Ultimate Guide to Calgary's Best Korean Restaurants

As a devoted Korean food lover who's tried nearly every Korean restaurant in Calgary, I'm excited to share this curated list of the city's top spots - from decades-old institutions to trendy newcomers. 🏆 The Classics 📍 Han Corea • Calgary's most famous Korean restaurant • 8 types of unlimited refillable banchan (side dishes) • Tiny space (4-5 tables) - expect waits during peak hours 📍 Korean Village • Pioneer in downtown's "Koreatown" • Famous for: BBQ tables with built-in grills 📍 Bori • Old-school favorite, but quality has declined recently • Prices have risen while portions shrank 🆕 New & Notable 📍 Rice Table • Modern set meal concept (soup + banchan included) • Instagram-worthy plating 📍 Asadal • Budget-friendly, primarily takeout • Only 1 dining table - reservations essential 📍 Ssome • Trendy spot popular with younger crowd • Must-try: Spicy chicken feet & grilled pork collar 🍗 Specialty Spots 📍 Insadong & Seoul • OG Korean BBQ buffets (original locations) • Insadong feels cramped but authentic 📍 Shandong Noodle House • Unique Korean-Chinese fusion • Signature: Double-flavor jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) 📍 Donday • Used to be izakaya-style, now simpler menu • Still great value ⚠️ Honorable Mentions • Manna - NW branch similar to Han Corea • Nam San - Reliable but unremarkable • Apron - Upscale fusion (hard parking) • Sudam - Now charges for banchan refills 💰 Price Range: $15-30 per person 💡 Pro Tip: Many older establishments have changed ownership - check recent reviews! #CalgaryEats #KoreanFood #YYCFoodie