Local Korean restaurant is #1 for Columbus’ ‘best eats,’ votes reveal
You voted. The results are in. The “best eats” Columbus winner is Golden Chopstix, and it wasn’t even close.
After weeks of nominations and voting, readers chose the Korean favorite as their top local spot. Known for its generous portions of the nominated pick, beef bulgogi, Golden Chopstix has long been a go-to for Columbus food lovers looking for flavor and comfort in one plate.
My Golden Chopstix lunch
Because I like to do my due diligence, I had to see for myself what the hype was all about. I’m a little embarrassed to admit this was my first time at Golden Chopstix, and since it got so many votes, it seems like I was definitely out of the loop.
What we ordered
Bulgogi
Since this was the dish that won the poll, of course I had to order it, and it absolutely lived up to all the votes it received.
It was tender and seasoned exactly right, and the combination of the meat, rice and noodles was better than any bulgogi I’ve ever had.
Daeji kalbi
My lunch companion and photographer, Mike Haskey, was a little more adventurous. He went spicier and ordered daeji kalbi, a grilled and marinated spicy pork dish that he really enjoyed.
Although he had little problems with the spice ribs, I’m just too wimpy and only had a bite. It was smoky sweet, but the heat caught up to you in the very end. I liked it, but I don’t think I could have handled the whole dish.
What we got
All lunch dishes come with a few sides and a few items for us to munch and share.
Sides
- Japchae: glass noodles made from sweet potato starch, stir-fried with vegetables and usually beef, seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil
- Spring rolls (sometimes called gimmari): japchae filling wrapped in a seaweed or thin flour wrapper and deep-fried
- Yaki mandu: a Korean crispy dumpling filled with a mix of ground pork and/or beef, tofu, glass noodles, cabbage, green onion, garlic
- White rice
Shareables
- Kimchi: spicy fermented cabbage
- Oi muchim: pickled cucumbers, which are usually spicy, but our serving wasn’t
- Danmuji: bright yellow pickled radish, sweet and tangy with a satisfying crunch
- Danggeum namul: shredded carrots, cool and crisp, lightly pickled or seasoned with vinegar and sesame
- Kongnamul: tender blanched bean sprouts tossed in sesame and garlic
This was my first time at Golden Chopstix, but it will definitely not be my last. They’ve moved from their previous spot on St. Mary’s Road to 6201 Veterans Parkway , Suite B, so check out their menu and let me know what you like the best.
Thanks to everyone who voted and supported their favorite hometown restaurants. What should we vote on next? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.
This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 6:00 AM.