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The city has been riding the Korean Wave (aka Hallyu) for a good few years now, boosted by the popularity of the likes of Bong Joon-ho, BTS, Squid Game and BLACKPINK. So though Korean food isn’t new to London, there’s never been as much choice when it comes to Korean restaurants. Whether you’re looking for something ultra-traditional, a new-wave menu or the meal Jennie from BLACKPINK had last time she visited London, we’ve got you covered.
New Malden in south west London is the city’s Koreatown. The South Korean ambassador used to reside in the area in the 70s and it was also the location of a Samsung head office until 2005. Home to Korean language churches and schools, Korean supermarkets, Korean restaurants and cafes, and an estimated 10,000 Korean residents, New Malden has historically been the been the city’s hub of Korean restaurants (alongside Chinatown) but the cuisine has now spread all over the city, with the variety of restaurants also increasing. Miga, a family-run spot in Hackney was one of the best openings in 2024, proving just how much Londoners have fallen in love with Korean food.
If you’re after something casual, you can grab the social media famous Korean corn dogs from a variety of places, including Bunsik, or you could DIY your own ramen at Saba. Or you could hit up a pocha-inspired joint (aka a Korean pub), like Hongdae Pocha or Pochawa Grill.
Aside from Korean fried chicken, Korean BBQ is one of the most famous components of Korean cuisine and there are plenty of places to get in on the grilling action, from Olle (a fave of BTS) and Chungdam in Soho to Jin Go Gae and Imone in New Malden. And then there are places that are straying from tradition and creating their own fusion style – inspired by LA’s Koreatown, Kingly Court’s Korean Dinner Party is doing an American-Mexican-Korean mash-up menu, while over in London Bridge, the Michelin-starred Sollip is blending Korean ingredients and dishes with European flavours and techniques.
Korean Restaurants
The city has been riding the Korean Wave (aka Hallyu) for a good few years now, boosted by the popularity of the likes of Bong Joon-ho, BTS, Squid Game and BLACKPINK. So though Korean food isn’t new to London, there’s never been as much choice when it comes to Korean restaurants. Whether you’re looking for something ultra-traditional, a new-wave menu or the meal Jennie from BLACKPINK had last time she visited London, we’ve got you covered.
New Malden in south west London is the city’s Koreatown. The South Korean ambassador used to reside in the area in the 70s and it was also the location of a Samsung head office until 2005. Home to Korean language churches and schools, Korean supermarkets, Korean restaurants and cafes, and an estimated 10,000 Korean residents, New Malden has historically been the been the city’s hub of Korean restaurants (alongside Chinatown) but the cuisine has now spread all over the city, with the variety of restaurants also increasing. Miga, a family-run spot in Hackney was one of the best openings in 2024, proving just how much Londoners have fallen in love with Korean food.
If you’re after something casual, you can grab the social media famous Korean corn dogs from a variety of places, including Bunsik, or you could DIY your own ramen at Saba. Or you could hit up a pocha-inspired joint (aka a Korean pub), like Hongdae Pocha or Pochawa Grill.
Aside from Korean fried chicken, Korean BBQ is one of the most famous components of Korean cuisine and there are plenty of places to get in on the grilling action, from Olle (a fave of BTS) and Chungdam in Soho to Jin Go Gae and Imone in New Malden. And then there are places that are straying from tradition and creating their own fusion style – inspired by LA’s Koreatown, Kingly Court’s Korean Dinner Party is doing an American-Mexican-Korean mash-up menu, while over in London Bridge, the Michelin-starred Sollip is blending Korean ingredients and dishes with European flavours and techniques.
Miga is a ‘modern Korean kitchen’ that opened on the quiet on Mare Street in the summer of 2024. Run by two brothers and their dad, who takes sole reins in the kitchen, it’s a real family affair – Miga actually has a bit of a longer history than this current new opening, starting down in New Malden 22 years ago by their grandma. There are two menus for lunch and dinner, with highlights including fresh steamed tofu with grilled kimchi, which is made in house; sanchaeg bibimbab topped with fresh crunch vegetables like spinach, soya bean sprouts, courgette, radish, and dry napa cabbage; the ox bone broth, which is made to a family recipe passed down by the boys’ top chef grandma; the soy-braised shortribs; the spicy noodles with beef jeon; and the cucumber and spinach roll with miso sauce. A few things have come and gone on this site in recent years but we think these guys have nailed it, with a modern east London aesthetic combined with warm, family-run hospitality.
Korean BBQ restaurant Chungdam, named after the Cheongdam-dong district in Seoul and residing on the corner of Greek Street and Romilly Street in London, is the latest venture from the team behind Shibuya and Hongdae Pocha. It’s light, bright, and with green marble tables and gold cutlery, it feels elegant. There are premium quality ingredients on the menu too, including chateaubriand filet mignon, A3 wagyu, short ribs and Iberico pork ribs amongst the options for the BBQ. The menu also includes classics like japchae, seafood pancake, bibimbap, and kimchi, as well as the lesser-seen Pyeonbaek steam boxes. Made from Hinoki wood, the three-tiered box includes one filled with beef brisket, ribeye and veggies, another with mixed seafood and veggies, and broth at the bottom used to steam the food, which then gets turned into hotpot with the addition of seasoning and noodles. There’s also a private karaoke room downstairs for you to belt out some K-pop.
Previously Head Chef at the Michelin-starred Galvin at Windows, Joo Won ran Cálong as a “side-hustle”, popping up across London for the past four years – so it’s exciting to see it finally put down roots. Now settled into the old Rubedo site on Stoke Newington Church Street, the new space has a relaxed vibe, blending Joo’s Korean heritage with European and French techniques, seasonal British ingredients, and a standout selection of natural wines. His Korean-inspired dishes hit all the right notes—perfectly balanced in salt, acid, fat, and heat. You’d be mad not to start with the kimchi fritters and chilli mayo, plus a round of pollock croquettes for good measure. Don’t miss the the sea trout hoe with sesame, plum soy, and rhubarb; the pressed brawn with bossam mooli; the grilled pork jeyuk with a spicy gem ssamjang salad; and the clay pot rice.
Meaning ‘aunt’s place’ in Korean, the family-run Imone is one of the best Korean spots in New Malden. Home-style cooking is the name of the game here and you can taste the level of care that’s gone into the food. Pajeon, soondae (blood sausage stuffed with vermicelli), kimchim bokkumbap and saengseon jjim (whiting in a spicy sauce) are amongst the restaurant’s signature dishes, and the stews (including budae jjigae, soon tofu, and gamja-tang) are perfect if you’re after something warm and comforting. If you like what you see and eat here, it’s worth trying their dedicated BBQ spot, Imone BBQ, just up the road
From the same group that brought us Bunsik, Bullgogi and Gogi, Pochawa Grill is inspired by Korean pubs and takes its name from the shortened version of the word pojangmacha, a Korean street food stall or restaurant on wheels. Korean BBQ is the main draw here but they also serve up dishes like tofu kimchi, osam-bulgogi (spicy squid and pork stir fry) and rabokki (a ramen-tteokbokki mash-up), alongside drinks like soju, traditional East Asian bevs and cocktails. With its retro styling, neon lights and buzzy atmosphere, it’s always a fun dinner at Pochawa Grill.
Bunsik spearheaded the Korean corn dog trend in London and there are always lengthy queues outside the shops for the notorious street food dish. You can’t go wrong with the classic corn dog (a frankfurter wrapped in cornmeal dough and deep fried) but grab the mozzarella option for that cheese pull IG shot. Aside from corn dogs, Bunsik is doing kimbap, ddukbokki (fried rice cakes with spicy sauce), mandu, and even ramyun (Korean noodle soup), cup bap and KFC at some locations. But remember, if you don’t Instagram your corn dog, did you even eat one?
Named after the place in Seoul where owner Mr Cho first met his wife, Jin Go Gae aims to bring the experience of eating BBQ in the Korean capital to London. There’s an extensive selection of banchan and an-joo, including kimchi, pickled radish, pajeon, tofu kimchi bokkum, tteokbokki and gae jang (raw crab in spicy chilli sauce), plus hotpots, soups, rice and noodle dishes, and Korean fried chicken. But the BBQ is where its at, so order up bulgogi, beef tongue, pork belly, squid, prawns and get grilling.
LA’s Koreatown has come to London in the shape of Korean Dinner Party in Kingly Court and it’s mashing up East-meets-West with aplomb. There’s Korean and SE Asian hip-hop and electronica on the stereo, stripped back interiors featuring Korean wall art and a food menu designed by Ana Gonçalves and Zijun Meng of TATA Eatery (who’ve also smashed the food at Mr Ji) that references Korea, the US, Mexico and Japan. As you’d expect from those two, the menu here is full of bangers. We’re talking bacon mochi with gochujang caramel; Korean corn dogs; Korean fried chicken with garlic cream, parmesan and tteokbokki; kimchi stone pots; and short rib tacos with Asian slaw, ssamjang, chilli relish and tortillas. The cocktails are just as innovative as the food, with Soju Espresso Martinis and Burnt Rice Old Fashioneds on the list. This is one fun place to have a dinner party, and you don’t have to do any of the work.
SABA in Kensington is the UK’s first-ever Korean ramen bar and it’s only place in London where you can use Korea’s popular instant ramen machines. There are 25 different types of ramen, plus a variety of toppings on offer, so you can customise your bowl just how you like it. If you’re not sold yet, they’ve also 15 soju flavours on offer, robots making fried chicken, pressed sugar croissants and corn dogs on the menu, and plenty of goodies for you to buy to take home too.
Michelin-starred Sollip (named after the Korean word for pine needle) is run by husband and wife team Woongchul Park and Bomee Ki, who have worked at The Ledbury, Koffman’s and The Arts Club. The restaurant blends the flavours and techniques of Korean cookery with the French and European training the pair have had, with food presented on specific hand-made ceramics from Korean artisans. Expect modern, polished dishes like daikon tarte tatin with kimchi and toasted barley; monkfish with red cabbage, onion caper and passion fruit; strip loin, black bean, salsify and deoduck; and black sesame pain perdu with seoritae ice cream, burnt vanilla and pecan.
Olle is a classic Korean BBQ joint, where you can sizzle everything from wagyu beef and short rib to pork belly and seafood on your very own tabletop stove. If you don’t fancy grilling your own food, there’s plenty more on the menu, including japcahe, seafood pajeon, dak galbi, bo ssam, Korean fried chicken, and bibimbap. Aside from the K BBQ, the range of stews is Olle’s next specialty, perfect if you want something hearty and warming. As well as a couple of sojus and sakes, the drinks list also includes the Korean rice wine makgeolli. The restaurant advertises itself as “not fine dining” so you should expect a loud and buzzy atmosphere, something that seemed to go down well with BTS who visited Olle in 2019.
This much-loved central London spot, with walls covered in writing and doodles of K-pop stars, is small and permanently busy, so be prepared to queue and be prepared to sit close to your fellow diners. It’s worth the wait though as you’ll stuggle to find better Korean food at such a bargain price point – the beef bulgogi kimbap, kimchi fried rice and seafood pancakes are particular highlights and get a honey plum tea to drink. The portion sizes are proper so you’ll actually leave full too.
Hongdae Pocha (a pocha is like a Korean pub) in Soho is decked out in a retro 70s style and is the perfect entryway into Korean drinking culture – soju features heavily on the drinks list alongside Korean beers and rice and plum wines. Hongdae Pocha isn’t just about the bevs though, there’s a full food menu of dishes that are designed to go with the booze like crispy kimchi pancake, japchae glass noodles, corn with mozzarella cheese, gochujang popcorn chicken, bulgogi beef, ramyun, mandoo, and a range of different hot pots.
Ogam is a Korean cocktail and tapas bar in Angel which is a go-to for anju plates (side dishes and snacks usually eaten with alcohol). The food menu includes kimchi pancakes, cheese buldak , japchae, tteokbokki, pork belly with ssamjang, and fish cake soup. The drinks really are the standout here, especially the makgeolli, a Korean rice wine that’s milky and lightly sparkling, which is brewed in-house. There’s also sojo, plum wine and other Korean spirits on offer – try them in one of the cocktials, like the K-Negroni, Jeju Mule and Andong Sour.
No prizes for guessing what this New Malden spot specialises in. If you want Korean fried chicken and beers (or soju) in KT3, this is the place to head for. Said chicken comes as a whole bird broken down into 14 – 15 pieces (you can also order wings, nuggets and strips if you want a slightly smaller portion), which you can get covered in sweet chilli, spicy sweet chilli or garlic soy glazes. With supremely crispy batter on the outside and juicy meat on the inside, you’d be more than happy with just the plain fried birds but the soy glaze is the winner out of the other options.
This postage stamp-sized restaurant in Finsbury Park is a firm neighbourhood favourite – as a result, it can be hard to get a table. Dotori is all about authentic Japanese and Korean food, both of which they do very well. The menu here is extensive and covers all the classics, from Korean BBQ to Japanese curries, as well as an impressive amount of sushi. It’s all very affordable too, with a full dinner here setting you back less than £30, and the option to BYOB which’ll cost you a £15 corkage fee. They’re walk-in and cash only, so come prepared – it’ll be worth it.
