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The Best Korean Restaurants in Auckland

Best Restaurants

Published 23/02/2026

hazy tiger spread food entree.jpg
Image by Hazy Tiger

If the words “Korean BBQ” don’t immediately make your stomach growl, and your mouth drool, you might want to check your pulse. Auckland’s Korean dining scene has exploded in recent years, offering everything from smoky tabletop grills to bubbling hotpots, crisp fried chicken, and comforting bowls of bibimbap that taste like pure happiness in a stone bowl.

The best Korean restaurants in Auckland bring more than just flavour, they deliver a full sensory experience. There’s the hiss of meat hitting the grill, the parade of colourful banchan (side dishes) covering the table, and the spicy-sweet punch of gochujang in dishes that warm you from the inside out. It’s social, it’s satisfying, and it’s impossible to leave hungry.

But it’s not just about the BBQ’s. Venture deeper and you’ll find places specialising in hearty stews, homestyle comfort food, and even modern Korean fusion that pairs local Kiwi ingredients with Seoul-inspired creativity. Whether you’re after a casual late-night spot with soju and fried chicken, or a polished dining room where presentation is as thoughtful as flavour, Auckland has it all.

Where to Get The Best Korean Food?

Check out our list of the 10 best Korean restaurants in Auckland where spice, smoke, and soul combine for unforgettable meals.

  • Hello Beasty

    95-97 Customs Sreet West, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland Central

    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

    2a / 48 Courthouse Lane, Chancery SQ, Auckland Central

    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.

  • Hazy Tiger

    22 Durham Street West, Auckland Central
    Best tip
    It's perfect for An after-work catch-up that turns into a proper session.
    You need to try The steak frites, alongside a round of handcrafted cocktails.
    Look out for The neon-lit, cosy booth interior.

    Neon accents and moody lighting set an electric tone at Hazy Tiger, an Auckland CBD K-tapas spot built for after-work drinks that turn into full-blown dinners. The menu reimagines Korean soul food with genuine creativity: chicken and pork skewers, deep-fried chicken skin and a sweet and sour gochujang cucumber salad sit alongside crispy kimchi tuna rolls, bulgogi beef tacos and market-style oil tteokbokki. Bigger plates bring out yum-yum chicken glazed in house sauce, bibimbap and raw beef slices in lemon oil. Wash it down with a Seoul Spritz or a Mango Dreams and let the music do the rest.

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  • Ongi

    46 Courthouse Lane, Auckland Central
    Best tip
    It's perfect for date nights, group dinners or lively nights out in the city
    You need to try Ongi's signature sashimi platters - bold, fresh and full of contrast
    Look out for the mix of Korean and modern fusion dishes in an intimate atmosphere

    Ongi makes the case for best Korean in Auckland with a menu that swings confidently between Korean comfort and Japanese technique. Buldak spicy chicken and crispy K-rispy fried chicken headline the heat, while slow-cooked pork belly comes with lettuce ssam and Ongi's own chilli dip for proper hands-on eating. Sashimi and beef tataki cool things down, kimchi stew and mala hotpot warm them back up. Tucked into Chancery, it's built for lively group dinners that run long.

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  • Gganbu

    38 Jervois Road, Ponsonby

    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

    245 Dominion Road, Mount Eden

    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

    Shop 1, 16/20 Fort Street, Auckland Central

    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.

  • My Fried Chicken Ponsonby

    Shop2, 4 Brown Street, Ponsonby

    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. 

  • Watda

    8 Brown Street, Ponsonby

    Watda serves up Korean comfort with a modern twist, tucked inside Ponsonby Central's buzzing food hall. Think hansang-style sets: a main, rice, soup and ever-rotating banchan, all delivered with warmth and zero fuss. Standouts include the spicy gochu pork and a katsu big enough to share, alongside dolsot bibimbap crackling straight from the stone pot. Its walk-in-only policy means locals queue happily for that home-cooked hit of Seoul soul.

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The Best Restaurants Gift Card is New Zealand’s #1 gift card for foodies, unlocking unforgettable dining experiences across New Zealand. They choose where and when — you give the perfect gift.