SOJU Korean Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in Great Britain

Date: 14th March 2025 Cost: £86 for two

The beauty of Korean barbecue is a contradiction in terms: its simplicity makes it special. That contradiction is nowhere more apparent than in Korea itself, where uncultured waegukin can’t be trusted to snip and sear their own samgyeopsal, and will subsequently be supervised to ensure each correctly-cooked portion is dipped in salted sesame oil and ssamjang the the right order and proportions. I learned to find it endearing, interpreting in those seemingly patronising actions a sense of hospitality and pride. But at the end of the day it’s just grilled meat and veg, right (albeit wrapped up with other accoutrements in little lettuce parcels from heaven)? So how did Soju get it so wrong?

I sometimes get the sense in the UK that Korean restaurants can survive on their being a point of cultural interest - it’s a thing people go and do every once in a while, taking a few photos along the way (our meal didn’t justify any) and then moving on to the next exotic foreign cuisine - whereas in Korea, barbecue joints live and die by the strength of their contribution to what is a cultural institution. Soju Brighton, sadly, wouldn’t last long.

In hindsight, I think it was that hospitality and pride I mentioned that was lacking, but the thing that set us off on the wrong foot right from the off was that they didn’t have any namul. In fact, their banchan selection overall was really lacking. It’s one of my favourite things about Korean eating culture: that assortment of small shared dishes that awakens your tastebuds, lines your stomach and gets you thinking and talking about flavours. It prepares you, bodily and spiritually, for the occasion ahead, and the selections are varied and delicious, too.

But instead, ahead of the main event at Soju, we had to settle simply for some kimchi, mandu and longtime favourite japchae, which in fairness was wolfed. It was only later we realised that was probably only really because it’d been so long since we’d had any: the noodles didn’t slip down slimily-yet-satisfyingly, the veg didn’t crunch and the beef was lacking, which didn’t seem to matter; we weren’t really that fussed when it was finished.

For the barbecue we opted for beef bulgogi and samgyeopsal, which arrived with a few lettuce leaves, two halved slices of courgette, a bit of radish, some green beans (?), a blob of ssamjang and… that’s it. No chillis or garlic to grill. No salted sesame oil. No spicy spring onion salad. And this isn’t even a gripe about cost - I’m long past any hope that prices over here are in any way comparable to what you would find even in high-end places in Seoul - those things just weren’t available. We were even told by the waitress - who later picked up some tongs we dropped on the floor, wiped them on her apron and returned them to the table - that they didn’t have any salt.

Once the lettuce had disappeared and the salt situation was rectified by another apparently more experienced server it was possible to enjoy the rest of the admittedly high-quality beef once we had our adjusted our expectations down from ‘full Korean barbecue experience and all that entails’ to simply ‘some barbecued meat on its own’, but that wasn’t really what we came for. The melon ice lollies did help us to end the night on a high, but the search for good Korean food in...

Fantastically authentic. Food, atmosphere and drinks were a joy to behold. If Korean food is your bag, make a beeline.

I noticed this restaurant on the bus and when I saw 'Korean Dining Pub' I thought I had to try it. I love the Izakaya dining of Japan and figured it would be similar.

The menu is extensive and slightly overwhelming if you're not well versed in Korean fare. The drinks and soju menu is shockingly and delightfully authentic. The prices are dear but there's such a good selection of imported soju you would be a fool not to indulge.

Of the menu items we ordered the Tteokbokki, Korean Fried Chicken, Dumplings and Udon Noodles with Kimchi. The food was without fault. The sweet chilli KFC is undeniably a star, the dumplings were what you would expect, Tteokbokki was tasty and in a delicious broth, the udon noodles were presented generously, tasty and filling. The food is fantastic.

Service was very good. The staff were attentive and engaged. They asked us questions, clarified orders and encouraged our choices. The Sweet Chilli KFC, Tteokbokki and Kimchi Udon were all popular dishes we were told.

The atmosphere is strong. We visited on a Thursday and were promptly told that the entire second floor was booked out by the Korean Society. The bottom floor has lovely decor and quickly becomes filled with people - Many of the patrons looking for authentic Korean food.

If you like, or would like to try, Korean food, this is the best option in Brighton and a wonderful experience....

Lunch at Soju - A Flavorful Korean Feast

Today’s lunch at Soju was nothing short of delicious.

We started with the Boneless Chicken (5 pcs), glazed with a rich, sweet soy sauce (£12.60). The chicken was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with the sauce adding the perfect balance of sweetness and depth.

Next, we had the Kimchi and Beef Fried Rice, topped with a perfectly fried egg (£13.80). The rice was packed with flavor, and the kimchi gave it a nice tangy kick, while the beef added a hearty, savory element. The fried egg on top was a nice touch, making the dish even more comforting.

To wash it all down, I tried the Korean Pear Juice (£3.70), which was refreshingly sweet with just the right amount of crispness— a perfect complement to the bold flavors of the meal.

Overall, Soju delivered an outstanding Korean lunch, with dishes that were both satisfying and full of authentic...