It’s glistening, charred around the edges, and every bite of the melty meat comes with the realization that you’ll probably never eat short ribs this good again.But there's more to this upscale Korean restaurant than galbi—like the crispy scallion pancakes, honey butter-topped grilled corn, and light and fluffy egg soufflé that slowly deflates when you dive in with a spoon. The dark, minimalist restaurant is one to keep top of mind for birthdays, special group dinners, and date nights. Or really, any time you want to put on a nice sweater and feast on the best Korean BBQ in the city.

There was a lot of buzz about this Korean barbecue restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Corey Lee ( Benu) and Jeong-In Hwang, and, in news that will surprise absolutely no one, it lives up to the hype. The space is sleek and stark with a casual vibe (well, compared to Benu, anyway), allowing the smoky dishes to shine. Unlike most Korean barbecue spots in SF, you’ll leave the cooking of the meat to the chefs, who prepare well-sourced ingredients with meticulous techniques for memorable charcoal-grilled barbecue.

The exterior may come across as unassuming, but as soon as you step inside you’ll appreciate the sophisticated, industrial design, with polished concrete floors, warm wood accents, and soft ambient lighting that flatters every angle. The space hums with quiet elegance, offering a welcoming yet elevated vibe. For those awaiting a table, a cozy side nook beckons for a first drink, outfitted with smooth wooden benches and petite tables.

Address: 2170 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94110 Website. San Ho Won is known for exceptional Korean Barbecue in the Mission District. New on the SF restaurant scene from chef Corey Lee, San Ho Won serves a modernized take on classic Korean dishes as well as Korean charcoal barbecue.

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San Francisco-based restaurants receiving their first coveted Michelin star include Nisei, a one-time Modern Japanese pop-up now in Russian Hill; the Mission's Osito, a live fire communal dining spot; Korean BBQ restaurant San Ho Won, also in the Mission; and Ssal, which serves Korean-inspired multi-course menus in Polk Gulch. Cyrus in Geyserville regained a one-star distinction after having been closed for a decade (it once held two stars, according to the San Francisco Chronicle). (The Chronicle and SFGATE are both owned by Hearst but operate independently.)

Beyond his flagship Benu, Corey Lee has helmed other San Francisco projects over the years, including a French bistro called Monsieur Benjamin and his experimental In Situ at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, both closed. But in November 2021 he opened a venture he’d been tinkering on for years: his interpretation of a Korean barbecue restaurant. Lee, along with chef de cuisine and partner Jeong-In Hwang, set San Ho Won in a handsomely stark space at the edge of the Mission near Potrero Hill.

Launched as a pandemic takeout operation, San Ho Won opened in the Mission District in November. Ferried by the promise of high-end grilled meats as well as the reputation of its owner, the chef behind Michelin-starred Benu, the restaurant has been one of the region’s tougher reservations to snag. Juicy beef tongue ($48), thick slabs of short rib galbi ($54) and juicy beef neck ($38) are grilled over odorless lychee wood charcoal and served with best-in-class banchan and dipping sauces.

You can’t have a good barbeque without good fuel, and SAN HO WON’s lychee wood charcoal grills elevate any cut of meat to perfection. Beyond their fan-loved barbeque, they also have green onion pancakes with blood sausage, seasonal vegetable bibimbap, and grilled mackerel filets. But of course, you simply must get the house galbi or glazed pork ribs or any of the other marinated and masterfully prepared meat options.

Not only is San Ho Won in San Francisco one of the best Korean restaurants in the Bay Area, it has soft serve unlike any other. Flavors change on a seasonal basis; past standouts include luscious makgeolli soft serve ($8) made with the cloudy Korean rice wine and garnished with a strawberry puree drizzle and puffed rice. Current offerings include Korean chamoe melon and black sesame with huckleberries.

San Ho Won is a popular Korean restaurant known for its delicious short rib dishes. The restaurant offers a modern and cozy atmosphere, making it a great place to enjoy a meal with friends or family. The menu at San Ho Won features a variety of traditional Korean dishes, with the short rib being a standout favorite among customers.

San Ho Won’s doing Korean BBQ right, grilling savory cuts of meat over hot lychee wood charcoal. In 2021, fine dining chefs Corey Lee and Jeong-In Hwang opened their vision for a casual Korean restaurant in the Mission District. Using the best local ingredients, they create traditional flavors with modern techniques.

They offer set menu meals and we opted for this fancier meal to celebrate our first date anniversary at home during the wildfire bad air quality. as the main course, we chose the Garlic Rice Stuffed Fried Chicken and the Short Ribs. Both were good and served with sides like 2 kinds of kimchi, salad, and a broth.

The second restaurant from Chef Corey Lee on this list, and one of the newest additions, is a collaboration with Jeong-In Hwang. They share a vision for a casual Korean restaurant that uses the best ingredients and meticulous techniques with real BBQ cooked over proper charcoal.

Address:2170 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States. San Ho Won specializes in a unique Korean BBQ experience in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District. The restaurant is a collaboration between Chef Corey Lee, of Benu fame, and Chef Jeong-In Hwang.

A hotspot for Korean BBQ and homestyle dishes, San Ho Wan brings traditional flavors to the forefront with expertly grilled meats, housemade kimchi, and sizzling stews. The intimate setting and high-quality ingredients make it a standout in SF�s Korean food scene.

intense defending their favorite place to cook meat over an open flame with friends and family alike. But only one establishment in San Francisco can boast the title of the best casual Korean food with a charcoal BBQ. That place is San Ho Won.

San Ho Won redefines Korean BBQ with Michelin-level execution. Think wood-fired galbi, perfectly charred meats, and house-made kimchi, all in a minimalist-industrial setting in the Mission. Chef Corey Lee’s influence shines again here!

2170 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94110Phone: 415-868-4479 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Fort Point Beer Company (@fortpointbeer)

- Rating: 4.5/5 (644 reviews)- Price level: $$$$- Address: 2170 Bryant St. San Francisco, California - Categories: Korean, Barbecue- Read more on Yelp