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When my boyfriend and I decided to travel to Canada on a whim last month, we knew almost nothing about the country — what to see, where to stay, or even what food to eat. The trip was so last-minute that we had practically no time to plan anything. All we really knew when our flight touched down? There were three food staples we had to try: Canadian bacon, maple syrup, and poutine.
Jump to: The Bulgogi Poutine | FAQ
Quick Answer
The best poutine in Calgary is the bulgogi poutine at Gogi Korean Kitchen in downtown Calgary. It’s a Korean-Canadian fusion take loaded with crispy fries, rich gravy, cheese curds, and marinated bulgogi beef.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Restaurant | Gogi Korean Kitchen |
| Location | 639 5 Ave SW #120, Calgary, AB |
| Online Rating | 4.9 stars |
| Must-Order | Bulgogi Poutine |
Finding Gogi Korean Kitchen
After we landed at YYC, we headed to downtown Calgary to pick up our rental car and drop off our luggage. By the time we got everything sorted, we were absolutely starving. But with no clue where to find good food, we did what any modern traveler would do: pulled out our phones and started scrolling through Google reviews, hunting for nearby restaurants that looked promising.
That’s when we found Gogi Korean Kitchen, which boasts a 4.9-star rating online. Their most popular dish, according to the reviews? Bulgogi poutine.
Korean-Canadian fusion wasn’t exactly what we had in mind when we set out to try authentic Canadian poutine for the first time, but the photos online looked so incredible that we couldn’t resist giving it a shot.
The Bulgogi Poutine
You order at the front counter. The menu is packed with tempting options like udon, chicken katsu, and curry, all offered at impressively low prices, but we were there on a mission. We decided to split two dishes: the legendary bulgogi poutine and a classic BBQ rice bowl, something that would give us a few veggies to kick off our vacation.
We snagged seats at a long bar-style table by the window, perfect for watching the city life while we dove into our first taste of Canada. The bulgogi poutine arrived steaming hot, a glorious mess of crispy fries, rich brown gravy, gooey cheese curds, and bulgogi. It smelled incredible.
And the taste? Unmatched. The fries were golden and crispy, and somehow didn’t get soggy from the gravy. The gravy itself was rich and savory, and I was surprised by how much I liked the addition of the cheese curds; I’ve never been a fan of the squeaky spheres before. But the star of the show was the bulgogi: salty, sweet, and bursting with flavor. It was marinated to perfection, and paired flawlessly with the other elements of the dish. This poutine was phenomenal.
It was a generous serving of food, but between the two of us, we demolished it within minutes and immediately regretted not ordering more. We couldn’t slow ourselves down.
Next, we tried the BBQ bowl. It was yummy, with warm rice, crisp veggies, and the same marinated beef from the poutine in a more balanced format. But we had come for the poutine, so that’s what ultimately stole our hearts.
We left the restaurant full and happy, extremely optimistic about the rest of Calgary’s food scene. While we discovered plenty of fantastic food throughout our trip — including traditional poutine with just fries, gravy, and cheese curds, which we also enjoyed — Gogi Korean Kitchen remained one of our all-time favorite restaurants. We couldn’t stop raving about it.
Going Back for Round Two
Fast forward ten days: We were back in Calgary with packed bags and time for one last meal before our flight. Naturally, we headed to Gogi Korean Kitchen for round two.
This time, we knew exactly what to do. We both ordered our own plate of bulgogi poutine and savored every heavenly bite. Even on our second visit, the staff was just as friendly, the space just as inviting, and the food just as unforgettable. High-quality food, fast service, fantastic prices.
If you ever find yourself in Calgary craving some poutine, do yourself a favor and head to Gogi Korean Kitchen. While it’s not meant to be a replacement for traditional poutine, their Korean-inspired take delivers an absolutely unbeatable twist that’s well worth a visit.
Just be warned: one bite and you might find yourself planning your entire trip around a second helping.
FAQ
It’s a Korean-Canadian fusion dish that takes classic poutine, crispy fries, gravy, and cheese curds, and tops it with marinated Korean bulgogi beef.
Gogi Korean Kitchen in downtown Calgary is my top recommendation, specifically for their bulgogi poutine, though they also serve a more traditional version.
Yes. It’s a counter-order spot with fast service, making it an easy stop between travel plans in downtown Calgary.
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About the Author
Linds
Hi, I’m Linds! I’m a travel writer focused on honest hotel reviews, food guides, and travel itineraries. I share real travel experiences to help travelers make better trip decisions.