About ten or fifteen years ago, Korean entertainment was slowly creeping into the households of Indian families and college students' laptops. The COVID-19 lockdown only ended up accelerating this trend, whereby K-dramas and K-pop became extremely popular. Korean cuisine, or K-food, is not far behind. In fact, the import of Korean noodles saw a growth in volume of 162% in India in 2020. In a poll about Korean food conducted recently, almost 88% of the respondents said that they would be willing to experiment with or try K-food.
Here are the top 15 Korean restaurants in India:
Korean food is now quite popular in tier-one Indian cities where a large number of people have high incomes and are aware of its existence. Certain ingredients are common between Indian and Korean cuisines, like soy, pepper, sesame oil, chiles, and spices. Through side dishes like kimchi, seaweed, and anchovies, Korean food has a lot of protein in the form of meat, tofu, and broth. Korean food is generally considered healthy with its fresh ingredients, spices, and sauces and very little use of oil. Korean food, ingredient, and condiment manufacturers are beginning to see more than 100% growth in their annual business and profits year on year.
Rice forms the basis of Korean cuisine, with vegetables occasionally replacing rice. A typical meal in Korea will have every person eating their own bowl of soup or stew. The side or main dishes could be meat, seafood, or tofu, and all are served in a bigger vessel in the middle of the table. Kimchi, the famous spicy cabbage that Korea is known all over the world for, has over a hundred varieties with different vegetables. The following are the most common spice and sauce ingredients used in Korean food:
• Sesame oil
• Chili pepper paste
• Chili pepper flakes
• Soybean paste
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Scallions
• Soy sauce
Let us look at the top 10 restaurants in India that serve the best Korean food. However, the numbers associated with these restaurants in this list are not indicative of their quality.
1. Busan Korean Restaurant
With a traditional seating arrangement overlooking the banks of the Yamuna, this restaurant offers generous portions. Famous for their seafood and sashimi, the kimbap is a must-try for vegetarians. Bulgogi tukbap (steamed rice with marinated beef), jjamppong sujebi (hand torn noodles mixed with seafood), and dakgalbi (rice with spicy chicken) are among the non-vegetarian options.
Address: Ground floor, house number 9B, block #10, colony Majnu ka Tila, New Aruna Nagar, New Delhi-110054
Price for two: INR 800
Timings: 11:30am – 10pm
2. Hi Seoul
Their Korean-style chicken wings and kimbap deopbap (sticky rice stuffed with stir-fried meat wrapped with seaweed) are absolute must-haves here. Crispy outside and juicy and tender inside, their chicken wings are heavenly when served with chili sauce.
Address: 309, 7th Main Road, HRBR Layout, 2nd Block, Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru-560043.
Price for two: INR 950
Timings: 11am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 9:30pm
3. The Himalayan
This Bangalore-based restaurant has a single menu with all its items. While serving classics like bokkeum (stir-fried noodles with vegetables, meat, and seafood), japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), simple kimchi fried rice, and Korean mapo tofu, they also serve ramyeon, a noodle soup like Japanese ramen.
Address: 2nd floor, 134, 17th H main road, KHB colony, 5th block, Koramangala, Bengaluru-560095.
Price for two: INR 1400
Timings: 12 pm–11:30 pm
4. Arirang Korean Restaurant
The authenticity of the food here is evidenced by the Korean locals who frequent this place for its samgyeopsal (a pork barbecue), dumplings, and jjajangmyun (black bean noodles usually served with pork).
Address: 13, NK Enclave Building, Chinnappa Layout, 4th Cross, Kammanahalli, Bangalore 560084
Price for two: INR 1600
Timings: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
5. Soo Ra Sang
They provide Korean-style self-service with the best barbecue in town barbecues. With authentic Korean dishes like seafood soups, barbecues, and fish stew basedsoy sauce, their ambience will make one feel right at home.
Address: Himalayan Inn,332, Paramahansa Yogananda Road, Indiranagar 2nd Stage, Hoysala Nagar, Bengaluru-560038
Price for two: INR 1800
Timings: 12:30pm–10pm
6. Hae Kum Gang
This restaurant specializes in both Korean and Japanese cuisine. Their bibimpap and samgyeopsal are the most popular dishes. The mouth-watering tofu and kimchi-based dishes here are sure to make the vegetarians among us feel right at home.
Address: No. 20, second floor, Paul Castle, Castle Street, near Brigade Tower, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru-560025.
Price for two: INR 1300
Timings: 11:30 am–10:30pm
7. Gung- The Palace
This establishment spans three floors and is run by a mother-son duo from Korea. The ambience here is set with traditional Korean artwork, and the side dishes provided are a little spicy. Their pork-based dishes are the most popular. While the food here is a little expensive, this place is worth a visit for anyone who loves Korean food or is already a connoisseur of Korean food.
Address: D-1/B, near Aashirwad complex,Green Park, New Delhi-110016.
Price for two: INR 3500
Timings: 11am – 10:30pm
8. Aeseo Korean Restaurant
One of the most popular Korean restaurants not only in Chennai but also in India, this spot is frequented by expats. Offering everything from kimbap and ramyun to Korean barbecue and jjampong, a meal served here is accompanied by unlimited side dishes and complimentary cinnamon tea. There's soju for those of us who want something a little more alcoholic. The most popular dishes here are kimchi chicken fried rice, bibim guksu noodles, bulgogi fried rice, and shrimp pancake.
Address: 15 East Ave, Kesavaperumalpuram, Gandhi Nagar, RA Puram, Chennai 600028
Price for two: INR 3000
Timings: 1:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10:30pm
9. Sun and Moon
A simple, old-fashioned, and unassuming eatery in Mumbai, this restaurant is owned by a Korean couple. Samgyeopsal, tteokbokki, cup noodles, kimchi soup, bulgogi, and spicy fish are the stars of the menu here. With a delicious fish and vegetable filling, their kimbap seaweed roll is delicious. A little pricey, but a must-see.
Address: Dainik Shivner Marg, near municipal industrial estate, opposite lady Ratan tower, Mumbai-400018
Price for two: INR 2500
Timings: 11am – 11pm
10. Hahn’s Kitchen
While this place serves both Japanese and Korean food, the menu is dominated by Korean food. The naksam dubbap (a spicy rice bowl with octopus and pork) and dogani tang (a slow-simmered ox knuckle soup) are absolutely delectable.
Address:SN T1/101, 1st Flr, One Horizon Centre, Golf Course Rd, Harizan Colony, Sector 43, Gurugram-122002.
Price for two: INR 2000
Timings: 11 am to 11 pm
11. Shimtur
Amid the crowded Paharganj market of Delhi, Shimtur is a decent and cozy eatery, where you can find luscious Korean food. This place also provides a rooftop seating area where you can comfortably spend some quality time with scenic views and absolute peace. Apart from this, the food also has its own significance in making this restaurant unique. You can try their unique O-Jing OH Dup Bop and Jap Chae Bap without any second thought.
Address: 644/C 645, Mohalla Boali, Navrang Guest House 6 tooti Chowk, Paharganj, New Delhi, Delhi- 110055.
Price for two: INR 800
Timings: 10 am–11 pm
12. Kori's
If you are in love with Korean box meals, then you cannot find any better eatery than Kori's. Located in Delhi’s Safdurjang Enclave, this premium restaurant offers one-of-its-kind Sushi in a compact and decent space. Here, you can find the ambience very decent with exposed brick patterns and paste walls. If we talk about its food, then here you can enjoy their most popular and authentic Cheese Tteokbokki and Bulgogi Dosirak.
Address: R -62/1, Humayunpur, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi- 110029.
Price for two: INR 2,000
Timings: 11 am–11 pm
13. Di MISO
Di Miso is a proper Asian restaurant in which you can get private booths with wood paneling and low seating. Here, you will need to kick off your shoes first before entering. The overall ambience here is bright and happening where you can share some laughs with your family with some soft music playing in the background. If we talk about the food, then you must try their Chicken Gus and Katsu and thank us later.
Address: Global Foyer Mall, Unit 201D, Second Floor, Golf Course Rd, Sector 43, Gurugram, Haryana- 122002.
Price for two: INR 2,000
Timings: 11:30 am–3 pm; 5–10 pm
14. Hae Kum Gang
Located in Bangalore, Hae Kum Gang is an authentic Korean restaurant which leaves no stone unturned in providing you Korean vibes. Here, the ambience is very different from any regular restaurant in India as it is a dreamland for people who are into K-Pop or K-Dramas. Even the music played here is Korean! We bet that you would love their offerings like Chicken Kimban and Dak Bokkam Tang.
Address: No. 20, 2nd Floor, Paul Castle, Castle St, near Brigade Tower, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka- 560025.
Price for two: INR 1,500
Timings: 11 am–10:30 pm
15. Origami Japanese & Korean Restaurant
If you want to experience authentic Asian taste under a sky full of stars with a scenic lake view, then Origami Japanese and Korean Restaurant can be a great place. Located near Rude Lounge, it is a fantastic location and has a dining area with a scenic view of the hills and lake. They have a very courteous staff who can help introduce the menu and suggest to you some of their best meals. If you ask us what to try first, then you should go with their most loved Mochi Ice Cream and Kimchi.
Address: SERVICE OFFICE, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra- 400076.
Price for two: INR 2,500
Timings: 12–3 pm; 6–11 pm
