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 four years ago, it now has a permanent home in Mission and a second location at The District at Beltline food hall. The Mission menu offers comforting options like spicy squid ink fried rice, raw dishes like beef tataki and bar snacks such as oxtail tortellini. And if you’re dining at The District location, try dishes like the mushroom ramen carbonara, fried Brussels sprouts and chicken wings.
2024 4 St. S.W., 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
Hankki
This local street-food eatery has several locations across Alberta, including in Cochrane, Banff and Lethbridge. 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), rice, veggies and fried dumplings. Its Korean-inspired hot dogs are also well-loved — try the whole mozzarella hot dog, which features deep-fried mozzarella that’s breaded like a corn dog and served on a stick.
Multiple Calgary locations, hankki.ca, @hankkicanada
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 — a spicy, beef brisket soup — 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
GOGI Korean Barbeque
Pop into this walk-in-only Korean spot on Macleod Trail to fill up on delicious tteokbokki (soft rice cake and fish cake with red chili sauce), dwaeji bulgogi (marinated spicy pork), doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew with beef brisket) and more. The menu includes all-you-can-eat and combo portions that make this a great destination for families and big groups.
4608 Macleod Tr. S.W., 403-452-3272, gogikoreanbbq.ca, @gogikoreanyyc