Brian Nagele
Philidelphia is known for its delicious cheesesteaks, but they also have many Asian restaurants throughout the city that will blow your mind.
Specifically, Philly is home to some spectacular Korean restaurants where you can enjoy Korean classics like kimchi, BBQ, fried chicken, and more!
Many Korean restaurants in Philidelphia are trying new things, combining Korean culinary concepts with American ingredients or featuring Japanese and Chinese dishes on their menu.
But there are still plenty of authentic and traditional Korean spots you can visit!
Whether you want some crunchy Korean fried chicken, a warm and delectable hotpot, or a unique octopus dish, you can find it in Philly.
Best Korean Restaurants in Philadelphia
Check out my list of the best Korean restaurants in Philidelphia below!
Buk Chon Korean Cuisine
132 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, United States
Phone: 215-925-9998
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This Korean spot is near the Independence Seaport Museum in the Old City neighborhood. The exterior has a modern, laidback vibe that makes it approachable and enticing.
The staff here are fantastic, and always very helpful if you’re not sure what to order. The food is unbeatable.
I usually try to offer a favorite dish, but that feels impossible, as everything is outstanding, including the Korean fried chicken, spicy pork bun, bean pancake, tofu and kale salad, chili rice gnocchi, and green onion pancake.
You can tell everything is made with care and attention to detail, and I order something new every time because they just keep amazing me with their culinary excellence.
Jong Ja Jip
6600 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19126, United States
Phone: 215-924-0100
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Jong Ja Jip is on the corner of 66th Avenue and N 5th Street. It’s a bit of a hole in the wall, but easy to find if you look for the maroon awning.
While the outside is understated, the inside is lovely, with lots of natural wood and cozy booths.
This spot can be a little intimidating if you’re unfamiliar with Korean food, but the staff are friendly and everything is delicious, so you can’t go wrong!
One of my favorite go-to items is pa jeon, a crispy and flavorful Korean pancake. I also recommend the grilled eel for more adventurous folks!
Seorabol Korean Restaurant
5734 Old 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19120, United States
Phone: 215-924-3355
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Seorabol is near Tacony Creek Park at the intersection of W Grange Avenue and Old 2nd Street. The exterior is slightly industrial but has a colorful sign that makes it easy to spot.
This place specializes in Korean BBQ, which focuses on meaty dishes freshly cooked at the table, which can be super fun if you’re up for something different.
They also serve sushi, so you can enjoy Korean and Japanese food here! Some of my favorite appetizers are the mandugui dumplings, duk bokki rice cake, spicy galbi prime beef short ribs, and the classic bulgogi sliced beef.
SouthGate
1801 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19146, United States
Phone: 215-560-8443
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SouthGate is a lovely Korean restaurant with a minimalist aesthetic and casual vibe. It’s located in the Washington Square West area beside the Lombard Street and 18th Street stations.
They serve American Korean fusion food, so it’s Korean with a homey twist. It’s the perfect place to go if you want to dip your toe into Korean cuisine
I adore their crispy brussel sprouts, bao buns, and kimchi fries, which masterfully combine bold Korean flavors with cozy American dishes.
My favorite entree is the Korean tacos and I also recommend the sweet and flavorful soju punch.
Kpot Korean BBQ And Hotpot
330 Oregon Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148, United States
Phone: 267-609-6688
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As the name implies, this restaurant serves Korean BBQ and hotpot, so you can experience two of the most delicious Asian offerings here.
The bright neon sign and massive lot make it easy to find in the Whitman neighborhood nestled in Whitman Plaza.
The inside has a cozy and simple vibe with lots of tables and booths. For drinks, I recommend the tropical pineapple painkiller.
As for food, it’s hard to pick from the many offerings. Some of my favorite items are the shumai, prime brisket, spicy pork belly, and spicy baby octopus.
Dae Bak
1016 Race St 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States
Phone: 267-457-5876
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Dae Bak is a cute restaurant with a casual and bright vibe. It’s in Center City in Philly’s Chinatown neighborhood. They have a hotpot menu, a stone pot menu, and more classic Korean options.
One of my favorite menu items is the soft tofu stew, which is warm and cozy with a variety of flavors and textures that will fill you up in no time.
You can add different proteins to it, like pork, oysters, or beef, but I always like to add their spicy kimchi and mixed proteins, so I can get a flavorful soup with all the offerings.
Kim’s Restaurant
5955 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19120, United States
Phone: 215-927-4550
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Kim’s is beside Fisher Park near the Olney neighborhood on the corner of W Champlost Avenue and N 5th Street.
It’s a small brick building with a bright red awning, so it shouldn’t be hard to find. The restaurant has a cozy and casual vibe but is still lovely, with large tables and family seating perfect for big parties and celebrations.
Some of my favorite dishes include barbecue shrimp, kimchi soup, and octopus stir fry, all of which are decadent and massive, so you don’t need to worry about not ordering enough!
H Mart
6201 N Front St #124, Philadelphia, PA 19120, United States
Phone: 267-338-1700
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H Mart is a national chain of Asian grocery stores, but this H Mart in Philly has a particularly robust offering of premade Korean food you can grab and eat.
They also have a food hall where you can get authentic Korean cuisine before or after you shop.
My favorite spot in this H Mart is Kyodong Noodles, which offers Korean and Chinese-style noodles!
I always order the classic jjajangmyun, which are Korean noodles coated in an umami black bean sauce. You can find this H Mart off E Godfrey Avenue near the Lawncrest area of Philly.
Doma
1822 Callowhill St, Philadelphia, PA 19130, United States
Phone: 215-564-1114
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Doma is a classy and minimalist Korean spot near the Barnes Foundation and The Franklin Institute beside Logan Square in the Spring Garden neighborhood.
It has a subtle elegance and is perfect for an intimate dinner or lovely lunch. I’m positively obsessed with their menu, as they offer Korean and Japanese food, including sashimi, edamame, takoyaki, and sushi rolls.
I recommend every appetizer on their menu, but my favorite is by far the truffle spicy tuna nachos. The name says it all.
The nachos are crunchy with soft, fatty tuna pieces, the perfect amount of heat, and a luscious truffle taste.
Nine Ting
926-928 Race St 1st Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States
Phone: 215-238-9996
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None Ting has a quintessential Korean restaurant vibe, with a prominent sign outside that grabs your attention when your drive by.
It’s near the National Consitution Center in Center City just off the Vine Street Expressway. They offer hotpot and Korean BBQ, along with delicious drinks and some unique side dishes.
One of my favorite items is the Japanese braised pork belly, but I also always order the summer fest, which is skewered dumplings.
It’s like an Asian kebab! From ramen noodles to dubu soup to BBQ meats to seafood, they have everything.
So Korean Grill
6201 N Front St Suite 120, Philadelphia, PA 19120, United States
Phone: 267-766-6449
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I love the organic and comfy vibe of this place, with lots of natural wood, rafters, rattan booth backs, and intimate seating.
The restaurant is near Tacony Creek in the Oak Lane/East Oak Lane area. They serve untraditional Korean BBQ food, combining classic Korean favorites with innovative dishes.
The staff encourages diners to create the perfect bite for themselves, customizing your order to suit your tastebuds.
Some of my go-to menu items are fried vegetable dumplings, kimchi soup, and tofu, kimchi, and pork stir fry in a stone pot.
Nam Chon
228 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, United States
Phone: 267-766-8558
Nam Chon is a beautiful Korean restaurant with soft lighting and a relaxed vibe. It’s next to the Delaware River in the Queen Village and Society Hill neighborhoods.
Their most popular dishes include bulgogi bibimbap, mandoo, beef ribeye dolsot, and kimchi pork. The food here is supremely authentic and made with love.
My favorite menu item is the Korean fried chicken wings, which are juicy, crispy, and crunchy all at once!
There isn’t a single item on the menu that will disappoint you though, so explore the more obscure Korean offerings and expand your palate!
Temple Teppanyaki | Japanese & Korean Food
1928 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
Phone: 267-342-3190
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Last but not least, Temple Teppanyaki is a sensational food truck you can find in Philly. They reside in the North Central Philidelphia neighborhood near the Temple University station.
It’s a brilliant spot for a quick lunch or casual dinner on the go. The staff are sweet, passionate about the food they make, and dedicated to the food truck.
I always get the food to go and take it home, because I order too much to eat it on the street. My favorite items are beef noodles, shrimp noodles, fried shrimp katsu, and fried fish cutlets.
I also recommend their yummy miso soup on cold days! Their offerings are unique and mouthwatering, with distinct twists on Korean favorites.
