Photo: KOBA’s New Menu Offers Vibrant Barbecue Dishes Paired With Bold Sauces, Fresh Wraps, And Traditional Banchan For Sharing.
Reimagining Korean Barbecue In Fitzrovi
Linda Lee reinvents KOBA, blending contemporary Korean sharing dishes with vibrant Seoul-inspired flavors. An elegant redesign and an elevated menu make KOBA 2.0 an unmissable Fitzrovia hotspot for Korean cuisine lovers.
Linda Lee, a trailblazer in London’s Korean food scene, has unveiled a fresh and modern new chapter for KOBA, her Fitzrovia restaurant. Twenty years since its debut, KOBA has reemerged with a striking refurbishment and a revamped menu, delivering a contemporary spin on Korean barbecue. The new concept, lovingly dubbed “KOBA 2.0,” gives diners what Lee calls “a taste of Seoul” – a stylish reinvention of how Korean cuisine is enjoyed in the bustling streets of the South Korean capital today.
Gone are the tabletop grills that made KOBA an iconic hangout for lovers of traditional Korean barbecue. Instead, the new dining experience shines a spotlight on an abundance-focused sharing style, with expertly grilled dishes prepared by chefs and served at the table. The menu boasts an array of tempting options, including Bosot Bulgogi—grilled soy-marinated bulgogi beef paired with mushrooms, Go Galbi—sweet soy-seasoned mackerel with spring onions, and Saewoo Gui—succulent king prawns complemented by fermented shrimp sauce. Guests can customize their feast using mixed ssam (lettuce wraps), pickles, and soybean sauces, creating vibrant flavor combinations tailored to their preferences.
In addition to barbecue, diners can explore other Korean culinary traditions such as Mul Hwei, a striking starter of mixed raw fish, shrimp, and trout roe with icy gochujang vinaigrette, or Dakgangjeong, crispy fried chicken coated in honey-soy sauce with rice cakes and seeds. Each dish is presented alongside complimentary banchan, small plates of delectable accompaniments such as kimchi, omelette, and preserved vegetables—a nod to Korea’s rich dining tradition.
KOBA’s new menu also includes hearty braised dishes, or Jorim, made for sharing. Highlights include So Galbi Jjim, a dish of soy-marinated braised beef short ribs and glass noodles, and Special Pot Dishes such as Hwei Dubbab, raw fish and shrimp served with vegetables, rice, and a spicy kick, or Yeoneo Sotbab, a comforting soy-glazed salmon and seaweed rice pot. For those stopping by at lunchtime, “super bowls” of barbecued meats served over generous portions of rice offer a quick yet satisfying option.
For KOBA loyalists, the restaurant hasn’t completely abandoned its roots—its signature table barbecue grills still make an appearance in the cozy downstairs dining room, which seats 24 and can be reserved for private dining.
The restaurant’s interiors now channel a tranquil “wabi sabi” aesthetic, blending natural wood and stone textures with soothing neutral tones. The sleek bar, topped with a dramatic lightbox canopy, offers a full menu alongside snack options and refreshing highball cocktails, creating an inviting space for both casual bites and lively evening meals.
Linda Lee shared her enthusiasm for KOBA’s ambitious transformation: “KOBA was my first Korean restaurant in London, and the past twenty years have been magical. I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished, becoming synonymous with top-tier table barbecue. But I’ve always been driven to innovate, to introduce diners to new ways of enjoying Korean food. The 20th anniversary felt like the right time to honor what we’ve built while stepping boldly into something new. KOBA 2.0 gives London a real taste of how Seoul eats today—modern, elevated, and full of heart.”
With its updated interiors, inventive menu, and ambitious vision, KOBA 2.0 promises to redefine Korean dining in London, ushering in the next chapter for this beloved Fitzrovia institution while delighting a new generation of food enthusiasts.
