London’s best Korean restaurants

The markings scrawled by previous diners covering the walls are probably the first thing you’ll notice when you enter Seoul Bakery, but the food is the reason there’s always a massive queue outside. This beloved little spot two minutes' walk from Tottenham Court Road station is a gateway right into the heart of Seoul. It’s a mix between canteen, café, restaurant and, thanks to the drawings, some youth hostel charm, where students, K-pop fans and hungry hordes looking for exceptional Korean street food come together. Prices are an utter bargain for central London, with mains setting you back £6 to £9. The bulgogi gimbap and seafood pajeon pancake are perfectly executed, but the real star is the bibimbap (mixed rice with vegetables) which comes in four varieties: chicken, beef, tuna, or vegetable. Their version is simple, but each component plays an important part in the overall harmony of the dish, from sweet notes of the carrots to the invigorating crunch of bean sprouts. Alongside come a range of Korean classics such as tteokbokki (rice cakes), gimbap (Korean seaweed rice roll) and noodle soups. 

Time Out tip It’s teeny-tiny inside with only 15 seats on communal tables. Expect to share a table with strangers or face the graffiti-plastered wall. The queue kicks off about midday.

It doesn’t take too many brain cells to work out what Bibimbap specialises in. Cheap and cheerful is very much the vibe: concrete walls, basic Ikea-style furniture and dangling light bulbs. Choose from 11 different varieties of the hot stone-bowl rice classic (including five for veggies) – all you need to do is make an absolute mess and stir in fiery gochujang sauce and miso paste. For those unfamiliar with bibimbap, it's basically things on rice, but it’s far from your typical rice dish. It's a comforting bowl of delight filled with sizzling or fresh meat pieces, crisp julienned vegetables, and often crowned with a fried egg, its yolk melting into the rice. At Bibimbap, it comes in generously sized, piping-hot stone bowls, topped with an array of options such as tender fillet steak, chilli-garlic chicken, a medley of seafood, earthy shiitake mushrooms, or spicy kimchi. 

Time Out tip It’s great value for a bowl of savoury warmth, and has sites in Soho, Leadenhall Market, Cannon and Spitalfields, so you’re never too far from a branch.

Kangnam Pocha is a homely blink-and-you’ll-miss-it place. The exterior and interior is simple and nothing to shout out about, but you’re here for the excellent quality Korean food at affordable prices. Bear in mind this unassuming Covent Garden place is walk-ins only and doesn’t take reservations, so pick your hours carefully. If you decide to brave the queues your best bet is to order the holy trinity: grilled meat, fried chicken and soju. For the non-drinkers, milkis (club soda), soft drinks, cans of Korean pear juice and grape juice are available. Start with house favourites: original fried chicken, samgyeopsal (three-layered pork belly) and LA Galbi (beef ribs). After all that meat with a side of meat, save some space for the star of the show gamjatang (pork bone soup). It’s packed with enough gochujang and gochugaru chilli flakes to kick you in the back of the throat and send you back to your senses. It’d be a crime to not order the signature cheesy kimchi fried rice to soak up all that soupy goodness. If you’re here during lunch, they offer bento box options filled with all the trimmings such as bulgogi, vegetables, pickles and dumplings.

Time Out tip There’s a 10% discount if you pay in cash.

Chungdam is an outright gorgeous restaurant, full of artistic touches like green terrazzo tables, mid-century chairs and subtly designed decorative ceramics. It’s one of the newer additions to Soho and specialises in high quality cuts of beef like chateaubriand, filet mignon, prime Angus ribeye and marbled A3-5 wagyu. They’re grilled right in front of you at the table and served with a diverse selection of side dishes, like soybean stew, mandu dumplings and kimchi cold noodles. The attention and service here is next level. Each piece of meat is expertly seared, attended to with care, trimmed, flipped and lovingly squished. Everything is served with its own punchy sauce. Nothing disappoints. Don’t miss the Pyeonbaek – a three-tiered wooden box made from hinoki wood, which has stock at the bottom that steams the above boxes containing mixed seafood, beef brisket, ribeye and vegetables. It’s a monster-size meal; tender, rich and big enough for several people to share. If your pipes are up to it, there’s also a private karaoke room downstairs.

Time Out tip If you’re feeling flush, opt for the melt in the mouth A3-5 wagyu and have it expertly prepared on the state-of-the-art grills. Guaranteed you’ll hear angels singing.

This tiny Korean/Japanese hybrid neighbourhood restaurant has been bringing the best of both worlds to Finsbury Park locals and pre- and post- drunken bowlers from nearby Rowan’s for years. It’s still an absolute mission to get a table as it’s no reservations and queues often snake down the road, but it’s worth persisting. Due to limited space and busy periods, tables can be quite close together, which makes this place cosy and buzzy. The expansive menu is a deep dive into both Asian cuisines and done incredibly well. It’s satisfying and substantial without breaking the bank. Start with fresh sashimi, maki rolls and featherlight tempura from the Japanese section and amp up the heat with heavier Korean dishes like the haemul pajeon (seafood and chive pancake), bulgogi beef, bokkeumbap (kimchi fried rice), deep fried oysters with a punchy chilli sauce and kkanpunggi fried chicken clusters. It’s cash-only, so get your money out at the station.

Time Out tip Overwhelmed by choice? The set menus have all the trimmings including gyoza dumplings, kimchi pancakes, sushi, pickles, salad and drinks.

At Jihwaja, you might find yourself wondering, "Is it karaoke? Or is it a restaurant?" This Korean gem nestled on Kennington Lane blurs the lines between dining and entertainment. The atmosphere is strictly party vibes central and it’s open until 3am on weekends. With a seriously extensive menu that spans over 10 pages, things can be a little overwhelming. Luckily there are convenient set food and booze menus for those who want to try a bit of everything. For those seeking comfort, stodge and sustenance, look no further than the five variations of Korean fried chicken, Korean-style cheesy corn, kimchi fried rice, and haemul pajeon (crispy seafood pancake). Lighter options such as mandu (dumplings), soups, and noodle dishes balance out a meal nicely. Jihwaja has several private karaoke rooms available to hire on an hourly basis, with a mighty catalogue of English, Korean, Chinese and Japanese songs. The best thing? You can ring a bell to order food and drink directly to your booth. 

Time Out tip For hungry groups looking to dive and conquer, get the Jihwaja hansang platter. A delightful assortment comprising kimchi jeon, haemul pajeon, kimari tuigim, veggie mandu, beef galbi, spicy pork belly, seaweed rice balls served with salad and kimchi.

Just across the street from Vauxhall neighbour, Jihwaja, Daebak welcomes all those seeking a kimchi fix without the karaoke distractions. Housed in what was once a humble greasy spoon, this place retains the look and feel of an old caff. ‘Daebak’ means ‘big win’ in Korean, and a big win is what you’re going to get. The prices are low, portions are huge and the flavours are bang-on. Drawing a real mix of locals, business folks and hungry cricket enthusiasts from the Oval stadium, its legendary Korean fried chicken is the star of the show, with options like sweet soy garlic, sweet cheese powder, Korean sweet chilli, and the padak, coated in a luscious honey mustard sauce and adorned with delicate spring onion slices. Chicken at Daebak strikes the perfect balance between moist and crispy. Beyond the chook-extravaganza, there are plenty of other street food classics, including jjigae Korean stews, Korean ramen, bulgogi, dumplings, and bibimbap.

Time Out tip Order set menu A, which includes miso soup, chicken dumplings, KFC nyeum chicken and bibimbap for just £20.

This elegant Korean barbecue spot in Chinatown has the BTS stamp of approval, so you know you’re in for the red carpet treatment. Prices are a little higher than its neighbours, but rest assured, there’s only good stuff on the menu. If you want the full Korean barbecue experience you can take charge of cooking or let the very helpful and welcoming staff take control of the grills on the table, sit back and enjoy the show. Focus on the high quality and well-marinated selection of meats such as bulgogi, chadol bagi thinly sliced brisket and la galbi beef short ribs. Barbecues might get all the glory, but the stews should get a look in and they come with a bowl of boiled rice. Order the super soothing sundubu jjigae spicy tofu red stew or the off-menu ethereally light gyeranjjim Korean savoury egg custard. This souffle-like side dish serves as an ideal companion to soak up sauces and balances out the richness of any meat. 

Time Out tip Can’t decide? Opt for the Olle selection B which should cover all bases. It comes with a variety of different cuts of meat and seafood, lettuce for wrapping, dips and spring onion salad.

Expect vibes with a side of vibes at this buzzy and constantly packed Korean barbecue palace in Chinatown. Interiors and aesthetics are modelled after traditional Korean barbecue joints in South Korea with retro neon lights, disco balls and splashy murals. The first thing you’ll notice is the smoke pipes working overtime, crowded groups sitting on stools and loud music, which only adds to the electric atmosphere. Start with excellent picky bits like tofu kimchi, dak dong jib (chicken gizzards), osam-bulgogi (spicy squid and pork stir fry) and rabokki (ramen tteokbokki rice cakes). Then barbecue and bibimbab are your go-to options for a good time, alongside many rounds of Korean beers, makgeolli Korean rice wine and soju cocktails.

Time Out tip It’s unlikely you’ll get in without a booking (even on weekdays this place is busy). Otherwise, you’ll have to join the really long queues outside, so plan your visit accordingly.

An OG central London Korean barbecue joint that’s been going since 2006. It’s one of those rare places you want to keep coming back to and selfishly keep schtum about. Inside is a slick operation with impeccable service and a lovely crew that will help with the cooking (if requested or needed), otherwise it’s DIY Korean barbecuing at your table. Bring a big group to make a dent in the overwhelmingly large menu, roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. Begin with banchan – the diverse array of small plates that often crowd the table consisting of kimchi, kongnamul muchim (seasoned soybean sprouts) and sigeumchi namul (seasoned spinach). For all the smoky caramelisation barbecue fans out there, this is the place to be. Arang serves a variety of cuts you won’t find elsewhere, such as ojingeo-tonggui (spicy grilled squid), duck and beef tongue, as well as strip steak, galbi jjim, braised beef short ribs and pork belly. Wrap each tasty morsel with unlimited bouquets of lettuce and perilla leaves and dunk in a range of vibrant sauces. Be sure to balance out the meat fest with sides like the jiggly dubu kimchi tofu, yukhoe seasoned raw beef with pear, jjajangmyeon black bean noodles and bibim-naengmyeon cold buckwheat noodles in spicy sauce.

Time Out tip Stick around, as the kitchen usually bring out a refreshing platter of cut fruit – a sign of true love in any Asian household – at the end of your meal (and it’s on the house, too).

A great little nook of a bar in Angel specialising in top-shelf Korean cocktails and knock-out snacks such as fried chicken, dumplings, ssam lettuce wraps and other Korean small plates. Ogam Tapas Bar is an education in the art of anju (food consumed with alcohol). It's impressive how they’ve thought about balance and textures when drinking and eating together. Start with premium soju Lee Gang Ju and samgyeopsal (three layered pork), where the crisp and sharp soju cuts through the fattiness of the pork beautifully. For something lighter, try Ogam’s signature cocktail the Miracle of Han River (made with soju, pineapple juice and grapefruit syrup) paired with a crunchy ssam lettuce wrap, it’s an explosive combination. Taeyeol Kim has over a decade of experience and served as a national champion bartender in South Korea, so he knows a thing or two about drinks. It’s obvious that the staff here really put their heart and soul into bringing South Korean cuisine and culture to the masses, using premium spirits and the finest ingredients to showcase their food and heritage. 

Time Out tip The cocktails and drinks list are seriously impressive and creative, but tell the bartenders what you like and let them make you something special.

Restaurateur Linda Lee (also founder of On the Bab) has been running this glam Fitzrovia spot since 2005 and shows no signs of slowing down. Koba is a fancy barbecue specialist, its meat prepped and marinated ready for the sizzle and smoke treatment and cooked in front of you and tended to by staff. Despite the high-end surroundings, prices are in keeping with neighbouring restaurants, and although it offers fewer banchan, the ingredients are top quality. Choose beef galbi, ribeye, bulgogi beef and pork belly. Fried snacks and stews are a sound choice too, with bab twigim Korean kimchi arancini balls, kanso saewoo deep fried prawn in a sweet and spicy chilli sauce and accompanying bowls of pearly white rice.

Time Out tip The Koba BBQ selection comes with melting slivers of marinated rib eye, beef spare rib, pork belly, spicy chicken, prawn, baby octopus and vegetables, and is a recipe for a good time and happy stomach.

CheeMc, with its simple, minimal interiors, is very much designed for feasting. Here, the menu does most of the talking. Think: laminated wood-floors and fake brick wallpaper, but also multiple karaoke rooms as well as the main dining room. To start, order the tteokbokki, kimchi pajeon pancake, jokbal (braised pig’s trotters) and soondae bokkeum (stir fried blood sausage). Trust us and don’t knock it till you try it. As for the lengthy list of chicken, there are plenty of different flavours such as honey butter and original KFC, and varying spice levels to choose from, but be warned: if you think you can handle heat, the chilli slathered goochoo will humble you. The spice creeps up after the first bite and will continue to linger at the back of the throat. The fried chicken here is what’s worth the journey; a gloriously golden craggly batter and an admirable crust that sets it apart from the others. When it comes to the saucy, pre-seasoned chicken options, you can choose between sweet chilli or sweet soy chicken, both of which have been generously coated in a delectable sauce. There’s also a branch in Soho.  

Time Out tip Be bold and order the maneul garlic chicken topped with a mountain of extra garlic flakes.

Husband and wife duo Woong Chul Park and Bomee Ki – who met training at Le Cordon Bleu – have created a unique style of cooking that showcases familiar Korean dishes made using French techniques and artfully woven through the deconstructive tendencies of molecular gastronomy. The result is a Tate-worthy nine-course tasting menu masterpiece, serving up original dishes like gaemtae sandwich miniature seaweed cheese toasties, daikon tarte tatin or red mullet sea broth. Aside from exceptional food, Sollip has an extensive wine list with over 80 different labels to choose from and for the non-drinkers a thoughtful soft pairing alongside the tasting experience. Interiors-wise it flaunts an effortlessly contemporary cool look with stunning crockery displays directly imported from Korea. That it's been Michelin-anointed is no surprise.

Time Out tip They’ve launched a four-course set lunch for £78, featuring exclusive dishes especially made for the daytime menu.

Imone shines like a warming beacon of light on the main strip of New Malden aka London’s K-Town. You’ll spot this family-run joint from a mile off thanks to its egg yolk yellow exterior. Their food is soulful, rustic, and hearty. Rally the troops and embark on a Korean feast, ploughing through plates of carefully considered and lovingly made seasonal banchan, buns, dumplings, bulgogi and bibimbap. Be sure to save space for the broths, stews and braised dishes. There's nothing better in the colder months than a thick and creamy kongbiji-jjigae (ground soybean stew) in a bed of sour kimchi and pork ribs. Or, their ruby red signature saengseon jjim (spiced braised fish dish); earthy and dank with an enlivening minerality and a healthy kick of spice. You’ll feel time skip in your gut.

Time Out tip Ask what’s on the blackboard specials, or go for lunch and make the most of the fixed-price menus, which start at just £13 per person.

Family-owned, this Korean fried chicken joint is the local stuff of legends. Here chicken is double-fried for that all-important extra crispy skin and the batter straddles the sweet spot between rugged and impeccably glossy. While spice lords are tempted to dive right into the deep end with the sweet, sour and spicy yangnyeom chicken, it’s wise to walk before you run. Start with the simple signature stuff with rounded and well-balanced seasoning. Don’t forget to add Spam fries, coleslaw and mozzarella sticks. As for drinks, there’s beers on tap, bottled stuff and fizzy soft drinks.

Time Out tip Check out the blackboard specials.

Yami stands out as a rare gem in New Malden for providing table-top barbecue during lunch hours. Many flock here for the theatrical short ribs, brisket, ox tongue and pork belly, but it’s possible to eschew the smoke and fire and opt for the underrated nurungji rice porridge. It’s slowly simmered, the rice turning to a creamy, starchy broth with a wonderfully crisp bottom that’s the ultimate antidote for chilly days. It’s a simple yet impactful dish and will have you trying to work out the sorcery behind it. If you want to make it more luxe, there’s a version that uses abalone. Build the rest of the meal with super tender bossam boiled pork shoulder with the works (spicy radish salad, sliced raw garlic, ssamjang, saeu-jeot, kimchi, and ssam vegetables), japchae glass noodles, dolsot bibimbap and raw beef.

Time Out tip Come hungry; the banchan side dishes are free.

New Malden’s Ha Ru is a sweet, family-run spot with a lengthy menu of homely soups and stews served incredibly hot and full of love. Diners descend en masse to try their famous budae-jjigae ‘Army stew’. It’s a massive communal hotpot on a gas stove filled with *deep breath* tofu, Spam, frankfurter sausages, rice cakes, enoki mushrooms, king oyster mushrooms, ramen noodles, kimchi, spring onions, and topped with a single slice of American cheese cooked in a spicy shredded beef soup. As the name suggests, it really does feed an army, so rally some very hungry troops for a south west London road trip. If sharing isn’t your bag, there’s plenty of other excellent bits worth your attention like the gim mali deep fried glass noodles wrapped in seaweed, daegu bbol-tang spicy cod cheek and vegetable soup served with rice and janchiguksu noodle soup. Best of all, Ha Ru is one of the few places that offer complimentary banchan small plates with your meal so you can really get your fill here. 

Time Out tip If you want to dine like a true Korean, there's a room at the back where you can sit at floor-level tables and write stuff on the wall with a marker.

This relative newcomer to Putney has quietly made a name for itself. It’s a strictly no bells and whistles kind of place – just good food at good prices – and named after the traditional gamasot cauldron iron pot lids used in traditional Korean cooking. Sure, there are barbecues on every table, but do as the sign says and opt for the heartier stuff like rice, noodles and soups cooked in pots, as that’s where they really shine. Some seriously restorative stuff knocking about on the menu that you won’t find in other Korean places such as the ulmyeon Chinese-style Korean clam and mussel broth, maeun jokbal boiled pork trotter coated in a spicy sauce and samgyetang whole spring chicken ginseng broth. Best served with heapings of lettuce, dugu tofu kimchi, boiled rice and crispy pancakes. Why fly to Korea when you can come to East Putney?

Time Out tip There’s only a £2.50 corkage fee per person for BYOB.

Nestled on a modest residential street adjacent to a colossal B&Q, Jin Go Gae may not initially draw you in, but the moment you catch the alluring aroma of smoky Korean barbecue wafting from its doors you’ll be instantly enticed. Barbecue might get all the glory, but this New Malden hotpot and soups specialist puts out a proper refreshing beef broth as the base for most of its dishes (including a very satisfying googoji galbi tang beef rib soup, or seolleongtang clear ox bone soup). That being said, the gejang might be the star to watch. The cold, raw marinated crab in soy sauce has a jelly-like melt-in-the-mouth texture – and you’ll comes away with a little added heat from the fiery gochujang. Jin Go Gae also serves the most generous portions of banchan compared to its K-Town neighbours, a fitting choice given the slogan displayed on the restaurant's blackboard, which wisely states, ‘The belly rules the mind.’

Time Out tip Finish the meal on a high with refreshingly sweet and malty sikhye Korean rice punch and soothing sujeonggwa Korean sweet cinnamon tea.