Korean Grill Kensington — Restaurant in London

A Culinary Adventure at Korean Grill Kensington: A Feast for the Senses Nestled in the vibrant heart of South Kensington, Korean Grill Kensington (KGK) offers an unparalleled culinary experience that promises to tantalise your taste buds and transport you straight to the heart of Korea.

Recently, I had the pleasure of indulging in their Chef's Feast, an exquisite spread that showcases the very best of Korean cuisine.

The Feast Begins: An Array of Starters The journey began with the Sang Cha Lim, a set of appetisers, which included eight seasonal namul (Korean vegetable side dishes), Bibim noodles, Jeon (savoury fritter), Japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), and a Yuzu salad. Each dish was a delightful blend of flavours and textures, perfectly balanced and bursting with freshness. The two seasonal kimchi varieties provided a spicy and tangy kick that complemented the other dishes beautifully.

Grilling to Perfection: The Main Event As the grills were fired up, we were presented with an impressive selection of meats and seafood. The Tiger Prawns were succulent and cooked to perfection, while the Cut of the Day was delightful (forgot to ask what it was), we moved to the 35-day aged rib eye, which was melt-in-your-mouth tender. However, the star of the show was undoubtedly the King Kalbi, KGK's signature dish. This diamond-cut beef short rib, marinated in their unique signature sauce, was an absolute revelation. Each bite was a harmonious symphony of flavours, and I couldn't get enough of it.

Accompaniments That Steal the Show Every cut of meat was paired with a signature sauce, enhancing the natural flavours and adding an extra layer of deliciousness. These were accompanied by steamed rice served with a divine soup that was rich, flavorful, and comforting. The Ssam platter, featuring an assortment of fresh lettuce leaves and three house sauces, provided the perfect vessel for creating personalized wraps with grilled meats. It was a hands-on, interactive experience that made the meal even more enjoyable.

A Sweet Ending To round off the meal, we were treated to a Korean seasonal dessert: Soybean ice cream. While I am not usually a fan of Soybeans, this dessert was surprisingly delightful, with a subtle sweetness that was the perfect ending to our feast.

Impeccable Service The exceptional food was matched only by the outstanding service. The staff at KGK were incredibly friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, ensuring that our dining experience was nothing short of perfect. From explaining the intricacies of each dish to making sure our glasses were never empty, their attention to detail was impressive.

Final Thoughts Our visit to Korean Grill Kensington was a culinary adventure that I won't soon forget. The Chef's Feast was a masterclass in Korean cuisine, offering a perfect blend of traditional flavours and modern twists. Thank you, KGK, for providing such a memorable dining experience.

If you're in South Kensington and looking for a place to enjoy authentic and delicious Korean food, look no further than Korean Grill Kensington. You won't be disappointed.

Halal...

I booked a meal with my daughter and dad to celebrate Father’s Day — our first without my mother, who sadly passed away last June. I wanted to make the day memorable for my dad and chose a restaurant that was completely different from his usual preferences. Unfortunately, what started as a thoughtful gesture turned into a deeply uncomfortable experience.

We arrived about 5–7 minutes early for our reservation, and with only three tables occupied, I didn’t expect seating to be an issue. The host (or manager) greeted us rather coolly, took our name, and asked us to follow her. Oddly, she led us toward the front door — behind us — and then downstairs to a dimly lit basement area that was completely empty of both customers and staff. My daughter and dad sat down, but I remained standing, unsure why we were seated in what felt like an afterthought of a space. The lighting flickered off above us, making the room uncomfortably dim, perfect for a romantic date but definitely not for a family meal.

She left us for a ew minutes and when she returned, we requested to be seated upstairs instead. She sighed and said she’d “have to check” — despite there still being only three occupied tables. At this point, I felt like leaving, but we decided to stay for my dad’s sake. Thankfully, once we moved upstairs, our server was fantastic — warm, knowledgeable, and very helpful with the menu.

Things took a turn again when the same host returned during our meal. My daughter and I had ordered the Chef’s Special — a Korean BBQ experience with three types of steak to be cooked at the table. Without speaking to us, she placed a large lump of beef fat on the grill to oil it, then walked away — leaving it to catch fire. She had no involvement with any of the other tables’ grills, and it felt like she was constantly hovering around ours. While we were still eating our second course of meat, she returned and tried to begin cooking the third. I politely declined — we already had a server assisting us, we weren’t ready for the next course, and she had already caused one unnecessary fire. After I declined, she turned off the grill and walked off abruptly.

I also want to point out that two more tables arrived after us — and neither were taken downstairs. Unfortunately, this reinforced my suspicion that we were being treated differently. I don’t take accusations of discrimination lightly, but the consistent microaggressions and dismissive attitude made it difficult to draw any other conclusion.

It’s truly disappointing, because the food was absolutely delicious, the upstairs atmosphere was just what we were hoping for — relaxed, stylish, and welcoming. But the host’s behaviour cast a shadow over what should have been a special and joyful day. If not for her, we would return...

Unwelcoming Service, Overpriced Meat, and a Ruined Birthday Dinner

We were really looking forward to our dinner at Korean Grill Kensington, especially since it was my husband’s birthday and our final night in London. Unfortunately, the entire experience was disappointing.

We arrived about 15 minutes late, not knowing there was a strict 2-hour dining limit. Instead of handling it with grace, the staff immediately told us we only had 1 hour and 45 minutes left — not exactly a warm welcome, and it set a negative tone right from the start.

Despite the time limit, service was slow and inattentive. We had to ask for water and wait longer than expected to get started. When the wagyu beef was brought out, a staff member began grilling it for us, but kept flipping the steak every few seconds, which was clearly going to overcook the meat. I had to step in and ask her to stop — it was frustrating to have to micromanage what should be a premium experience.

To make matters worse, a waitress came over afterward to grill the next course and accidentally knocked over our bottle of soju at the grill. Her apology was flat and there was no offer to replace it — something I’d expect at even a casual spot, let alone one charging premium prices. I was beyond frustrated at that point and asked to handle grilling myself.

The final meat we had was the kalbi, which was tough and gamey — not at all what you’d expect from what should be high-quality short rib.

In the end, we left within an hour, disappointed and still hungry. We ended up going out for a burger afterward — not exactly how we imagined ending our trip. Definitely would...