To get a feel for Joo Won’s culinary career, you only have to look at his restaurant, Calong. An imaginative fusion of European and Korean cookery, Calong is a seamless synergy between his heritage and professional training - with a confident touch of London flair too.
Joo grew up in Busan in South Korea, where he initially struggled to find his footing in the working world. After a stab at industrial engineering and a stint in the navy, he found a job at a local bakery - and quickly fell in love with it. Looking to fast-track his cheffing career, he devised a plan to move to Europe and hone his cooking skills through a classical French lens, with the intention of returning to Korea to open his own pastry shop.
Like all the best-laid plans, Joo never made it to France, and he didn’t open that pastry shop - but he did go on to achieve something even better. He settled in London, completed a course at Le Cordon Bleu, and hustled his way to become a commis chef at Michelin-starred Orrery under Andre Garrett. Three years later, he was approached to join the launch team at Galvin at Windows, and after just one year - and plenty of blood, sweat and tears - the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. Joo eventually took over as head chef and retained the star for the next seven years.
With Korean cuisine gaining momentum in London, Joo embarked on a research trip back to his homeland. While he had over a decade of fine dining under his belt, he realised that he didn’t know much about Korean cooking at all. He decided it was time to go it alone with a new Korean fusion concept. He took his pop-up to Carousel and Bun House, before opening a bricks-and-mortar restaurant in Stoke Newington, which he now runs with his wife Sujin.
Between Joo’s fried chicken and Sujin’s rhubarb custard tart, the pair have struck a winning formula with Calong, inspired by Korean origins and European techniques. Despite his busy schedule, Joo still finds plenty of time to eat out at some of London’s best restaurants. Here are his favourites!
Westerns Laundry
![fish with parsley and beans with lardo]()
Joo Won says: 'I first visited Westerns Laundry for my friend’s wedding reception in its early days and loved every bit of it. It feels informal yet very stylish, with a great atmosphere that’s always lively but relaxed. I especially love the little outdoor courtyard in warm weather. The food changes regularly with the seasons, and the cooking is simple but always satisfying. They also serve lovely wines. It’s on my list as a go-to place for Sunday evening dinner after finishing my work for the week.'
Where: 34 Drayton Park, N5 1PB
Book now: Westerns Laundry
40 Maltby Street
![bottles of wine on a shelf and chef trying a dish]()
Joo Won says: 'This has been my favourite wine bar for nearly a decade. It’s primarily a wine bar, but the cooking is genuinely very good - simple, seasonal, and full of flavour. The menu is small, yet it somehow suits everyone’s needs, and every dish is delicious. The wines are very well priced, which makes it such a pleasure to enjoy proper bottles with food.'
Where: 40 Maltby Street, SE1 3PA
Book now: 40 Maltby Street
Brawn
![dining table with wine bucket and chicken with jus]()
Joo Won says: 'Brawn is always at the top of my list of great neighbourhood restaurants in London. I really admire its honest, ingredient-led cooking. Nothing is overcomplicated - just confident, well-executed dishes. The wine list is also excellent, especially if you enjoy low-intervention and natural wines, which I do! Brawn is actually where I first tried natural wine (in its very early days). It completely opened my eyes and changed my palate. A lovely place.'
Where: 49 Columbia Road, E2 7RG
Book now: Brawn
Galvin La Chapelle
![the galvin brothers and seafood with green oil]()
Joo Won says: 'This one's run by the Galvin brothers, who were my teachers from my early days as a chef through to when I became head chef at one of their Michelin-starred restaurants, so it feels personally very special to me. The dining room is beautiful and grand, and the refined, modern French cooking is well-balanced, elegant, and precise. Service is warm and gentle, with real attention to detail, which makes every visit feel special. Both Galvin brothers are always there, and you can see them walking around and talking to their regular guests from time to time. Legends.'
Where: 35 Spital Square, E1 6DY
Book now: Galvin La Chapelle
Pockets
![flatbread with falafel and various toppings]()
Joo Won says: 'Pockets isn't a restaurant, but a small vegetarian falafel takeaway located in London Fields. People who know it would agree that it's the very best falafel you can find in London - maybe even in the UK! You can expect a long queue every time, but the moment you finally grab your falafel and take that first bite, you’re mesmerised by just how delicious it is.'
Where: 367 Mentmore Terrace, E8 3RT
Book now: Pockets
Want to explore more of London's food scene? Check out the best new restaurants in the capital for the hottest places to eat right now. If you're after some more restaurant recommendations, discover top picks from Farang's Sebby Holmes, Tom de Keyser - head chef at The Chalk Freehouse - and Leeds-based Sandy Jarvis.