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oChef » Shozen BBQ – San Diego
Shozen BBQ - San Diego
Photo from Shozen BBQ
Shozen BBQ at a glance
San Diego Scripps Ranch
- 🥢 Korean Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 51 of the guests
#375 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#3 Korean Restaurant out of 11 in San Diego
Good
7.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
323
Reviews
70.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality BBQ meats
- Friendly service
- Cozy atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Cleanliness issues
- Billing discrepancies
- Sushi inconsistency
The Korean restaurant Shozen BBQ in San Diego’s Scripps Ranch neighborhood offers a casual and inviting atmosphere for your dining pleasure. You’ll find it easy to settle in, whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner.
With its friendly vibe, it’s a perfect spot to enjoy authentic Korean flavors. You can expect a comfortable experience from the moment you arrive.
Overview: Introducting Shozen BBQ
Shozen BBQ offers a generally positive dining experience, often praised for its excellent `meat quality` and a `cozy atmosphere` that feels authentically Korean. Many guests appreciate the `friendly staff` and the overall welcoming vibe, making it a comfortable spot for a meal.
While the `all-you-can-eat deal` is frequently highlighted as a good option, some patrons have noted concerns regarding billing transparency and the quality of certain non-BBQ menu items. It’s a place that excels in its core offering but has a few areas that could use refinement.
Good
7.3
out of 10
323
Reviews
70.9%
Satisfaction
68
negative
26
neutral
229
positive
Shozen BBQ achieves a respectable overall score of `7.3`, indicating a good performance, and garners `70.9%` customer satisfaction, which is also a solid showing. This feedback comes from a substantial 323 customer observations, with 229 positive remarks outweighing 68 negative ones.
Delving into specifics, the `Service` (7.6), `Food` (7.4), and `Ambience` (7.4) all receive good marks, reflecting consistent positive experiences in these areas. However, `Value` (4.9) stands out as an average aspect, suggesting a mixed reception where some find it a good deal, while others encounter issues with pricing or perceived worth.
What people like
- High-quality BBQ meats
- Attentive, friendly service
- Cozy, authentic atmosphere
What people don't like
- Cleanliness concerns
- Hidden fees/billing issues
- Inconsistent sushi/takeout
If you’re seeking a Korean BBQ experience with quality meats and a warm, family-owned feel, Shozen BBQ is certainly worth considering. The attentive service and inviting atmosphere contribute significantly to a pleasant visit, especially if you focus on their well-regarded BBQ offerings.
However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies with non-BBQ items like sushi and keep an eye on your bill for any unexpected charges. With a `7.8` recommendation score, it’s a place that generally delivers, but a bit of awareness can ensure a smoother experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Shozen BBQ
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 89% of the guests
Overall, the food here earns a solid 7.4 score, backed by a strong 70% customer satisfaction, indicating a generally good dining experience. Based on 126 positive remarks out of 180 total, many diners rave about the fresh ingredients, the extensive all you can eat buffet options, and specific highlights like the beef brisket and flavorful KBBQ sauce. However, there are some areas for improvement, with 34 negative comments pointing out occasional inconsistencies.
Some guests have noted concerns about the quality of meat, disappointing sushi rolls, and issues such as a frozen oyster or Bulgogi being dry and not sweet. It seems certain dishes might not always meet expectations.
Food
180
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
34
negative
20
neutral
126
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, delicious food
- Great AYCE selection
- Authentic Korean BBQ
What people don't like
- Inconsistent meat quality
- Poor sushi options
- Dry Bulgogi
Often praised
- foodVisiting from out of town, we decided to try a variety of dishes. Everything tasted great, and the service was also great. We highly recommend this place, especially for vegetarians.
- side dishesa lot of other Korean side dishes which were delicious
- meatsthe meats that I order. My favorite meats
- beef bellyI particularly enjoyed the all you can eat buffet, and I was pleased that they were happy to serve a party of one, which isn't always the case. I savored the beef brisket, beef belly, and pork belly. The menu was simple but featured all the best options.
- beef brisketI had beef brisket
- flavorthe flavor was amazing as well
- food qualitythe selection and food quality was amazing
- food tasteSuch generous portions! And the food tasted really good! We didn't finish everything because we had so much food.
- freshso good and so fresh
- meat qualityMeat quality was high
Frequently criticized
- sushi bentoFor that price, I expected more. The bento allowed a choice of only tuna or salmon, and the amount of sushi was incredibly small. I would not recommend the sushi bento at all, as the picture shows.
- takeoutDo not recommend the takeout
- BulgogiBulgogi ужасно невкусные !!! Мясо было сухое и не сладкое
- authentic tasteimpossible to make the authentic taste
- avocado and lemonavocado and lemon I got were turning brown
- bad sushiThe fish was watery and had no flavor. I wasted 31 dollars on bad sushi.
- bbq roll meatbbq roll meat had a weird taste
- burnt piecesabout 1/3 of the pieces burnt and not edible
- chicken teriyakiChicken teriyaki and bbq roll meat had a weird taste
- fishI ordered 2 sushi rolls and they were terrible. The fish was watery and had no flavor. I wasted 31 dollars on bad sushi.
If you're craving a good Korean BBQ experience with fresh ingredients and a generous all-you-can-eat selection, this place is generally a solid bet. Just be aware that some non-BBQ items or specific meat cuts might be a hit or miss, so focus on their strengths for the best meal.
Service (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 67% of the guests
The service here generally shines, scoring a solid 7.6 and boasting a 75.3% customer satisfaction rate. With 61 positive remarks among 81 total observations, guests frequently praise the friendly staff and owners, often noting quick service and genuine hospitality. Many appreciate the attentive servers and the family-run vibe.
However, not all experiences are perfect. About 17 comments point to areas needing improvement, such as occasional slow service and long waiting times for orders or refills. A few guests also encountered unkind or rude servers, and some felt the restaurant was understaffed during busy periods.
Service
81
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
17
negative
3
neutral
61
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Great hospitality
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Rude servers
- Long waits
Often praised
- servicethe service was outstanding. The owners were incredibly kind and accommodating
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was always amazing! The owners are awesome, and the staff is amazing! Thank you for always giving us great service and delicious food!
- ownersMy experience at this restaurant was always amazing! The owners are awesome, and the staff is amazing! Thank you for always giving us great service and delicious food!
- customer serviceexperienced great customer service
- serverOur server, I beleive, was one of the owners, and she was a very sweet and attentative
- waitI had an AYCE BBQ experience on a day off from work, and it was superb and fantastic. I appreciated that there was no line, no wait as I went during opening hours. Furthermore, their staff knows my family, making the experience extra supportive.
- wait staffWhile you do have to cook the food yourself, this is to be expected. Despite our group being one of the few patrons present, the wait staff was quite accommodating, especially considering it took us some time to get settled. They were very helpful, offering tips and even replacing one of our grills when it became too dirty.
- ServiceThe crispy rice stuck to the hot stone was BEAUTIFUL 🤌🏻🤌🏻. Service was also pretty quick, which we appreciated. The food was served hot and steamy, but not so hot that it burned our tongues – just perfect.
- chefI couldn't be more pleased to stumble upon this place! My compliments to the chef 👌👌. The food was cooked perfectly and tasted amazing!
- family membersone of the lovely family members that run this place
Frequently criticized
- serviceHorrible service owner should fire here
- serverUnkind server but only friendly just before calculating
- waiting timeWhile I'm a bit tired of bulgogi these days, I must admit this was probably one of the best-tasting bulgogi I've had in a while; it was naturally sweet from the Asian pear in the marinade and not overly sugary. Aside from waiting an hour for a water refill and more banchan, it was a pretty good meal! I am definitely going to be back.
- all you could eatwouldn’t let adults do the all you could eat unless kids did all you can eat
- greetingMy experience at this restaurant was marked by very slow service. I wasn't greeted for almost 15 minutes and had to seat myself. The food was decent; nothing great, but also not bad.
- order takenIt took a while to get our order taken
- requirementsMy experience at this restaurant was marked by an unkind server who was only friendly right before calculating the bill. There was no answer to the requirements at all, only by action.
- serversget better servers . That aren’t rude short !
- understaffedThey were really understaffed during busy hours.
- waiting time for serverwaited for 15 mins for the server to come over
Overall, the service leans heavily towards positive, with many enjoying a warm, efficient experience. While theres a slight chance of encountering slower moments or an off-day server, its generally a welcoming spot. If you value friendly, quick service, this place is definitely worth a try!
Ambience (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot generally hits the mark with a good score of 7.4 and a strong 77.8% customer satisfaction. Many guests, accounting for 35 positive remarks out of 45 total, loved the cozy atmosphere and calm vibe, often noting its authentic, family-owned feel. It's praised for being a nice, warm experience.
However, not everyone was entirely thrilled, with 9 opinions pointing out some areas for improvement. Concerns about cleanliness popped up, specifically regarding dust, food crumbs in booths, and a general feeling that the place needs a deep cleaning. Some found it not an exceptionally clean venue.
Ambience
45
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
9
negative
1
neutral
35
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy atmosphere
- Calm vibe
- Family-owned feel
What people don't like
- Needs deep cleaning
- Dust accumulates
- Food crumbs found
Often praised
- atmospheredecorations, atmosphere and the owners are all very authentic Korean
- placeA very small cozy place
- parkingParking options:Free parking lot
- bathroomsThe bathrooms were clean
- bbq placethe coziest bbq place I ever been in
- calm vibeThe calm vibe adds to the warm experience!
- decorationsdecorations, atmosphere and the owners are all very authentic Korean
- dedication to the craftThat's true dedication to the craft
- experiencea better experience than the mainstream Gen bbq
- family ownedstill very much looks family owned
Frequently criticized
- cleanlinessNot an exceptionally clean venue
- crustyIt is crusty
- deep cleaningPlace needs a deep cleaning
- dustLooks like months of dust have built up
- food crumbsfood crumbs stuck between seat cushions
- food in boothsOld Food in the booths
- front of houseWhen the front of house is this dirty
- kitchenmakes me fear the kitchen
- parkingparking that is too difficult
If youre seeking a cozy, authentic spot with a warm vibe, this place is generally a good bet. While most enjoy the atmosphere, be aware that some guests noted minor cleanliness issues. Its worth trying if a homey feel is your priority.
Value (4.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag. Despite an average 4.9 score and mixed 41.2% customer satisfaction, many guests truly appreciate the all you can eat option, often calling it a fantastic deal with good pricing. With 7 positive remarks, patrons frequently find the quality excellent for the price, even preferring it over mainstream alternatives.
However, not everyone is thrilled with the value proposition. There are 8 negative remarks highlighting concerns about the bill not adding up, unwanted charges, and a mandatory 15% service fee or tip being added without consent. Some feel that for the prices paid, the quality or quantity should be higher, leading to a sense of wasted money.
Value
17
Reviews
41%
Satisfaction
8
negative
2
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good AYCE value
- Fair pricing
- Quality for price
What people don't like
- Bill discrepancies
- Forced service fee
- Poor item value
Often praised
- priceYou will spend around 50.00 dlls. Per couple but you'll love the food
- all you can eatExcellent all you can eat place for $32 per person
- dealMy experience at this restaurant was centered around their all-you-can-eat option, which I found to be a pretty good deal. While you do have to cook the food yourself, this is to be expected.
- good pricingThe hospitality was very nice, and the people were kind. I found the food quality to be fantastic, especially considering the good pricing. In my opinion, it offers a better experience than mainstream BBQ places.
- pricesthe prices are accessible
Frequently criticized
- 15% service feeforced me to pay 15% service fee
- billthe bill did not add up
- dollarsThe fish was watery and had no flavor. I wasted 31 dollars on bad sushi.
- mathdo your math before paying your bill
- pricesThe atmosphere is cozy. Other AYCE spots in SD often have excessively long waits and difficult parking, with meats that are very inconsistent in quality (especially poor quality unless you go to select spots in Convoy), and high prices. The only thing missing here is banchan variety and beef tongue, but we've had so much bad beef tongue at other places in SD that it's not too missed.
- sushi bentopaying that money should bring more quality and quantity
- tipMy experience at this restaurant would have been just mediocre, but the waitress who barely attended to us already put the tip on my check for herself without asking. This was mad uncool!
- unwanted chargesWatch out for unwanted charges
If youre eyeing the all-you-can-eat, you might find it a great deal for the quality. However, be sure to scrutinize your bill carefully for any unexpected charges or mandatory service fees before paying. Its a place where the value can be excellent, but vigilance is key.
How are the prices at Shozen BBQ?
You’re looking at roughly 38 per person – reported by 51 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Korean Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average sits at 38, guests actually spread their spending quite a bit! Many find great value in the $21–$30 range, but theres also a good crowd enjoying options up to 50 $ and even a few splurging on premium dishes. Its a nice mix, offering something for different budgets.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 51 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
For a Korean Restaurant in San Diego, we think this pricing feels pretty fair. It offers a good range of options, so you can choose your own adventure, whether you’re looking for a casual meal or something a bit more special.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Shozen BBQ
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Romantic Date
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Loud
7
Special Company, Friendly Staff
My experience at this restaurant was made special by the company of my beautiful wife, which in turn made the food feel special. The waitresses and owner were incredibly polite and friendly.
- food5
- waitresses and owner9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Delicious food and great service!
I've been coming here for many years and can attest to the delicious food and excellent service. This family-owned establishment even catered our wedding this year! The atmosphere is rated a 5, and the service is also a perfect 5.
It's suitable for all group sizes and the food is a definite 5-star experience.
- delicious food10
- atmosphere10
- service10
Visit Type
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
1
Horrible Service, Rude Server!
My experience at this restaurant was marred by horrible service. I came with my 3 kids and wife, and our server was very rude towards the kids. She wouldn't allow us adults to have the all-you-can-eat option unless the kids also opted for it, even though the kids were ordering entrees themselves.
The owner should fire this server. As a San Diego native, I will discourage anyone from coming here until they get better servers who aren't rude and short. This was on a Saturday at 11: 30 am on 12/13.
- server1
- all you could eat1
- service1
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Cute Family-Owned Spot with Great Banchan
This is a really cute place that still very much feels family-owned. We saw two ladies sorting bean sprouts in the back, and when we asked for refills, they brought out the whole container of samjang and salad. Everything here was good quality, although it doesn't have as much variety as a place like Manna.
However, one must ask if 20 different kinds of meat and marinade are truly necessary. I personally prefer sticking to beef belly, brisket, or pork belly with veggies. The banchan were excellent, especially the beans, which are not commonly found at most restaurants.
The steamed egg was good, and the japchae was delicious, though a tad too sweet for my personal preference. I would go back to try the a la carte menu. While Manna might offer better value in terms of food variety, this place offers a charming and quality experience.
- good quality8
- variety6
- banchan9
Service Type
- Dine-in
5
Handwritten Bill Math Error
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. While the food was good, we encountered an issue with the bill. Similar to another reviewer's experience, the total on the handwritten bill did not match the itemized charges.
When we questioned it, the staff member took the bill and our credit card. We ended up adjusting the tip to cover the discrepancy. I recommend doing your math before paying your bill.
- food8
- bill2
- math3
What Shozen BBQ offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Shozen BBQ accessible for everyone, including families with children?
Absolutely! Shozen BBQ is designed to be wheelchair accessible, with an accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom. It’s also good for kids, offering high chairs to ensure a comfortable dining experience for your little ones.
What dining options and parking facilities can you expect at Shozen BBQ?
Shozen BBQ provides a range of dining options, including lunch, dinner, and dessert, all with comfortable table service and seating. You’ll also appreciate the convenience of free street parking and a free parking lot, where you can usually find plenty of space.
How does Shozen BBQ generally perform?
Shozen BBQ holds a good overall Restaurant Score of 7.3, with Customer Satisfaction at 70.9%. Topics like Service (7.6), Food (7.4), and Ambience (7.4) are rated well, while Value (4.9) is considered average.
What are the standout features of the food at Shozen BBQ?
Customers frequently praise the high `meat quality`, `flavor`, and `fresh` ingredients, particularly for their BBQ selections. Many also enjoy the variety of `side dishes` offered.
Are there any common issues or areas for improvement at Shozen BBQ?
Some patrons have raised concerns about `cleanliness` in certain areas, potential `unwanted charges` on bills, and occasional `waiting time` for service. Specific items like `sushi bento` and `takeout` have also received mixed reviews.