William SmithI’ve always been drawn to exploring the diverse culinary offerings of my hometown, Auckland. However, it was my serendipitous discovery of Korean cuisine that truly ignited my passion for food adventures.
I remember my love affair with Korean food; it began with a single bite of perfectly seasoned bulgogi, and since then, I’ve been hooked.
As I explored the city’s dining scene, I stumbled upon a treasure trove of Korean restaurants that have since become my go-to spots for satisfying my cravings.
In this guide, I’m excited to share my personal culinary discoveries – the top 9 Korean restaurants in Auckland that have left a lasting impression on me.
Each of these eateries holds a special place in my heart, offering not just delicious food but also a glimpse into Korean culture and hospitality.
1. Aigo Noodle Bar
| Website | http://www.aigo.co.nz/ |
| Address | 168 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland 1011, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 27 352 5573 |
| Operating hours | Tuesday to Wednesday: 5 – 10:30 pm Thursday: 12 – 10:30 pm Friday: 12 – 11 pm Saturday: 11:30 – 11 pm Sunday: 11:30 – 10:30 pm |
| Must order menu items | Bibim Naengmyeon Stir Fried Hand Pulled Noodle Tteok Mandu Guk |
| Price range | $ – $$ cheap – average |
If you’re a die-hard Korean cuisine fan, Aigo Noodle Bar is definitely worth a visit! One thing you absolutely can’t miss is their star dish, the Tteok Mandu Guk.
It’s succulent pork dumplings mingling with flavorful bulgogi wagyu mince, all swirling around in a fragrant broth with oyster mushrooms and delicate vermicelli. It’s like a party in a bowl!
And here’s the thing about Aigo Noodle Bar: they know how to set the mood right. The ambiance is cozy yet lively, perfect for catching up with friends or enjoying a date night with your special someone.
Plus, they’ve got a killer selection of natural wines and house-made cocktails to pair with your meal.
2. Gochu
| Website | https://gochugotyou.co.nz/ |
| Address | commercial Bay Level 2/1 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 210 905 2396 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Sunday: 12 – 2:30 pm, 5 – 10 pm |
| Must order menu items | Fried Chicken Slider Tuna Crudo Gochu Salad |
| Price range | $ – $$ cheap – average |
Gochu is a modern bar and eatery rolled into one! If it’s your first time, you must try their Tuna Crudo.
It’s a refreshing dish featuring thinly sliced raw tuna dancing with chojang sauce and pickled nashi.
They have Gochu Salad on the menu, too. Trust me when I say this salad is not your average greens and dressing affair.
Nope, this one’s a mix of crisp cos lettuce, Asian pear, and apple, all coated in a shallot dressing that’ll have you licking the plate clean.
What’s even cooler is that they’ve got options for every occasion!
Gotchu has this express lunch option for when you’re in a hurry but still want something delicious. And if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you can go for their ‘Leave it to the Chef’ menu, where they’ll curate a dining experience just for you.
3. KS Chicken
| Website | https://www.kschicken.co.nz/ |
| Address | 33F Triton Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 476 1952 |
| Operating hours | Monday to Thursday: 10:30 – 8 pm Friday: 10:30 – 8:30 pm Saturday: 11 – 8:30 pm |
| Must order menu items | Garlic Soy Chicken Honey Butter Chicken Sweet Chilly Chicken |
| Price range | $$ – average |
For Korean fried chicken cravings, I can’t recommend KS Chicken enough. Once you’ve had a taste of their Sweet Chilly Chicken, you’ll understand why it’s got such a solid reputation.
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. It’s a perfect harmony of sweetness and spiciness that hits all the right notes.
And to complement this dish, you can have every dish from kimchi to rice — it’s like a match made in foodie heaven!
4. Meet Balls
| Website | https://meetballs.co.nz/ |
| Address | 41 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 20 442 2557 |
| Operating hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 11 – 8 pm |
| Must order menu items | Ball on Kimchi Fried Rice Ball Burger Ball on Salad |
| Price range | $$ – average |
Meet Balls is one of the go-tos if you’re on the lookout for some Korean eats! The name alone piques your curiosity, right?
Their Ball on Kimchi Fried Rice is one of the reasons why people keep coming back here. You’ve got your choice of protein ball — it could be beef, chicken, or tofu.
Pair that with a generous serving of rice fried with tangy kimchi and delicate seaweed and drizzled with their secret homemade sauce.
5. My Fried Chicken
| Website | http://www.myfriedchicken.co.nz/ |
| Address | Ponsonby Central 4 Brown Street, Ponsonby, Auckland 1011, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 218 6840 |
| Operating hours | Sunday to Thursday: 11 – 9 pm Friday to Saturday: 11 – 11 pm |
| Must order menu items | Fried Chicken Vegan Chicken |
| Price range | $ – $$ cheap – average |
Another great contender for Korean fried chicken is My Fried Chicken in Ponsonby. They have this free-range chicken, perfectly fried to golden perfection.
They top it off with a delightful slaw, tangy kimchi, creamy mayo, and a drizzle of sesame dressing.
Here’s the fun part: you get to customize it with your choice of flavor.
If you’re feeling bold, go for the “extreme spicy” and let those taste buds dance with fire. Or maybe you’re in the mood for something more classic; “original” is always a safe bet.
6. No.1 Pancake Albany
| Website | https://no1pancake.co.nz/ |
| Address | Unit 6/18 Airborne Road, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 22 534 1396 |
| Operating hours | Tuesday to Saturday: 10:30 – 5:30 pm |
| Must order menu items | Chicken Cheese Beef Cheese Red Bean |
| Price range | $ – cheap |
If it’s a quick, tasty bite you’re after, go to No. 1 Pancake in Albany. This place is known for its delicious pancake-shaped Korean street food!
Their Chicken Cheese is what’s claimed to be the crowd’s favorite. Imagine this: tender chicken tenderloin, crunchy shreds of cabbage, and carrots, all nestled together in a pancake.
They’ve also gone ahead and added a generous helping of melted cheese. And to top it all off, they’ve got their own secret marinade, which is the stuff dreams are made of.
7. Ockhee
| Website | http://ockheedokey.com/ |
| Address | 171 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland 1011, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 217 2020 |
| Operating hours | Sunday to Monday: 5 – 9 pm Tuesday to Wednesday: 5 – 10 pm Thursday to Saturday: 12 – 3 pm, 5 – 10 pm |
| Must order menu items | Bulgogi Dubbap Pork Bibimbap Jang Kal Guksu (Korean Noodle Soup) |
| Price range | $$ – average |
This is such an underrated Korean spot in Ponsonby. They literally bring the soul of Seoul using their authentic Korean cuisine here in our city!
If I were to recommend one dish, it would be their Bulgogi Dubbap. It’s traditional Korean-style marinated premium beef, paired perfectly with pickled radish and a drizzle of sesame oil.
But that’s not all! Have you ever tried Pork Bibimbap? It’s on their menu, too.
If you’re not familiar with bibimbap, let me enlighten you. It’s all about mixing various ingredients with rice, and Ockhee’s version is next level.
Fresh, seasonal vegetables are delicately mixed with rice, creating a colorful canvas of flavors. You also get to choose your own adventure with the sauce.
Are you feeling bold with gochujang sauce or craving something milder with soybean sauce? The choice is yours.
And don’t forget to top it all off with a perfectly fried egg, because, well, everything’s better with an egg on top, right?
8. Pocha
| Website | https://pocha.co.nz/ |
| Address | 50 Kitchener Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 9 309 2342 |
| Operating hours | Tuesday to Thursday: 11:30 – 3 pm, 5 pm – 12 am Friday: 11:30 – 3 pm, 5 – 2 am Saturday: 5 – 2 am |
| Must order menu items | Cheesy Spicy Chicken Pocha Bibimbab Braised Kimchi |
| Price range | $$ – average |
The atmosphere here at Pocha is lively — perfect for chilling out with friends and sharing stories over delicious food and drinks.
One dish that has everyone raving is the Braised Kimchi, which features a tender pork belly swimming in a rich, house-made kimchi broth. It’s the perfect blend of savory and spicy, and it’s meant for sharing (if you can bear to part with it!).
And if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous (or just craving something extra indulgent), you have to try their Cheese Spicy Chicken.
It’s juicy chicken stir-fried with veggies and rice cakes, all smothered in a spicy sauce, then topped with a generous layer of melted cheese. It’s like a party in your mouth – spicy, cheesy, and utterly addictive!
9. The Kimchi Project
| Website | https://thekimchiproject.nz/ |
| Address | 20 Lorne Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand |
| Phone | 64 21 222 7172 |
| Operating hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 – 2:30 pm, 5 – 8:30 pm |
| Must order menu items | Korean Bulgogi Ciabatta Pan-Seared Kimchi Tofu Kimchi Fried Rice |
| Price range | $$ – average |
I feel like The Kimchi Project is the ultimate spot if you’re a kimchi-lover. The Pan-Seared Kimchi is an absolute crowd-pleaser.
Even describing it makes my mouth water: crispy deep-fried tofu, tangy kimchi, a hint of garlic, and a colorful mix of veggies like courgette and carrot, all topped off with spring onions and a dollop of horseradish cream.
It also has flying fish roe, which adds that extra pop of flavor!
