If your idea of Korean cuisine starts with bulgogi and ends with barbecue, you’ve got a whole world of flavours to experience. The good news: You don’t have to travel to Seoul to taste them. Here, Calgary’s best Korean restaurants.
Sura Korean Restaurant
Just a year old, Sura’s authentic dishes are carefully prepared, and the service is friendly. Come hungry and leave sated, thanks to the heaping barbecue lunch special of beef, chicken, seafood or kim bap (seaweed-wrapped rice, veggies and beef). Mains, $10 – $33. 2320 Fourth Street NW Calgary, 403-569-1454.
Bow Bulgogi House
Arrive early, as this tiny place fills up quickly each night. Its namesake bulgogi dishes are sweet and succulent, but our favourite is the tasty pajeon, a thick buckwheat pancake with seafood and green onion. Mains, $9 – $16. 3515 17th Avenue SW, 403-686-6826.
Dae Jang Geum Korean Restaurant
Service may be spotty here, but the food’s spot on. The barbecue-it-yourself beef bulgogi is massive, but the real highlight here may be the dolsot bibimbap, a dish of rice, egg and stalky veggies in a smoldering stone pot. Mains, $10 – $15. 1324 10th Avenue SW, 403-228-1120.
Anju Restaurant and Lounge
Contemporary Korean tapas dishes like wild mushroom japchae spring rolls and grilled mackerel are the big draw at this stylish two-level restaurant. Try the chef’s special of assorted anju (small dishes) and banchan (sides). Mains, $15 – $20. 507 10th Street SW, 403-532-9419.
Hankang Korean Restaurant
This cozy, friendly spot serves a mean hot-pot stew – chicken, beef, seafood or fish – and an addictive spicy fried chicken. Mains, $15 – $30. 3616 52nd Avenue NW, 403-282-6551.
Image courtesy of gtrwndr87.
