KOBA — Restaurant in London

Review of Koba: A Five-Star Culinary Delight in Central London

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)

Koba is an absolute gem tucked away in the heart of Central London. From the moment you step inside, you are greeted with warm hospitality and an inviting ambiance that sets the stage for a remarkable dining experience. Having visited this restaurant four times myself, I can confidently say that Koba is hands down the best place to indulge in Korean cuisine in this vibrant city.

One of the highlights of Koba's menu is the Korean BBQ set, a true feast for the senses. The sizzling grill, placed right at the center of your table, allows you to personally cook an array of succulent meats to perfection. From marinated beef bulgogi to tender pork belly, each bite is an explosion of flavors that will leave you craving for more. The interactive nature of Korean BBQ adds an element of fun and excitement to the dining experience, making it perfect for both intimate dinners and group gatherings.

If you're looking to tantalize your taste buds with something truly exceptional, I highly recommend trying the KANPOONGI. This delightful dish consists of crispy and juicy Korean-style fried chicken, generously coated in a sweet and tangy sauce. The combination of the crispy exterior and the delectably tender meat creates a symphony of textures that is simply irresistible. It's no wonder that the KANPOONGI has become one of my all-time favorites at Koba.

Another must-try item on the menu is the Tang Su Yuk. This iconic Korean dish features crispy deep-fried pork in a mouthwatering sweet and sour sauce. The perfect balance between the tanginess and the subtle sweetness of the sauce elevates the dish to new heights. The tender pork paired with the vibrant flavors of the sauce is a match made in culinary heaven.

Beyond the exquisite food, Koba also excels in providing exceptional service. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive, and always ready to offer recommendations or answer any questions you may have. The overall dining experience is enhanced by the attentive and friendly nature of the staff, ensuring that your visit is truly memorable.

In summary, Koba is an absolute culinary treasure in Central London. With its flavorful Korean BBQ set, mouthwatering KANPOONGI, and tangy Tang Su Yuk, it consistently delivers a dining experience that exceeds expectations. The combination of delicious food, welcoming atmosphere, and outstanding service make Koba a true five-star establishment. If you're in the area, don't miss the opportunity to indulge in the best Korean cuisine that Central London has to offer. "And to top it off, indulge in the heavenly delight of Mochi Ice Cream, a delightful fusion of Japanese and Western flavors."

At Koba, the culinary delights don't stop with the main course . To truly elevate your dining experience, I urge you to treat yourself to the exquisite dessert known as Mochi Ice Cream. This heavenly creation combines the traditional Japanese confection of chewy mochi with the cool and creamy goodness...

I have been to this restaurant a handful of times and always enjoyed the food and the theatrics of the food being cooked on a BBQ at the table. However, last night the whole experience felt very rushed. Before we had even finished our appetisers the BBQ started and it felt very chaotic and a bit awkward trying to eat and talk with someone standing over the table. No sooner had I taken the last mouthful of my appetiser my plate was taken away immediately before the other two diners had finished. We weren’t offered any teas, coffees or desserts at the end of the meal and we were asked to give up the table after 1hr and 50 mins, being informed at that time the reservation was limited to 2 hours. I know most restaurants operate a time limit but I couldn’t see that this was clear on reservation, I even booked online again today to double check if I had missed it, but again, no mention. Perhaps it’s in the fine print but I feel that it should be very clear from the off so you can decide if that style of dining suits you.

I took a guest there for their first Korean BBQ experience and I was disappointed that none of the meats were explained, the kimchi wasn’t explained until I asked at the end of the meal, the style of eating with the lettuce leaves was not explained. Had I not been there before it would have been difficult to know what to order from the menu.

I left the dinner apologising to my guest and explaining that the Korean BBQ experience could be a lot better and I’d take him somewhere else next time.

It’s a shame because this used to be one of my favourite restaurants and when I first went the staff were so helpful and I could feel the passion in the experience they were offering.

Last night was clearly all about getting as many diners in as quickly as possible to make the most money. It wasn’t discretely done and I felt awkward and rushed.

The food was still great, so if you’re after a very quick tasty Korean BBQ then this restaurant would be fine for that. It’s not my style of eating and I doubt I’ll...

So delicious! Came here for a birthday meal and it was such a treat.

The drinks were delicious! I can’t remember the names but both were non alcoholic drinks, one was a ginger one which was lovely and sweet with a strong almost candied ginger taste. The other was a zingy fresh citrus.

The flavours of the starters were amazing, really some of the best food so I’ve eaten out in years! All of the starters (a chicken dish and a prawn and aubergine dish) were so delicately balanced. And the sauces that came with the dishes were exquisite, very fresh and zingy, not like the typical sauces you get.

We got the mixed meat BBQ for two. It came with ribeye, prawns, squid, pork, chicken and veggies. I enjoyed the ribeye the most very succulent. I love veggies on the grill and the sweet potatoes and pumpkin were lovely and charred by the end. The squid was very rubbery, most probably to do with the cooking. Probably not the best quality meat or the most tasty but for the price and variety it was decent. The experience of the BBQ is fun and nice to do yourself. We also had the fried rice which again was lovely and balanced in flavour, had the kimichi flavour come through but it wasn’t over powering and you could taste the meatiness of the pork without it being greasy.

We sat at the bar and what a great choice, it really added to the experience. The staff were really attentive and regularly checked on the BBQ but it was just the right amount and didn’t feel at all intrusive. I think it was the manager who was happy to talk you through everything and suggest the tastiest way to enjoy the meal.

I’d recommend booking on the weekend as it was fully booked on by...