When Meryvn’s shopping center in Carrollton closed in 2006, the fate of this once-decaying strip would be changed forever by a group of Korean investors. Edward Choi and others purchased the old center in 2007, and despite various obstacles, brought in a Super H-Mart, believing that it would boost Carrollton’s economy. The opening was a massive success, and H-Mart became the anchor to the Koreatown we know today.
The Asian supermarket thrived for six years, and in 2014, the surrounding 154,00 square-feet of retail space was redeveloped by NewQuest properties, which included food courts, specialty retail shops, and a brand-new, 50,000 square foot 99 Ranch Market. The rest was history.
Today, more than 100 different Korean restaurants are sprinkled along this strip of Old Denton Road, creating Dallas’ own Koreatown that is one of the best destinations to enjoy the cuisine outside of Korea.
Some spotlight a single specialty — think Korean fried chicken or tabletop barbecue — while others offer sprawling menus filled with shareable plates meant for the whole table. Consider this your guide as you eat your way through Carrollton’s standout spots.
Ari Korean BBQ
There’s all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue in Dallas, and then there’s Ari Korean BBQ. Quality beef, pork, and various combinations of protein sizzle on countertop grills, cooked by the staff, while banchan flows endlessly from the kitchen. The portions are generous and well-priced, but if you’re feeling ravenous, try one of the two new AYCE experiences—one of which includes sushi. 2625 Old Denton Rd., Carrollton, aribbq.com
Hong Dumpling House
From-scratch, handmade mandu (Korean dumplings) in a few variations are the only menu items at Hong Dumpling House, but you’ll never leave needing anything more. Mr. Hong makes his steamed, fried, or snowflake style, and doesn’t skim on the fillings. Curious eaters will order the squid mandu, which is a full squid filled with ground pork and vegetables, then sliced. 1901 Royal Ln., Dallas, hongdumplinghouse.com
Doma Seolleongtang
If opening a Korean restaurant at 9:30 a.m. in the morning is wrong, Doma Seolleongtang doesn’t want to be right. They do an ox bone broth-based soup in many different ways, but the unsung hero on Doma’s menu is the Oo Guh Ji Galbi Tang, which is made with spicy beef baby back ribs and dried cabbage. Every bowl comes with a pitcher of barley tea and three banchan: kimchi, radish kimchi and green onion kimchi. This soup will heal any ailment, including that extra shot or three from a previous night of revelry. 2640 Old Denton Rd., Carrollton, domaseolleongtang.com
Hampyong Noodle
On a hot summer day, few dishes hit the spot like hampyong — also referred to as naengmyeon. This cold noodle dish originated in North Korea, but is widely enjoyed in both North and South, each with its own spin. Hampyong Noodle serves classic mul naengmyun, plus three spicy versions: bibim, hwe, sokcho kodari. You can choose to combo up the bowl with pork shoulder, la galbi, dumplings or a meat patty, but regardless of which you choose, a cup of the bottomless broth is a must. Don’t be fooled—the noodles are cold, but the spice will sneak up on you. 2625 Old Denton Rd., Carrollton
No. 1 Plus Chicken
There are many places to get great Korean fried chicken in Dallas, but most pale in comparison to No. 1 Plus Chicken. This spot is locally owned, which is the first differentiator, and second, the menu allows for a near-infinite number of customizations. The original recipe takes chicken that’s been marinated for 48-hours and fries it twice to a blissful crisp. You could be satisfied there, but taking advantage of the five different heat levels, eleven sauce flavors, and combinations is the best way to indulge. 2625 Old Denton Rd., Carrollton, no1pluschicken.wordpress.com
Wicked Snow
Instead of using shaved ice chips, this popular Korean dessert shop uses finely milled milk-based ice that looks like freshly fallen snow in a bowl. Wicked Snow layers every bowl with condensed milk and your choice from 10 flavors, ranging from fresh fruits like mango and strawberry, classic flavors like black sesame, and indulgent options like the Oreo choco monster. Customize it further with toppings like mochi and red bean. The taiyaki and croffles baked in-house will bekon those with a sweet tooth. 2625 Old Denton Rd., Carrollton, places.singleplatform.com/wicked-snow
Maht Gaek
Cloudy and meaty oxtail soup is what Maht Gaek is known for, but many also come here to try the soy-marinated crab, smoky pork ribs, and gamjatang, a rich and savory soup made using the neck of a pig. But, this modern Korean restaurant has two unsung heroes: the stellar banchan and the spicy grilled mackerel. 2625 Old Denton Rd., Carrollton, mahtgaekcarrollton.com
ZZIZIM Korean Kitchen
When you pan-fry savory dishes and pancakes to showcase a perfect crispy texture, the technique is referred to as “Zzizim” in Korea. Naturally, the original pancakes at ZZIZIM Korean Kitchen are the star of the show, and they show up at the table as advertised: sizzling and crispy. Each one is made-to-order and is complementary to the rest of their menu offerings. 2625 Old Denton Rd., Carrollton, zzizimcarrollton.com
Gold Spoon
Gold Spoon is one of the newer restaurants in Koreatown, but it’s already got plenty of street cred. The seafood and green onion pancake, bossam (boiled pork), LA galbi, and the soft tofu soups are among highlights of the menu.. Everything is served in generous, family-style portions. Many will agree that a Korean restaurant is only as good as its banchan, and the spread here is a near biblical experience for the taste buds. 3040 Old Denton Rd., Carrollton
Koryo Korean BBQ
Only a few places do charcoal Korean barbecue in Dallas, and one is Koryo Korean BBQ. The live coals sizzle premium meat cuts, a la carte favorites, and live charcoal eels. Allegedly, Rose from the world-famous K-pop group BLACKPINK dined at this joint. Prices are slightly steeper than your average AYCE locale, but the prime cuts of beef short ribs more than make up for the impact on your wallet. 2560 Royal Ln., Dallas, eatkoryo.com
Onedon
Onedon is a Korean restaurant with some Japanese flair, located on the edge of the Old Koreatown. The name translates to “today’s meal”, and it’s best known for its Korean-style pork katsu and hamburger steak. The crisp on the pork cutlet alone is as good a reason as any to come by, but the attention you’ll receive from the warm and attentive owner is the icing on the cake. Pro tip: dip the katsu in the curry gravy, in lieu of pouring it over the top so you don’t ruin that crisp. 11434 Emerald St., Dallas
Gomonae Restaurant
When the weather dips and your appetite yearns for a rich and spicy stew, Gomonae delivers. Even if it’s your first time digging into all the different types of Korean soups and stews, the first steamy spoonful is likely to be addictive for anyone. Favorites from the menu are the sugure gookbab, a spicy cow head bone stew and the soontopu jjigae, a hot and spicy tofu soup. 11407 Emerald St., Dallas
