10 Best Places For Korean Food In KL

Long queues snake down the staircase at Seoul Korea in the evenings but for their top-notch grills, the hour-wait is worth it. The residential location meets modest furnishings for a homey setup, which means it's an appropriate time to dress down in shorts and flip-flops! Both their booth seats and BBQ set options are best shared between four to six — prime for dinner with a few friends. Order the value-for-money Mixture-BBQ (from RM110 for four) that yields ample portions of chicken and pork grilled tableside. If you're feeling generous, this is also the place to try Jeon-Tong Bulgogi (hot plate bulgogi, RM39). Seared with sweet onions on a hot plate, the tender beef slices slicked in dark sauce pack a punch! Mains aside, this restaurant makes our list for its supreme banchan selections. It's a neverending supply of nine different plates, filled with refreshing cucumber kimchi, pickled lotus root and candied peanuts among others.
Avg price per person: RM30
Photo by Burppler Jonathan Ooi

From grilling meats to rolling rice balls, a lot is left up to diners at Sae Ma Eul, making for a fun dinner with the gang! The smokin' hot establishment within Jaya One fills up fast and reservations are not allowed, so it'd be wise to come early for this. Since service charge is exempted, do not expect tableside service beyond refilling banchan. What you can look forward to is an adorable illustration on the wall guiding you to grill meats to juicy perfection. Go for the affordable Set A (RM59, for two to three pax) that features a trio of pork belly, pork shoulder and baby octopus. The thick slabs of samgyeopsal (pork belly) are second to none, each sporting perfect layers of fat and flesh. To taste its full potential, have it with their house specialty salt. Share the Spicy Rice Balls (RM24) — these rice balls slathered in hot sauce have a delicious, smoky flavour when grilled. But first, put on those plastic gloves and start rolling!
Avg price per person: RM25

What this hole-in-the-wall restaurant lacks in looks, it makes up for in substance, and by that, we mean scrumptious fried chicken. Come by Chicken House for a cheat day meal and bring a friend to share the bird (and split the guilt)! Coated in batter, their fried chicken hits the mark for its distinct crunch. These come in several flavours like the sweet-sticky Gangjeong (from RM38), Spicy Chili (from RM32) as well as a winning Hot Soy Sauce With Garlic (from RM38). The latter impresses most, surprising tastebuds with a hit of heat alongside its sweet, garlicky aroma. If you're not a stickler for crackling skin, they also offer a unique option for No Flour Fried Chicken (from RM27). The stripped down recipe is equally enjoyable, especially if you prefer to focus on fork-tender flesh! Say 'Cheers' to chicken over a shared jug of Makgeolli Cocktail (RM38), a cooling blend of Korean rice wine with fruits.
Avg price per person: RM30
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Alyssia Yu

Ask any Koreans living in KL where they frequent for a taste of home and it's likely Ola! is on the list. Chic, spacious and boosted by greenery, the restaurant falls somewhere between casual and smart to suit various occasions — even a laidback business lunch. Stray away from the run-of-the-mill bibimbap or kimchi stew and look instead to their less common offerings of traditional Korean dishes. The Ola Jungsik Set (RM84 for two) is great for those who enjoy variety, plus it's an affordable way to try the otherwise premium-priced halmae bossam (kimchi-wrapped pork). The well-portioned set also comes complete with smoked pork and duck, soybean paste stew, vegetables and a choice of stone pot rice or noodles. Alternatively, try the Ssambap Set (RM70 for two). The country-style delicacy of lettuce wraps filled with rice and flavoured toppings (typically fish) is a healthy yet tasty option to fill up on at lunch!
Avg price per person: RM40
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Melanie Yu

Set within the quiet Mont Kiara shoplex, this contemporary Korean cafe sees traditional recipes upped with a modern touch. A prime example is Doma's Kimchi Fried Rice (RM20), jazzed up with a sprinkling of bacon and parmesan. Apart from splashy savouries, sweets are what stand out most in this menu — bring a date for this treat! Try the Sticky Rice Pancake (from RM18), topped off with a moutainous scoop of ice cream. Melding sweet, sticky, hot and cold, the dessert is most popular in its Nutella Chocolate and Green Tea variants. If it's a hot day out, soak in the sun by the window seat with an order of Red Bean Bingsu (RM16). This is one of the more reasonably priced bingsus out there, not to mention, chock full of red beans beneath an avalanche of milky white shaved ice.
Avg price per person: RM30
Photo by Burppler Kae Ling

At this Gardens Mall outlet, large tables come with cosy seats while the space is ventilated well for a comfortable environment. Huddle over the grill with a group — either for family dinners or celebrations with your colleagues! Shinmapo is known for being the first to bring in Galmaegisal or Pork Skirt (from RM27), a sparsely available cut found between the belly and ribs. The premium Galmaegisal is juicy, turning out denser flavours than most parts. Order The Shimapo Ultimate Set D (RM128 for two to four pax), which includes this coveted pork skirt in addition to more pork, mixed grill and a warming pot of military stew. The trendy dining experience also comes with plenty of cheese-pull moments, courtesy of a kimchi egg crust with melting cheese. End the meal on an explosive note — the Volcano Fried Rice (RM33) mimics its namesake with a lava-like centre of oozy egg.
Avg price per person: RM40
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Ben Gee

For an authentic PojangMacha (Korean bar), local Koreans hit up Sola Pocha. The bar-style seats set the mood for after-work drinks, whether you're winding down with a colleague or talking shop with a client. If it's serious business, book the inner room (for 10) where privacy is king. Come for soju — the bar makes their own concoctions — and stay for supper. The Yoghurt Soju (RM35) presents soju with a sweet, easy-to-drink yoghurt flavour, but it's just as, if not more potent than its bottled counterparts. Take the Korean route down bar bites for Gopchang Bokum (RM70), stir-fried sausage chitterlings that are nearly impossible to find anywhere else in KL. Crunchy and flavourful, the pork intestine sausages make perfect grease-laden grub with drinks. Otherwise, try the Daktongjip (RM45) that sees chicken gizzards prepared with garlic for aromatic melt-in-your-mouth goodness!
Avg price per person: RM60
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Tiffany Ng

Nestled above the USJ Taipan shoplots, the hidden Han Woo Ri is where nearby residents flock to for a taste of Korea right in the neighbourhood. There is BBQ but in this sleek spot, it is the set lunches that reign supreme. Their consistent top dish is a Je Yuk Duk Bab (RM18.90) featuring spicy pork belly slices stir-fried with vegetables. The hot-plate dish comes with white rice and seaweed soup, essential to alleviate the heat of fiery flavours. There is also an option for chicken at the same price, also satisfying in its abundance of toothsome thigh meat. Unusual for set lunches, portions run massive so go slow on sides, which is free only up to a second round of refill. What seals the deal for us is their complimentary dessert drink of Korean barley with red dates that finishes the meal on a sweet, soothing sip.
Avg price per person: RM25

Don't let Koryo-Won's upclass location faze you; the restaurant is an affordable all-star, especially for you Burpplers working in the city. Decked out in classy furnishings, the dimly-lit space makes an unassuming spot for quiet daytime dates! Skip the frivolous set meals that will send smoke in your eyes, and stick to the good-for-sharing mains. First-timers will want to try their Dduk Boggi (RM35) a dish of Korean rice cakes, noodles, fish cakes and vegetables tossed in a remarkable sweet, spicy sauce. While the dish is hefty on carbs, the restaurant's quality supply of banchan will come in handy to keep it a balanced meal. For something more warming, order the Maeun Tang (RM35). The spicy freshwater fish stew is flavoured with edible chrystanthemum, which adds a distinctively sweet, floral fragrance to the savoury soup.
Avg price per person: RM40
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh

Dak galbi or stir-fried chicken is a staple in Korean cuisine, and Omaya takes it up a notch with their elaborate rendition. The weekends guarantee a long wait here, so indulge early in the week to wind down with a few friends — even better if it's a rainy night. Go for the controversially named Lee Kwang-Soo Cheese Dak Galbi (from RM68). We can't be sure if it's named after the Korean celebrity's fame or his love for cheese dak galbi, but we can be sure of our own undying love for the 10oz Pork Chop Cheese Dak Galbi (RM82)! Regular stir-fried chicken is accompanied by a glorious 280g pork chop, grilled and sliced before it's thrown in to complete the dish. Also good is the Shimson Stew (RM84 for two to three pax), a combination of army stew, fried rice and spicy stir-fried chicken and toppoki with cheese, which Tastemaker Melanie Yu promises is 'worth the calories'!
Avg price per person: RM35
Photo by Burppler Foodie Moo