The incoming restaurant will mark the fifth location for I Can Barbecue, which currently operates several high-volume Korean BBQ outposts across Orange County. Public records show the San Diego location is owned and operated by WETHEBESTGOGI CARMEL VALLEY INC, with David Shin listed as the company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer. A pending Type 41 on-sale beer and wine license was issued for the address on December 19, signaling that the project has moved beyond planning and into the execution phase.
The scale of the former Souplantation footprint allows I Can Barbecue to roll out its full concept, including multiple all-you-can-eat tiers, premium beef programs, and halal-certified options. The restaurant’s regular tier features an expansive selection of USDA Prime beef cuts, pork belly, marinated short ribs, chicken, lamb, seafood, and a long list of sides and sauces ranging from kimchi fried rice and corn cheese to chimichurri, cowboy butter, and housemade gochujang. A premium tier elevates the experience further with marbled wagyu selections sourced from Snake River Farms, including Kobe-style chuck eye, top blade, sirloin picanha, and chef’s-choice wagyu plates, alongside upgraded lamb chops and seafood offerings like butterflied shrimp and scallops.
In addition to its standard menu, I Can Barbecue is positioning itself as one of the region’s most halal-inclusive Korean barbecue restaurants. Its Zabihah halal tier mirrors much of the core menu while substituting halal-certified beef, chicken, lamb, and seafood, making the concept accessible to a broader dining audience in North County. Pricing varies by tier and time of day, with lunch discounts offered on weekdays and soft-launch pricing currently advertising reduced rates across premium and halal menus.
I Can Barbecue Korean Grill is anticipated to open in mid-2026 at 3804 Valley Centre Drive in San Diego's Carmel Valley. For more information, visit icanbbq.net and check out the draft menu below.
Originally published on December 20, 2025.
