The 15 Best Korean BBQ Restaurants In Melbourne

Australia has a large population of people with Korean ancestry, which helps add to the country’s rich and diverse culture.

There are many excellent Korean restaurants across Australia, and a number of the best are to be found in the vibrant, melting pot of a city that is marvellous Melbourne. 

Korean BBQ restaurants focus on a particular aspect of Korean cuisine. This is good quality, succulent meat cooked over a BBQ – traditionally a charcoal BBQ, though some restaurants use gas – and served with a range of ‘banchan’ or side dishes.

Many Korean BBQ restaurants give their diners the option to cook their own meat over individual BBQs at the tables. Not surprisingly, this is a fun, sociable activity that enhances the dining experience. 

The 15 Best Korean BBQ Restaurants In Melbourne

There are a number of quality Korean BBQ restaurants to choose from in Melbourne. So deciding on the right one is not easy. To help you narrow down your choice, we’ve selected from those we’ve eaten at ourselves and can safely say are well worth a visit.

Following, is our list of the best Korean BBQ restaurants in Melbourne, along with recommendations of what to order from their extensive menus. Keep reading to find out more about KBBQ in the Victorian capital.

G2 Korean BBQ

Location: 301 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ph: (03) 9642 3424

Whenever we are asked for recommendations of where to eat in the CBD, this restaurant always comes high on our list of suggestions.

There is a distinct cool and restrained Melbourne chic to the decor. That industrial feel, with stylish furniture within a large warehouse space with lots of exposed piping and creative lighting. The atmosphere is lively, and the staff are always close on hand to make sure you have the best sizzling experience.

If you want to cook your own food, then make this clear from the outset, as the servers are keen to get stuck in and help with grilling. It’s clear the friendly staff are eager to make sure that everything is done perfectly. This is great for ensuring that beginners and novice grillers get the tastiest meal possible.

We love the Angus Beef ribs that are perfectly marbled and juicy. The meat is minimally seasoned to allow the natural flavours to shine. However, you can jazz up your mouthful post-cooking with a range of delightful dipping sauces.The authentic sam-jang and G2’s signature homemade sweet soy sauce are stand-outs.

The kimchi is plentiful, zingy and feisty. The fresh vegetables served with the meat are lovely accompaniment to the rich flavours, and the drinks are very reasonably priced.

You should also try the kimchi pancakes, seaweed salad and the jap-chae (pan fried potato noodles). 

And the atmosphere? Humming with bustle, conversation and laughter.

If we have a quibble, it is that some things are available only on certain days. But don’t let that put you off. There is so much choice that you’ll get a good feed regardless.

Try to book at (03) 9642 3424 or by clicking here because G2 is rarely quiet and never empty. Ideally, visit in a group because Korean BBQs are meant to be social and are made for sharing.

If you love Korean-style BBQ, you really should try Japanese teppanyaki. Here’s our guide to the Best Teppanyaki Places in Melbourne.

Ghung The Palace

Location: 19 McKilliop St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ph: 0413 616 550

This restaurant has quite an up-market feel, with a heritage-listed 19th century facade. Inside, the original stone is paired with modern light fittings and exposed brass piping to create a very chic atmosphere.

This venue really embraces the communal style of Korean BBQ dining, with large tables which cater perfectly for big groups and set menus designed for sharing. You can even book large rooms upstairs for private functions.

You can cook your own meat or let the servers cook it for you, but either way it will certainly be delicious. We recommend the Angus cube roll which is cooked until the fat melts and sizzles over the coals.

The sundubu jjigae hot pot soup is also a firm favourite, made with silken tofu, mussels and egg. It can be served alongside the meat or enjoyed as a main course with red rice. 

If you love the flavours of Korean food with a hint of Japanese or maybe Chinese influence, see our post on the Best Asian Fusion Restaurants in Melbourne

ChangGo Korean BBQ

Location: 70 Little La Trobe St, Melbourne, VIC 3000

ChangGo Korean BBQ is bustling on a Saturday night, which can only be a good sign as the dining spot has no website or active phone number that we know of. Instead, it operates via an intermittent FaceBook and Instagram presence and a strong word of mouth. And that’s good enough for us.

This ambient restaurant is in a fancy part of town. The prices are much more reasonable than other nearby businesses but the service is second to none.

We recommend the Palsaik BBQ set which is a set menu of pork belly marinated in 8 different ways. It is served with banchan like kimchi, pickled vegetables and salad and will definitely not disappoint. 

What’s more, there is also a dedicated Vegan BBQ Combo for the plant-based dieters out there.

Zen Charcoal BBQ

This restaurant has quite a relaxed and casual atmosphere and gives off the intoxicating aroma of Korean street food packed with spices. The charcoal BBQs at each seating area cook your meat perfectly, and the staff are very accommodating of BBQ first timers and newbies.

Editor’s Note: We have been informed that Zen Charcoal BBQ has recently closed. We will let you know when we know more.

As Zen Charcoal BBQ is currently no longer trading, here’s another dining option for you to consider:

Hinoak Korean Charcoal BBQ

Location: 7 Coleman Parade, Glen Waverley, VIC 3150 Ph: (03) 8838 1838

Let me tell you that when Eatability first tried to eat at Hinoak Korean Charcoal BBQ, this thriving Korean BBQ spot was fully booked out. On a Wednesday evening! If that isn’t a recommendation, then I don’t know what is.

When we finally got a reservation, it was worth the wait.

Sitting just across from Syndal Station, Hinoak has a chic, wooden-clad facade in a row pleasant, but unexceptional-looking businesses. But push the glass door of Hinoak open and 3 things immediately hit you. Sleek, minimal design, the irresistible, smoky allure of charcoal cooking and the buzz of a surprisingly lively bar.

Hinoak Korean Charcoal BBQ - the best Korean BBQ restaurants in Melbourne.

So apart from the great aesthetics, what puts Hinoak amongst our best Korean BBQ restaurants in Melbourne?

Well, Hinoak has a unique way of cooking your food – a “BBQ Toaster”. Choice cuts are sandwiched between 2 racks and slid vertically into the grilling compartment set into each table.

And if you don’t fancy manning the “Toaster” yourself, no worries. The staff are fabulous. Armed with timers a battalion of them slip seamlessly between tables, monitoring ribs, sauteeing veggies and delivering beverages from the Korean-inspired drinks menu.

Lastly, the quality of the meat is superb. Hinoak isn’t the cheapest Korean BBQ in town, and it isn’t in a smart part of town, but the Pork Belly, Beef Rib and Wagyu Scotch Fillet are all top-notch.

Hinoak Korean Charcoal BBQ is definitely worth the trip to Syndal. Just make sure you book ahead.

Another great Asian restaurant in the Eastern suburbs that is worth checking out is Japanese cafe LiHO Shokudo

Towoo Charcoal

Location: 603 Whitehorse Rd, Surrey Hills, VIC 3127 Ph: (03) 9836 0445

Next on our look at the best Korean BBQ restaurants in Melbourne we have Towoo Charcoal.

You will need to book in advance to get a seat at this popular restaurant, but it will be worth the effort as the food is second to none. We love the red chilli pork bulgogi, but other popular menu items include the deep fried crab claw and the lotus root chips.

Finish off your meal with some refreshing soju and you will have yourself a perfect evening! 

The 15 Best Korean BBQ Restaurants In Melbourne

Bornga

Location: 1/258 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ph: (03) 9995 0643

Bornga is considered to be one of the best Korean BBQ restaurants in Melbourne and you will definitely need to make a reservation to get a table. The menu is authentic and impressive, and it might be difficult for you to narrow down your choice.

But don’t worry, you can order the sample set menu to get a taste of every dish! We recommend the signature woo samgyeop beef brisket with green onions, vegetables and a special dipping sauce. 

Also, Bornga has a direct to kitchen ordering system which works really well. Having said that, the attentive staff are happy to help if you need advice.

Why not impress your friends by rustling up your own Korean BBQ at home? This Iwatani BBQ Plate is the perfect stove top grill.

Melbourne Hwaro Korean BBQ

Location: 562 Little Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ph: (03) 9642 5696

Hwaro claims to have been Melbourne’s first traditional Korean charcoal pot BBQ dining spot and it’s certainly been around for a while. Today, chef/owner Eunsook Kim still oversees her dominion and ensures the quality of everything entering and exiting her kitchen.

This is the perfect restaurant for beginners to Korean BBQ food or more experienced eaters who are confident with cooking their own meat.

The servers will bring a cast iron pot to your table filled with hot coals, and will either cook the meat for you or you can have a go at doing it yourself. You can order various types of meat including an impressive selection of ribs.

The side dishes are also fantastic – golden fried dumplings, cabbage kimchi, softened bean sprouts and diced green onion. Each side dish is designed to either compliment or cut through the rich flavours of the meat.

Throughout the evening the restaurant fills with a delicious smoky aroma that will make your mouth water. 

Yes, the wear and tear is starting to show in the decor and you can find cheaper places to eat, but the food is still authentic and delicious.

Hungry for dumplings? See our guide to the Best Dumplings in Melbourne.

Mrs Kim’s Grill 

Location: 136 Koornang Rd, Carnegie, VIC 3163 Ph: (03) 9563 4424

Mrs Kim's Grill - best Korean BBQ restaurants in Melbourne

When it comes to Korean BBQ, Melbourne has something to suit every aesthetic. And if traditional Korean motifs aren’t for you, welcome to Mrs Kim’s Grill.

This restaurant has a minimalist Scandi-style and a very welcoming atmosphere. You can sit in a cosy booth for a more private dining experience, or grab a stool on the long communal table.

Another Carnegie favourite is the Mediterranean SOWL Restaurant. Read our review here.

Each seating area has a gas BBQ where the meat is cooked in front of you. You can order from a set menu or choose your own items, including a range of tasty side dishes and salads.

The chicken thigh marinated in soy sauce is particularly good, as is the vegetable broth that is packed with mushrooms, zucchini, potato and tofu. Mrs Kim’s is so popular that another two branches have opened up in Melbourne. 

If you love a good smoky flavour to your food, see our piece on Serai Filipino restaurant

Yeonga Korean BBQ 

Location: 1 Cobden St, North Melbourne, VIC 3051 Ph: (03) 9326 8834

Yeonga gives you just what you want from a Korean BBQ restaurant – fresh, tender meat cooked over hot charcoal for a smoky flavour. The pork belly with chilli paste is fantastic, but wagyu beef is the real star of the show.

They also do an outstanding bibimbap. The menu is very user friendly and great for people who aren’t yet experienced with Korean BBQ food. There is even an excellent dumpling and mushroom hotpot for vegan diners

Seoul Soul

Three locations: Seoul Soul Richmond 323 Victoria St, Abbotsford, VIC 3067 Ph: 0478 768 760 / Seoul Soul Northcote 315 High St, Northcote, VIC 3070 Ph: 03 9481 3027 / Seoul Soul Emporium L3/ 287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000 Ph: 03 9995 6861

Starting in 2011 and now with three bustling outlets in Richmond, Northcote and the CBD, Seoul Soul seems to have got the formula just right for Korean chargrill in Melbourne.

If you’re on the hunt for delectable Korean then look no further than Seoul Soul. They dish out some of the most scrumptious Korean dishes in the city.

The BBQ set menus are very budget-friendly and economical – Option A – Pork belly, beef bulgogi, bao bun(2pcs), pickles, kimchi, baby cos for $28; and Option B – Beef short rib, lamb rib, bao bun(2pcs), pickles, kimchi, baby cos for $32.

You can also indulge in delicious Korean Fried Chicken (KFC) and traditional Korean dishes of Tteokbokkie, Japchae, Dosirak and Bulgogi.

Editor’s note: We have recently discovered (March 2023) that Seoul Soul has ‘temporarily’ closed. Hopefully, this is not a permanent situation and we will let you know when we find out more. As this is the case, why not try this place instead…?

Wagyu Fun

Location: Burwood One Shopping Centre, 172 Burwood Hwy, Burwood East, VIC 3151 Ph: (03) 8839 6885 (Also at 625 Warrigal Rd, Chadstone, VIC 3148, Japanese focused)

Now it might seem strange to have what is essentially a Japanese restaurant amongst our best Korean BBQ restaurants in Melbourne. But the team at Wagyu Fun Burwood One is a genuinely hybrid affair. As an eatery whose whole identity is based around premium quality Wagyu, they’ve made the smart decision to pivot into serving a Korean BBQ Buffet.

Wagyu Fun Burwood One - Exterior - best Korean BBQ restaurants in Melbourne

So, you can pop in for Lunch and grab one of their beautiful Bento Sets. Then later in the day, you can go back for their self-service, Wagyu Fun Korean BBQ All You Can Eat Buffet. It really is a win-win.

Noda Grill

Location: 144 Bridge Rod, Richmond, VIC 3121 Ph: (03) 8395 7736

Should you find that Seoul Soul in Victoria Street, Richmond (see above) is fully booked then give Noda Grill a chance.

Noda Grill is a chic and intimate restaurant with dimmed lighting and dark decor. It offers an authentic Korean menu with a few innovative touches, unusual twists and contemporary updates to traditional Korean dishes.

The restaurant has an excellent reputation for providing flawless service and you are likely to have an outstanding dining experience at Noda Grill. 

If you make the journey up to the Harbour City, see our recommendations for the Best Restaurants in Barangaroo, Sydney

Woodo Korean BBQ

Location: 179 King St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ph: (03) 9995 9612

Woodo is the ideal place if you are looking for an affordable but authentic Korean BBQ experience. The lively atmosphere and friendly staff create a fun yet relaxing evening. And the reasonable prices allow you to keep coming back without breaking the bank.

You will find all of the traditional favourites on the menu as well as a few unexpected things that you will be keen to try. We recommend getting a side of gyozas with your beef or pork, and finishing off the meal with a scoop of sesame ice cream. 

Mansae

Location: Shop 9/120 A’Beckett St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ph: (03) 9939 9189 & 12/2 Burwood Hwy, Burwood East, VIC 3151 Ph: (03) 9112 8599

Moving on with our rundown of the best Korean BBQ restaurants in Melbourne we have Mansae.

This minimalist but modern restaurant is all about having fun and eating good food. This is the place to come if you want to indulge in authentic Korean BBQ, cooked over flame grills set in the tables. As is usually the case with this style of dining, customers get to take control of the swanky grills and cook their own meal. But don’t worry if you’re a novice. The staff at Mansae are incredibly friendly and will happily hop in if you are worried about making a rookie error.

On top of this, you can also enjoy a great selection of beers and cocktails.

We recommend trying the soy marinated galbi beef ribs with the dipping sauces made in house. 

Soko Korean Charcoal BBQ 

Location: 970-972 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill, VIC 3128 Ph: 0452 166 970

Soko offers the usual suspects – a variety of different cuts of beef and pork. However, you can also try the impressive seafood on offer, like king prawns and whole squid. The hot pot is also splendid.

One of the unique features of this restaurant is the outer ring over the BBQ: this allows you to keep your side dishes warm whilst cooking your meat. 

BBQ-K Doncaster

Location: 916A Doncaster Rd, Doncaster East, VIC 3109 Ph: (03) 9840 7279

This restaurant may look unassuming but the food is outstanding, and you might need to book a table weeks in advance to get a taste! Despite its popularity, this restaurant has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

We recommend trying the lamp chops as they have the most amazing flavour and will melt in your mouth. The Jap-chae is also delicious. 

Get your friends round for an unforgettable night of interactive cooking fun with the Food Party 2 in 1 Electric Smokeless Grill and Hot Pot. It’s all you need to cook delicious Korean BBQ at home

Paik’s BBQ

Location: 525 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ph: (03) 9972 2043

Lastly on our reviews of the best Korean BBQ restaurants in Melbourne, we have Paik’s BBQ.

If you want to try Korean BBQ pork that is tender, juicy and packed with flavour then this is the place to go! It is served with a wide variety of side dishes and you can order the classic favourites like kimchi stew.

You will not be disappointed by a visit to Paik’s BBQ. 

MINO Korean Charcoal BBQ – BONUS

Location: 1380 Toorak Ro, Camberwell, VIC 3124 Ph: (03) 9191 4797

So we lied about about the previous entry being the last one!

The lively little dining strip on Toorak Road near the junction with Warrigal Road is home to MINO Korean Charcoal BBQ. And when they say charcoal, they mean it. If you love a real smoky note to your food, this is the place to try.

MINO Korean Charcoal BBQ - Best Korean BBQ restaurants in Melbourne.

The decor here is mellow wood and copper tones – including the gleaming burnished exhaust fans over the tables. The staff are extremely helpful and are happy to assist with cooking your food.

Interestingly, a number of reviewers comment on how authentic the flavours are a MINO. In fact, quite a few compare the food to meals that they have eaten in Korea. High praise, indeed!

For a detailed review of Mino Korean Charcoal BBQ, click here.

We love that the menu is both A La carte, and Set Meals, with the different BBQ Sets recommended per number of diners. Given that each BBQ Set includes Dumplings and a good selection of side dishes – which the staff happily refill – it’s actually great value for money.

It’s exciting that the growing Camberwell restaurants scene now has a quality Korean restaurant down at the Burwood end. This place is certainly worth checking out.

Summary 

Whether you want casual communal dining, an up-market experience, or an authentic Korean BBQ experience, there is something on this list for everyone and to suit every budget.

If you aren’t sure what to order then ask the staff for recommendations – they will know which menu items are the most popular and will be able to point you in the right direction.

Remember to check whether you need to book in advance to make sure you avoid disappointment. 

Dylan Cole
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