Cape Town, South Africa
Sigsa shijak! Cape Town’s 5 best Korean restaurants
Where in Cape Town to try the best Korean cuisine
Cape Town’s dining scene has hit a fascinating cross-current, with Korean food rising fast and shaped by a clear sense of local confidence. From refined hanjeongsik-style plates to street-market heat, Korean flavours have moved from cult to culture here. You feel it the moment you walk into these kitchens. The charcoal warmth, the sharp aroma of ferment and the low hum of regulars who already know exactly what they’re here for. What’s happening now feels wide open. Some restaurants keep things warm and familiar, all broth and slow-cooked depth. Others take those same foundations and present them with a cleaner, more contemporary edge. These restaurants channel the pulse of Seoul through Cape Town’s energy. If you want the real thing, this is where you should head next.
Top photography courtesy of The Red Room
01
Maru
Located on Bree Street, Maru is run by the Pan Collection and positions itself as a Korean steakhouse with metropolitan energy. We love how the restaurant phrases its ethos, “Where soul meets Seoul.” You feel it the moment you step inside. The interiors are dark and moody with chrome touches and a Seoul neon that hums against house beats. At Maru, executive chef Justin Barker drives the menus, while award-winning consultant chef Rikku O’Donnchu shapes the Korean authenticity. The menu hits a high-end grill philosophy. Premium Wagyu and Aberdeen Angus cuts are seared alongside crisp Korean fried chicken buckets. The bar keeps things playful with gochujang-laced cocktails, makgeolli-based twists and cold Hite beers to balance the smoke.
Maru
107 Bree St
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Maru
02
In The Meantime
Chef Sepial Shim, a Korean-born cook with a background in urban design and film, now leads In The Meantime with slow, thoughtful Korean-inspired plates. Expect no bravado and no large crew, just Shim in her kitchen producing plates with intent. The design of the place echoes that. Inside, you’ll find muted tones, soft jazz and an atmosphere that is intimate in the best possible way. The menu is compact, featuring dishes like slow-cooked pork shank, her legendary Korean fried chicken (yes, a little KFC nod) and dumplings filled with kimchi and precision. There’s an emphasis on fermentation. Kimchi is made in-house, broths are developed with care and flavours are balanced but innovative.
In The Meantime
Corner of Sir Lowry Road
Selwyn St
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of In The Meantime
03
Seoul Pocha
Over in Rondebosch, Seoul Pocha nails the communal, interactive Korean dining moment. Its concept draws from the Korean pojangmacha street-style stall. The restaurant has a fun, pop-art pink interior, giving it a cheerful, youthful vibe. We love the interactive Korean BBQ at Seoul Pocha. You grill your own meat and veggies right at the table, surrounded by a spread of banchan (side dishes), which gives the experience that communal, hands-on dining feel. They also serve Korean classics like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), bibimbap (Korean rice bowl) in a sizzling stone bowl and a Korean-style yakiniku don (grilled beef bowl), with juicy, pan-grilled beef glazed in a house sauce. If you’ve got room for dessert, don’t skip the bungeo-ppang. A fish-shaped pastry, crisp on the outside, filled with gooey chocolate and paired with creamy vanilla ice cream.
Seoul Pocha
28 Main Rd
Rondebosch
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Seoul Pocha
04
Gogi Korean BBQ
If it’s grill-at-your-table fun you’re after, Gogi Korean BBQ in Newlands delivers with the full interactive Korean BBQ setup. You sit, you cook (or watch the staff guide you) and sides keep arriving. The menu centres on short ribs, pork belly and marinated chicken, all served for the grill-at-table experience. Beyond the BBQ, Gogi Korean BBQ’s menu includes Korean stews like budae jjigae and kimchi jjigae, plus lighter bites like mandu (dumplings) and Korean-style fried chicken. For dessert, there’s an interesting fried rice cake with honey and a warm, nut-filled pancake (hodduk) served with ice cream. The space feels casual and social, with modern Korean pop running softly in the background and a steady rhythm of clinking metal chopsticks.
Gogi Korean BBQ
1 Dean St
Newlands
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Gogi Korean BBQ
05
Kimchi Restaurant
Kimchi Restaurant keeps things simple and that’s precisely why locals swear by it. The focus here is on fermentation, flavour intensity and Korean staples done consistently. We like the way the menu swings between classics and easy crowd-pleasers. You’ll find samgyeopsal (pork belly), bulgogi (thin, marinated slices of meat), galbi (ribs) and marinated chicken served raw for you to grill yourself, along with staples like kimchi jjigae, japchae (stir-fried glass noodles) and Korean fried chicken. The room glows with quirky, mismatched décor – nothing polished, everything fun – and the tables are fitted with small charcoal braziers that turn dinner into an interactive show.
Kimchi Restaurant
72 Waterkant St
Green Point
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Kimchi Restaurant
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