Looking for Korean food in Paris? Don’t fret, there’s some awesome Korean restaurants in Paris. I’ve been living here for 8 years and as a foodie, I’m always on the hunt for the best restaurants in the city. I love Korean food and fortunately Paris has some genuinely good and often underrated spots to eat their awesome cuisine.
Read on and discover my guide to the best Korean restaurants in Paris. Note that its guide is updated frequently with new recommendations so be sure to bookmark it!
After more Asian Restaurants recommendations in Paris? Check out my guide to the best Japanese restaurants in Paris and the best Chinese restaurants in Paris.
The Best Korean Restaurants in Paris
Read on to find our favourite spots that are tried and tested delivering consistently good and authentic Korean food. Restaurants listed in no particular order.
SAaM
SAaM is a fantastic modern Korean restaurant with a street food inspired menu. It’s a small, intimate setting with a canteen vibe and boy is it good. Just like the food, the decor is modern with plenty of industrial-chic accents and nods to the food markets in Seoul.
The food at SAaM isn’t traditional – it’s more slightly western street food but damn, it’s good. Their menu is on the smaller side and they focus on bao buns and dup baps. I’d certainly go out there say their bao buns combinations are one of the best that I’ve tasted. Pork belly bao (gua bao) is the star of the show – it’s cooked for 12 hours sous-vide and it’s incredibly tender. The pork comes with house-pickles, hoisin sauce and fried shallots.
Their dup baps are very good as well – fresh, locally sourced products with well seasoned meat or tofu really hits the spot. Despite the work going into their food, you can get two baos plus fries for only €13 during weekly lunchtimes.
What to know before you visit
- You can’t reserve
- You can order online and take-out
Address: 59Bis Rue de Lancry, 75010
Tel: 09 83 50 84 94
Website: https://www.facebook.com/saamparis/
Kwon
Kwon is a gem of a Korean restaurant and they proudly have a Michelin Bib to their name and deservedly so. Distinctly traditional, Kwon specialises in Korean BBQ and a la carte dishes. The minimalist, industrial interior is both warm and inviting whilst having a rather utilitarian feel. There’s table top BBQs on every table although they weren’t working during my last visit.
The food does the talking at Kwon – everything is prepared with care and attention. Their starters are awesome – their pork dumplings pack a punch and their kimchi pancake is well seasoned and full of umami. The BBQ dishes come with obligatory array of sides; house kimchi, marinated cucumber & chilli, pickled daikon and spicy radishes. I recommend to get their BBQ spicy pork which comes in an amazing, moreish spicy, sweet & salty sauce. Their desserts are original and include home made green tea ice cream and a yuzu mousse.
What to know before you visit
- Closed on Sundays
- You’ll need to call to reserve
Address: 7 Rue Ernest Cresson, 75014
Tel: 01 45 41 71 55
Website: https://www.instagram.com/restaurant_kwon/
Shin Jung
If you’re on the hunt for a restaurant serving genuine Korean food (that isn’t watered down) then Shin Jung is a very solid option. Shin Jung is fairly central, located in the 8th arrondissement (in the Batignolles area) near Gare Saint Lazare and is around a 15 minute walk from Pigalle. It’s a popular restaurant with locals and you’ll need to reserve in advance. The interior dining space is bright and open and in the summer they’ve got a very nice terrace outside although it does extend onto the road.
The food is classic Korean with starters including a very good Korean Fried Chicken – boneless chicken leg pieces fried and served with a very nice spicy sauce. There’s also kimchi pancakes and well spiced pork spring rolls. For the mains they offer well done BBQ beef and pork all cooked in their kitchen. My favourite dish at Shin Jung is their Bibimbap – all the elements are prepared with care and precision – it’s the small details! They offer 4 options; beef, pork, fried tofu and soy chicken. During week days there’s a special menu for €24.50 which includes a starter and a main. Despite the price it’s definitely worth a visit if you want some authentic Korean food.
What to know before you visit
- They are not open on Sundays and Tuesdays
- Can get very busy during at peak times during weekends
- You’ll need to call to reserve
Address: 7 Rue Clapeyron, 75008
Tel: 01 45 22 21 06
Website: https://www.shinjung.fr
On The Bab
On The Bab, which started in London, is a new comer to Paris. It’s a modern, ‘dirty’ street-food style restaurant and wow is it good. It may not be traditional but their food packs a punch.
Expect riffs on traditional dishes, Korean Fried Chicken and other, more modern house specialities. The small plates/entrées are great – well presented and thoughtfully garnished. Fried rice smalls with kimchi and cheese and served with a punchy chilli sauce and their dumplings (pork or prawn) are reasonable at €5.50 for 4.
There’s the classic kimchi and spring onion pancakes which are very good – spicy, crunchy and well seasoned. Korean Fried Chicken was killer and come with a choice of sauces, Bao buns stuffed with super tender BBQ beef are equally as good. The menu is well designed allowing you to taste a lot of dishes without over-ordering. I’d definitely recommend On The Bab if you want a mix of modern and traditional Korean food.
What to know before you visit
- Open every day from 11:30am to 10pm
Address: 18 Rue Thérèse, 75001
Tel: 01 47 03 94 38
Website: http://onthebab.com/?page_id=13
Mandoobar
Arguably one of the most aesthetically pleasing Asian restaurants in Paris, Mandoobar is a killer modern Korean dumpling & tartare bar. Awarded a well deserved Bib Gourmand from the Michelin guide in 2022, chef Kim Kwang-Loc works his magic behind the open counter bar. Located just off the place de l’Europe in the capital’s 8th arrondissement, it’s a refreshing change from many of the traditional Asian restaurants nearby.
The food at Mandoorbar focuses on home made dumplings and variations on the classic tartare. The food is refined and precise and amazingly reasonable for what you get. The mandus (Korean Dumplings) are well seasoned with a delicate yet robust filling. Chef Kim’s pork dumplings are exceptional and the mixture inside isn’t over whipped – it’s perfectly emulsified resulting in a homogenous dumpling. The tartares on the other side of the minimalist menu are equally as precisely prepared. There’s a choice of beef and tuna tartare and are dressed so precisely that they wouldn’t look out of place in a 1* Michelin restaurant.
What to know before you visit
- You can reserve online
Address: 7 Rue d’Édimbourg, 75008
Tel: 01 55 06 08 53
Website: https://www.mandoobar.fr
