of sliced raw fish, shrimp, trout roe, vegetables and rice with spicy sauce, and Yeoneo Sotbab, soy-glazed salmon and seaweed pot rice. At lunchtime, KOBA will also introduce generous, affordable BBQ-topped “super bowls,” providing a more accessible way to enjoy the flavours of Seoul.
A complete new look
The restaurant itself is undergoing a full refurbishment to match its culinary evolution. The design adopts a calm, neutral wabi-sabi aesthetic, with textural wood and stone surfaces. Seating will be a mix of tables and counters, the latter topped with a dramatic lightbox canopy. Guests dining at the counter will be able to order from the full menu or choose from a series of snacks, paired with a new selection of highball cocktails.
Linda Lee on KOBA’s evolution
Speaking about the relaunch, Linda reflected on KOBA’s journey.
She said: “KOBA was my first Korean restaurant in London and the past twenty years have been magical. I am proud of what KOBA has achieved in terms of building, and maintaining, a reputation for serving the best table barbecue. But at heart I am an innovator, I have always sought to introduce diners to new ways of eating Korean food, and it is time for KOBA to evolve.
“The 20th anniversary felt like the right moment both to look back with gratitude on the past twenty years, and to look forward with excitement for the next twenty and beyond. The modern, elevated style of food will give London a real taste of Seoul as it is today, and together with the new interior, KOBA will feel like a completely new restaurant – I call it ‘KOBA 2.0’.”
Reopening date
KOBA will reopen on September 23, ushering in a new chapter for one of London’s most iconic Korean dining destinations.