Korean cuisine is increasingly popular and winning the hearts of Vietnamese diners. From traditional dishes such as kimchi, bulgogi, to modern dining forms such as Korean buffets, Korean hot pot buffets, all bring unique, unforgettable flavor experiences. If you are looking for a trendy Korean restaurant to gather with friends or simply change the atmosphere for a weekend meal, this article will help you discover the best dishes and places not to be missed.
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Reasons Why Korean Restaurants Are So Popular
Korean cuisine is not just a temporary trend, but has gradually become a familiar part of Vietnamese culinary habits. Walking around big cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang, it is not difficult to come across a Korean restaurant with a modern space, the aroma of grilled meat spreading and tables full of delicious dishes. So what makes such a strong attraction? Let’s find out the 3 main reasons why young people, office workers and even Vietnamese families love Korean cuisine.
Rich flavor, close to Vietnamese taste
Korean cuisine stands out with its balance and harmony in flavor. From grilled dishes, hot pot, cold noodles to street foods like tokbokki or gimbap, all have their own unique characteristics but are easy to eat and addictive to Vietnamese people.
Many dishes have the spicy taste of Korean chili, the sour taste of kimchi, combined with the sweet and fatty taste of the sauce, creating an explosion of taste in every bite. In addition, the use of many vegetables, meat and natural spices makes Korean dishes not only delicious but also good for health, in line with the current healthy eating trend.
In particular, dishes such as grilled beef belly, kimchi hotpot, or cold noodles have become familiar and loved by many Vietnamese people thanks to their easy-to-approach flavors and new, interesting feelings.
Attractive and intimate dining style
A big plus point of delicious Korean restaurants is the extremely sophisticated service and decoration style. The restaurant space is often designed to be modern and clean but still retains traditional features with wooden tables and chairs, Korean-style hanging lamps, bringing a cozy feeling.
In addition, Korean dining culture often encourages sharing dishes, creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Each meal is often accompanied by many small side dishes such as kimchi, pickled cabbage, mixed bean sprouts… making diners feel diverse and rich without getting bored.
It is this element of eating together – this feeling of intimacy that makes Korean restaurants the top choice for friends’ gatherings, couples’ dates or even family meals on weekends.
Flexible, convenient and economical buffet style
Not only serving dishes, many Korean restaurants today have developed according to the Korean buffet or Korean hot pot buffet model, bringing a flexible and comfortable dining experience to diners.
The buffet style allows customers to freely choose their dishes, from appetizers such as seaweed soup, salad to main dishes such as grilled meat, spicy noodles, kimchi hot pot, and even desserts such as ice cream, fresh fruit.
In particular, Korean hot pot buffets are loved for their rich hot pot broth, rich toppings such as seafood, beef, tokbokki, fresh mushrooms… All ingredients are prepared in advance, clean, ensuring hygiene and quality.
In addition to its convenience, buffet is also considered a more economical form of dining when going in groups or families. With just a fixed price, you can experience dozens of attractive Korean dishes without worrying about additional costs.
Must-Try Korean Dishes
When you step into any Korean restaurant, you will be overwhelmed by the rich menu and the appeal of each dish. Not only delicious, Korean dishes also have a strong cultural imprint, reflecting the sophisticated lifestyle and community connection of Korean people. Below are the “national” dishes that you cannot miss when exploring Korean cuisine, whether at cheap Korean restaurants or high-end Korean buffets.
Kimchi – The soul of Korean cuisine
No need to introduce much, kimchi is a symbolic dish, present in most Korean meals. Made from cabbage, radish, green onions fermented with chili powder and many spices, kimchi brings a very characteristic spicy, slightly sour flavor.
Although it is just a side dish, kimchi plays an extremely important role in balancing the taste, stimulating digestion and enhancing the flavor of the main dish. At Korean buffets, unlimited kimchi is always served, helping you enjoy grilled dishes or hot pot more fully.
Bulgogi – Sweet Marinated Grilled Beef
Bulgogi is one of the “key” grilled dishes that anyone who comes to a Korean restaurant should try. The beef is thinly sliced, marinated with soy sauce, garlic, onion, sesame oil and sugar to create a rich, sweet taste. When grilled, the aroma spreads, making it hard for anyone to resist.
Bulgogi is often served with raw vegetables, grilled garlic slices, kimchi and dipped in ssamjang sauce – a typical Korean fermented sauce. This combination brings a delicious and healthy dining experience, true to the Korean spirit of “delicious taste goes hand in hand with nutrition”.
Bibimbap – Colorful Mixed Rice
Bibimbap or Korean mixed rice is a delicious and eye-catching dish. A typical bowl of bibimbap will have hot white rice, soft-boiled eggs, stir-fried vegetables, beef or chicken, and especially gochujang chili sauce – the soul that creates the flavor of this dish.
All ingredients are mixed well with rice, creating a nutritious dish with groups of substances such as protein, fiber, starch and vitamins. At many delicious Korean restaurants, bibimbap is served in a hot stone bowl (dolsot), which helps the dish retain heat for a long time, the rice is crispy at the bottom and the flavor is even more attractive.
Kimchi hotpot – A hotpot dish with rich flavors
This is an indispensable hotpot dish in the Korean hotpot buffet menu. With broth from fermented kimchi, stewed with bones and typical spices such as Korean chili powder, soy sauce, garlic, kimchi hotpot brings a rich, sour and spicy taste, extremely delicious.
The appeal of this hotpot dish lies in the variety of toppings: from pork belly, sausage, tofu, enoki mushrooms to Korean noodles or udon noodles. At Korean buffets, you can choose your favorite ingredients and enjoy a hot pot with friends or relatives in a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
Korean Fried Chicken – An Irresistible Snack
If you are looking for a dish that is both fun and suitable for the whole group of friends, Korean fried chicken is the number one choice. Unlike American fried chicken, Korean fried chicken has a crispy skin, covered with spicy sauce, honey sauce or rich garlic sauce, permeating every piece.
This dish is often served with Korean pickles, creating a perfect balance of flavors. Many Korean restaurants also serve fried chicken as a set, with french fries, salad, Korean beer or soft drinks – suitable for fun gatherings. This is also a “national” dish at delicious Korean restaurants for young people.
Trendy Korean Restaurants in Vietnam
Da Nang is not only famous for its beautiful beaches and unique Central cuisine, but also a “paradise” for those who love Korean cuisine. More and more Korean restaurants with modern style, diverse menus and authentic Korean flavors are appearing here, bringing many choices for diners. If you are looking for a delicious Korean restaurant or want to experience a quality Korean buffet or Korean hot pot buffet, here are some outstanding names that cannot be missed:
Koko House – No. 1 Korean BBQ restaurant in Da Nang
Koko House is known as the “Korean BBQ paradise” in Da Nang. With a menu focusing on authentic grilled dishes such as American beef belly, ribs, and spicy pork shoulder, this place always satisfies even the most demanding diners.
A big plus of Koko House is its luxurious, spacious but still cozy space, suitable for both family meals and romantic dates. The dishes are beautifully presented, the ingredients are fresh and marinated according to a unique Korean recipe. In particular, the restaurant always maintains reasonable prices, with many economical combos, very popular with young people and office workers.
Address: 268 Vo Nguyen Giap, Bac My Phu, Ngu Hanh Son, Da Nang
Hotline: 0941141944
Gogi House – Famous Korean buffet chain
No stranger to grilled meat lovers, Gogi House is a famous Korean buffet chain in Vietnam, of which the branch in Da Nang is also extremely popular. The restaurant offers a modern table-top grilling experience, with a rich menu: American beef brisket, fresh ribs, spicy chicken, grilled seafood…
In addition, Gogi also serves many traditional Korean dishes such as kimchi, seaweed soup, bibimbap mixed rice, cold noodles… The space at Gogi House is designed to be youthful and dynamic, very suitable for gatherings with friends or company parties.
Professional, dedicated service style and quality ingredients are the reasons why Gogi House is always in the top of the most favorite Korean restaurants in Da Nang.
Address: No. 2 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Chinh Gian, Thanh Khe, Da Nang
Hotline: 02367300279
3 Big Restaurant – Korean Grill & Hotpot
If you are looking for a Korean hotpot buffet address combined with grilled meat, then 3 Big Restaurant – Korean Grill & Hotpot is definitely an option not to be missed. With a modern, polite space and a diverse menu, 3 Big Restaurant – Korean Grill & Hotpot offers a “2 in 1” experience: enjoying grilled meat while sipping a hot, rich pot of hotpot.
The hotpot broth here is highly appreciated for its characteristic flavor, from refreshing like seaweed hotpot, to spicy like kimchi hotpot. The accompanying ingredients are also diverse: mushrooms, tofu, Korean noodles, American beef, seafood… suitable for cold days or large gatherings.
King BBQ is always rated as a delicious Korean restaurant, serving buffet at a reasonable price, suitable for students, office workers and families.
Address: 134 Phan Chau Trinh, Phuoc Ninh, Hai Chau, Da Nang
Hotline: 02363569000
Things to Keep in Mind Before Enjoying Korean Cuisine
Korean cuisine is not only attractive because of its rich flavors and diverse dishes, but also because of the interesting cultural experience when dining. However, to make your meal more complete – especially when enjoying it for the first time at a delicious Korean restaurant or experiencing a Korean buffet, you should note a few points below:
Do not order too many dishes at once
A characteristic of Korean cuisine is that the portions are often quite full, especially with grilled meat, hot pot or mixed rice. Therefore, you should order dishes in batches, enjoy them slowly to clearly feel the deliciousness of each dish without overloading your taste buds or leaving leftovers that cause waste. This will not only help you fill your stomach but also your “eyes” and “mouth”.
Do not ignore the free side dishes
One of the things that makes diners excited when coming to a Korean restaurant is the variety of side dishes – called banchan. Dishes such as kimchi, pickled radish, seaweed salad, mixed bean sprouts, honey potatoes… are often served for free and can be ordered again if you finish them.
Side dishes not only help balance the taste buds, reduce the feeling of fullness when eating grilled meat but also bring a traditional Korean cultural experience. Try each type to discover the unique flavors of the kimchi land.
Choose a buffet when going in a large group
If you go with a group of friends, family or colleagues, choosing a Korean buffet or Korean hot pot buffet is an extremely reasonable solution. With a fixed price, you can enjoy unlimited grilled meat, seafood, vegetables and hot pot dishes – both saving costs and ensuring that everyone has a favorite dish.
Moreover, the buffet form is also suitable for a vibrant atmosphere, helping everyone to eat and chat, creating memorable memories.
Book a table in advance during peak hours
Due to the increasing popularity of Korean cuisine, many Korean restaurants in Vietnam are often fully booked, especially in the evenings, weekends or holidays. To avoid having to wait a long time or losing your seat, you should book a table in advance – especially if you are going with a large group or need a private table or room.
Booking a table in advance also helps the restaurant prepare better, ensure service quality and help you have a more complete dining experience.
Conclusion
Korean cuisine is increasingly gaining the affection of Vietnamese people thanks to its rich flavor, attractive appearance and cozy dining atmosphere. Whether you are a fan of grilled dishes, fascinated by Korean hot pot buffets, or simply want to find a delicious Korean restaurant to change the taste, the choices in Vietnam are currently extremely rich. Hopefully this article will help you find the right Korean restaurant and have the best culinary experiences.
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Contact information
Address: 268 Vo Nguyen Giap, My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang
Phone: 094 114 19 44
Email: kokohousedanang@gmail.com
Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/kokohousenhahangthitnuong
Website: https://kokohouse.vn/
