Every time I watch a Korean drama, what really gets me is the food scenes. It seems to be a recurring theme. The moment they start grilling meat, I can almost smell the sizzling through the screen.
For the longest time, I thought I’d have to fly to Korea to get that experience. But boy, I was wrong. Calgary has several Korean BBQ spots, and my team and I love hitting them up whenever we’re craving something different.
Here’s a list of the ones we thought are the best.
Table of Contents
1. Gogi Korean BBQ – Brentwood
Media credits: gogikoreanyyc
Website
Address: 450 Brentwood Wy NW
Contact details: +1 403-454-6886
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:30 AM – 10 PM
Price: $$
Probably the reason why Gogi is such a popular spot for Korean BBQ is their All-You-Can-Eat (AYCE) option, which is a great deal. It’s priced between $24 and $26 per person and includes unlimited non-alcoholic drinks!
We tried a bit of everything, including their brisket, pork belly, and short ribs. The highlight for us, though, was the sauces.
The basic sauce paired perfectly with the pork belly roll and brisket. If you want to add an extra richness to the grilled meats, try it with their cheese sauce.
Beyond BBQ, Gogi offers a variety of Korean dishes. If you’re not in the mood for endless grilling, they have soups like chicken spring rolls and shrimp.
Pro tip:
Some sides may not be refilled automatically, so make sure to ask the staff about their policy if you want more.
2. Cheongdam Korean BBQ – Royal Oak
Media credits: cheongdamroyaloak
Website
Address: 4 Royal Vista Way NW #5130
Contact details: +1 825-413-0366
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11:30 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 10 PM
- Saturday: 11:30 AM – 11 PM
- Sunday: 11:30 AM – 10 PM
Price: $$$
Since Cheongdam has a reservation-only policy, we’ve arrived there with assured seats already. It’s something to keep in mind, especially since the place is always packed, even on a weekday.
They have a lunch and dinner service, but we went for the dinner session. It gave us access to premium cuts like Wagyu and marinated short ribs. The short ribs, in particular, were really tender, and we loved that they were sweet and smoky at the same time.
We suggest their seafood pancakes if you want to try more of their dishes. They’re crispy on the outside and soft and packed with flavor on the inside.
Pro tip:
If you’re a tea drinker, you might want to order another beverage instead. Their tea comes in aluminum flasks and tends to be diluted and lukewarm.
3. Baekjeong Korean BBQ House
Media credits: baekjeong_calgary
Website
Address: 11660 Sarcee Trail NW
Contact details: +1 403-452-4796
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 4:30 PM – 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 12 PM – 11 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 10 PM
Price: $$$
We loved the stunning blossom tree entrance in Baekjeong. It made us feel like we had been transported to a Korean night market.
While we were there, we ordered a mix of beef short ribs, thinly sliced pork belly, and marinated pork shoulder. All of those are part of their Premium Alberta Sterling Silver selection. The marbling on the meats was excellent, and each cut had its own appeal.
The B2 option stood out with its savory marinade, while B3 was milder but easily customizable with the sauces and salt provided.
We also loved how well the bottomless Korean sides complemented the meats. The kimchi, pickled vegetables, and salads added freshness and balance to our meal. While the corn cheese portion was a bit small, it was still delicious.
Pro tip:
Celebrating a birthday? Baekjeong sweetens the deal with a free slice of cheesecake! Plus, if you’re dining on a weekend, take advantage of their 10% discount on lunch combos from 12 PM to 4:30 PM.
4. Seoul Korean BBQ
Media credits: seoulbbqmacleod
Website
Address: 4336 Macleod Trail SW
Contact details: +1 403-243-7970
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5 PM – 10 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5 PM – 11 PM
- Saturday: 11:30 AM – 11 PM
- Sunday: 11:30 AM – 10 PM
Price: $$
Right from the start, the staff at Seoul Korean BBQ made us feel welcome. They guided us through the menu and made sure our grill was always clean. They were quick to swap out the plates as soon as they saw any smoke buildup.
While waiting for our meats, their self-serve bibimap station entertained us. It was fun to customize ours with rice, marinated veggies, and gochujang. It’s a great addition for anyone wanting to tailor their meals, but just don’t eat too much so you can enjoy the meats.
The rib-eye BBQ was our favorite because it was tender and juicy. We also loved that they cooked the meats for us in the kitchen. This is a good option if you don’t want to leave the restaurant later smelling like grilled beef.
Pro tip:
We recommend starting with smaller portions and sampling a bit of everything before ordering more. Since they charge for leftovers, it’s best to only take what you can finish.
5. Samwon Garden Korean BBQ
Media credits: samwonyyc
Website
Address: 10400 Macleod Trail SE
Contact details: +1 403-278-4198
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 12 PM – 10:30 PM
Price: $$
Samwon Garden has a big space, with a nice mix of modern and traditional design. We loved the stone tables with built-in grills and fume hoods, which kept the smoke under control.
We went for the premium experience, and we loved the wide selection of cuts. The pork belly was our favorite since it was thick-cut but crispy on the edges. Their side dishes, particularly their cucumber kimchi, were also fresh and added some crunch to our meals.
For dessert, we couldn’t help but try their mango bingsu. It’s a cloud-like pile of fluffy shaved ice, perfectly sweet mango, and creamy condensed milk. It was the perfect way to wrap up our meal.
Pro tip:
Time you visit for happy hour. There are discounts from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM and 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM. It’s a great deal if you’re dining on a budget but still want to be full.
6. Korilla Korean BBQ
Media credits: korilla.kbbq
Website
Address: 1410 17 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 825-540-1410
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 5 PM – 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 12 PM – 12 AM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 11 PM
Price: $$$
Our team really loved the lively atmosphere at Korila Korean BBQ. The staff greeted us warmly right at the entrance. The restaurant also looks like something straight out of a K-drama, so we couldn’t help but take lots of pictures.
Even though the Alberta Moo-oo platter is meant for two, it was more than enough for our group of four. It’s packed with premium cuts like samgyeop sal, daeji galbi, and hang jeong. Each meat had a balance of smoky char and rich marinade, complemented by a spread of banchan.
The staff also made sure we felt comfortable at the grills. They offered helpful tips without hovering. We also loved how they surprised a customer from another table with a birthday cake; it’s a thoughtful touch that reflects their attention to detail.
Pro tip:
If you want to make the most out of your experience here, check out the rooftop patio for drinks before or after your meal. You can also book a karaoke session to keep the night going.
7. MS BBQ & DAKGALBI (구 막창도둑)
Media credits: msbbq_yyc
Address: 2 Royal Vista Link NW UNIT 1160
Contact details: +1 403-730-0109
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:30 AM – 3 PM, 4:30 PM – 10 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM – 3 PM, 4:30 PM – 11 PM
- Saturday: 12 PM – 11 PM
- Sunday: 12 P – 10 PM
Price: $$
MS BBQ’s decor adds to the immersive experience with its unique jail-themed aesthetic. Even the bathrooms carry the theme. It was also fun seeing our servers dressed as a red guard from the famous series of Squid Games.
For the food itself, the beef combo was the star of our night. It was super tender and well-seasoned. While it’s slightly on the pricier side, our team agreed that the quality justified the cost.
We were also impressed by the variety of side dishes. They have the classic kimchi, pickled radish, fruit salad and more. Their special rice also had a unique taste that could pass as a dessert.
Pro tip:
If you’re sensitive to BBQ smoke, position yourself under one of the retractable exhaust fans. They do a great job of keeping the air clear while grilling.
8. Moon Korean BBQ
Media credits: moonkoreanbbq_yyc
Address: 138 3 Ave SE
Contact details: +1 403-266-4114
Operating hours:
- Monday: 12 PM – 10 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday to Thursday: 12 PM – 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 12 PM – 11 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 10 PM
Price: $$
Moon Korean BBQ’s menu has a great mix of classic Korean dishes and BBQ platters. Some of us went for the beef combo, which came with a choice of soybean paste stew or kimchi stew. The meat had a beautiful sear while staying juicy inside.
All their meats here were really easy to eat, like fondue, but with chopsticks and scissors. If you’re gonna go with some chicken, we recommend the honey chicken combo.
They used to offer an all-you-can-eat option here, but that’s gone now. Still, its new menu and renovations make the place even better. Plus, they’ve added ice cream to the menu, which is a nice bonus.
Pro tip:
If grilling at the table isn’t your thing, they offer kitchen-cooked options like the bibimbap here.
9. Oppa BBQ
Media credits: oppabbq.yyc
Website
Address: 1715 Centre St NW
Contact details: +1 825-513-5284
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 5 PM – 12 AM
- Friday to Saturday: 5 PM – 2 AM
- Sunday: 5 PM – 12 AM
Price: $$
When we visited Oppa BBQ, we loved that their spicy pork bulgogi had just the right amount of heat. The soy-marinated chicken pairs well with pork bulgogi. It has a slightly sweet, savory glaze that helps balance out the spice and grease from the pork.
Alongside the meats, we enjoyed side dishes like kimchi and crispy Korean pancakes. Their spicy dok bokki (rice cakes) also had a great chewy texture, which was just enough to keep things interesting.
If you want to try something other than BBQs, they also offer some hot pot. There’s a split-pot option with kimchi broth and a pork-based broth, so you can try two flavors at the same time.
Pro tip:
If you want to grab some deals, visit later in the evening. You might just score a discounted late-night pricing.
10. Bow Bulgogi House
Media credits: yyc.cravings
Website
Address: 3515 17 Ave SW
Contact details: +1 403-686-6826
Operating hours:
- Monday: 12 PM – 8:30 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday to Sunday: 12 PM – 8:30 PM
Price: $$
Bow Bulgogi House’s bulgogi is top-tier. It’s gristle-free and marinated with the perfect balance of garlic, soy, and a hint of sweetness. It’s also paired with lettuce wraps and a red soybean sauce.
Their side dishes selection isn’t as huge as the others we’ve visited, but it’s all refillable. Our favorite was the pickled daikon, since it was fresh and tangy. It balanced out the bold flavors of the BBQs perfectly.
The space is small, but the service is warm and attentive, which we appreciated.
Pro tip:
If you’re on a budget, their lunch combos are a great way to go. It already includes a fantastic mix of BBQ, soup, and sides.
