A California-based Korean BBQ chain attracting Wall Street and meat lovers is now expanding across the US — see what it’s like to dine there

• Gen Korean BBQ, an all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue chain, is rapidly expanding across the US.
• The casual restaurant offers endless mounds of Korean-inspired meats for patrons to cook at their tables.
• See what it’s like to dine at its newer New York City location.

The next hottest restaurant in your town could be a barbecue chain. Just be prepared to grill your own meat. 

Gen Korean BBQ, founded by two Korean immigrants, first hit the Los Angeles food scene in 2011, wooing diners with its marinated meats, do-it-yourself culture, and banchan (side dishes). Since then, the interactive dining experience has grown to 34 locations across the US primarily in California and Texas. And now, it’s expanding fast.

In 2023, Gen opened its first East Coast locations in New York City and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Soon, the restaurant group — which successfully went public in June — will launch in a list of states across the US.