Seoulful Delights ... Auckland's Finest Korean Cuisine

The journey over the bridge is well worth the trip for a meal at Jason Kim’s Tokki. You might recognise the name, Kim being the co-owner and former head chef at Gochu, with Tokki being his latest venture. Aiming to show that delicious Korean food is more than just a stereotype, Kim’s menu focuses on the subtlety and elegance of Korean flavours, seasonal produce and minimal ingredients (in the best kind of way).

Gochu might be located on the waterfront edge in Commercial Bay, but the good views aren’t the only drawcard. Serving modern-style Korean food, it didn't take Gochu long to become an icon in Auckland’s dining scene. Challenge yourself and try the cold noodles: served with egg yolk, kimchi, seaweed and pickled radish - they might not sound super enticing, but they’re not a menu staple without good reason.

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Its name says it all (well, almost) - Red Pig is a Korean BBQ specialising in, you guessed it, pork. Charcoal grills on every table mean that like a traditional Korean BBQ, customers can cook their meat themselves in a communal setting. The neck and jowl are both succulent cuts and if you’re feeling adventurous, have yourself some pig intestines. Pig isn’t the only thing on the menu though, and make sure you try the beef steak and some of the plentiful Korean sides.

You might spot the Ockhee fans hailing about town, sporting their trendy merch in proud recognition of one of Ponsonby’s coolest restaurants. Specialising in Korean food, natural wines and soju cocktails, the dishes (and drinks) at Ockhee are incredibly more-ish, packed with colour and flavour. Vegetarians can also get excited - there are just as many well thought out plant-based options as there are meat.

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Tiger Burger fills the gap that we never knew we needed: a delicious meshing of Korean flavours inside a good ol’ burger. Think bibimbap slaw, kimchi and gochu mayo, paired with fillings like signature blend NZ grass fed beef, aged cheddar and, of course, some locally sourced lettuce. Many of the desserts are typical of what street vendors in Korea would sell - the rice flour donut (crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside) is nostalgically served with a side of condensed coconut milk - delicious!