The first time I went out to try Korean food here in Hamilton, my food was, quite frankly, horrible. 

The “kimchi” tasted like pickled coleslaw, the so-called bibimbap had some weird plastic cheddar cheese sauce on it, and the staff had no clue what gochujang was.

I left that night more confused than satisfied, my craving for real Korean flavours stronger than ever.

Since that day, I’ve explored more Korean restaurants around town, sharing meals with friends and stuffing my mouth with more gimbap than I care to admit. After much tasting, here’s where I found the best Korean cuisine in Hamilton. 

1. Kushi Korean buffet

Kushi’s Korean buffet is perfect if you like trying a bit of everything and don’t want to stress about what to order. The vibe inside is clean and modern, with big windows and a relaxed feel.

But what really got us talking was the crunchy Korean chicken. The original was crispy and juicy, but the soy honey version was the table favourite—sweet, salty, and finger-licking good. 

I also liked how our side of seafood pancakes (haemul jeon) was crispy around the edges and packed with shrimp and squid.

For mains, the galbi (marinated beef ribs) and bulgogi (barbecued beef) were delicious. The galbi was tender and full of flavour, and the bulgogi had that classic sweet-savoury taste that everyone kept going back for. 

The japchae (stir-fried glass noodles) was a nice break from all the meat—light, slightly sweet, and loaded with veggies. 

One thing I liked was how the staff are really attentive—plates were cleared quickly, and drinks were topped up.

The only complaint I have is that some of the hot dishes get cold pretty quickly, so you have to time your trips well. The seafood options were also a bit limited compared to the other meats.

There’s a nice selection of Korean food here 

“WOW!! You don’t normally expect much from buffets, but I was completely blow away. There’s a nice selection of Korean food here & literally everything I tried was a winner. There was nothing I didn’t like. Everything was fresh and hot. The boys working in there did a great job. They kept everything clean while making sure the buffet was stocked at all times. My only wish is that they had more of a dessert selection.”

• Douglas Johnson, Google Reviews

Ā must stop, if you’re after decent Korean food

“Actually pretty amazing. I don’t usually have high hopes for Buffet restaurants. But Kushi is very good. The food is tasty and high quality, especially given the cheap nature of the pricing! The staff are attentive, helpful and efficient and the dining area is clean and well set up. They have a delightful range of yummy drinks on offer too, including Soju! Ā must stop, if you’re after decent Korean food at a super low price!”

• Chanel Elizabeth Desai, Google Reviews

2. TONGKUN

Tongkun Korean BBQ is perfect for a group hangout, especially with the all-you-can-eat setup priced at just $37 a head. While the wait can be long—around 45 minutes in our case—it’s definitely worth the experience.

The variety in the menu is impressive. You can mix and match meats, and there’s plenty of banchan (side dishes) to keep things interesting. 

We got started with the marinated pork scotch and spicy chicken leg fillet. The pork was tender and had a sweet, garlicky flavour that caramelised beautifully over the charcoal grill. 

I also loved how crispy the pork belly was and how they didn’t give us a bunch of fatty pieces. 

The best part for me, though, was the $5 weekday beer and wine promo. We were able to enjoy a smooth beer (or two!) to complement our BBQ dishes.

That said, there’s a $10 environmental surcharge per person for any food waste. I think it’s a reasonable policy, but it did make us a little cautious about how much we took at a time. 

The food is tasty and satisfying

“The Family House restaurant offers a barbecue buffet for dinner that, while limited in choices, delivers on flavor. The food is tasty and satisfying, making it a decent option for a casual night out. Parking outside is convenient but limited, with the first hour free using the street meter. However, at $38 per person, it’s not the cheapest option around. The restaurant’s interiors feel a bit dated, which could use some refreshing. Overall, if you’re looking for Korean barbecue in a relaxed setting, Family House can be an option.“

• Jeff C. (Digital Creator) Google Reviews 

Indulge in an unforgettable dining experience 

“Indulge in an unforgettable dining experience at one of the finest destinations for group or family gatherings. With plenty of tables and hassle-free paid street parking, convenience meets luxury. The warm and approachable staff adds a delightful touch to your visit, elevating every moment. Returning here feels like coming home, and I can’t wait to explore the other enticing menus on offer.”

• Evy Lee Google Reviews 

3. Nom Nom

NomNom is the spot to go if you want fun, shareable Korean street food that actually tastes as good as it looks. The place has a casual, fun vibe that sets the tone as soon as you walk in.

Their Korean fried chicken is a good starter. I liked how it came as boneless bites and was super crispy and juicy inside. It had a sticky, sweet-spicy glaze that had just the right amount of kick. 

I also ordered the cup bap, which is basically a bowl of rice topped with chicken, veggies, and sauce. It was alright, though I would have liked a bit more flavour and a bit more sauce to mix through the rice.

The true highlights, though, were the Korean corn dogs. The potato corn dog was delicious—crunchy on the outside with soft, cheesy goodness inside. 

I’d say you really get your money’s worth here. It’s also easy to share everything, which is perfect for a group hangout. 

I also love that the staff are friendly and happy to explain the menu. They’re really helpful if you haven’t tried Korean street food before.

There was a good range of Korean street food

“Loved it.  There was a good range of Korean street food, most plates costing $12.  My husband & I both had the Korean fried chicken with sauce. For $12 each, we each got 4 crispy pieces of boneless chicken, plus pickles.  Yummy!  It was enough for a light lunch.  Quirky decorations.  Quick & friendly service.  Plan to go back soon.”

• Gail Verina Taylor Google Review

They also do an excellent fried chicken 

“A recent addition to Hamilton East, and a very welcome one at that. Their sushi is really good and they have quite a different, wider variety available compared to other places. They also do an excellent fried chicken and I do really enjoy their lotus fries too. They do takeaway or eat in. I love their wall art by Enox too. Such a fun vibe and they have good music playing too.“

• Kym Moore Google Reviews 

4. Family House

Family House Restaurant is known for its classic Korean comfort food and BBQ buffet, so we went in with empty stomachs.

We started with the Spicy Pork & Kimchi Soup, which was a hit at our table. The broth was hot and spicy, with a nice tang from the kimchi. The pork was also tender and added a nice richness to the soup.

Next, we tried the Hot Stone Pot Bibimbap. We swapped the beef for tofu, and it didn’t disappoint. The dish was packed with flavour, and the variety of textures made each bite interesting.

As for the BBQ buffet, I appreciated the good selection of meats. The beef bulgogi and the chicken were my favourites because they retained the flavours of the marinades well.

One thing we didn’t love was the seafood. Some of it, especially the prawns and squid, tasted like it had been frozen and not fully thawed before cooking. 

Returning here feels like coming home

“Indulge in an unforgettable dining experience at one of the finest destinations for group or family gatherings. With plenty of tables and hassle-free paid street parking, convenience meets luxury. The warm and approachable staff adds a delightful touch to your visit, elevating every moment. Returning here feels like coming home, and I can’t wait to explore the other enticing menus on offer.”

• Evy Lee, Google Reviews

All the side dishes are good and free refill

“A Korean restaurant with reasonable price and typically Korean dishes. All the side dishes are good and free refill. It has buffet option for dinner. Will definitely try it one day.”

• The NZLILY, Google Reviews

5. Arang Korean Restaurant

Aarang is a go-to for real Korean comfort food in Hamilton. I left full, happy, and already planning our next visit—especially for that sizzling bibimbap and spicy pork belly. 

The Dolsot Bibimbap came out sizzling in a hot stone bowl. Mixing everything together—rice, veggies, beef, and a perfectly runny egg—was half the fun. The crispy rice at the bottom was the best part for me.

The stir-fried spicy pork belly was a great balance of heat. It had a solid kick, but not so much that it overwhelmed the pork or veggies. 

Aarang’s banchan (side dishes) were tasty, but I wished they were refillable like at some other Korean spots. Still, the ones they gave me—kimchi, pickled radish, and a couple of other small plates—were fresh and flavorful.

If you’re sensitive to spice, some dishes might be too spicy. But if you love authentic Korean flavours, the heat is absolutely worth it. 

On top of the great food, the service here makes you feel welcome whether you’re a regular or it’s your first time.

One of my favourite korean spots to eat in Hamilton

“Great food and service, it’s a small, tidy restaurant. Can get loud and hot if there are lots of people but don’t let that stop you. It’s one of my favourite korean spots to eat in Hamilton.”

• Maria Augustyn, Google Reviews

The best Korean food ever, in Hamilton

“Love the food, and the environment, nice experience. Definitely will come back! Highly recommended! The best Korean food ever, in Hamilton. 💕”

• Wang一媛, Google Reviews 

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