Masigo — Restaurant in London

We have been loyal customers for as long as we have been living in the area- around 6 years or so. Masigo was a true hidden gem in London. It was a Korean restaurant with a lovely Korean lady and her team minding the kitchen, a floor full of Korea and East Asian staff. My dining companion and I are both also of East Asian descent and it was such a beloved food destination for us. The food has been authentic and the quality and cooking undeniable- UNTIL yesterday. The contrast was so sharp and glaringly and it was immensely disappointing that I am compelled to post this- since we were not able to get a straight response to our query and complaints on the night- which I would have preferred,

I would not be posting this if we had been able to speak with a manager or had been able to find out what happened behind the scene at the restaurant, but the waiters did not speak good enough English (perhaps they were pretending, I don't know, but I am giving 5 stars for the service as the quality of the food was not the wait staff's fault) for us to even explain why the food was all wrong. They also could not tell us if there were a manager that we could at least ask if there had been a change of ownership etc. One of them started working there 2 months ago and another 2 weeks ago!

The fried chicken was not only NOT crispy, but actually watery- and I am not talking juicy. It was watery and the sauce (the iconic sweet and spicy Korean sauce) was watery. The meat was cooked, but it was most definitely not fried chicken. There was hardly any crispy coating on the outside, and the chicken inside was tough to chew yet surprisingly bland. It was all wrong. And the Glass noodle dish was also immediately, visibly different. The minute that I picked some of the noodles up from the plate, the sauce was watery, when it should be sticky and thick with flavour- for 6 years, this never happened. The rice was okay but there was just too much wrong. Then my friend and I looked through the tiny window into the kitchen, and the whole kitchen was staffed with a totally different crew- not a single Korean person or East Asian person (man or woman regardless) in sight- hey, every nation can learn to cook a different cuisine- and I would not even have noticed if all the dishes had just worked as usual! Though the pancake with Kimchi was fine, the glass noodles and the fried chicken were so sub par, that it would not pass at other generic takeaway places, let along Masigo.

Knowing how proud people of South Korea are about their cuisine, I cannot imagine that this would be the same owner. Yet our query with the waiters was met with "I'm sorry, I only started here (2 weeks ago, 2 months ago), I really don't know". We said "I understand, is there a manager that we can ask?" "I really don't know, sorry, really sorry." And that is why I am posting this here. Will this get me a response from Masigo? But then, if the ownership has totally changed hands, then perhaps they no longer care as much and they would not be bothered with this review.

Masigo was a one-off restaurant that was not only authentic, the food was unfailingly delicious and the rare thing of not being a chain. I really hope to get some kind of response, at least to clarify what happened behind at scene at the restaurant, and so we can make an informed choice...

Hidden gem alert! Masigo is an absolute treasure. Affordable, delicious, and comforting—it’s hands-down my go-to spot. Their weekday lunch bento is a steal at just £10 with generous portions and no service charge! I’ve probably been there at least 100 times in the past couple of years, and that’s not an exaggeration. Everyone needs to give this place a try!

🏠 Masigo ⭐️ Highly recommended dishes (too many to choose from, honestly!):

🥇 Yangnyeom Chicken This is a must-try! Huge, boneless chunks of chicken coated in a glossy sweet-and-spicy sauce, served piping hot. For £15, you get 10 pieces, and trust me, it’s so satisfying you don’t even need rice to feel comforted.

🥈 Seafood Tofu Soup An absolute winter warmer! A hearty bowl of hot soup with silky tofu, seafood, and a perfectly nestled egg. Pair it with rice, and it’s the ultimate remedy for an East Asian soul craving a taste of home.

🥉 Kimbap Perfect for lighter meals or hot summer days. These seaweed rolls are a delightful balance of the salty aroma of seaweed, the sweetness of rice, and the crunch of fresh veggies. One bite brings a refreshing surprise and a touch of joy, even during London’s warmer months.

🏅 Army Stew/Ramyeon-Tteokbokki Hot Pot No Korean eatery is complete without these classics! The Army Stew is a meat lover’s paradise, while the Ramyeon-Tteokbokki pot is perfect for vegetarians (just ask them to skip the fish cakes). It’s the ideal choice for sharing and doubling the fun during group meals.

🎖️ Special Mention: Korean BBQ Their BBQ meats are marinated to perfection—so flavorful that I can easily devour a two-person portion by myself! Just a heads-up: the ventilation isn’t the best, so expect to smell like BBQ afterwards. But it’s totally worth it!

💁🏻‍♀️ Pro Tips: • Closed on Mondays, with a break from 3-5 PM on other days. • Weekday lunch bento: £10 💷 Average spend: £10-25

Masigo truly feels like a home away from home, and I can’t...

I have been to this place so many times, both with my friends and with my partner. Every single time I have a great experience and leave pledging to write a great review and then always forget. The food is amazing, the ambience is really nice and cozy and the staff are all super sweet and will recognise regular customers. The food here is so great that my partner, who does not live in the UK, could not wait to come back to this restaurant because of the great experience he had in his last visit 3 years prior. The chicken is so beautifully coated, succulent and tasty! I could live on that stuff. I have not been to a single place that can match the KFC from here, as well as their yukgaejang. It is amazing and genuinely makes you feel at home. I heard from the owner that the food served is the same recipe that she'd make for her children which I find incredibly touching and it's genuinely no wonder why it tastes so good. I wish I could find all the photos I'd taken of the food from here because not only does it taste good, it looks really appetising as well. I 100% recommend this restaurant even though it's super far from me, and will always bring...