The Best Korean Restaurants in Auckland

Tucked on Viaduct Harbour, Hello Beasty serves modern-fusion cuisine with standout seafood and grill picks that are both elevated and playful. On the menu, expect wild-caught prawns with kombu butter and soft-shell crab that will have you back for more. Finish off your meal alongside vibrant cocktails under a neon glow. It’s not your average seafood spot in Auckland; it’s seafood with soul. 

Pocha ignites Auckland CBD with authentic Korean street-food vibes, blending sizzling grills and soju-fueled fun in a lively, neon-lit den. Dive into crispy Korean fried chicken - almond-coated or garlic-butter heaven - alongside pork belly samgyeopsal, seafood pancakes, and spicy rose tteokbokki that pack serious heat. Cold noodles cut through the richness, while Cass beer and strawberry soju keep the party flowing. Perfect for group feasts, late-night cravings or first-timers chasing Seoul's electric energy amid friendly, buzzing service.

A modern Korean kitchen and bar, Gaja is a beautiful and authentic restaurant in Ponsonby. Gaja has charm in spades with its rustic yet modern dining room with globular paper lanterns and Korean art. It has a strong personality allowing you to experience this bold cuisine on your own terms. Relaxed and trendy, Gaja knows exactly how to attract the locals. 
Gaja delivers a dining experience that is both comforting and invigorating.

Photography: Courtesy of Gaja

Gganbu channels K-town cool in Auckland, slinging pillowy tteokbokki, dakgalbi and towering cheese-laden towers in a vibrant, Instagram-ready space. Sticky rice cakes simmer in fiery gochujang, paired with tender chicken stir-fries, bulging fish cakes and crispy fried mandu that burst with flavor. Wash it down with fruity makgeolli or crisp Hite beer amid thumping K-pop beats. Ideal for casual hangouts, birthday bashes or spicy challenges with mates - it's pure, unfiltered Korean comfort that hooks you from the first bite. 

Kookoo brings sultry Korean barbecue to Auckland, where interactive table grills sizzle premium marbled meats in a sleek, moody lair. Go for Angus scotch fillet, pork collar or prawns glazed in housemade bulgogi, flanked by punchy kimchi pancakes, japchae noodles and crisp salads. Soju flights and Korean craft beers fuel the flames, with attentive staff banchan refills keeping the feast endless. Suits rowdy groups, date-night sparks or solo indulgence in smoky, shareable bliss. 

Seoul Night delivers on late-night Korean energy in Auckland, offering pocha-style anju snacks and grilled delights under flashing lights. Crispy hotteok pancakes ooze honey, bulgogi beef melts on smoky skewers, and creamy corn cheese draws crowds alongside spicy cucumber salad and odeng skewers. Makgeolli and soju cocktails stretch the night, blending casual chaos with bold flavors. Perfect for after-work unwinds, friend reunions or K-drama binge chasers seeking vibrant, no-fuss street eats.

Photography: Courtesy of Hazy Tiger

My Fried Chicken rules Auckland's Korean fried chicken scene, double-frying golden wings and tenders to shattering crunch in a no-frills hot spot. In the beating heart of Ponsonby, you can choose yangnyeom sweet-spicy glaze, garlic-soy punch or cheese powder blizzard, paired with waffle fries, pickled radish and icy draft beer. Sides like cheese corn and tteokbokki round out the craveable lineup amid quick, cheerful vibes. A must for game nights, solo munchies or group orders - pure poultry perfection that delivers every time. 

Gochu beckons with a vibrant celebration of contemporary Korean cuisine, infused with the warmth of local ingredients crafted with care. Named after the Korean word for chilli pepper, this restaurant invites you to experience where traditional Korean flavours meet innovative twists and elevated classics.