04/04/25
Fine Dining at Korean Grill, Kensington: A Feast to Remember
There’s something undeniably exciting about trying a cuisine for the first time, especially when it’s been on your foodie bucket list for ages. Last week Friday, my friend and I finally ticked off authentic Korean BBQ from our list with a visit to Korean Grill Kensington (KGK).
Nestled within the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in South Kensington, KGK promised a true celebration of Korean barbecue culture - and it certainly delivered. From sizzling meats grilled right at our table to the bold, punchy flavors of traditional side dishes, our meal was as much an experience as it was a feast. My friend and I opted for the “Chef’s Feast” at £68.00 per person, but did it live up to our expectations?
Here’s how our evening unfolded...
Starters -
We started with the soup of the day, which was warm and earthy with a spicy kick. I especially enjoyed the root vegetables - their soft yet slightly crunchy texture blended beautifully with the rich flavors of the broth. Next up was the
Seasonal Namul. While I’m usually partial to spinach and most greens, I wasn’t a fan of this dish. The texture was overly tough and chewy, making it less enjoyable than I had hoped. The
Yuzu salad featured finely chopped carrots, cucumber, and beansprouts, all brought together by a refreshing, citrusy Yuzu dressing. My first experience with
Kimchi did not disappoint. It was everything I had expected - bold in flavour and intensely sour, which I actually quite liked.
Then came the Glass noodles - a feast for the eyes, yet a test of patience. Though I couldn’t quite finish my bowl, I gave it a solid effort, with occasional encouragement from my friend to “just keep chewing.” As visually appealing as they were, I personally find glass noodles challenging to digest. Pancakes for starters? Yes, please! The Korean pancakes were by far my favourite appetizer - crispy, buttery, and packed with flavour. Each bite was a delightful mix of textures and ingredients, with the firm, king-sized prawn at the centre adding an unexpected yet welcome surprise.
Mains -
Drumroll, please… onto the main event. We started with the 35-Day Dry-Aged Ribeye. Prepared medium-rare over a built-in BBQ grill, our dining attendant carefully cooked the ribeye until it was tender, with a warm red centre. A few vegetables were sautéed on the grill, soaking up the rich juices from the meat. The ribeye itself was full of flavour—rich, slightly smoky, and beautifully paired with a lettuce wrap filled with carrots, bean sprouts, and traditional Korean condiments. Our second main was the Australian Wagyu, and it did not disappoint. The beef was incredibly tender, with a buttery texture that melted in my mouth. Of course, the grilled vegetables followed, but this time, I decided to add more condiments - some steamed rice, pickled vegetables, and a cube of kimchi. The Wagyu was cut into small, bite-sized pieces, making it easy to enjoy and perfect for another lettuce wrap.
The grand finale of our mains was the
Marinated King Kalbi, which, ironically, was also the last dish to be served. Unlike the ribeye and Wagyu, this meat followed a slightly different preparation method. Our dining attendant first marinated the meat in a light, watery mixture that appeared to include staple ingredients such as ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. For this dish, I made another ssam wrap, this time packing in plenty of filling.
The lettuce was crisp, and the kalbi was dripping with its delicious marinade - an absolute delight. The King Kalbi was, without a doubt, my favourite dish of the evening.
Dessert -
We ended the meal with
Roasted soybean ice cream, elegantly garnished with a berry sauce. The ice cream was aromatic, with a subtle bitterness that was beautifully balanced by the slight sweetness of the sauce - a graceful way to conclude a hearty meal.
Korean Grill Kensington (KGK) offers an authentic and relaxing dining experience. The atmosphere is calming, the staff are friendly, and the food is wonderfully delicious. If you’ve never had Korean BBQ before, I’d highly recommend KGK as an excellent introduction to Korean fine dining.
And there’s no need to worry about using chopsticks - I don’t know how to use them (yet!), and I didn’t feel the slightest bit embarrassed asking for a fork. The waiting staff were more than happy to assist.
I rate KGK 4 out of 5 stars. If you’re planning a visit, let me know how you find the experience - @writewithivy.
Happy dining!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
