Korea In London
Last Updated on 10th September 2025
I’ve been a fan of Korean culture for as long as I can remember. It all started back in the early 2000s with Korean horror films, the moment one was released in UK cinemas, I’d be there on opening day. That early love for Korean cinema opened the door to so much more.
From chillers to rom-coms, my film tastes broadened, and thanks to the rise of streaming platforms, I quickly fell headfirst into the world of K-dramas. (Yes, I’m proudly one of those “I was into it before Squid Game” people!). I even tried Korean dishes at home using whatever substitute ingredients I could find, long before Korean supermarkets were common.
And then… it took off.
Now, Korean culture is everywhere in London, and across the UK. From restaurants and supermarkets to beauty shops, K-pop concerts, and K-dramas topping Netflix charts, the Korean wave (or Hallyu) has well and truly arrived.
London is home to the largest Korean population in Europe, with vibrant communities from both North and South Korean. The heart of this community is New Malden, in South West London, where around 10,000 Koreans live, earning it the nickname “Koreatown”.
So, why New Malden.
Historically, the area was home to the South Korean Ambassador’s residence, and for many years Samsung Electronics had its UK headquarters there (until 2025). These early connections seem to have sparked a wave of migration in the 1970s, and since then, a strong, close-knit community has flourished; bringing with it restaurants, churches, language schools, and community centres that continue to keep Korean traditions alive in the UK.
Taste the Flavours of South Korea
London is bursting with Korean cafès, restaurants, and street food spots; so many, in fact, that it’s impossible to write about them all in one go. From sizzling barbecue joints to trendy to trendy dessert cafès and grab-and-go lunch spots, Korean food has made its mark across the city in the most delicious way.
One thing all the places I visited had in common (beyond the incredible flavours) was the exceptional customer service. Whether I was grabbing a quick kimbap or sitting down for a steaming bowl of tteokbokki, I was always made to feel welcome. Korean hospitality really shines in these restaurants, and it elevates the whole experience.
If you’re looking for authentic Korean food, your first stop should be New Malden, known as London’s Korea Town. Its High Street is lined with Korean-owned cafès, restaurants, supermarkets, and bakeries; it’s a little slice of Seoul in the southwest suburbs.
That said, the Central London spots I visited were just as authentic, nearly all of them Korean-owned and family-fun, offering the same sense of pride and care in every dish.
Here are some of the highlights from my Korean food adventures across London;
Seoul Bakery (sb)
📍 14 Great Russell St WC1B 3NH
🍴Traditional: bibimbap, bulgogi, kimbap, tteokbokki
🌱Vegetarian and vegan options available
💰£
Don’t be fooled by the name, Seoul Bakery isn’t a bakery. It’s a charming, no-frills Korean eatery tucked away just moments from Tottenham Court Road. Family-run and full of heart, this tiny restaurant is a hidden gem that Londoners in the know quietly queue for.
The space is small, with only a handful of tables and no reservations, walk-ins only. But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in flavour and warmth. The prices are modest, but the food? Absolutely top tier.
I grabbed the vegetable kimbap to go, fresh, flavourful, and generously filled. It was the kind of lunch that feels nourishing and satisfying without being heavy. Paired with a few Korean snacks from nearby Seoul Plaza, it made a perfect Friday lunch.
I loved it so much, I’ve become something of a walking ad for it, constantly reminding friends and colleagues that it exists, and they need to go.
Eatopia
📍 8 Great Russell St WC1B 3NH
🍴Traditional: bibimbap, bulgogi, kimbap, tteokbokki
🌱Vegetarian and vegan options available
💰£
Just a couple of doors down from Seoul Bakery, Eatopia is another great family-run Korean gem – but this one’s all about takeaway. Whether you’re grabbing lunch on the go or planning a little K-food picnic in the park, Eatopia delivers bold flavours in convenient boxes.
I went for the tteokbokki with ramen, and it did not disappoint; beautifully spicy, just how I like it. The chewy rice cakes, rich sauce, and springy noodles hit all the right notes. I was very glad I’d picked up a chilled mango soft drink from Seoul Plaza to cool the heat!
If you’re visiting in summer, keep an eye out, they do takeaway bingsu, too. Perfect for when you want something cold, sweet, and refreshing after all that spice.
Great food, great service, great choices. Eatopia might be small, but it’s packed with flavour.
Taeyang Pocha Korean BBQ SOJU Restaurant
📍 125 Lewisham Way SE14 6QJ
🍴Traditional: bibimbap, bulgogi, kimbap, tteokbokki
🌱Vegetarian and vegan options available
💰£
As part of my Cultures in London series, inspired by my weekly Fancy Friday lunches, I aim to explore authentic food experiences from around the world, one lunchtime at a time. On this particular Friday, London was in the grip of a heatwave, and we were told work from home. A blessing in disguise, because I wouldn’t have discovered Taeyang Pocha Korean BBQ SOJU otherwise.
Located in New Cross, South East London, Taeyang Pocha is a North Korean-owned BBQ restaurant with a full and tempting menu. It’s important to note its North Korean roots, a rare find in London’t overwhelming South Korean food scene, and a reminder that Korean culture here isn’t just one dimensional.
I ordered three dishes:
- Japchae – sweet potato glass noodles with stir-fry vegetables (a dish I had been dying to try)
- Kimchi mandu – dumplings packed with flavour
- Kimchi pancake – crispy, tangy, and absolute perfection
The portions were extremely generous, enough to split across lunch and dinner, and every dish delivered. The japchae was light yet satisfying, with the perfect balance of chew and sweetness. The mandu and pancake? Chef’s kiss.
Taeyang Pocha is humble, hearty, and well worth the trip south of the Thames.
Bunsik
📍 Various across London
🍴Korean Corn Dogs
🌱Vegetarian and vegan options available
💰££
Famous for their Instagrammable Korean corn dogs, Bunsik has become a go-to spot for locals and tourists craving Korean-style fast food. Whether you’re at their original branch or one of their many London locations (or even Manchester!), you’ll almost always find a queue, and for a good reason.
Founded in 2021 by British-Korean restaurateur Jae Cho, Bunsik is part of the Maguro Group, which runs several Korean eateries across the city. It’s all about quick, satisfying Korean street food with a modern edge.
I always go my favourite; the potato and mozzarella corn dog. Golden, gooey, and unapologetically indulgent. I don’t usually gravitate toward fast food, but this one’s my guilty pleasure, especially when i’m craving something comforting with a Korean twist.
Bunsik’s menu goes far beyond corn dogs too; think ramyeon, tteokbokki, Korean fried chicken, and bibimbap. I’m especially fond of their vegetable kimbap, when they haven’t run out, that is!
SABA Convenience Store
📍 29 Kensington High Street W8 5NP
🍴Self-serve ramen
🌱Vegetarian and vegan options available
💰£
SABA has introduced one of Korea’s most loved food trends to London; self-serve. And I am completely hooked.
The concept is simple and brilliant; you walk in, choose your ramen from a full wall of colourful packets, pick your toppings, pay and then cook it yourself using their in-store ramen machines. It’s quick, fun, and surprisingly satisfying.
Faced with an overwhelming number of choices, a wonderfully friendly staff member helped me select a spicy vegetarian ramen, showed me how to operate the machine, and even gave topping suggestions. I went with cheese (a classic Korean pairing) and grabbed a can of Milkis, something I’d always been sceptical of. Milky soda? Really? But it turns out, it’s delicious; lightly fizzy and oddly refreshing.
The ramen was spot-on, rich broth, just the right level of heat, and wonderfully customisable. I already know I’ll be back to work my way through the entire ramen wall.
There’s also a convenience store out back, stocked with Korean groceries, snacks, and drinks if you want to recreate the experience at home.
Cake & Bingsoo
📍 39 High Street, New Malden, KT3 4BY
🍴Bingsoo and Korean-inspired cakes
🌱Vegetarian and vegan options available
💰£
After an underwhelming (and frankly a bit gimmicky) bingsu experience earlier, the kind made more for being Inst-perfect than actually satisfying, I was craving something more authentic. That’s what led me to Cake & Bingsoo in New Malden.
The name might suggest novelty, but this place flavours tradition over trend. No gimmicks here, just proper, traditional-style bingsu that hits all the right notes.
For those unfamiliar, bingsu is a beloved Korean dessert made from feather-light shaved ice, topped with all sorts of sweet treats. I went for the rice cake and red bean bingsu, and honestly? It was perfection.
The chewy rice cakes were dusted in kong-gomul (roasted soybean powder), giving a lovely nutty flavour and soft texture. The sweet red beans balanced everything beautifully. It was cool, refreshing, and satisfying authentic; I’ll absolutely be back to try more flavours.
As a fun bonus, there’s a Korean photo booth inside; part of the same group that runs Life Four Cuts. Cake & Bingsoo is owned by JS Holdings Group, led by South Korean restauranteur Jong Soon Kim, who’s also behind the YORI chain of Korean restaurants.
Great bingsu. Great vibes. A must-visit for dessert lovers and K-culture fans alike.
Fuko
📍64 Westow Hill SE19 1RX
🍴Korean-fusion
🌱Vegetarian and vegan options available
💰£
I have to give a special shoutout to Fuko – my local Korean takeaway in Crystal Palace and a regular feature in my Deliveroo history. Their Korean fusion menu is playful, comforting, and consistently delicious. Personal favourites? The kimchi arancini, bao, and dukk-gochi (skewered rice cakes). It’s my go-to for a cosy night in.
Compose Coffee
📍15 Whitcomb Street WC2H 7HA
🍴Korean-style cafè serving Korean coffee, sandwiches, and desserts
🌱Vegetarian and vegan options available
💰££
As South Korea’s largest coffee chain, Compose Coffee had a lot of hype to live up to, but sadly, it fell flat for me.
The vibe was classic K-cafè; K-pop posters, idol playlists, and a slightly chaotic atmosphere. The staff were mixed; one friendly, one … less so.
Food-wise, it was a rollercoaster.
✔️ The £1 Pang (mozzarella-filled sweet bread) was the one highlight — warm, chewy, and comforting.
✖️ The Egg Drop toast was a soggy, cold mess. I took half home and ended up binning it.
🤷♀️ The strawberry bingsu looked great but was far too sweet and huge for one person, I overheard staff tell one customer it meant for two – if only they told me the same.
There is potential (I’m still curious about the Einspänner), but overall? Not somewhere I’d rush back to.
Immerse Yourself in Korean Culture
Korean culture has surged in popularity across the world in recent years, and London is no exception. From K-pop supergroups selling out the O2 Arena and headlining major festivals to contemporary Korean artists exhibited in major galleries, there are so many ways to connect with Korean creativity and heritage right here in the city.
One highlight is the powerful Do Ho Suh: Walk This House exhibition, currently on at the Tate Modern until October 2025. It’s a moving installation that explores memory, space, and the concept of homes, and is well worth experiencing.
Korean Culture Centre UK (KCCUK)
If you’re curious about Korean culture in all its forms, the Korean Culture Centre UK is your go-to hub. They host everything from film screenings and exhibitions to language taster sessions, music festivals, and many more; many of them free.
London Korean Film Festival
The London Korean Film Festival (LKFF) runs each November, but film lovers can enjoy Korean cinema all year round through the Korean Film Nights series. Hosted by KCCUK, this programme includes screenings, director Q&As, lectures, and more – all celebrating the rich diversity of Korean film.
K-Music Festival
Running from October to November, the K-Music Festival is a collaboration between Serious and the KCCUK. Expect a genre-spanning line-up including experimental sound art, post-rock, contemporary jazz and cutting-edge classical music – all from Korean artists. Check the KCCUK website for venue details and tickets
K-Pop Dance Classes
Always dreamt of learning the choreography of your favourite K-pop hit? K-Pop in London runs fun and energetic dance classes across the city. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned dance, you’ll find something to get your heart racing. Check their website for class schedules.
Korean Cooking Classes
If you’ve fallen in love Korean food, why not try making it yourself? The School of Wok runs Korean cooking classes covering everything from Korean Fried Chicken to Kimbap, and even dedicated vegetarian-friendly sessions. Be quick, these classes are popular and tend to sell out fast!
K-Photo Booth Fun
Korea’s beloved four-cut photo booth trend has landed in London, thanks to Life4Cut. There’s a branch in Soho, where you can post, dress up, and choose themed frames for that classic vertical photo strip. It’s fun, silly, and oddly addictive.
Step Into History and Culture
Korean culture in London isn’t only found in cafes and markets, it’s also woven into the city’s museums, memorials, and galleries. These places offer a chance to explore Korea’s rich history, traditions, and its lasting impact across the world.
British Museum – Korea Gallery
📍Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG
🕰️Daily: 10am – 5pm (Late opening Fridays until 8:30pm).
🎟️Free entry (some exhibitions and events ticketed – check website)
The British Museum’s Korea gallery offers a fascinating glimpse into over 1,700 years of Korean history. The collection includes ceramics, metalwork, sculpture, paintings, prints, textiles, lacquer and coins, dating from around AD 300 to the present.
A standout feature is the full-scale reconstruction of a sarangbang, a scholar’s study, built by contemporary Korean master craftsmen in 2000, showcasing traditional Korean domestic architecture. It’s a quiet, reflective corner of the museum that’s often overlooked.
Han Collection
📍10 Bury Place, WC1A 2JL
🕰️Monday – Saturday: 10:30am – 6pm (Closed Sundays)
Just around the corner from the British Museum, the Han Collection is a gallery dedicated to contemporary Korean art. They showcase works by modern Korean artists and regularly participate in arts fairs and exhibitions.
Check their website for upcoming events.
Korean War Memorial
📍Victoria Embankment Gardens, SW1A 2JL
🕰️Daily: Opens 8am (closing time varies seasonally – check the Westminster website)
While not a celebration of Korean culture per se, the Korean War Memorial in Victoria Embankment Gardens is a powerful reminder of the shared history between the UK and Korea.
Gifted by the South Korea Government, this memorial features a bronze statue of a British soldier by sculptor Phillip Jackson, standing beside a Portland stone obelisk. It honours the 82,000 British soldiers who served in the Korean War; over 1,000 of whom lost their lives.
Shop the Culture
Where do I even begin? There are so many incredible places to shop for Korean food, beauty, and lifestyle in London. So let’s start with the heart of it all, New Malden.
New Malden – London’s Koreatown
Often referred to as London’s Korea Town, New Malden serves as the city’s Korean shopping and cultural hub. With a thriving Korean community and deep-rooted history, the high street is packed with supermarkets, bakeries, and more than 20 Korean restaurants and cafes, many of them family-run.
It’s where you’ll find the most authentic Korean grocery stores (like H Mart and Korea Foods), and it’s the best place to stock up on everything from gochujang to instant ramen and K-beauty sheet masks.
K-Beauty shops
I had a brief flirtation with K-Beauty a few years ago, at one point, PureSeoul on Charing Cross Road was my go-to for skincare essentials. Over time, though, I noticed my favourite products becoming harder to find in stock.
But things have changed. K-beauty has gone mainstream, and you can now find some of the best Korean skincare products in places like Boots (they stock my beloved Cosrx, among others). There are now so many Korean beauty stores in London that it can be hard to knew where to begin.
Here are a few highlights:
Forget the tiny store on Charing Cross Road, PureSeoul now has a massive flagship store on Carnaby Street, spread across two floors and stocked with 2,000+ products from over 60 Korean brands. They also have multiple branches across London and the UK.
Their Bloomsbury flagship store offers more than just beauty products, think in-store treatment, K-Beauty events, and even a cafè. A smaller branch can be found in Soho.
🛍️ Skin Cupid
Known as a leading UK-based online beauty store, Skin Cupid is opening its first physical shop on Tottenham Court Road in Autumn 2025. One to watch!
With its bright red and pink interiors, Moida brings the K-beauty aesthetic to life. Located on Charing Cross Road and in Westfield Shepherds’ Bush, it stocks a colourful mix of Korea skincare and cosmetics favourites.
K-Supermarkets
Okay, I admit it, I’ve started putting “K” in front of everything. K-pop, K-beauty… so why not K-supermarkets too? Right or wrong, it feels fitting, because I love Korean supermarkets. I honestly can’t walk past one without going in and emerging with a bag full of snacks I never intended to buy (especially Korean soft drinks, which is my latest obsession).
The two key Korean supermarket chains in London are Seoul Plaza and Oseyo, and truthfully, there’s not a huge difference between them. Both stock a fantastic range of Korean food and drinks, from instant noodles to frozen mandu, and both often have cafés or food counters attached.
🥢 Seoul Plaza (Korea Foods)
Seoul Plaza is the retail brand of Korea Foods, a British-Korean family-owned company. They have locations across the UK, and some branches include cafés serving hot food and snacks. The original and largest store is in New Malden, operating under the Korea Foods name. It’s a must visit if you’re planning a New Malden day tip; the aisles are filled with everything from pantry staples to K-drinks and sweets.
🍙 Oseyo (H Mart)
Oseyo is the UK retail name for H-Mart, the popular American-based Korean supermarket chain. Like Seoul Plaza, it has multiple locations across London and the UK, often with cafés serving tteokbokki, fried chicken, and bingsu. H Mart also operates a large cash and carry in New Malden, mirroring Korea Foods’ setup.
🎶 K-Pop Stores
If you’re into K-pop, London has a growing number of shops where you can stock up on albums, merchandise, photo cards, and even beauty products. Here are a few places to check out:
📍14 Rathbone Pl, W1T
One of the UK’s most popular K-pop stores. Expect albums, official merchandise, posters, nightsticks, and a regular stream of new releases
📍30 Haymarket, SW1Y
A fun one-stop shop offering everything from K-pop merchandise and K-beauty products to a K-photo booth, ideal for snapping your own idol-style selfies.
📍11 Caledonian Road, N1
Smaller in scale but packed with albums and merchandise. A hidden gem for serious collectors.
Whether you’re a casual listener or full-on stan, these stores are perfect for immersing yourself in the world of K-pop, and walking out with way more that your planned (it’s inevitable).
Final Thoughts
London may be thousands of miles from Seoul, but the city offers a rich and ever-growing window into Korean life, culture, and creativity. Whether you’re exploring the backstreets of New Malden, queuing for K-pop albums in Soho, slurping ramyeon in Kensington, or wandering through an art exhibition that explores the meaning of home, you’re never far from a touch of Korea.
For me, this journey started with films and food, and it’s become something much deeper. It’s about discovering the stories, communities, and creativity that have made Korean culture so beloved and influential across the world, and so beautifully at home here in London.
There’s still so much more to explore, but I hope this post gives you a delicious and inspiring starting point. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just starting to dip your toes into the world of Hallyu, there’s a place for you here, and a dish, playlist, book, or exhibition that might just spark your next obsession.
Happy exploring!
L x 🩴
