Ssam Ssam is a family-run Korean restaurant in Wimbledon serving traditional dishes alongside Korean barbecue specials. Drawing on generations of Korean culinary knowledge, the menu showcases a wide range of classic flavours, from sizzling grilled meats to comforting stews and popular rice and noodle dishes.
The restaurant stands out on the street with a bright blue facade and bold white Ssam Ssam lettering across the front. Inside, the space has an industrial feel with exposed pipework, deep blue walls and copper accents. A wooden wraparound bar with burgundy leather seating runs through the room, creating a sociable dining area where guests can sit close to the action.
Guests can choose between standard dining or the Korean barbecue experience, where selected cuts of meat are cooked on cast iron grills at the table. Barbecue options include beef short rib, Scottish Angus prime cuts and thin-sliced Wagyu brisket. For certain dishes, diners can even grill the meat themselves before pairing them with rice and traditional accompaniments.
The wider menu features a mix of appetisers, rice bowls, noodles and stews. Starters include handmade pan-fried pork dumplings, Korean fried chicken served with either a spicy glaze or sweet soy sauce and seafood pancakes made with a kimchi base. Rice and noodle dishes include favourites such as kimchi fried rice, while warming stews range from kimchi jjigae with tofu to fermented soybean stew with beef and vegetables.
Bibimbap is served in traditional ceramic bowls, combining rice, vegetables and meat with chilli paste, while other dishes include grilled mackerel with lemon or thin-sliced pork belly marinated in spices and served with steamed rice and house-made side dishes. Many dishes are served alongside traditional Korean banchan, the small plates of pickled vegetables and kimchi that form a central part of Korean dining.