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Originally published by Amy Lam. Last updated by Catharina Cheung.
Let’s face it, Hong Kong will always be hot for Korean food, and with so many restaurants to choose from—ranging from fiery nibbles to KBBQs that will have you unbuttoning your jeans a little—we’ll never be short of ways to spice up our evenings. If you’re craving kimchi, fried chicken, or more grilled meat than you can handle, check out one of these sizzling Korean hotspots around town!
Photo credit: @elasro / Openrice
This restaurant has become something of a home away from home for Hong Kong’s Korean contingent; you’ll often hear the language being spoken as you tuck in, which to us is as good a recommendation as they come. Sorabol is famed for its generous portion sizes, so arrive hungry and be sure to try the amazing Pat Bing Soo (shaved ice topped with sweetened red beans and syrup) at the end of the meal. If you’re part of the aforementioned Korean community and are missing goodies from home, you can also purchase Korean groceries to take away.
Sorabol, locations across Hong Kong
Originating in Seoul in 2001, this popular eatery is usually packed to the rafters, thanks to their wide range of finger-lickin’ chicken and tasty sides like Odeng Fishcake Soup ($68), Grilled Corn Cheese ($58), Ddukbokki & Cheese ($78), and Egg Rolls ($68).
We always order the Half & Half Chicken ($208) in red and white padak (original spicy and ranch sauces, respectively). They’ve also got Korean alcoholic drinks such as makgeolli and soju to wash the food down. Try their bargain weekday lunch combo which serves fried chicken, salad, pickled radish, and rice balls for a piddly $98.
Uncle Padak, 59 High Street, Sai Ying Pun | (+852) 2117 9792
Photo credit: @wtifwtifhk / Openrice
When asked about good Korean barbecue joints in town, Mr Korea always deserves a mention. It’s a cut above the rest by virtue of its relative authenticity, from the round tables to the individual smoke vents—it just nails the feel of a typical Seoul eatery. Mr Korea is so much more than authentic aesthetics, however, as the quality of meat is immense, with the hanger steak and short rib as stand-out orders.
Mr Korea BBQ, 1/F, Surson Commercial Building, 140–142 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2907 6678
If you’re on the hunt for a belt-busting barbecue that won’t cripple your wallet, then this is definitely your spot! New Korean offers an all-you-can-eat buffet where you can enjoy a night of grill-it-yourself beef, pork belly, assorted seafood, and all your usual KBBQ favourites, as well as some Japanese food thrown in for good measure.
Believe it or not, this all comes at a very reasonable $188 per person! Another strong plus is that their air conditioning is set on strong to stop the smell from lingering on your clothes too much—Korean food enthusiasts, if you know, you know. It can get pretty hectic in the evening, so book ahead to avoid disappointment.
New Korean BBQ Restaurant, locations across Hong Kong
This isn’t a completely Korean joint, but we’re willing to look past that little fact for the quick and no-frills food fix that Seoul Bros provide. Get stuck into Kimchi Fries ($35) and Sweet & Spicy Chicken ($53) while you wait for the Tuna Bibimbap ($53). The bibimbap rice also comes with beef, tofu, or shrimp instead.
The cherry on top? Seoul Bros’ social responsibility initiative Happier Hour ensures that for every dish purchased between 2 pm and 5 pm, the same dish will be given to underprivileged children in the local community through Foodlink. Now, how’s that for food with heart?
Seoul Bros, locations across Hong Kong
With more appetisers, hot pots, and barbecue sets than you can shake your tongs at, Myung Ga has more than earned its spot on our list. Offering authentic Korean cuisine without MSG (yep, you read that right) and quality meats and seafood sourced from pollution-free regions, this restaurant is also understandably a firm favourite among health- and environmentally-conscious diners. Grab a table at the iSquare branch in Tsim Sha Tsui and you’ll have a view as stunning as your dinner.
Myung Ga Korean Restaurant, locations across Hong Kong
Catharina has recently returned to her hometown of Hong Kong after spending her formative years in Singapore and the UK. She enjoys scouring the city for under-the-radar things to do, see, and eat, and is committed to finding the perfect foundation that will withstand Hong Kong’s heat. She is also an aspiring polyglot, a firm advocate for feminist and LGBTQIA+ issues, and a huge lover of animals. You can find her belting out show-tunes in karaoke, or in bookstores adding new tomes to her ever-growing collection.
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