Shoyu is a Korean restaurant in Holborn, serving a range of classic Korean dishes alongside more modern interpretations of Korean flavours. You'll find it just a couple of minutes walk from Holborn station, making it extremely accessible for anyone in central London.
The interiors are cosy and casual, perfectly suited to midweek lunches or evening catch-ups with friends. Colourful wall murals bring some brightness to the space, as do the large front windows which let plenty of natural light in. As well as lots of tables, there are also larger benches and tables for big groups, and a small but comfortable lounge or waiting area.
The compact menu showcases an array of recognisable Korean dishes. That includes spring onion and kimchi pancakes, for example, served with a soy and vinegar dipping sauce, alongside smaller bites like shrimp gyoza, panko-coated shrimp with gochujang aioli, and bang bang cauliflower, coated in a vegan gochujang honey garlic sauce. Korean fried chicken fans will be pleased to know that Shoyu serves boneless Korean fried chicken with a range of different sauce. You can also order a platter with some of each, or get Shoyu's popular burger, or chicken and waffles, with Korean fried chicken coming with maple syrup on a Belgian waffle.
Another Shoyu speciality is the dolsot bibimbap, available with Korean fried chicken, beef brisket or crispy tofu as a vegan option. The generous bibimbap also includes pickles, kimchi, Asian slaw, a fried egg, and sesame gochujang sauce.
Many of the above are also available in a soft, pillowy bao bun, including slow cooked beef brisket, Korean fried chicken and the panko shrimp. Save room for a pair of clever dessert options too - a delicious fried bao, or banoffee spring rolls, both served with vanilla ice cream.