Phuket, Thailand, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand, with sandy beaches to relax on, cultural sites to discover, hiking trails to get lost on, and a very lively nightlife to party at when the sun goes down. The island is also home to some of the world’s finest restaurants. Apart from mouthwatering local Thai cuisine, you may be surprised to discover the area is also known for some of the best Korean restaurants.
If you’re in Phuket town, or anywhere else on the island and on the search for delicious Korean food, we have compiled a list of the best restaurant options you can find. Whether you’re a foodie looking for your next yummy dish to tell your friends, casually dropping in for a meal, or a Korean expat wanting a taste of home, these recommendations are guaranteed to satisfy your craving for the best Korean food, and also provide you with good quality service. From classic dishes to modern twists, there’s something for everyone at these top spots. Let’s dig in!
Korean Food: Why Is It So Popular in Thailand?
You may be wondering how Korean food like Korean BBQ became so popular in Thailand that Phuket has some of the best Korean restaurants. South Koreans have been emigrating and settling down in Thailand for decades. As of 2020, there are an estimated 20,000 of them living in Thailand, mostly in major city centers like Bangkok. The areas around Phuket are said to have about 750 of them, mostly living near Phuket town, according to the Korean Cultural Centre in Bangkok.
These Korean expats are mostly older retirees or younger people that wish to escape the stress of living in their home country in favour of a more relaxing life in Thailand. As a result, business opportunities are only one reason for them to make the move, with Thailand’s tropical climate, lower cost of living, and less stressful environment being the other factors that attract them.
Many expats, especially retirees, open up restaurants and tour companies in Thailand. Before Korean culture took over the world by storm, Korean food wasn’t very popular internationally, at least not on the same level that pizza or Chinese food was. For emigrants, however, opening a Korean restaurant was an opportunity to cater to the local Korean community. And naturally, 20 years ago, a Korean restaurant managed by an expat was the only place to get some good quality Korean food like they would’ve gotten back home.
Starting in the early 2000s, Korean television drama series like Dae Jang Geum became extremely popular in Thailand. This was only the start of what eventually became known as the ‘Korean Wave’, with K-dramas, K-pop music, and movies taking the country’s unique culture around the globe and being embraced by millions. The huge impact of music videos like Gangnam Style by PSY and, more recently, the success of K-pop groups like BTS is the result of this.
On the heels of this cultural wave, the demand for Korean food increased as well. Everyone, not just Thais but anyone who was a fan of Korean culture, wanted to know what food their favorite celebrities were eating. Korean BBQ and Korean Fried Chicken were suddenly the rage. With so many tourists visiting Thailand, and especially Phuket, it has become a great opportunity for many to open a Korean restaurant there to serve this growing demand for authentic Korean food.
The Best Korean Restaurants in Phuket
When you get to Phuket town, you might find yourself overwhelmed by more options for Korean food than you can imagine right now. To help you sort through these restaurant options, here are our recommendations on where to dine. Many of these Korean restaurants are located within walking distance of hotels around Phuket or situated near the bustling Phuket town.
The location and opening hours of these Korean restaurants have been provided here to help you find and check them out. Links to their Facebook page or restaurant website are there to help you check out customer reviews, photos, and any other content you need to assess the quality of these establishments. Additional information like contact numbers can also be found there if you feel like making a reservation.
#1 Ceres Phuket
First up is Ceres Phuket, a restaurant that specializes in both authentic Korean food and more westernized steak BBQ style dishes. On their extensive menu, you can find Bibimbab, a popular Korean mixed rice dish served with a variety of vegetables, eggs, meat, and delicious Thai-style Khao Yum Sauce. You can also find choices like Naengmyeon, which are noodles served cold with cucumber and pears, with the option to add extra spices if you wish.
Ceres’ BBQ pork ribs are among some of the favorites among customers here, who rave about the big portions they serve. If seafood is your thing, you should select Jjukumi Bokeum, which is stir-fried squid served on a sizzling pan that is very popular among Korean youth. Apart from all the variety of foods to select, they serve wine and beer to go along with your chosen dish.
The dining area is spacious, with great ambience, and includes both indoor and outdoor seating. The staff are known to be friendly and offer good service to diners. Ceres Phuket is located on Chao Fah Tawan Tok and is a short walk from Phuket Bird Park, a popular attraction in the area. While some of their most-requested offerings include meat, they offer vegetarian-friendly dishes as well.
Location
1/107, Chao Fah Tawan Tok Rd, Chalong, Muang, Phuket
Open Hours
Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
#2 Hongdae Phuket
Ask any Korean that has visited Hongdae Phuket restaurant, and they’ll tell you that eating there felt like going home. All the Korean favorites are here, with the Korean pork belly set being a must-have. There’s also Jajangmyeon, a Korean noodle dish served with thick bean sauce and kimchi fried rice, as well as Japchae, a sweet and savory dish of stir-fried glass noodles, on the menu. On top of these, there are more options for snacks as well, with Tteokbokki rice cakes, Jumeok-bap rice balls, and Kimchi.
It’s not just the wide selection of traditional-style Korean food that draws people to Hongdae Phuket, but also its casual atmosphere, affordable prices, and friendly staff. You can dine indoors or sit outside in the patio dining area and relax with a beer while you wait for your order. Soju is also available, although a bit on the pricey side. There’s even a kid’s meal if you’re planning on taking the whole family there.
There’s limited parking, however, so you might want to make a reservation or go early on the more crowded weekends. Diners constantly praise the great value for money and good quality of service provided by the staff.
Location
The Hongdae Phuket Korean restaurant is located in the heart of Phuket town, right opposite the Swarovski Central Phuket shopping mall.
Open Hours
Monday – Thurday 11:00 a.m. to 09:00 p.m.
Friday – Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m
#3 Mugunghwa Korean Restaurant Phuket
This Korean restaurant is located along the bustling Chaofah Road. It doesn’t look impressive from the outside and isn’t eye-catching, so there is the unfortunate chance you might miss it completely when you pass through this area. However, as you start digging into their delightful dishes, your impression of the restaurant will quickly improve. Take it from us that this family-run restaurant serves some of the best Korean food you’ll find in Phuket town.
Their spicy Kimchi-jjigae, or Kimchi stew, and Jeyuk Deopbap, or stir-fried spicy pork served with rice, are definitely favorites on their menu. They also serve Ppyeo Haejangguk, which is pork-rib hangover soup, and is a steamy cure after a long night of partying. There’s also a large assortment of side dishes on the menu called ‘Banchan’ to choose from.
You can either choose to dine-in or even get a takeaway. The Mugunghwa Korean Restaurant might not look like much, and in fact, the interior decor isn’t anything to write home about, although there is a cosy feel to it. One thing’s for sure. They’re sure to satisfy you with a hearty meal that has a home-cooked flavor.
Location
17/84 Moo 2, Chaofah Road, Wichit, Phuket
Open Hours
Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m.
#4 Mr Gung Korean BBQ
The name of this Korean restaurant will immediately clue you in to what they specialize in: Korean BBQ! Mr. Gung provides some of the best Korean BBQ style dishes with chicken, beef, pork, mushrooms, and seafood served on a buffet with in-table grilling. All food is kept refrigerated and fresh. All you have to do is pick what you like from the buffet, take it back to your table and grill it yourself. The buffet-style means you can choose what you like with the same entry price, making it great value for money.
The staff is ready to assist you with cutting the meats, changing your grill pans, or whatever other services you may require. The open-air atmosphere and the tasty aroma of barbecued food wafting through the air make this a very unique experience. It’s not all meat either, with a choice of salads, kimchi, and tofu soup also available on the menu. You can even order some fruit or ice cream for dessert, although this will cost you extra.
Mr. Gung is the perfect place for some late-night dining since it is open until 11:00 p.m. Additional services like free Wi-Fi are also available at this location, so you don’t need to worry about your mobile data or network issues – look forward to uninterrupted entertainment. There’s also ample parking space outside, making it a convenient place to visit for those planning to drive there.
Location
Thanon Chao Fah Tawan Ok, Chalong, Phuket Town, Phuket
Open Hours
Open daily from 04:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
#5 Hankki Restaurant
Craving for the best Tteokbokki in town? How about some yummy Jjamppong seafood soup with noodles? The Hankki Korean restaurant has all that and more options on their menu that will keep you coming back for more. Even Korean drama fans have noticed that the tasty dishes prepared by Hankki look as good as they do in their favorite TV shows.
There’s the pork belly BBQ set, which can serve two to four people. There’s Korean fried chicken, Kimchi soup, Jajangmyeon noodles served with thick bean sauce, Kimbap, and one mouthwatering dish after another. Feel like a drink? Just select one from the beverage fridge and pay at the counter. It’s a very casual setup at Hankki Korean Restaurant, with both indoor and outdoor dining areas for seating.
You also have the option of takeaway and getting food delivered to your home, although it’s best to go dine-in if you’re having dinner with a bunch of friends or family. The place has baby dining chairs, making it a child-friendly restaurant, and the location is plenty of parking space to accommodate a large crowd.
Location
Talat Nuea, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket
Open Hours
Open daily from 04:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
#6 Thai Garden Korean Restaurant
Do you wish you could enjoy good quality Korean food away from the hustle and bustle of the city? Although the Thai Garden restaurant is located in the heart of Phuket town, it nevertheless offers a peaceful and serene garden setting that few other restaurants on this list can match. Due to this rather unique location, Thai Garden is perfect for a lunchtime outing and an even better dining experience after sundown.
While food and beverages are on the pricey side, there are many exquisite and authentic Korean food options on their menu to choose from. There’s a variety of favorites like Kimchi, Bibimbap, and pork belly. You can also have the BBQ meat served to your table for self-cooking. Soju is a Korean alcoholic beverage that is available and a recommended one that goes nicely with the rest of the BBQ menu.
The staff at Thai Garden restaurant have experience, speak English fluently, and provide quality service. The restaurant also has ample parking space, so if you’re driving, there’s nothing to worry about.
Location
12/ 494 M.3 Chao Fa Road, Talat Nuea Subdistrict, Phuket Town, Phuket
Open Hours
Open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
#7 Maru Korean Restaurant
If you’re on the west coast of Phuket, relaxing on the Patong beach when the craving for Korean food hits you, then there are a few options that will satisfy you, like the Maru Korean restaurant. If you do decide to enter, you’ll find a clean, contemporary-looking interior and a menu full of Korean BBQ options like the mixed set (pork and beef), pork belly, beef short ribs, and more options that can be grilled at the table.
You can get up to six yummy banchan side dishes, as well as Korean fried chicken, Soondubu jjigae spicy tofu stew, pork cutlet, Kimchi pancakes, and spicy seafood soup. There are also vegan options like grilled mixed vegetables and tofu salad to select, which are clearly marked on the menu. The staff are fluent in English and very helpful as well.
You can see the Maru Korean restaurant as you travel along the Thanon Ratuthit Songroipi road. The place is within walking distance of many hotels in the area and offers dine-in, pickup, and delivery options. They accept cash, credit/debit cards (Visa and Mastercard), and Thai QR Payments.
Location
124/3 Rat-U-Thit Song Roi Pi Road Hotel Indigo Patong, Patong, Kathu, Phuket
Open Hours
Open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 09:30 p.m.
#8 Seoul Gogi Korean BBQ Phuket
The Seoul Gogi Korean BBQ restaurant is a well-known place to go for all-you-can-eat style offers. There are three menus to choose from. First, the 359 menu offers squid, prawn, and pork ribs. There are even more options with pork belly and pork neck, which you can get with soybean sauce or Gochujang-style with red chili paste.
There are 14 choices of appetizers that range from Korean fried chicken, Kimchi, Bulgogi (marinated beef), and even french fries. You can also select vegetables alongside the meat, like pumpkin slices, baby corn, and three choices of mushrooms.
The 479 menu provides a variety of seafood like New Zealand mussels, squid eggs, and river prawns, as well as rump and lion steak from Australia on the list. The 599 menu takes this to the next level with more premium food choices like smoked duck breast, Korean pickled salmon, and Wagyu chuck tender, to name but a few.
Seoul Gogi Korean BBQ is one of the best places to experience a wide variety of Korean foods and find your favorite. The restaurant’s interior has a clean, modern feel, and you’ll be seated in front of colorful neon signs that will definitely turn heads if you post any pictures on Instagram. They also offer free Wi-Fi.
Location
56 15 Ongsimphai Rd, Talat Yai, Phuket
Open Hours
Open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
#9 Eat and Grill Korean BBQ Buffet
Looking for some inexpensive Korean food that is served clean, fresh, and tastes great? The buffet at Eat and Grill Korean BBQ is the place for you. There are lots of seafood options like prawns and squid, although you might have to go a bit early before the latter runs out since there’s high demand. There is plenty of other meat, like pork belly, a variety of sauces, vegetarian options, and even favorites like Tteokbokki, Kimbap, and Jajangmyeon Korean noodles on the menu as well.
If you really want to feel like you’re in Korea, you can even request songs from a Korean music playlist. The Eat and Grill Korean BBQ restaurant is located at Clubhouse Moo Villa 3, Wichit Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket. You can also choose to dine there or takeaway food.
Location
Soi Mu Ban Phuket Villa 3, Wichit, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket
Open Hours
Open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
#10 Bonchon
Bonchon is a restaurant chain that is famous for its fried chicken wings and has its headquarters in South Korea. Their business has outlets open in many parts of the world including New York, Singapore, Bangkok and has three you can dine from in Phuket island alone. There’s one in the Thalang district, one in central Phuket, and one near the old Phuket town.
Esquire magazine has said that Bonchon has the “Best wings in America” and they’re certainly right about that. You can choose from wings, drumsticks, or a combo of the two, as well as boneless breasts or thighs. You can then select a small, medium, or large meal, which determines the number of chicken pieces you get. There are flavor options like soy garlic or BBQ, and a choice of side dish like Kimchi coleslaw or rice.
At a Bonchon restaurant, fried chicken is the main attraction, although there are plenty of more food options like Tteokbokki simmered rice cakes, pork Kimchi fried rice with seaweed wrap, and Bonchon crispy fish. There are appetizers like Gyoza dumplings, where you select whether to add vegetable or pork filling; marinated beef Bulgogi; and multiple salad options.
Unlike most of the other Korean restaurants on this list, Bonchon offers set meals similar to those found at fast-food restaurants that come with a main dish, a side dish, and a beverage. They also have daily promotions and accept home delivery orders through the 1112 Delivery App.
Location
Wichit, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket
Open Hours
Open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Indulge in the Best Korean Food in Phuket!
Whether you’re in Phuket town or anywhere else on this beautiful island, you won’t run out of places to eat good quality Korean food. Whether it’s Korean BBQ style seafood, spicy fried chicken wings, Kimchi stew, Bibimbab, or a large variety of Banchan, you’ll find a place that can provide you with whatever you desire on this list. There’s also ‘In a Pot Phuket’, which is a cute cafe down Thalang Road – the reviews are a hit or miss which is why it is not on our list but based on how great their ads look, you might want try to something out!
For more on the latest and most exciting culinary experiences you can find in Phuket, as well as all things Muay Thai, check out Ushup.
