Whether it’s the Bibimbap – a delicacy involving a meat or vegetable base with rice, a cracked egg and finished off with some spicy chilli paste – or some red hot kimchee you’re after, the wide array of Korean restaurants in London will have you more than covered. We’ve picked out twenty of the finest Korean restaurants in town for you to salivate over, from the epicentre of K–Town in New Malden to Shaftesbury Avenue.
1. Park’s Kitchen
Spicy pork laid bare on a sizzling platter and topped with runny egg yolk is enough to grip you from the first scent. This Ealing spot is a hidden gem in the sea of London’s Korean restaurants. Beauty in simplicity unlocked by wondrous flavours, topped off by unbeatable prices, is the key to Park’s Kitchen. Chicken katsu, deluxe seafood noodle soup, a deep-fried tofu bowl… A heavy variety is offered that will have customers dying to return and sift through the menu.
You’ll find Park’s Kitchen at 24 The Green, Ealing, W5 5DA. Nearest station is Ealing Broadway.
2. Lime Orange
First things first, don’t be fooled by Lime Orange’s very central location. Prices are extremely reasonable for a spot in Victoria, offering a royal all-round experience to boot. Generous portions of starters weigh in at around £4.50-7.50, ranging from delicate fish cakes to apple cider dipped pancakes. Mains – including bimbimbap, BBQ grill, noodles and soups – ain’t too shabby either. Jump from kimchee jigae ramen to beef hot pot bulgogi to a spicy tofu soup with glowing rice. Lime Orange is a warm, family-run restaurant that ceases to ever disappoint. Be sure to book ahead!
You’ll find Lime Orange at 312 Vauxhall Bridge Road, Westminster, SW1V 1AA. Nearest station is Victoria.
3. Seoul Bakery
This beloved spot is a gateway right into the heart of Seoul. This little bakery packs a one-two punch: delicious grub and, brace yourselves BTS fans, a K-Pop store. So, yes. Yes, you can fill up on great Korean food while fuelling your K-Pop obsession. Prices are frankly daylight robbery for central London, with mains setting you back around £6. It’s very close to Tottenham Court Road and is the perfect spot to grab something delicious before heading to the British Museum. You may, however, encounter some queues. It’s a slight but popular establishment!
You’ll find Seoul Bakery at 14 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, WC1B 3NH. Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
4. Dotori
Boasting full Korean and Japanese menus, you’re spoilt for choice at this lovely Finsbury Park eatery. A masterclass in Asian cuisine, the well-priced (well, for London) menu is a mouth-watering affair. Grab bucketloads of euphoric kimchee, splash out on the yukgejang or, if you’re feeling adventurous, mix and match cuisines and throw in some heaven-droplet gyoza. Why? Because you can.
You’ll find Dotori at 3 Stroud Green Road, Finsbury Park, N4 2DQ. Nearest station is Finsbury Park.
5. On The Bab
A big name in the multitude of London’s Korean restaurants; with branches in Shoreditch and Covent Garden, this popular outlet mixes cocktails with Korean street food. On The Bab specialises in KFC (Korean Fried Chicken), and it’s a perfect spot to take your grub out on the go or sit in with rounds of cocktails. Crispy Yangyum chicken, with a choice of sauce, is a fan-favourite, along with drool-worthy prawn packed buns.
Shoreditch: 305 Old Street, Hackney, EC1V 9LA. Nearest station is Old Street.
Covent Garden: 36 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7BD. Nearest station is Covent Garden.
6. Mexican Seoul
After ruling the roost in the street food world over the past few years, Mexican Seoul is a mouth-watering Mexican-Korean fusion restaurant and has finally got itself a permanent location in east London. Serving up super fresh, super tasty and super creative dishes. We can’t argue with that.
You’ll find Mexican Seoul at Bow Wharf, 221 Grove Road, E3 5SN. Nearest station is Bow Road.
7. Naru
Naru is the noisy but friendly neighbour of Jin’s Kitchen, with stylistic and classic Korean dishes. Hailed for its bibimbap, Korean BBQ, Korean fried chicken, authentic kimchee and more, the infusion of flavours on display at Naru is not to be messed with. It’s an attractive tourist spot, but for very good reason.
You’ll find Naru at 230 Shaftesbury Avenue, Holborn, WC2H 8EG. Nearest station is Holborn.
8. The Petite Corée
Marketed as Korean tapas, this West Hampstead restaurant is a top spot for some grub and some traditional Korean BBQ. Dine on a variety of plate sizes and bring your own bottles of wine to top off the experience. Fists of rice can make way for braised ribs from the delightful BBQ. And, if you turn up to a full-house, you can always order delicious boxes of munch to take home with you.
You’ll find The Petite Corée at 98 West End Lane, West Hampstead, NW6 2LU. Nearest station is West Hampstead.
9. Bibimbap Soho
Another spot for a quick but scrumptious lunch break. As the name suggests, Bibimbap is lauded for just that, with an excellent take on Korea’s national dish. But items like the crispy squid, Korean fried chicken and veggie dumplings should not be overlooked. There’s also a takeaway joint on Cannon Street.
You’ll find Bibimbap Soho at 1 Greek Street, Soho, W1D 4DJ. Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
10. Kimchee
With a central location in St Pancras Square, this is a great spot for some authentic Korean grub. You could spend a day picking out all of your favourite dishes at Kimchee. Whether it’s the eye-catching tofu udon, the fiery dwenjang jjigae or the beef rib eye, you’re pampered for choice.
You’ll find Kimchee at 2 Pancras Road, Kings Cross, N1C 4AG. Nearest station is Kings Cross St. Pancras.
11. Koba
Koba are Korean BBQ aficionados – take it from us. Appetising chicken dumplings and Korean pancakes are ideal to pave the way for the big-hitters. Their hot stone bowled rice dishes, traditional Korean stew and full-table BBQs are as devilishly tasty as they are well-priced for a sit-down affair.
You’ll find Koba at 11 Rathbone Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 1NA. Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
12. Jinjuu
As it’s another fine Soho establishment, Jinjuu intertwines Korean sharing platters and fine cocktails. Wash down Korean fried cauliflower with elderflower coolers. Compliment seabass tempura with a K-Pop pornstar martini. Ease into the day with a ‘spiced kimchi mary’ alongside tofu sliders. They also do a bottomless brunch too – there are endless options out there at Jinjuu!
You’ll find Jinjuu at 15 Kingly Street, Soho, W1B 5PS. Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
13. Wing Wing
These are mavericks of the Korean Fried Chicken trade. Your scrumptious fried goodness comes with a choice of sauce: soy garlic, hot, liquorice or—if you’re feeling adventurous—a mix of all three. Aside from wings galore, there’s katsu chicken bao, kimchi coleslaw and more. Grab a cheeky takeaway after work from one of Wing Wing’s multiple branches.
Hammersmith: 18-20 Hammersmith Broadway, Hammersmith, W6 7AF. Nearest station is Hammersmith.
Tavistock Square: 30 Woburn Place, Bloomsbury, WC1H 0JR. Nearest station is Russell Square.
Charing Cross: 47-49 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0AN. Nearest station is Leicester Square.
14. Bari Bari
A bright and cheerful little spot in Whitechapel, Bari Bari boasts striking stuffed vegetable kimchi, with cucumber and radishes getting the treatment. Add that to some pancakes and sweet ‘n’ sour pork and you’re good to go, Bari Bari style.
You’ll find Bari Bari at 24 White Church Lane, Whitechapel, E1 7QR. Nearest station is Aldgate East.
15. Olle
Another Shaftesbury Avenue eatery here – becoming a theme, isn’t it? But this one is very unique. Olle sets up a pan frier on the table and puts on a real show for its guests. As shown in this Instagram post, it’s all bloody delicious. Essential viewing is at play over at Olle. You don’t want to miss out on this one.
You’ll find Olle at 88 Shaftesbury Avenue, West End, W1D 6NH. Nearest station is Leicester Square.
16. Imone
One of the many, many fine Korean restaurants in New Malden, which has deservedly earned a reputation as London’s Koreatown. Imone’s food is as gratifying as it is photogenic. I mean, just look at it… yeah it’s that good. There’s seafood pancakes, fishcakes with ramen noodles, fried webfoot octopus, beansprout soup, and so much more to sink your gnashers into.
You’ll find Imone at 169 High Street, New Malden, KT3 4BH. Nearest station is New Malden.
17. Jin Go Gae
Jin Go Gae is a go-to spot for top Korean cuisine. Also hailing from New Malden, this little authentic restaurant is another expert of the trade. Allowing you to order spreads of small dishes on top of your fine-scented broth, it’s a game-changer for those cold winter evenings. Guzzle down your spicy pork rib and potato soup to warm your heart as well as your body.
You’ll find Jin Go Gae at 272 Burlington Road, New Malden, KT3 4NL. Nearest station is Motspur Park.
18. Kangnam Pocha
A hidden gem in the heart of Covent Garden; Kangnam Pocha serves up Korean comfort food of the highest standard in a relaxed and minimalist setting. Delicious food in the middle of the capital city that doesn’t break the bank? Sounds pretty perfect to me!
You’ll find Kangnam Pocha at 176 Drury Lane, WC2B 5QF. Nearest station is Covent Garden.
19. K–Town
Another gem residing in London’s Koreatown, the family-run K–Town offers you the chance to enjoy all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ for 90 minutes. There are ten different varieties you can choose from, including marinated and un-marinated meats, seafood and bibimbap of course. Plus, at just £25 per person, it’s definitely wallet-friendly.
You’ll find K–Town at 8-12 Coombe Road, New Malden, KT3 4QE. Nearest station is New Malden.
20. Paranhodu
This tiny spot in New Cross near Deptford is a real gem and a bit of a South East London secret. Tucked in between a barber’s and a takeaway pizza joint, you’ll get everything you expect of Korean cuisine here as well as some unexpected treats – the spicy chicken with mozzarella cheese and pumpkin croquettes are well worth a look in. Wash it all down with an ice-cold Hite beer – a real authentic taste of South Korea!
You’ll find Paranhodu at 125 Lewisham Way, London, SE14 6QJ. Nearest station is New Cross.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best Korean restaurants in London. Loosen up that waistband and get ready to dig in!