Monday, 21 May 2012

Korean Stomach, English Location

I remember my first time in a Korean restaurant, I had been with my newly found lover boy for only a month and had not known anything of Korean culture, language or food. This was back in 2008 before the Korean wave had taken hold of young hearts across the world, and even though I was already bopping to Shinhwa and DBSK, I knew nothing.

I had Korean BBQ

It was amazing.

-end-






...........okay I'm lying! (about the end part) would be cruel to leave you hanging!

For the past 4 years I have been dining in Korean restaurants in the UK and this is my guide and suggestions to those of you looking for a taste of Korea without a plane ticket.


When living in the UK the place to be is New Malden, it's in the suburbs of London and is the UK's answer to Korea town. It's a little grubby round the edges but a great place for Korean Cuisine and most importantly Korean Service. Free Kimchi for all!


YAMI - New Malden

This was the first place I ever ate at, that fateful BBQ was the start of many. It's a nice clean modern little place, and does a mean BBQ.

69 High Street, New Malden, KT3 4BT
020 8949 0069

It's a short walk down the high street from New Malden station and worth a visit.


Yumi - New Malden

Yumi is a Chinese Korean restaurant, what I mean by that is it is what Korean's consider to be Chinese food, but it doesn't actually exist in China. Much like Indian Tikka Masala existing in the UK but not in India. This is the place to go for 짜짱면 (black bean noodles) and 잠뽕 (spicy seafood soup)

          
짜짱면   
          
잠뽕

96 Burlington road, New Malden, KT3 4NT

Running this place is a friendly Ajuma (middle aged woman) and her daughter Yumi, they love football and happily chat with their customers. Apparently Ji-Sung Park visits here, most the Korean footballers can be found in New Malden at some point.

You'll have to walk your way past the fountain roundabout and down towards the giant B&Q to find this place.


Lotte Restaurant- New Malden

Now this place is a real hidden gem, food is great and I visit here constantly. It is hiding away behind an unassuming screen door at the back of a small Seoul Plaza corner shop. They deal in Japanese and Korean style cuisine, you can have sushi along with many great tasting hot pot's. If you were not looking for it you would not find it, which is a shame so go look for it now!

회덮밥(sushi fish hot pot)

126 Malden road, New Malden KT3 6DD
020 8949 4998


It's next to the Fountain pub and located at the back of this Seoul plaza, very high quality food for a great price, why else would I visit it so often? I highly recommend it.


Jin Go Gae - New Malden

Jin Go Gae is a real up and comer and becoming my new favourite place to eat. You can get a gorgeous Korean BBQ here for about £10 per person, that's with lettuce, rice, Side dishes, and free water/tea. All this with great Quality and service. Plus as a bonus they have a non-native Korean working there who is fluent in Korean, there is hope for us foreigners after all! hoorah!


My other half eating again - he loves it here too



272 Burlington Road, New Malden KT3 4NL
020 8949 2506

Place is amazing but the only catch is it's difficult to reach by foot, from New Malden High street you have to head towards the giant B&Q and then cross the Dual carriage way roundabout to where the Krispie Kreme drive-thru is, walk down the road a bit and you are there. You can also get there from Raynes Park station by going towards the Waitrose, turn left at the junction so that you walk under the train tracks and pass the sports field, and keep on walking, you'll reach it.


Corean Chilli - Leicester Square (Central London)  
Corean Chilli is part of China town in London, and one of the main Korean restaurants in Central London, however the food is......edited for English taste buds, things are a lot sweater and not very authentic, plus no free service, this is Central London after all.

When you're looking for real Korean food go to New Malden, if you are living in London Corean Chilli is an option, but I would not suggest it, and a google search shows not many other people would either.
51 Charing Cross road, Leicester square, London, WCH2 0NE

If you're shopping in China Town and hunger strikes you can come here, but don't make an effort to eat here if you ask me.


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