Best Korean Restaurants in Austin

In this guide, I'm going to show you where to find the best Korean food in Austin, Texas. As someone who is married to a Korean man and traveled to South Korea multiple times, I'd like to think I know a thing or two about Korean food. That being said, let's get started. A few of these spots are located just outside of Austin, but trust me, they're well worth the drive.

An nyeong k tofu & bbq

When it comes to Korean restaurants in Austin, my favorite is probably Annyeong. They serve authentic soondubu, and you can choose your spice level from 0 to 10, with a secret level 11 if you're really looking for some heat. I always order the seafood combination soondubu and add ramen noodles. They bring the egg on the side so you can crack it into the soup yourself right before eating.

Another dish I love here is their dolsot bibimbap, which is served in a hot stone bowl. I usually get the beef version, and honestly, it's the best bibimbap in Austin. It's consistently well made every time. Their banchan is unlimited, and you can ask for refills as often as you'd like. It tastes fresh and homemade, like something an ajumma would make.

I would say the food here is on par with many of the places I've eaten at in Korea, if not better than some of them. Their tteokbokki is also very good, and we've enjoyed the pajeon as well. I also recommend ordering their cold noodles with galbi, which is another one of my favorite combinations on the menu.

Narrow Street 512

The next spot I recommend is Narrow Street. This was my go to spot for the longest time, and I used to come here all the time for their pho noodles. One of my favorite dishes on the menu is their spicy pork bone stew (Haejangguk). The pork is fall off the bone tender, and the broth is rich and deeply flavorful.

Their cold noodles are also very good and taste quite authentic. I enjoy their special cold noodles, but I also like the spicy bibim version. In my opinion, you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. They're conveniently located inside the H Mart food court, making them a great option when you're craving comforting Korean food.

Hanshin Pocha

Hanshin Pocha was the spot I needed after Seoulju closed. Hanshin Pocha is actually a chain restaurant created by Chef Paik Jong Won, one of the most famous chefs in Korea. He's often described as the Gordon Ramsay of Korea.

The must order dish here is the spicy chicken feet. If chicken feet aren't your thing, don't worry because there are plenty of other dishes worth trying. Personally, I always order the Hanshin Chicken, which is a whole fried chicken that's broken down tableside and served with seasoned salt. It's incredibly well fried, juicy, and consistently one of my favorite items on the menu.

I've tried quite a few dishes here, although I haven't worked my way through many of their larger stews. The one thing I would probably skip is the army stew, which I found a bit underwhelming and lacking in ingredients compared to other versions I've had.

We also really enjoy their fried chicken, which I would put on the same level as BB.Q Chicken, if not slightly higher. Beyond the food, Hanshin Pocha does a great job creating a fun atmosphere. They regularly host World Cup watch parties, Jinro frog themed events, and other special promotions, so it's worth following them to keep up with what's happening.

BB.Q Chicken

When it comes to Korean fried chicken, this might be a controversial opinion, but I personally think the best option in Austin is actually the chain BB.Q Chicken. I've tried Hi Wings and other local spots around town, including Donkey Mo's, but for some reason, BBQ Chicken hits the same way it does when you order fried chicken in Korea.

In particular, I really enjoy the Cheesling flavor, the Classic, and their Secret Spicy chicken. Would I say it's the best Korean fried chicken I've ever had? Probably not. But compared to the other Korean fried chicken chains that have opened in Austin, it's consistently one of my favorites and the one I find myself coming back to the most.

Fresh Heim

When it comes to authentic jjajangmyeon, the spot I recommend is Freshheim. They specialize in Korean Chinese cuisine, which some people may not realize has its roots in Chinese food. Jjajangmyeon originated from a Chinese black bean noodle dish, but Korean cuisine adapted it into something sweeter, saucier, and packed with even more umami.

It's kind of like yin and yang with Korean Chinese food. You have to order both jjajangmyeon and jjambbong. In particular, the jjajangmyeon at Freshheim is quite good. I wouldn't say it's the best I've ever had, but it's probably my favorite version in Austin.

I also enjoy their jjambbong, which has a nice level of spice and a deeply savory seafood broth. If you've never had jjambbong before, I would compare the spice level to Shin Ramyun, although the flavor is much more seafood forward and complex.

Another dish worth ordering is the tangsuyuk, which is deep fried pork served with a sweet and tangy sauce. The pork is sliced a bit thinner than I prefer, but the crunch and flavor are right on point.

Gangnam Korean BBQ

If you're specifically looking for Korean barbecue, which is what many Americans immediately think of when they think of Korean food, then my top recommendation is Gangnam Korean BBQ.

Gangnam is an all you can eat Korean barbecue restaurant with different pricing depending on whether you visit during weekday lunch or during dinner and weekends. Out of all the Korean barbecue spots I've tried in Austin, I think they offer the highest quality meat overall.

I especially enjoy their marinades, and I think the banchan and other side dishes are well executed. Even something as simple as the rice is cooked properly, which isn't always the case. I've tried pretty much every Korean barbecue restaurant in Austin, and I can confidently say that Gangnam is probably the closest you'll get to the quality and experience of authentic Korean barbecue in the area.

Ghama Zone

22 hr soux vide dino rib

One of the biggest surprises on this list is that one of the best Korean restaurants in the Austin area is actually located in Round Rock. Yes, I'm including the greater Austin area here, and the restaurant I'm talking about is Ghama Zone.

Hear me out. I reviewed Ghama Zone when it first opened, and it was somewhat controversial because they were serving more traditional Korean dishes like galbitang and kimbap with beautiful presentation, which also meant a higher price point. Some people felt it was expensive for Korean food, but I thought the quality justified the cost. The presentation, portion sizes, and overall execution really stood out to me.

Over time, I think Ghama Zone adapted to its Round Rock audience. They've added dishes like gamjatang and their famous dino rib, and they've even added sushi to the menu. Personally, I don't think they needed to add sushi, but it's there if that's what you're looking for. For me, the Korean dishes are still the stars of the show.

First off, their tteokbokki is my favorite in town. I always add an egg, and if I'm especially hungry, I'll add ramen for some extra carbs. Their galbitang is still excellent, but the must order dish is the dino rib.

Galbi Tang and Rice Cakes

The dino rib is a 22 hour sous vide beef short rib that combines the sweet, savory flavors of galbi with the tenderness of a perfectly cooked short rib. It's honestly one of the best Korean dishes I've had in the Austin area, and you could probably eat an entire one by yourself. It's that good. Just keep in mind that it's typically only available during dinner service.

I've also heard great things about their bossam, although I haven't personally tried it yet. Their gamjatang, which gained popularity after being featured by a famous Korean actor, was just okay in my opinion. Even so, I can't remember having a bad meal at Ghama Zone, and for that reason alone, I would consider it one of the top Korean restaurants in the Austin area.

Wicked Snow

If you're looking for Korean style desserts, I really enjoy the bingsu at Wicked Snow. It's located right next to Hanshin Pocha, so you can easily pair the two in one visit. I believe you also get a discount if you order from both spots at the same time, which makes it an even better stop for a post meal dessert.

Wicked Snow is known for their variety of bingsu, and their original location is in Carrollton, Texas. My personal favorites are the matcha strawberry and mango strawberry bingsu. The shaved ice here is perfectly light and fluffy, and the fruit and syrups are balanced without being overly sweet, which lets the texture of the ice really shine.