The magic of Korean foods has captured the hearts of many people worldwide.
No doubt, it’s the same with the Londoners as well. The City of London is always praised for its adaptation of diverse food scenes and the large number of Korean food shops and restaurants in London are proof of that.
Each Korean shop and London restaurant are known for their authenticity. The food items of these restaurants are enriched with original spicy Korean flavours.
They are fresh and luscious enough to blow people’s minds away. Whether you talk about tasty bibimbap or savoury bulgogi, every food in these stores is worth trying.
That’s the reason why Londoners are so crazy about the Korean food store, in London. Want to gather some knowledge about the popular Korean food shop, in London?
Well! There are 7, not 1 Korean food shops in London that you should know about. Let’s talk about them in detail.
Korean Food Shops, London – The History Of Its Rise:
The first Korean shop, in London for food and groceries, was established there in 1970. Since then, the Korean foods of this store have started becoming famous among the Koreans living in London.
Over time, the number of Korean stores in the city multiplied. The other Londoners also started getting attracted by the delicious foods of the Koreans.
So, 1990 and 2000 witnessed the establishment of a large number of Korean food shops in London. Recently, this number has reached 50. This includes Korean restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, other food shops and so on.
Korean Shop London – Our 7 Picks Based On Popularity:
1. On The Bab St Paul’s:
Residing near Covent Garden in London? Looking for a trendy Korean shop in London for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Then, On The Bab in the City is your ideal destination.
From innovative Korean street foods to delicious Bibimbap, this restaurant inspired by Korea serves it all. The diner also gives you the option of sharing.
So, it has kept the small plates option in its menu book. The spicy Gochujang sauce they sprinkle in their foods is just awesome to taste.
Special Items –
- Crispy fried chicken. It is served with spicy Gochujang sauce.
- Kimchi stew with tofu. The dish is served with pork belly.
Google Rating – 4.5 / 5.
Situated at – 9 Ludgate Broadway in London.
2. Oseyo Soho:
Do you feel attracted towards authentic Korean foods, including packaged snacks and drinks? Are you missing the taste of Korea while living in London?
Then Oseyo Soho, a Korean grocery store cum cafe residing in the centre of the city, has many authentic Korean items in store for you.
This Korean grocery store London located in Chinatown offers a wide range of products famous in Korea.
No matter what Korean culinary essential you need, there is the highest probability that you will get it in this store.
From signature Korean Kimchi flavoured chips to Pepero, Korean drink Soju to makgeolli, this store has something for you all.
Also, you will get Korean cooking oil like sesame oil and Korean cooking ingredients like doenjang and gochujang here.
Special Items –
- Kit for home-prepared Korean Kimchi.
- Korean-style mochi. It is handmade. The mochi is served with different fillings. The items used as fillings for this mochi are –
- Red bean.
- Green tea, etc.
Google Rating – 4.5 / 5.
Situated at – Charing Cross Road in London.
3. Kalbi Korean BBQ:
Have a craving for marinated meats, bibimbap and sushi? Love to have delicious Korean desserts more than anything else? Then, Kalbi Korean BBQ is the place that will suit you best.
Yes, this authentic Korean food shop cum barbecued eatery is all set to amaze you with its wide varieties of Korean marinated meats.
Not only that, but its barbecued meat and fish items have also received many positive reviews from customers.
This Korean food shop, London is modern in look. Its furniture and interiors are made of dark wood. Once visit this Korean food shop, in London, the traditional side dishes sold here are also worth trying.
No matter what type of meat you prefer, they surely serve you with it. Some of the famous Korean meat dishes of this eatery are –
- Samgyeopsal (contains pork belly).
- Kimchi stew (contains pork, and tofu).
- Beef brisket dishes.
- Chicken thighs dishes.
- Lamb skewers, etc.
The meats are usually marinated with soy garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce and spicy Gochujang. The famous desserts that remain available here are –
- Patbingsu.
- Hotteok.
Also, you will get different Korean beverages in this Korean shop, in London, ranging from Korean tea and coffee to Makgeolli and Soju.
Special Items –
- Beef short ribs. They are marinated and served in perfectly grilled form.
- Bulgogi.
- Jeyuk Bokkeum.
- Bibimbap, etc.
Google Rating – 4.1 / 5.
Situated at – Rosebery Avenue in London.
4. Seoul Bird:
Do you reside near Westfield, London? Searching for a Korean fusion food shop there? Then, Seoul Bird is where you should pay a visit.
From crispy Korean-style fried chicken to other innovative dishes, this Korean food store in London will fill your mouth with a different range of flavours.
The spicy Gochujang with which they serve some of their dishes is rated 5 stars by their customers.
The soy garlic flavour of their Korean food items also gives gastronomical delight to their customers. You can expect this place to serve happy-hour food to you.
The place, though having a private dining room, doesn’t allow customers to make prior reservations. Wait, one thing!
Don’t even think of skipping their signature dish – Kimchi coleslaw. If you do that, you will miss the main attraction of the food store.
Special Items –
- Korean Fried chicken. It is served with spicy Gochujang sauce.
- Kimchi Coleslaw, etc.
Google Rating – 3.9 / 5.
Situated at – Ariel Way in London.
5. Han Kang:
Have a love for traditional Korean foods? Then, how about satisfying your taste buds with the same authentic dishes during your stay in London?
Hey! Don’t be surprised because it’s possible with Hang Kang, the traditional themed Korean shop, in London. Residing in Euston, this shop proudly presents all the Korean staples to its customers.
The restaurant, though serving authentic traditional foods of Korea, is stylish and modern in look. It has a wood-filled decoration inside. Also, it has an on-site karaoke venue.
The restaurant has a menu book with a large number of Korean BBQ menus for the customers. You are free to choose anyone you like based on your taste.
Special Items –
- Bibimbap.
- Korean pancakes with pork. They are served with Kimchi.
Google Rating – 4 / 5.
Situated at – Hanway Street in London.
6. HMART:
Went to buy Korean grocery items and saw freshly made just-prepared authentic Korean cuisine there.
What will be your reaction? Your mouth will unconsciously speak, “Wow”, isn’t it? With HMART, this situation will be a dream come true for you.
This is because, in this Korean grocery store, in London, you will find everything from Korean food ingredients and snacks to instantly prepared foods and services.
The service list includes home delivery of online orders, in-store tastings and organization of events and workshops.
It also includes taking Korean food classes.
The foods prepared in the shop are Korean-style sandwiches, toast, Kimchi stew, Korean soups, salads and other fries.
You can also shop for dry foods from this store like Korean snacks, drinks, ingredients and essential oils.
Special Items –
- Fresh Kimchi.
- Japchae.
- Korean-style desserts (Hotteok, patbingshu, etc.)
Google Rating – 4.5 / 5.
Situated at – Liverpool Road in London.
7. Centre Point:
Shopping from a grocery store is fun when you get to taste special Korean teas, snacks and ready-to-eat meals on the same platform. And, Centre Point, the Korean grocery shop, in London, is the platform that gives you this awesome experience of shopping along with having fun.
This Korean shop, London is an Asian food shop that sells other food items of Asian origin as well. Other than Korean, the Japanese staples are also popular here.
Some of the most bought food and grocery items of this shop are Kimchi, Korean chilli flakes, Korean instant noodles, Japchae noodles, Yuzu and sesame oil, Doenjang etc.
The shop also sells instant tea, coffee, Pepero snacks, Orion snacks and Korean-style fried chicken.
Special Items –
- Kimchi.
- Korean rice cakes.
- Bibimbap sauce.
- Gochugaru.
- Korean pears, etc.
Google Rating – 4.2 / 5.
Situated at – New Oxford Street in London.
FAQ:
1. Do the Korean shopkeepers in London expect the customers to speak Korean with them?
No, it’s not compulsory to speak Korean with the shopkeepers of the Korean grocery shop, in London. The staff working in most of these shops speak and understand English.
Also, some Korean shops, despite their Korean origin, have put up boards with the shop’s name and logo in English so that Londoners can understand it properly.
However, to communicate effectively with the shops’ personnel, it’s always advisable to keep a little bit of knowledge about the Korean language and culture.
Conclusion:
With its thriving Korean food culture in London and the Korean food shops, London is a huge success in this city.
Its offering of both traditional and modern items and recipes is making these shops even more famous these days. What’s most interesting about these shops is their diverse culinary choices.
They offer different authentic flavours of Korea along with traditional delicacies in an ideal Korean setting with dark wood furniture and modern decorations.
So, the next time you visit London, don’t forget to visit these 7 Korean food shops, in London and experience the ultimate pleasure of their Korean foods.
