Arang Restaurant — Restaurant in London

After reading many reviews saying that this is one of the best Korean BBQ restaurants London not in Malden, I reserved a table for two for Valentine's. I'd been to Malden for Korean BBQ so hoped the quality would be relatively similar. As soon as we entered the restaurant, we told them our reservation and we were ushered downstairs.

Now this was immediately where it started going downhill. The atmosphere downstairs was LOUD and much less pleasant than the upstairs main restaurant. There was some intensely obnoxious music (the tuneless R&B type with explicit language filled with the n-word) playing from a portable bluetooth speaker controlled from a server's phone, where the music clearly didn't fit a Korean atmosphere. The room was also tacky, with a green laser machine shining beams of lasers all over the table. My feet also kept getting tangled in the power wires leading to our table which felt fairly unprofessional. The next point is beyond the restaurant's control, but the table beside me were all on their phones, talking loudly and taking multiple photos with flash throughout the meal which just added to the overwhelming experience.

We considered leaving the restaurant for one we were more familiar with and knew would make a good meal, but then decided to power through knowing Central London would be heaving, and I didn't want to ruin my night with my partner. I asked a member of staff whether we could move upstairs, but they said they couldn't because of how reservations worked. They turned the music down - for a few minutes before slowly inching the music back up in volume and seemed fairly pissed off at us. I tried to ignore the music throughout the meal but its obnoxiousness would keep filtering through into my brain. Occasionally they'd skip to the next track mid/early song. I was only trying to pick what I wanted from the menu, but was already incredibly stressed.

We had Set Menu B and fairly quickly out streamed a feast of the usual vegetable banchan and the starters. These were all full of flavour and tasted fresh which was a relief. I have no real issues with the food itself, however the BBQ technique was fairly poor. It was clear that the staff (who barbeque the meat for you) aren't allowed to turn up the table beyond a certain amount. The meat stewed and boiled in its own juices instead of searing and BBQing like a bbq should. In the end our bulgogi beef was dry and overcooked. Slathering it in sauce, rice and vegetables helped, but it was disappointing.

Anyway, the experience was fairly mediocre. I don't think I'll be returning here in a hurry given there're so many other Korean BBQ restaurants that probably care a lot more about their BBQ, atmosphere and service. If you care about atmosphere and really want to go here, I'd highly recommend requesting for upstairs and staying away from...

I recently dined at Arang Korean Restaurant, and it was an incredible experience! From the moment we walked in, we were captivated by the warm and inviting atmosphere. The setting is beautifully designed, creating a perfect blend of modern and traditional Korean aesthetics that enhances the dining experience.

We indulged in a variety of dishes, including Korean BBQ, kimchi pancakes, chicken dumplings, fried wings, Dolot Bibimbap, and spicy beef. Each plate was a delight; the flavors were authentic, and every bite felt like a taste of Korea. The Korean BBQ was a highlight, offering tender meats that grilled to perfection, while the kimchi pancakes were crispy and packed with flavor. The spicy beef was wonderfully seasoned, leaving us craving more!

A special mention must go to the exceptional hospitality provided by Sangjoon and Jin. They went above and beyond to ensure we had a memorable dining experience. Their food recommendations were spot on, guiding us through the menu with enthusiasm and expertise. It was their attentiveness and genuine care that made the meal even more enjoyable.

The staff at Arang truly foster a welcoming environment, making every guest feel special. Whether you're a Korean cuisine enthusiast or trying it for the first time, I highly recommend visiting Arang. You won't be disappointed! Thank you, Sangjoon and Jin, for your outstanding service—keep up the...

I found people here to be super friendly! And hopefully I made friends? XD

The food was good too, although I've yet to try my regular Soft Tofu Stew.

Boneless KFC (halal):

This was ok; like with other boneless KFC iterations, it was more sweet than spicy. Will try their wings on my next visit.

Beef Stew (halal):

This was surprisingly good! Good flavour and a very large portion compared to other Korean restaurants. I was left completely full (doesn't happen often based off two meals).

Would definitely go again (made a reservation before leaving) and hopefully see the friendly people again next time!

EDIT:

So I've tried more dishes!

Tteokbokki with cheese:

This wasn't too bad, not as spicy as I'm used to, more of a milder taste, not enough fishcakes given the portion and instant noodles used as a filler - this is more of a Rrakbokki than Tteokbokki.

Soft Tofu Stew:

I was REALLY looking forward to this, but again this somewhat bland and had no distinct taste. I did request it to be extra spicy, which it was, but the stew didn't have any taste.

Halal BBQ:

Ordered three types, beef, bulgogi and marinated chicken. The latter being the best of the bunch.

I thought I had found a regular, but I'm not so sure; however the people are super kind and super friendly! That's why I keep going, but ultimately the food is what's...