Soom – More than just another Korean BBQ joint

Last Updated on January 28, 2026

Celebrating the depth of Korean culinary heritage in a contemporary space in the heart of London’s Covent Garden

4.0 out of 5.0 stars

Stepping into Soom feels like a sanctuary from Covent Garden’s hustle and bustle. The striking interior centres around a twelve-seater, circular table that reflects the communal spirit of Korean BBQ dining. There are touches of heritage design everywhere – the bar with mother-of-pearl art, soft paper lighting and artwork depicting Korean landscapes. The name of the restaurant itself means ‘breath’ in Korean, and the space, with its golden, glowing arches and low-lit booths, embodies exactly that – a place to pause, breathe deeply and settle into a dining experience that is unhurried.

The menu broadens the narrative of Korean food. While the BBQ is certainly a draw, the menu’s breadth refreshingly goes beyond the grill.

Vegetarian selections are interesting and varied – Gaji Twigim, a deep-fried aubergine dish; Kimchi Jeon, crispy kimchi pancake; Oi Deulkkae, a cucumber and perilla seed salad, are just for starters. The Dubu Steak was a highlight – a pan-seared tofu ‘steak’ served with a glossy soy glaze. It was surprisingly rich and lip-smackingly caramelly, a worthy main course. We also chose Yachae Japchae – stir-fried glass noodles with oyster mushrooms, bell peppers and shiitake, and they were better than I remembered tasting in Seoul many moons ago.I loved the veg variety. They don’t seem to be an afterthought or just side dishes. Chef seems to treat them with the same precision and respect as the meat and seafood dishes.

Seafood lovers will be delighted here too. The Haemul Pajeon, seafood and spring onion pancake stuffed with prawns, squid, octopus and mussels, was so crispy on the outside and very generous in fillings. For those who prefer heartier stews or one-pot comfort, there are several excellent choices. The Hae-Woo Tang, a spicy seafood soup and Sundubu Jjigae, a soft tofu and seafood stew in a richly spiced broth. All a reminder of Korea’s coastal cooking traditions that often get overshadowed in London’s BBQ-led Korean joints. These sit alongside Bossam, pork belly wraps; Wang Galbi Jjim short ribs and Yukhoe, beef tartare so meat eaters won’t get short-changed.

Since we were skipping the Korean BBQ, we had to try a couple of other classics: Fried Chicken and Bibimbap. The double-fried boneless chicken thighs are served with Korean sweet-spicy sauce and garlic soy sauce on the side and were a BIG hit. Don’t think we’ve had anything crispier. And for the rice, we chose Yachae Dolsot Bibimbap – five sautéed vegetables served over rice, served with spicy gochujang sauce. We were advised to let it sit for a minute to give it more golden, crunchy edges that make this dish so lovable. Sound advice as we fought for the crunchy bits and licked the bowl clean.

By this time, the restaurant was filling up – as were we – so we skipped dessert in favour of cocktails, which are just as refined as the food. Standout was the Mule by SOOM, which blends yuzu liqueur and soju with the traditional lemon, mint and ginger ale. I rather preferred this to the OG.

Final thoughts: Although Soom Korean BBQ has just been open for a few weeks, the service feels polished and welcoming. Staff are friendly and attentive, and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. The pace of food is relaxed – matching Soom’s overarching philosophy. This is not a everything everywhere all at once kind of place. It’s elegant and yet still homely. If you come with friends, then sharing around the central round table is a must, but if you’re looking for an intimate, quiet corner, you’ll get that here too.

London is saturated with BBQ-style Korean restaurants, but Soom stands out by offering a broader and more refined menu of Korean food. Yes, sure, you can enjoy the traditional Korean BBQ grilling experience, but you can equally indulge in beautifully constructed seafood specials, thoughtful vegetarian plates and heritage-inspired cocktails. It feels like a restaurant that’s expanding London’s understanding of Korean cuisine, not just replicating what’s expected or already familiar – and that alone makes it worth seeking out.

Soom is located at 99 St. Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4AZ.

It’s open Sunday to Wednesday from 12 pm to 11 pm, and Thursday to Saturday
12 pm to 11:30 pm.

For bookings, call 020 459 72123 or email hello@soomkorean.com

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