The Best Korean BBQ in London

Absolutely London rounds up where to eat the best Korean BBQ in London

By Jacinta Andolini

Korean BBQ is one the most internationally popular aspects of Korean cuisine. Known as gogi-gui, the charcoal barbecue is built into the dining table so diners can cook their own sliced and marinated meats such as pork, chicken and beef accompanied by a selection of preserved vegetables and pickles, rice, fresh lettuce leaves and sliced garlic. If all that sounds mouth-watering but you can’t quite make it to Seoul this weekend, here’s where to feast on the best Korean BBQ London has to offer.

Olle

Right in the middle of Soho on Shaftesbury Avenue lies Olle, a bustling Korean barbeque restaurant that is always jam packed – especially on weekends. Inspired by the Jeju Islands of Korea, it’s a casual and charismatic dining space serving the highest quality cuts of meat and lots of Korean home comforts such as bibimbap (a hot rice bowl) and all the essential sides.

88 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 6NH; ollelondon.com

Yanji

This minimalist restaurant on Bethnal Green Road offers a cool and laidback dining experience with the healthy dose of hipster that you’d expect from east London. It specialises in skewers, like chicken wings, pork belly and squid, which of course guests barbecue themselves. Not forgetting the vegetarians, the enoki mushrooms and aubergine skewers are bursting with flavour.

153 Bethnal Green Rd, E2 7DG; yanjirestaurant.com

Yori

Away from the buzz of Piccadilly Circus is Yori, an intimate and genuine Korean experience with sister branches in Wimbledon and Covent Garden. Sizzle your own pork bulgogi, beef ribs and ox tongue, all marinated in the secret Yori sauce. If there’s room for more, there are plenty of other K-classics on the menu such as japchae (sweet and savoury glass noodles) and bibimbap.

6 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DL; yoriuk.com

Gogi

Edgware Road’s answer to KBBQ cuisine comes in the form of Gogi. Not only can you enjoy grilling your own, but there’s also a slick bar where you can try some delicious soju-based cocktails such as the Citrus Kiss soju with lemon liqueur or the Mae Wha Soo – a Korean plum wine. This venue is the perfect place for a date night or birthday dinner with friends.

451 Edgware Road, W2 1TH; gogi-restaurant.com

Arang

Just behind Carnaby Street on Golden Square is Arang, an authentic Korean restaurant with an exquisite menu and barbecue option. Alongside the barbecue, Arang serves traditional Korean casseroles and other small plates. Tuck into stir-fried squid, roasted cod or the classic tofu and kimchi combination – and for a traditional end to the feast, be sure to try a shot or two of soju wine.

9 Golden Square, W1F 9HZ; 

Seveni

South of the river on Kennington Road is Seveni Bar and Restaurant, a welcoming and homely east Asian restaurant with a focus on the Dongbei (charcoal) Korean barbecue. Perfect for a laidback Friday night, Seveni serves everything from sliced Australian wagyu, pork collar and, because no Korean barbecue would be complete without it, succulent marinated short ribs.

82 Kennington Road, SE11 6NL; seveni.co.uk

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