Korean Englishman Restaurant — Review by Korean Englishman
London, United Kingdom — Korean BBQ
British footballers experience an authentic Korean BBQ meal featuring premium marbled meats grilled tableside, including standout dishes like tender kai beef and sweet marinated pork belly. The interactive dining experience, quality cuts, and traditional Korean hospitality impress the guests, who express amazement at how different it is from typical Western barbecue.
What was great: The high-quality marbled meats, tender beef cuts like chad baji and kai, the sweet and salty marinated pork (yumai), the interactive Korean BBQ experience with table grilling, the banchan (side dishes), and the reunion with Clown beer
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The meal begins with starters including tteokbokki, a popular Korean street food with a chewy texture and spicy kick that guests find addictive. The ddukgangjeong (sweet and crispy rice cake) is also enjoyed. The highlight of the main course is the selection of premium Korean barbecue meats cooked tableside. Chad baji, a thinly sliced marbled beef similar to bacon, is tender and flavorful when dipped in soy sauce and salt. The kai beef stands out as particularly sublime, with incredible marbling and a buttery texture that rivals high-end steaks. The sweet and salty marinated pork (yumai) becomes a favorite, with guests rating it numero uno due to how the marinade breaks down the fat and creates incredible tenderness. Pork belly is also served, showing how Koreans embrace the fat unlike Western traditions of trimming it. A heangu soybean seafood soup cuts through the richness perfectly. The meal concludes with naengmyeon, cold noodles served in a chilled broth, which requires enthusiastic slurping to eat properly.
The Experience
The atmosphere is lively and social, with the restaurant being described as a popular spot among the football community. The interactive table grilling experience allows guests to control how their meat is cooked, with the host providing guidance on timing and technique. The service includes traditional Korean customs, such as the proper way to cheers by not making eye contact and looking away while drinking. The restaurant appears modern and well-equipped with proper Korean BBQ setup, a significant upgrade from temporary table grills some guests mention seeing in Korea.
Value & Pricing
No specific pricing is mentioned in the transcript, though the quality and premium cuts of meat suggest a higher-end establishment. The inclusion of multiple meat courses, soups, and sides indicates good value for a comprehensive Korean dining experience.
Notable Moments
Oh my days, this looks sensational.
I didn't think I'd ever be in a scenario where I would be having beef and pears.
That is the best present I've had ever to a lovely unnamed beer.
It's just sublime. It's nuts, isn't it? That here in the UK, you know, we're sticking a Cumberland sausage on a barbecue and calling it the same thing as this.
A particularly memorable moment is reuniting one of the footballers with Clown beer, a Korean beer he fell in love with years earlier during a previous viral video. The beer had become unavailable in the UK, making its reappearance a genuine emotional highlight.
The Verdict
This Korean BBQ restaurant delivers an authentic and impressive dining experience that exceeds expectations. The quality of the meat, the interactive cooking experience, and the authentic Korean traditions make it a standout establishment. It is best for those seeking a genuine Korean barbecue experience with premium cuts and quality preparation, and for adventurous diners willing to embrace Korean dining customs and flavors.