To suggest Columbus isn’t a Korean food destination would be as outdated as claiming Ohio is just cornfields and football. It would also be flat wrong (though we’ve seen impressive corn mazes). You can find incredible Korean cuisine across the city, from sizzling bulgogi in a strip mall gem to kimchi-jjigae that rivals Seoul’s best, all updated for 2026.
CM Chicken – Columbus
$ | (614) 914-6144 | WEBSITE
Everything is made fresh to order at CM Chicken, a cozy spot tucked in the Henderson neighborhood. There are a few tables across from the counter where you can watch your chicken being fried to order. Order the wings with Snow Onion Topping and watch as the staff in the back prepare the coleslaw while golden fries bubble up in the fryer. These chicken pieces are so perfectly crispy and juicy, they’re almost a finger-licking affair.
We recommend grabbing a table near the speakers playing Korean music and settling down to give the fried chicken your full attention.
Min-Ga Korean Restaurant
$$ | (614) 457-7331 | WEBSITE
When you walk into Min-Ga Korean Restaurant in Columbus, you’ll see families sharing big bowls of steaming soup, colorful banchan plates covering every table, and a warm welcome from the staff. Don’t worry, they’ll guide you through the menu. Get the stir-fried gopchang—which is cooked with a sweet, flavorful sauce that keeps you reaching for more—or order our favorite stew, the kimchi jigae, which arrives bubbling hot in its stone pot.
Every entrée runs about $15, and, after you try it, you’ll forever view every $30 bill as a chance to bring a friend for a feast of spicy seafood and tender spare rib soup.
moonbowls (Healthy Korean Bowls – Columbus)
$ | (866) 692-9615 | WEBSITE
At this health-focused Korean spot from the team behind Columbus’s most popular plant-based eatery, the bowls come on super fluffy, perfectly cooked jasmine rice. And they’re loaded with some great proteins—the savory fake bulgogi, or our favorite, the hearty Impossible beef. This place is a pleasant stop too, with big windows, and natural light flooding the dining area. But our very favorite thing about it is their sesame ginger vinaigrette, so be sure to ask for extra on the side.
Domo Sushi Kitchen Bar
$$ | (614) 456-7005 | WEBSITE
Everything at Domo Sushi Kitchen Bar tastes like it was pulled from the ocean five minutes ago. Your sushi options include chu toro tuna, saba sashimi, and, our favorite, the Domo roll. The whole operation is low-key and efficient, and unlike some sushi spots—which feel overly formal—you can comfortably hang out at Domo for multiple rounds of Pinot Grigio and specialty rolls.
KOSO (East Market)
$ | (614) 973-9701 | WEBSITE
If you want to try the best Korean-Japanese fusion in Columbus, you’re going to have to head to the East Market area, where—any day of the week—you’ll find a restaurant called KOSO inside the bustling market. Tender pork katsudon is perfectly breaded, fried, and served steaming hot over rice with a savory sauce. We recommend ordering all of your onigiri “spicy” with just the right amount of salmon or tuna inside.
While we don’t necessarily suggest doing anything other than ordering as many bulgogi bibimbap bowls as your appetite can handle, the fried mushrooms are fantastic too, and the Korean banana milk comes ice-cold and refreshing.
Myungrang Hotdog Columbus
$ | (614) 754-8478 | WEBSITE
A quick stop at Myungrang Hotdog Columbus results in both flavor and value well spent. Order any two Korean corndogs—with your choice of sweet potato or squid ink batter—and you’ll get a free sprinkle of sugar, which you can enjoy immediately at the counter or while walking away. If you want to grab something fast, no worries—they offer quick service and friendly staff too.
You could visit for lunch or a snack, but the Korean corndogs, loaded to the brim with crispy breading, are where Myungrang really shines. Order one or two at a time and eat them hot, right out of the fryer.
BIBIBOP Asian Grill
$ | (614) 486-1800 | WEBSITE
BIBIBOP Asian Grill is a casual spot in Columbus where you can go for a quick and healthy meal, and they also have some of the more generous portions on this list. At $10-$12 for a bowl, they’re affordable, but quite large, and all of them come piled with so much food that it’s challenging to finish them. The ones with fresh and tasty vegetables are the best vegetarian bowls we’ve ever had, and we’re also fans of the bowls with keto-friendly options.
SUSHI EN
$$ | (614) 430-9887 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving sushi and want a cozy, traditional spot, check out SUSHI EN in Columbus. Wherever you sit, you’ll have a great view of the sushi bar where the chef presents fresh fish beautifully, or you might catch a glimpse of the popular lunch specials being served. Their sushi is reasonably priced, and all the dishes are really fresh, but we especially like the Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura Bento Box.
The restaurant features a warm, inviting atmosphere that’s nicer than a typical food court, with affordable prices and many specials that make it perfect whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or catching a quick meal before or after a movie.
SGD DUBU SO GONG DONG TOFU & KOREAN BBQ
$ | (614) 389-1050 | WEBSITE
SGD DUBU SO GONG DONG TOFU & KOREAN BBQ consistently makes some of our favorite Korean food in Columbus. It’s a casual spot with some space to sit and eat, but for the most part you’re getting your food here quickly. You should, of course, order at least one bibimbap. It’ll come piled with fresh vegetables and a perfectly fried egg over warm rice, and a single hearty bowl will make for a satisfying meal.
The sneaky truth of SGD DUBU, though, is that their tofu soup is even better than their rice bowls. Silken tofu in a rich, customizable broth arrives bubbling hot in a stone pot. Stop by this unassuming spot for what’s likely to be the best $15 you’ll spend all week.
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
$$ | (614) 505-0178 | WEBSITE
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is a standout Columbus Korean restaurant with a comfortable seating area and the nice bonus of free ice cream to go. On weekends they offer all-you-can-eat ordering, and it’s some of the best value in the city. Imagine a typical Korean BBQ experience, but made entirely from fresh, high-quality ingredients.
The dual-cooking method contains both a sizzling grill and a bubbling hot pot welded together with attentive service and filled with amazing food and other delicious options from the extensive sauce bar.
Genghis Grill
$ | (614) 824-1082 | WEBSITE
Genghis Grill serves Columbus’s best Korean bowls, no question. This build-your-own concept didn’t invent the format, and it wasn’t the first Ohio spot offering it—but this place gave customizable Korean bowls the spotlight they always warranted. There’s always going to be a steady stream of customers in their spacious, clean dining room, with many seating options available across the ample floor. The ingredient selection is plentiful, varied, and satisfying.
Order one of the bowls with shrimp, beef, or chicken, and watch the chefs prepare it fresh to order. First, you’ll notice the friendly, helpful service, then the delicious, slightly salty flavors, then the plentiful portions, then the quick efficiency, with everything coming together in your grateful stomach.
Coco Hot Pot
$$ | (614) 502-0036 | WEBSITE
There’s a good chance you won’t actually be able to eat this hot pot today, because Coco Hot Pot is a family spot, and family spots are bustling. But it’s worth keeping an eye on their hours for winter evenings and weekends, because these well-seasoned broth makers turn out beautiful balanced hot pots, and then serve them with things like fresh vegetables and thinly sliced meats, and the juiciest, fluffiest dim sum we’ve ever had.
If you can’t possibly wait, Coco Hot Pot’s dumplings are sold at their counter for takeout. They won’t quite measure up to the full experience, but anything you dip in them instantly tastes good, even if you don’t know how to assemble a hot pot.
MEET POT BBQ & HOTPOT
$$ | (614) 754-1196 | WEBSITE
Meet Pot’s all-you-can-eat options are central to the straightforward, fun dining experience. Their Korean BBQ and hot pot selections are impressively fresh and well-presented, and you should enjoy them with the included grill for maximum enjoyment. The Columbus restaurant is spacious, clean, and the perfect spot for a family celebration or casual group dinner. Beyond the standard meats and veggies, our favorites are the unique tinfoil foods and the customizable broth pots.
The concept may seem simple, but the interactive atmosphere will convince you to return for another visit.
Restaurant Silla – Authentic Korean Cuisine
$$ | (614) 459-5990 | WEBSITE
Korean bento boxes are the ultimate expression of balanced Korean dining, and Restaurant Silla is the place to get them. The menu is a bit overwhelming at first, with enthusiastic staff explaining the generous array of entrees, kimchi, fish cake, japchae, potato salad, radish, salad, and watermelon—but try to stay focused. The kimchi fried rice here is richly flavored with fermented cabbage, brightened with fresh vegetables, and served in hearty portions. It’s worth making a trip for.
Bring a friend and grab some banchan and a bento box while you’re at it.
bb.q Chicken Columbus
$ | (614) 429-3144 | WEBSITE
The staff at bb.q Chicken Columbus wear clean uniforms and move with a quiet efficiency. That might seem unremarkable—if the fried chicken at this Korean spot in Columbus weren’t so consistently excellent. Their signature cheeseling chicken is a contender for the unofficial Ohio fried chicken hall of fame. To make it, they coat the chicken in a light batter, fry it until it’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and finish it with their signature cheeseling sauce.
The sides, like the tteokbokki and dumplings, are generous and well-executed. While the occasional piece can be a bit dry, the overall experience in the clean, welcoming space is reliably satisfying and keeps locals and visitors coming back.
Kooma sushi Restaurant
$$ | (614) 224-3239 | WEBSITE
Kooma Sushi Restaurant is a locally owned sushi spot that opened in Columbus, and you’ll consistently find satisfied customers here any time you visit. This tiny, comfortable space never feels cramped, making it a wonderful spot for a dinner date or a casual meal. Every visit feels more or less the same: friendly waitstaff, good service, and orders arriving in adequate time.
Your choices include the popular Firecracker roll, Kooma Number Three, Kooma Volcano Roll, Erin roll, classic Philly roll, or Alaska roll, alongside appetizers like Gyoza and calamari. We opt for the Firecracker roll, Kooma Volcano Roll, or chicken dumpling soup with its rich beef broth, but you really can’t make a bad decision here. The key, though, is to appreciate the great value for the quality of fresh, delicious food.
KOSHI – Korean food & Sushi
$ | (614) 914-5131 | WEBSITE
KOSHI – Korean food & Sushi is a bright, bustling hub of flavor, which also has the convenience of ample free parking right outside, as well as easy access to nearby shopping areas. There are a lot of Korean fried chicken spots in Columbus, and many of them serve hefty portions. At KOSHI, though, you can comfortably enjoy their Korean fried chicken with special sauce and still have appetite left to dive into favorites like the snow roll or kimchi chicken.
We also love their bulgogi, elevated by the perfect balance of spice in dishes like the Jeyuk rice bowl. Everything has a satisfying, well-rounded warmth that complements KOSHI’s friendly, attentive service.