The Rise of Korean Restaurants in Denver & Aurora: A Culinary Evolution

Korean cuisine has become an essential part of the Denver-Aurora dining scene, but its roots in the region stretch back decades. What started as a handful of family-run establishments in the 1990s has evolved into a dynamic food movement, spanning everything from traditional barbecue spots to trendy fusion eateries. As someone who has fallen in love with Korean cuisine, I wanted to share a bit of its local history and highlight some of my favorite Korean restaurants — both long-standing and new.

A Look Back: The Pioneers of Korean Cuisine in Denver

Korean restaurants began appearing in Denver in the late 1990s, primarily catering to the small but growing Korean-American community. Many of these early spots were family-run businesses, offering home-style comfort dishes like kimchi jjigae (spicy kimchi stew), bibimbap (rice bowls with assorted toppings), and galbi (marinated short ribs). One of the earliest and most enduring establishments is Silla, a strip-mall gem founded by Korean immigrant Yong K. Lee in the 1990s. It remains a beloved fixture today, standing as a testament to the resilience and authenticity of Korean food in Colorado. A slightly later addition was neighborhood favorite was Seoul BBQ, opened by James and Lily Kwon in 2007. It was bought by J.W. Lee in 2017 and now stands as the ever-popular Seoul Korean BBQ & Hot Pot (the hot pots were added in 2019). It’s actually the first spot I recommend to anyone first trying Korean BBQ in Denver today!

J.W. Lee: A Name You Should Know

If you’re a fan of Korean cuisine in Colorado, you’ve likely experienced the culinary influence of J.W. Lee — even if you don’t recognize his name. The South Korean-born chef and restaurateur moved to Denver more than 15 years ago and has since built a mini-empire under Seoul Hospitality Group. Lee has introduced countless Coloradans to authentic Korean flavors through his diverse portfolio of restaurants, which includes: Seoul BBQ, Tofu Story, Seoul ManDoo, Mono Mono, Thank Sool Pocha, Sintoburi, Leezakaya, Wasabi Sushi Bar, Menya, Pho 75, Coffee Story, Mochinut, and more. While not all of his concepts are strictly Korean, his impact on Denver’s Korean food scene is undeniable. Several of his restaurants are on my list of favorites today.

The Evolution of Korean Cuisine in Colorado

Over the past decade, Korean food in Colorado has expanded beyond Aurora and beyond traditional BBQs and stews, embracing more contemporary and fusion-driven concepts. One major catalyst for this shift was Joseph Kim’s Dae Gee Korean BBQ, which first opened in Westminster in 2012 and quickly spread to other parts of Denver. By popularizing the all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ model, Dae Gee quickly became a hit among both Korean food enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Meanwhile, J.W. Lee continued to innovate, launching casual, street-food-inspired concepts such as Seoul ManDoo Korean dumplings (opened in 2020, but now inside Sintoburi) and Mono Mono Korean Fried Chicken (2021), serving double-fried, ultra-crispy Korean-style wings.

My Favorite Korean Restaurants in Denver

While there are plenty of incredible spots to explore, here are a few personal favorites that I keep coming back to:

1. Seoul Korean BBQ & Hot Pot

Seoul Korean BBQ & Hot Pot was already mentioned above, but it’s a good one to kick off this list. I consider it to be sort of the Godfather of Korean BBQ in Denver. It’s one of the first (and the first of J.W. Lee’s acclaimed empire), definitely one of the best, and certainly one of the biggest. The meat selection of beef, pork, poultry, and seafood is quite extensive — including fun items like galbi, beef belly, beef tongue, wagyu ribeye, pork jowls, and baby octopus. I’d say Seoul BBQ is objectively recognized by most locals as the best Korean BBQ in Colorado, so it’s a great place to start (either your Korean culinary exploration, or your night out in Aurora).

2080 S Havana St, Aurora, CO 80014

2. Thank Sool Pocha (Opened 2017)

One of my all-time favorite Denver restaurants, Thank Sool Pocha brings a trendy, late-night izakaya-style dining experience to Aurora. The decor is fun and trendy, the drinks are always flowing, and the food is phenomenal — offering some of my favorites like kimchi pancakes, a spicy braised chicken feet skillet (the best preparation of chicken feet I’ve had to date), traditional BBQ options like galbi (and more adventurous ones like pig intestine), and mouthwatering shareable hot soups. Not to be missed is the Army Stew, which originated during the Korean War when American ingredients were blended with Korean classics — giving rise to a unique stew made with ramen, hot dogs, ham, beef, bacon, and cheese.

2222 S Havana St E, Aurora, CO 80014

3. Tofu Story (Opened 2023)

If you love spicy tofu stew, this place is a must-visit. Tofu Story is the only restaurant in the Denver metro area with a house-made tofu program, which I think makes it pretty special. Owner J.W. Lee sources organic, non-GMO soybeans from Soyko International (a Korean-American farm in Minnesota), then mills them through a Korean-made stone grinder to produce fresh soft, firm, and black tofu in-house.

The house specialty is, of course, “soon tofu” — a stew made with soft tofu, your choice of meat, and to your select level of spiciness. You can choose beef, pork, kimchi, ramen, seafood, ham, sausage, mushrooms, vegetables, dumplings, intestine, a combo, or just the tofu. You can also make it a combo with bulgogi, galbi short ribs, chicken, or soy sauce or spicy marinated crab (a specialty here for adventurous eaters).

2060 S Havana St, Aurora, CO 80014

4. Kkoki Korean BBQ (Opened 2023)

They may seem like a “newcomer” to the local Korean BBQ scene, having opened in just late 2023 in downtown Denver — but the owners of Kkoki, Sung Chae and his family, actually owned Silla for 12 years in Aurora (that oldest still-standing Korean restaurant I mentioned in the first half of this article). They now bring their original authentic Korean recipes to the heart of downtown Denver — in a cozy, yet modern setting right across from Commons Park. They’re committed to high-quality meat sourcing, so the BBQ meat options here are top notch. I also absolutely love their tofu soup and come here all the time for the combo of galbi ribs and soup! Plus they serve some other Korean favorites of mine, such as Ojingo Bokkeum (spicy squid), Galbi Jim (short rib bowl), Yukgaejang (spicy beef and leek stew), and a few other authentic classics they’ve been perfecting for years. The owner can often be seen working hard behind the bar, his wife is the chef in the back, and their kids help our with serving on busy days — all the nicest people!

A fantastic destination for great Korean dishes — whether you want to grill them yourself or not — without having to trek out to Aurora!

2100 16th St #145, Denver, CO 80202

5. BaekGa Korean Kitchen (Opened 2024)

Located in Lowry Town Center, BaekGa Korean Kitchen is a hidden gem from chef Sean Baek offering a fantastic array of authentic Korean dishes for both lunch and dinner. Some of my personal favorites include:

  • Handmade pan-fried “Mandoo” (dumplings)
  • Kimchi pancakes
  • Steaming hot “Sundubu” tofu stew
  • Oversized kimbap rolls
  • Bulgogi and kalbi bowls
  • Shareable meat platters (the braised short rib are a standout!

The desserts here are also not to be missed, my favorite being the thick Korean pancake filled with nutella!

200 Quebec St Bldg 600 unit 115, Denver, CO 80230

6. Sorry Umma (Opened 2024)

Chef Yong “Peter” Ho, formerly of Boulder’s acclaimed OAK, opened this affordable hot pot spot in Westminster just this last year, and it’s a game-changer. The highlights include:

  • Flavorful broths – miso, mushroom, bulgogi, and spicy tteok-bokki
  • A massive buffet of fresh ingredients (greens, seafood, tofu, eggs, noodles, rice cakes, and more)
  • High-quality meats – chicken, pork, lamb, and standout beef tongue

5028 W 92nd Ave, Westminster, CO 80031

7. Moobongri Soondae

Lastly, I want to call out one more place for its uniqueness and authenticity (despite being part of a small California-based chain). Moobongri Soondae is located right next to H Mart in Aurora, and I recommend it to all my adventurous eaters for its focus on its namesake ingredient — “soondae” — a type of Korean blood sausage. It’s quite different than the black pudding in the U.K. and is often mixed with glass noodles instead of oats. The noodles are perfect for soaking up the soup its served with!

2787 S Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80014

The Future of Korean Cuisine in Denver

With the rise of Korean BBQ, street food, and fusion concepts, Korean cuisine is no longer a niche experience in Denver — it’s a staple. Whether you’re a lifelong Korean food lover or just beginning to explore its rich flavors, Denver’s diverse Korean restaurant scene offers something for everyone.

I’ll continue updating this list as more exciting new spots emerge. One that’s come recommended by a trusted source that’s on my to-try list is Hanyang Wang Jokbal (in the former Seoul ManDoo space). Have a favorite Korean restaurant in Denver? Let me know — I’d love to hear your recommendations!