My own introduction to Korean cuisine in Auckland left me questioning whether the city’s Korean food scene was all hype and no substance. 

At the restaurant I ate at, the kimchi tasted like it came from a can. The seafood pancake was so greasy it could have powered my car home. 

Since then, I’ve gone around town with friends eating at all the best Korean restaurants in Auckland, from hidden mum-and-pop spots to the hotspots that are redefining the city’s Korean food scene. 

1. Bon Ga Ne

Walking into Bon Ga Ne, the vibe was casual and welcoming—nothing fancy, just a simple space where the focus is clearly on the food. The menu has all the Korean classics you’d expect, like kimchi stew, dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken), and seolleongtang (ox bone soup).

I started with the Kimchi-Jeon (kimchi pancake) and loved that it came out hot and crispy, with just the right amount of tang from the kimchi. I also liked that it wasn’t too greasy, which is a problem I’ve had at other places. 

If you’re into lighter noodle dishes, their Japchae won me over. I really liked how the veggies were still crisp and the beef was tender. It didn’t feel heavy or oily either, which I appreciated. 

The Ttukbaegi Galbijjim (braised short ribs in a hot stone pot) was my personal favourite. The meat was fall-off-the-bone tender, and the sauce soaked into the noodles and veggies, making every bite super flavorful. 

A big plus at Bon Ga Ne is the portion sizes—everything was generous, so you definitely got your money’s worth. 

Just a heads up: parking nearby can be a bit of a pain, so plan ahead if you’re driving.

The food was outstanding

“We felt like a Korean meal on a rainy day, and Bon Ga Ne was the perfect refuge. We were visiting from another town on a day trip, and the warm and welcoming service made us feel right at home. The food was outstanding – we ordered a few Korean dishes, and everything arrived quickly and well priced. The flavors were bold and authentic, and the atmosphere was nice and calm, making it a great spot to escape the rain. Overall, we were thoroughly impressed and can’t wait to go back.“

• Sarey (Artto), Google Review 

The BBQ chicken is delicious and well flavoured

“Is a really nice korean place. The prices are quite good nowadays and the food they serve is delicious. The BBQ chicken is delicious and well flavoured, the boiled chicken soup with sticky rice is also amazing, they included some extra salt if there wasn’t enough flavour too! The atmosphere can be quite noisy if sitting downstairs but is alright upstairs. The service is efficient and quite clean. There’s also a water dispenser that has hot and cold water.”

• Jeffplays2005, Google Reviews

2. Pocha CBD

Pocha CBD has awesome energy. K-pop is blasting, people are laughing, and the whole vibe is just fun. It’s busy and a bit chaotic, but in a good way. 

I would definitely book ahead if you’re going on a weekend—it was crowded as heck when my friends and I went.

We started with the Basasak Chicken. The chicken was super crispy and had this unique crunch from the rice paper. 

I liked the BunCha sauce a lot; it’s tangy and a bit sweet and worked well with the fries. We finished it pretty quickly and could have easily eaten another plate.

The beef brisket soybean stew was hearty, especially with the veggies mixed in. The beef was thinly sliced and tender, and the tofu soaked up all the flavour from the broth. 

My only gripe here was that the stew wasn’t piping hot when it arrived.

For dessert, we couldn’t resist the OG Bingsu. It’s this massive bowl of milk-based shaved ice with sweet red beans, injeolmi powder, and cornflakes. It also comes with vanilla ice cream and almonds, making it even more refreshing. 

Food is exceptional and the staff are excellent

“Pocha is awesome! It’s our go-to restaurant. The atmosphere is awesome, it’s open late. The food is exceptional and the staff are excellent in the service that they provide. Pocha caters to all age groups young and old…I have even taken my 79 year old mother there and she loves it ! If you haven’t tried it I highly recommend it. Thanks Pocha”

• Craig wellacott Google Reviews 

It’s a good spot for those looking to enjoy Korean cuisine

“I visited this restaurant with my partner for dinner after work to try some Korean dishes. Pocha used to be our go-to spot back when we were at university, and it had been a while since our last visit. The place was still bustling with people and had a lively atmosphere. We ordered a combo that included buckwheat noodles, pork belly, and a kimchi dish. The price was reasonable, and we enjoyed the meal a lot. The flavors seemed more tailored to a younger crowd, as the food was sweeter than we expected, but we liked it. We also ordered udon as a third dish for a warm, comforting soup. Overall, we had a great time here. It’s a good spot for those looking to enjoy Korean cuisine, along with beers and soju. Highly recommended!”

• Michael Kang Google Review

3. Seoul Night

Seoul Night’s secret entrance is actually a red vending machine — talk about awesome underground hangout vibes. 

Drinks are a big part of Seoul Night’s appeal, and we went all in with cocktails. I liked that the drinks were creative without being gimmicky, and they actually paired well with the food.

Their Spicy Seoul was my favourite. The chilli soju mixed with tangy, sour flavours that really cut through the richness of the food. The Peach Soju Iced Tea was super refreshing too. It’s not too sweet, and perfect for sipping between bites. 

Now, if you’re looking for super traditional Korean food, they lean more towards fusion and playful twists on classics. Still, the food is good.

Their Rose Tteokbokki is the dish I’d return for. Their version comes in a creamy tomato and coconut sauce with parmesan and sausage. I liked how the coconut wasn’t overpowering, and the parmesan gave it a nice, cheesy finish. 

My only minor complaint is that I wish there were more rice cakes in the bowl, but maybe that’s just because I wanted more.

Food is really delicious, we probably over ordered

“First time at Seoul Night and it was fab! Came here to celebrate my mums birthday. Cocktails are amazing, I wouldn’t normally order more than one, but we ended up ordering three rounds! Food is really delicious, we probably over ordered as we needed to take some of the fried chicken  dishes as takeaway, but that just showed us that the quantity was really great. Probably the best Mac and cheese we ever tasted, the beef tacos were to die for. I could’ve easily just had those and the salmon tacos for dinner! The staff also prepared a little birthday plate for mum, which was a really lovely touch! Thanks for a wonderful night we hope to return again soon!”

• Anita Fraser Google Review 

Incredible tasting food, so unreal

“Incredible tasting food, so unreal. We started off with the Mac n cheese which was the best one I’ve had dining out. We also had the squid risotto which was spectacular, really tasty and the squid taste definitely came through. Lastly the rose pasta, which was also a hit. The drinks we got were unique and flavourful, and the staff super pleasant! Will be back!”

• Isabella Miriam Google Review 

4. Chigop 치곱

Chigop is all about good Korean BBQ. The group I went with ordered samgyeopsal (pork belly), which is basically the main thing at Chigop. 

The menu is pretty focused on offal and pork, so if you’re not into those, your options are a bit limited. 

Additionally, the space can become smoky, so your clothes may smell like BBQ for the rest of the night. 

That said, I really liked how fresh the pork was—super juicy, not too fatty, and it crisped up nicely on the grill. What I loved most was wrapping the pork in lettuce with a bit of their savoury ssamjang (spicy sauce) and some garlic. 

The side dishes were also solid—kimchi, pickled radish, and a few other banchan.

We also tried the So Gopchang Jeongol, which is a spicy beef tripe hotpot. The tripe itself was chewy but not rubbery, and it soaked up all the spicy goodness. But the hotpot could have come out a bit hotter temperature-wise—it cooled down pretty quickly.

Service is really nice and taught us

“Best Korean restaurant in west Auckland -hands down. We ordered the army stew for two people and the portion was massive for us. Their service is really nice and taught us how to cook it and provided us free watermelon after our meal. Would definitely recommend and come back again 😋”

• Ray Xiao (Ray) Google Review 

This was a great restaurant

“This was a great restaurant. Especially at dinner time! All the food was great but just a bit to spicy.I really liked the fried rice.The envierment was really good, but not much people I think it is  pretty hidden.This service was great too, the staff was very friendly too. The toliets are clean.”

• Darren SHE Google Review 

5. Gganbu Korean Restaurant

Gganbu Korean Restaurant is one of those places where you feel looked after, even when it gets busy. I appreciated that the staff kept checking on me, asking if I wanted more drinks and if I needed anything.

I admit the food can take a bit long to come out (20 minutes), so don’t come starving and expecting instant service. But the portions are big, and everything tastes fresh and homemade, so it’s worth the wait. 

I kept going back for more of the cheese tteokbokki I ordered because of how delicious it was. I liked that they didn’t skimp out on the rice cakes either.

I also like how you can make your own lettuce wraps (ssam), loading them up with pork, a bit of rice, and some of the house sauces. 

The pork belly itself was juicy and had a nice char from the grill, with just enough fat to keep it flavorful but not greasy. I liked that the meat was already seasoned, so there were no bland bites. 

But the grill smoke can linger in the dining room, so be prepared to leave smelling a bit like BBQ. 

A true taste of Korean cuisine

“Gganbu: Cozy, Quirky, and Authentic (But Be Patient)Gganbu offers a cozy and quirky dining experience, with unique decor, especially in the restroom.

The staff were incredibly friendly and happy, making for a welcoming atmosphere. While the food took a bit longer than expected to arrive, the portion sizes were generous.

The flavors were authentic and delicious, providing a true taste of Korean cuisine.

The price point may seem a bit high, but considering the location and the quality of the food, I believe it’s justifiable.

Vegetarian Options: As a vegetarian, I appreciated that the staff were knowledgeable about dietary restrictions and were happy to adapt dishes to suit my needs.

Gganbu is a worthwhile destination for those seeking an authentic Korean dining experience. While the wait times can be a bit longer, the delicious food, friendly service, and unique ambiance make it a memorable experience.

l’d recommend:

Making a reservation in advance, especially during peak hours.

Inquiring about any vegetarian or dietary restrictions when making your reservation.“

• Bianca T Google Review 

Will go back again

“Love the food, had one of the best boiled pork belly with spicy japchae in Auckland. The shared dishes was amazing, especially with some beer or rice. It is more on the pricier side though. Will go back again. Good for a big party setting also. Make sure to book ahead tho, can get very busy.”

• Plureon Google Review 

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