Korean barbecue has made quite the splash, a cuisine dear to many Melburnians hearts and for very good reasons. The flavour-packed dining experience of K-BBQ is a sight to behold; with sizzling plates of char-grilled meats accompanied with sauces, salads, and sides, it's a hard one to pass up.
We're spoilt for choice with a slew of diners specialising in the sweet and salty tastes of Korean cuisine; here's where to find the best Korean barbecue restaurants in Melbourne for 2023:
Mino Korean Charcoal BBQ
CAMBERWELL
Mino is what we’d considered underrated, perhaps because it’s out of the main hub of KBBQ restaurants you can find in the city. Nevertheless, we rate it as one of the best Korean barbeque restaurants in Melbourne, for the top-quality meat that you can cook on real charcoal for that extra smokey flavour. Plenty of side dishes are served up front, and make sure to make a booking as it’s a cosy little restaurant that all the locals know and love. You’ll be spoilt for choice with the meat options, so we recommend going for a BBQ set, which also comes with your choice of kimchi or soybean paste stew, corn cheese, rice, salad, and Mandu.
BBQ Code
GLEN WAVERLEY
This is some seriously authentic Korean barbeque at BBQ Code, and you barely have to lift a finger. The meat is grilled by the staff here, so you know you’re getting the best possible sear. The codes are their barbeque sets, which range from pork to beef to premium wagyu cuts, and quality is not something they take lightly here. Make sure to try the rainbow code: it has four different flavours of pork belly (curry, miso, sweet & soy, spicy), as well as Wagyu and pork Galbi.
Paiks BBQ
CBD
You’ve might’ve heard of the famous Paik franchises that have been popping up all over, and here’s another to add to the ever-growing list. Celebrity chef Baek Jong-won’s venture into KBBQ has earned a definite title of one of the best Korean barbeque restaurants in Melbourne, for its succulent meat cuts and equally tasty à la carte options. Platters of meat are available to be ordered at Paik’s BBQ, from Galbi (short ribs) to Samgyeopsal (pork belly), and their kimchi stew is definitely worth adding to the table.
Goon BBQ
COLLINGWOOD
Generous portions, an intimate atmosphere, a cosy courtyard to eat in… you can’t ask for much more, and Goon BBQ serves it all up. Staff will cook your meat for you here, so you can sit back and enjoy the flavourful umami of all the meat and Banchan (side dishes) that they offer. Their seafood pancake is also particularly tasty, and make sure to order the Ssam tray, so you can wrap the cooked meat in lettuce leaves with rice and a tangy Ssamjang sauce.
White Tomato
CBD
A chic, industrial-style interior greets you at White Tomato, as well as the delicious smell of some of the best Korean barbeque in Melbourne. With a staggeringly large menu, you’re definitely spoilt for choice, but their Kimchi & cheese pancake is a killer, as is their Tteokbokki, stir-fried rice cakes which come in either a spicy or mild soy-based sauce. You can make your own BBQ set menu here, and choose from seafood, beef, pork or chicken, and you can also order some thinly cut veggies to grill alongside them.
Yeonga
NORTH MELBOURNE
Forget barbeque, Yeonga is on a whole other league of its own. What stands out about this place is the truly spectacular meats they use, which are some of the highest-grade, tender stuff you can get on the market. Whatever you order, you can count on being transported to meaty heaven upon taking your first bite. Our recommendation for food has to be the ‘What the Pork’ set. This includes three different cuts of the meat: pork belly, pork neck and a sweet sticky marinated pork that is the stuff of dreams. All sets come with Korean Banchan and a hot plate of mashed potatoes, rice cake, Kimchi and Korean corn cheese.
ChangGo
CBD
ChangGo is a fantastic place to take your pals if you’re entertaining or just in the mood for a feast. Hot tip: Get there by 5:30pm when they open, or waltz in for a fashionably late meal around 8 or 9 pm. If not, you’ll risk being stuck in the queue for quite some time. ChangGo’s most popular yet irresistibly Instagram-able item is the ‘Palsaik’ set, which translates to eight colours in Korean. This set includes, you guessed it, eight different types of pork belly marinated eight different ways. Not only is this a feast for your tastebuds, but it is as much a feast for your eyes.
Guhng
CBD
Guhng offers a premium K-bbq experience that really excels in its top of the range ingredients and a wonderful warm ambience. For those of you who care about plate presentation, you’ve come to the right place. Each dish here is made with such care and attention to detail. We recommend the cheesy Tteokbokki, which is Korean rice cakes that have been mixed in a spicy red pepper paste sauce and topped with cheese. This pillowy soft dish also has excellent cheese pull. The sticky pork ribs dressed with sesame seeds also comes highly recommended. On the lighter side of things, the cucumber side dish is a nice palate cleanser.
Hwaro Korean BBQ
CBD
Hwaro is a place you go if you’re just looking for great food and nothing pretentious. Touted as one of the best Korean barbecue restaurants in Melbourne the ambience here is completely laid-back and ever so comfortable. You’re going to have to make a booking though; it can get pretty packed in peak hour. Here you’re not getting clumsy slabs of meat being chucked onto the grill; each dish is a delicate delight that uses the highest quality ingredients. The service here is also very prompt, which is what you want in a Korean barbeque spot. Try the chilli pork belly or the marinated Gal-bi beef ribs. If you’re feeling game, try the thinly cut ox tongue—it's well worth getting out of your comfort zone for.
G2 Korean BBQ
CBD
G2 is a stellar location in the heart of the city, overlooking busy Elizabeth street. In terms of the indoor ambience, G2 has it all. And by ambience, expect an intimate, smoky environment, where you’re crammed up against your neighbour—the true way Korean barbeque should be eaten. Pour up some Soju, clink glasses with your fellow diners, and eat until you regret it. Here, it’s all about the pork set, which includes two types of pork belly, pork scotch, sweet soy pork scotch and spicy pork scotch, all for a great price.
Bonchon
CRAIGIEBURN
Bonchon is the hottest new Korean BBQ place on the scene with crispy fried chicken is their specialty. The made-to-order chicken is the hero and they've covered all bases with options from chicken wings to drumsticks and boneless wings. Bonchon’s signature double-frying method is down to a fine art and has customers hooked from the first bite.
Mrs Kim’s Grill
CARNEGIE
Mrs Kim’s Grill is serving up hot Korean BBQ with a side of nostalgia and a hint of homesickness. Mrs Kim migrated from Korea and has been sharing her recipes and dedication to marinating and barbecuing meats ever since; establishing one of the best Korean barbecue restaurants in Melbourne. All meals come with complimentary side dishes of Kimchi, pickled onion and spring onion salad. Mrs Kim’s Grill is founded on sharing all things good; food, drinks and company. We promise the famous marinated Kalbi beef ribs and chilli/soy marinated chicken are worth the visit.
Bornga
CBD
If you're after a Korean barbeque banquet, this is the spot for you. Bornga’s menu has all the classic Korean BBQ dishes you could want to indulge in a mouth-watering feast. With prices that won’t break the bank, you won’t have to decide whether you’re in the mood for spicy rice cakes, crystal noodles, stone pot fried rice and pork Bulgogi. Bornga’s menu covers all the Korean BBQ bases and they certainly haven’t scrimped on the chicken options with boneless chicken dishes for days. Get down to Bornja if the thought of boneless fried chicken, sweet soy chicken and sweet chilli chicken tickles your fancy.
Towoo
SURREY HILLS
If you’ve got a craving for beef Towoo is here to curb it with their selection of Wagyu and Angus beef dishes. With wagyu short rib and scotch fillet on the menu and the option to serve up to nine people, there will certainly be enough to go around. But if you are wanting to save a heated debate over what to order, opt into the premium wagyu beef and pork set menu, it serves two to three people for $186. If meat isn’t your style they’ve got stir-fried sweet potato noodles and Kimchi pancakes. Be sure to make a reservation so the whole gang can get a seat at one of the best Korean barbecue restaurants Melbourne has to offer.
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Image credit: Bornga | Griffin Simm