When people talk about Markham's food scene, Chinese cuisine usually dominates the conversation, and understandably so. But there is another culinary tradition that has quietly built an impressive presence across the Markham and Richmond Hill area, and it deserves far more attention than it gets: Korean food.
I have spent the past few years working my way through the Korean restaurants scattered along Highway 7, up through Richmond Hill, and into the side plazas that you would never find unless someone pointed you in their direction. What I have discovered is a food scene that is deep, varied, and consistently excellent. Here are the spots and styles that keep me coming back.
The Tabletop BBQ Experience
Korean BBQ is the entry point for most people, and Markham has plenty of options. There is something primal and satisfying about sitting at a table with a grill embedded in it, cooking your own meat, and assembling each bite with lettuce, garlic, ssamjang, and rice. It is interactive dining at its best, and it is also one of the most social meals you can have.
The Korean BBQ restaurant on Highway 7 East, near First Markham Place, is one of the spots I have returned to most often. The meat quality is solid, particularly the marinated galbi, which arrives with that deep sesame and soy flavour that caramelizes beautifully on the grill. The pork belly is thick-cut and renders down to that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside texture that is the mark of a good BBQ spot.
What I appreciate about the better Korean BBQ restaurants in the area is the banchan spread. Banchan, the assortment of small side dishes that arrive before the main event, is where you can really tell the difference between a place that cares and one that is going through the motions. The best spots in Markham serve banchan that is freshly prepared: kimchi with real depth and fermentation, pickled radish that crunches cleanly, seasoned bean sprouts, and sometimes a surprise dish like braised potatoes or fish cake in a spicy-sweet sauce. When the banchan is good, the entire meal is elevated.
A practical tip: Korean BBQ is best enjoyed with a group. Most restaurants require a minimum of two orders per table, and the experience is more fun when you have three or four people sharing a variety of meats. Budget around $30 to $50 per person depending on the cut and the restaurant, and do not skip the soju. It pairs perfectly.
Handmade Noodles: The Underrated Star
If Korean BBQ is the showpiece of Korean dining, then kalguksu, handmade knife-cut noodles, is the comfort food that locals keep coming back to on quiet weeknights. And one of the best places to find it is Jin Korean Noodle House on Commerce Valley Drive East.
I first heard about this place from a friend who described it simply as "the best noodle soup I have had in the GTA." That is a bold claim in a region with no shortage of noodle options, but after my first visit, I understood. The broth is the star, a rich, milky, deeply savoury soup that has clearly been simmered for hours. The noodles themselves are thick, chewy, and have that slightly irregular texture that tells you they are made by hand, not extruded from a machine.
I usually order the seafood kalguksu, which comes loaded with clams, shrimp, and sometimes mussels, all adding their own flavour to the broth. On a cold evening, it is one of the most satisfying meals in the area. The restaurant is modest in size and decor, tucked into a commercial plaza, but the food more than makes up for the unassuming setting.
If you are not in the mood for soup, many Korean noodle spots also serve excellent bibim guksu, cold noodles tossed in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce. It is a fantastic summer dish and a good way to change up your order on repeat visits.
Soon Tofu Stew: Spice and Comfort
Sundubu jjigae, or soon tofu stew, is one of those dishes that does not photograph particularly well but delivers enormously in flavour. It arrives at the table bubbling violently in a stone pot, a fiery red broth filled with silky soft tofu, egg, vegetables, and your choice of protein. You crack a raw egg into the pot, stir it through, and eat it with a bowl of rice on the side.
In Richmond Hill, Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu, which has a location inside the H-Mart on Yonge Street, is where I go when the craving hits. The tofu is incredibly soft, almost custard-like, and the broth has a layered heat that builds gradually rather than hitting you all at once. I usually order the seafood version, which adds clams and shrimp to the pot, but the kimchi soon tofu is equally good if you want something with a more fermented, funky depth.
Kim's Tofu, tucked away in a plaza on Bayview Avenue, is another spot that devoted soon tofu fans swear by. It is the kind of place where the menu is focused, the portions are generous, and the quality is consistent. The dining room is no-frills, which is exactly what you want when you are there for the food and nothing else.
Korean Fried Chicken: The Perfect Crunch
Korean fried chicken has become a global phenomenon, and for good reason. The double-frying technique produces a shatteringly crispy exterior that stays crunchy far longer than standard fried chicken. Combined with sauces that range from sweet and sticky to blazingly spicy, it is a category of food that Korea has genuinely perfected.
BB.Q Chicken, which has a presence in the Markham and Richmond Hill area, is one of the more recognizable names. Their olive oil-fried chicken has a distinctive golden crust and a cleaner flavour profile than you might expect from fried chicken. The gangjeong style, tossed in a sweet soy garlic glaze, is my go-to order. It pairs well with a cold beer and is excellent as a shared appetizer before a larger meal, or as the main event on its own.
But the real Korean fried chicken gems in the area tend to be the smaller, independent spots that do not have the brand recognition of a chain. Keep an eye out for places that advertise chimaek, the Korean term for the beloved combination of chicken and beer. These spots typically offer whole or half chickens, multiple sauce options, and side dishes like pickled radish and coleslaw that cut through the richness of the fried chicken.
Beyond the Basics: What Else to Try
The depth of the Korean food scene in Markham and Richmond Hill goes well beyond the categories I have covered. A few more dishes worth seeking out:
- Japchae: Glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables, meat, and a sweet soy sauce. It is served at most Korean restaurants and makes an excellent side dish or light main course.
- Tteokbokki: Chewy rice cakes in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce, often with fish cakes and a boiled egg. It is Korean street food at its best and available at many casual eateries in the area.
- Jjajangmyeon: Korean-Chinese black bean noodles with a thick, savoury sauce. It is comfort food of the highest order and widely available at Korean-Chinese restaurants in the area.
- Haemul pajeon: A crispy seafood pancake loaded with green onions, squid, and shrimp. Order it as an appetizer at any Korean BBQ restaurant, especially on a rainy day when the tradition calls for it.
Tips for Navigating the Korean Food Scene
- Look for the Korean clientele. The restaurants where Korean diners are eating are almost always the best ones. This sounds obvious, but in an area with hundreds of Korean restaurants, it is the most reliable indicator of quality.
- Do not overlook the plazas. Some of the best Korean food in Markham and Richmond Hill is hidden in strip plazas along Highway 7, Yonge Street, and Leslie Street. If the exterior is unassuming but the parking lot is full, that is a very good sign.
- Ask about daily specials. Many Korean restaurants have rotating specials that are not on the printed menu. A quick ask can lead you to dishes that the kitchen is particularly proud of that day.
- Embrace the communal style. Korean dining is inherently social. Dishes are meant to be shared, banchan is for the table, and the experience is better with a group. Bring friends.
- Pair with Korean beverages. Soju with BBQ, makgeolli (rice wine) with pajeon, or a Korean beer with fried chicken. The pairings are not accidental, and they genuinely enhance the meal.
A Scene Worth Exploring
Markham and Richmond Hill's Korean food scene does not get the same attention as the Chinese dining scene, but it absolutely should. The quality is high, the variety is impressive, and the value for money is excellent. Whether you are a first-time explorer or a seasoned Korean food enthusiast, this area has enough depth to keep you discovering new favourites for years.
I am still working through my list, and I suspect I will be for a long time. That is the mark of a food scene that is doing something right.
For more dining recommendations and local guides across Markham and Richmond Hill, visit MarkhamBusiness.com.