Thinking about the last time you ate bibimbap or kimchi? Penang has many Korean restaurants for authentic Hallyu-inspired food in a cozy setting.
Relive your last amazing Korean meal with these places to get great Korean food in Penang!
This list includes unassuming hole-in-the-wall restaurants. And sleek Korean gourmet restaurants to meet your cravings!
Top 11 Korean Food In Penang
1. Han Sung Po Cha Korean BBQ
Han Sung Po Cha Korean BBQ will bowl you over with its Korean BBQ:
They have fresh and tender lamb, chicken, and pork. All the meat is well-marinated and infused with divine flavors.
Don’t skip the Korean pancake – another popular menu item that’s crispy yet not drenched in oil.
Wash down your meal with a savory bowl of kimchi soup. This has the perfect balance of saltiness and sourness.
The raw crab dish is another chart-topper. And some patrons book this particular dish a month in advance!
Above all, the prices are reasonable ranging between RM20 and RM30.
But ventilation is average here. You might still smell of food when you leave. Besides this, the restaurant does not accept reservations. Except for the raw crab dish.
And hence, it’s quite normal to have to wait between 15 to 20 minutes for a seat.
- Address: Butterworth Business City Center Raja Uda, 20, Jalan Raja Uda, Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth, Penang
- Business Hours: Daily from 1pm – 11pm
- Links: Google Maps; Facebook; Instagram
2. Hanju Eatery Soju Bar
Hanju Eatery feels like an upscale bar. An illuminated soju display takes center stage here.
The spacious interior hardly sees a crowd, even on a weekday lunch.
Food-wise, the clams are delish. Teobokki (Korean rice cakes) and tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork /beef) have big portions.
Along with the attentive and polite staff, the chic and relaxing ambiance is the main draw here. It is an excellent hangout venue for hours of conversation.
- Address: 56, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 12pm – 10pm; Friday: 12pm – 12am
- Saturday: 2pm – 12am; Sunday & Public Holiday: 2pm – 10pm; Closed on Mondays
- Contact: +60134570218
- Email: [email protected]
- Links: Google Maps; Facebook; Instagram
3. HANMALU
It’s a bit of a hit-and-miss with Hanmalu. Some dishes rake in praise while a few fall short of expectations.
For instance, the bibimbap is bland compared to other Korean restaurants in Penang.
But items that deserve high ratings include grilled pork ribs and fried chicken. The latter has a coating of super crispy batter. They have stir-fried octopus too.
Pair your meaty indulgences with an assortment of 15 Korean side dishes (banchan).
This simple Korean diner with rows of tables is a good alternative. Especially for Korean food foodies in the Tanjung Tokong area.
- Address: C-1-9 Vantage, Jln Desiran Tanjung, 10470 Tanjung Tokong, Penang
- Business Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30am – 10pm (Closed on Mondays)
- Contact: +60147412671
- Links: Google Maps; Facebook; Instagram
4. Bibimbowl Korean Restaurant
Have authentic Korean cuisine at Bibibowl – almost every dish is well-done.
If we have to pick dishes to recommend, they would be the kimchi pancake and fried chicken. These are crowd favorites that pack the right amount of crispiness.
Karaage is another fine item on the menu. The signature sweet and spicy Korean sauce coats the crunchy karaage.
Aside from the diverse menu and great-tasting food, the service is very speedy.
- Address: Summerton, 110-1-15, Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: Daily from 11:30am – 9:30pm
- Contact: +6046884991
- Email: [email protected]
- Links: Google Maps; Facebook; Instagram
5. Park’s Kitchen Korean Restaurant
If you seek generous platters of Korean dishes with free–flowing coffee:
Make your way over to Park’s Kitchen Korean restaurant. This cozy Korean restaurant in Penang has Korean songs in the background.
Their homely Korean food is not too heavy on the seasoning. And their BBQ meats and bibimbap are heavenly to the last bite.
A Korean chef who has a lot of experience prepares the food here.
And hence, the affordable great food results in long queues and a packed room.
Service is slow during peak hours and the wait for food can be long – especially over lunch. Given the large servings, enjoyable meals, and side dishes, you’ll find plenty of reasons to swing by here. Even if finding parking is tough. As there are only 2 allocated parking bays.
- Address: 337-J-G, Jalan Perak, Jelutong, 11600 George Town, Penang
- Business Hours: Daily from 11am–3pm, 5–9:15pm
- Contact: +601116833301 // +6042810082
- Link: Google Maps; Facebook; Instagram
6. YUN/윤 Korean ssäm bar (Launched in 2021)
As the name suggests (Ssäm which means “being wrapped”):
This unassuming Korean Omakase serves dishes that taste and look good.
This new kid on the block sets gold standards for pretty plating. Pricing is reasonable too.
The creative menu is by owner-chef, Adrien Ch’ng. While native Korean co-owner, Stella injects bonafide Hallyu hospitality.
Fresh oysters with kimchi puree are hits on the menu along with their Teobokki too.
- Address: 82, Lintang Mayang Pasir 1, Bandar Bayan Baru, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 6–10pm; Friday & Saturday, 6–11pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
- Contact: +60194546325
- Email: [email protected]
- Links: Google Maps; Facebook; Instagram
7. K Pot Fusion Restaurant
Don’t let the humble and vintage-like atmosphere fool you:
Because delectable Korean food beckons. Plus, there is super cheap pricing and huge servings too!
Start with a generous portion of side dishes. Along with a free flow of cold tea. While side dishes have only three varieties, they pair well with notable dishes. Such as the bibimbap, tteokbokki, kimchi pancake, and soft tofu stew.
They have faultless hospitality and speedy service besides. Finding a parking space is easy too with ample bays along the road.
- Address: 98-G-33, Prima Tanjung Business Centre, 10470 Tanning tokong, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 11am–10pm (Closed on Thursdays)
- Contact: +601112562181
- Email: [email protected]
- Links: Google Maps; Facebook
8. Da Ohn Da Korean BBQ
Da Ohn is famous for BBQ sets with prompt staff to greet you the moment you enter.
This hole-in-the-wall Korean diner has a limited menu. Despite this, they still have all the top picks to please any Korean foodie.
Indulge in the bulgogi along with other BBQ dishes, kimchi soup, and rice sets.
Being the sole Da Ohn outlet in Penang:
The food here is affordable, making up for its less-than-impressive interior setup.
- Address: 34, Lorong Tanjung Aman 2, Taman Tanjung Aman, 12300 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: 11am–3pm, 5–9:30pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
- Contact: +6043140122
- Links: Google Maps; Facebook
9. Korean Cafe Shwim Pyo (Halal)
For halal Korean fare that will delight your tastebuds:
Find Korean Café Shwim Pyo at Sunway Bukit Gambier, Penang.
Rice topped fried squid, fried spicy chicken noodles, and bibimbap are stellar choices!
Best of all, each dish costs approximately RM20 per person. So it is affordable to dine here. Plus, they have generous servings.
But their operating hours are somewhat unreliable. They tend to close without prior notice.
Even so, courteous service awaits!
- Address: 1, Halaman Bukit Gambir, Sunway Bukit Gambier, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: Daily from 12:00pm – 10:00pm; Saturday: 4:00pm – 10:00pm (Closed on Sundays)
- Contact: +6042953481
- Links: Google Maps; Facebook
10. Cottiny Cafe (Korean Restaurant)
Styling themselves as the first Korean café in Malaysia:
Cottiny Korean café serves typical Korean snacks and meals.
Note: This Korean restaurant in Penang is owned by David and Christine Moon. They are native Korean citizens.
You’ll find inexpensive lunch sets for only RM15 during promotions. Korean desserts here are delicious. The Croffle (a Croissant-waffle) and chocolate bingsoo are swoon-worthy!
The façade of Cottiny Korean Cafe may look ordinary on the outside:
But the interior is suitable for catch-ups, reunions, and family gatherings.
- Address: 30, Lebuh Lembah Permai 4, Tanjung Tokong, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang
- Business Hours: Daily from 11:00am – 8:30pm (Closed on Sundays)
- Contact: +60169173400
- Links: Google Maps; Facebook; Instagram
11. Chikin-Out
For the best Korean fried chicken in Penang, bring your friends (and your stomach) to Chikin-Out!
Besides Korean fried chicken with soy sauce, there are chicken burgers. They have 2 homemade sauces available.
Apart from the usual Korean fanfare, fusion Korean food finds its way into the menu. They have innovative dishes like Korean Fried Maggie and Salted Egg Fried Chicken.
Note: Seasonal gift boxes to spice up the takeaway menu. They offer diners more variety beyond their staple meals.
With the courteous team of service staff:
Chikin-Out is the place to be wolf-down delicious Korean at affordable prices. Enjoy magnificent food with 5-star service.
- Address: Lucky Eatery Food Court, Relau, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang
- Business Hours: Daily: 11:00am–11:00pm
- Contact: 011-37143638
- Email: [email protected]
- Links: Google Maps; Facebook; Instagram
Conclusion
In spite of all the buzz surrounding Penang food, Korean restaurants still have a place in Penang. And there are many to choose from!
Discover your next target from this list of the best Korean food in Penang!
Further reading:
- 11 Great Steamboat Restaurants In Penang
- Where To Go For A Fine Dining Experience In Penang
- 13 Fabulous Restaurants In Penang
- 11 Seafood restaurants in Penang that you should not miss out on!
- 11 Best Western Food In Penang
