What an unexpected find on the walk from my office in Covent Garden to Tottenham Court station for…read moremy commute home! Nestled opposite Caffe Nero in a glass building like all the others around St Giles Plaza, about a block from the Cambridge Theater is where you will find this hidden gem. After my long day, I was craving something good to eat before getting on the train, and boy, am I glad I stumbled upon this spot!
I'm a fan of Korean BBQ but hadn't indulged since arriving in the UK five years ago. I went full glutton mode with pork dumplings, belly pork (not the spicy one), veggies, plain white rice, and, to add a little protein variety figured why not also try the KFC--Korean Fried Chicken for those unfamiliar with the terminology.
The pork dumplings, veggies, and white rice arrived quickly. The dumplings were fresh, hot, and delicious, served with a divine soy sauce-based dipping sauce with green onions. I devoured them in no time.
The veggies--finely grated pickled radishes, spinach, and bean sprouts--were my guilt order for having an otherwise carnivore meal. They were delicious alone and paired perfectly with my rice and BBQ pork belly.
The pork belly arrived pre-cut into bite-sized pieces, looking beautiful, pink, and fresh. My single order had 10 pieces neatly arranged on what looked to be authentic rectangular Korean crockery. A metal pair of tongs was provided for cooking, along with a two-sided sauce dish featuring soy sauce and sesame oil (if memory serves).
Now, about that KFC. I didn't need it with everything else I'd ordered, but I foolishly went for the 5-piece, expecting a tiny portion. Instead, I got the most generous 5-piece chicken portion of my life--no less than 12 mini chicken pieces, all hot, crispy, and delicious. While it didn't excite me as much as the pork items, it was still a treat. The KFC came with three sauce choices, I went with the kimchi mayo which didn't disappoint.
I also requested soybean paste, which was provided free of charge. It was flavorful and delicious, just the way I like it.
The restaurant, with its all-glass design, offered a bonus opportunity for people-watching while I stuffed my face with yummy Korean BBQ on a random Thursday afternoon. Despite dining alone, I didn't feel awkward or bored. The friendly and attentive wait staff, quick service, and great food combination recommendations kept me entertained. They even gave me a complimentary shot of traditional cinnamon dessert wine before I settled my bill--big red chewing gum vibes and absolutely divine.
All in all I'd give this place 10 out of 10 and add it to my regular restaurant rotation if I was in the office more often. All the food was beautifully presented, almost too cute to eat, but that didn't stop me from devouring every last morsel. I even took photos to document this.