Exit 5 Korean BBQ (Seattle)

Overview

Exit 5 Korean BBQ in Renton brings a modern, high-quality Korean BBQ experience to the South Sound, offering premium meats, endless banchan, and attentive service in a sleek, smoke-free setting. It's a great spot for groups and date nights alike. Just come hungry and early, since it's walk-in only.

Address: 911 N 10th Pl STE D, Renton, WA 98057
Website: https://exit5kbbq.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exit5kbbq

Hours:
Mon–Thu: 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Fri: 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Sat: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Sun: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM

Average Cost per Person: $45 to $70, depending on meats and add-ons
Parking: Free parking available at The Landing shopping center
Reservations: Walk-in only. Expect waits during peak hours
Atmosphere: Spacious, upbeat, and family-friendly with built-in ventilation and minimal smoke
Perfect For: Group dinners, meat lovers, and anyone looking for a more refined KBBQ night without the AYCE chaos

Meat Quality & Variety

Exit 5 is known for premium cuts and flavorful marinades. Reviewers “rave about the flavorful marinated meats, especially the pork belly and beef short rib”. In practice that means juicy, thick pork belly strips and sweet LA Galbi short ribs are must-orders – the latter is “umami-packed” with its sweet marinade. Their bulgogi (ultra-thin marinated beef) is another standout, earning praise as proof that “Exit 5 really nails marinated meats”. Because Exit 5 is not all-you-can-eat, you order à la carte or in customizable combo platters (typically 3–4 meat choices). This also lets smaller parties mix and match – one local blogger notes you can even dine there as a duo thanks to flexible portion sizes. Overall the consensus is the meat quality is high – worth the slightly higher prices, since “they definitely use the more expensive cuts”.

Grill Setup

Each table has a built-in grill with modern ventilation (the restaurant boasts “built-in fans under our grills (no BBQ smoke!)”), so the dining room stays fairly smoke-free. Staff keep the grilling smooth: grill grates get swapped out frequently to avoid burnt mess, and servers will even cut bone-in cuts like kalbi for you. In fact, The Infatuation quips that with Exit 5’s service you’re “never in danger of burning $90 worth of pork belly” on the table. In short, even BBQ rookies can relax – servers will tend the grill and check your cooking for you (but of course, don’t wander off completely!).

Banchan, Sides, and Sauces

One of Exit 5’s strengths is its generous spread of banchan and sauces. Expect a rotating lineup of small side dishes like kimchi, marinated cucumbers, spicy fish cakes, broccoli, and potato salad. The cucumber kimchi and fish cakes are crowd favorites, while some sides like the salty broccoli and mayo-heavy potato salad may be skippable on round two. Refills are handled by a roaming banchan cart, so you’ll never run dry. Appetizers like corn cheese, japchae, and kimchi pancakes are also worth ordering, with many diners calling them reliable go-to's.

Every table is also stocked with the classic KBBQ sauce setup: raw garlic, sliced chili peppers, sesame oil with salt and pepper, and ssamjang for dipping. Lettuce or perilla leaves are provided for wrapping, along with small bowls of rice and soup to round out the meal. Pro tip: try the first bite plain, then go wild with sauces and sides to build your perfect bite.

Service Quality

Service at Exit 5 is attentive and friendly – in fact, many reviews single it out as a plus. Staff will greet you immediately with your banchan and salad, and then check in frequently. They’ll flip and cut your meat for you, swap out grills, and keep your drinks and sides filled. The Infatuation notes that servers handle the trickier bits (like carving short ribs) so you “get some control” but don’t have to grill everything solo. Likewise, one blogger observed the staff actively making sure diners aren’t under- or over-cooking the meat. In short, you can expect prompt refill rounds (just flag them over) and a team that’s happy to help with the cooking.

Ambiance & Vibe

The space is roomy and modern. The decor is described as being modeled after Korean street markets, giving it a casual, colorful feel (think neon signs, upbeat music, and communal tables). It’s bright and well-ventilated (no smoky haze thanks to those fans), and equipped with front-aprons for diners. Exit 5 was built with groups in mind: there’s plenty of seating and long tables for parties, and reviewers note it’s “ideal for big groups”. On weekends and evenings it can get loud and lively – one blogger warned Fri/Sat nights are often packed – but on a weekday it’s fairly easy to walk in and snag a table. The overall vibe is upbeat, a bit trendy, and family-friendly (the chain calls out “kid-friendly options” as one of its amenities).

Pricing & Value

Exit 5 is not cheap AYCE; prices are higher than budget buffet joints. You pay per plate or combo platter, and reviewers note the menu is “on the pricier side”. However, the quality justifies it: most find the cost worth it for the superior cuts and attentive service. To get good value, consider going with a crowd so you can sample many meats and sides. (The blog tip: bring friends and keep the cold beer flowing – and maybe prepare for a food coma afterwards!.) Lunch specials may trim the bill a bit, but in general be prepared for a solid midrange bill when stacking plates of ribs, pork belly, and so on. Overall, if you value quality over quantity, Exit 5 delivers: “the quality of the food and overall dining experience make it worth” the price.

Wait & Reservation Policy (Plus Tips)

Exit 5 is walk-in only. No reservations or online waitlists, so you’ll need to show up in person. Expect long waits on weekends after 7 PM. For quicker seating, come on weekdays. Parking is easy at The Landing (try near Marshalls or the theater). There's no time limit, and BYOB isn't allowed, but they serve beer, soju, and wine.

Other Quirks & Highlights:

• Menu style: À la carte and combo meals only. No AYCE.

• Must-tries: LA Galbi, pork belly, bulgogi, corn cheese, japchae, and kimchi pancake.

• Banchan: Refills are easy. Just ask or grab more from the roaming cart.

• Smoke-free: Built-in vents and aprons keep you clean and comfy.

• Portions: Generous sizes. Great for sharing.

• Group-friendly: Good for big parties, but also flexible for two.

• Location: Inside The Landing in Renton.

• While You Wait: Kill time at nearby shops, the theater, or the arcade.

Conclusion: Should You Go?

If you’re hunting for high-quality Korean BBQ in the South Sound, Exit 5 is a solid bet. It consistently earns great marks (4.7/5 on TripAdvisor) for its tasty meats, plentiful banchan, and friendly service. The vibe is fun and casual, and the new digs mean it’s clean, well-lit, and smoke-free. You won’t get cheap buffet deals, but you will get delicious, premium cuts and attentive grilling help. In short, for a memorable KBBQ night where someone else refills your kimchi and swaps out the grill for you, Exit 5 delivers – it just may be a bit pricier than hole-in-the-wall AYCE joints. So gather some hungry friends (or a “bunch of friends” as one blogger says), go for the LA Galbi and garlic wings, and plan on leaving happy and full. It’s definitely worth checking out on your next KBBQ run.