Korean Food in Atlanta: Where to Eat, What to Order, and How to Explore the Scene

Atlanta’s Korean food scene is one of the most dynamic in the Southeast. Whether you’re craving late-night Korean BBQ, comforting stews, crispy fried chicken, or modern Korean fusion, you can find it across the metro area—from Buford Highway to Duluth and beyond.

This guide focuses on Korean food in Atlanta, Georgia: where to go, what to expect, and how to get the most out of your meals if you live here, are visiting, or just trying to understand how Korean cuisine shows up in the city.

Key Areas for Korean Food Around Atlanta

Atlanta’s Korean restaurants are not clustered in just one neighborhood. Instead, you’ll see a few major hubs:

1. Buford Highway (Inside and Just Outside Atlanta)

Buford Highway, which runs through parts of Brookhaven, Doraville, and Chamblee, is one of the most famous stretches for international food in metro Atlanta—and that includes a strong Korean presence.

On and around Buford Highway you’ll typically find:

• Korean BBQ restaurants
• Korean bakeries and dessert shops
• Casual noodle and stew spots
• Korean fried chicken restaurants
• Korean grocery stores and markets

Buford Highway is easily accessible by car from most intown neighborhoods. Portions of it are also near MARTA’s Doraville and Chamblee stations, which can help if you’re combining transit with rideshare.

2. Duluth and Gwinnett County

If you ask many locals where to find the biggest concentration of Korean food near Atlanta, they’ll often point you toward Duluth and surrounding parts of Gwinnett County.

In this area you’ll find:

• Large Korean supermarkets with food courts
• All-you-can-eat and premium BBQ spots
• Soju bars and late-night eateries
• Specialized places (jajangmyeon, cold noodles, tofu stews, etc.)

This area is outside the City of Atlanta limits but is still very much part of the broader Atlanta metro dining conversation. It’s a straightforward drive up I-85 North.

3. Intown Atlanta Neighborhoods

A growing number of Korean or Korean-influenced options are also appearing in:

• Midtown
• Downtown
• West Midtown
• Inman Park and nearby intown neighborhoods

These intown spots may lean a bit more toward fusion, modern takes, or bar-focused menus, but you can still find traditional dishes in some locations.

Types of Korean Food You’ll Commonly Find in Atlanta

Korean food in Atlanta ranges from traditional to trendy. Here are the main categories you’re likely to encounter and how to navigate them locally.

Korean BBQ (Gogi-gui)

Korean BBQ is one of the most popular Korean dining experiences in Atlanta.

Typical features:

• Tabletop grills where you cook your own meat (or staff may help)
• A range of meats like bulgogi (marinated beef), galbi (short ribs), pork belly, and more
• Banchan (side dishes) included with your meal
• Many spots in Duluth and Buford Highway offer all-you-can-eat options

Local tips:

• 🔥 Expect a wait at peak times (Friday and Saturday evenings).
• 🧥 Your clothes may pick up smoke from the grill; some places offer coat storage.
• 👥 BBQ is usually best with groups, since you can share different meats and sides.

Korean Stews, Soups, and Noodle Dishes

Beyond BBQ, you’ll find many home-style Korean dishes in Atlanta:

• Kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew)
• Sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew)
• Seolleongtang (ox bone soup)
• Galbitang (short rib soup)
• Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles)
• Jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup)
• Naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles, especially popular in warmer months)

Many of these are served in more casual restaurants along Buford Highway and in Duluth, often with simple interiors and a focus on food rather than décor.

Korean Fried Chicken

Korean fried chicken has a strong presence across metro Atlanta. You’ll typically see:

• Extra-crispy double-fried chicken
• Sauces like sweet-and-spicy gochujang, soy-garlic, or honey butter
• Options for whole chickens, half chickens, wings, and boneless pieces
• Often paired with beer (known as “chimaek” when combined—chicken + maekju/beer)

Many Korean fried chicken spots keep later hours, especially in Duluth, Suwanee, and Buford Highway areas, making them ideal for evening or late-night dining.

Korean Bakeries and Desserts

Atlanta’s Korean bakeries and dessert cafes are especially common in Gwinnett County and along Buford Highway.

Common offerings:

• Soft, airy breads and buns with sweet or savory fillings
• Cakes topped with fresh fruit and light whipped cream
• Bingsu (shaved ice desserts) with toppings like red bean, fruit, or condensed milk
• Bubble tea, coffee, and specialty drinks

These shops are popular for studying, casual meet-ups, or dessert after a meal.

Korean Grocery Stores and Markets

If you want to cook Korean food at home or pick up specialty ingredients and prepared foods, you’ll find several large Korean and pan-Asian groceries around Atlanta, especially in Doraville and Duluth.

These markets typically offer:

• Fresh produce tailored to Korean cooking
• Cuts of meat suited for BBQ and stews
• Kimchi, pickles, and side dishes
• Freezer sections with dumplings, rice cakes, and seafood
• In-store bakeries and food courts

Because these are major, long-established businesses, their locations and contact information tend to be stable, and they often serve as community hubs for Korean food and culture.

What to Expect When Dining at Korean Restaurants in Atlanta

If you’re new to Korean food—or just new to how it’s done in Atlanta—these points can help.

Reservations, Wait Times, and Hours

• BBQ restaurants in popular areas like Buford Highway and Duluth can have long waits on weekend evenings.
• Some spots accept reservations, while others are strictly first-come, first-served.
• Late-night food is common, especially at BBQ, fried chicken, and bar-style restaurants in Gwinnett County.
• Always confirm current hours by phone before heading out, especially for late-night dining.

Banchan (Side Dishes)

Most sit-down Korean restaurants in Atlanta will bring out banchan—small shared side dishes like kimchi, pickled vegetables, and seasoned sprouts.

• Banchan is generally included with your meal.
• Refills are often available if you ask politely.
• Banchan is meant to be shared at the table, not one plate per person.

Ordering Style: Shared Plates vs. Individual Dishes

Korean meals are often family-style, especially:

• At BBQ restaurants, where you share meats and sides.
• At stew and soup restaurants, where you might share large pots (though many also serve individual bowls).

If you’re unsure how much to order:

• Start with one or two main dishes for every two people.
• Ask staff for guidance; many Atlanta spots are accustomed to guests new to Korean cuisine.

Dietary Preferences and Allergies

Korean food commonly includes:

• Soy (soy sauce, tofu)
• Sesame (oil, seeds)
• Gluten (in some marinades and noodles)
• Spice (gochugaru chili flakes, gochujang paste)
• Seafood (fish sauces, broths, side dishes)

If you have allergies or dietary needs:

• Call ahead to ask how flexible the kitchen is.
• Ask specifically about ingredients in sauces and marinades, since many are pre-mixed.

Atlanta’s more modern or fusion Korean restaurants may be more familiar with requests for vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-conscious options, but it varies by establishment.

Simple Overview: Korean Food in Atlanta at a Glance

Practical Tips for Enjoying Korean Food in Atlanta

Getting There and Getting Around

• Driving is the most straightforward way to reach Buford Highway and Duluth from intown.
• MARTA can get you near sections of Buford Highway (e.g., Doraville Station), but you may still need rideshare or a short walk.
• Taxis and rideshare services are commonly used to connect from intown neighborhoods to suburban Korean dining hubs.

When to Go

• For shorter waits at popular BBQ spots, aim for:
  • Weeknights
  • Early evenings (before 6:30–7:00 p.m.)
• For a more energetic, social atmosphere:
  • Friday and Saturday nights on Buford Highway and in Duluth area corridors are often busiest.

How Much You Might Spend

While specifics vary, typical patterns in Atlanta include:

• Korean BBQ: Often priced per person or per platter, with all-you-can-eat options costing more but offering variety.
• Casual stews and noodle dishes: Generally comparable to a mid-range casual restaurant entrée elsewhere in the city.
• Fried chicken: Price depends on bone-in vs. boneless and sauce options; sharing a whole or half order can be cost-effective for groups.
• Bakeries and desserts: Individual pastries and drinks are usually in line with other specialty coffee or dessert shops in Atlanta.

Exploring Korean Culture Through Food in Atlanta

Korean food in Atlanta is more than just restaurants—it’s also a way to connect with the city’s broader cultural landscape.

In and around the metro area you may find:

• Korean festivals and cultural events, sometimes featuring food vendors
• Community centers and churches that host occasional food-focused gatherings or fundraisers
• Korean supermarkets that carry prepared side dishes, ready-to-heat meals, and snacks if you’d like to sample items at home or in your hotel

Checking local event listings or community calendars can help you find food-related activities, especially on weekends or during holidays like Chuseok (Korean harvest festival) or Lunar New Year.

How to Start if You’re New to Korean Food in Atlanta

If you’re just beginning to explore and want a straightforward path:

1. Begin with Korean BBQ

   • Choose a well-known BBQ spot on Buford Highway or in Duluth.
   • Order a combo including bulgogi, pork belly, and a few other cuts.

2. Try a Comfort Dish on Another Visit

   • Go to a casual restaurant specializing in stews or noodles.
   • Order kimchi jjigae, sundubu, or jajangmyeon to experience everyday Korean flavors.

3. Add Korean Fried Chicken Night

   • Visit a fried chicken spot in Buford Highway or Gwinnett County.
   • Try at least two flavors (for example, soy-garlic and spicy).

4. Stop by a Bakery or Market

   • Pick up bread, pastries, or snacks at a Korean bakery.
   • Explore a Korean grocery store to see ingredients and prepared foods.

By rotating through these experiences, you’ll quickly get a broad view of how Korean food in Atlanta looks, tastes, and fits into the city’s wider dining culture.