Take To Korea in Oklahoma City: Where to Eat Korean Barbecue at the Table
Take To Korea is a tableside Korean barbecue restaurant in Oklahoma City where diners cook thin-sliced meat, seafood, and vegetables on built-in grills set into the dining table. It occupies the niche between casual Korean takeout and upscale seated dining, filling a gap in Oklahoma City's Korean food scene where most restaurants serve only plated or counter meals.
What You Cook and How Much It Costs
The menu revolves around marinated and unmarked raw proteins meant for the grill. Beef bulgogi (thin rib or sirloin) costs between $16 and $22 per order depending on cut and portion. Pork belly (samgyeopsal) runs $14 to $18. Chicken and seafood options, including shrimp and squid, typically fall between $12 and $16. Most orders serve one or two people. Banchan (small side dishes) come with every meal: kimchi, seasoned greens, and soy dipping sauce arrive without extra charge. Rice and soup are included. Alcohol is served; beer and soju run $5 to $8 per order. Unlike some Korean BBQ spots, Take To Korea does not charge a table fee, which lowers the barrier to ordering just one meat plate and several sides.
How It Compares to Other Korean Food in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City has limited tableside Korean barbecue options. Most Korean restaurants here, including those along NW 23rd Street, serve prepared dishes plated by the kitchen. Take To Korea's main advantage is audience participation and the social format of cooking at the table, which suits groups and celebrations. For those seeking traditional Korean food without the performance or group dynamic, nearby plated restaurants offer more variety in stews, noodle soups, and vegetarian dishes at similar price points. For diners who want Korean meat but prefer speed and takeout convenience, counter-service Korean barbecue or Korean-fusion burger spots elsewhere in the city offer faster options. Take To Korea prioritizes experience and table time over throughput.
Who This Place Fits and Who It Does Not
Take To Korea works best for groups of four or fewer, date nights, and diners comfortable with interactive cooking and moderate noise. It suits meat-focused eaters and those willing to spend 90 minutes to two hours on a meal. It does not suit solo diners looking for a quick lunch, vegetarians seeking diverse plant-based Korean dishes, or anyone uncomfortable cooking at the table or with strong meat aromas. Families with young children may find the open flame and heat distracting, though the restaurant does not prohibit them.
What to Expect on Your First Visit
Staff will seat you at a table fitted with a built-in metal grill and hood. A server will explain the cooking temperature and demonstrate how to flip the meat. You will order from a printed or digital menu, listing proteins by cut and sourcing. Raw meat arrives on a plate with a pair of long tongs and a metal spatula. You cook to your preference, dip in sauce, and wrap in lettuce or perilla leaf if you choose. The server refills banchan and checks on doneness. Most first-time diners spend 75 to 90 minutes. Expect medium noise and a warm dining room from the collective grills.
Hours, Parking, and How to Get There
Take To Korea is open for lunch and dinner most days, though hours vary seasonally. Call ahead or check their current hours before visiting, as Korean restaurants in Oklahoma City have adjusted schedules in recent years. Parking is available in a dedicated lot adjacent to the restaurant. The restaurant sits in an accessible strip mall, with street access straightforward from main roads. No reservation system is typically in place; walk-ins and phone call ahead are both normal. Wait times during weekend dinner rush can reach 30 to 45 minutes, especially Friday and Saturday after 6 p.m.
Take To Korea fills a specific craving in Oklahoma City's Korean dining landscape: communal, hands-on meat cooking in a social setting that most other local Korean restaurants do not offer.
