SFReview

photo credit: Melissa Zink

Someone blowtorching the cheese on top of the kalbijjim at Daeho
8.1

Daeho Kalbijjim & Beef Soup

Korean

Japantown

$$$$Perfect For:Big GroupsBirthdays
Earn 3x points with your sapphire card

Included In

When your large hot stone bowl of kalbijjim arrives at Daeho, your server will take approximately 53 seconds to erratically blowtorch the shredded cheese on top until it resembles a gooey mound of fire-roasted marshmallow. You’ll capture the dramatic tableside presentation on your phone, but you won’t be the first—their bubbling braised beef dish has achieved nano influencer levels of power. It’s also, mostly, worth the hype.

A cheese pull from the kalbijjim at Daeho

photo credit: Melissa Zink

The kalbi stone pot at Daeho

photo credit: Melissa Zink

The seolleong tang at Daeho

photo credit: Melissa Zink

A cheese pull from the kalbijjim at Daeho
The kalbi stone pot at Daeho
The seolleong tang at Daeho

Getting the kalbijjim at this loud and lively Korean spot in Japantown involves lots of customization: spice levels, add-ons like the aforementioned white cheese and rice cakes (a must), and sides of white or purple rice. There are three varieties to choose from, but each one is filled with the most tender beef short ribs that miraculously pull off the bone in one piece. However, the sticky sauce is a bit too sweet for our taste, and that photo-worthy cheese pull works alongside the mild essence of propane torch taste. Still, we’re down for this bubbling stunner—it’s hearty, comforting, and a fun way to share a meal with four to five friends.

And since each one is $61-74 and more than enough food to feed a wrestler three times over, we have no problem recommending you skip out on the pretty decent bibimbap, seolleongtang, a Korean oxtail soup, and the kalbitang. Stick with the namesake dish, definitely scrape the bottom of the bowl for the crunchy bits, and keep their trio of exceptional kimchi, radish, and green onion banchan coming.

Included In

Suggested Reading

undefined
7.3

Toyose

Toyose is a Korean restaurant in a converted garage in the Outer Sunset. The food's not perfect, but it's a fun late night spot for a group.

Um.ma image
8.3

Come to Um.ma in the Inner Sunset for excellent renditions of Korean classics and one of the most fun patios in the city.

San Ho Won image
9.3

San Ho Won is an upscale Korean restaurant in the Mission with galbi that’s flat-out memorable—just like a dinner here.

Dragon Beaux image
8.2

For more creative dim sum and hot pot, get to Dragon Beaux in the Richmond.

Infatuation Logo

Cities

2024 © The Infatuation Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The views and opinions expressed on The Infatuation’s site and other platforms are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of (or endorsement by) JPMorgan Chase. The Infatuation and its affiliates assume no responsibility or liability for the content of this site, or any errors or omissions. The Information contained in this site is provided on an "as is" basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness.

FIND PLACES ON OUR APP

Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store