Why Try Korean Food in Keelung?
As Korean culture continues to sweep the world by storm, winning major film awards, topping global music charts, and filling restaurants with eager diners – the world’s attention is firmly fixed on all things Korean. Maybe you might be surprised to learn, then, that Keelung is home to several excellent Korean restaurants. Having lived in several cities without any decent Korean restaurant, including a major city without any Korean restaurant, the fact you can get several different kinds of excellent Korean food in Keelung is a major boon.
Top 4 Korean Restaurants in Keelung
1. Chunchun Korean Restaurant (春川韓式小館)
春川韓式小館 (Chūnchuān hánshì xiǎoguǎn)
Hours: Tue-Sat: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM – 8 PM / Closed: Sunday & Monday
Address: No. 166號, Yier Rd, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, 202
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MzwEWHhRmpBBTQVk7
Website: https://www.facebook.com/chuncheon2015/
What to Order
Already well known among locals, Chunchun Korean Restaurant serves authentic, delicious Korean staples such as jjajangmyeon (韓式炸醬麵), hot stone bibimbap (石鍋拌飯), tteokbokki (辣炒年糕), and more. My recommendations are the jjampong (韓式炒碼湯麵) and the kimchi pancake (辛奇煎餅). As far as Korean restaurants outside Korea go, this is about as good as it gets. If you are craving something spicy as one would when eating Korean food, be ready to add some very spicy Korean red pepper powder they have on hand as well.
2. Jeju Tofu Soup House (濟州豆腐鍋之家)
濟州豆腐鍋之家 (Jìzhōu dòufu guō zhī jiā)
Hours: Daily 11:30 AM – 10 PM
No. 210, Rener Rd, Ren’ai District, Keelung City, 200
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/z3s9T9ojSAafi9mL9
Why Locals Love It
Located near the Night Market, this popular local spot offers just four items on the menu, always a good sign of confidence and focus. Unsurprisingly, the restaurant is packed most evenings. You can enjoy excellent kimchi stew or soft tofu soup, along with free refills of rice. Kimchi soup with big pieces of pork really hits the spot, a kind of feeling that Koreans describes as “시원한 맛(Siwon),” meeting refreshing and satisfying. For NT$170 per dish (for any one of the four), you cannot go wrong with this place. Open daily for lunch and dinner, it’s a great choice for groups and has a lively, welcoming atmosphere.
3. Kim Chun Hee Korean Kitchen (金春喜韓廚)
金春喜韓廚-基隆好食城店 (Jīn chūnxǐ hán chú)
Hours: Mon-Fri: 11 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 9:30 PM / Sat-Sun: 10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
202, Keelung City, Zhongzheng District, Zhongzheng Rd, 3號2樓
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mQQKWsXrWhVE8HZB7
Atmosphere & View
Kim Chun Hee Korean Kitchen is a Taiwanese chain that serves Korean food that has recently opened across Taiwan. The Keelung branch is located inside the Great Food Town Keelung food court, right by the water. The interior reflects a more polished, modern take on Korean cuisine, with a focus on soup-based dishes and a wide variety of fried rice cakes. While it’s pricier than the local spots on this list, it’s approachable, comfortable, and offers a pleasant view of the waterfront.
4. Cheogajip Fried Chicken (起家雞韓式炸雞)
起家雞韓式炸雞 基隆仁一店
Hours: Daily 11 AM – 10 PM
Website: https://www.cheogajip.com.tw/
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GBaEZx4h4e5Lwkku9
Korean Fried Chicken in Keelung
No discussion of Korean food would be complete without their fried chicken, and thankfully, Keelung has Cheogajip. This popular franchise from Korea has multiple locations across Taiwan. You’ll find most of the classic fried chicken options here, perfect for both dine-in and takeaway. The place captures both the distinct texture and the flavor of the K-Chicken, perfect for pairing with beers.
Conclusion
This is by no means an exhaustive list! there are actually several more Korean spots in Keelung – few Korean BBQ restaurants, one that specializes in Korean cold noodle, and more. We all love immersing in local culture and eating what Taiwan and Keelung has to offer, and by all means, go ahead! But I also love checking out how different places handles other types of cuisine. Even the same old Soondubu soup produces different taste, different vibe, depending on where and who produces it, and local ingredients imbues each food with their own uniqueness, it’s own locality. This is all part of discovering new places.
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