Welcome to Federal Way, Washington, a suburb about 25 miles south of Seattle. Federal Way has a Koreatown boasting numerous Korean eateries along Pacific Highway South. Along with Tacoma and Lynnwood, Federal Way has some of the best Korean in the Greater Seattle area, so a trip here isn’t to be missed if you’re a fan of Korean sitdown or BBQ.
Let’s explore the best that Koreatown in Federal Way has to offer!
The 9 Best Korean BBQ and Restaurants in Federal Way:
- So Moon Nan Jib
- Kum Kang San Buffet
- Hae Song Prime Korean BBQ
- Palace Korean Bar & Grill
- Daebak Wang Mandoo Korean Dumplings
- Mirak Restaurant
- Chosun Korean BBQ
- Jin Kook Korean Restaurant
- Yeadahm House of Samgyetang
1. So Moon Nam Jib
Address: 33324 Pacific Hwy S, Suite 203, Federal Way, WA 98003
Type: Sit Down/KBBQ
So Moon Nam Jib directly translated means the house that’s been rumored. It’s a phrase that basically means our restaurant is talked about for being great. So Moon Nam Jib is your traditional Korean restaurant that has all your favorite Korean dishes. The menu is filled with choices like mandu (dumplings), jjigae (Korean soups), Korean BBQ where you self grill at your table, jeon gol (casserole/hot pot), naeng myeon (Korean cold noodles), and bi bim bap (mixed rice bowls).
Recommendations: KBBQ – Spicy Marinated Sliced Pork and Marinated Beef Short-Rib LA | Son Jjin Man Du (steamed dumplings) | Dwen Jang Jjigae (soybean paste soup) | Ga Ja Mi Gu i (pan fried flounder) | Bi Bim Bap (mixed rice bowl)
2. Kum Kang San Buffet
Address: 31656 Pacific Hwy S, Federal Way, WA 98003
Type: Sit Down/KBBQ
Kum Kang San Buffet is an All You Can Eat Korean BBQ and buffet. Grab plates and load them up with various Korean banchan (side dishes), or appetizers like japchae (Korean glass noodles), mandu (dumplings), and bo guhm bap (fried rice). The best part? Unlimited Korean marinated meats that you grill right at your table!
Recommendations: All You Can Eat Korean BBQ and Food
3. Hae Song Prime Korean BBQ
Address: 32703 Pacific Hwy S, Federal Way, WA 98003
Type: Sit Down/KBBQ
Hae Song is all about the Korean BBQ experience. They use certified USDA Prime beef that is grilled right there at your table. An unlimited flow of banchan (Korean side dishes) accompanies your KBBQ meal. It’s not all you can eat here, you’ll be ordering everything ala carte. Feel like getting something instead of KBBQ? No problem. There are plenty of other traditional Korean food options on the menu.
Recommendations: Assorted BBQ Combos (choose based on the number of people at the table enjoying KBBQ) | Hot Stone Pot Bibimbap | Pork Back-Bone Stew | Green Onion Seafood Pancake | Spicy Rice Cake
4. Palace Korean Bar & Grill
Address: 31525 Pete von Reichbauer Way S, Federal Way, WA 98003
Type: Sit Down/KBBQ
Another all you can eat Korean BBQ spot hits our list and it’s Palace. The all you can eat menu has 22 items that consist mostly of various Korean marinated beef, chicken, pork, and seafood. Be sure to make reservations and come with friends as there is a 2-person plus requirement for KBBQ. Also, be sure to finish all your KBBQ plates before ordering more, and know that you can order up to 4 items at a time. And yes, the banchan (Korean side dishes) are unlimited too!
Recommendations: All You Can Eat Korean BBQ
5. Daebak Wang Mandoo Korean Dumplings
Address: 33100 Pacific Hwy S, Suite 5, Federal Way, WA 98003
Type: Sit Down/Take Out
Daebak Wang Mandoo is one of my favorite spots to grab a quick bite. The mandoo (dumplings) is amazing! It’s a simple straightforward menu that focuses on… you guessed it, mandoo. Grab some mandoo to go, or take a seat and try some mandoo soups.
Recommendations: Kimchi Pork Dumpling | Pork Dumpling | Rice Cake Dumpling Soup | Seafood Noodle Soup | Handmade Dumpling Soup
6. Mirak Korean BBQ Restaurant
Address: 31260 Pacific Hwy S, Suite 1, Federal Way, WA 98003
Type: Sit Down/KBBQ
My family and I used to frequent Mirak Restaurant quite often back in the 90s and I still find myself stopping by more than two decades later. It was nice to see during a recent visit that they had upgraded the interior. This is a casual dining spot that gives diners their choice of KBBQ grilled at the table, ala carte options off a traditional Korean food menu, or if you’re coming for lunch there is an all you can eat menu as well.
Recommendations: All You Can Eat Lunch | KBBQ (special/small combination order) | Beef Bulgogi | Kimchi Fried Rice | Brisket Soybean Paste Soup | Dolsot Bibimbap
7. Chosun Korean BBQ
Address: 1616 S 325th St, Federal Way, WA 98003
Type: Sit Down/KBBQ
Chosun Korean BBQ is another casual sit down restaurant where you can grab some Korean food off an ala carte menu, or opt for an ala carte KBBQ option with grilling at the table. I love the different combo dish options they offer on their menu as you can get a wide assortment of different Korean foods for the table like beef bulgogi, spicy pork bulgogi, LA kalbi short ribs, seafood pancake, grilled flounder, braised black cod, soybean paste stew, and much more! They also have combo options if you’re going for KBBQ as well. A great way to try lots of different types of Korean marinated meat, dishes, or both!
Recommendations: KBBQ Combo Options | Chosun Combo Dish Options | Prime Beef Rib Eye (KBBQ) | Prime Marinated Beef Short Rib (KBBQ) | Thin-Sliced Pork Belly (KBBQ) | Spicy Naengmyeon (cold noodles)
8. Jin Kook Korean Restaurant
Address: 33120 Pacific Hwy S, Suite 4, Federal Way, WA 98003
Type: Sit Down
Jin Kook Korean Restaurant is a small cozy space serving an equally small, yet focused menu of traditional Korean foods. Sometimes bigger isn’t better and Jin Kook proves that point. The food is delicious and spot on. You’ll definitely feel like you’re having a home-cooked meal vs. being at a restaurant.
Recommendations: Dolsot Bibimbap (hot stone mixed rice) | Yookgaejang (spicy soup with shredded beef and vegetables) | Dweji Bulgogi (spicy marinated pork) | Chado Gui (BBQ beef marble brisket) | Samgyeopsal Gui (BBQ thin sliced pork belly) | Buchoo Bosam (boiled and sliced pork belly with chives)
9. Yeadahm House of Samgyetang
Address: 31218 Pacific Hwy S, Suite H, Federal Way, WA 98003
Type: Sit Down/Take Out
Yeadahm House of Samgyetang rounds out our best Korean restaurants in Federal Way list. Yeadahm has a unique menu compared to the rest of the restaurants on our list. They focus on old-school Korean porridges, soups, and noodle dishes. They also have a fun item called, cupbop. Which directly translates to rice cup. Basically putting some of your favorite Korean foods on top of rice and into a cup. Great to take to go!
Recommendations: Hobak Juk (pumpkin porridge) | Samgae Juk (ginseng chicken porridge) | Galbi Tang (beef rib soup) | Yeadahm Kong Guksu (hand-cut noodles with cold soymilk) | Soo Soo Bukumee (pancake with sweet red bean filling) | Bulgogi Cupbop
