Have you ever tried bibimbap? This iconic Korean dish is one of the most popular internationally, alongside kimchi, fried chicken, and Korean barbecue. Comforting, colorful, and flavorful, bibimbap deserves its place among the great classics to discover in Montreal.
It's a dish that awakens all the senses. First, you hear it coming, with its irresistible sizzling sound. Then comes the mouth-watering aromas of caramelized rice and grilled meat. When the hot stone bowl is placed in front of you, it's a festival of colors and textures: sautéed vegetables, fried egg, various toppings, and gochujang sauce.
You have to mix everything quickly to balance the flavors and prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom. Each bite offers a contrast: soft and crispy, sweet, tangy, spicy, umami... A pure delight, both rich and balanced.
In addition to being tasty, bibimbap is a healthy, nutritious, and low-calorie dish. In short, it has everything going for it. Follow us to discover the best places to enjoy excellent bibimbap in Montreal.
51 Rue Ontario O, Montreal, H2X 1Y8
Omma restaurant, which means "mom" in Korean, is a must-visit spot for authentic bibimbap. Chef Mi-Kyum Kim carefully prepares delicious Korean dishes and other Asian delicacies. Omma's bibimbap comes in several variations, both in terms of rice (crispy or steamed) and protein options (beef or chicken bulgogi, tofu, spicy shrimp, or beef tartare). It also includes seven kinds of marinated vegetables and the classic fried egg. Delicious!
917 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, H2J 2J2
Luna, a charming Korean restaurant often praised for the quality of its authentic dishes, welcomes you into a dining room with dark walls. Bibimbap is one of the stars of the menu. Here, you can also choose the meat that will accompany your dish, including beef, pork, chicken, kimchi, or salmon. They also serve a vegan version with tofu and avocado that is just as good as the others! Important: book early if you want to come on a Friday or Saturday, and get ready for a feast, because they only serve table d'hôte meals on those days! Another thing we love: it's a bring-your-own-wine restaurant! What are you waiting for? Make your reservation today!
2176A Rue Ste-Catherine O, Montréal, H3H 1M6
At Sam Cha, you'll find the warmth and delight of delicious Korean home cooking. The bibimbap, served in a volcanic stone bowl, is a must-try: golden rice at the bottom, fresh vegetables, a fried egg, and a choice of bulgogi beef, katsu chicken, or tofu. The menu is generous, with classics such as a variety of banchan (side dishes), spicy tteokbokki, generously filled pancakes, and comforting soups. To accompany it all, Sam Cha offers a fine selection of sake, wines, and rice spirits. A friendly place where every bite warms the heart.
6139 Rue Sherbrooke O, Montréal, H4A 1Y4
Located in the NDG neighborhood, Mukja is a must-visit spot for delicious Korean cuisine. In fact, mukja means "let's eat" in Korean; a clear invitation to enjoy a feast! In addition to the tasty side dishes, don't miss the vegetable and seafood pancake, as well as the must-try bibimbap. The latter is served in a classic bowl or in a traditional hot stone bowl, with a choice of protein: beef, chicken, or tofu. With its authentic cuisine and rich and varied menu, Mukja is the ideal place to satisfy all your Korean food cravings.
82 Rue Grignon, Saint-Eustache, J7P 4X3
Montreal isn't the only place that knows how to make a good bibimbap. In Saint-Eustache, Le Bibimbap restaurant proudly bears its name. It serves a generous, flavorful, and perfectly executed version of this iconic Korean dish. Carefully prepared, bibimbap can be enjoyed à la carte or as an all-you-can-eat buffet for those with a hearty appetite. There are three protein options: tender marinated beef, savory spicy pork, or crispy fried tofu. A word of advice? Come on an empty stomach: between the bibimbap and the many other dishes on the buffet, it's hard to stop at just one plate.
756 Rue Belanger E, Montréal, H2S 1G6
Another gem for enjoying Korean cuisine is SSAM restaurant, located in La Petite-Patrie, just steps from Plaza Saint-Hubert. Kimchi lovers, take note: SSAM's kimchi is a real revelation. Prepared according to owner Jade's secret recipe, it can be found in several dishes, including their generous and sizzling bibimbap served in a hot volcanic stone bowl.
Read also:
A Culinary Journey: The Most Popular Asian Dishes in Montreal
The restaurant takes its name from a traditional Korean dish, ssam, which you can of course enjoy on site. It consists of grilled meat wrapped in lettuce leaves, often accompanied by condiments and homemade sauces.
SSAM is a charming neighborhood restaurant where kimchi steals the show.
1021B Boulevard St-Laurent, Montréal, H2Z 1J4
Cooking since 1989, Madame Bong is a true pioneer of Korean cuisine in Montreal. Her restaurant, Chez Bong, tucked away in a basement in Chinatown, is an ode to the cuisine of her native country. Alongside her children, she prepares authentic, generous, and flavorful dishes. The bibimbap is fresh, hearty, and full of flavor. Don't be fooled by the discreet location: the restaurant has won over many regulars. A charming fact: some recipes are even shared on the website, in a "tutorial" section, ideal for trying to reproduce Madame Bong's delicacies at home!
4057 Boulevard St-Jean, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, H9G 2R4
People of the West Island, you haven't been forgotten! K-Bros restaurant, located in Dollard-des-Ormeaux on St-Jean Boulevard, serves up tasty and generous Korean cuisine. With a varied, tempting, and well-stocked menu, it's hard to leave without feeling completely satisfied. Their bibimbap, served with your choice of marinated meat, comes with a little extra that we love: a complimentary miso soup. Among the other house specialties, don't miss their Korean fried chicken, available in several variations, crispy, flavorful, and simply irresistible.
1219 Rue Ste-Catherine E, Montréal, H2L 2H1
Named after a vibrant neighborhood in Seoul, Itaewon restaurant aims to transport you there for an evening of culinary delights! To do so, they serve small dishes prepared with love and as much authenticity as possible. On the menu: Korean BBQ, crispy fried chicken, and of course, delicious bibimbap. Here, too, you can choose your protein: beef, spicy chicken, spicy pork, or tofu. Just a stone's throw from Beaudry station, making it easily accessible, Itaewon is a must-visit for lovers of Korean cuisine.
5245 Boulevard St-Laurent, Montréal, H2T 1S4
A warm, unpretentious restaurant located on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, Le petit Séoul is worth a visit. As announced on the sign at the entrance, it is a fusion restaurant, therefore adapted to Canadian palates. Nevertheless, their bibimbap is renowned, and we recommend pairing it with one or more of their delicious appetizers, such as seaweed or tofu salad, fried mandu, or tokbokki. With generous portions, friendly service, and excellent value for money, all the ingredients are there for a great evening.
Korean cuisine is well represented in Montreal, no matter which neighborhood you find yourself in. From trendy spots to small, low-key restaurants, the diversity of establishments allows everyone to enjoy a bibimbap worthy of the name, according to their tastes and desires.
Want to explore the richness of this cuisine even further? Discover our complete selection of the best Korean restaurants in Montreal to continue your culinary journey, one bowl at a time.
