Arang is a lively Korean restaurant on Golden Square in Soho, with grills set into the tables and enough space for both intimate meals and larger group gatherings. The extensive menu covers Korean barbecue, small dishes, rice, noodles and bubbling casseroles, with some Japanese selections adding further variety. Lunch bento boxes provide a practical introduction for diners visiting the surrounding shops, offices and theatres.
Smaller dishes include kimchi and seasoned vegetable namul, fried or steamed mandu dumplings and tteokbokki rice cakes in a spicy sauce. Haemul pajeon combines spring onion batter with seafood, while kimchi pancake gives the same crisp format a fermented chilli flavour. Japchae mixes glass noodles with vegetables and a savoury seasoning, making it useful as either a shared starter or an accompaniment to grilled meat.
Table barbecue is one of the clearest reasons to visit. Diners can grill marinated beef galbi, thinly sliced bulgogi, pork belly and spicy pork, then wrap the meat in lettuce with sauces, garlic and small side dishes. Mixed barbecue sets simplify ordering for a group, while halal grill choices and vegetable dishes allow the table to accommodate different preferences without losing the social cooking experience.
Bibimbap layers rice with vegetables, meat and egg, with the hot stone version developing a crisp base as it sits at the table. Kimchi stew, soft tofu stew and spicy beef soup provide deeper, warming flavours, while larger hot pots are designed for sharing. Cold noodles, jjajangmyeon, fried rice, sushi and set lunch bentos broaden the selection beyond barbecue and support anything from a quick midday meal to a long dinner.
Address: 9 Golden Square, Soho, London W1F 9HZ, United Kingdom