Kim Jong Grillin
Woodstock, Portland
Restaurant in Portland, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Kim Jong Grillin works for an easy Southeast Portland meal when convenience matters more than ceremony. It works best as a casual Woodstock Boulevard stop, especially for diners exploring the area, but it is not the strongest fit for a special-occasion plan without more confirmed detail on format, pricing, or signature dishes.
About Kim Jong Grillin
Should you eat at Kim Jong Grillin in Portland? Consider it when you want a casual Portland stop and the hours fit your plans. Kim Jong Grillin is casual, closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday through Sunday from 12–9 PM.
A practical Portland food stop
The safest way to plan around Kim Jong Grillin is to start with the schedule rather than assumptions about booking, menu format, price, awards, chef, or signature dishes. If you are deciding whether to go, treat it as a casual option in Portland and check the venue's current information before making a special trip.
Keep expectations casual, use the Wednesday-through-Sunday 12–9 PM window, check current details if price, chef, awards, seating, service format, or signature dishes matter to your plans. For a wider scan of the city, use Our full Portland restaurants guide; if the day turns into a broader itinerary, Our full Portland bars guide, Our full Portland hotels guide, Our full Portland wineries guide, Our full Portland experiences guide can help with broader planning.
Who should choose it, who should cross-shop
Choose Kim Jong Grillin when a casual Portland meal fits the day and the posted hours work for you. Cross-shop Delta Cafe, Cafe Rowan, Rose VL Deli, Hopworks Brewery - Powell Mothership, Stickers Asian Cafe if you are comparing other dining options in Portland. The verdict is simple: keep this choice casual, use other Portland options when you need a different setting or plan.
Planning details
- Location
- 4727 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97206
- Phone
- +1 503 929 0522
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Kim Jong Grillin reads like a true neighborhood Korean‑American barbecue joint: unpretentious, personable, and grounded in the communal rituals of the grill. The restaurant leans into a backyard‑grill register — even its name signals a playful, irreverent tone — while honoring Korean technique, fermented condiments and banchan accompaniments. The writing emphasizes regulars and consistency over opening‑night buzz, so the feel is warm and cozy rather than polished or performative. If you come expecting ceremony, you get it refracted through a casual, neighborly sensibility that prizes shared food and the social pleasure of cooking together.
Best For
This is a place built for shared meals and groups: proteins arrive for communal cooking and diners assemble wraps and plates together. The setting on SE Woodstock Boulevard positions it as a neighborhood destination where friends and coworkers drop in for dependable, convivial sessions at the table. It’s well suited to group dining, casual hangouts and after‑work dinners when a relaxed, social meal is the point. The emphasis on grilled proteins and banchan-style accompaniments makes it particularly apt for communal evening meals rather than formal, single‑plate service.
Ordering Tips
Lean into the communal format and order several proteins to share so everyone can participate in the tabletop grilling and assembly. The menu highlights — like Galbi short ribs and the Bulgogi Bibim Box — exemplify the grilled, fermented and wrapped flavors central to the place; playful items such as the Taepodong Hot Dog and Spicy Pork Tacos show the restaurant’s Korean‑American bent. Add kimchi fried rice or a selection of banchan to round out the table. Expect to build plates together rather than receive individually plated entrees.
Venue details
Ambiance
Casual, energetic food cart environment with indoor and outdoor seating at a bustling food pod featuring a bar and entertainment options.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Counter Service
- Meal Pacing
- Quick Bite
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Bulgogi Bibim Box
- Galbi Short Ribs
- Taepodong Hot Dog
- Kimchi Fried Rice
- Spicy Pork Tacos
Planning details
Location
4727 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97206 · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Delta Cafe, Notable alternative
- Cafe Rowan, Notable alternative
- Rose VL Deli, Notable alternative
- Hopworks Brewery - Powell Mothership, Notable alternative
- Stickers Asian Cafe, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How it compares in Portland
Kim Jong Grillin is the easier, more casual choice if the priority is a low-friction Southeast Portland stop. Delta Cafe and Cafe Rowan are better cross-shops when the meal needs to feel more like a planned sit-down choice than a quick neighborhood decision.
For value-minded diners, compare it with Rose VL Deli and Stickers Asian Cafe, especially if the group cares more about a specific casual-food craving than ambiance. For larger groups or a more flexible hangout, Hopworks Brewery - Powell Mothership is the safer practical pick.
The recommendation: choose Kim Jong Grillin when the plan is simple and nearby; choose one of the peers when seating comfort, group logistics, or a more defined dining-room experience matters more.
Explore Portland
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Kim Jong Grillin guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Kim Jong Grillin
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Kim Jong Grillin | Portland | No published awards |
| Delta Cafe | Portland | No published awards |
| Cafe Rowan | Portland | No published awards |
| Rose VL Deli | Portland | No published awards |
| Hopworks Brewery - Powell Mothership | Portland | No published awards |
| Stickers Asian Cafe | Portland | No published awards |
How Kim Jong Grillin Portland compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lunch or dinner better at Kim Jong Grillin?
Kim Jong Grillin is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12–9 PM and closed Monday and Tuesday. For specific lunch or dinner offerings, plan around the operating window and check the venue's current information before you go.
Can I eat at the bar at Kim Jong Grillin?
If bar seating matters, check the venue's current setup before you go. For a low-fuss meal in Portland, plan around the Wednesday-through-Sunday 12–9 PM service window and treat Kim Jong Grillin as a casual stop.
What should I order at Kim Jong Grillin?
Is Kim Jong Grillin good for solo dining?
Kim Jong Grillin has a casual dress code and posted hours from 12–9 PM Wednesday through Sunday, which can make planning straightforward. Check current information if the solo seating setup matters to you.
Is Kim Jong Grillin good for a special occasion?
What are alternatives to Kim Jong Grillin in Portland?
Other Portland dining options to compare include Delta Cafe, Cafe Rowan, Rose VL Deli, Hopworks Brewery - Powell Mothership, Stickers Asian Cafe. Use current hours and your preferred setting to decide which one best fits the plan.
What should a first-timer know about Kim Jong Grillin?
Start with the hours: Kim Jong Grillin is closed Monday and Tuesday and open Wednesday through Sunday from 12–9 PM. The dress code is casual, it is in Portland.
