According to the National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic, the population of Kyrgyzstan in 2022 was 6,747,323. From that, a whopping 16,950 were Koreans. Predominantly centered in the city capital, Bishkek, many Koreans come here to work, volunteer, and study. With a large Korean population, many Korean restaurants have started to emerge, offering an authentic way to eat Korea's delicious cuisine.
Some restaurants are opened and operated by Koreans, so if you are looking to have an authentic experience of Korean cuisine or want to try it for the first time, continue reading because I'm going to share some of my favorite restaurants.
If you'd like to explore other great eats in Bishkek, check out my other blog posts:
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY KOREANS IN KYRGYZSTAN?
So why is there a large Korean population in Kyrgyzstan in the first place? I'm not an expert but I'm going to share a brief history of ethnic Koreans living in Kyrgyzstan, called Koryo-saram. In the early 20th century, Koreans migrated to Russia and were deported to former Soviet Union countries, commonly known as Central Asia. There is even a larger population of Koryo-saram in countries such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. So when I came across Koryo-saram in Bishkek, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they looked very much like me.
Whenever I see a Korean in Bishkek, I'm not hesitant to ask what the reason for them being here is. Some are attending local universities studying the Russian language, working at the Korean embassy, or volunteering. In addition, a Korean airline called T-Way Air now operates direct flights between Seoul to Bishkek which caused an influx of tourists.
KOREAN INFLUENCE IN KYRGYZSTAN
The Korean wave has truly taken the world by storm because a majority of people in Kyrgyzstan that I've met happened to follow the Korean culture in some way. It's interesting because everyone's interest in Korean culture seems to have started the same way, through the hit 2009 Korean drama called "Boys Over Flowers." Even my boyfriend's mom and sister watched it when it first aired. Through streaming platforms like Netflix, it's become more easily accessible for people to watch Korean content like TV shows and movies. I will meet Kyrgyz friends here and we'll start discussing the latest Korean drama and any new updates from the previous episodes.
The popularity of Korean music doesn't seem to be slowing down either. There doesn't seem to be a Gen Z here who hasn't heard of BLACKPINK, BTS, or New Jeans. The female Korean pop group, EVERGLOW, even held their solo concert in Bishkek on November 15, 2022.
There's even a Korean newspaper called the Korean Times where they write about current events, significant occurrences within the Kyrgyz-Korean community, and advertisements for local businesses. Finally, there's no shortage of Korean cosmetics that are sold here. You can visit any of the major malls in Bishkek and come across Korean brands such as The Face Shop or standalone stores that sell a variety of different Korean brands.
TOP KOREAN RESTAURANTS IN BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN
As an ethnic Korean, I grew up eating delicious Korean food in our household. My mom and grandmother are excellent chefs and if I can eat only one thing for the rest of my life, it would be their cooking. The Korean restaurants that I'm recommending below are authentic and approved by a Korean food lover like me.
Note that some authentic Korean seafood dishes are not available in Kyrgyzstan. You need to understand that Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country so getting access to fresh and variety of seafood is difficult. However, there is no lack of meat in Kyrgyzstan so you'll find a delicious assortment of Korean barbeque here.
1. MyungGa
MyungGa opened its doors on April 2023 and is located on Yunusaliev Ave, near the Korean embassy, along with many of the other Korean restaurants. The term MyungGa in Korean means "prestigious family" or "renowned person" and the interior design of the restaurant does encapsulate this. The contemporary furnishings, and minimalist decorations, combined with the latest built-in barbeque systems creates the perfect atmosphere to come with couples, groups, or for meetings. They do have private rooms and booths in the back of the restaurant which you can reserve in advance.
Now that I look back at the images of the menu, there is no English text. This may be difficult if you don't understand Korean or Russian, but there are photos of the individual food items which can be helpful.
The following are the menu items I've ordered at MyungGa:
Korean barbeque:
Galbi-sal (갈비살): This is a beef short rib. It's the perfect combination of protein and fat, making it tender and juicy.
Marinated Galbi-sal (양념 갈비살): This is a marinated beef short rib. It's the same as galbi-sal and is typically marinated in soy sauce, sugar, and garlic.
Chadolbagi (Korean BBQ): This is a thinly shaved beef brisket. It has a relatively higher fat-to-meat ratio, making it extra delicious, and has a similar texture to bacon when cooked correctly.
Main dishes:
Tuna kimchi-jjigae (참치김치찌개): A kimchi stew filled with large chunks of kimchi, onions, tofu, and tuna.
Seafood pancake (해물파전): A pan-fried green onion pancake that is soft and crispy with pieces of seafood. I was quite disappointed with this dish and will not be ordering it again.
Soybean paste soup (된장찌개): A traditional soybean paste stew that is complementary to Korean barbeque. This was delicious and the saltiness from the fermented soybeans made it perfect to eat with a hot bowl of rice.
Since we ordered the Korean barbeque, we were also served large pieces of lettuce, raw pieces of garlic, and the classic sauce called ssam-jang. MyungGa does offer both beef and pork options in their barbeque menu. In total, our bill totaled approximately USD 50 to USD 60.
There is also a store called Korea Town located right beside the restaurant that sells Korean chips, ramen, and sauces.
2. Gangnam Korean BBQ
Gangnam Korean BBQ is also on the top of my list and I would visit more often, but it happens to be further away from where I live compared to MyungGa. The restaurant is opened by a lovely Korean lady and she has her own Kimchi brand which can be found in shops in Bishkek. The restaurant is similar to MyungGa where they serve staple dishes in Korean cuisine such as soups, bibimbap, and noodle dishes. Their Korean barbeque is also a must-try and you can either grill your meat at the table or have the staff help you. They offer beef, chicken, and seafood dishes. It is all served with lettuce leaves and various dipping sauces.
I've visited here on two separate occasions. The first time I went, I ordered a spicy seafood soup, spicy fried shrimp, and stir-fried squid with rice. The stir-fried squid with rice was delicious and reminded me of what my mom used to cook for me. The second time I went with a group of friends and we ordered the barbeque. It was delicious and a side order of corn cheese is an absolute must.
3. Kyon Bog Kun
Kyon Bog Kun is a Korean restaurant that offers an extensive menu of traditional Korean dishes. Similar to MyungGa and Gangnam Korean BBQ, they offer a range of Korean dishes including kimbap, bibimbap, and braised chicken or beef dishes. They even serve galbi-jjim, a slow-cooked beef short rib stew that is sure to satisfy everyone's taste buds. Also, they have galchi jorim, a spicy belfish braised dish which is one of my absolute favorite Korean dishes. Whenever I went back to South Korea, my grandma would cook a huge pot of this and I was satisfied to eat this for days.
The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff which makes it a great spot for a casual lunch or dinner. Unfortunately, it is located in the northern part of Bishkek and too far from where I live.
4. Chicken Star
I'm ethnically Korean so there are times when I miss Korean dishes that are tough to cook at home. Korean-style fried chicken is one of them and Chicken Star is operated by a Korean who also runs a coffee chain called Flask Coffee. Chicken Star is known for its delicious fried chicken, which is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Whether you prefer classic flavors or something with a bit of a kick, the restaurant offers a variety of chicken options to satisfy different taste preferences. Who can resist the spicy and savory to sweet and sour flavors of Korean fried chicken.
The restaurant provides a casual and relaxed atmosphere, making it a comfortable place to enjoy your meal. Whenever I go during the weekend, they have interesting events like open mic and live music.
5. Kimchi Place
If you're looking for a more casual dining experience, there are plenty of Korean eateries in Bishkek that offer dishes in Bishkek that offer delicious food at affordable prices. One such eatery is Kimchi Place, which is known for its wide variety of Korean ramen and do-it-yourself service. You can select a Korean ramen of your choice and use the machines to cook your ramen on your own in under five minutes. They even sell a variety of Korean snacks and sauces that you can use to cook at home.
There are many types of eateries like this across Bishkek.
Overall, the cultural influence of Korean food in Bishkek can be seen in the growing number of Korean restaurants and food stalls in the city. Its popularity will likely continue to grow in the coming years. I hope this guide will help satisfy all your Korean food cravings.
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