The 10 Best Restaurants for Authentic Korean BBQ in Sydney
Thanks to my love for K-drama and Korean entertainment, I’ve developed an obsession with Korean BBQ. It has taken me to a point where, somehow, everything leads back to it.
Payday? Korean BBQ. Midnight cravings? I know a place that stays open till 2 am. Even a casual hangout with friends sounds like a Korean BBQ night to me. That’s why I’d like to think of myself as a Korean BBQ expert.
Hopping from buffets to the fancy ones, I know my way around Korean BBQ restaurants in Sydney. So, trust me when I say these are some of the best ones out there.
1. 789 Korean BBQ
– Media credit: 789koreanbbq
Address: Darling Square, Shop 4/35 Tumbalong Bvd, Haymarket
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday 12:00 pm – 9:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday 12:00 pm – 10:30 pm
My friends and I fell in love with the marbling of the meat at 789 Korean BBQ. It was a juicy and melt-in-your-mouth kind of meat. I also love that it’s not too fatty since the lean and fatty parts are perfectly balanced.
The side dishes didn’t fall behind too. Not only were they delicious, but the staff also regularly refilled our plates.
And don’t forget the soju or the makgeolli — or maybe get both. They’re pretty much a staple for a Korean BBQ night.
The place is lively, and the vibe hits nicely, especially if you come here for a quick get-together. My friends and I had a good time catching up since everybody was minding their own business.
| Pro tip: The restaurant has pretty generous complimentary items. If you order a minimum of $150, they’ll give you a free marinated chicken. And if you order any two BBQ meats on weekdays before 12 pm and 2:30 pm, you get a free soup or cold noodle. |
2. Bornga Korean BBQ Restaurant
– Media credit: bornga_aus
Address: Level 1/78 Harbour St, Haymarket
Phone: +61417054555
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday 4:00 pm – 10:30 pm
- Friday 11:30 am – 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm – 11:00 pm
- Saturday 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
- Sunday 11:30 am – 10:30 pm
Anyone who’s a fan of Korean entertainment knows who Chef Baek Jungwon is — or at least they know him by his face. He’s one of the people who globalized Korean cuisine and the one who started the Bornga restaurant, which has now branched out worldwide.
I usually come here if I want a quieter meal with a little bit of class.
For me, the thinly sliced beef or the woosamgyeop are the stars of the show here. They’re very tender and go well with a lettuce wrap and some side dishes.
They use charcoal grills here, so the meat has that lovely, smoky flavor that you don’t usually get from regular Korean restaurants.
They offer the meals here in sets. And along with the meats, you get generous servings of banchan (side dishes), soup, and stews.
The side dishes are also unlimited, so I really enjoyed going back and forth to the self-serve banchan bar.
| Pro tip: If you book a BBQ service between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm (Monday to Friday only), you’ll receive a free item of your choice. |
3. Shinara Korean BBQ Buffet
– Media credit: shinarabbqbuffet
Address: 338 Pitt St, Sydney
Phone: +61292629218
Operating hours:
- Monday 12:00 am – 10:30 pm
- Tuesday to Saturday 3:00 pm – 2:00 am
- Sunday 3:00 pm – 12:00 am
A buffet-style Korean BBQ is a classic hit for many. Shinara is a great option if you prefer quantity over refined plating. This is also where I usually go if I want something affordable.
You get 90 minutes to grill as much as you like from a wide variety of meats, seafood, and side dishes. There are also soups, a la carte dishes, and some vegetarian-friendly dishes.
It gets chaotic sometimes, but honestly, it’s something to be expected since it attracts a lively crowd of groups. It’s also a favorite among students, since there’s a happy-hour discount specifically for them from Sunday to Thursday.
| Pro tip: Every Tuesday to Saturday, the restaurant runs a midnight deal from 10:30 pm to 2:00 am, where the buffet only costs around $39 per person. |
4. Dae Jang Kum
– Media credit: daejangkum
Address: 35 Goulburn St, Haymarket
Phone: +61292110890
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
When I’m craving home-style Korean BBQ, I usually go to Dae Jang Kum. I love that it has homey vibes and that the experience feels like being in Korea as well.
When I come here, I usually go for the marinated beef ribs or the spicy pork. The tenderness of the meat and the flavor just hits the spot and is best paired with some crispy kimchi pancake or a pot of galbitang (short rib soup.
I find their food reasonably priced, and they’re generous with the portions as well.
The staff can also grill the meat at your table if you want, which is helpful if you’re not that confident with your grilling skills.
| Pro tip: If you prefer a quieter meal, ask the staff for a seat on the ground floor. If you want to enjoy your meal while listening to K-pop music, choose the second floor. |
5. Seoul Ria Restaurant
– Media credit: seoulria/
Address: Level 2/605-609 George St
Phone: +61292690222
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday 11:30 am – 10:30 pm
- Friday to Saturday 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
- Sunday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Unlike the typical buffet-style K-BBQ in Sydney, Seoul Ria offers various set menus designed for sharing among groups. The portions here are generous, and you’ll really get high-quality dishes.
My friends and I usually come here if we want both Korean BBQ and hot pot. It’s the perfect balance to the flavors of the grilled, fatty meats.
Our go-tos here are the pork belly and the marinated bulgogi platter. They’re juicy, well-seasoned, and every bite is a delight.
From meat to side dishes and vegetarian options, you’ve got plenty to choose from.
| Pro tip: If you leave a Google review on their page during your visit, they’ll give you a free soda. |
6. Butchers Buffet
– Media credit: butchersbuffet
Address: Floor G, Regal Apartments, shop 8/363 Sussex St, Haymarket
Phone: +61282086104
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Butchers Buffet is one of Sydney’s biggest all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurants. They have seating for 200+ people and multiple barbecue stations.
The selection of protein alone will surely impress you. There’s Wagyu and Angus beef, pork, and a lot more. Plus, there’s a bunch of cooked items and a full salad/side dish bar.
The Wagyu chuck roll is a must-try. It’s marbled perfectly and tastes fresh. The fact that the meat comes fresh daily from the market adds to the overall quality and taste.
My favorite is undoubtedly the dessert station. They have a bunch of cheesecakes and sweet breads, and a freezer full of Korean ice cream and popsicles.
| Pro tip: If you can, try to visit on weekdays during lunch, as the per-person charge is lower. Weekends and dinner service are usually more expensive. |
7. KOGI Korean BBQ
– Media credit: kogikoreanbbq
Address: Floor 3, 1909 Dining Precinct, Level 3 Market City, Shop R1.05/13 Hay St, Haymarket
Phone: +61409713423
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Wednesday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
- Thursday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm – 11:00 pm
- Sunday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm
KOGI is one of the pioneers that brought Korean BBQ to Australia in 1992. They serve a la carte style, offering premium cuts of beef and pork.
I love the pork belly and Wagyu beef here—both of which have amazing flavor and texture. The meats are grilled over authentic Japanese Binchotan charcoal, which really brings out a richer flavour.
Pairing the meat with a glass of ice-cold tap beer is the chef’s kiss. It helps cut through the fatty layers, so you won’t get flavor fatigue from the dishes.
The side dishes are fresh and well-prepared, especially the house-made kimchi that’s addictive to munch on.
| Pro tip: During lunch hours from Wednesday to Sunday, you can get 15% off your bill if you pay in cash. |
8. Suliya Gogiya
– Media credit: suliya_gogiya_lidcombe
Address: 40 Railway St, Lidcombe
Phone: +61297495474
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
Suliya Gogiya is a hybrid of Korean BBQ and Pocha (Korean-style bar). It’s one of my favorite nightlife spots because it’s lively and trendy.
My favorite time to come here is during themed nights when Korean pop culture or popular K-dramas like Itaewon Class inspire the vibes.
I tried their signature dish, gopchang (small intestines), on my last visit for the first time. The taste was surprising—in a good way. It had the perfect crispy-and-chewy texture that goes so well with the drinks.
It didn’t have any weird smell, and its taste showed it was well cleaned.
The Korean BBQ is served a la carte, and you get generous portions.
| Pro tip: If you come between 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm, you’ll get a 20% discount on all food and drink items. |
9. Chefs Buffet
– Media credit: chefsbuffetkoreanbbq
Address: Shop LG02A Broadway Sydney, 1 Bay St, Glebe
Phone: +61493105441
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
The vibe here is casual, lively, and group-friendly. It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet-style Korean BBQ, so there’s a bunch of choices from meat to banchan and hot dishes.
The place can be chaotic, but they always keep it clean and well-organized, so it’s really easy to enjoy your meal.
For a buffet setting, their meats are surprisingly high-quality. I mean, they have their own butcher shop, so it’s not surprising that the meat is fresh.
The pork belly was my absolute favorite. It was tender and juicy, and it tasted so good with the Thai sauce. Not to mention the side dishes are also fresh and well-prepared.
| Pro tip: Don’t forget to save some room for dessert. Chefs Buffet’s dessert bar is pretty popular among diners, and the Korean ice cream is a must-try. |
10. Chowon BBQ & Omakase
– Media credit:chowonbbq
Address: Shop 7/6 Central Park Ave, Chippendale
Phone: +61413814806
Operating hours: Monday to Friday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
On rare occasions when I like to splurge a little, Chowon is my go-to. It’s a little more expensive than the typical Korean BBQ spot in Sydney. That’s mainly because the experience is more curated, and they use premium Wagyu beef.
As part of the Omakase experience, there’s an exclusive dining experience where the chef will take you through different courses of Wagyu beef. It features the finest cuts and artful presentation — it’s really fancy.
Even if you just opt for the regular BBQ and skip the omakase course, it still feels elevated. Even the sides look and taste premium.
| Pro tip: Always book in advance. Walk-ins are rarely accommodated since the seating is very limited. |