Although this is another Korean restaurant and I have already written
about one, this one is definitely worth mentioning and it was a whole different
experience. I came here with my boyfriend because I wanted him to try Korean
BBQ which I used to always have when I was younger. Tucked away down Rathbone
Street, you can access this restaurant easily from Goodge Street or Tottenham Court
Road station. We came here on a Friday night.
Koba on a Friday night is full of business men and their colleagues, and
most of them seem to be Korean - which can´t be a bad sign! The crowd were all
very dressed up and with everyone appearing to be very sophisticated they
seemed to fit well into the stylish and minimalistic surroundings. The dining
area has a sleek décor with industrial looking light fixtures - these hang down
from pipes which we later realized acted as chimneys for the BBQ smoke to be
ventilated through. It was quite a fun structure and a good idea! The
restaurant is quiet and chic with modern lounge music playing in the
background.
As is usual with many Asian cuisines, we shared our dishes. I think we
got rather a lot – maybe a bit too much for me as after the first two starters
I was full and the BBQ hadn’t even started! We paid £33 each so it was a pricey
meal but it is a very nice restaurant with great service and amazing food.
This was a good, fun and hygienic way to start our meal! We were brought
little hand towels that came in a dish which was then filled with boiling hot
water that was absorbed by the towels.
1. The first starter we had was kimchee –a must have whenever you go for
Korean food. Actually, on a normal everyday basis I would be happy with just
kimchee and rice :) - simple and delicious.
2. The second starter we had was Pajeon which is spring onion pancake
with seafood. This was really tasty and I hadn’t had it before but it is a very
traditional dish in Korea.
3. The third starter we had was Yook Hwei, which I had had before but
couldn’t remember and I had read in lots of reviews that people raved about
this dish. It is raw beef, sliced pear and egg yolk. It is an odd combination
and I was definitely up for trying it again, but I wasn’t that pleased by it.
The beef was semi-frozen before it was served so it was very cold and crunchy
and tasted very sweet. I was happy to try it but I don’t think I will order it
again.
4. We then began our BBQ which is what we had planned to go for! We had
bulgogi which is marinated beef – it’s my favourite. They cook it in front of
you on your own personalized BBQ. With the bulgogi you are meant to wrap a
lettuce leaf around it with a dollop of chili sauce and little green veggies.
You eat it like a wrap – I love it!
5. We also had Zzukumi Gooi which was baby squid cooked on the BBQ as well.
This was really delicious with rice.
6. We had a selection of ice cream for pudding; green tea and black
sesame seed ice cream. The perfect way to end the meal!
Pasca x
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