Craving Korean BBQ in London? You’re in luck.
The Hallyu wave has well and truly washed over the capital and, as a result, plenty of excellent Korean barbecue restaurants have popped up in recent years.
No matter where you are, there’s most likely a wonderful spot within walking distance or a quick tube ride away. Of course, Korean BBQ is best when it’s enjoyed in good company, so get your friends together and visit one of these great places.
Best Korean Barbecue in London
Ssam Korean Dining
££
Ssam Korean Dining offers delicious food and even better service, so it’s no wonder that it’s one of the best Korean BBQ spots in London to get a quick, hot, and (most importantly) tasty meal.
Alongside a wide selection of meat cuts to ponder over – get samgyeopsal (pork belly), it’s the best – some of their standout dishes include traditional Korean-style chicken, bibimbap and a fiery kimchi.
Since Ssam Korean Dining tends to be a more popular restaurant, particularly among Korean expats, it’s a good idea to make reservations well in advance – especially if you’re planning to visit during mealtimes or on the weekend.
Masigo
££
For Korean BBQ in central London near Culpeper Community Garden, Masigo is the place to go. It’s a cosy, comfortable spot with a comprehensive menu of different favourites.
Their food is fresh, hot, and made to order – and if you’re struggling to decide, their servers are very knowledgeable and can give you plenty of advice based on your preferences.
Their glass noodles are delicious, as are all of their chicken dishes. One of the best aspects of Masigo is that you can order a number of different things from the menu and share with your whole group – in true Korean style.
Simya Korean Restaurant
£
Simya Korean Restaurant is a fantastic Korean restaurant in West London, famous for its BBQ and delicious starters. It’s also reasonably budget-friendly, so you can eat to your heart’s content without worrying about your wallet aching the next day.
Try their flavorful and rich miso soup, seafood pancake, and beef bibimbap. If you have a sweet tooth, their cheesecake is perfect too.
Olle Korean Barbecue
£££
You can find some excellent Korean BBQ in London’s Chinatown near Leicester Square, and Olle Korean Barbecue is possibly the best example of it.
They put a lot of unique spins on classic dishes, with several different types of homemade kimchi and Korean-style spicy fried chicken. Try the pork belly or rib-eye for a special treat.
Be warned: this restaurant has gathered serious attention in the last few years, so be prepared to wait in order to stake out a table.
Bento Bab
£
For halal Korean BBQ in London, there’s really only one place to go: Bento Bab.
Although they do serve halal and non-halal food, all of their halal entrees are specifically marked and labelled. You can ask their friendly servers if you have any questions.
Bento Bab makes amazing veggie dumplings, and their BBQ chicken is out of this world.
Rapid service and delicious food? Count us in.
Jinjuu Soho
£££
Jinjuu Soho serves up some of the greatest Korean BBQ in London, Soho, emphasising modern ingredients and fusion dishes.
One of their top items are Korean Tacos, full of traditional flavours and served unconventionally. Their Korean BBQ is absolutely tasty as well, with many different types of meats and toppings to pore over.
Jinjuu Soho is a beautifully appointed restaurant and a great place to go on a date, and since it’s right near Golden Square, it’s very conveniently located.
On The Bab
££
For fantastic Korean BBQ in Shoreditch, try On The Bab. This trendy restaurant serves exceptional Korean street food and has an abundance of options for every taste and budget.
It’s also got plenty of vegetarian options, excellent service, and a fun, exciting vibe.
On The Bab tends to get pretty busy, so be prepared to wait for a table if you visit during one of their busier mealtimes or on the weekend. Some of their top menu items include fried chicken and authentic buns.
Korean BBQ Dosirak
££
Korean BBQ Dosirak is a great place to get Korean BBQ in East London with a big group of people – and it’s just a short walk away from Middleton Green.
This restaurant is perfect for family gatherings or dinner with friends because each table has its own BBQ station where you can cook your food to perfection.
The marinades at Korean BBQ Dosirak are exceptional. Take one bite, and you’ll find that the marinade perfectly infuses the meat, flavouring every bit of it. Their Korean radish kimchi is top-notch as well.
Lime Orange
£
For affordable Korean BBQ in London, Lime Orange, near Apollo Victoria Theatre, is the ultimate destination. Not only are the prices on the right side of reasonable, but the food is also delicious and made with entirely fresh and authentic ingredients.
Try their miso soup, chicken bibimbap, and kimchi for a complete meal that will knock your socks off.
It’s a good idea to save some room for dessert too – their black sesame seed ice cream is lovely, not too sweet, and completely satisfying.
K-Town BBQ
££
If you really want to stretch your money, check out K-Town BBQ, an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ in London near New Malden train station. It should go without saying, but definitely arrive hungry.
You will want to sample all of the incredible meats, dumplings, pancakes, and seafood at K-Town BBQ.
The menu changes occasionally, but you can usually expect to find tempura, sushi, BBQ, and savoury pancakes.
Practical Tips for Finding the Best Korean BBQ in London
- Ordering Korean BBQ can feel quite intimidating at first. You’ll need to decide on which cuts of meat you want to enjoy, and this will be served alongside a whole host of banchan side dishes (ranging from pickles to kimchi).
- Make sure you opt for Ssam – lettuce with a hunk of meat and pickles ensconced, devoured in one tasty mouthful. Wash down with Soju, obvs.
