Zoomak Korean Tavern Vancouver

Zoomak Korean Tavern: Gastown's Award-Winning Korean Restaurant

Zoomak is a Korean tavern on Alexander Street in Gastown, a short walk from Maple Tree Square. It serves traditional Korean cooking with a modern edge: big shared stews, wraps of tender pork, grilled galbi and a cocktail list built for lingering. Vancouver Magazine has named it the best Korean restaurant in the city three times (2023, 2025 and 2026), and it has become the go-to answer when locals are asked where to take visitors for Korean food downtown.

This listing covers what Zoomak serves, what to order on a first visit, when it's open and how to get a table.

About Zoomak

The name is a statement of intent. A jumak was an old Korean roadside tavern, a place where travellers could stop for a hot meal, a drink and sometimes a bed for the night. Zoomak borrows that idea of generous, unfussy hospitality and brings it to a heritage Gastown room, with the goal of showing Vancouver a side of Korean dining that goes well beyond barbecue.

The cooking stays close to its roots. Flavours are deep and properly seasoned rather than toned down, and the menu leans on dishes you would find at a good tavern in Seoul, such as stews, braises, seafood and sharing plates, with modern touches in plating and ingredients. That balance is what awards judges keep rewarding: the 2026 Vancouver Magazine panel singled out its authentic Korean food, its atmosphere and its cocktails.

The Menu

How It Works

Zoomak runs separate lunch and dinner menus, plus a weeknight happy hour menu. Most dishes are made for sharing, so the best approach is to order several plates for the table, add a stew and build lettuce wraps as you go. Stews and large plates comfortably feed two to four people.

What to Order

• Spicy seafood stew: a deep, chili-red broth loaded with shellfish and fish. It is the dish regulars come back for, and judges have called out the seafood soup by name.
• Pork belly ssam and bossam: tender pork belly served with leafy wraps, sauces and pickles that you assemble at the table.
• Galbi lettuce wraps: marinated beef short rib with fresh greens for wrapping.
• Makgeolli-steamed shellfish: clams or mussels steamed with Korean rice wine.
• Late-night snacks: fried and grilled bites that pair well with soju and beer later in the evening.

Dietary Needs

The menu is built around pork, beef and seafood, and many Korean sauces contain fish products, soy or wheat. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diners should ask the server which dishes can be adapted, or call ahead.

Drinks: Cocktails, Soju and Makgeolli

Drinks are a big part of the Zoomak experience. The bar works Korean ingredients into familiar cocktail formats, and there is a range of soju, makgeolli (cloudy rice wine) and Korean beer for anyone who wants to drink the way you would at a Seoul pocha.

Happy hour runs Monday to Thursday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and again from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. (excluding holidays), which makes Zoomak an easy stop before or after a show, a Canucks game or a night out in Gastown.

Atmosphere and Dining Experience

The room has the brick-and-timber character you would expect from Gastown, with a buzzy, social feel at dinner. It is lively rather than formal.

• Best for: groups, date nights, out-of-town guests and after-work drinks
• Noise level: energetic at peak dinner hours, calmer at lunch
• Dress code: casual; anything from work clothes to a night-out outfit fits
• Pace: relaxed, with sharing plates arriving as they are ready

Location: Gastown, Vancouver

Zoomak is at 52 Alexander Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1B4, on the eastern edge of Gastown near Maple Tree Square. Waterfront Station (Expo and Canada Lines, SeaBus and West Coast Express) is about a 10-minute walk away. Street parking in Gastown is metered and scarce in the evening, so transit or a nearby pay lot is usually easier.

Hours of Operation

Hours can change on holidays and with the seasons, so check the restaurant's website or call ahead before you go.

Reservations

• Reservations are recommended for dinner, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Book through the reservation link on the Zoomak website or call 604-620-1240.
• For large groups and private events, email info@zoomakyvr.com.
• Walk-ins have the best chance at lunch and early in the evening.

Price Range

Zoomak sits in Vancouver's mid-range. Lunch is the most affordable way to try it, and a dinner for two with a stew, a couple of sharing plates and drinks costs well below fine-dining prices. Happy hour brings the cost of food and drinks down further.

Awards and Recognition

• Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, Best Korean: Gold (2026)
• Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, Best Korean: Gold (2025)
• Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, Best Korean: Gold (2023)

Contact Information

• Address: 52 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1B4
• Phone: 604-620-1240
• Email: info@zoomakyvr.com
• Website: zoomakyvr.com
• Instagram: @zoomakyvr
• Neighbourhood: Gastown, Vancouver
• Cuisine: Korean tavern, modern Korean

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of food does Zoomak serve?

Traditional Korean tavern food with a modern touch: spicy seafood stew, pork belly ssam, bossam, galbi wraps, steamed shellfish and shareable snacks, plus Korean-inspired cocktails, soju and makgeolli.

Is Zoomak a Korean BBQ restaurant?

No. There are no tabletop grills. Zoomak focuses on stews, braised meats, seafood and sharing plates. For grill-at-the-table dining, see the Korean BBQ picks in our Korean food guide.

Does Zoomak take reservations?

Yes. Reserve online through the restaurant website or call 604-620-1240. Booking ahead is a good idea for weekend dinners.

Does Zoomak have a happy hour?

Yes, Monday to Thursday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 to 11:00 p.m., excluding holidays.

Is Zoomak open on Sundays?

No. Zoomak is closed on Sundays and open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday.

Where is Zoomak located?

At 52 Alexander Street in Gastown, Vancouver, about a 10-minute walk from Waterfront Station.

Is Zoomak good for groups?

Yes. The sharing-style menu and lively room suit groups well. Reserve ahead and email the restaurant for larger parties.

Has Zoomak won any awards?

Zoomak won gold for Best Korean at the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards in 2023, 2025 and 2026.