As South Korea goes global, here are the best places to get your beauty, bibimbap and BTS fix.

Korean culture has gone well and truly mainstream – we’re talking South, of course. The boyband BTS have topped the US Billboard charts, Taylor Swift was caught dancing to BLACKPINK at the MTV VMA’s, Squid Games is one of the most popular shows on Netflix, Parasite won Best Picture at the Oscars, and To All the Boys I Loved Before is a New York Times bestseller. Oh, and a constant stream of K-pop festivals keep coming to the Middle East. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re new to or a novice in all things South Korean; there are plenty of ways to show your appreciation for the country. The UAE sure loves South Korea – just recently, there were cool events, from a K-Market pop-up in Jebel Ali to Hyperound K-Fest. So, whether you’re after K-pop or kimchi, here are the best places to experience South Korean culture in the UAE.

Bon Ga

Abu Dhabi’s Bon Ga is all about healthy Korean food, and it prides itself on its authentic dishes. The menu includes rice, noodles, soup and stew dishes, which range from yook gye jang (spicy beef stew) to glabi tang (beef rib soup). Plus, when you want to indulge, there is K-pop chicken. If that isn’t enough, it’s across the road from the Korean supermarket, Hanarum K-Mart.

GO: Visit https://bongauae.com for more information.

Family Mart

If you want to try cooking Korean cuisine, head over to Family Mart in Barsha. Established in 2015, the Korean supermarket is stocked with authentic goods imported directly from Korea. The products include kimchi, ramen, noodles, sauces and powders. Plus, it sells South Korean beauty products from brands including Cell and Boryeong. The shop offers free delivery on orders over AED 100.

GO: Visit www.familyk.ae for more information. 

Hoe Lee Kow

Located in Dubai Hills, Hoe Lee Kow offers an innovative Korean dining experience. The restaurant from acclaimed chef Reif Othman serves a Korean-inspired menu, which covers everything from Chicken Wings and Wagyu Beef Mandu to Tteobokki, HLK Ramyun Soup, and (of course) Bibimbap. The venue accommodates up to 88 guests, amidst bright, bold murals.

GO: Follow @hlkbyreif on Instagram for more information.

HYU Korean Restaurant 

A favourite with the locals and a taste of Korean culture in the UAE, Dubai’s JLT restaurant serves value-for-money Korean food without compromising on flavour. The menu includes pan-fried dumplings, kimchee pancakes, crispy seafood pancakes and galbitang (beef short rib soup). Best of all, you can enjoy a full Korean barbecue experience and have dishes cooked at the table’s grill. 

GO: Follow @hyurestaurant for reservations and more information. 

Kaffe Bloom

Nestled in The Greens in Dubai, you’ll find the hip Kaffe Bloom. The Korean café serves a superb range of drinks, including matcha bubble tea, dalgona coffee and affogato. An excellent spot for a pick-me-up, the desserts include black cacao Basque cheesecake, sea salt truffle brownies, and mango bingsoo – a Korean shaved ice dessert topped with fruit. 

GO: Visit @kaffebloom on Instagram for more information.

Kimpo Dubai

We know that wine and cheese complement each other, but fried chicken and beer – while not quite so sophisticated – is one of life’s great pairings. Conrad Dubai’s Kimpo Dubai has perfected the combo, and we have South Korean chef Sung Choul Lee to thank for that. The vibe is all Brooklyn meets Seoul, as it has live music by DJ Aika, neon lights and K-pop art. The menu includes pokes, prawns and pizzas, but the chicken is the crowd pleaser. Once you order the chicken wings, drums and breast strips to share, you’ll understand the joy of Kimpo Dubai. 

GO: Visit www.conraddubaihotel.com for reservations and more information.

K-SECRET 

The secrets out: South Korean beauty products are exceptional. The beauty products have gone viral, and K-SECRET is the place to stock up on them. Whether you want cleansers or creams, they’ve got it all. K-SECRET is one of the largest distributors of South Korean beauty products in the region, offering over 1,000 products from 50 brands. In the UAE, K-SECRET can be found in the Arabian Centre, Al Rashidiya, Al Ghurair Centre, Ibn Battuta Mall and Circle Mall. 

GO: Visit www.ksecret.com/en for more information.

Korean Cultural Centre 

Located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the Korean Cultural Centre promotes a cultural exchange between South Korea and the UAE. This is a great starting point for immersing yourself in Korean culture in the UAE, as the centre regularly hosts exhibitions, concerts and film screenings. Film screenings include classics such as The Housemaid, Breaking Dogs Never Bite, and A Hard Day. Plus, you can learn your annyeonghaseyo from your gamsahabnida, as it offers language classes. (If you’re wondering, the phrases translate to hello and thank you.)

GO: Visit https://uae.korean-culture.org for more information.

Kung Korean Karaoke 

When you want to let out your inner K-pop star, head over to Kung Korean Karaoke in Barsha, Dubai. Come for the Korean food and stay for a singsong. Don’t worry about embarrassing yourself in front of other diners, as the karaoke takes place in private rooms. All you have to do is brush up on your Korean, though, so you can sing the songs.

GO: Visit https://bybloshoteldubai.com for more information.

Mandang Korean

Grab those chopsticks and make your way to Abu Dhabi’s Mandang Korean. Cook your meats the way you want, thanks to the grills that are brought to your table. It’s all on the traditional side, from the shoji screens to the horigotatsu seats – those are seats that have a recessed floor underneath them. Make your way through the menu, which includes grilled duck, fried long arm octopus, and beef belly with vegetables. Oh, and it’s pet-friendly. A true celebration of Korean culture in the UAE.

GO: Follow @madanguae on Instagram for more information.

Madang Mart 

Madang Mart is your friendly neighbourhood Asian grocery store. Located in Abu Dhabi, it offers a variety of seafood, seasonings, and sauces, allowing you to create your own dishes at home. The South Korean cosmetics, as well as merchandise from BTS and BLACKPINK, draw the crowds. Plus, there is fun to be had on the claw machine, as it has soft toys that are, well, up for grabs. 

GO: Visit https://madangmart.com for more information.

Mukbang Shows

When you rock up to Mukbang Shows, don’t be fooled by the brightly lit, kitsch exterior. Inside, the restaurant does everything it can to make you feel like you’re in Seoul. The lanterns, shoji screens and cherry blossom trees all add to the “I’m-not-in-Abu-Dhabi” feel. We recommend taking full advantage of the grills on the table and ordering the popular unlimited Korean BBQ, which includes beef, chicken, squid, and shrimp. 

GO: Visit https://mukbangshow.ae for more information. 

Oppa Jjimjilbang Spa and Beauty Centre

Oppa Jjimjilbang Spa and Beauty Centre has brought traditional Korean beauty practices to the heart of Abu Dhabi. The venue offers a range of spa services, which include Korean-style facials with imported beauty products. The Oppa Korean Glass Skin Facial is inspired by the latest South Asian trend, where glass is pushed against the skin to create a poreless look.

GO: Visit https://oppaspa.com for more information. 

QKO Asian Market

QKO Asian Market is a one-stop shop for South Korean (and Japanese) products. While it is primarily a supermarket selling noodles, rice, teas and condiments, there are some real gems. Topokki, the South Korean equivalent of Pot Noodle, is available. Plus, there is stationery, beauty products and K-pop memorabilia. BTS plushies, anyone?  

GO: Visit www.qkoasianmarket.com for more information.

Sarang Bakery

Embrace Korean culture in the UAE with rice doughnuts, milk cakes, and roll cakes, which are just some of the brilliant baked goods you can find at Sarang Bakery. Located in JLT, Dubai, the shop is all very twee with white doilies and lace tablecloths, while the shoji screens add an Eastern touch. If you want to linger, there are a few tables, and it does delivery. 

GO: Follow @sarangbakery on Instagram for more information. 

Smoki Moto

Located at Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Smoki Moto is Dubai’s first licensed Korean steakhouse. Renowned for its dry-ageing techniques, including butter dry ageing, kelp (seaweed), and sugar-cured methods, steaks are cooked on custom charcoal grills at high temperatures, allowing guests to personalise their preferred temperature. The comprehensive Butcher Shop menu offers an array of options, from Korean-style marinated short ribs to quality grain- and grass-fed beef. Traditional Korean dishes like Bibimbap Stone Bowls with foie gras and rice are also available.

GO: Follow @smokimotodubai on Instagram for more information. 

Sonamu

After Sonamu set up shop in Expo Dubai 2020, it garnered new fans and helped put this casual dining spot on the map. The Deira diner serves classic South Korean cuisine, including grills, hot pots, and soups. If you’re hosting a party, consider booking one of the private dining rooms.

GO: Follow @sonamudxb on Instagram for more information.