Best Korean restaurants in London: 17 of the best spots to get your Bibimbap fix

From its ten-step skincare routines to its unbelievably successful pop mega stars, Korean culture has made its way over to London and left a big impression. With the rise of Korean pop culture in the UK, it of course comes as no surprise that there has been a huge rise in the popularity of Korean food too.

Over the last few years Korean restaurants have popped up all over the city serving up authentic dishes and modern takes on the versatile cuisine. From crunchy and crispy KFC (Korean fried chicken) to bibimbap rice bowls in every flavour you can imagine, and of course the traditional fermented vegetable accompaniment, kimchi; this moreish spicy mix of flavours appeals to all different kinds of people.

We can’t forget about the unique concept of Korean barbecue either. Lots of restaurants on this list offer a huge selection of meats, often sliced and marinated before you cook them on a hot plate in the middle of the table. We've also got another dedicated list for the best Korean barbecue restaurants in London too - just be careful not to burn yourself in the excitement of it all.

As with all cuisines, especially in a city as big as London, finding the best places to get good Korean food is no easy feat. With this in mind we’ve put together a list of the top Korean restaurants in London to get your fix. From more casual fast food joints to fine dining establishments and authentic hole in the wall restaurants, we’ve got them all.

So there’s no better time to find your next spot for a kimchi bibimbap, or catch up with friends over some Korean barbecue, as there’s sure to be something on this list that will fix your cravings for this popular cuisine, meaning you're one step closer to tucking into the best Korean food in London.

Jang, City of London

What: Housed in the historic Royal Exchange, Jang is a contemporary Korean and Japanese fusion restaurant from restaurateur Des Gunewardena (co-founder D&D). Amongst this lavish backdrop, Jang boasts creative and flamboyant menus from the sizzling Korean BBQ to the crocodile platters that wind their way around fresh sushi and sashimi platters. Be sure to order the Jang KFC, golden and crispy bites of fried chicken served alongside a sweet yet spicy gochujang sauce. 
Where: Royal Exchange, EC3V 3LL
Book now: Jang

Daebak, Vauxhall

What: Daebak gets double points in our book, one for serving up some of the most delicious Korean food in the city, and another for its generous portion size. We’d consider this one of the best value for money options on the list, and is best visited with a group of friends so you can try a range of plates without having to tackle it all yourself.
Where: 316-318 Kennington Lane, SE11 5HY
Book Now: Daebak

BibimBap, Soho

What: Bibimbap is known for its first class Korean food, and particularly its Bibimbaps (who’d have guessed it). Expect a variety of toppings from spicy pork and soy sauce to kimchi or fried tofu, all served on top of steamed rice and vegetables in a very hot stone bowl. If you’re after something different, then don’t forget to check out the rest of the menu, with plenty of noodles, soups and bite size snacks (think Korean fried chicken, dumplings and prawn katsu).
Where: 11 Greek Street, W1D 4DJ
Book Now: BibimBap

Jihwaja, Vauxhall

What: Perched opposite another Korean favourite, Daebak, this cosy spot is perfect for a lunch time pick up, or dining in with friends and family. It’s known for its fried chicken which is available in smaller portions or sharing platters, where you can choose from soy garlic, gochujang, a mustard base sauce and more. Don’t forget to sample the rest of the menu though, because everything’s worth shouting about.
Where: 353 Kennington Lane, SE11 5QY
Book Now: Jihwaja

Dotori, Finsbury Park

What: Dotori has a walk in only policy, so you’ll need to get there early if you want a seat at this popular North London spot. Loved for its traditional Japanese and Korean menu, you can expect to find everything from prawn bibimbap to chicken gyozas and bento boxes full of all the customer favourites.
Where: 3 Stroud Green, N4 2DQ
Book Now: Dotori

Jin’s Kitchen, Bloomsbury

What: Jin’s Kitchen takes pride of place on Shaftesbury Avenue, and is an ideal spot for lunch with its lowkey decor and portion sizes that won't send you into a food coma before that afternoon meeting. Not only that, but the price brings a breath of fresh air in comparison to other London eateries in the area.
Where: 232 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2H 8EG
Book Now: Jin’s Kitchen

Kimchee, Kings Cross

What: If you’re looking for somewhere sleek and stylish to enjoy some authentic Korean flavours, then head to Kimchee where you can choose between the DIY BBQ section downstairs or the restaurant upstairs with a view into the open kitchen. With it's vast menu, you can tuck into anything from beef blugogi to chicken katsu udon noodles.
Where: Unit 4, 2 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG
Book Now: Kimchee

Korean Dinner Party, Soho

What: Located within the trendy Kingly Court, Korean dinner party is inspired by LA’s Koreatown, so you can expect something a little more contemporary than the rest of this list. With an ‘East-meets-West’ feel to the menu, you can get the likes of corn dogs, bacon mochi and fried chicken, plus there’s even a bottomless brunch option for those looking to celebrate.
Where: Top Floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby, W1B 5PW
Book Now: Korean Dinner Party

Koba, Fitzrovia

What: Specialising in high-end Korean cuisine and with the unique option of table barbecuing, Koba is a dining experience you won’t forget. Barbecue a selection of meats served alongside rice or noodle dishes, or order from the a lar carte menu where you can sample anything from kimchee pancakes to Korean fried chicken.
Where: 11 Rathbone Street, W1T 1NA
Book Now: Koba

On the Bab, Shoreditch

What: This casual dining Korean street food restaurant specialises in snack dishes best suited to enjoying with a drink (a concept called anju). Expect classic Korean fried chicken, kimchi pancakes and bibimbap. Don’t forget to try the bao either, it was one of the first places in the city to serve them after all.
Where: 305 Old Street, EC1V 9LA
Book Now: On the Bab

Olle, Soho

What: Olle is a fast paced BBQ restaurant serving a mix of modern and traditional dishes. Everything is freshly prepared and served with a side of serious personality - both from the staff and the excitable guests dining every night. It’s all delicious, but of course you can’t head here without trying something from the BBQ section of the menu. Wagyu ribeye? Don’t mind if we do.
Where: 88 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 6NH
Book Now: Olle

The Petite Corée, West Hampstead

What: Korean BBQ and ‘bring your own bottle’... need we say more? This North London hotspot has made quite the reputation for itself with its selection of authentic dishes, offering everything from marinated meat to grill at the table, to seafood pancakes served with a sweet sour sauce. So get your friends together, because this is the perfect place to eat well, drink well, and live well.
Where: 98 West End Lane, NW6 2LU
Book Now: The Petite Corée

Lime Orange, Victoria

What: Lime Orange has nailed the minimalist chic, with it’s wooden interiors, and brown theme running throughout from the menus to the chopsticks. The kitchen knocks out traditional Korean cuisine, but is particularly well known for it’s BBQ and Korean hotpots, the latter of which comes with kimchee soup base, 2 type of mushrooms, haricot beans, Spam, sausage, bean sprouts and onions, with additional toppings available.
Where: 312 Vauxhall Bridge Road, SW1V 1AA
Book Now: Lime Orange

Imone, New Malden

What: This family-run restaurant is the perfect, cosy spot to catch up with friends over a comforting bowl of Korean food. ‘Imone’ is Korean for ‘Aunts place’, and is a sign of the love and care that goes into each dish, with everything from flavoursome broths to street food favourites on offer. We think it’s all worth shouting about, but the Korean fried chicken is particularly good.
Where: 169 High Street, KT3 4BH
Book Now: Imone

Paranhodu, New Cross

What: This restaurant is so barely decorated that you just KNOW it’s going to be good. With tables and chairs that look like they belong in a classroom, and walls that are due a lick of paint, there’s nowhere to hide when it comes to the food. Thankfully, it has no reason to. Serving up all of the classics, this is an ideal place to stop for a super casual meal when you need your Bibimbap fix.
Where: 125 Lewisham Way, SE14 6QJ
Book Now: Paranhodu

Seoul Bakery, Bloomsbury

What: This relaxed restaurant sits in prime location just a stone’s throw from Tottenham Court Road, meaning you can expect to queue when coming for dinner here. But trust us, it’s worth it. Order in as many dishes as you and your pals can handle, and don’t forget to sign the wall on your way out.
Where: 14 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NH
Book Now: Seoul Bakery

Tongdak, New Malden

What: New Malden is a bit of a hotspot when it comes to Korean food, so it’s no surprise that there’s another entry from that part of the city. Tongdak focuses mainly on fried chicken, so there’s a vast selection of flavours to choose from, including the likes of honey butter, garlic soya and korean spices. Get your napkins at the ready, because this one gets messy.
Where: 95A Kingston Road, KT3 3PA
Book Now: Tongdak

If you just can’t get enough of Asian food, take a peek at our list of the best Japanese restaurants in London.