Top 10 Best Korean Restaurants in London
London’s food culture is world-renowned and well-known for its diverse flavours and styles. With the growing influence of K-culture, numerous Korean eateries ... read more...are springing up all around London. Now you can find Korean restaurants scattered across London, serving everything from modern fusion to traditional hotpots, and from ornate soju cocktails to sticky deep-fried chicken wings without going far. Here is a list of the best Korean restaurants in London for your reference.
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Bibimbap Soho is often referred to with bright colours, Ikea-style furniture and walls plastered with Polaroid snaps of happy diners, as a youngsters’ hangout. It’s more suited to an after-work pit stop than a lingering meal, service is quick and the food filling. There are Korean beers and spirits to try as well.
As the name suggests, BiBimBap’s big draw is the stone-bowl rice dish of the same name – served in ten varieties. Classic dishes include beef, chilli chicken, spicy pork or seafood, but veggies are well catered for too with tofu, mushroom, or brown rice, ginseng and ginkgo versions on offer. Some people say the key to good bibimbap is how well it’s mixed together, and the staff let you do the honours here (as well as adding your own gochujang and doenjang sauces) and the results have always been sound, with crisp rice at the bottom and a decent amount of toppings to blend through. Other dishes, including fried noodles, jeon pancakes and salads, can be more of a mixed bag.
Address: 11 Greek St, London W1D 4DJ
Website: https://bibimbapsoho.co.uk/
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Daebak opened in late 2017, just over the road from fellow Korean restaurant Jihwaja. Daebak is one of those excellent little spots where you’ll find locals popping in for a takeaway spicy pork and egg bibimbap, a group ordering fried udon, and a couple sharing three different flavours of Korean fried chicken, all on a Tuesday evening.
The Korean classics (kimchi, glass noodles, bibimbap) are all here, along with Japanese imports in the shape of katsu curry, tempura and teriyaki. Seafood pajeon had prawns and spring onion set in springy golden pancake batter; the starter portion was enough for two to share and would easily feed one as a light main course. Nicely marinated beef bulgogi and crunchy chunks of fried chicken with a punchy soy and garlic sauce are also impressive. The only dud dish was a plateful of greasy dumplings in which it was impossible to tell one mushy filling from another.
Address: 316-318 Kennington Ln, London SE11 5HY
Website: https://daebaklondon.business.site/
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Koba is located on Pont Street in Fitzrovia. Since opening in 2005, Koba has been firmly set on providing high-quality Korean cuisine, ranging from traditional to modern dishes, with particular emphasis on the Korean dining culture based around table barbecue. It is one of many excellent Korean restaurants that have opened up in central London over recent years. As you’d expect, it specializes in dishes made with beef - the ‘Gangnam Style sirloin steak’.
This is a swish spot that’s perfect for giving friends an intro to the joys of Korean barbecue, bubbling stews, and pajeon savoury pancakes. Koba’s a little pricey, but for the experience, it’s worth the cost, and it’s especially good for a small group hangs. You can expect to pay around £10-£20 per head for a meal here. The decor is simple but tasteful, and it gets bustling at lunchtime; bookings are recommended. Another thing that stands out about Koba is its wine list, which features some good Korean wines.Address: 11 Rathbone St, London W1T 1NA
Website: http://kobalondon.com/
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Olle should be at the top of your list of Korean restaurants in London if you’re after authentic Korean cuisine with a lively atmosphere and friendly service. The restaurant offers prices to suit all wallets, a good choice for groups or families and couples.
The restaurant has an open kitchen where diners can watch their food prepared and served, which adds to its appeal. In addition, the restaurant has modern decor with wooden furniture, high ceilings, and large windows that allow plenty of natural light into each table.
There are several different menus on offer depending on what you want to eat. For example, there is a standard menu that offers dishes such as seafood pancakes (Haemul Pajeon), spicy stir-fried pork (Dwaeji Bulgogi), and steamed egg cake (Gyeran Jjim). There are also seasonal specials available throughout the year, so it’s worth checking out what new dishes have been added since your last visit.
Address: 88 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 6NH
Website: http://ollelondon.com/
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Located a stone’s throw from West Hampstead, The Petite Corée offers diners a little bit of Korea without traveling far. Serving everything from bibimbap to bulgogi is delicious, but it’s also relatively cheap for a restaurant with such excellent food.
One of the things about Korean restaurants is that they all have their unique flair and theme, whether kitsch or modern. For example, The Petite Corée has a cute vintage-style interior and friendly staff who will help you navigate their menu if you’re new to Korean cuisine. Many Korean restaurants here in London offer some alcohol. But, at The Petite Corée, there are a whole host of traditional beverages on offer. There’s something for everyone from mul-cha (which tastes like a mix between wine and beer) to makgeolli (rice wine). And as a bonus, these drinks are often cheaper than most other places! So if you want good food at reasonable prices served by friendly people.
Address: 98 W End Ln, London NW6 2LU
Website: https://www.thepetitecoree.com/ -
Gogi restaurant is located in Maida Vale, romantically overlooking the Little Venice Canal. Its extensive menu offers traditional Korean cuisine with a modern twist and specialises in Korean-style barbecue cooked on individual grills at your own table. The interior decor is modern yet intimate, with a private section at the back perfect for large group bookings.
The restaurant is bright and welcoming, a full bar means there are plenty of cocktails to choose from too. If you’re after some grub before going out, their set menu is reasonably priced and good. It includes a small side dish, miso soup and dessert, and your main meal. You can even place an order online, so you don’t have to worry about queuing on arrival.
Address: 451 Edgware Rd, London W2 1TH
Website: http://gogi-restaurant.com/
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Lime Orange is an authentic Korean restaurant located in Victoria. The restaurant specialises in traditional cuisine, including bulgogi and bibimbap. It is not too expensive, and it’s highly rated! The serving sizes are small, so you can order multiple dishes to try more food.
The interior decor is simple, with wooden tables and chairs. There’s a bar area where you can sit or grab some takeaway. This is a place worth checking out if you like Korean food. Asides from bulgogi and bibimbap, they have a good range of different dishes, including dumplings and spicy chicken wings. They also have a fabulous drink menu that includes Soju cocktails and beer from Asia. This restaurant is perfect for couples, friends, and families as there’s a good selection of different dishes that everyone will enjoy.
And even though it’s located in a busy environment, it has a very relaxed atmosphere and service. Another great thing about Lime Orange is that it open until late most nights, so it’s perfect for after-work drinks or dinner after a night out.
Address: 312 Vauxhall Bridge Rd, London SW1V 1AA
Website: https://www.limeorange.co.uk/
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Imone is a Korean restaurant located at the heart of New Malden. 'Imone' in Korean means 'Aunt's place', capturing the essence of how each of the dishes is freshly prepared with high-quality ingredients, and crafted with love and care. The restaurant has a modern and chic decor, perfect for any occasion, whether you’re meeting friends or on a date night with your partner.
If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Korea, but haven't had time to go to Korea yet, then Imone is worth checking out. Many of the ingredients are locally sourced, and the menu features some traditional Korean dishes such as bibimbap (fried rice with vegetables) and kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew).
An excellent dish to start would be one of small plates galbi tang – beef short rib soup served with rice. The broth is made from beef bones, spring onions, and leeks, while other ingredients include mushrooms, zucchini, and eggplant – making it delicious! Another dish worth trying would be dolsot bibimbap – mixed vegetable fried rice served in a hot stone pot. If you’re still feeling peckish after your meal, head to the bar, where they serve soju cocktails, beer, and several different wine types.
Address: 169 High St, New Malden KT3 4BH
Website: https://www.imonelondon.com/
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Jinjuu, meaning pearl, is a premier modern Korean bar and restaurant in the centre of London. Fusing traditional influences with Korean pop youth culture, this restaurant is vibrant and energetic. Jinjuu's interiors were crafted with partner Tibbatts Abel who created a unique amalgamation of authentic Korean influencers and textures with their design which is in total synergy with the food and helped to make the customers' sensory experience complete.
The menus blend traditional and contemporary influences and dishes are changed seasonally to ensure customers enjoy the best quality product possible. Fusion highlights dishes are Korean Tacos, Bulgogi Sliders and mouthwatering Korean-style barbecue. In addition, there are also traditional dishes such as Bibimbap (rice bowl), Jap Chae (noodles) and Crispy Pork Belly among others.
Address: 15 Kingly St, Carnaby, London W1B 5PS
Website: https://www.jinjuu.com/
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Korean Dinner Party is inspired by Los Angeles’ Koreatown restaurants, which offer a wonderful fusion of Korean, American, and Mexican cuisine. But, thanks to KDP’s founders, Ana Goncalves and Zijun Meng (the minds behind the much-loved TT Eatery), that delicate fusion balance is kept tilted toward innovative rather than gimmicky.
Corndogs are available, but there’s also bacon mochi (rice cakes wrapped in bacon with gochujang caramel), slow-cooked beef, short rib tacos, and chicken nuggets doused with garlic sauce. The innovative drinks menu should take center stage, daring combinations like the Yakult Royale and the Burnt Rice Old Fashioned. Korean Dinner Party is a casual place to enjoy inventive fusion food, served by staff who have a passion for food and know how to make you feel at home.
Address: Top Floor, Kingly Court, London W1B 5PW
Website: https://www.koreandinnerparty.com/