Asadal

Named after a mythical land in Korean folklore, this smart restaurant (no longer connected to the original in New Malden) doesn’t look like much from outside, being located in a basement next to Holborn tube station. Once inside, however, it’s notably stylish, with a bar at the front, wooden partitions & dimmed lighting. Several private dining rooms lead away from the main dining area. Bulgogi (thin slices of marinated beef) is cooked to perfection on tabletop barbecues by polite waiting staff, while vegetable bibimbab is a sizzling stone pot layered with nourishing brown rice, dried dates, chestnuts, ginseng & ginko nuts. Kimchi (pickled vegetables) is sparklingly fresh, crisp & juicy, while other native classics like jap chae glass noodles with beef and vegetables & pajeon mixed seafood pancakes are delicately flavoured & beautifully presented. The wide selection of barbecues, casseroles & seafood is perfect with the heady Japanese spirit, shochu.