Gong Gan Korean Pantry (Walk-ins only) — Restaurant in Melbourne

We had the absolute pleasure of dining at Gong Gan Korean Pantry last night, and from the moment we walked in, we knew we were in for something special. The space is immaculately clean and beautifully presented, with shelves of ready-made stews, soups, and traditional side dishes that are not only well-packaged but come with thoughtful descriptions highlighting their health benefits.

What made the experience even more memorable was the warm and genuine welcome we received. The store owner or manager greeted us with the biggest smile and maintained that same warmth throughout our visit. When our meals arrived, he took the time to explain every single condiment on the serving plate—something we rarely experience elsewhere. This personal touch made us appreciate the meal even more.

The food? Absolutely exceptional. Every single dish was fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with love. The bibimbap came out sizzling hot and stayed hot to the very last bite—something that truly elevated the experience, especially compared to other places where it cools too quickly. I had the seafood kimchi soup, and it was everything I hoped for on a chilly night—comforting, rich, and deeply satisfying.

We left with full tummies, happy hearts, and even grabbed a few ready-made side dishes to take home because we just couldn’t get enough. We’re already planning our return to try...

When I heard about this restaurant, I thought to myself, let's see how this Korean distinct themselves with other Korean restaurants and this did not disappoint. If you think your meal has no flavour or bland, you should go to hospital and get a serious check on your taste buds.

The Wagyu bulgogi was so good and the tofu stew. The presentation was absolute top notch 👌better than any presentation from other Korean restaurants.

I think it was the boss that was serving us and he was very polite and even explained about the side dishes! That's a really good way to introduce more side dishes to people who just only tried the typical side dishes e.g. Kimchi.

The only thing I would not pick about this place is no alcohol (at the time of this review). Maybe they are in the process of getting their liquor business license or something. I really wanted to drink and was sad not to see it on the menu. Other than that I'm looking forward to come back again to try out their other dishes. Stop reading this review and go there...

Newly opened Korean restaurant - beautiful aesthetic interior that is bright and clean. The cosy restaurant is perfect for small gathering or couple date. Food is healthy and delicious! The portion size is just right for the set that comes with a main, rice and three different side dishes. My husband and I will definitely be returning regularly.

I personally love their side dishes/ banchan / meal kits that are for sale in the fridge and freezer section. The variety that you can take home, freshly made, makes this restaurant stand out! They even put the list of ingredients on the takeaway banchan and meal kits. There are only a few places in Melbourne that sell yummy freshly made banchan and meal kits - this place is definitely a gem.

The boss is so friendly and helpful. He even went out of his way to set aside some meal kits for me to pick up later in the day. The service...