The D.C. area has a wealth of fantastic Korean restaurants, ranging from barbecue spots to galbi, bulgogi, fried chicken, and more. Yes, you might have to go to nearby Annandale for some of these, but you will not regret it for a second. Here is the ultimate guide to finding authentic Korean food around D.C.
Mandu, K Street Northwest | Courtesy of Mandu
Courtesy of Mandu | Courtesy of Mandu
Meal service:
Late Night, Dinner, Lunch, BrunchAtmosphere:
Modern
KoChix Chicken, Washington | Courtesy of KoChix
Courtesy of KoChix | Courtesy of KoChix
Meal service:
Takeaway, All DayAtmosphere:
Casual
Zannchi, Washington | Courtesy of Zannchi
Courtesy of Zannchi | Courtesy of Zannchi
Meal service:
Lunch, DinnerAtmosphere:
Casual
Honey Pig BBQ, Annandale | Courtesy of Honey Pig
Courtesy of Honey Pig | Courtesy of Honey Pig
Meal service:
All DayAtmosphere:
Casual
Bul, Washington | Courtesy of Bul
Courtesy of Bul | Courtesy of Bul
Meal service:
DinnerAtmosphere:
Casual, Arty
Kogiya Korean BBQ, Annandale | Courtesy of Kogiya
Courtesy of Kogiya | Courtesy of Kogiya
Meal service:
All DayAtmosphere:
Casual
Bonchon Navy Yard, Washington | Courtesy of BonChon
Courtesy of BonChon | Courtesy of BonChon
Meal service:
All DayAtmosphere:
Casual
Yechon Korean Restaurant, Annandale | Courtesy of Yechon
Courtesy of Yechon | Courtesy of Yechon
Meal service:
All DayAtmosphere:
Modern, Relaxed
Soondubu | © Ron Dollete / Flickr
Soondubu | © Ron Dollete / Flickr | © Ron Dollete / Flickr
Meal service:
All DayAtmosphere:
Casual
Gom Ba Woo, Annandale | Courtesy of Gom Ba Woo
Courtesy of Gom Ba Woo | Courtesy of Gom Ba Woo
Meal service:
All DayAtmosphere:
CasualWith two locations in D.C., Mandu is one of the best bets for Korean food in the city. Their pan fried mandu are addictive, and the entrée highlights include a fantastic dolsot bibimbap (a hot stone bowl filled with beef, rice, and vegetables) and the kimchi jigae (a spicy kimchi soup with pork and tofu). Their late-night happy hour at the K Street location offers a number of tasty Korean snacks, including the mandu.
Courtesy of Mandu | Courtesy of Mandu
Address & Phone
+1 202 289 6899
Opening Hours
Budget
$$The addictive Korean-style wings at Bloomingdale’s KoChix are double fried for the perfect crispiness and available in soy garlic, honey spicy, or hot honey spicy flavors. They also offer a delicious bibimbap and bulgogi bap that you’ll want to try.
Courtesy of KoChix | Courtesy of KoChix
Address & Phone
+1 202 232 3468
Opening Hours
Budget
$One of the newer Korean spots in the city, Zannchi is a casual dining concept in Georgetown that is bringing fresh Korean cuisine. They have small plates, hot stone rice bowls, and rolls in a simple menu that offers a number of flavorful vegetarian options as well as heartier dishes such as bulgogi BBQ bibimbap.
Courtesy of Zannchi | Courtesy of Zannchi
Address & Phone
+1 202 621 9162
Opening Hours
Budget
$$Generally considered the mecca of Korean barbecue around the area, Honey Pig has a cult-like following. The restaurant is incredibly popular for its meats grilled tableside. Marinated bulgogi and galbi are classics, and their crispy seafood pancake is one of the best. They are open 24 hours; therefore, you can get your Korean food fix anytime!
Courtesy of Honey Pig | Courtesy of Honey Pig
Address & Phone
+1 703 256 5229
Opening Hours
Budget
$$The modern and hip Bul is a “pojangmacha,” modeled off bustling pop-up street food carts in Korea. They have a variety of small street food dishes, incredible soup bowls, and rice and noodle recipes, all of which go perfectly with an evening of soju drinking.
Courtesy of Bul | Courtesy of Bul
Address & Phone
+1 202 733 3921
Opening Hours
Budget
$$Like Honey Pig, Kogiya is a popular choice for Korean barbecue in Annandale. Their all-you-can-eat set menus offer a combination of meats and also includes soup, rice, and an array of banchan (a selection of tiny appetizers). It’s a great spot for a group to feast together.
Courtesy of Kogiya | Courtesy of Kogiya
Address & Phone
+1 703 942 6995
Opening Hours
Budget
$$Spicy Korean fried chicken is the specialty at Bonchon, a Korean chain known for their double fried wings. Get an order of the soy garlic or the hot and spicy wings, and enjoy the crunchy outside and flavorful, juicy meat. They have a few appetizers and entrées as well, but the chicken is the order of the day.
Courtesy of BonChon | Courtesy of BonChon
Address & Phone
+1 202 488 4000
Opening Hours
Budget
$$It’s easy to see why Yechon is always full. Not only is it open 24 hours, but the upscale ambiance and beautifully presented high-quality barbecued meat also make it a huge draw. The side dishes offer a good spread, and the value for money factor is very high here. Their seafood pancakes are some of the best around.
Courtesy of Yechon | Courtesy of Yechon
Address & Phone
+1 703 914 4646
Opening Hours
Budget
$$Lighthouse Tofu is an unassuming little spot that specializes in “soondubu”—soft tofu soups that come boiling hot and in various spiciness levels. Customize your soup with seafood, meat, or vegetarian choices, and enjoy the banchan while waiting for the comforting bowl to arrive.
Soondubu | © Ron Dollete / Flickr | © Ron Dollete / Flickr
Address & Phone
+1 703 333 3436
Opening Hours
Budget
$$Gom Ba Woo is a small and cozy Korean eatery that has some of the best dumplings in town and one of the best seafood pancakes. Start with those and then get one of their delicious and comforting stews.
Courtesy of Gom Ba Woo | Courtesy of Gom Ba Woo
Address & Phone
+1 703 642 1577