Get in the Olympic spirit by dining at these Korean restaurants
The 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea make for a great opportunity to explore one of Austin’s underrepresented cuisines. While most frequent diners can probably rattle off some of their favorite Indian, Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants in the greater Austin area, they may be more hard-pressed to name their favorite Korean restaurants.
Maybe it shouldn’t come as a big surprise, given the demographic numbers of the Austin metro area. According to American Community Survey estimates for 2016 produced by the U.S. Census Bureau, about 8 percent of Austin-Round Asian and Pacific-American residents are of Korean extraction, or about 10,000 people. That places Korea fifth behind India, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.
But anyone who has experienced the food known for its savory grilled meats, fermented vegetables and funky red chili paste understands the unique allure of Korean cuisine. Austin establishments serving takes on the cuisine range from food trucks run by young people putting their modernist hybrid spin on their native dishes to older restaurants that have been around well before bulgogi became popular terminology in Austin’s dining lexicon. And, with popular Korean fried chicken chain Bonchon and Korean supermarket H Mart coming soon to the area, expect to see even more Korean offerings, which is definitely a good thing.
Charm Korean BBQ. 1200 W. Howard Lane. 512-5058513, charmkoreanbbq.com. You get to be the chef (if you want) at this Korean barbecue restaurant, as mounds of twirled slices of tenderloin and marinated hunks of bulgogi are delivered to the table, where you cook them on a centerpiece grill resembling a roulette wheel. Don’t want to do the work? The kitchen also grills meat and makes dishes like spicy stirfried squid and kimchi stew.
Chi’lantro. Multiple locations. chilantrobbq.com. The fusion restaurant that now has multiple trailers and brickand-mortar locations figured one of the best ways to get Austinites to try kimchi was to cover french fries with it.
Chosun Galbi. 713 E. Huntland Drive. 512-4191400, chosungalbiaustin. com. Shrimp fried rice and udon noodle dishes share space on the menu with the main attraction, an assortment of meats you grill yourself at the table.
Gangnam Zip. 202 Walton Way #150, Cedar Park. 512986-4198, gangnamzipaustin.com. An assortment of rice and meat dishes with you choice of banchans, fried chicken, dumplings and more are served at this restaurant that also offers delivery.
Hana Yoree. 1700 W. Parmer Lane. 512-832-6020. The massive soup and noddle bowls (and there are almost 20 on the menu) at this stall inside the Hana World Market food court are big enough to feed you and a friend.
Jang’s Chimac Cafe. 6801 Airport Blvd. 512-5204171, jangschimaccafe.com. Though the menu is substantial, this Highland area restaurant that replaced Arirang specializes in Korean fried chicken (six varieties) and beer.
Jenna’s Asian Kitchen. 12300 FM 620 N. 512-2588282, jennasasiankitchen. com. Seoul native chef Jenna Choe and her husband and partner, Min Choe, serve a host of pan-Asian dishes at their sleek restaurant, with flavors of Korea offered via bulgogi and Korean fried chicken.
JeonJu Korean Grill. 2323 S. Lamar Blvd. 512-298-2838, jeonjuatx.com. University of Texas graduate Chang Cho’s food truck delivers a fusion take on scallion pancakes, using them as the base for pizzas; he serves familiar Korean flavors of sauteed and pickled radish, along with other veggies, in sushistyle rolls that wrap marinated steak.
K-Bop. 2002 Guadalupe St. B. 512-703-4100, kbopatx. com. Bowls and rolls featuring bulgogi-style meat and an array of popular Korean vegetables serve as the foundations for the menu at this campus spot that also has strong milk tea and bubble tea offerings.
Korea House. 2700 W. Anderson Lane. 512-458-2477. In addition to sizzling bibimbap, Korean barbecue and a wide variety of stews, Austin’s oldest Korean restaurant also serves a taste of Japan, with dishes like sushi, tonkatsu and miso soup.
Korean Grill. 10901 N. Lamar Blvd. 512-339-0234, koreangrill.wixsite.com. Hot pots, almost a dozen bracing stews, bowls of ramen and sweet potato noodle dishes are some of the stars at this Chinatown draw.
Korean Komfort. 2512 Rio Grande St. 512-920-0969. Kimchi fried rice, Korean fried chicken and bulgogi … this trailer near the University of Texas has a tight menu that covers the basics and some of the most beloved dishes.
Koriente. 621 E. Seventh St. 512-275-0852, koriente. com. Long positioning itself as a relatively healthy restaurant amid the unhealthy options of eastern downtown, this pan-Asian restaurant reflects Korean influence with bibimbap and sweet potato noodles. It also has a gluten-free menu.
Manna Korean. 6808 N. Lamar Blvd. 512-323-0635, ibigmedia1.wixsite.com. Start with the seafood scallion pancake and move onto the massive bowl of tangy and meaty braised mackerel served in a spicy sauce.
Misung 888. 911 W. Anderson Lane. 512-3025433, ozmisung888austin. wixsite.com. Looking for a late-night fix for your stew, scallion pancake or pungent fish cravings? This North Austin spot is open past midnight most nights.
Together. 9200 N. Lamar Blvd. 512-821-3388, togetheraustin.wixsite.com. Korean barbecue (including a strong selection of off-cuts), kimchi stir-fry with pork and tofu and popular snacks like fried chicken keep this place going until well past midnight.