warmth and lively energy that Korean BBQ is known for. The staff enhances this welcoming vibe with attentive, friendly service that makes you feel truly cared for—from guidance on grilling technique to thoughtful recommendations.
From the first bite to the last sip, YakiniQ Korean BBQ captivates with its harmonious blend of bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and social dining charm. Whether you’re revisiting an old favorite or discovering it for the first time, this is a destination where authentic Korean cuisine and good company come together beautifully in the heart of San Francisco.
Yakiniq SF was good as a standalone place, but given how great other locations are, it could’ve been better. The SF space is much bigger than the SJ location, so that was nice. I personally like the crowded “bustling” atmosphere of the SJ location, but others might not. In YakiniQ SJ, you order through a QR code. In SF, it’s traditional ordering. The servers were all really nice but some of our items were forgotten, and waiting on them to come around was a bit inconvenient compared to instantly using a QR code. My party of 2 came on a Monday. YakiniQ does this really cool thing where there are a few selected meats from the Premium plan that people with the Regular plan can order just once per person. At SF, they only have one selected Premium meat : LA Galbi. It’s is a very standard cut of meat for KBBQ. The Premium meat selection for the Regular plan is worse at the SF location. Additionally, some items were missing. They said they were out of rice paper and soju cocktails. Not their fault but didn’t help. Lastly, it seems the sauces/sides are inconsistent between YakiniQ locations. SJ has teriyaki and a sesame peanut wasabi sauce. SF had soy wasabi and a chili peanut butter sort of sauce. So if you’ve been to another YakiniQ location, the sauces will not be the same at another location.
Worth the price, isn’t too pricy for getting all you can eat for the quality of the food; immaculate. The staff are super sweet and friendly! None of the meat was old either, you can tell that everything is fresh! The marinated ribs were marbled so well and the flavor was ecstatic. We WILL be back here!!!
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!!
Unsuspecting from the outside but totally impressive from the inside! This is my new favorite K-bbq spot in SF! They have a huge variety of side dishes that do not disappoint, the quality of their meet is fantastic and the staff is super helpful and friendly. This is an excellent choice for a date or large groups and parties. If you like Korean bbq, you will love YakiniQ!