01/04/26

Review: Korean BBQ and Bold Flavours Take Centre Stage at SOOM

SOOM, the latest restaurant from the team behind 3KOBROS in Canary Wharf, offers a refined take on Korean BBQ with a menu that focuses on quality ingredients, balanced flavours and the sociable ritual of cooking at the table.

The meal began with a thoughtful gesture from the kitchen, a small serving of pumpkin soup sent out as a welcome from the chef. Light, warming and gently sweet, it was a comforting way to open the appetite before the starters arrived.

Among the first dishes to land on the table was Yukjeon, a Korean beef pancake made from lightly battered, pan fried slices of beef. The texture was delicate and crisp around the edges while remaining tender inside. Paired with a bright sweet and spicy shredded spring onion salad, the dish delivered a pleasing contrast between richness and freshness.

Another standout starter was the Ojingeo Dari Twigim, a generous portion of crispy squid tentacles deep fried until golden and served with fried basil. The light soy dipping sauce added just enough saltiness without overpowering the natural sweetness of the seafood.

From the chef’s specials, the Yukhoe offered a beautifully balanced take on beef tartare. Freshly hand cut beef was finely seasoned and topped with Korean pear, egg yolk and a subtle drizzle of sesame oil. The pear added a delicate sweetness that lifted the dish, while the egg yolk brought a silky richness.

The highlight of the meal came with the assorted beef BBQ platter, featuring premium ribeye, fillet and boneless short rib. Served alongside seasoned spring onion salad, crisp lettuce and three varieties of Korean pickles, the platter encouraged diners to build their own bites. Each cut cooked quickly on the grill, revealing tender meat with deep flavour, enhanced by a trio of Korean sauces that ranged from savoury to gently spicy.

To accompany the meal, the Dal Hang-ari cocktail offered a playful twist on traditional flavours, combining chestnut makgeolli with cream for a smooth, slightly nutty drink. With its focus firmly on quality meats, balanced starters and thoughtful flavour pairings, SOOM delivers a satisfying Korean BBQ experience where the food remains the clear highlight.

Address: 99 St Martin's Ln, London WC2N 4AZ

For more info. and to book, click here. https://soomkorean.com

Written by Enytha Peer

Photography courtesy of SOOM

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Caribbean Flavours at the Royal Albert Hall This Autumn

Sep 24, 2025
1 min read

This Autumn, from 20th October to 30th November, the Royal Albert Hall is serving up more than world class entertainment, its putting on a culinary showstopper in celebration of Black History Month. Chef Kerth Crumbs is bringing his signature style and Caribbean heritage to turn up the heat in a special limited time dining pop-up at the Elgar Room Brasserie.

Known for his vibrant flavours at Sky Garden, 20 Fenchurch Street, Kerth’s limited edition menu is sure to be a hit for pre-show dining. Think curried goat on warm pita, spiced fish skewers with charred pineapple and guacamole to jerk chicken burgers, grilled mackerel with tamarind glaze, and even a veggie kofta sausage roll.

Sides like Mac & Cheese with smoked scamorza, spiced wedges with jalapeño cheese sauce, and caramelised parsnips with crispy bacon and maple mayo round things off nicely. A children’s menu is also available, making this a family-friendly dining option for all ages.

The Kerth Gumbs Elgar Room Brasserie pop-up is available exclusively to Royal Albert Hall ticket holders, priced at £54 for two courses or £62 for three courses, including bread, butter and amuse bouche.

It's on for a limited time only so reserve your table soon, for more info. click here.

Address: The Elgar Room Brasserie – Royal Albert Hall, London, SW7 2AP