AYCE Nights: My Favorite All-You-Can-Eat Korean Barbecue Spots in Honolulu

AYCE Nights brings together my favorite spots to eat when my friends and I are craving a load of food on the cheap. All-you-can-eat places always come up, and lucky for us, there are many options in the Honolulu area.

Korean barbecue spots are perfect when you crave lots of banchan sides, bubbling stews and savory, grilled meat (and you don’t mind smelling like it after.) Be aware that these places are popular with families and tend to get busy, fast. Most do not take reservations, so make sure your party is ready to wait or alternatively, visit during off-hours.

Sura Hawai‘i

Photo: Thomas Obungen

Sura is at the top of my list because not only is the meat AYCE, so are the hot sides sizzling at the edges of the barbecue grill. As the grill heats, complimentary appetizers of macaroni with shredded cheese, steamed eggs, and corn cheese heat up. They’re ready to eat by the time our first order of meat arrives.

For $28.95 per person, you can order three meats and three house specialties at a time. Various styles of beef and pork include practically every cut that you can think of: kalbi, thin brisket, pork belly and more. If that isn’t enough, chicken and shrimp are also available. I always order the same house specialties: seafood tofu kim chee soup, french fries and lettuce wraps (for the meat). These pair perfectly with the heavy, meat-centric dinner.

Be prepared to wait during dinner hours. We’ve waited for an hour to get a table because they were so busy. During lunch hours, I have not experienced a wait, and the AYCE deals are easier to stomach at $20 per person.

Open Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., 1726 Kapi‘olani Blvd. #101, (808) 944-5227, surahawaii.com, @sura_hawaii

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Gen Korean BBQ House

Photo: Thomas Obungen

This Los Angeles-based Korean barbecue chain has two locations on O‘ahu and they’re both at malls. The one in Ala Moana Center is always busy with people waiting outside—it’s a good thing that you can walk around when you’re waiting for a table.

The lunch AYCE is $19.95, while dinner goes up to $29.95. Pro tip: Look over the menu beforehand, so you are not overwhelmed by the variety of meat choices. Gen has the largest selection by far, with more than 30 options on the dinner menu. Appetizers included with the AYCE special change somewhat frequently. The japchae, calamari fritters and popcorn chicken—plus the included banchan dishes—help to settle our hunger as we wait for the meat.

Gen also accommodates people who are vegan and vegetarian: The AYCE seasonal assorted vegetables is half the price of the regular dinner at $15. My vegetarian friends enjoy coming here because they too can get the AYCE experience without paying a hefty price for a meatless meal.

Open Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., (808) 944-5227, genkoreanbbq.com/honolulu, @genkoreanbbq__hawaii

SEE ALSO: AYCE Nights: My Favorite All-You-Can-Eat Hot Pot Spots in Honolulu

Sikdorak

Photo: Maddy Chow

Sikdorak is a local classic for Korean BBQ with three locations on O‘ahu, though locals know that the original still resides in Samsung Plaza on Ke‘eaumoku Street. Meats include classic KBBQ options with bulgogi, brisket, steaks and pork jowl as a few options for an all-day price of $29.60. But, when we come the beef tongue is always in the rotation.

Banchan like kim chee and fishcakes are included, but that’s it. Kim chee chigae or bibimbap run around $10 to $15, making Sikdorak the most expensive AYCE Korean barbecue option if you’re looking to supplement your trays of meat.

For me, the late-night hours are what make Sikdorak the most convenient. Formerly a 24-hour spot, the pandemic reduced their hours to 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. Still, they hit their audience of college students, clubbers and others who are starving after a late night out.

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m., 655 Ke‘eaumoku St., (808) 294-4748, honolulukoreanbbq.com, @sikdorak808