What Gen Korean BBQ is and how the meal works
Gen Korean BBQ is a table-grilling restaurant where you cook meat and vegetables on a built-in grill at your table instead of ordering pre-cooked dishes from a kitchen. You order raw meat and side dishes, the server brings them to your table, and you grill them yourself while you eat. The meal is interactive — you control the heat, the cooking time, and how much you want to cook at once.
The restaurant provides the grill, cooking utensils (tongs and scissors), and a dipping sauce station. Most locations have a ventilation system built into the table to pull smoke away from your face. You pay per person or per order of meat, depending on the location and the cut you choose. The experience is social — groups typically spend 60 to 90 minutes at the table, cooking in rounds and talking between bites.
Key Takeaways
- You cook your own meat and vegetables on a tabletop grill, so the meal takes longer than a standard restaurant but lets you control doneness and portion size.
- Most Gen locations charge by the meat cut (ribeye, short rib, brisket) rather than a flat per-person fee, so your bill depends on what you order.
- The restaurant provides the grill, tongs, scissors, and dipping sauces, but you do the cooking and timing yourself.
- Side dishes (banchan) usually come free or at a small charge and refill throughout the meal, so you are not paying extra for vegetables and rice.
- Reservations are strongly recommended at most Gen locations during dinner hours, especially on weekends, because tables fill quickly.
How to order and what the menu sections mean
Gen's menu is organized by meat cut, not by dish name. The main section lists beef, pork, chicken, and sometimes seafood, each with several options. Ribeye (called 우육 or beef rib in Korean) is usually the most expensive per order. Short rib (called 갈비) is thicker and fattier. Brisket (called 차돌박이) is thinner and cooks faster. Pork belly (called 삼겹살) is a popular pork option that renders fat as it cooks.
Each meat order typically serves two to three people, though portion sizes vary by location. You order by pointing at the menu or telling your server the cut and how many orders you want. Most restaurants let you order multiple cuts in one sitting — you do not have to commit to one type of meat for the whole meal. Some locations offer combo platters that include two or three cuts plus sides, which can be cheaper than ordering each cut separately.
Side dishes come automatically with your meal. These usually include rice, soup, kimchi, pickled vegetables, and sometimes grilled mushrooms or corn. Refills are free or included in the price. You can also order additional sides from a separate menu if you want more of something specific.
What happens when you sit down and start cooking
After you order, the server brings your meat on a plate, usually raw and thinly sliced. They also bring a small bowl of dipping sauce (typically soy sauce with sesame oil and garlic, or a spicy gochujang-based sauce). The grill is already hot and ready. You place meat directly on the grill surface using tongs, and it cooks in one to three minutes depending on thickness and how well-done you want it.
The server may show you how to use the scissors to cut the meat into bite-sized pieces while it is still on the grill, or you can cut it after moving it to your plate. You dip each piece in sauce and eat it when ready. The grill stays on the whole time, so you can cook more meat whenever you are ready. If you order multiple cuts, you can grill them in any order — there is no set sequence.
Vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and leafy greens can go on the grill too, either ones that came with your sides or ones you ordered separately. They cook faster than meat, usually in one to two minutes. Many people grill vegetables between rounds of meat to pace the meal and add variety.
Pricing and what affects your final bill
Gen Korean BBQ does not charge a flat per-person rate like many other restaurants. Instead, you pay for each meat order you place. Prices vary by cut and by location, but typically range from $12 to $30 per order depending on the meat type and portion size. Ribeye and short rib are usually on the higher end. Brisket and pork belly are often cheaper. Some locations offer lunch specials at lower prices than dinner.
Side dishes and refills are included in the price of your meal, so you do not pay extra for rice, soup, or banchan. Drinks, dessert, and any additional orders beyond your initial meat selections will add to your bill. Many locations charge a small fee if you order extra side dishes beyond what comes standard.
Tipping practices follow standard restaurant norms — 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax bill is typical. Some locations add an automatic gratuity for large groups. Check your receipt or ask your server if you are unsure whether tip is already included.
How to know if you are cooking the meat correctly
Beef should develop a light brown crust on the outside while staying pink or red inside, depending on how you like it. Most people cook it to medium or medium-rare. Pork should be cooked through — no pink inside — which usually takes two to three minutes per side. Chicken must be fully cooked with no pink, which takes longer than beef or pork because it is thicker.
The grill temperature is usually set by the restaurant and stays consistent, so you mainly control doneness by how long you leave the meat on the grill. If you are unsure, ask your server to show you the first time, or watch other tables nearby to see how long they cook their meat. Most servers are used to helping first-timers and will check on you if you look uncertain.
If you cook meat too long and it becomes tough, you can always order another round. The meal is designed for multiple courses, so one mistake does not ruin the experience. Many people intentionally cook a small amount first to get a feel for the grill temperature before cooking larger portions.
What to bring and what to wear
Wear clothes you do not mind getting smoke smell on, because the grill produces smoke even with ventilation. The smell typically washes out with regular laundry, but it does cling to fabric. Avoid loose sleeves or dangling jewelry that could catch on the grill or dip into the flame. Long hair should be tied back for the same reason.
Bring your appetite and time — this is not a quick meal. Plan for at least 60 minutes, longer if you are with a group that likes to linger. Bring cash or a card; most locations take both. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, bring a list or a translation of your restrictions, because communication can be challenging at some locations, especially during busy hours.
You do not need to bring anything else. The restaurant provides all cooking tools, plates, utensils, napkins, and sauces. Some people bring wet wipes or hand sanitizer to clean their hands between courses, but the restaurant usually provides napkins and sometimes a hand-washing station.
Reservations, wait times, and busy hours
Most Gen Korean BBQ locations take reservations, and making one is strongly recommended for dinner, especially Friday and Saturday nights. Without a reservation, you may wait 30 minutes to an hour or longer during peak hours. Lunch is usually less crowded, and you can often walk in without waiting.
Call ahead or check the restaurant's website or phone number to see if they take reservations online or by phone. Some locations use reservation apps like OpenTable or Resy. If you cannot get a reservation and do not want to wait, try going on a weekday afternoon or early evening (before 6 p.m.).
Table turnover is slower at Korean BBQ than at other restaurants because people spend more time cooking and eating. The restaurant knows this and usually builds it into their reservation schedule. If you have a reservation, arrive on time — being 15 minutes late may result in losing your table during busy periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to cook the meat myself, or can the server cook it for me?
At most Gen locations, you cook it yourself — that is the whole concept. However, some locations will cook for you if you ask, especially if you are uncomfortable with the grill or have mobility issues. Call ahead or ask your server when you arrive if you need this accommodation.
What if I have never done this before and I am nervous about cooking?
The server will show you how to use the grill and tongs when you sit down, and most people figure it out within the first few minutes. Meat is forgiving — slightly overcooked is still edible. Order a small amount first to practice, then order more once you feel comfortable with the temperature and timing.
Can I bring my own meat or side dishes?
No, restaurants do not allow outside food. You must order from their menu. However, you can ask for substitutions or modifications — for example, asking for extra vegetables or a different sauce — and most locations will accommodate reasonable requests.
How much meat should I order for my group?
One order typically serves two to three people as a main course. If your group is very hungry or wants to try multiple cuts, order one order per person or one and a half orders per person. You can always order more if you run out, so start conservatively and add more as you go.
Is there a minimum spend or a time limit on how long I can stay?
Most locations do not have a strict time limit, but they expect you to finish within 90 minutes to two hours during busy periods so they can seat the next reservation. Some locations may charge a small fee if you stay significantly longer. Ask your server if you are unsure about the policy at your location.