Meat lovers, rejoice? Six popular Korean BBQ spots to satisfy your cravings

▲Thick pork belly is irresistibly tempting when grilled. (Photo by Huang Shiyuan)

Reporter Huang Shiyuan / Special report

Korean cuisine isn’t new to Taiwan, but recently, thanks to the Hallyu wave, it has suddenly surged in popularity—especially Korean BBQ. HONEY PIG, which opened in January, once sparked a Korean BBQ craze in Taipei, and the upcoming Eight Colors Korean BBQ is even more ambitious, aiming to fully transplant Korea’s renowned eight-color BBQ experience to Taiwan. In addition to these two, Taiwan also boasts several well-reviewed or uniquely themed Korean BBQ restaurants, such as Japan-originated “VEGE TEJI YA,” Li Shao Ou’s “Shao Tong Zi,” and “Nan Da Men,” which prides itself on exceptional service quality.

▲Eight Colors Korean BBQ is set to open on August 1. (Photo by Huang Shiyuan)

Eight Colors Korean BBQ
Voted by Hong Kong travel magazine *New Holidays Weekly* as a must-try Korean dish, “Eight Colors Korean BBQ” has confirmed its opening on August 1. Although it hasn’t opened yet, most dining slots for August have already been booked, with only a few off-peak times remaining. To faithfully recreate the authentic flavors of Korea, many sauces are specially formulated in Taiwan by Korean specialists, while those unavailable locally are imported directly from Korea. For the pork, the restaurant compared 10 suppliers and conducted countless taste and texture tests before finalizing its meat provider.

The meat served at Eight Colors Korean BBQ is thick-cut pork belly, with its standout feature being eight different flavor variations: ginseng, red wine, pine needles, garlic, floral, curry, doenjang (fermented soybean paste), and chili sauce. Staff provide tableside grilling service to ensure perfect cooking. They recommend eating the meat immediately after grilling, as leaving it on the grill too long can make it tougher.

Address: No. 3, Lane 10, Alley 223, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Reservation hotline: 02-8773-9050
Minimum spend: NT$600 per table
Dining duration: 2 hours

▲Honey Pig once drew long queues for its 24-hour service. (Photo by Huang Shiyuan)

Honey Pig
The American Korean BBQ chain “Honey Pig” emphasizes authentic Korean BBQ, but its standout features are its cast-iron grills and seasonings, all “directly imported from Korea.” To maintain quality, founder Micky, the head chef, and key staff members will stay in Taiwan long-term until operations stabilize, after which they will return to the U.S.

Unlike typical Korean BBQ joints that use copper griddles, Honey Pig uses custom-made cast-iron plates (43 cm in diameter). Micky explains that cast iron heats up quickly, and the larger size allows for grilling more meat at once. Additionally, he mentions that aside from the ingredients, the cast-iron plates, sauces, and kimchi are all “directly imported from Korea” to deliver the most authentic Korean dining (BBQ) experience. Honey Pig offers tableside grilling service—once you order the meat, a server will grill it for you, so no need to lift a finger.

Address: No. 3, 415, Section 4, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City (Xinyi Road & Keelung Road intersection)
Phone: 02 2725 5757
OPEN/24-hour operation

▲VEGE TEJI YA emphasizes using organic greens. (Photo fromVEGE TEJI YAFacebook)

VEGE TEJI YA
A Korean BBQ spot from Japan? You read that right. Taipei is home to VEGE TEJI YA (Vegetable & Pork House), a Japanese-imported Korean BBQ restaurant known for its “organic greens wraps.” Though originating in Japan, where it has 14 branches (with four in Kyoto alone), its first Taiwan location is on Section 2, Bade Road, Taipei City. Isn’t it unique to enjoy a “Korean BBQ shop run by Japanese” while in “Taiwan”?

Address: No. 8, Lane 16, Alley 410, Section 2, Bade Road, Songshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-27788055
Business hours: 17:00–23:30

Shao Tong Zi Korean Vertical Grill
There are standing sushi bars, but did you know there’s also “standing Korean BBQ”? Shao Tong Zi is a Korean BBQ spot located on Yanji Street, Taipei City. Its gimmick? Mimicking Korea’s style of grilling and eating meat standing next to a gas canister—but don’t worry, there are still seats in case you get tired of standing.

Address: No. 99, Yanji Street, Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-27219192
Business hours: 18:00 to 01:00 the next day

Namdaemun Korean BBQ
Namdaemun Korean BBQ also offers table-side service, allowing customers to enjoy Korean-style grilled meat without having to grill it themselves. The owner has a big beard and is said to resemble celebrity Zhao Shun. The shop’s sign even features a photo of the owner. Due to its good reputation, the restaurant is often fully booked during meal times, so it’s recommended to make a reservation in advance. There’s also a notice in the store stating that if you’re not satisfied with the service, you can speak directly to the owner.

Address: No. 63, Lane 119, Linsen North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-25711017
Business Hours: 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM the next day


▲ Nüzi Korean Cuisine. (Photo / fromNüzi Korean CuisineFacebook)

Nüzi Korean Cuisine
Opened at the end of last year, Nüzi Korean Cuisine is also known for its eight-flavor thick-cut pork belly Korean BBQ, and it’s very popular. When reservations for the following month open on the 25th of each month, the shop’s phone line is often busy, making it another difficult restaurant to book. A second branch of Nüzi Korean Cuisine is currently in preparation.

Address: No. 20, Lane 19, Section 1, Da’an Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-27418284
Business Hours: Weekdays 5:30 PM–11:30 PM; Saturdays and Sundays 11:30 AM–2:00 PM, 5:30 PM–11:30 PM