Korean Food in Philly | Dubu Only Ranks Third 🥉

As a place often called a "food desert," Philly has limited options for Chinese food. So today, I'm sharing some Korean spots I’ve tried—some are the kind that give you energy to push through a tough week of work or deadlines! Near University City 🧑‍🎓 U-Town – No need to say much, it’s honestly great. My go-to during school—almost no disappointing dishes. Feels reliable, like a long-married couple 😌. Cold noodles, bibimbap, tofu stew, and tofu with pork belly are all delicious. Pocha Street – Ambience > food. BBQ, army stew, fried chicken—fine for one visit, but not memorable. Looks photogenic, but the purple/red lighting isn’t exactly flattering 😅. Kim's BBQ – Never understood the hype. Meat is average, prices are high. I’d rather spend that time and money on hotpot downtown. Philly Suburbs 🚗 Dubu – My comfort spot ❤️. When I was at UPenn, I craved it every weekend. Their galbijim (braised short ribs) blew me away—ultimate rice killer! Free banchan is generous. I love it, no arguments accepted. Bam Bam Kitchen – A bit farther out in Ardmore. Fried chicken is well done, kimchi pancake is nice. Tofu stew is standard. To Dam Gol – Decor: 0/10. Food: actually pretty good! Lots of Korean ahjussis and ahjummas dining there—authentic vibes. SALT BBQ – Free sides exceeded expectations—steamed egg and cheesy corn, unlimited! Must order the BBQ here—seriously aromatic and satisfying. Bibimbap and tofu stew are also excellent. Currently my #1, plus the servers are easy on the eyes 😄. So Korean Grill – Close to Dubu, but the nearby Hmart is bigger and better stocked. Offers both galbijim and BBQ—like a combo of SALT and Dubu. Hard not to love. Only downside: the ajumma servers can be tough 😅, but the food is so good it ties for first place with SALT. Takeaway: If you have a car, explore the suburbs—there are plenty of tasty options! Also open to more recommendations—let’s eat well together 🍚🔥. #InternationalStudentEats #Philly #KoreanBBQ #GoToRestaurants #PhillyFood #ComfortFood