Korean culture has been widely popular, from their songs down to their food, which is no longer surprising. Since we love experiencing new things all the time, Korean BBQ is one to try.

Unlike the traditional BBQ in the US where people are usually gathered in the backyard, Korean BBQ is mostly done indoors. People gather at a table where there is this large grilling pot where you cook meat. Because of this, the BBQ experience becomes more intimate.

As Korean restaurants start popping up everywhere, more people are learning to enjoy this kind of experience. However, going out to enjoy good Korean BBQ can cost a lot of money. So, why not take your BBQ at home?

All you need are your meat, side dishes, and a good Korean BBQ grill.

Fortunately, there are now lots of Korean BBQ grills available on the market nowadays, and today, we’re reviewing the best six you’ll probably need:

Comparison Table

Our #1 Choice
TECHEF - Stovetop Indoor Korean BBQ Nonstick Grill Pan with, PFOA-Free, Dishwasher Oven Safe, Made in Korea

1. TeChef Stovetop Korean BBQ

This model comes with a unique-swirled design, a Teflon Select non-stick coating, and a cast-aluminum construction; it’s the only grill pan on the list that is microwave or oven-safe – Read Review.
9.7
Close Runner Up
COOKKING - Master Grill Pan, Korean Traditional BBQ Grill Pan - Stovetop Nonstick Indoor/Outdoor Smokeless BBQ Cast Aluminum Grill Pan

2. CookKing Master Grill Pan

This model comes with a unique design with sections so you can cook a variety of dishes; it has a non-stick titanium coating and cast-aluminum constructionRead Review.
9.5
Multi Purpose
Zojirushi EB-CC15 Indoor Electric Grill , Black

3. Zojirushi EB-CC15

This model comes with a titanium and ceramic dual-layer as its non-stick coating; it’s the only square grilling pan on this list that offers a wide cooking area of 115 square inches
Read Review.
9.3
Best Electric
Elite Gourmet Smokeless Indoor Electric BBQ Grill with Glass Lid, Dishwasher Safe, Nonstick, Adjustable Temperature, Fast Heat Up, Low-Fat Meals Easy to Clean Design

4. Elite Gourmet EMG-980B

This model is another grill that uses electricity as a fuel source; this pan offers ease of cleaning as all parts are dishwasher-safe – Read Review.
9.2
Smallest Model
[QUEEN SENSE] CookKing Master Grill Pan, Korean Traditional BBQ Indoor & Outdoor Nonstick Cast Aluminum Plate Made in Korea

5. QUEEN SENSE CookKing

This model is the smallest on the list but still promises quality; it’s best designed for small-sized families; the grill also comes with sections for versatility in cookingRead Review.
9.1
Best Budget
Iwatani Cb-p-y3 BBQ Plate (Large)

6. IWATANI BBQ Plate CB-P-Y3

This model has the simplest features among the list but still offers a large cooking space, non-stick coated surface, and an excellent grease management systemRead Review.
9.1

TeChef Stovetop Korean BBQ

Key features: Teflon Select coating; swirled-channel design; fat/grease draining system; you can also choose the variety that comes with a slim and stylish stove with an auto piezo-electric ignition

  • Plate Diameter: 12 inches
  • Material: Aluminum
  • Temperature Range: Oven-safe up to 450°F
  • Dimensions: 14 x 6 x 14 inches
  • Weight: 7.58 pounds
First on our list is the TeChef Stovetop Korean BBQ Non-Stick Grill Pan. This pan may look simple, but it’s definitely one of the best. This pan is made professionally in Korea, so there’s no denying that they know how to give you the best Korean BBQ grilling experience.

The grilling pan is made of thick cast-aluminum material so that heat can spread evenly. This way, you can also have equal cooking on the meat throughout. On top of that, the pan has been coated five times with Teflon Print Designs so that the meat won’t stick.

You don’t have to worry about the coating as it’s ensured to be free from harmful chemicals such as PFOA, Cadmium, and Lead.

Visually, you will observe that the pan comes with a unique swirled channel design. This helps the oils from your meat to drain slowly and hence give your food more flavor. The pan is also domed in shape so that it can sit on top of a portable gas grill perfectly.

The benefit of having a domed shaped pan and the swirled design is that it brings oils and fats directly to a draining hole. This makes the plan easier to clean. And since there are no juices on the surface, you get to enjoy a smokeless grilling, too.

You’ll also be glad to know that this pan is safe to use in an oven with a temperature of up to 450 °F. It’s also dishwasher-safe for hassle-free cleaning.

If you don’t have a portable stove in your home, you can buy one that already comes with a TeChef Stove. The stove is slim and stylish, comes with an auto piezo-electric ignition, and high power of 11,500 BTU.

There’s no denying that this grilling pan is one of the best on the market today. It’s made not only for residential purposes but even for commercial purposes. So if you’re planning to put up a Korean restaurant, it’s one to get.

Pros

  • Authentically made in Korea
  • Comes with a unique swirled-channel design
  • Cast-aluminum construction so it heats up fast
  • Non-stick coating
  • Dishwasher and oven-safe
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with a drip pan to catch the grease
  • Sidewalls are shallow

CookKing Master Grill Pan

More features: Non-stick titanium coating; grease draining system; tabletop grill that is compatible with a gas stove; cast-aluminum construction

  • Plate Diameter: 13.5 inches
  • Material: Aluminum
  • Dimensions: 16 x 2.3 x 16 inches
  • Weight: 3.79 pounds
Next on our list is the CookKing Master Grill Pan, much like with the TeChef Grill, this traditional grilling pan from CookKing is made in Korea. So, you can expect an excellent Korean BBQ grilling, too.

The pan is generally thicker than its counterparts, which means it will take a bit of a long time to heat up. But, since it comes with a cast-aluminum construction, you can expect that the heat is there to stay.

CookKing has placed layers of non-stick Titanium coating to prevent food from sticking on the pan. This way, you’ll be able to cook any type of meat perfectly, and cleaning afterward will be easy.

You’ll also love the 13.5 inches diameter provided by the plate, allowing you to cook a lot at once. The pan comes with dividers where the meat is designed to cook meat, and the edges will let you cook or warm side dishes such as scrambled eggs, cheese, garlic, kimchi, and more. This way, you get to have more variety in your cooking.

Another excellent feature of this pan is the grease management system. Instead of having a single grease hole, this pan comes with four. And since the pan is dome-shaped, grease and fat can go quickly through the holes. Therefore, you get to enjoy a smoke-free dinner with your family or friends.

The pan doesn’t come with a gas stove, but it will be compatible with any portable gas stove you have at home with its shape and design. And before you start cooking, add some water to the bottom of the grill for easy grease and fat removal after dinner.

Pros

  • One of the best smokeless grilling pans on the market
  • Multi-layer non-stick Titanium coating
  • Cast-aluminum construction for consistent and even heat distribution
  • Comes with dividers for more versatile cooking
  • Impressive grease management system

Cons

  • The grilling plate is thick, so it may take a bit of time for it to heat up
  • Too heavy to handle when washing for cleaning
  • Difficult grease and fat removal if you forget to add water on the bottom of the grill

Zojirushi EB-CC15

More features: titanium and ceramic enhanced dual-layer nonstick grilling surface; grease management system; cool-touch handles; instruction manual; detachable power cord; can be disassembled for easy cleaning

  • Cooking Area: 115 square inches
  • Material: Aluminum
  • Fuel Source: Electric
  • Temperature Range: 176 – 410 °F
  • Dimensions: 20.5 x 14.1 x 6.1 inches
  • Weight: 7 pounds

Third, on our list is the Zojirushi EB-CC15 Indoor Electric Grill. This may come in a different shape than the first two, but it’s also great when it comes to providing you and your family a great indoor Korean grilling experience. 

The grill comes in four pieces – a non-stick cooking grate, a plug, a metal drip pan, and the base. You can easily assemble these four pieces with the help of an instruction manual. Previous owners have also stated that it will take less than 5 minutes to assemble the grill. 

The grate comes with a cooking area of 115 square inches, which is large enough for you to cook meat for several people. And since the grill comes with holes already, you can ensure that no oil or fats stay on the pan, making your food earlier. 

You don’t have to worry about those oils, too. As mentioned earlier, there’s a dripping pan just below the grate that will catch everything. That feature, plus the non-stick coating, will ensure that you can clean this grill with ease. 

The detachable plug has a cord of 62 inches long, which means you won’t have any problem choosing an area to place the grill. There’s also a temperature controller so you can adjust the cooking heat easily from a range of 176 to 410 degrees Fahrenheit. It also heats up so fast, and with the aluminum material, you can expect even cooking on your meat. 

Other features you can look forward to are the fact that the dripping pan is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning, cool-touch base handles to ensure your safety, and well-insulated casing to ensure that you won’t end up damaging your countertops. 

This is not the typical Korean BBQ grill we see in restaurants. However, it surely has something to offer when it comes to the cooking quality of meat and the smoke-free grilling experience. 

Pros

  • Dual-layer non-stick grilling surface
  • Excess oils and fats go directly to the bottom of the grill
  • Comes with a dishwasher-safe drip tray
  • Adjustable temperature control
  • Well-insulated casing

Cons

  • Very light base
  • Not all parts are dishwasher-safe

Elite Gourmet EMG-980B

More features: non-stick cooking surface; large drip pan; indicator lights; dishwasher-safe; 5 adjustable temperature control settings; cool-touch safety handles and base; vented tempered glass lid; detachable power cord

  • Plate Diameter: 12 inches (small); 14 inches (large)
  • Material: Aluminum
  • Fuel Source: Electric
  • Temperature Range: 250-450 °F
  • Dimensions: 17.2 x 17 x 4.1 inches
  • Weight: 6 pounds
The next grill on our list is powered by electricity, the Elite Gourmet EMG-980B Non-stick Grill. It comes in four parts that you can assemble easily in just a few minutes.

The base is made of plastic to ensure your safety the whole time you’re cooking. Then, simply place the grill made of aluminum construction on top. Then, simply insert the removable temperature control. Easy, right?

With the non-stick grill cooking surface, you can cook any meat perfectly without any worries. This also makes the grill easy to clean afterward. The grill is then designed to have a drip hole for oils and grease to go through it, giving you a smoke-free grilling experience. And don’t worry about these oils, as there’s a large drip pan right at the base of the grill that collects them.

The temperature control can help you adjust the heat easily, whether it’s for slow-cooking meats or not. The temperature can range from 250 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and with a power of 1400 Watts, you can expect fast heating.

For other meats that might splash oils, the domed lid will come pretty handy. And when it comes to cleaning, you’ll love the fact that the drip tray, grill plate, and glass lid are all dishwasher safe.

Overall, this is a grill that offers great quality and versatility in your cooking. You can even choose between two grill sizes and two colors so you can find what’s the best fit for you.

Pros

  • Large cooking surface
  • Easy to assemble
  • Dishwasher safe grill plate, drip tray, and a glass lid for easy cleaning
  • Non-stick grilling surface
  • Five adjustable temperature settings

Cons

  • There are complaints that the thermostats do not function properly
  • The non-stick coating may come off when cleaned rigorously

Queen Sense Kazariko

More features: fast-thermal conductivity; serrated pedestal; non-stick coating; partitions and side spaces for baking meats, fish, and vegetables; grease management system;

  • Plate Diameter: 6 inches
  • Material: Cast-Aluminum
  • Dimensions: 11.81 x 11.81 x 1.97 inches
  • Weight: 1.65 pounds
Next, we have the Queen Sense Kazariko Multi-Grill Pan. This is the smallest pan on this list and will cater to small-sized families who love to enjoy Korean BBQ. It’s made in Korea, so even if the size is small, you can expect excellent quality.

The grill comes with a cast-aluminum construction so it can heat up fast and will distribute heat evenly, too. The non-stick coating will also give you perfectly-cooked meat. You’ll also love the unique look where the pan is divided into sections to provide you with a chance to cook a variety of dishes.

The grease management system is impressive. With the dome-shaped grill, oils and grease won’t stay on the surface and go directly to the holes and into the grill’s bottom, where there’s a pan that collects these greases.

The pan doesn’t come with a stove, but it is made compatible with any portable gas stove because of its serrated pedestal. This keeps the grill in place while being used.

Pros

  • Innovative design that comes with sections for versatile cooking
  • Non-stick coating
  • Cast-aluminum construction
  • Compatible with any portable gas stoves

Cons

  • Small cooking area

Iwatani BBQ Plate CB-P-Y3

More features: non-stick coated surface; grease management system; supports gas cooking stove; has indentations on the bottom

  • Plate Diameter: 12 inches
  • Material: Aluminum
  • Dimensions: 13.2 x 1.8 x 12 inches
  • Weight: 1.7 pounds

Lastly, we have the IWATANI BBQ Plate CB-P-Y3. This is probably one of the simplest Korean BBQ grill designs with minimal features but still manages to give you quality cook on your meat. 

The large cooking area gives you ample space to cook meat for several people. The grill then comes with a dome-shaped design so that oil and grease don’t remain at the center, promising a smokeless grilling. You’ll also observe grooves on the edges where the oils go through, and these are then caught by a water pan below. 

As the grill comes with aluminum construction, you can expect fast heating and even heat distribution to give you perfectly cooked meat. On top of that, the surface is layered with a non-stick coating for easy cleaning afterward. 

Another great thing about this product is its portability. It is lightweight and comes with a cool-touch handle for easy transport anywhere. It also comes with a pick, in case you’d need to remove the plate itself. 

This is not a perfect grill. Several users have found some issues with the heating of the pan and the coating. However, considering the price, it’s still of great quality. You just need to be extra careful in the way you handle it. 

Pros

  • Non-stick surface
  • Easy to clean
  • Excellent grease management system
  • Cool-touch handle

Cons

  • Scratches easily
  • The outer part of the grill cooks more slowly when the temperature is not high enough
  • Non-stick coating loses its color fast

Commonly Asked Questions

Are such grills completely safe to use indoors?

Yes. This is because Korean BBQ Grills are mainly designed to be used indoors. Generally, manufacturers develop the grills to have excellent grease management systems so that oil and grease will go down directly to the dripping tray below, giving you a smoke-free grill.

However, it’s still highly recommended to have adequate ventilation when using the grill. There are lots of BBQ grills on the market that promises a smoke-free grilling experience, but it may not be true.

Also, since most of these grills require gas stoves, you should still be careful. Check your pan if there will be possible leakage of oils to avoid potential flare-ups.

What should I grill for Korean BBQ?

When it comes to Korean BBQ, you can generally grill a variety of dishes. What you should grill will come down to what you like.

Remember, Korean BBQ meat is not like the traditional big whole chunk of meat you’ll have. These are usually thinly sliced. Here are some meats we can suggest to have:

  • Beef Brisket: This is thinly-sliced, non-marinated beef
  • Samgyupsal: This is Korean for pork belly, which you can serve plain or marinated in spice, garlic, miso, red wine, etc.
  • Bulgogi: This is thinly-sliced beef in sweet soy marinade
  • Spicy Pork: This is thinly-sliced pork in red pepper sauce
  • Kalbi: This is slight, sweet-marinated beef short ribs
  • Chicken: Mainly chicken thighs and marinated in spicy or garlic marinade

It’s always recommended to cut these meats into bite-sized pieces when they’re halfway cooked, making them easier to consume.

For you to enjoy an authentic Korean BBQ experience, don’t stop with only having meat. Don’t forget the Banchan and the sides.

Banchan are side dishes that you get to share with friends during the BBQ. You can have kimchi, spicy fish cakes, bean sprouts, radish kimchi, spicy marinated cucumbers, or seaweed salad. Or you can have your take of side dishes that will go with your meat.

Then, you should also come up with sides. You can have spicy soft tofu soup, soybean paste soup, corn cheese and steamed egg (you can place this on the edges of your grill if there are partitions), and lettuce (it’s nice to wrap your samgyupsal here).

As you can see, Korean BBQ offers you an intimate BBQ experience with family and friends where all food is placed at the table for all of you to share.

What kind of charcoal do you use for Korean BBQ?

If you’re using a charcoal grill for Korean BBQ, you can use any type of charcoal. One recommendation, though, says to use mesquite charcoal, which is said to burn hotter and is longer-lasting. The charcoal is also said to have been made with 100% natural ingredients, which give food a natural, smoky taste. But generally, there’s really no preference because charcoal is usually used to increase the taste of dishes.

Can I use a griddle for Korean BBQ?

Generally, yes, you can use a griddle for Korean BBQ. This depends on what kind of cook on the meat you want.

What’s nice about Korean BBQs is that they offer versatility. So if you want to stir-fry, then why not? Just take note that since a griddle is flat, oil and grease will stay, so the smoke-free experience won’t be there, and food might be more oily than what you’d expect.

Our Verdict

As you can see, the Korean BBQ experience is different from the typical BBQ we have. It’s also pretty convenient because if you’re craving meat and it’s raining outside, you can always grill something up. The best part is, it’s a great bonding experience for the whole family.

Of the six grills mentioned above, the TeChef Stovetop Korean BBQ Non-Stick Grill Pan is our number one. This is because even if it looks simple, it still screams quality. Plus, the features are not only there for style. Instead, everything comes with a purpose.

So, if you want to get a Korean BBQ grill, TeChef can be your first pick. However, this doesn’t mean that the rest on this list are not as high-quality as TeChef. After all, we all have our preferences.