Essence of Korea

Tucked away on a quieter stretch of London’s Edgware Road, Essence of Korea brings proper Korean soul food to the capital. This family-run kitchen has quietly built a devoted following, earning a perfect 5.0/6 from over a hundred glowing reviews on Google — no small feat in a city overflowing with Korean options. With a top-notch Food Hygiene Rating (5), they clearly take pride in both flavour and standards. Whether you’re a kimchi veteran or a bibimbap newbie, this is the kind of spot that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled onto a Seoul street-food secret.

Their menu is a love letter to bold, fermented, and smoky Korean cooking. The bulgogi is a standout — thinly sliced beef marinated in soy, sesame, and pear, grilled until it caramelises at the edges. Pair it with a bowl of steaming japchae (glass noodles stir-fried with veg and sesame oil) and a side of their house-made kimchi, which has just the right level of funk and crunch. They also do a killer tteokbokki: chewy rice cakes in a sweet-spicy gochujang sauce that’ll have you chasing every last smear. Order direct through their site for the full experience — they deliver across central London with care.