Each year, we ask our readers to weigh in on the best restaurants in Calgary with an online voting ballot. Here are the winners and runners-up for Best Korean Restaurants in Calgary.
Winner
Roy’s Korean Kitchen
Chef Roy Oh, former owner of the popular, now-closed Anju restaurant, is no stranger to innovative, Korean dining. While Roy’s Korean Kitchen started as a pop-up and take-out only concept three years ago, it has now found a permanent home in Mission, with a second location at The District at Beltline food hall. The menus at both locations include dishes like the mushroom ramen carbonara, sliders, fried Brussels sprouts and chicken wings. The Mission menu offers more Korean barbecue and seafood options, like the AAA Tomahawk Ribeye and the Salt Spring Island mussels, while the District location offers additional rice and noodle dishes.
2024 4 St. S.W., 1-825-863-8849 (text only), royskoreankitchen.com, @royskitchenyyc
Runners-up
Jinbar
This restaurant from acclaimed chef Jinhee Lee is all about Korean-influenced fried chicken, pizza (like the Korean beef bulgogi pizza), snacks and drinks inspired by Lee’s childhood in South Korea. With its minimalist decor and open concept kitchen inside of a heritage building, Jinbar is a cozy space to enjoy comfort food, while the bar’s high-top seating and colourful wall of spirits also make it a great place to meet friends for after-work drinks.
24 4 St. N.E., 587-349-9008, jinbar.ca, @jinbaryyc
Bow Bulgogi House
When it comes to Bow Bulgogi House, hundreds of five-star Google reviews don’t lie. This hidden gem’s exceptional service and namesake bulgogi (not to mention the bibimbap, yukkejang and other fan favourites) have earned this restaurant a loyal clientele of repeat customers who have been coming here for decades.
3515 17 Ave. S.W., 403-686-6826
Wow Chicken
This chain (naturally) focuses on chicken — you can order chicken deep-fried, breaded, crispy, or done in all three ways. It has become a favourite for those craving casual, affordable and flavourful dishes like gang-jeong chicken, bite-sized chicken thighs covered in sweet or spicy sauce, chicken strips or wings. The original Kensington location is a casual, comfortable spot to grab a quick bite while on the go, or sit down with family and friends.
324 10 St. N.W., 403-460-7557, (plus three other locations), wowchicken.ca, @wowchickenca
Hankki
This local, street-food spot has added several locations to its roster, including one in Banff. This is a testament to the popularity of Hankki’s easy-to-eat and filling “cupbops,” which are bowls filled with a protein (like sweet and savoury pork or bulgogi chicken), served on a bed of rice, with veggies and fried dumplings. Its Korean-inspired hot dogs are also well-loved — try the whole mozzarella hot dog, which is a stick of mozzarella, deep-fried on a stick and breaded like a corn dog.
1058 17 Ave. S.W., 403-475-2218, (plus two other locations), hankkica.com, @hankkicanada
