Hanwoo Village - Authentic Korean BBQ — Restaurant in London

We made a reservation during the week and managed to get a slot.

Walking in, it is very busy and a little small with tables bunched up together. They’ve certainly made the most of the space!

We were sat down and given welcome drinks, on the house, which was a nice touch.

The decor is smart and impressionable and I do enjoy the little details they have have committed to with designing the place. Each table has a grill set in the middle, so there is a sense of anticipation seeing that. We ordered some starters, including fried chicken, dumplings and pancakes. Fried chicken was good without being spectacular. The dumplings tasted really nice as well as the pancakes.

We then ordered the mains, which we had kimchi fried rice, marinated BBQ beef gulgobi and beef short rib. Different members of staff come to prepare the grill set including, turning it on and waiting for it to reach the right temperature, setting the extractor fan, placing parchment paper on the grill and finally setting the meats on. Every so often someone will come to flip the meat and then they will inform us once it is cooked, which doesn’t take very long.

The kimchi fried rice was fine without being spectacular, however the bbq meats were amazing. The marinade gave it a really fantastic taste, leaving you wanting more. The meats come with an array of sides for you to enjoy, including kimchi and vegetables.

So, that’s what we did: we ordered more. We got more of the beef gulgobi and this time tried some spicy chicken. Again, these tasted amazing. Full of flavour and certainly a novelty to be eating off the grill plate infront of you.

Encouraged by this, we decided to go for the dessert, where we had yuza cheese mousse cake and pistachio roll cake. Unfortunately, this was a let down as these didn’t taste particularly great. The biscuit base of the cheesecake was extremely hard and was a struggle to break through. The yuza on top did taste fine and quite strong. However, it gave the impression that this was not prepared fresh and was lurking in the fridge for a little too long. The pistachio roll lacked a strong pistachio flavour (except on top), especially as you delve through. It was such a subtle taste that it was difficult to find a core flavour to the dessert.

The staff are friendly and attentive, they are clearly very busy and so it does appear to be non-stop for the staff. The total bill arrived and it is steep for what the food is, particularly in regards to the portion and especially when you consider it is £9.50 per dessert.

Overall, would recommend a couple or group to attend on a special occasion and going for a marinated BBQ platter, which is a lot of fun with the meats full of flavour leaving you more...

Hanwoo Village, Islington

A Celebration of Korean Soul Food

Just a short walk from Angel Station, Hanwoo Village stands out as one of London’s most refined Korean restaurants. This is not simply a place to eat but a space where one witnesses the essence of Korean culinary philosophy. From ingredients to technique, every detail reflects heart, soul and deep respect for food.

The welcome is immediate and thoughtful. A sparkling pomegranate drink begins the journey, light yet layered with flavor. From there the menu unfolds with harmony. Generous portions and carefully designed pairings show the kind of culinary engineering that elevates Korean barbecue into something beyond mere grilling.

The Korean Fried Chicken sets a high bar. Its crisp exterior and tender interior achieve the balance many strive for but few deliver. The barbecue follows, showcasing the best of Japanese wagyu and Australian beef, cooked at the table to highlight freshness and quality. Most of the meats are halal, clearly stated on the menu, which is a thoughtful inclusion for London’s diverse diners.

Mandu dumplings are a highlight not to be missed. The chicken version is delicate and juicy, while the prawn mandu, grilled in a style that reminds me of Nepalese kothe, is both chewy and crisp. A vibrant dipping sauce built on soy, garlic, and sweet chili lifts the flavors beautifully.

Vegetarian and vegan diners will find equal joy here. A wide variety of vegetable dishes, tofu creations, and seasonal pickles are offered with the same precision as the meats. The kimchi selection is remarkable, a paradise for pickle lovers, each variety layered with tang, spice and depth.

A special mention must go to the signature beef tartare, which on this occasion was prepared at the table by the manager, Jin Kyung Jeann. This personal touch, combined with the evident quality of the meat, was both memorable and impressive.

Hanwoo Village is more than a restaurant. It is a celebration of Korean food culture in the heart of London. Authentic, generous, and soulful, it may well surpass the experiences found in Seoul or Tokyo simply because the service here bridges language and culture with ease.

Rating: 5/5 – One of London’s standout dining experiences

Good for: Date nights, family meals, sharing plates...

I have been to this place about 5 times previous and went also yesterday. I still would give 5 stars but perhaps few things to improve as I am Korean and went there with non Korean friends and these are the feedback from them. You get welcome drink when you arrive. I know what it is as Korean :) . I remember it was served with one ice cube or chilled before but yesterday the serving champagne glass was very warm as if it was just out from the dish washer/dryer. Its complimentary so really appreciated but would have been better served chilled in normal room temp/cold glass or with ice cube. We had the beef BBQ platter. It was good except the rib eye. Prev visit it was my favourite but this time it was the worst out of all the meat because it was frozen when brought in to our table and chewy. The lovely waitress served us and she even looked a bit struggling when cutting it off with scissors as it was chewy. I wasn't very impressed when I saw the rib eye frozen and hard. And lastly, the glasses... I understand in Korea wet glasses are not a big issue but it is an issue here. The beer glasses and cups for drinking water were wet when they were brought in. It seems like they were just out from dishwasher but not dried. I used napkin to dry the glasses and cups myself before pouring beer and water respectively but my friends who noted weren't impressed and commented about it because it is kind of not acceptable to have wet glass for beer (for them getting dried chilled beer glass is basic because you don't want diluted beer and warm beer glass is unimaginable!). The reason still I give 5 stars nevertheless is the others were all very nice. Bulgogi, side dishes, lettus, bibimbap, kimchi all good and fresh. The waitress were also absolutely amazing, attentive and friendly. I hope my feedback is read by Hanwoo village and impliment my suggestion in their practice. I will visit you soon again. Thank you and I wish the...