Best Korean BBQ in Vancouver: Top 9 Restaurants for 2024
Go out for date night or gather your friends, because Korean BBQ in Vancouver is the best social meal you’ll find. This isn’t a simple dinner; it’s an interactive dining experience that everyone should try at least once. Korean BBQ brings you and your dining companions together in a unique way as you prepare your own meals over a communal grill built into your table. There's no end to the conversation or the exquisite food when you're out at a Korean BBQ.
Vancouver has a vibrant culinary scene that offers casual, quick dining and extraordinary feasts. But Korean BBQ in Vancouver is unmatched, with some of the best spots you'll ever find located right in this city. No need to go on a hunt for the best restaurants: Here’s a guide to the top nine Korean BBQ restaurants Vancouver has to offer, perfect for casual nights with friends, dressier date nights and impressing parents.
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Find the Best Korean BBQ in Vancouver
Vancouver is a food lover’s paradise. No matter what kind of dishes you’re seeking, food tours in Vancouver are a great way to discover your favourite restaurants and bars. Not only will you get to try food from world-class chefs, but you’ll also learn about the history and culture of the city along the way.
9 Top Korean BBQ Restaurants in Vancouver
1. ARISU Authentic Korean BBQ
ARISU is one of the most well-known Korean BBQ restaurants in Vancouver. People flock to this Mainland location for authentic flavours and fresh ingredients. And since it closes at midnight, it’s one of the best places to get your late-night fix.
The Vibe
The space is sleek and modern. It's one of the slightly fancier options on this list, making it great for a low-key date idea in Vancouver or to impress out-of-town guests. Though it may be a bit more upscale, it still has the communal table grill that Vancouver diners expect from their favourite Korean BBQ.
What to Order
ARISU only uses the freshest ingredients in all their recipes, so anything you order will be a treat. But the pork belly fried rice is unparalleled, and the kimchi hot pot is like no other.
ARISU Authentic Korean BBQ | Multiple Locations | $$
2. Hanwoori
Don’t let the strip mall location fool you. Located in Metrotown, Hanwoori serves inspiring Korean fare with an unforgettable experience. This is the place in Vancouver to enjoy Korean comfort food from a bubbling cauldron in the centre of the table.
The Vibe
At first glance, Hanwoori is unassuming. The restaurant has a laid-back vibe, the kind of place where you can hang out on weeknights or grab a quick meal after work. Though it might not be the hippest location in the city, there is no doubt that Hanwoori has some of the best Korean BBQ in Vancouver.
What to Order
The chadolbagi is a savory must-have from Hanwoori. This Korean BBQ dish features thinly sliced beef brisket that you barbecue yourself. Hanwoori also has an incredible collection of crispy fried chicken.
Hanwoori | 5740 Imperial St., Burnaby, BC V5J 1G2 | $$
3. Kook Korean BBQ
If you’re looking for Korean BBQ in Downtown Vancouver, Kook is a must-visit. It’s another more upscale venue, perfect for date nights and celebrations with friends. The restaurant is always buzzing, so a reservation might be best, especially for special occasions.
The Vibe
The vibrant atmosphere alone should bring you to Kook Korean BBQ. Inside, the space is modern and sleek and features smokeless grills for best enjoyment of your dining experience. Entrenched in Korean culture, the interior is designed around the ancient five core elements of gold, fire, water, wood and earth.
What to Order
The chadolbagi is made from one of the best cuts of meat, and after one bite, you’ll see why it’s a favourite for diners at Kook. Kook also offers combination meals so you can try multiple dishes at once. Your tastebuds will certainly be satisfied, and your hunger will be, too: All table BBQs have 15 side dishes and rice.
Kook Korean BBQ | 2800 E. First Ave., #211A, Vancouver, BC V5M 4N8 | $$$
4. Joong Won Korean Chinese Restaurant
Joong Won might have a simple, unassuming appearance, but the food is worth any wait and a special drive to try it. With excellent food that has won it a number of loyal repeat diners, it’s one of Vancouver’s best Korean BBQ places despite not having the signature open grills. Plus, it’s open 24 hours, so if you get a late-night craving, you know where to go.
The Vibe
Joong Won is casual but comfortable. Consider it a place to stop in for lunch or dinner after work. It definitely hits the takeout spot when you want to spend a day relaxing at home. And since it’s open around the clock, you have to get a midnight bite there if you’re coming home from a night out.
What to Order
The black bean noodles are a must-try no matter what time of day you stop in, and the kimchi fried rice with ham is an unforgettable take on the comfort food classic.
Joong Won Korean Chinese Restaurant | 1329 Robson St., Vancouver, BC V6E 2B1 | $$
5. Sooda Brentwood
Grab your friends and head to Sooda Brentwood on your next night out. This casual and trendy restaurant serves both traditional Korean fare and fusion styles in portions big enough to share and tasty enough that you won’t want to. You can get a full meal meant to feed the entire table, or you can pack up leftovers to enjoy later.
The Vibe
It’s low-key but hip, so it’s the perfect place for a young group of friends to hang out.
What to Order
Their Sooda Specials are one of their biggest attractions. One of the most popular is the Honey Garlic Sooda Box, which has premium steak tartare drizzled with a honey garlic sauce. From the a la carte menu, go for the bulgogi.
Sooda Brentwood | 4455 Lougheed Hwy, Burnaby, BC V5C 3Z2 | $$
6. Royal Seoul House Restaurant
A mainstay in the Vancouver food scene, Royal Seoul House Restaurant has been operating since 1990 and is the longest-running Korean eatery in the city. There’s certainly a reason why this food has people coming back. With a mix of traditional Korean fare and BBQ meats, you’ll want to try everything on the menu.
The Vibe
The interior takes inspiration from traditional Korean architecture. The clean lines and simple furnishings allow the food and your dining companions to shine. It’s the perfect restaurant for date nights, casual family dinners and catching up with friends.
What to Order
You’re sure to have some of the best Korean food in Vancouver, much less Korean BBQ, when eating here. Diners rave about the budae hotpot that two people can share as well as the barbecue combos that allow you to choose your favourite meats.
Royal Seoul House Restaurant | 1215 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 1G7 | $$
7. Kosoo Korean Restaurant Chicken & BBQ
Serving traditional Korean food in a modern setting, Kosoo Korean Restaurant Chicken & BBQ is a favourite among locals and visitors alike. The stylish restaurant puts its own spin on the classics, which keeps diners coming back for more.
The Vibe
The space is distinctly cozy and upscale. Kosoo mixes a warm ambiance with a sleek modern interior. With comfortable seating gathered around a grill, it’s the perfect place to linger for dinner with friends and family.
What to Order
With modern twists on traditional Korean favourites, it can be hard to decide which dish to try at Kosoo. The beef brisket, a dish that features tender marinated beef, and the pork belly, grilled to perfection, are two of the best Korean BBQ dishes that Vancouver has to offer.
Kosoo Korean Chicken & BBQ | Multiple Locations | $$
8. Tå Bom
Tå Bom provides top-notch Korean BBQ at two locations, but their Downtown Vancouver address is the original. Tå Bom takes pride in their unique style of Korean fare, a Western and East-Asian fusion that incorporates melty, cheesy goodness with the freshest of local meats and vegetables. If you haven’t had Korean BBQ in Vancouver before, this is a great place to start.
The Vibe
Three words describe Tå Bom: upbeat, industrial-chic and comfy. If you’re looking for a weekend spot that has good food, beer or soju, this is the spot. On the weekends, be prepared to wait, or make a reservation beforehand; it’s a hopping spot.
What to Order
There’s really no wrong meal to order at Tå Bom, but the regulars suggest starting with the barbecue spicy chicken, which has tons of melty cheese. The pork belly and bulgogi are also deeply satisfying.
Tå Bom | 1536 Robson St., Vancouver, BC V6G 1C2 | $$
9. SURA Korean BBQ
One look at SURA and it’s not hard to see why it’s an award-winning Korean restaurant. Both locals and tourists rave about the food and the atmosphere, so this is a must-visit if you’re ever in Vancouver.
The Vibe
SURA Korean BBQ is the place you go for date night or as a special anniversary date idea. It’s elegant and upscale, with high-quality cuts and authentic recipes. Here you can celebrate life’s milestones and impress guests, all while still getting the authentic Korean BBQ experience.
What to Order
With such fresh ingredients and the best cuts of beef, you simply can’t go wrong. The pork galbi is tender and flavourful, and the doenjang jjigae has the perfect level of spice. Plus, you can get free refills of the side dishes no matter what you order.
SURA Korean BBQ | 1518 Robson St., Vancouver, BC V6G 1C3 | $$$
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You’ll never walk away from the table hungry when you try Korean BBQ in Vancouver. From casual weeknight meals to dressed-up dinner outings to all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ, there is no shortage of incredible authentic and fusion dishes to try in Vancouver.
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