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7 min
21/11/2025
The COVID lockdown gave a boost to Korean adoption in India. Dalgona coffee, K-pop superband BTS, and more seemed like a temporary hype, but were not temporary at all. As the lockdown eased and people started trickling out as usual, so did restaurants and cafes dedicated to Korean food. It started with the metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, and even though other metros caught up, the OGs are still thriving and drawing crowds.
From Delhi and its authentic Korean restaurants to Mumbai and its upcoming Korean spots, Korean restaurants have settled in quite cosily in the Indian restaurant space. IN fact, Korean nationals frequently spot these places, boasting of the authenticity of the food and experience of these places. From cafes selling Korean buns to all-you-can-eat interactive Korean BBQs, there’s a lot to sample, depending on what strikes your mood. There are select spots in many metro cities across India today, but this article highlights three metros and their buzzing Korean spots.
Korean food has experienced explosive growth in India since 2020, when people were stuck at home exploring content beyond borders. The same year saw a 370% jump in K-drama viewership on Netflix, while in the food area, Korean noodle imports saw a 162% increase. The numbers tell the real story as Korean food imports show a continuous upward tick over the past five years, from 2020 to 2025.
Reports from Swiggy also show that Korean food orders grew 50% year-on-year in July 2025, with Gen Z accounting for 27% of demand. The appeal isn't hard to understand. The spicy chilli-based flavour profile of dishes like kimchi and gochujang paste resonates with local palates that already appreciate spiciness. Common ingredients like rice, noodles, vegetables, sesame oil, chilli, pepper, and soy sauce also make it familiar enough for locals to try.
Delhi has one of the oldest Korean food scenes in India. In Delhi, you will find everything, from authentic Korean restaurants to hole-in-the-wall eateries in Humayunpur and even upscale dining spots in South Delhi neighbourhoods. What draws diners is the authenticity maintained by its owners.
Kori's has outlets in Humayunpur and Greater Kailash, both offering authentic Korean food with boxed meals, snacks and sushi. The restaurant, with its exposed brick decor, serves herbal Korean teas, Korean thalis and great iced teas. You get both kinds of seating, be it regular chairs or the traditional floor seating with low tables and placemats you’d see in Korean dramas.
Located in Majnu Ka Tila, Busan Korean Restaurant offers Korean and Japanese dishes in a setting fusing both styles. The restaurant is also known for its vegetarian fare in a classy and minimalist setting. Diners recommend their ramen, bibimbap, and flavoured soju. The restaurant attracts Korean expats, which speaks to its authenticity.
This spot offers one of the most immersive Korean dining experiences in Delhi with wooden upholstery and traditional art. It also boasts floor seating in private rooms separated by sliding panels. Diners rave about the portions and the pricing, with extensive banchan (side dishes) served before the meal, along with the authentic bulgogi, japchae, and various BBQ meats, including wong kalbi and yang galbi.
Bangalore's growing Korean food scene has made it a legitimate dining destination with restaurants catering to both Korean expats and curious locals. The city offers everything from proper Korean BBQ joints with tabletop grills to casual spots serving comfort food like tteokbokki and bibimbap.
One of the most authentic Korean restaurants in Bangalore, Hae Kum Gang, is reasonably priced with generous portions, according to diners. This place has been serving consistent Korean food for years, with bulgogi, kimbap, hotspots and sushi rolls being their best dishes. Their teas, particularly jasmine and ginseng, are standouts.
This place brings the Seoul K-BBQ experience straight to Bangalore with tables equipped with smoking grills. The staff will grill the meat for you, so it’s a great spot for first-timers. The restaurant serves unlimited banchan and different flavoured soju. Diners recommend the japchae, haemul pajeon, kimchi jeon, yangnyeom chicken, and samgyupsal.
Don’t be fooled by the unassuming appearance, for Hi Seoul might be a casual dining spot, but the food here is authentic. The prices are reasonable, and the portions are filling. Popular dishes include gimbap, bibimbap, bulgogi, kimchi fried rice with banchan, ramen, chicken wings, tteobokki, and their hotpot sets. The diners rate this place as a hidden gem, perfect for those who are new to the K-food scene.
Mumbai's Korean food scene is the newest among the three cities, but has grown rapidly thanks to the K-drama and K-pop wave. The city offers everything from DIY BBQ experiences to delivery-focused cloud kitchens.
This widely reviewed restaurant is family-run and located in Worli, with a humble appearance and a warm and inviting interior. They have private sections with scribbled walls and K-pop on loop on the TVs. The restaurant is known for comforting soups, kimchi, japchae, corn dog, kimchi mandu, rice cakes and the beloved Korean dessert patbingsu.
A cloud kitchen with a dedicated dining area, Hengbok (also known as Heng Bok), is located in Powai. It has been a pioneer in Mumbai's Korean food scene since 2014. The restaurant is famous for its authentic Korean BBQ with a selection of marinated meats like bulgogi and galbi. Beyond BBQ, Hengbok serves bibimbap, soups, noodles, and appetisers. The staff are friendly and are said to guide diners through the whole experience.
This particular space embodies the Korean bakery culture by selling baked items and also promoting a cafe culture. Cafe hoppers mention the popular boba tea, cheese corn dog and Korean cheese buns. Aegyo Cafe & Bakehouse represents the growing trend of Korean-style cafes that look like they walked out of the sets of a Korean drama. You get the usual Korean food along with cute desserts and aesthetically pleasing beverages.
Korean food has firmly established itself in India's major cities, moving beyond temporary trends to become a permanent fixture. From Bangalore's K-BBQ scene to Delhi's long-standing Korean community restaurants and Mumbai's newer fusion spots, these cities offer genuine Korean dining experiences.
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