Best Korean Restaurants in London: Where to Eat Right Now
Korean Food Has Left New Malden and Gone Citywide
If you have lived in London for a few years, you will have noticed Korean food turning up in places it never used to. For a long time, the go-to destination was New Malden in south west London, which many of us still call the city’s Koreatown. Walk along its high street and you will find Korean supermarkets, cafes, language schools and churches, with an estimated 10,000 Korean residents shaping the area’s character. Alongside Chinatown, it was the place to find serious Korean cooking for decades. That has changed. The cuisine has spread across the capital, and the choice has grown with it. Mare Street in Hackney is a good example. A modern Korean kitchen opened there quietly in summer 2024 and quickly became one of the year’s most talked-about openings. In the heart of Soho, the corner of Greek Street and Romilly Street has become a magnet for Korean barbecue fans, and nearby spots such as Olle, which has a loyal following among K-pop fans, keep the area busy into the evening. Soho is already one of the best-known london attractions for nightlife, so it makes sense that Korean grilling has found a home among the theatres and late bars. Whether you live in the suburbs or in the centre, there is now a Korean restaurant within reach of most Tube lines.
Family Kitchens and Small Businesses Behind the Boom
Behind the buzz are people whose livelihoods depend on getting the details right. Miga is a good case study. It is run by two brothers and their father, who works the kitchen himself. The restaurant’s roots go back 22 years, to a small New Malden operation started by the brothers’ grandmother. Her ox bone broth recipe still anchors the menu, and the family’s steamed tofu with house-made grilled kimchi shows how they have kept traditional methods while updating the room. For a small family business, reputation is everything. One bad week of service can undo months of word of mouth, which is why so many of these owners work every shift themselves. Angel Dabang is another local favourite. Its tiny shopfront serves kkwabaegi twisted doughnuts for just £1.50, along with dabang coffee sweetened with condensed milk and a stream of savoury snacks. Its King’s Cross branch offers a fuller sit-down menu, and both locations are part of the newtro trend, where retro interiors meet modern cooking. At the other end of the market, Sollip in London Bridge brings Korean ingredients into European technique and holds a Michelin star, while Kingly Court’s Korean Dinner Party mixes American, Mexican and Korean flavours. For diners, that range means choice. For smaller operators, it means competition is fierce, and loyal local customers matter more than ever.
What Residents Should Know Before Booking
So what does this mean for those of us living here? First, plan ahead. Popular Soho barbecue tables and weekend slots at newer Hackney and King’s Cross spots fill quickly, so booking a few days in advance is sensible, especially for groups. Second, consider a day out in New Malden. Its supermarkets are a treat in themselves, and you can stock up on kimchi, gochujang and banchan to make your own meals at home, often for less than you would pay in a restaurant. Third, keep an eye on local listings. Seasonal food markets, pop-ups and cultural celebrations regularly appear across the city, and they are a good way to sample dishes before committing to a full meal. Several of these appear among london events each year, so follow community noticeboards and venue social accounts. If you want to support independent businesses, try a smaller spot such as Angel Dabang or a family-run kitchen and leave an honest review. That feedback helps owners decide what to keep on the menu. Looking ahead, expect more openings in outer boroughs as demand spreads beyond the traditional hubs. Watch for rising rents in areas like New Malden and Hackney, which could change the character of neighbourhoods that have grown around these restaurants. For now, the choice has never been better, and the best advice is simple: go hungry, go early, and try something you cannot pronounce.
Source: The Best Korean Restaurants In London
Whether you’re a local or planning to visit London, these Korean spots offer some of the city’s most exciting flavours right now.
After a visit to the British Museum, many diners find that the nearby Korean restaurants in Centre London make an easy and satisfying lunch stop.
Just a short stroll from Buckingham Palace, Soho’s bustling streets are home to some of the city’s most exciting Korean kitchens.
