GOLD WINNER
Backoos Korean Food1358 Birmingham Street
website
SILVER WINNER
Kor-B-Q Korean Grill278 Lacewood Drive
website
BRONZE WINNER
Busan Korean BBQ6311 Quinpool Road
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Part-owner and manager Joungmin Kim had the idea to make Korean food mainstream in Halifax when he opened Backoos in 2015. And while Korean joints have been popping up around the city, Backoos has managed to keep its menu relevant, something Kim attributes to its authenticity. “We try to keep it as authentic as possible. We twist it a little bit with Western flavours, but I think being more authentic is becoming more popular.” However, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for Backoos over the past few years, dealing with the pandemic and now inflation. “We just went through COVID, and now we’re trying to expand our business and it’s kind of hard because everything is going up. The cost of food is up, rent is up, it’s a hard market.” Backoos currently has locations in Halifax and Dartmouth. But getting to serve customers is what’s kept them going. “I really appreciate the local customers. Everybody in Halifax who enjoys our food, it’s really rewarding for us to have business here and you got to appreciate this award.”
