Brian Nagele
Baltimore’s dining scene is renowned for its diversity, and the city’s Korean BBQ restaurants are a testament to this culinary richness. These establishments bring the sizzle and flair of Korean cuisine to Charm City, offering a dining experience that is as interactive as it is delicious. From marinated meats grilled to perfection at your table to an array of delectable banchan (side dishes), each bite is a celebration of bold flavors and culinary craftsmanship. Whether you’re a seasoned BBQ enthusiast or new to the experience, Baltimore’s Korean BBQ restaurants provide a warm and inviting atmosphere where friends and family can gather to share a memorable meal. Join us on a gastronomic journey through the city’s top Korean BBQ destinations, where every dish is a symphony of tastes and textures.
Brown Rice Korean Grill
Hochschild, Kohn & Co, 520 Park Ave F, Baltimore, MD
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Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Brown Rice Korean Grill, a celebrated, modern-style, counter-serve chain that’s garnered popularity across several locations in Baltimore. Perhaps you’ll find your culinary haven at the N Charles Street location in Charles Village, where a bespoke dining experience awaits. Delight in their build-your-own-rice bowl concept, appreciating the autonomy it grants you to curate exactly what graces your plate. Imagine weaving a bowl replete with healthful, fresh ingredients: crispy carrots, lush kale, hearty chickpeas, cool cucumbers, tangy pickled ginger, and vibrant red cabbage, among others. As you ponder over the selection of meats, consider succumbing to the fiery allure of spicy chicken, robust spicy pork, or the zesty embrace of spicy salmon, all depending on what your palate desires at that moment. And, fear not if you tread the vegetarian or vegan path – your taste buds can revel in the spicy, savor-packed tofu as a splendid base protein!
Kong (Pocha)
12 W 20th St, Baltimore, MD 21218
410-801-8963
Menu
Kong is a lovely Korean restaurant with a dark and moody yet simultaneously inviting and cozy feel. Located in Station North near the JHU-MICA Film Center, this restaurant offers a bar, K-pop background music, and delicious Korean BBQ meats. They’re best known for their delicious fried chicken, called Kong-Pocha chicken, which is perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. In terms of true Korean BBQ, they offer pork belly, marinated pork, beef brisket, prime rib, and prime sirloin. That said, you likely won’t be hungry at all when you leave this restaurant!
Be-One
2016 Maryland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21218
410-244-5600
Website
Be-One, in Charles Village near Brown Rice, mentioned above, is arguable the best Korean BBQ in Baltimore because they let you cook your own meat on the table in an AYCE (all-you-can-eat) set-up. However, if you don’t want to cook at your table, you can still order meals to be cooked in the kitchen like in a more typical restaurant. Either way, you have a variety of meats, sauces, and styles to choose from. If you’re not in the mood to cook various slices of meat, we suggest you order menu items that include dolsot bibimbap, wang galbi tang, pork belly, fried rice, and their scrumptious seafood pancake.
Jong Kak
18 W 20th St, Baltimore, MD 21218
410-837-5231
Menu
Another Charles Village Korean restaurant closer to The Ynot Lot is Jong Kak. Jong Kak is a relaxed Korean BBQ spot and, like Be-One, offers the opportunity to cook meat at the table. You’ll love this restaurant because they put a charcoal grill on the table, which gives the BBQ a great smoky flavor. Some of my favorite menu items here include cold bibimbap, beef teriyaki, ban chan, spicy chicken bulgogi, and fried dumplings. You can get many more traditional styles of Korean food here, so go with an open mind and an empty stomach! You’ll see why it’s one of my favorite places to eat in the whole city.
BeBim Korean BBQ
301 W 29th St, Baltimore, MD 21211
443-681-1903
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Last on the list is BeBim Korean BBQ, just north of Charles Village near Fox Street Park. Some say their catering services can be improved. But if you’re looking for a quick, casual, counter-serve lunch with delicious meat, then this is the spot. The portion sizes may seem small initially. But the flavorful and fresh ingredients always fill me right up. Brown Rice Korean Grill is very similar in terms of the Chipotle-style concept. While the veggies are better at Brown Rice, the meat is better at BeBim.
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 6 credible sites and blogs, including Tripadvisor.com and Secretbaltimore.com.
We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible.
Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 6 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60811-c10661-Baltimore_Maryland.html
https://secretbaltimore.com/korean-restaurants-baltimore/
https://hoodline.com/2020/01/the-4-best-korean-spots-in-baltimore/
https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-korean-barbecue-restaurants-dc
https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/the-4-best-korean-spots-in-baltimore/
https://boam.com/best-korean-restaurants-in-baltimore/
