Zoa K-BBQ — Restaurant in Baltimore

The food here was good, but a few things made the experience less enjoyable. I was directed to the basement for the restroom, but the strong gas/propane odor was so intolerable that I didn’t feel comfortable entering, even with the door wide open. The water served when seated also appeared cloudy in the cups.

The waitress was kind and knowledgeable, and she explained the menu and cultural combinations well. However, I come to these types of restaurants for the interactive experience of cooking my own food, and despite asking to cook the meat myself, she continued to take the tongs and do it for me. She would even point to sauces with the dripping meat tongs and served meat undercooked, before it reached the temperature and crispiness I asked for.

While sitting at our table, I also noticed in the kitchen that the meat slicer was handled with a gloved hand, but the meat itself was caught and plated with a bare hand, which felt concerning from a food safety standpoint.

While the waitress’s intentions were clearly good and she was very friendly, the service felt too pushy and overwhelming. I did not get the soup I asked for when sitting down. I would have preferred more space to enjoy the self-cooking style of dining and sit my sauce dishes in the layout that I prefer to...

I had an unforgettable experience at Zoa Korean BBQ in Baltimore. The quality of the food was outstanding! We ordered the brisket, bulgogi, spicy pork bulgogi, blade steak, and spicy squid, and everything was incredibly fresh and cooked perfectly at the table.

Aside from the incredible meat selections, another one of my favorite parts of the meal was the assortment of kimchis they offer. Each one had its own distinct flavor and enhanced the already delicious meal. The thinly sliced white radish was my favorite — refreshing, crisp, and the perfect complement to the meats.

But what truly makes Zoa special is the owner. She was welcoming, friendly, and genuinely one of the most incredible hosts I’ve ever encountered. Her kindness and energy made the entire experience feel personal and memorable.

If you're looking for top-quality Korean BBQ paired with hospitality that truly stands out, Zoa is a must-visit. I can’t recommend it...

I am so happy to have found a quality Korean BBQ near me! Having been to restaurants all over the DMV I’ve found that Virginia had the overall best Korean BBQ options and since moving to Baltimore I hadn’t found one I wanted to frequent too close to the city. My partner and I visited Zoa for our anniversary a few weeks ago and I’ve finally found my spot 🥰. The service was great, the food was even better. Typically Bulgogi is my favorite and it was definitely good but the owner showed me how to wrap the spicy pork belly in the pickled radishes and I was obsessed! Going back today and just realized I forgot to leave a review before. Thanks so much! I hope Zoa is...