18 Korean Restaurants in Melbourne

The city has long been a melting pot for immigration from all four corners of the globe, and the local Korean community is a vibrant example of the city's cosmopolitan feel. People from Korea arrived in Melbourne relatively recently, with many moving to Australia in search of jobs following the Korean War. Along with their dreams of a better life, the new arrivals brought their culinary culture to the city by opening top-quality Korean restaurants across Melbourne, much to the delight of locals. These days, Melbourne’s Korean restaurants are only going from strength to strength, with new, unique and innovative spaces springing up throughout the city at a rapid rate.

While it may not be as big as Chinatown, Melbourne’s Koreatown is an ideal place to go to sample some of the best of Korean restaurants in Melbourne. Located in the area around La Trobe Street in the CBD and running between the major thoroughfares of King Street and Exhibition Street, Koreatown is full of places to sample delicious meals. Some of the most authentic Korean restaurants in Melbourne are located here. Make a reservation at G2 Korean BBQ to sample the spicy beef tripe chowder, while Yami Yami offers delicious bibimbap with a wide variety of meats, seafood and tofu. At prices that won't break the bank, this pocket of Melbourne's Korean restaurant scene is an ideal place to get your fix. And if you’re outside of the CBD, it's also worth checking out the Koornang Road area in the suburb of Carnegie for more delicious Korean restaurants in Melbourne.

The chefs at Melbourne's Korean restaurants know their cooking methods inside out. Many Korean restaurants in Melbourne have traditional grills located either inside or just by your table so you can watch as your meal is prepared in front of you. Korean restaurants in Melbourne can offer you the full sensory experience, so prepare to watch, smell and hear your food cook as it sizzles right before your eyes. Make the most of the traditional cooking methods on offer in Melbourne’s Korean restaurants by ordering some delicious yakiniku (grilled meat) topped with steamed rice and traditional vegetables. While beef and chicken are common options, Melbourne's Korean restaurants are often influenced by the local area's coastal geography. For that reason, expect to see seafood delicacies like baby octopus and squid on the menu at the many Korean restaurants in Melbourne!

Korean restaurants in Melbourne use some of the most distinctive spices and flavours in their cooking, so your tastebuds truly will be satisfied. Many dishes are cooked with sesame oil to give a nutty taste to your meat and vegetables, while chefs also add liberal helpings of soy pastes and sauces to give your food a flavoursome twist. Melbourne's Korean restaurants also offer one of the cuisine's most popular staples – kimchi. This truly delectable side dish made with fermented vegetables like radishes and cabbages, chilli and a dash of jeotgal (salted seafood), is a common fixture on menus. Whether you have it as a side dish or enjoy it in bibimbap alongside rice, vegetables and eggs, you must try it on your next visit to Melbourne's Korean restaurants.