Where Can You Find the Best Korean Food in Melbourne?
Discover the best Korean food in Melbourne with this guide to Korean BBQ, fried chicken and traditional Korean dishes. Explore restaurants such as Melbourne Dae Jang Geum, Yuk Gam, Melbourne Hwaro, SamSam Chicken & Beer, By Korea and Spicy Korea for your next meal in Melbourne CBD.
Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
3 min read
In this article
Melbourne is a fantastic city for Korean food, from sizzling Korean BBQ and crispy Korean fried chicken to comforting bibimbap, spicy rice cakes and traditional kimchi stews. Many of the best-known spots are concentrated in Melbourne CBD, particularly around the city’s Korean dining precinct, making it easy to explore several restaurants in one visit.
Whether you are planning a casual lunch, a dinner with friends or a Korean food adventure, here are some places worth trying.
1. Melbourne Dae Jang Geum Korean BBQ
Located on Little Bourke Street, Melbourne Dae Jang Geum is a good option for diners who want Korean barbecue alongside traditional Korean dishes. It is suitable for sharing a meal with friends or family.
What to try: Korean BBQ platters, grilled meats and Korean side dishes.
Best for: Groups and a classic Korean BBQ experience.
Location: 235 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD.
2. Yuk Gam Korean BBQ & Pocha
For a lively Korean dining experience, Yuk Gam combines barbecue with the atmosphere of a Korean pocha—a casual food-and-drink spot. It is a great option for a relaxed evening out.
What to try: Korean BBQ, shareable dishes and Korean-style comfort food.
Best for: Friends, groups and dinner outings.
Location: Chisholm Place, Melbourne CBD.
3. Melbourne Hwaro Korean BBQ Restaurant
Melbourne Hwaro is known for its Korean barbecue and traditional favourites. Diners can enjoy grilling meats at the table, accompanied by sauces and side dishes that add variety to the meal.
What to try: Marinated meats, Wagyu options and Korean BBQ combinations.
Best for: Barbecue lovers and special dinners.
Location: 562 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD.
4. SamSam Chicken & Beer
Korean fried chicken is one of Melbourne’s favourite Korean food options, and SamSam Chicken & Beer is a popular stop for crunchy chicken with flavourful sauces. It is a good choice if you want something casual rather than a full barbecue meal.
What to try: Korean fried chicken and shareable sides.
Best for: Casual meals, quick dinners and chicken lovers.
Location: 209 Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD.
5. By Korea
If you want Korean comfort food beyond barbecue, By Korea is worth considering. Look for familiar dishes such as bibimbap, bulgogi and other Korean favourites when choosing from the menu.
What to try: Rice dishes, Korean mains and traditional side dishes.
Best for: A relaxed lunch or dinner.
Location: 7 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne CBD.
6. Spicy Korea
Spicy Korea is another option for people who enjoy flavourful Korean meals in a casual setting. It is a useful place to consider if you are looking for familiar dishes and want an alternative to a barbecue-focused restaurant.
What to try: Kimchi pancakes, dumplings and Korean comfort food.
Best for: Casual dining and a satisfying meal.
Location: Unit 1, 601 Little Collins Street, Melbourne CBD.
What Korean dishes should you try?
Bibimbap
Rice topped with vegetables, often egg and meat, served with Korean chilli paste.
Korean fried chicken
Crispy chicken coated in savoury, sweet or spicy sauces.
Korean BBQ
Grilled meat served with sauces, lettuce wraps and small side dishes.
Chewy rice cakes cooked in a spicy, savoury sauce.
Tips for finding the best Korean food in Melbourne
For Korean BBQ: Choose Melbourne Hwaro or Melbourne Dae Jang Geum.
For fried chicken: Try SamSam Chicken & Beer.
For a lively evening: Consider Yuk Gam Korean BBQ & Pocha.
For traditional Korean meals: Explore By Korea and Spicy Korea.
For dietary needs: Check whether dishes contain meat stock, seafood, egg or other ingredients you avoid. Vegetarian options and spice levels can vary by dish.
Menus, prices and opening hours may change, so check the restaurant’s current details before visiting.
More from Melbourne Sphere
Food and drink
Where Can You Find the Best Filipino Food in Melbourne?
Melbourne has a diverse range of Filipino dining options, from contemporary restaurants such as Serai and Askal to relaxed brunch venues like Palay and barbecue spots such as Manila Boy and Joy's BBQ and Grill.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
Food and drink
Where Can You Visit Community Gardens in Melbourne?
If you're looking for community gardens to visit in Melbourne, start with Veg Out Community Gardens in St Kilda for a creative community-growing space, Docklands Community Garden for an urban garden setting, or Bulleke Bek Park Community Garden for edible plants and communal growing.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
Food and drink
Where Can You Find the Best Asian Grocery Stores in Melbourne?
Looking for the best Asian grocery stores in Melbourne? Explore TANG, Hometown Asian Supermarket, KT MART, KimChi Asian Groceries, Hinoki Japanese Pantry, East West Marketplace and Ichiba Junction. These stores offer a variety of Asian groceries, snacks, sauces and specialty cooking ingredients across Melbourne CBD and the surrounding suburbs.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
Food and drink
Uber Eats and DoorDash for Students: Rules, Pay and Visa Limits ?
Delivery work can be a useful way to earn money around your classes, particularly now that there's a pay floor. But it's not free money. Know your visa limit, count your costs and keep records. If the numbers still work, then log on. If this guide helped, share it with a friend who's thinking about it, and read our other Melbourne student guides on jobs, visa work hours, resumes and tenant rights.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to join the conversation.
Leave a comment
Every comment is read by a moderator before it appears. Your email address is never published; it is used only to contact you about this comment.