It may not be as established as Chinatown, but this little pocket of the city is fast making a name for itself. Find your own slice of South Korea along Healeys Lane, the west end of Little Lonsdale Street and part of Spencer Street.

The best of Healeys Lane

Sukbong: cult-status street toast

Bong Seoul Toast (or Sukbong) is a famous chain with more than 200 stores in Korea. Their one and only Australian store can be found in Healeys Lane. Start simple with egg and cheese, or go OTT with added hash browns and beef bulgogi. Everything on the menu is under $14, and the signature bulgogi toastie will only set you back $8.50.

Sevenstar Pocha: Korean army stew

Ramyun noodles, spicy broth, spam, beans, veggies and more. Don't knock this iconic comfort food until you've tried it. If you're not keen on cheese and luncheon meat, try the pork rib or bulgogi stew. These bubbling hot-pot dishes feature potato noodles, ripened kimchi and juicy grilled meat. Sevenstar is open late Tuesday to Sunday.

Red tables lined up outside a small restaurant in a laneway
Sevenstar Pocha

The best of Little Lonsdale Street

Kono: hidden coin booth karaoke

Private karaoke rooms and the odd open mic night are pretty well-known in Melbourne. Mini coin-operated singing booths? Not so common. Enter Kono, a hidden gem lined with disco-lit nooks perfect for solo or small group singing. Regulars can be heard singing along to BUZZ ballads in perfect Korean, but there’s a bumper book of English tunes to pick from, too.

Paik's Noodle: jjamppong and jajangmyeon

Prolific South Korean chef Jong-won Paik has opened his first Australian outpost of the hugely popular Paik's Noodle franchise. Try flaming 'gochu jajang', a chilli-spiked black bean broth rich with umami flavour. Or slurp up bowls of jjamppong, the iconic seafood noodle bowl you would have seen on countless K-dramas. Bowls start at just $11, and Paik's stays open until late.

Paik's BBQ: world-famous Korean BBQ

Sure you can order menu staples like kimchi stew at Paik’s, but then you’d miss out on the star of the show. Superior Korean pork, barbecued over charcoal at the table and served with too many condiments and side dishes to count. This much-celebrated meat-loaded spot is also owned by Seoul’s Jong-won.

A woman in a white top lifting some noodles off a plate.
Paik's Noodle

The best of King Street and Spencer Street

Koconut: Korean skincare

Part of the new West Side Place precinct, Koconut is a hidden gem location selling cult-status beauty brands. Think Banila Co., Innisfree, Laneige and Sulwhasoo. Shop for everything from low-cost sheet masks to super splurgey ginseng packs. The team also stocks cute LINE friends collabs, Nexcare pimple patches and the odd piece of BTS merch.

BBQ King: the best Korean all-you-can-eat

This fresh new all-you-can-eat spot has all the Korean food staples covered. Enjoy unlimited premium meat, hot molten corn cheese, cult-status bo ssam (juicy pork in refreshing lettuce cups) and more. Which includes slightly sweet, perfectly crunchy, mozzarella loaded Korean-style corn dogs. Find BBQ King at 280 King Street, walk-ins only!

Eggholic: gilgeori toast and late-night bingsu

At long last, one of the OG spots for street toast has made its way to the CBD. This little hole-in-the-wall is serving up super stacked, buttery brioche filled with fluffy, cheesy egg. Take it classic with bacon, spicy with kimchi, loaded with crab or filled with fried spam. Next door in the dessert bar, find classic melon bingsu and thick slices of bingsu cake. That's rectangles of shaved ice, loaded with cream and cult-status flavour combos. Try rich tiramisu (with a salty sweet pretzel on top), or order a cookie butter Biscoff slice.

Two thick brioche sandwiches filled with egg, avocado, bacon and cheese
Eggholic

More of the best spots in Melbourne's Koreatown

Paik's Bibim

Paik's Bibim

World-famous chef Baek Jong-won brings his healthy rice bowls to Melbourne.

Nana Izakaya

Nana Izakaya

Japanese izakaya-style restaurant.

Nico’s

Nico’s

Fast and fresh, made-to-order sandwiches and coffee.

Dosirock

Dosirock

Fully licensed Korean restaurant, open late seven days a week.

Hello Chicken

Hello Chicken

In Goldsbrough Village, experience unique Korean food with chicken and traditional favourites.

Mansae Korean BBQ

Mansae Korean BBQ

Mansae Korean BBQ is a modern, yet authentic, Korean restaurant.

Ssam Korean BBQ

Ssam Korean BBQ

A Korean all you can eat BBQ buffet.

Melbourne Hwaro Korean BBQ Restaurant

Melbourne Hwaro Korean BBQ Restaurant

Chic Korean restaurant and bar serving barbecue hot plates and traditional favourites.

Last updated on Mon 13 Nov 2023

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