Plus82 Gogi has come a long way from the days when its owners would open the doors and wait for customers who sometimes never came.
When the Korean barbecue restaurant launched in Adelaide in 2018, building a following from scratch was daunting.
But eight years later, the team has been recognised at one of South Australia’s major hospitality awards, and is now preparing for its next chapter, including a Korean barbecue buffet and an entirely new Korean-style café.
Gogi’s was officially named Best Korean Restaurant at the 2026 Australian Dining Awards.
Inside, the venue has a lively, social atmosphere, with diners gathering around timber tables fitted with Korean barbecue grills. Colourful umbrellas hang overhead, while contemporary Korean artwork adds personality to the warehouse-style space.
Owner Kang said the award belonged to everyone who had dined at Plus82 Gogi, shared the restaurant with friends and supported the team throughout its journey.
“We believe that Korean food is about more than a meal,” Kang said.
“It is about gathering around the table, sharing flavours and creating warm memories together. The teamwork behind every service is what makes Plus82 Gogi special.
“When we first opened our doors in 2018, there were days when we had no customers at all, and honestly, that was very scary.”
Since Executive Chef Jack Park joined the team, Gogi has placed an even stronger focus on freshness, quality local produce and authentic Korean flavours.
Jack grew up surrounded by food, with his parents running a traditional Korean restaurant in Korea. That upbringing helped shape a lifelong passion for Korean cooking and the dishes he now serves in Adelaide.
One particular focus is the restaurant’s banchan, the small side dishes traditionally served alongside a Korean meal, which Jack prepares with an emphasis on making the overall dining experience feel as authentic as possible.
The team’s cooking has also caught the attention of visitors from Korea.
Gogi recently catered for a group of well-known Korean entertainers, with Kang saying the guests told the team the food was even more delicious than some of what they had enjoyed back home.
Now the award is giving the team even more momentum to expand what Gogi offers Adelaide.
Later this year, the restaurant hopes to introduce a Korean barbecue buffet, while plans are also underway for K-pop dance classes, Korean language lessons and cooking classes.
Next year, the team is planning to open a Korean-style dessert café, giving Adelaide diners another way to experience Korean food and culture.
“Many guests still visit Plus82 Gogi for their first experience of Korean food,” Kang said.
“We are proud to help Adelaide discover more of Korea’s food and culture, and we promise to keep serving better food, warmer hospitality and memorable experiences for every guest.”
As meats sizzle at the table and banchan is passed between diners, Gogi’s experience is designed around sharing food and spending time together.
“Thank you to our customers and our team for believing in Plus82 Gogi,” Kang said.
“This award inspires us to keep improving and to share even more of Korean food and culture with Adelaide.”
Plus 82 Gogi
Where: 12 Eliza St, Adelaide
For more, click here.
