Boston’s New Korean Restaurant Trio: A Game-Changer for Authentic Korean Dining in Allston


Boston’s New Korean Restaurant Trio: A Game-Changer for Authentic Korean Dining in Allston

When clients ask me where to find good Korean food in Boston, I finally have the perfect answer. Recently, three incredible Korean concepts opened their doors in Allston at 161 Brighton Ave—the former Tavern in the Square space. What makes this special isn’t just that they’re good restaurants. It’s that they represent three completely different Korean dining experiences under one roof: Jinjee for high-end Korean barbecue, Sanbada for wood-fired grilled fish and traditional Korean meals, and Bomb Bada for late-night Korean bar dining. I’ve visited both Jinjee and Sanbada, and I want to share what makes them remarkable.

Sanbada: Where Mountain Meets Sea


The moment you step into Sanbada, you understand why it’s named after the Korean phrase for “mountain and sea.” The bright, open atmosphere immediately makes you feel like you’re dining outdoors in fresh, crisp air. The design is classic Korean—simple, elegant, and focused on the food.

I ordered their Pacific Saury, a long, silver fish that’s wildly popular in Korean cuisine. It has a rich, oily flavor that most people either love deeply or avoid completely. At Sanbada, they’ve perfected how to prepare it in a way that converts skeptics.

The fish is grilled at an incredibly high temperature—700 degrees Fahrenheit—for just three minutes and thirty seconds. This matters more than you’d think. Grilling at such extreme heat for such a short time seals the outside of the fish quickly, locking in all the moisture and juices inside. The surface undergoes what’s called the Maillard reaction, creating that perfect textural contrast: crispy outside, tender and juicy inside. Because the cooking happens so fast, the fish never develops that “fishy” smell that turns so many people away from seafood. What you’re left with is pure, clean flavor—the essence of the fish without any of the funk.

It was honestly the best grilled fish I’ve ever had.

But here’s what shocked my American friend who had never tried Korean food before: the side dishes. We ordered our main courses, and suddenly our small table was completely full. Before we’d even touched the main dish, we had a bowl of rice and eight different small plate side dishes—including fermented vegetables, soy-based preparations, and more. My friend was confused. “I didn’t order all this,” he said. “Is this a mistake?”

No mistake. This is how Korean dining works, and it’s one of the most generous aspects of the culture. These side dishes—called banchan—are included with every meal. And if you want more? There’s a side dish bar where you can refill anything you’d like. One table of two people with two main dishes means at least 15 different dishes on the table. It’s abundance. It’s hospitality. It’s the Korean way of saying, “We want you to have choices. We want you to be satisfied.”

The Transformation: Day Becomes Night

What makes Sanbada even more special is what happens when the sun sets. The same restaurant transforms into Bomb Bada, a Korean bar and lounge named after the Korean word for “night sea.” The owners invested approximately $100,000 in professional Michelin-restaurant-level lighting design. I’m not exaggerating—this is the same quality of lighting you’d find in world-class fine dining establishments.

The atmosphere during the day and night are completely different restaurants. Sanbada is bright, open, and focused on the freshness of the food. Bomb Bada becomes moody, intimate, and perfect for evening drinks. The menu shifts to Korean dishes designed to pair beautifully with specialty cocktails. It’s the kind of place where you want to linger, where the lighting makes everyone look beautiful, where the music sets the mood, and the food complements the drinks perfectly. If you’re looking for where Boston goes for sophisticated second dates or nights out, Bomb Bada is ready to take that role.

Jinjee: High-End Korean Barbecue, Made with Heart

Right next door to Sanbada is Jinjee, the barbecue specialist. The concept behind Jinjee is beautiful: it’s inspired by the comforting, home-cooked meals of a grandmother’s kitchen. But instead of home cooking, it’s premium Korean barbecue.

The owner, CEO Kwak Ju-hun, made a clear declaration: “Jinjee uses good meat.” They serve Wagyu and American prime-grade beef. For pork, they use only the finest cuts. What’s remarkable is that despite using such high-quality meat, the prices aren’t astronomical. How do they do it?

Here’s their strategy: Jinjee takes 10% of their profit margins and reinvests it directly into sourcing better quality meat. They sacrifice their own profit to ensure customers get premium quality at reasonable prices. That’s a philosophy you don’t see everywhere—choosing customer satisfaction over maximum profit. 


At each table, a server grills your meat for you. The serving bowls, spoons, and chopsticks are all gold-colored stainless steel, giving the experience an upscale, refined feel. It’s not pretentious—it’s just elegant. You’re being taken care of. Your food is being prepared with skill and attention right in front of you.

Why This Matters

For years, when my clients asked where to find authentic Korean food in Boston, I had limited options to suggest. Now, I can confidently recommend this trio on Brighton Ave. Whether you want the bright, fresh experience of Sanbada with its perfectly grilled fish and generous side dishes, the sophisticated evening vibe of Bomb Bada, or the premium Korean barbecue hospitality of Jinjee, all three are within steps of each other.

If you’ve never tried Korean food, start at Sanbada during the day. Let the servers explain the banchan. Try something you’ve never had before. And if you fall in love with Korean barbecue, Jinjee is waiting next door.

And if you want to experience what Boston’s best Korean dining looks like when night falls? Bomb Bada is ready to show you.

Visit them at 161 Brighton Ave, Allston, Boston.

Tip for Budget-Conscious Diners: Weekday lunch prices are noticeably cheaper than evenings, weekends, and holidays.

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