National Korean American Day: Best Korean food spots in metro Atlanta

National Korean American Day, celebrated annually on Jan. 13, recognizes all of the significant contributions Korean Americans have made to American society and commemorates the 1903 arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States. Over the years, Korean culture has had a major influence on American society through K-Pop, TV shows, and, of course, food.

If you want to celebrate by indulging in delectable Korean cuisine, you’re in luck. Metro Atlanta is home to one of the largest Korean American populations in the nation and boasts some of the best Korean eateries around. With such a wide variety of Korean restaurants and specialty dishes around the city, every meal delivers a distinctive experience that is bursting with unique flavors. Feed your “Seoul” and discover metro Atlanta’s incredible local Korean food scene by visiting some of the excellent spots below.

Yet Tuh

Located inside Ponce City Market, Umbrella Bar serves quick bites and drinks modeled after the stalls found in Korean night markets. They offer a creative menu with plenty you’ll want to try, like their bulgogi beef tater tots, Kim-cheese dog, half-and-half k-dog, kimbap and bibimbap. Be sure to pair your meal with a tasty matcha lemonade.

Location: East Atlanta - 675 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE; Website: umbrellabaratl.com

Hankook Taqueria

When you visit Hankook Taqueria, get ready to enjoy a rare combination of flavors with their unique Korean Mexican fusion. Tacos, burritos, or bowls are the available styles, and you can then select your preferred flavor from beef, calamari, crispy chicken, shrimp, fish, tofu, pork or veggies. Each flavor is prepared with either Korean BBQ sauce, chipotle aioli sauce or sweet chili sauce. Don’t forget to try their outstanding kimchi fries!

If you’ve never had Korean fried chicken before, Mukja is a great place to take your taste buds on a deliciously crunchy journey to try some. Mukja brings “Seoul food to ATL” with their chicken combos (white or dark meat), wings, fried chicken sandwiches, cheese corn, Korean loaded fries, mac and cheese with kimchi, and their comeback sauce, which is a must to pair with fries.

Location: Midtown - 933 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 951; Website: mukjaatl.com; Contact: 404-855-5516

9292 Korean BBQ

Come to 9292 with your friends to make your own Korean barbecue if you’re seeking a fun dinner option. Their use of charcoal grills, which gives the food even more flavor, distinguishes 9292 from several other Korean BBQ joints around town. Both their seasoned pork short ribs and their kimchi fried rice are hugely popular. After ordering one of their hearty combo specials, you will certainly leave here full!

Location: Duluth - 3360 Satellite Blvd. #8; Facebook: @9292KBBQ; Contact: 770-680-2951

Gaja Korean Bar

This hip spot tucked away in EAV offers a wonderful assortment of drinks and traditional Korean fare with a modern twist. Inside Gaja, there is a sign that reads, “The only Korean punk bar on Earth,” and the atmosphere will make you believe that it is indeed true. Scallion pancakes, glass noodles, and hedo bap with yellowfin tuna, masago, watercress, puffed rice, kimchi mayo, and gochujang, are all noteworthy items to try.

Location: East Atlanta - 491 Flat Shoals Ave. SE A; Website: gajaeav.com; Contact: 404-835-2126

Dish Korean Cuisine

Look no further than Dish Korean Cuisine in Chamblee for a well-balanced, aesthetically pleasing meal packed with flavor and nutrients. You are guaranteed to discover something you’ll love here, like their spicy kimchi pancake, Korean-style dumplings, pan-fried pompano, dolsot bibimbap, beef short ribs and much more.

Location: Chamblee - 5000 Buford Hwy. NE; Website: dishkoreancuisine.com; Contact: 470-299-8886

Char Korean Bar and Grill

Visit Char Korean Bar & Grill in Inman Park for an upscale dinner date night where you can savor delicious drinks and grill-your-own barbecue. This place has terrific cuisine with a little bit of everything, including Korean meatballs, sticky chicken, pork belly spaghetti and more. Its contemporary ambiance and beautiful Asian murals make this a trendy spot for Korean barbecue (ITP). If you’re interested in ordering the “girlfriend” grilled combo, please ask your server for more information.

Location: East Atlanta - 299 N. Highland Ave. NE; Website: charatlanta.com; Contact: 404-525-2427