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