While Vaughan might be known for its sprawling suburbs and mega-malls, this vibrant part of Ontario offers more than just convenient shopping. There are sizzling barbecue joints worth the drive, kimchi that will haunt your cravings, and bibimbap bowls you’ll happily rearrange your schedule for. These are the best spots to taste Korea in Vaughan.
Sariwon Korean BBQ Restaurant
$$ | (905) 881-5103 | WEBSITE
Sariwon Korean BBQ Restaurant has been serving Vaughan for years, but their pork bone soup never gets old. This bustling Korean eatery is just as ideal for a quick lunch of Korean pancake or a hearty dinner of gamjatang, as it is a special occasion gathering with their generous banquet-style service. Head upstairs to their event space and grab a seat at one of their large tables for a memorable group meal.
Inside, families celebrate birthdays and out front, friends linger over refillable banchan long after their plates are cleared. There’s a lot on their extensive menu, but our tried-and-tested favourite is the pork bone soup. The tender meat falls off the bone into a rich, savory broth that warms you from the inside out. Order one per person, minimum—though you’ll probably want to share a few Korean BBQ platters too.
While dinner for two with drinks and sides runs around $80-100, the quality portions and accommodating service make every dollar feel well-spent.
Kim’s Tofu
$ | (905) 763-1911 | WEBSITE
Kim’s Tofu is a hidden gem, known for their delicious Soon Tofu, with a warm atmosphere that makes families feel right at home. The Kimchi Soon Tofu is a popular choice for those who love a spicy kick, and the freshly cooked rice in individual stone pots adds a special touch to the dining experience. The bibimbap is also highly recommended, with generous portions, and the seafood pancake was a standout, fluffy and loose, breaking apart very easily.
Vegetarian options are available and are very tasty, while the pork bone soup is another must-try dish. The soft tofu stew is a favorite, offering various toppings and customizable spice levels. This Korean restaurant is delicious with authentic flavors and has attentive service, making you want to spend a few hours here—despite the bustling energy and cozy seating.
Their name Tofu is highlighted in almost all aspects of the menu, so pop in for an excellent meal and take a seat at a family table if the corner booth is already taken.
Brown Donkatsu-North York
$$ | (647) 352-7696 | WEBSITE
The sizzle of golden katsu hitting the fryer, generous plates being passed around, and the aroma of garlic cream sauce are what lunch at Brown Donkatsu is filled with. Bring that friend who scoffs at chain restaurants and calls a good meal a feast. Brown Donkatsu is the real deal. Portions are generous enough to share, greasiness is shunned, and the homemade Tteokalbi is far from an afterthought. Donkatsu plates and thick cuts of cheesy chicken are lapped up by the early evening.
We’re particularly into the cheese bomb donkatsu that has a satisfying crunch and perfectly melted cheese throughout. Bring an appetite and dig in during the week, or pop in on the weekend and settle into the welcoming atmosphere. It’s perfectly positioned for those who appreciate well-cooked dishes and friendly, attentive service.
Jokbal Night Market (족발 야시장 업타운)
Any Korean food lover knows that jokbal—in the right hands—is a thing of greatness. And Jokbal Night Market, a clean and friendly restaurant in Vaughan, is proof of that. Tender pork slices with a soft and deep flavor, it’s the ultimate late-night feast. They make excellent house-made condiments too, but sauces aside, the combo menu for two here is exceptional.
Think big, generous portions with perfectly sliced meats, that’s the ideal balance of savory and satisfying, plus fresh sides and attentive service.
Gamseong Siktak Korean BBQ and Pub
$$$ | (905) 709-1593 | WEBSITE
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner with perfectly grilled beef or an entire Korean feast to share with friends, Gamseong Siktak is the spot. This Vaughan Korean BBQ and pub is all about the quality meats. The menu stays consistent but you’re likely to find things like beautifully marinated honeycomb pork belly, steaming bowls of cold noodles, and plates of tteokbokki that encourage serious lingering.
We like to come here when there’s a gathering to be had, because nothing pairs better with Gamseong Siktak’s excellent, well-priced meats than a cozy sit-down that doesn’t end until the last side dish is gone. We’re also fans of their party room where the atmosphere comes with karaoke at no extra cost and the seating feels a little more festive.
Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu
$ | (647) 430-7458 | WEBSITE
You know those times when you’re craving a steaming bowl of tofu soup on a chilly winter afternoon? Yeah, we do. Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu—a beloved Korean spot in Vaughan—is here just for that. Open for lunch and dinner daily, this local favorite is where you’ll see families sharing hot stone pot rice and friends catching up over bulgogi beef in the cozy dining area up front.
Despite the simplicity of it all, the Vegetable Soon Tofu soup and the deep-fried pork cutlet are actually pretty exceptional—and the option to customize your preferred level of spiciness is a very nice touch. Get the Seafood Soon Tofu with shrimp, mussel, and oyster and you’ll leave satisfied, whether it’s noon or night.
Daldongnae Korean BBQ
$$ | (416) 226-6034 | WEBSITE
As much as it’s a Korean barbecue joint first, Daldongnae Korean BBQ is a patio paradise for pet owners very closely after. Which is mostly the case in the summer when grabbing a table on that beautiful patio is essential if you want to dine with your furry friend. You’re equally as likely to see families enjoying the cozy environment of this Vaughan spot, as you are groups sharing platters of fresh meat while servers proactively refill the cheesy corn and steamed egg.
The walls carry the smoky aroma of grilling that has seen everything from attentive service moments, to the intense but charming smell of BBQ from the close table arrangement, and everything in between. The food is delicious without being overly fancy, with things like two portions of meat, one vegetable dish, and a really tasty seafood pancake on the menu, though the meat selection can run around $25–$40 per person, which feels a bit expensive compared to other Korean barbecues.
Sweet Hai Guan
$ | (647) 498-9070 | WEBSITE
On weekend afternoons only, you can get some of Vaughan’s best Korean-Chinese food at Sweet Hai Guan. This cafeteria-style spot inside Galleria Korean Grocery Store has a limited menu focused on Chinese-Korean classics, but you should plan your visit around Saturday lunch. Bowls of Jjajangmyun and Jjamppong are on every table. Get the Jjamppong special if it’s available—the spicy seafood noodle soup is our favourite thing to get here.
The Jjajangmyun is perfectly cooked with sweet black bean sauce and should be part of your order too. And if you do end up here during peak hours, we have a feeling the staff at Sweet Hai Guan will take care of you.
K-Food Kitchen
$ | (416) 512-6969 | WEBSITE
K-Food Kitchen is a straightforward-without-being-boring Korean restaurant that we daydream about grabbing a quick lunch in. The new location is decked out in clean lines and bright lighting, and biting into that fried chicken sandwich after waiting just a few minutes at the counter is just the right thing to do.
The menu draws from Korean fast food classics, which means crispy, juicy fried chicken and generously filled gimbap—and although none of it is groundbreaking, it’s all perfectly satisfying. The best meals here feature: the fried chicken sandwich combo, velvety, sticky gangjeong, spicy pork gimbap, honey soy garlic gimbap, and, the star of the show, a piece of the crispy, saucy gangjeong. It’s a big part of the reason we’d return again and again.
Hanyang Jokbal
$$ | (416) 792-5808 | WEBSITE
If you spot a crowd of people outside a Vaughan strip mall on a Friday evening, it’s safe to assume they’re waiting for a table at Hanyang Jokbal. This Korean pork knuckle specialist is absolutely packed on weekends, so much so that regulars know to arrive early or risk missing out on the last serving of Original Jokbal.
The staff greet returning customers with warm smiles and everyone around you has their eyes on your table while you’re eating, with their mouths watering in hopes you’ll leave some of that tender, gluey pork. Don’t, instead get the seafood pancake, the spicy jokbal, and of course, some of that clear, peppery soup. There’s also roasted pork knuckle with various sauces and perfectly balanced rice balls, so you can enjoy everything you’ll need for a hearty Korean feast.
Hongdae Korean Restaurant 홍대 밥상
$$ | (905) 881-5959 | WEBSITE
A Vaughan Korean spot with a focused menu and bold tastes, Hongdae Korean Restaurant is made for ‘just a quick meal’ that turns into rounds of spicy beef stew and bowls of fried dumplings. The cozy-meets-lively interiors and warm hospitality mean settling in is essential. Mostly so you’re within easy reach of the attentive staff for when you inevitably order more stew. Don’t skip the pork bone soup or the tofu stew.
They’re generously portioned, bursting with savory flavors, and served with traditional Korean warmth. At around $15 a stew, you could very well savor two of these and call it a satisfying dinner.
Gimbap Shop
$ | (416) 815-4590 | WEBSITE
Unrelated to Vaughan’s sprawling strip malls or suburban bustle, Gimbap Shop is one of our favourite Korean spots. On any given lunch hour, neatly packaged rolls and trays of crispy Korean fried chicken fill most of the small counter space, and the door of this neighbourhood shop always remains in motion. It’s quiet enough to enjoy a quick meal, but busy enough to avoid overthinking and people-watch instead.
Get the Kimchi Tuna Gimbap, a couple of Bulgogi Gimbap rolls, and some jalapeno crab meat tuna gimbap to snack on.
Charcoal and Salt
$$ | (416) 551-1666 | WEBSITE
Bibimbap buddies, make some noise. Now keep cheering if you’d also call yourself a bulgogi buff, kimchi connoisseur, or a pork bone soup pro. The great news is you can claim all those titles at this Korean spot in Vaughan, with warm wooden tables, cozy booth seating, and a tidy dining room that’s perfect for sizzling some barbecue while debating the merits of different marinades (read: which sauce deserves the crown).
Inside, groups gather with plans to stay for the long haul, side dishes keep coming, and stone bowls take up at least half of all table space. Topped with everything from the classic marinated raw beef to tender barbecue meat, and even soft steamed egg, the signature dish is excellent for mixing and scooping things like rich, savoury pork bone soup.
Beijing Sung 북경성
$$ | (905) 660-1352 | WEBSITE
If there was a PhD in Korean-Chinese comfort food, the staff at Beijing Sung, in Vaughan, would have it. They’ll offer you generous portions of savory dishes, and have attentive service on tap. Have a taste and tell them your spice preference, and they will almost always recommend you the right thing.
It’s not the kind of Korean spot with fiery heat or overwhelming spice, this is for the ‘that’s too spicy’ and ‘what’s with all the chili’ comfort food-lovers who need to actually taste the perfectly chewy noodles and savory sauces creeping through.