Restaurant of the Month: KGK.
If you’re a Korean food enthusiast, dash, don’t dawdle, to Korean Grill Kensington, one of London’s crème de la crème of Korean eateries. Nestled in the heart of Kensington, just a hop, skip, and a jump from the lively Gloucester Road, you’ll find it snugly tucked beneath the grandiose Millennium Hotel.
Korean barbecue has never looked so impressive, with every table in this gorgeous establishment kitted out with a grill, complete with nifty buttons at the side for effortless operation – this is where the magic happens. The decor? Think cool, calm, and sophisticated, with chic painted glass panels splitting the restaurant into cosy nooks, so you get that intimate vibe, even though it’s laid out like a bar facing the culinary maestros. KGK’s Instagram bio sums it up best: An eclectic mix of elegance and theatrics in the heart of South Kensington, celebrating authentic Korean cuisine. The menu is a tantalising array of premium dry-aged meats, fresh seafood, and vibrant seasonal veggies, all crafted with meticulous flair.
During our visit, we had the pleasure of indulging in a specially curated Chef Feast Menu, which dazzled and delighted with a medley of meat and seafood dishes. We kicked things off with succulent soy-marinated raw prawns, setting the stage for a parade of mouth-watering appetisers: a delectable spicy smoked duck salad with an onion medley, and a stunning mixed platter of shrimp, kimchi beef, and fish pancakes.
The real spectacle began when it was time for the live cooking show. Our waitress unveiled the most jaw-dropping slab of the wagyu cut of the day and expertly demonstrated the art of Korean BBQ, grilling each piece to our preferred perfection. Once off the grill, she sliced it into thin strips, perfect for dipping into the seasoned salt and KGK’s signature sauce.
Our eyes were definitely bigger than our bellies when the wagyu surf and turf arrived – a beautifully marinated slab of beef adorned with caviar and salmon roe. Again, our ever-attentive waitress seared, sizzled, and trimmed the succulent meat, which we then slathered in sesame oil before devouring. Just when we thought we couldn’t manage another bite, a mouth-watering dish of crystal dumplings bathed in Miyeok butter made an entrance. It was divine.
We wrapped up the evening on a high note with a chocolate fondant paired with homemade coulis. A perfect finale to an evening brimming with elegance and theatrics in the heart of South Kensington – a true celebration of authentic Korean cuisine.