Korean food is known for its complex spicy, salty, sour, sweet flavors – and there's far more to it than kimchi and bulgogi. From casual hangouts serving family-style hotpots to upscale restaurants putting a modern twist on traditional flavors, here we reveal where you can eat incredible Korean dishes in the US and Canada.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the best spots for Korean food in the US and Canada.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
If you’re trying out Korean food for the first time, a traditional Korean barbecue is a great place to start. And if you want to do it in style, swish spot Genwa Korean BBQ – which has three locations in Los Angeles – is the place to do so. It isn't cheap, but the meat is high quality, the atmosphere is buzzing, and the service excellent. The spicy pork bulgogi is a fan favorite, as is the galbi (barbecued beef short ribs).
A stalwart of San Francisco's fine dining scene, Ssal is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Hyunyoung and Junsoo Bae. Chef Junsoo combines his Korean upbringing with his experience working in French restaurants to create modern dishes from traditional ingredients and flavors. The restaurant only offers a tasting menu, which changes regularly, but expect dishes such as barbecued eel, beef short ribs, and smoked black cod with gochujang broth.
Go hungry when you visit Denver's Dae Gee; the slogan here is 'let's pig out,' and the food is so good, you’ll want to do so. Dae Gee, which has several Colorado locations, is highly rated by locals and visitors alike – Guy Fieri has even paid a visit, with the spot featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Like many before him, Fieri adored the bulgogi and the enormous list of house-made side dishes.
Husband-and-wife duo Fred and Susan Kim own two popular Korean restaurants right next door to each other: Gabose and Gabose Pocha. The latter, inspired by Korean pocha bars, is the pick if you’re looking for a unique night out. As well as tasty dishes like crispy chicken wings, Korean octopus, and spicy pork belly, you can enjoy seasonal 'shrub' cocktails and, if you're not too full, a spot of post-meal karaoke.
BopNgrill has been honorably serving the people of Chicago with Korean-style fast food since 2009. With two locations in the city, you can expect street food–style kimchi burgers, rice bowls with marinated meats or tofu, and spicy pork dumplings. Don't miss the legendary kimchi fries, topped with jalapeño cheese sauce, crispy bacon bits, scallions, sesame seeds, and sautéed kimchi.
Indianapolis’ Cafe Korea is the definition of ‘if you know, you know.' And now, you know too. The unassuming but much-loved Korean café opened in a strip mall in 2009 and has since built a loyal following of customers, who adore the authentic dishes and cozy interiors. Favorite menu options include the bulgogi, galbi, and seafood pancake.
This no-frills, family-run joint is the type of spot you might easily miss if you were just passing by, but the small roadside restaurant is well worth going out of your way for. Owned by husband-and-wife duo Kye and Yon Chon, dining at Manna Wok is a pleasingly cozy affair and fans say you’ll find the most authentic Korean food for miles around here. The service is great too.
Bingsu is a Korean shaved ice dessert typically made from frozen milk and condensed milk, making it both deliciously creamy and incredibly refreshing. It's a specialty at Myomee Cafe, which is located on New Seoul Plaza, next to another Korean restaurant. Fans love the large variety of exciting flavors, as well as the bubble tea served here.
Located in downtown Bozeman, Whistle Pig is a must-visit for anyone seeking delicious Korean food in Montana. Korean-born chef and owner Emma Woods opened the restaurant in 2014 with her husband Ross, naming it after one of her favorite animals. The mandu (fried dumplings) come highly recommended, as does the bibimbap. The menu also includes a roster of vegan, veggie, and gluten-free options.
Can't decide between Korean barbecue and sushi for dinner? That's not a problem at Maru Sushi Korean Grill, where you'll find plenty of both on the menu. Professional sushi chefs craft a huge selection of rolls and sashimi, while there's also bulgogi and bibimbap aplenty, along with soups, stir-fries, and barbecued meats.
Napal Baji’s neon interiors, light up floors, and pumping music match the glitz and glamour of Vegas itself. While this 1980s-themed Korean spot certainly wows with its aesthetic, its menu has also earned respect from locals and tourists alike. Pork ribs, corn cheese, and crispy sweet chili wings are just a few of the many crowd favorites.
Teaneck's Peck Peck Korean Fried Chicken looks modest from the outside, but its crispy Korean wings will have you dreaming about them for weeks. There are three flavors: Soy Garlic, Sweet & Spicy, and Salt & Pepper, and customers rave about them all. There's also a rice bowl, salad, and sandwich on the menu, plus a tasty selection of sides.
Found on the 39th floor of a building in Manhattan’s Koreatown, Gaonnuri’s stunning skyline views and sharp interiors set the scene for an upscale meal. The tabletop cooking experience is the culinary draw here: select your meat and fish and sizzle it yourself from your seat. Do note, if you want to secure a window seat, you'll need to order the tasting menu.
Looking for a fancy take on Korean barbecue? Upmarket New York spot Hyun showcases only the finest cuts of meat and the most premium of ingredients. Caviar and truffles are a main feature on the tasting menu at this fine dining spot and you can also expect to try marbled wagyu beef, butchered on-site and cooked fresh at your table.
This New York City spot is definitely not a casual dining destination – you’ll need to make your reservation well ahead of time if you want to eat here. Revered for its original take on contemporary Korean cuisine, the restaurant has earned two Michelin stars for its ‘New Korean’ dishes, including tuna kimbap and sea urchin bibimbap.
The focus at this high-end Madison Avenue restaurant is Korean flavors fused with French cooking techniques. The result is a range of exciting small plates that are as beautifully presented as they are delicious. Innovative dishes include squid ink octopus fried rice with bone marrow, and prime galbi with lardo and mushroom rice. There's also a range of natural and organic wines on offer.
With locations in Raleigh and Cary, Seoul Garden has long been a go-to spot for delicious Korean food in North Carolina. Customers love the generous portion sizes, huge range of choice, and flavorful dishes. You can let the kitchen do the cooking for you, or get involved by booking a barbecue table (be sure to make your reservation in advance) and choosing from a range of marinated meats or shrimp to sizzle yourself.
It's all about the experience at the Instagram-friendly Han Oak, which celebrates not just Korean flavors, but the whole Korean dining experience, mixing in Oregon ingredients for good measure. Tables are communal, and the set menu is centered around gimbap (a traditional Korean seaweed rice roll that consists of rice, vegetables, and seaweed).
As the longest-running Korean restaurant in Pennsylvania (open since 1991), the family-owned and operated Seorabol is a Philadelphia institution. Customers love the homey atmosphere, friendly service, and extensive menu. The seafood is especially good here, with the ganjang gejang (raw, soy-marinated crab) a favorite with locals. As well as the original Koreatown location, there's a second restaurant in Center City.
Modern Korean-American food is the order of the day at Oseyo in Austin. Oseyo translates as ‘welcome to my home,’ and the stylish, rustic interiors are certainly a delight to spend time in. On the menu you'll find a choice of grilled items, bibimbap, and a twist on traditional small plates. Customers also love the kimchi bokkeumbap (kimchi fried rice).
Korean fried chicken is arguably the cuisine's most popular dish, thanks to an irresistible combination of crispy exterior and melt-in-your-mouth meat. Dak & Bop’s made-to-order, twice-fried, carefully sauced wings tick all the boxes. If you’re not a fan of wings, the spot also offers a variety of sandwiches and fried rice.
Classic Korean cooking methods and traditional flavors are what make people return to To Sok Jip in Annandale time and time again. The area is brimming with Korean eats, but To Sok Jip stands out thanks to its excellent street market–style cooking. According to those in the know, the samgye tang (chicken soup) and kimchi jeongol (kimchi and pork casserole) are not to be missed here.
This open plan, airy Korean fusion spot is a must-visit for dinner. Run by husband-and-wife team Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, the experimental menu combines a love of traditional Asian flavors with modern cooking techniques. The spicy rice cake and short rib steak are touted as the dishes to try.
Vancouver's Royal Seoul House has been open since 1990, and customers rate it for its traditional, cozy interiors and authentic food. The Korean BBQ is a particular favorite here, with fans praising the portion sizes (described as a ‘mountain of meat’) and value for money. Service is speedy, too – there's even a call button on tables to get the staff's attention.
In the heart of downtown Vancouver, Sura Korean Cuisine has garnered lots of local awards – and fans – for its authentic but contemporary Korean cuisine, coupled with a stylish ambiance. Popular dishes include the bibimbap, bulgogi, and seafood pancake, and the soups are not to be missed either – customers say the meat in the galbitang (beef rib soup) is beautifully tender and perfectly seasoned.
The name Zoomak comes from the Korean word for an old tavern or bistro that would traditionally serve weary travelers. Customers at this Vancouver joint may only have traveled downtown, but they can expect to have their senses revived by a trendy, buzzing atmosphere and a contemporary take on Korean favorites. Bestsellers here include the Korean fried chicken, crispy rice cake, and kimchi fried rice.
Opened in 1978 by Korean immigrants Ok Re Lee and Ke Hang Lee, Korean Village Restaurant was the first Korean restaurant in Toronto and is still going strong over 40 years later. Now run by the couple’s sons, Jason and Sean Lee, it's loved for its barbecued meats, which are marinated for 35 hours. The pork bone soup is also a popular choice.
Turn up for dinner at Cho Sun Ok and there's a decent chance you'll have to wait in line outside, such is the popularity of this no-reservation joint which opened in 2004. The family-run restaurant is famous for its naengmyeon (pictured), a dish of cold noodles in an iced, slushy broth. If after that you need warming up, there are plenty of delicious hot dishes to choose from including galbi (short ribs) and bibimbap.
Since first opening in Toronto in 2017, Daldongnae has expanded to over a dozen locations in Canada, but each restaurant still feels homey and unique. Korean barbecue is the focus here, with the table BBQ (for a minimum of two people) option the must-try. Choose your meat from pork, beef, or premium wagyu, or select a fish, veggie, or vegan option, and enjoy it with five accompanying side dishes.
Michelle 'Mama' Lee, owner of Toronto's Kimchi Korea House, worked in the hospitality industry for 30 years before opening her own restaurant with her nephew, Jin. The pair wanted to showcase the diverse flavors of Korean food, proving that there's more to the cuisine than barbecue. They’ve certainly succeeded: the soft tofu stew is a highlight here, as is the beef bulgogi. And don't leave without picking up a jar of Mama Lee's homemade kimchi.
Both Toronto foodies and the Michelin Guide recommend upscale Korean spot 156 Cumberland. Fans love the atmosphere here, along with the modern cooking, which includes dishes like albacore tuna with celery relish, fried celeriac, and a gamtae white soy vinaigrette. Well-established favorites on the menu include the beef tartare, which comes wrapped in a crispy tofu skin, and the stuffed chicken wings.
Mon Ami is a giant of the Montreal Korean food scene, with several branches in the city and throughout Quebec. It's best known for its Korean fried chicken, which fans say is the best they've tasted and comes in several flavors (sweet and spicy is a customer favorite). If chicken isn't for you, there are plenty of other tasty options on the menu, and several locations also offer all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue.
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Omma translates to 'mom,' and a cozy, family vibe is exactly what you'll find at this super-cute restaurant in Montreal's Quartier des Spectacles. Customers love the decor, with the ceiling covered in colorful paper lanterns and the food is equally as enticing, with a focus on seasonal, local ingredients. If you’re struggling to decide what to order, you can't go wrong with the bibimbap here.
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Last updated by Clare Thorp.