This Manchester institution, which opened its doors in 1985, lays claim to being the first Korean restaurant outside the capital. The menu is also presented in Korean, which can only be a sign that this is the place to head to for an authentic taste of the country's cuisine. On offer are some of the better-known staples – from tangy kimchi made from pickled Chinese leaf, to a selection of bibim bap, a fragrant mix of rice and vegetables topped with your choice of meat or fish – alongside some more unfamiliar items. The best way to try a range is to splash out on the sam gyup sal banquet, which includes a host of dishes to be shared by several people.
40A King Street West, Manchester, M3 2WY; koreana.co.uk
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Celebrity chef Judy Joo worked at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, The French Laundry and Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck before returning to her Korean roots to set up Jinjuu in London's Soho in 2015. Inspired by a casual and convivial style of dining, the menu is dedicated largely to 'anju', small plates designed to be eaten while you enjoy a drink – of which there's plenty to choose from on the innovative cocktail list. You'd be remiss not to sample the succulent signature Korean fried chicken, served with pickled white radish and soy sauce. Moving on to the mains, the ssam sharing platters come piled with a choice of melt-in-the-mouth, twice-cooked pork belly, tender slow-braised short ribs, miso grilled vegetables and more.
New Malden is home to one of the largest expatriate communities of Koreans in Europe, and it's definitely worth the short trip out of central London to pay a visit to the many great restaurants specialising in the country's cuisine. At Sorabol, you'll find flavoursome and homely fare designed for sharing. The barbecue menu is a particular highlight – tuck into tender marinated galbi beef, sweet and spicy pork or a delicious mixed-seafood platter of king prawn, squid, mussels, prawns and scallops. Wash it all down with a glass of soju – a traditional Korean spirit – or choose from a selection of rice wines.
180 High Street, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 4ES; sorabol.co.uk
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