11 Best Korean Restaurants in London (2026 Guide)

London has always been a city that embraces food from around the world, but Korean cuisine has grown into one of the capital’s most exciting dining scenes. What was once mostly centered around New Malden has now spread across London, with everything from traditional Korean restaurants and family-run spots to modern kitchens serving creative takes on classic dishes.

The appeal is easy to understand. Korean food is all about bold flavours and shared experiences — sizzling BBQ cooked at the table, bowls of steaming bibimbap, handmade dumplings, spicy stews, crispy fried chicken, and endless plates of banchan (small side dishes) that turn a simple meal into something memorable.

11 London’s best-known Korean Restaurants

Over the past few years, London has welcomed a wave of Korean restaurants that bring different sides of the cuisine to the city. Some focus on authentic home-style cooking, while others specialise in Korean BBQ where the meal becomes part dinner and part experience.

After exploring some of the best Korean restaurants across London, these are the places that stand out for their atmosphere, flavours, and the quality of their food.

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1. Koba Korean BBQ, Soho

Address: 11 Rathbone Street, London W1T 1NA
Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road

For anyone looking to experience Korean BBQ in London, Koba is one of the restaurants that should be near the top of the list.

Tucked away in Soho, this cosy restaurant brings the traditional Korean BBQ experience right into the heart of the city. The tables come fitted with built-in grills, allowing diners to cook their own selection of meats while enjoying the social side of Korean dining.

The atmosphere is relaxed and lively, with the smell of grilled meat filling the room as groups gather around the table sharing plates, drinks, and conversation.

Koba focuses on quality ingredients rather than overwhelming the menu. Their selection of marinated meats is the main attraction, with dishes like bulgogi and galbi offering that perfect combination of smoky, sweet, and savoury flavours. The restaurant also serves classic Korean dishes such as japchae, seafood pancakes, and bibimbap for those who want something beyond the grill.

What makes Koba special is the experience. Korean BBQ is not just about the food — it is about sitting around the table, cooking together, and taking your time. Koba captures that feeling brilliantly, making it a great choice for date nights, celebrations, or a fun meal with friends.

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2. YORI, Covent Garden

Address: 15–17 Cranbourn Street, London WC2H 7AN
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square

Located just moments away from Leicester Square, YORI has become one of the most recognisable names in London’s Korean food scene.

The restaurant offers a comfortable introduction to Korean cuisine, combining traditional recipes with a modern London dining atmosphere. Inside, the warm lighting and wooden interiors create a welcoming setting that works equally well for a casual lunch or an evening meal.

The menu covers many Korean favourites, making it a good option for both newcomers and regular Korean food lovers. Their beef bulgogi is a popular choice, featuring tender slices of marinated beef cooked with a rich, slightly sweet sauce. The stone bowl bibimbap is another highlight, arriving with colourful vegetables, rice, egg, and spicy gochujang sauce that brings everything together.

Like many good Korean restaurants, YORI understands the importance of side dishes. Plates of kimchi and other small accompaniments add extra flavour and balance to the meal.

What makes YORI stand out is its consistency. It delivers the comforting flavours people expect from Korean food while remaining accessible for anyone trying it for the first time.

Whether you are exploring Korean cuisine for the first time or simply looking for a reliable Korean restaurant in central London, YORI is an easy recommendation.

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3. On The Bab, Shoreditch

Address: 305 Old Street, London EC1V 9LA
Nearest Tube: Old Street

On The Bab brought Korean street food into London’s mainstream dining scene, and it remains one of the best places to enjoy casual Korean flavours without the formality of a traditional restaurant.

The Shoreditch branch perfectly matches the area’s energetic personality. It is colourful, busy, and designed for sharing plates with friends over drinks.

The restaurant is best known for its Korean fried chicken — crispy pieces coated in sticky sauces that balance sweetness, spice, and a deep savoury flavour. It is the kind of dish that disappears quickly once it reaches the table.

Beyond fried chicken, the menu explores different sides of Korean street food with dishes such as kimchi pancakes, Korean rice bowls, and spicy pork dishes. Everything is designed to be shared, making it a great option for groups who want to try several different flavours.

On The Bab is less about a quiet traditional meal and more about the fun, social side of Korean food. It captures the energy of Korean street markets while fitting perfectly into London’s modern food scene.

4. Jin Go Gae, New Malden

Address: 278 High Street, New Malden KT3 4DN
Nearest Station: New Malden

New Malden is often considered the heart of London’s Korean community, and Jin Go Gae is one of the restaurants that represents this area best. Away from the busy streets of central London, this long-standing restaurant focuses on traditional Korean cooking with the kind of flavours that feel comforting and familiar.

Walking inside, you immediately notice that this is a place built around the food rather than trends. The atmosphere is simple and welcoming, with many Korean diners filling the tables — always a good sign when looking for authentic cuisine.

The menu covers a wide range of Korean classics, from sizzling BBQ dishes to hearty soups and stews. Their galbi (Korean grilled short ribs) is a standout, with tender meat carrying the smoky flavour that makes Korean BBQ so popular. The kimchi stew is another favourite, offering a rich, spicy broth packed with deep fermented flavours.

One of the things that makes Jin Go Gae special is the generous selection of banchan that comes alongside many dishes. These small side dishes bring variety to the table, from crunchy vegetables to homemade kimchi, creating the traditional Korean dining experience.

While some newer Korean restaurants focus heavily on presentation, Jin Go Gae keeps things simple. It is the kind of restaurant people return to because the food feels genuine and satisfying.

For anyone willing to make the journey to New Malden, this is one of the best places in London to experience Korean food in its most traditional form.

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5. Assa, Soho

Address: 52 Wardour Street, London W1D 4QE
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus

Hidden among the restaurants and bars of Soho, Assa has built a reputation for serving affordable, authentic Korean food in a relaxed setting.

The restaurant may not have the polished interiors of some of London’s newer Korean spots, but that is part of its charm. Assa feels like the kind of neighbourhood restaurant you might discover while exploring Soho — casual, busy, and focused on delivering good food rather than creating a fancy dining experience.

The menu is packed with Korean comfort food favourites. Their kimchi fried rice is one of the dishes that keeps people coming back, combining spicy fermented kimchi with rice, vegetables, and a perfectly cooked egg on top.

The Korean fried chicken is another highlight, arriving crispy and coated in a sweet and spicy sauce that has become one of Korea’s most popular exports. For something warming, the kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) delivers plenty of flavour with its rich broth and comforting ingredients.

Assa is especially popular among students, locals, and Korean food lovers who appreciate generous portions and traditional flavours. It does not try to reinvent Korean cuisine — instead, it focuses on getting the classics right.

If you are looking for a casual Korean meal in central London without the fuss, Assa remains one of Soho’s most reliable choices.

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6. Oseyo, Multiple London Locations

Locations: Various locations across London
Nearest Tube: Depends on branch

Oseyo has become one of the biggest names bringing Korean culture and cuisine to London. While many people know it as a Korean supermarket, its cafés and food counters have also become popular places to enjoy quick and authentic Korean dishes.

The appeal of Oseyo is its accessibility. It offers a chance to experience Korean flavors in a more relaxed and casual way, perfect for lunch breaks, quick meals, or anyone wanting to try Korean food without committing to a full restaurant experience.

Their food selection includes favorites such as bibimbap, Korean fried chicken, dumplings, kimbap, and sweet treats. The flavors are approachable while still capturing the key elements that make Korean cuisine so enjoyable.

Beyond the food, part of the experience is exploring the store itself. Shelves filled with Korean snacks, drinks, sauces, and ingredients make it feel like a small trip to Seoul in the middle of London.

Oseyo might not offer the traditional sit-down Korean dining experience, but it has played a huge role in making Korean food and culture more accessible across the capital.

For a casual introduction to Korean cuisine, it is one of the easiest places to start.

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7. Seoul Bakery, Holborn

Address: 33 Litchfield Street, London WC2H 9NJ
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden

Despite its name, Seoul Bakery offers much more than Korean baked goods. This small and cosy restaurant has become a favourite among those looking for affordable Korean dishes in central London.

The atmosphere is simple and welcoming, with a menu that focuses on traditional favourites rather than complicated modern interpretations. It is the type of place where people come for a quick meal but often end up staying longer because of the comforting food and friendly atmosphere.

The restaurant is particularly loved for dishes such as bibimbap, bulgogi, and dumplings. Their meals are generous, flavourful, and offer a genuine taste of Korean home cooking.

The bakery side of the restaurant is also worth exploring, with Korean-inspired desserts and snacks adding something different from the usual London café experience.

Seoul Bakery may not have the trendy look of some newer Korean restaurants, but its charm comes from simplicity. It focuses on honest food, welcoming service, and flavours that remind many diners of traditional Korean cooking.

For those searching for a hidden gem near Covent Garden, this little restaurant is well worth discovering.

8. Imone, New Malden

Address: 38 High Street, New Malden KT3 4HE
Nearest Station: New Malden

Tucked away in New Malden’s famous Korean food scene, Imone is the kind of restaurant that feels like a local secret. It does not rely on flashy interiors or trendy presentation — instead, it focuses on traditional Korean flavours and generous, home-style cooking.

The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, with many Korean families and regular customers filling the tables. It has that authentic neighbourhood feel where the focus is firmly on the food.

Imone is particularly known for its comforting dishes that showcase the everyday side of Korean cuisine. Their japchae, made with sweet potato noodles, vegetables, and a savoury sauce, is packed with flavour and has the perfect chewy texture. The pork belly dishes are also popular, offering rich, tender meat with the smoky flavours Korean cooking does so well.

For something warming, their traditional soups and stews are worth exploring. Korean comfort food is all about deep flavours, and dishes like kimchi stew and tofu-based soups show exactly why these meals are enjoyed throughout Korea.

What makes Imone stand out is its authenticity. It feels less like a restaurant created for tourists and more like a place where people come for a familiar Korean meal.

If you are exploring New Malden’s Korean restaurants, Imone is a brilliant choice for anyone wanting traditional cooking in a relaxed setting.

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9. Olle Korean BBQ, Soho

Address: 88 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 6NG
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus

When it comes to Korean BBQ in central London, Olle has been one of the names people mention for years. Located just off Shaftesbury Avenue, this restaurant brings the classic Korean BBQ experience to one of London’s busiest areas.

The main attraction is the tabletop grilling experience. Instead of simply arriving with a finished dish, diners become part of the cooking process as different cuts of meat are grilled directly at the table.

The restaurant is particularly loved for its selection of premium meats, including marinated beef, pork belly, and Korean-style ribs. The combination of smoky grilled flavours, fresh lettuce wraps, sauces, and side dishes creates the full Korean BBQ experience.

Beyond the grill, Olle also serves a selection of Korean classics including seafood pancakes, noodles, and stews. These dishes work perfectly alongside the BBQ and make the meal feel complete.

The atmosphere is lively, especially during evenings when groups gather around the tables enjoying food and drinks. It is not a quiet restaurant, but that is exactly what makes Korean BBQ enjoyable — it is social, interactive, and designed to be shared.

For anyone looking for an authentic Korean BBQ experience without leaving central London, Olle remains one of the strongest options.

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10. SuperStar BBQ, Chinatown

Address: 37A Gerrard Street, London W1D 5QB
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square

SuperStar BBQ is one of the places that comes to mind when talking about Korean BBQ in London. Located in Chinatown, it combines the excitement of Korean grilling with the energy of one of the city’s busiest food districts.

The restaurant specialises in the traditional Korean BBQ experience, where diners cook their chosen meats on a grill built into the table. It is the type of place that works especially well for groups because the meal naturally becomes a shared experience.

The menu includes a wide variety of grilled options, from marinated meats to classic Korean BBQ favourites. The bulgogi delivers the sweet and savoury flavours Korean barbecue is known for, while the galbi offers a richer, smoky taste.

One of the best parts of Korean BBQ is the combination of flavours that come with the meal — grilled meat wrapped in fresh lettuce, paired with sauces, garlic, kimchi, and small side dishes. SuperStar BBQ captures this experience well.

The restaurant has a lively and energetic atmosphere, making it a popular choice for celebrations, group dinners, and anyone wanting something more interactive than a standard restaurant meal.

If Korean BBQ is the main reason you are searching for Korean restaurants in London, SuperStar BBQ deserves a place on your list.

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11. K-Town BBQ, London

Address: London
Nearest Station: Check location before visiting

K-Town BBQ is a great option for anyone who enjoys the social side of Korean dining. Korean BBQ has always been about bringing people together, and this restaurant embraces that idea with its table grills, sharing dishes, and relaxed atmosphere.

The experience here is less about rushing through a meal and more about taking your time. Plates of meat arrive ready to be cooked at the table, giving diners the chance to enjoy the process as much as the food itself.

The menu features popular Korean BBQ favourites, including marinated beef, pork belly, and a variety of Korean side dishes. The combination of grilled flavours, sauces, and fresh accompaniments creates the balance that makes Korean BBQ so enjoyable.

It is particularly suited for groups of friends or family gatherings where everyone can share different dishes and enjoy the interactive nature of the meal.

While London now has many Korean restaurants, places like K-Town BBQ continue to highlight what makes Korean food special — bold flavours, generous sharing, and a dining experience that feels memorable.

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Final Thoughts

London’s Korean food scene has grown massively, and the variety available today is better than ever. From traditional restaurants in New Malden to modern Korean kitchens in Soho and Shoreditch, there is something for every type of diner.

For a first Korean meal, YORI or Oseyo are great places to begin. If you want authentic traditional flavours, Jin Go Gae and Imone showcase the heart of Korean cooking. And for the full Korean BBQ experience, Koba and SuperStar BBQ are among the best choices in the city.

Korean food is about more than just what arrives on the plate — it is about sharing, exploring new flavours, and enjoying the experience with others. These restaurants represent some of the best places in London to do exactly that.

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