The Rise of Korean Restaurants in Denver & Aurora: A Culinary Evolution
- Natalia Story
- Feb 18, 2025
- 6 min read
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:
2080 S Havana St, Aurora
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).
2222 S Havana St, Aurora
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 fantastic — offering some of my favorites like kimchi pancakes, braised chicken gizzards, spicy braised chicken feet, traditional BBQ options like galbi, and mouthwatering shareable hot soups. Not to be missed is the unique Army Stew, which originated during the Korean War and was inspired by American ingredients (ramen, hot dogs, ham, beef, bacon, and cheese). If that’s not your jam, the spicy crab soup is equally delicious!
2787 S Parker Road, Aurora
Moobongri is an area in Korea known for its soondae (Korean blood sausage) and is also one of the most popular, if not the most popular, soondae chain restaurants in Korea. It has locations across the United States, including here in Denver — but it feels no less local than the other spots in Aurora. Not surprisingly, it specializes in soups and stews — with sides of the aforementioned soondae. (Check out their new sister restaurant, Moobongri BBQ, just across the street.)
2060 S Havana St, Aurora
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. 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 also make it a combo with bulgogi, galbi short ribs, chicken, or soy sauce or spicy marinated crab (a specialty here for adventurous eaters).
2100 16th St, Denver (Downtown)
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 Choe and his family, actually owned Silla for 12 years in Aurora (that oldest still-standing Korean restaurant in Denver). 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.
200 Quebec St, Denver (Lowry)
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 ribs shown here are a standout!)
The desserts here are also not to be missed, my favorite being the thick Korean pancake filled with nutella!
2648 S Parker Road, Aurora
This hidden gem in Aurora will make you feel like you’ve stepped straight into a Korean grandma’s kitchen. Owned by the legendary Momma Song, this spot is all about authentic home cooking and family-style plates such as:
“Yukgaejang” spicy beef soup
“Budaejjigae” army stew (complete with SPAM, hot dogs, ramen, dumplings, tofu, and cheddar cheese)
“Jjimdak” fall-off-the-bone, soy-braised chicken
“Soondae” traditional Korean blood sausage
5028 W 92nd Ave, Westminster
Chef Yong “Peter” Ho, formerly of Boulder’s acclaimed OAK, opened this affordable hot pot spot in Westminster in 2024, 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, eggs, noodles, rice cakes, and more)
High-quality meats (chicken, pork, lamb, and standout beef tongue)
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.
Have a favorite Korean restaurant in Denver? Let me know — I’d love to hear your recommendations!
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