Korean BBQ in Nashville (2025)
A longtime local favorite with tabletop grills, generous banchan, and a loyal Korean crowd. Frequently cited by Eater Nashville, it’s where many locals send out-of-towners to DIY-grill bulgogi and short rib in a relaxed, family-run setting.
West Nashville’s essential mom-and-pop for soulful BBQ plates, standout seafood pancake, and house-made banchan. Featured in Eater Nashville, this unassuming spot draws regulars for bulgogi, galbi, and comforting stews.
Hai Woon Dai, a walk-in-only Korean BBQ spot in Antioch, operates with machine-like precision and efficiency. Maybe that’s because there’s always a line of people waiting to get in. Or maybe it’s because what’s coming out of the kitchen and off the grills doesn’t need any bells and whistles. This is some of the best Korean food in the city. The BBQ is definitely the play, but if the wait is too long, explore the extensive a la carte menu. There’s no shortage of exceptional dishes—like a bowl of japchae with its delightful nest of chewy glass noodles, a crispy seafood pancake bursting with pan-fried mussels and scallops, and a stellar bibimbap served in a hot stone pot that comes with a strict verbal warning about its scalding temperature. photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin Pause Unmute The space is split into two dining rooms, and like the service itself, there isn’t a whole lot of fuss. The extent of the ambiance comes from a TV in the corner and the mini Polaroid shots of customers slurping up noodles tacked onto the walls. What you will find is every kind of Nashvillian from every neighborhood in town. Vanderbilt students looking to warm up on a chilly January night, Antioch families letting their kids run amok on the grills, and East Nashville couples looking for a weeknight reprieve from grocery shopping. Everyone gets a seat at the table at Hai Woon Dai—you just might have to wait a bit. Food Rundown Seafood Pancake This appetizer is a must. The seafood—a mix of mussels and scallops—is plentiful and tender, and the pancake is crisp and slightly salted. Drizzle it with the accompanying soy sauce for some added dimension. photo credit: Casey Irwin Japchae It’s hard to stop eating the japchae. You’ll find yourself pushing past “full” just so you can keep tasting the chewy glass noodles and stir-fried vegetables coated in a slightly sweet, yet umami-rich sesame sauce. photo credit: Casey Irwin Banchan Six little bowls of banchan come with the entrees at Hai Woon Dai. The crisp, honeyed potatoes and mouth-puckering pickled daikon are particular standouts. photo credit: Casey Irwin Korean BBQ These are some of the higher-quality meats we’ve come across at Korean BBQ options in Nashville, and the portions are generous. A few of our favorites include premium pork belly and marinated short ribs. This is a great option for a group of four. photo credit: Casey Irwin Korean Blackberry Wine This tastes like a tart juice with a kick. It’s a nice counterpoint to the savory and salt-kissed dishes.
Located just up the road from Hai Woon Dai, I find So Gong Dong Tofu House another great option south of town; it’s probably the nicest Korean restaurant interior-wise and specializes in sundubu jjigae (tofu soup) while doing justice to all of the standards.
Independent Brentwood spot with tabletop grills, combo sets, and Korean comfort dishes; noted by Eater Nashville when it opened. Expect marinated short ribs, pork belly, and a steady stream of banchan in a casual room.
Opened by Korean-American owners in 2023, this Nolensville newcomer leans into USDA Prime meats, BBQ combos, and welcoming service. Locals praise the galbi, cheese corn, and jjamppong; a fresh, independently owned grill destination.
A worthy 40-minute westward jaunt: a rustic roadside kitchen cooking Korean favorites and playful specials. Spotlighted by Southern Living, it’s a small, community-driven outfit serving bulgogi, stews, and Korean fried chicken.
Family-run and beloved by Nashville Scene and Food Network, this counter-service spot riffs on Korean standards—think spicy pork bulgogi and bibimbap—served with warmth and neighborhood spirit.
A low-key Nolensville Pike stalwart with Korean staples—bulgogi, kimchi jjigae, dolsot bibimbap—alongside Japanese fare. Nashville Scene’s neighborhood coverage has long praised its friendly, family-run vibe.