The best Korean barbecue restaurants in Hong Kong

The concept: Fans of Korean food are familiar with the name, Baek Jong-won. You know, the restaurant mogul, chef, and judge of Netflix’s hit show Culinary Class Wars. Saemaeul Sikdang is the brainchild of Baek. The Korean barbecue chain already boasts over 120 branches worldwide and is now finally available in Hong Kong. Here, Hongkongers can enjoy an authentic Korean barbecue experience on top of other Korean delicacies.

What we recommend: Go for the Korean barbecue specialties such as Charcoal Grilled Thinly Sliced Pork which comes with a spicy sauce or sweet soy sauce. The Pork Belly with Skin is perfect for those who prefer a thick cut. Other dishes to try include Chillbun Dwaeji Kimchi (kimchi with pork) and Cheese Gyeran Jjim (steamed eggs with cheese). We also recommend the Haemul Buchu Jeon (seafood and chives Korean pancake).

The concept: Dong Baek hails from Busan and has landed in Hong Kong, offering diners a taste of Korean barbecue from the coastal city. The swanky restaurant combines traditional Korean elements with contemporary design for a more enjoyable dining experience. The barbecue grill has two sides: a kimchi omelette batter and corn with cheese. You don’t have to stop yourself from finishing because these can be refilled throughout. Of course, side dishes such as radish, kimchi, and spinach are also available.

What we recommend: The signature pork belly slices are a must. They’re thinly sliced for easier cooking. We also recommend the Jeju Iberico Pork Shoulder which has a great balance of ratty and lean portions. Furthermore, Dong Baek also has an excellent selection of Hanwoo Beef and Japanese Wagyu with cuts like sirloin and ribeye. The restaurant also offers five kinds of Korean fried chicken to choose from.

(Image credit: dongbaek_hk/Instagram)

The concept: It has “Korean BBQ” in its name so what else can you expect at Banpo Korean BBQ other than an incredible Korean barbecue experience? The restaurant offers a range of grilled items including pork belly, pork ribs, beef intestines, and even eel. But what truly has diners coming back might be its “free-flow” pork belly which costs less than HKD 100. Banpo also has regular deals, sometimes 50% off on certain meats.

What we recommend: Take your pick from the premium cuts of marinated and non-marinated meats as well as fresh Korean side dishes. For the meat, we recommend trying the pork jowl, pork neck, as well as beef loin. The Beef Trip is also worth a try. The lunch set menus cost HKD 88 only.

The concept: Missing South Korea a little too much? Step inside Jenpo Meat Shop and you’ll feel like you’re back to the land of K-drama, K-pop, and K-food. The menu here is simple and reminiscent of the ones you’d have at any typical Korean barbecue restaurant in South Korea. Plus, a server is always ready to help you cook whatever you order. Jeonpo Meat Shop is a certified LSA favourite and even made it to our top restaurants in 2024.

What we recommend: Don’t miss the Grilled Beef Short Rib which despite having “short” in its name is actually nothing like it in terms of size. If you can’t decide what meat to go for, opt for the Tri-Meat Platter of pork belly and pork rinds.

The concept: Maekjeok is another place where you can experience the steakhouse and Korean barbecue combination. This restaurant fuses Korean grilling with dry-ageing technology, making the meats even juicier. You’ll also appreciate how they put a contemporary spin on typical Korean dishes. 

What we recommend: Don’t forget to try Korean Hanwoo Sirloin and Wagyu Yukhoe (beef tartare). We also recommend pairing up your meal with any of the liquours available. They have house-made makgeolli and soju to boot.

The concept: What makes The Jang stand out from other Korean barbecue restaurants is that the chicken here is the same as the widely popular Nene Chicken. Yes, that’s right. Besides, the restaurant also has wet-aged hanwoo and other barbecued meat from Modern Majang Korean BBQ. In fact, The Jang brings together the very best of Korean cuisine and brands. 

What we recommend: They also have Gonghwachoon’s Korean-style Chinese cuisine as well as Juk Story’s porridge. Don’t forget to complete your Korean barbecue experience with snacks, from The Jang’s own food brand, Jong Pocha.

The concept: In case you couldn’t tell, the name of this restaurant directly translates to “eating broadcast” that has taken Korea and the world by storm. Meokbang is a crowd favourite when it comes to Korean barbecue and it’s easy to see why. It’s affordable, has multiple branches, and offers an authentic barbecue experience. What we love about this place is that the grill comes with refillable eggs with corn and cheese and kimchi on the side. It’s the perfect combination for your barbecue meats. If you’re looking for an affordable option, it’s Meokbang.

What we recommend: Top up the experience with classic dishes like seafood pancakes, tteokbokki, or Korean chicken.

The concept: This restaurant received great reviews for its authentic Korean barbecue experience. Diners swear by the delicious local ingredients here that come all the way from South Korea such as Jeju Pork and Gyeongju Beef. You’ll hear banger K-pop tunes while you enjoy your meal on a spacious table that will leave you ordering more.

What we recommend: The lunch menu is affordable with a wide range of choices available. Orders can be made via a QR code. Among the meats, we recommend the Beef Tongue and Marinated Beef. There’s an extra charge for seafood but it’s worth it if you prefer something other than meat. Oh, did we mention that it’s all-you-can-eat style here? Yes, that includes side dishes, sauce, dessert, drinks, and vegetables. That’s an extra point in our book.

The concept: The Charcoal Room bills itself as the only Korean barbecue restaurant in the city that uses an oak charcoal grill. The result? A juicy and smoky meat, bursting with flavour. Specialities here include 1++ Korean beef, Jeju Black Pig, and Iwate A4 Wagyu. To soften the texture and enhance the taste of the beef, they use pear paste in the beef flavouring.

What we recommend: Other than the meat choices, there are plenty to order here. For instance, the Jeju eel makes for a unique barbecue experience. On the classic side, you can go for the Prime Chuck Tail Flap or the Iberico Pork Platter.

The concept: Despite the many Korean restaurants in Hong Kong, Arirang stood the test of time. It’s been operating in the city since 1964, one of the first Korean establishments. Restaurants might have come and gone but Arirang remains a pioneer of Korean cuisine in the city.

What we recommend: Besides its long history, Arirang is well-loved by beef lovers with M9 Wagyu Beef and Prime Outside Skirt available on the menu.