Where to find the best Asian BBQ in the Charlotte area
When the combination of savory and sweet is calling you, Asian barbecue hits the spot — and there are plenty of tasty options to be found at restaurants around Charlotte.
Now, we’ve taken a look at Korean barbecue before, but we’ve found there’s more to talk about. We’re going beyond and expanding into other kinds of Asian barbecue, too.
Whether you’re after Korean bulgogi, Cantonese char siu or another Asian barbecue treat, let us point you in the right direction for a satisfying meal in Charlotte.
[RELATED: Best Chinese restaurants in Charlotte, recommended by foodies, restaurateurs and readers]
704 Korean BBQ
Location: 8320 Pineville-Matthews Rd #607, Charlotte, NC 28226
Neighborhood: South Charlotte/Pineville area
Cuisine: Korean
What to try: This is an all-you-can-eat spot, so you’ll want to taste a variety of things, like thinly sliced pork belly and beef bulgogi. Adults are $35, and kids 4-10 are $15.
What to know: Order in person, and reservations are available.
Bulgogi Box
Location: 1750 Camden Rd Ste G, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: South End
Cuisine: Korean
What to order: The spicy pork bulgogi box, served with white rice and Asian coleslaw.
What to know: Order in person, or you can order online for pickup or delivery.
Choi’s Korean Kitchen and Soju Bar
Location: 808 E Arrowood Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Neighborhood: Montclaire South/South Charlotte
Cuisine: Korean
What to order: Beef Galbi, Korean-style beef short ribs with cabbage and scallion in soy and garlic sauce.
What to know: Order online or call 704-643-1212.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
Location: 650 E Stonewall St. Unit A, Charlotte, NC 28202
Neighborhood: Savoy Apartments
Cuisine: Japanese
What to try: The Meat Lovers BBQ course for two. Included are starters and s’mores for dessert. Your barbecue items are premium sirloin, yaki-shabu beef, bistro hanger steak, umakar ribeye, New York steak and toro beef.
What to know: Order in person, order online or call 980-585-3012. Open Monday-Sunday.
IRO
Location: Hyatt Centric Charlotte SouthPark, 3100 Apex Drive, Charlotte, NC 28211
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Cuisine: American, Japanese
What to try: Tangy Chicken Wings with a Japanese-style barbecue sauce.
What to know: Order in person or call (704) 981-9193
Iron Dish Korean BBQ
Location: 9605 N Tryon St., Suite H, Charlotte, NC 28262
Neighborhood: University City North
Cuisine: Korean
What to try: This all-you-can-eat spot offers all the options you’re craving, including beef, chicken and pork bulgogi, and banchan sides such as kimchi, miso soup, spicy rice cakes and more. Adults are $30, and children are $12.
What to know: Dine in person.
Lam’s Kitchen
Location: 3016 Weddington Road, Matthews, NC 28105
Neighborhood: Matthews
Cuisine: Cantonese and Szechuan style Chinese
What to try: Honey roasted pork char siu.
What to know: Call 704-821-0676 for takeout or to make reservations.
Let’s Meat
Location: 1400 S Church St B, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: South End
Cuisine: Korean
What to try: This all-you-can-eat KBBQ restaurant is buffet-style dining, so you’ll want to sample a few things such as curry pork belly. Adults are $38.47, and kids are $12.47.
What to know: Hours are limited, so check before you go. Call (980) 299-4389.
MOA Korean BBQ
Location: 128 S Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202
Neighborhood: First Citizens Plaza
Cuisine: Korean
What to try: The Braised Short Rib, which comes with four banchan sides and white rice.
What to know: Order in person, order online or call 704-503-9412. Open Tuesday-Sunday.
Open Rice
Location: 9882 Rea Road Suite F, Charlotte, NC, 28277
Neighborhood: Blakeney
Cuisine: Hong Kong-style Chinese
What to try: Hong Kong Char Sui, which is Cantonese-style barbecue pork.
What to know: Order online or call (980) 406-3894.
Pepero Korean Restaurant
Location: 10920 Monroe Rd, Matthews, NC 28105
Neighborhood: Matthews
What to try: The Gai Bi, a Korean BBQ-style beef rib.
What to know: Order in person at this restaurant, tucked inside a Korean supermarket, call 704-845-2107 or order online.
Seoul Food Meat Company
Location: 2315 N Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205 (opening Monday, Oct. 24)
Neighborhood: NoDa
Location: 1400 S Church St., STE A, Charlotte NC 28203
Neighborhood South End
What to try: Soy pork spare ribs and smoked beef brisket.
What to know: Order in person, order online or call 980-299-5143. You can also reserve a room for karaoke and make a night of it.
Van Loi Chinese Barbecue
Location: 3101 Central Ave # 1, Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: Country Club Heights
Cuisine: Chinese, Vietnamese
What to order: Vit Nuong Chao, BBQ duck
What to know: Visit in person or call (704) 566-8808 to order.
This story was originally published October 24, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
