FunEmpire Australia Blog

10 Best Korean Food Melbourne Has To Offer [2024]

Hi! Welcome to FunEmpire 👋

We take pride in finding the best local experiences, activities and services. We only recommend what we love, and hope you love them too. Learn about our story.

Korean Food Melbourne

Best Korean Food Melbourne
Best Korean Food Melbourne

Korean food is known for its ability to create taste harmony. Korean cuisine is gaining popularity across the world. Korean cuisine is emerging as a new Asian flavor in the global culinary market, fueled by the expanding popularity of Korean cultural materials such as K-pop, films, and dramas, as well as years of work by food businesses. This is why you should know where to go to find the greatest Korean food Melbourne has to offer.

1. Gami Chicken and Beer

Key ServicesBest Fried Chicken in town, Authentic Recipe, RSPCA Approved, A Place For Friends
Websitehttps://www.gamichicken.com.au/
Address100 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Phone+61 3 9671 3232
Operating Hours5PM – 10:30PM Daily

They are proud of pioneering the Chicken & Beer (chimaek) Culture in Australia. Gami has been named the greatest fried chicken in town. Gami chicken was formed from its distinctive flavor of powder and sauces produced from golden-ratio 17 herbs-mixed seasoning, which gives savoury flavor of Korean spice, sweetness, and sourness. Their quest to perfect Gami flavor is never-ending. Whether you’re on your first date, enjoying a relaxing day shopping for cuisine, or catching up with old friends, Gami has a warm ambience around your seats. This is why they are regarded as having some of the finest Korean food Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • Fried chicken
  • 17 herbs seasoning

Customer Testimonial:

“Finally tried stuff other than the fried chicken — it was all great too. (We still got fried chicken, natch ). The hotteok dessert (pounded rice dumpling with red bean paste in) was surprisingly delicious.”

Nathan Mackie

2. Spicy Korea

Key ServicesYukgaejang, Korean fried chicken, bulgogi and bibimbap
Websitehttp://www.spicykorea.net/
AddressShop1 / 601 Little Collins ST Melbourne, VIC, Australia 3000
Phone+61 3 9629 9797
E-mailifo.spicykorea@gmail.com
Operating Hours11AM – 10PM Mondays – Fridays | 11:30AM – 10PM Saturdays – Sundays

This is one of the few restaurants in Melbourne that serves yukgaejang, a substantial, spicy crimson soup loaded with slow-cooked, shredded beef, glass noodles, and spring onions and served with red rice and kimchi. It goes nicely with the Korean fried chicken, bulgogi, and bibimbap on the menu. Takeaway and delivery services are also available. This is why they are regarded as having some of the finest Korean food Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • Yukgaejang (a type of soup)
  • Spicy food

Customer Testimonial:

“Nice surprise near station for delicious lunch before we left for the airport. Great value under $20”

jayne maree

3. Yong Green Food

Key ServicesPan-Asian vegetarian, vegan and raw foods, locally sourced organic ingredients
Websitehttp://www.yonggreenfood.com.au/
Address421 Brunswick St Fitzroy, VIC, Australia 3065
Phone+61 3 9417 3338
E-mailinfo@yonggreenfood.com.au
Operating Hours5:00 PM – 4:00 PM Daily

Yong Green Food is a vegetarian and vegan restaurant in Melbourne’s Fitzroy neighborhood. They focus on raw, organic, vegan, gluten-free, and biodynamic foods and beverages. They use organic foods wherever feasible, according to seasonal and market limits, and they collaborate with recognized organic suppliers to provide you the greatest and freshest ingredients. They founded this company with the goal of making the planet a better place for all living things. This attitude is reflected in the cuisine served at Yong: wonderful food that nourishes and fulfills without jeopardizing other people’s lives. This is why they are regarded as having some of the finest Korean food Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • Vegetarian and vegan
  • Raw, organic, vegan, gluten-free, and biodynamic foods

Customer Testimonial:

“Amazing food, brilliant service. If you find Jace, he is the most helpful person you would find in any restaurant. I visit this place at least once a week or sometime twice. Mains are good size, never felt that I need more food after having 1 main dish.”

Sam Arora

4. Guhng The Palace

Key Servicesauthentic Korean BBQ, best cuts of beef, pork, chicken, classic Korean share dishes, fried chicken, bibimbap, and soups
Websitehttps://www.guhngkorean.com/
Address19 McKillop St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Phone+61 413 616 550
E-mailbooking.guhng@gmail.com
Operating Hours6PM – 10PM Mondays – Thursdays | 6PM – 10:30PM Fridays – Saturdays

This alleyway Korean BBQ restaurant is a tad pricier than others, yet it still delivers on the community eating ambience. Guhng is a luxurious Korean barbeque establishment. Outside, the McKillop St restaurant’s heritage-listed exterior resembles a 19th-century tavern, where flagons of beer are smashed on tables and dinner is delivered by a matronly host. Korean BBQ, at its core, is a communal dining experience, and Guhng’s barbecue sets appeal to large parties. The restaurant’s interior is more modern than its vintage appearance indicates. This is why they are regarded as having some of the finest Korean food Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • Korean BBQ
  • 19th century tavern setting

Customer Testimonial:

“The quality of meat is very good. It is so tasty and Staffs are friendly”

Jay Han

5. Chick-In

Key ServicesKorean fried chicken and beer, variety of poultry dishes, bitter-sweet peach iced tea, grilled chicken or tofu on mixed lettuce salads
Websitehttps://www.chick-in.com.au/
Addressg23/620 Spencer St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Phone+61 3 9973 6244
E-maileat.in.chick.in@gmail.com
Operating Hours11:30AM – 11:30PM Mondays – Fridays | 5:30PM – 10:30PM Saturdays

The same people that brought you Richmond’s friendliest Korean restaurant have established a Korean chicken and beer business in the CBD. They do that poultry all over here. You can have them as lightly battered wings slathered in a delicious soy sauce, and we’re excited to return for the Korean schnitzel. The service is quick enough to get you in and out on your lunch hour, yet pleasant enough to warrant a post-work stay with friends. If you want to be the workplace king, they also do take-out. This is why they are regarded as having some of the finest Korean food Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • Korean chicken
  • Soy sauce

Customer Testimonial:

“This hole-in-the-wall establishment is gem! Tucked in a small alley near southern cross, chick-in serves great korean fried chicken. The chicken ribs are great, and I love how they throw in crispy tteokbokki in the max. And the ladies who run the place are the best, super nice.”

Ian Prasetyo

6. Seoul Soul

Key ServicesHot corn tea, Meal buckets, bibimbap, delicate dumplings, barbecued prawns
WebsiteFacebook
Address315 High St, Northcote VIC 3070, Australia
Phone+65 6270 8483
Operating Hours5AM – 9PM Sundays – Thursdays | 5PM – 11PM Fridays – Saturdays

Tea made from corn. It’s genuine, and it tastes just how it sounds: husky and buttery. Sweet small pitchers of the stuff are on hand to cool down the fiery bulgogi burn at Seoul Soul’s newest, larger, pinker location. Melbourne’s friendliest Korean restaurant is expanding to Northcote. Two long communal tables stretch the length of the room, with tiny block walls separating couples like groceries at the store. Most of what you love about Victoria Street’s friendliest Korean restaurant has made the journey to High Street Northcote. This is why they are regarded as having some of the finest Korean food Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • Tea made from corn
  • Friendly service

Customer Testimonial:

“Beautiful food and worth every scent, all of this and dumplings came to $84 which is so reasonable. We left full and happy – great customer service and will be returning!”

Katerina Ana

7. Hwaro Korean BBQ Restaurant

Key ServicesKorean BBQ
Websitehttps://www.hwaro.com.au/
Address562 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Phone+61 3 9642 5696
E-mailJOONNAM2@ME.COM
Operating Hours5:30PM – 10PM Daily

Hwaro Korean BBQ in Melbourne is a venue where you can truly appreciate that original Korean flavour. The restaurant, located in the CBD, is constantly busy, even on weekdays, as the aroma of the BBQ rises down from the terrance, stopping visitors in their tracks. Kim’s presence is critical to Hwaro. Kim is solely responsible for the preparation of every meat and sauce offered at Hwaro. This entails overseeing the slicing of the Karubi (boneless short ribs) as well as the preparation of the 23 different ingredients* required for the spicy pepper Sangyu Pusaru seasoning. This is why they are regarded as having some of the finest Korean food Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • Original Korean flavor
  • Preparation of every meat and sauce by Kim
  • 23 different ingredients in the spicy pepper Sangyu Pusaru seasoning

Customer Testimonial:

“Been coming for years. Very good food and the service is always friendly despite how busy they are.”

Philip Leong

8. Mr. Lee’s Foods

Key ServicesFive-star, no-frills Korean food, pork dishes, dwaeji guk bap
WebsiteFacebook
Address5 Old Lilydale Rd, Ringwood East VIC 3135, Australia
Phone+61 3 9879 2261
Operating Hours5AM – 9PM Sundays | 11AM–2PM, 5–9PM Tuesdays – Saturdays

When a 20-seater restaurant in the center of suburbia provides only three meals, has no reservations, no website, and no promotion, you know it had to be fantastic. If you like pork, Mr Lee’s Foods is definitely worth the drive to Ringwood; all dishes are drawn from this magnificent animal, providing a delightful look into the thrifty traditions of Korean cuisine, utilizing an unconscious, naturally cultural nose-to-tail mentality. Needless to say, this is a no-go zone for vegetarians. It’s a five-star, no-frills Korean comfort cuisine tucked in Ringwood. This is why they are regarded as having some of the finest Korean food Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • Pork-centric menu
  • Nose-to-tail mentality
  • No frills

Customer Testimonial:

“I had Steamed Soon Dae, Pork Soup, Pork Hock. It’s amazing! It made me feel as if I was in Korea. All the dishes, side dishes, sauces are so delicious and authentic. Every single of them is perfect. Exactly what I used to eat in Korea! I’ll definitely come visit again. Thank you so much!”

Ayoung Jo

9. Hansang

Key Services hearty stews and Korean favourites served together with ample banchan, Kimchi Jjigae, Bulgogi, Bibimbap, Pork Belly, Soup, Rice
Websitehttps://www.hansang.com.au/
Address347/349 King St, West Melbourne VIC 3003, Australia
Phone+61 3 9995 0867
E-mailhansang2016@hotmail.com
Operating Hours11AM – 10PM Mondays – Tuesdays, Thursdays – Sundays

In Korean, Hansang means “a table full with food.” With Hansang in mind, their goal is to provide its clients with a table full of nutritious, clean, and homey real Korean food to enjoy. When you sit down to a Korean dinner, you’re normally confronted with a few side dishes: pickles (most likely kimchi), a salad, an ambient temperature stir-fry, and a protein, but at Hansang, they load your table. If all you know about Korean food is barbecue and fried chicken, head to Hansang to be fed by the Korean mother you never had. This is why they are regarded as having some of the finest Korean food Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • Homey real Korean food
  • Many side dishes

Customer Testimonial:

“Lovely place and delicious, heart warming food. Lightly seasoned and freshly cooked side dishes, we especially loved Mackerel dish. Tastes just like what you would have in Korean home.”

junho Park

10. Chae

Key Servicesdifferent side to Korean cuisine, five courses of homestyle Korean food
Websitehttps://www.chae.com.au/
Address33 Mountain Rd, Cockatoo VIC 3781, Australia
E-mailchae@chae.com.au
Operating Hours1PM – 3PM, 6PM – 8PM Saturdays – Sundays

Chae’s Brunswick restaurant focuses on a particular aspect of Korean food. While most anju we see in Melbourne is sticky soy garlic-glazed fried chicken wings or thin strips of meat sizzling on a Korean barbeque, little Brunswick cafe Chae is here to expose a different side to Korean food. Jung Chae, the owner and cook, accepts reservations for up to six people in her modest apartment, where she serves five courses of homestyle Korean food on a seasonal menu. This is why they are regarded as having some of the finest Korean food Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • Different side to Korean food
  • Homestyle Korean food
  • Seasonal menu

Customer Testimonial:

“Meticulous attention to detail with amazing flavour. 7 stars if possible!”

Jadon Wong

Korean Food Melbourne

Overall, Korean food is popular, but due to recent pop culture influences, there will be a lot more emphasis on, and demand for, genuine Korean food and flavors. The variety of spices used in Korean cuisine is becoming appealing to the western world. Korean cuisine also employs a variety of inventive ingredients, like SPAM. We hope this information assists you in locating the greatest Korean food Melbourne has to offer.

If you’re looking for more recommendations, you can check out our other posts below:

Rachel Tan - FunEmpire

Article by

I'm currently the editor at FunEmpire Media Australia. I've over 8 years of experience in the media industry discovering the best local businesses, places and things to do in Australia. From lifestyle, entertainment, food, travel, education and more, I strive to curate the very best Australia has to offer.