Daebak is a Korean restaurant in Vauxhall, specialising in Korean fried chicken as well as a range of authentic Korean dishes and drinks. The word itself is a Korean word meaning 'big win' or 'great success' and Daebak certainly has been that since opening on Kennington Lane, as shown by the regular stream of delivery drivers heading in and out of the door.
The location may be fairly unassuming but Daebak has a great reputation with locals, knocking out wave after wave of delivery fried chicken to the rest of south London as well as serving local residents, businesses and hungry cricket-watchers from the nearby Kia Oval. The interiors are simple but cosy - a collection of tables, wood floors and panelled walls, as well as some exposed brick and a long open kitchen and service area that runs along one side.
A blackboard above the kitchen has a few menu highlights (though there is a full menu on the table also). The full menu includes an extensive range of authentic Korean dishes, running from starters like tteokbokki (rice cakes in a spicy gochujang sauce), seafood and kimchi pancakes, takoyaki (fried octopus balls) and beef bulgogi, through to rice dishes like bibimbap (with a choice of multiple toppings) and noodle dishes like jajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce with pork).
By far the most popular menu item is the fried chicken, which comes in a variety of sauces and toppings, including sweet chilli, soy garlic chicken, sweet cheese powder, honey mustard and original. If you're struggling to choose you can order 16 pieces of chicken and go half and half with two different flavour options. There are also set menus available which include a choice of different menu items for anywhere betwen one and four people, and Daebak also has lots of Korean drink options from soju to Korean beers.