Seoul Food – Nagoya’s Best Korean Restaurants

Jul 31, 2020

Seoul Food – Nagoya’s Best Korean Restaurants

There is no doubt that Japan has some of the world’s best cuisine, but I have to say, the first time I visited Korea, I thought to myself that perhaps in moving here, I had made something of a mistake. From bibimbap to samgyeopsal, from chijimi to kimchi, Korea has some of the tastiest dishes going.

Right here in Nagoya, there are quite a few Korean restaurants, and below are my picks from the bunch.

Seoul Table 2

While Seoul Table in the Yanagibashi area is the original and perhaps more convenient for access, with its Korean street food vendor decor, I feel that the second incarnation gives a more authentic experience.

Their specialties include the popular cheese dakgalbi, with lashings of melted cheese poured over sumptuous chicken and soft sweet potato, and samgyeopsal, featuring thick slices of Andean plateau pork, 200 grams worth, prepared on a sizzling skillet at your table. Can’t decide? Then take advantage of their all-you-can-eat and drink menu.

Where: Nakamura Ward, Meiekiminami, 1 Chome−5−22 Kanamori Building 1F (map)
Website: hitosara.com

Punmikan

Punmikan also has two locations, and it also has a more convenient store near Nagoya Station; however, the spot near Kanayama is where I have seen the most actual Korean diners, and for me, that speaks volumes.

With its jazzy interior and K-Pop blaring out from the TV screens, Punmikan is a lively restaurant that is ideal for parties or even casual dating. I usually go for the beef bulgogi (which literary means fire meat) and the pork bone and potato hotpot, which has umami flavors for days. And is it authentic? Well, one lunchtime (a great time to visit as the lunch deals are very reasonable) the spice was so heavy in the air that I couldn’t stop crying. Couldn’t tear myself away from my chijimi either, though!

Where: 1 Chome-16-3 Kanayamacho, Atsuta Ward (map)
Website: hotpepper.jp

Chego Chicken

Chego Chicken claims to be the pioneer of authentic Korean izakaya restaurants, and whether that is true or not, it is still a great place to enjoy top-notch Korean dishes, and lovers of chicken and cheese will go mad for the Cheese Chego Chicken. With a selection of four from their 25 types of chicken, this comes with two cheeses in a oozing melting pot, so just dip and go.

If you want to feel like you are an on a real Korean dining experience – the pumping k-pop music aside – the new Mukpan set is a must. With crispy chicken, sotok, honey button fries and chicken cheese balls, you’ll feel like you are wandering the streets of Seoul, enjoying the great street food for which Korea is so famous.

Where: 〒450-0002 Aichi, Nagoya, Nakamura Ward, Meieki, 3 Chome−12−15 OM Garden 4F (map)
Website: chego-chicken.com

Korean Riyori Hana

Regular JIS readers should know of Korean Riyori Hana, as I have mentioned it previously. Still, it is too good not to be brought up again – in fact, in the opinion of my wife and I, it is the best Korean restaurant in town.

As such, there are far too many specials to list here, but a visit is not complete without trying the fried octopus chukumi or the ribs topped with cheese and pumpkin. Furthermore, should you swing by on a Friday, their amazing Korean fried chicken is almost half price. A word of warning for those of you with sensitive tastebuds: some of the dishes are authentically spicy… Which is one reason why it’s so good!

Where: 2 Chome-13-19 Kamimaezu, Naka Ward (map)
Website: kr-hana.com

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Image: https://hitosara.com/0006129165/?cid=gm_hp
Image: https://www.instagram.com/p/BuqJvYKn2PZ/
Image: http://chego-chicken.com/
Image: by Cecil Lee via flickr.com [CC BY-NC 2.0] Modified