Sydney’s Korean restaurant scene is mushrooming fast. From Korean BBQ grills to contemporary small plates to share, sticky wings and hearty bibimbap, the best Korean restaurants in Sydney are home to some memorable special occasions, romantic date nights, family gatherings and fun lunches out with friends.
There’s a buzzy anju bar known for killer small plates and drinks, a fast-paced barbeque joint with beer on tap, and even a standout fusion spot that serves gochujang half chicken with roast potatoes and jus.
The best Korean restaurants in Sydney await. Say “geonbae”—preferably over kimchi-flavoured margaritas—at these pitch-perfect Sydney restaurants for the best Korean dishes, and book your next great meal out on OpenTable now.
The best Sydney Korean restaurants to book ASAP – read on for a guide
For a fun night out with a group – visit BEOM BEOM in Haymarket
Korean fried chicken, beer, and K-pop—that’s the trifecta perfected at BEOM BEOM, a Darling Square spot inspired by the bars in Seoul’s high-end Gangnam district. Honey is a pocha (pub) that’s open late, and the after-hours crowds come for its claim-to-fame chicken, which can be enjoyed in original, sweet chilli, or soy-garlic form, among others. Or opt for one of the quirkier small plates like prawn sliders or beef tartare scooped into an ice cream cone. When the temps drop, hot pot (available in spicy seafood or clam udon versions) is the expert move.
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For one of the best Korean BBQ restaurants in Sydney – try KOGI Korean BBQ at Haymarket
Between the slick interiors and the melty wagyu, it’s no surprise KOGI does 300 covers a night. But don’t be fooled by its breakneck speed. Great care goes into every element of the Korean barbeque spread here, namely the expertly sliced meats, which include uniform slices of wagyu oyster blade, beautifully marbled wagyu ribeye, and more—each cut makes a huge difference on the barbeque. Round out your meaty spread with solid sides like japchae (stir-fried potato starch noodles) and kimchi fried rice and squeeze in one more beer before your 90-minute feasting session is up at this bustling Korean barbeque star.
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For a cool culinary trip to Seoul – try ASTRO in Barangaroo
ASTRO is KOGI’s sophisticated sibling, bringing Korean barbeque with a western edge to Barangaroo. Sit-and-stay dining is the undeniable focus here, unlike the rapid-fire vibes at KOGI. Kick off with an Asian-accented cocktail flavoured with ingredients like yuzu, sake, or barley miso as you mull over excellent starters including rock oysters in mandarin-balsamic mignonette and wagyu tartare with garlic shoots. Then make way for the main event: premium wagyu in a garlic-soy marinade cooked over a DIY smokeless tabletop grill with banchan (side dishes) galore.
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For one of the best Korean bars in Sydney – don’t miss Tokki at Surry Hills
Seoul’s renowned bar scene is an 11-hour flight away—but Tokki might be the next best thing. The group-friendly Surry Hills spot channels a lively anju bar (anju refers to alcohol-friendly bites) in a converted warehouse space. Tokki’s inventive snack lineup includes tuna ssambap with ‘nduja aioli, fried rice cakes with peanut butter gochujang, and charcoal-cooked winners like king prawns with anchovy soybean paste butter. Wash it all down with soju, small-batch beers, or biodynamic wines, and enjoy a funky slice of Seoul in Sydney.
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For some of the best Korean fried chicken in Sydney – book at K-Town BBQ House in Neutral Bay
K-Town BBQ House is all about the traditional Korean barbeque experience. Expect platters of pork and wagyu to cook and share, plus plenty of beer and soju. The heat is dialled way up and best sampled in cheese-topped tteokbokki rice cakes simmered with gochujang and gochugaru red pepper chilli flakes. Even the restaurant’s famous extra-spicy Korean fried chicken comes with an actual warning.
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For outstanding Korean fine dining – visit Kobo in Sydney CBD
Kobo is hatted chef Jacob Lee’s playground. The compact genre-defying spot serves just eight diners omakase-style, and weaves influences from Japan, Australia, and Lee’s travels across Korea. Only Lee knows what will be on the menu on any given day, and he regularly prefaces each course with personal stories. An exquisite banquet-style meal here might include thin slices of swordfish marinated in mandarin; crisp seaweed rolls with wagyu, truffled potato, and sea urchin; or blue mackerel with brown butter and pickled ginger. For a special occasion or a romantic date night to remember, the best Korean restaurant in Sydney CBD awaits.
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For a modern Korean bistro experience – try The Evergreen in Chatswood
This modern Korean bistro pays tribute to chef Jun Hwang’s favourite childhood dishes from Korea and the diverse cuisines from his adopted home, Sydney. Come to The Evergreen for a snappy lunch and you’ll devour bulgogi beef burgers in its pretty floral interiors. The dinner experience is more leisurely and best kicked off with soju sours or mandarin highballs. Come with a group to do justice to impeccable share plates like steak tartare with seaweed crackers, gochujang half chicken with pickles, roasted potatoes, and jus and banana panna cotta with dulce de leche for a sweet and silky finish.
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Still can’t decide? Explore more great restaurants to try in Sydney on OpenTable.
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