Keo Ku Restaurant

I was craving some Korean food and I had saved this restaurant a few weeks ago. I was so shocked that it was empty when I went to go pick up my food. The food was excellent. I got so many side dishes. Some I’ve tried for the first time and others I have had before. Hopefully it’s because it was 4pm on a Wednesday and not because it’s usually this empty. I got ttukbaegi bulgogi for the first time since the description made it sound so flavorful. It was as flavorful as I was expecting and I got a good amount of beef and the soup is enough to last me two meals. I loved that they packaged the noodles separately so they wouldn’t get overcooked by the time I got home. I do wish it had a bit more rice cakes but that’s just my preference. I’ll be back to try more dishes.

Amazing kbbq spot! The restaurant was very homely – the music was a nice volume, and the server was really accommodating. I went Friday and even with the weekend rush, the service was quick and there wasn’t any issues flagging down a server. Our table ordered the galbi, bulgogi, and fish combination platter (it was totally enough for two people). The server cooked the food in front of us, and let us know when the meat was fully cooked. Lastly, don’t forget to order a nice appetizer like the scallion pancake or the corn cheese. Plus they also have mixed drinks so no need to BYOB.

The Garden State is home to some of the most vibrant Korean enclaves in the country, namely in Bergen County: Fort Lee, Palisades Park, Leonia, and onward. Korean barbecue, often referred to as KBBQ or (고기구이) gogi-gui (meaning grilled meat in Korean), is unlike any traditional American barbecue one’s ever had. Marinated and seasoned meats—thinly sliced pork belly, bulgogi (marinated beef; translates to “fire meat”), and short ribs—are charred to perfection on a grill plate right in front of customers, making for a perfect interactive dining experience. With origins dating back about 2000 years, it’s certainly growing recently in popularity among non-Korean communities in the US. It is meant to be a collective experience where some of us attended an Elite event thanks to Sara and the Yelp team. Upon arrival at Keo Ku Restaurant right off of Route 46 in Parsippany as a first-timer, one finds a beautiful fish pond and classic Korean BBQ tables, where we were greeted by the staff. The menu is extensive, offering everything from fried chicken and tofu pots to BBQ platters. Assorted appetizers (Mandu dumplings, Kaenip Jeon, Tteokbokki skewers, and Gimbap) started our meal. Followed by selected entrees of Seafood Pajeon, Bulgoggi Ssam, and Jae Yook Gopdol Bibimbap, ending with Panna Cotta and Sujeomgwa. This perfect gem of deliciousness, using the high-quality ingredients and authentic flavors, hit it right out of the park. The meats were fresh and juicy. The flavors blended beautifully but were still distinct. It is wonderful to dine in an environment where the owner, Brian, and his family are truly passionate about their food and your overall experience. The staff was friendly (great sense of humor too) and quite attentive. We enjoy this family-owned and operated establishment very much, especially meeting up with other Yelp friends Bea, Jose, Nehal, Alex, Desiree, Maria, May, Lailah, and Surina, and fully recommend it to anyone who wants to experience authentic Korean cuisine.

My friend and I had a great experience at Keo Ku Restaurant on a late Sunday afternoon. The Gamjatang was mild (not spicy), making it very easy to enjoy. It also included a nice variety of cuts, so every bite felt balanced and satisfying. The Ddukbaegi Bulgogi was slightly sweet with very flavorful meat. The glass noodles were perfectly cooked—not soggy at all, with a great chewy texture. The staff were very friendly and attentive. They kept an eye on our water and refilled it promptly, which made us feel well taken care of. They also checked in regularly to ask how the food was and if we needed more side dishes. Overall, both the food and service were excellent. It was a truly enjoyable late lunch, and I would definitely come back again!

My friend and I visited Keo Ku for a late lunch on Sunday (Mother’s Day), and the restaurant was very busy with families and customers. We ordered the Daegu-tang and Yukgaejang. The Daegu-tang had a very balanced flavor — not too spicy, but with just the right amount of heat. The fish tasted very fresh, and the minari (water parsley) helped remove any fishy smell while adding a refreshing flavor to the soup. The Yukgaejang was slightly spicy and very comforting. The beef flavor was clean and rich without being greasy, and the gosari (fernbrake) inside was soft and tender rather than tough. There were also good vegetarian options available, which makes the restaurant a nice choice for groups with different dietary preferences. Overall, it was a very satisfying and enjoyable Mother’s Day lunch. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for comforting and authentic Korean soup dishes in the Parsippany area.

Since 1993, Keo Ku BBQ has been a neighborhood Korean BBQ restaurant serving over three decades in Parsippany, NJ. As you walk inside this hidden gem, you will find a beautiful fish pond and classic Korean BBQ tables in this venue. Sit down and order Korean pancakes that is crunchy outside and chewy inside. Add on a couple starters and a stew to complement your barbecue and enjoy their homemade side dishes and veggies. We ran out of peppers and their attentive staffs ran to the garden and freshly picked out some. Fresh home grown garden veggies! Meets are fresh, juicy, and super flavorful. Prices are more than reasonable and you are guaranteed to leave full and satisfied. Here deep in Jersey, you can still have an authentic and delicious Korean meal that will make your trip worthwhile.

For dinner, we had seafood pancake and Galbi-tang. While the seafood pancake lacking seafood, the soup was great. Good variety of free appetizers.

When you get a hankering for Korean, make your way to Keo Ku. Beautiful restaurant with authentic dishes all made with the freshest ingredients. For apps we had the extra crispy Pajeon, (Korean style fried pancake), the steamed beef Mandu, (housemade dumplings), and the Gaeran Jjim (steamed egg souffle). For our main we had to go for the Galbi, Saeng Galbi, Chadol Baigi Gui and the Anchangsal Skirt Steak, all to be prepared at the table. What a treat! Meat was so tender and delicious! We were full, but we couldn't pass up the homemade Sweet Rice & Pine Nut Panna Cotta and the Chocolate Pine Nut Panna Cotta. They are open for lunch and have many more dishes , check the menu. A wonderful place to enjoy Korean cuisine.