Korean BBQ London: 18 of the best restaurants to try

It has been growing for some time, but Korean food is finally having it's moment. The prevalence of Korean music, smash hit TV and film in western culture has ushered in a new era for great Korean food in London and we couldn't be happier about it.

Aside from the unique, distinctive flavour profiles found in classic Korean cooking, Korean food also offers much that would appeal to most of us. Firstly, Korea is home to elite fried chicken - some of the best fried chicken in London comes out of Korean restaurants. Something else with huge value is communality is a vital part of a Korean meal, which makes Korean restaurants great for group dining and celebrations. But perhaps the biggest attraction of all is the allure of Korean barbecue, where sliced meats are cooked and eaten right at the table, alongside a huge array of sides. London these days is home to a clutch of exceptional K-BBQ restaurants, and this list gathers all the best of them in one place.

For the uninitiated, Korean barbecue (or gogi-gui) is about cooking at the table, often as a group. The restaurant supplies delicious cuts of marinated meat such as beef or pork, seafood, mushrooms, vegetables and more, then you cook it yourself on a charcoal or gas grill set into the table. While summer tends to be peak British barbecue season, you can get your smoky meats any time of the year at these authentic eateries. There's no need to worry about the weather playing ball either, as all of the cooking is done inside.

The meats come in a variety of cuts, such as bulgogi (thin slices of sirloin or tenderloin) which are very popular and can be flavoured with a variety of marinades among the likes of soy, garlic, and chilli. Another crowd-pleaser, which you may see often on Korean menus, is galbi, which is short rib, served bone-in.

The Korean BBQ is a must-try experience. It is a fun and unique dining experience, especially if you’ve got a hankering for barbecued meat.

We’ve done the hard part and sourced the best Korean BBQ London has to offer, so all you have to do is mosey on down to one of these great Korean restaurants and have yourself a meat-feast. We have gone the extra mile and even covered the best restaurants in ‘Little Korea’, otherwise known as New Malden. So, whether you’re just looking for some London eateries or are willing to travel a bit further afield for your fix, we’ve got something for everyone.

The best Korean BBQ Restaurants in Central London

From authentic Korean BBQ experiences to restaurants that put a contemporary spin on the meat-focused feast, London is home to many Korean BBQ menus of various sizes and styles. Here are some of our favourites

Kuma, Kennington

Why: Kennington and Vauxhall boasts its own little Korean community, complete with a handful of excellent restaurants (check out Daebak and Jihwaja as well, which both major in excellent fried chicken and classic Korean cooking). If it’s Korean BBQ you’re after, though, you should head to Kuma - a friendly little spot on the crossroads that serves truly excellent food, including mega bibimbaps, a quality japchae and a handful of excellent barbecue plates.
Where: 305 Kennington Road, SE11 4QE
Book now: Kuma

Jumak39, Piccadilly Circus

Why: Jumak39 near Piccadilly Circus occupies two floors, the ground floor housing a casual restaurant where diners can feast on Japanese and Korean dishes, while downstairs is a cosy Korean-style pub to start (or end) the night. From Korean BBQ to sushi and sashimi trays, bento boxes, udon noodles and hot pots, the choice is (very nearly) endless at Jumak39. 
Where: 39 Panton Street, SW1Y 4EA 
Book now: Jumak39

Seoul Tokyo, Borough

Why: You’ll find Seoul Tokyo just up the road from Borough Station, usually packed with students from nearby King’s College getting stuck into fried chicken and steaming bowls of kimchi fried rice. There’s a good helping of barbecue plates here too, including excellent sliced pork belly and marinated short ribs.
Where: 168 Borough High Street, SE1 1LB
Book now: Seoul Tokyo

Bari Bari, Whitechapel

Why: Bari Bari is a bit more specialist than some other restaurants in this list, serving a pretty hefty range of barbecue meats, including sliced ox tongue, spicy chicken galbi, and an assorted seafood plate. The all-important sides are excellent too, and the restaurant has a good choice of soju and makgeolli to complete the experience. One of our favourites.
Where: 24 White Church Lane, E1 7QR
Book now: Bari Bari

Arang, Soho

What: You can find Arang in the heart of London’s Golden Square. Promising a unique twist on Korean BBQ, there’s plenty of delicious, marinated meats to choose from, including spicy and succulent pork ribs. There’s also plenty of deep-fried goodness and tasty spring rolls to try.
Where: 9 Golden Square, W1F 9HZ
Book now: Arang

Sodaeng, Putney

What: This little hidden gem in Putney is one of our absolute favourite spots for Korean barbecue in London. Between plates of pork belly, pork shoulder, beef, chicken thigh and more there’s all the barbecue you could ask for, and the hot pot is excellent too, as are the classic Korean dishes.
Where: 283 Putney Bridge Road, SW15 2PT
Book now: Sodaeng

Kalbi, Clerkenwell

Why: Arty, dark interiors create a cool atmosphere at Kalbi, where tables are each fitted with their own barbecue and extraction fan (saving you from having to wash your hair when you get home). As you might expect, here you have your choice of meats and veggies to through on the grill, but there are also bulgogi bowls and sushi platters on offer if you prefer to leave the plating up to someone else.
Where: 1-2 Rosebery Court, EC1R 5HP
Book now: Kalbi

Chungdam, Soho

Why: Soho spot Chungdam packs a punch with a menu full of luxury meat and seafood, from Iberico pork and Wagyu beef to abalone and lobster tail. It also serves up a healthy helping of classic Korean dishes - seafood pancakes, japchae and cold kimchi noodles - and it's one of a few places in London where you can order a Pyongbaek steam box, where three tiers of meat, fish and vegetables are steamed inside hinoki wood. 
Where: 435-36 Greek Street, W1D 5DL
Book now: Chungdam

Gogi Korean Bar & Grill, Marble Arch

Why: Gogi means meat in Korean, and this BBQ hotspot certainly delivers on that promise with a fantastic range of meats on offer. Expect everything from classic bulgogi (thinly sliced marinated beef) to spicy soy chicken. You’ll probably want to get one of the platters to share, plus it also does grilled seafood. As usual, the meat is prepared at the table and then wrapped in lettuce. Vegans and veggies are well-catered for too, with plenty of kimchi, jap chae (glass noodles with mixed veg and soy sauce), vegetable dumplings, pancakes and more. The bibimbap is also great here, served in a traditional dolsot (earthware pot).
Where: 451 Edgware Road, W2 1TH
Book now: Gogi

SuperStar BBQ, Covent Garden

Why: Get your fill of barbecue goodness at this Korean food haven in central, where you can order grilled meats for lunch and dinner with SuperStar’s set menus, or individually order dishes. The offering is indulgent with beef, chicken, pork, lamb, seafood, and vegetables for you to grill on the table. Plus, SuperStar has got some great sides such as jap chae, spicy rice cakes, and kimchi pancakes, to choose from. The drinks match the food perfectly with options like Korean beer, plum tea and most importantly, soju. 
Where: 4 Central Street, WC2H 8AH
Book now: SuperStar BBQ

Yori, Various locations

Why: There are a number of Yoris peppered across London (Fulham, Wimbledon, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Ealing and Clapham Junction) so chances are you have one close by. Select your weapon of choice, including multiple different cuts of beef, marinated ribs, pork belly and king prawns, as well as extras like sweet and sour spring onion salad. For a non-BBQ option, try the kimchi jjigae - a spicy stew made with kimchi, pork and tofu. 
Where: Various locations
Book now: Yori Covent Garden

Yanji, Bethnal Green

Why: East London spot Yanji really is for diehard Korean BBQ lovers. While there are less adventurous options like kimchi fried rice or pork bao, we recommend you go all out here. Try the chicken heart or gizzard, pig intestine or squid legs, each grilled to perfection on a skewer. Starters include dumplings, Korean fried chicken and edamame so everyone is well-catered for. 
Where: 153 Bethnal Green Road, E2 7DG
Book now: Yanji

Dotori, Finsbury Park

Why: This Japanese-Korean restaurant is a delightful gem in North London. The menu is divided into Korean and Japanese dishes, rather than a fusion of the two. Dotori is great for punters who love bibimbap and Korean BBQ in equal measure, as you can have both in one. The bulgogi bibimbap features thinly sliced beef marinated in pear and soy over a warm bowl of seasoned veggies, gochujang chilli, and rice. More adventurous diners should try the gul twigim - deep-fried oysters in a fruity sauce. Finish with matcha mochi ice cream for the full experience.
Where: 3 Stroud Green Road, N4 2DQ
Book now: Dotori

Kimchee, Camden

Why: Kimchee is a chic Korean eatery that offers all the classic dishes, plus some niche specialities. The restaurant’s charcoal grill section features hearty cuts of bulgogi and galbi marinated in a rich blend of ginger, dark soy, and garlic, while the beef tongue benefits from a delicious flavouring of cumin, sesame oil, and red chilli powder. The meat selection might be the best on this list, with multiple different cuts of wagyu, Iberico pork and even ox tongue to try.
Where: 2 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG
Book now: Kimchee Camden

Koba, Fitzrovia

Why: Koba elegantly merges casual BBQ fare with a stunningly decorated restaurant, to create a contemporary take on Korean barbecue. Koba is all about high-quality grilled meats and promoting Korean dining culture with an enticing menu of specialities. The BBQ special is a great option for punters, with soy beef bulgogi and spicy chicken served up with dumplings and rice. All of the other dishes also have a BBQ element to them too, from the dubbab to the dosirak. The grilled mackerel is also not to be missed.
Where: 11 Rathbone Street, W1T 1NA
Book now: Koba

Olle, Chinatown

Why: Olle's over the top window display might put you off, but step inside, and the friendly staff will guide you through everything, including how much to order and when. Try the seafood pajeon, an eggy seafood pancake packed with spring onion and shellfish. From there, you could also opt for one of the stews, although they might not leave much room for BBQ. Slices of bulgogi, galbi and pork belly are a must, with wagyu cuts also available for those looking to splurge. The best financial option is one of the generous selections, which features meat, seafood and mushrooms, as well as a selection of dips for a very reasonable price point. 
Where: 86-88 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 6NH
Book now: Olle

The best Korean BBQ Restaurants in New Malden

For true Korean BBQ lovers, go the extra mile and head to New Malden to check out these K-Town hotspots. The area is home to the largest population of Koreans in the UK; it’s often called ‘Little Korea’, so you can expect some properly authentic fare.

Jin Go Gae, New Malden

Why: Jin Go Gae offers an extensive menu of BBQ dishes, from succulent pork ribs to marbled cuts of beef, duck bulgogi, and fresh squid marinated in sweet soy. You will definitely need to share here, as there is also a seafood platter and some veggie options too. Jin Go Gae also does charcoal and stove lid grills, for diners who want more options for how the meat is cooked.  
Where: 272 Burlington Road, KT3 4NL
Book now: Jin Go Gae

K-Town, New Malden

Why: K-Town has been around for a couple of decades and is a go-to for buffet-style all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue. Have fun cooking the meat at the table, and if you’ve got room for more, the restaurant does a great bibimbap. K-Town strives to be authentic and is quite popular for being great value for money. Be warned though, there are often queues and extremely long waits, but many say it's well worth it. 
Where: 8-12 Coombe Road, KT3 4QE
Book now: K-Town

Need something sweet to balance out all those grilled goodies, pickled veg and spicy sauces? We've got just the thing for that. Check out our guide to the best dessert places in London.