6 Korean Barbecue Spots in Ottawa for a Sizzling Good Time
Is it just me or does everyone else also get hungry while watching Korean films? Whether it’s a light romance or one of those heavy dramas, they never fail to showcase an array of mouthwatering dishes that will get the taste buds going.
Luckily, I don’t have to live vicariously through my favorite characters. There are dozens of Korean restaurants with cooktops built into the center of each table so that you can grill your choice of meats at your own pace.
If you’re looking to satisfy your cravings, here’s a list of spots that serve the best Korean barbecue in Ottawa.
Mu Goong Hwa Garden
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Location: 376 Rideau Street
Phone: +16138608300
Opening hours:
Mon, 3:30 PM to 9 PM
Wed, 3:30 PM to 9 PM
Thu, 3:30 PM to 8 PM
Fri-Sun, 12 PM to 3 PM, 5 PM to 9 PM
Serving traditional Korean dishes, barbecue, and sushi, Mu Goong Hwa Garden is easily one of my favorite k-bbq spots in Ottawa. You can dine a la carte, or fill yourself up with their all-you-can-eat menu.
It might be a small, unassuming restaurant, but you can get impeccable service and affordable, hearty meals in a welcoming setting. This is also why it’s perfect for first-timers.
Helpful and friendly, their staff won’t hesitate to assist you at your request. They will turn on the gas stove, and maybe even help you grill a few pieces so it won’t feel as intimidating.
After devouring your meats, seafood, and veggies, you can get some Melona ice cream—at least if there’s still room in your tummy!
Pro Tip:
The all-you-can-eat menu comes with generous portions. Just order little by little to avoid food waste.
Alirang
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Website: http://www.alirangkorean.com/
Location: 1485 Merivale Rd, Nepean
Phone: +16136955188
Opening hours:
Tue-Fri, 3:30 PM to 9 PM
Sat-Sun, 12 PM to 9:30 PM
Alirang offers an authentic, fuss-free Korean barbecue experience, much like what I see in my favorite K-dramas. They’re all about good, affordable food that can fill you up and keep you satisfied.
Although they have limited barbecue options, which include the classic pork belly, jowl meat, and marinated beef ribs, the portions are quite good. They also have everything from spicy tofu stews to pork rice bowls with black bean sauce.
What you can get here that you won’t see in other Korean restaurants is the chicken galbi. It’s cooked in a spicy, cheesy sauce that is always best paired with a bowl of rice.
Pro Tip:
They require a minimum order of two servings per table. I think that the prices are pretty reasonable for the meats as they come with a bunch of side dishes, salads, and dipping sauces.
Korean House Restaurant
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Website: https://koreanhouse.ca/
Location: 785 Somerset Street West
Phone: +16132370808
Opening hours:
Sun-Wed, 11:30 AM to 9 PM
Tue, 4 PM to 9 PM
The Korean House is an all-you-can-eat restaurant in Somerset West, where you can cook your favorite meats on a tabletop grill. There isn’t a lot of space so it’s best for small get-togethers and dates.
I like their lunch set because it has a variety of options that I can finish, including marinated pork, chicken, and beef along with djeon (veggie pancakes), dumplings, and miso soup. They also have galbi ribs but you can only get a maximum of two servings.
If you can’t handle that much spice, you won’t need to worry as they serve an assortment of bibimbap (rice rolls), deep-fried treats, and hotpot that will go well with barbecue.
Pro Tip:
Arrive early for lunch or dinner, especially on the weekends to secure a table. Currently, you can’t make a reservation online, but you can call them up.
Daldongnae Korean BBQ
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Website: https://www.daldongnaebbq.com/menu-ottawa
Location: 610 Somerset St W 1st floor
Phone: +16132328880
Opening hours:
Sun-Thu, 12 PM to 11 PM
Fri-Sat, 12 PM to 12 AM
Daldongnae is a swanky Korean barbecue spot offering classic Korean BBQ staples and unique cuts that are hard to come by elsewhere. There’s a lot of room at this restaurant, easily accommodating larger groups of diners.
What makes their menu special is the focus on quality and variety. They offer a range of premium meats, from marinated short ribs to pork belly, all ready for you to grill right at your table.
You can pair your barbecue with a selection of banchan (side dishes), like kimchi and pickled radish, which are constantly replenished.
Pro Tip:
Get there early. The place fills up fast, especially on weekends!
Koreana Restaurant
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Website: http://www.koreana-ottawa.com/
Location: 711 Somerset St West
Phone: +16132307111
Opening hours:
Mon, Wed-Thu, 4 PM to 9 PM
Fri-Sun, 12 PM to 9 PM
Koreana Restaurant is another gem in Somerset West, serving traditional plates and other fusion dishes like hot pot and sushi. They also serve soju, sake, and beers that should pair well with savory barbecue.
Aside from the usual pork, beef, and marinated options, they offer seafood and chicken. They also have sets, where you can get a combination of your favorite meats, perfect for sharing with friends.
Not everyone has to get barbecue if they don’t want to. At this restaurant, they have an extensive selection of dishes, which include noodles, spicy stews, and deep-friend treats.
Pro Tip:
Each table is required to order a minimum of two servings of barbecue.
In’s Kitchen
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Website: https://www.inskitchen.ca/dinnermenu
Location: 1-65 Templeton St
Phone: +16132331001
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri, 11 AM to 8 PM
Sat, 12 PM to 7 PM
If you want K-bbq but don’t have the time or the energy to do the self-grilling experience, you can turn to In’s Kitchen. The thoughtfully curated set menus are the highlight of this restaurant.
Combining the rich, savory flavors of their premium grilled meats with fresh vegetables, hearty stews, and a variety of side dishes, you can satiate your cravings for K-bbq and have a well-balanced meal.
Everything comes at affordable prices, perfect for the young professionals and students of the University of Ottawa.
Pro Tip:
You can get halal beef and chicken options. Just inform the staff beforehand.