“This isn’t how we thought we’d be ending the year and it’s devastating for us as a small business”

15:09, 24 Dec 2025Updated 15:12, 24 Dec 2025

Bokman on Ninetree Hill(Image: Mark Taylor)

A popular Korean restaurant in Stokes Croft has had to cancel bookings over the festive period after a fire on Monday (December 22). In a post to Instagram today (Wednesday), the team at Bokman shared an update to say they did not know how long it will take to rebuild.

The post said: “We have some sad news to share – on Monday, there was a fire at Bokman, which was caused by an electrical fault in one of our fridges. Luckily, there was no one on site and no one was hurt. We currently don’t know the extent of the damage or how long it will take us to rebuild, but we’ve tried to contact everyone who’s made a New Year’s Eve booking. We’re so sorry for having to change your plans but we hope you’ll understand.

“This isn’t how we imagined we’d be ending the year and it’s devastating for us as a small business. Obviously, this doesn’t just impact us, but our team, our suppliers and of course, you, our guests.”To everyone who’s sent kind messages, thank you. Your support means everything. And thank you to Avon Fire and Rescue Service for your bravery and quick response and salvaging as much as possible of our beloved restaurant.”We will keep you all posted with updates and for anyone with bookings in January we’ll be in touch, but we’re just in the midst of things right now and need to comprehend this news, as it was a shock to us all. We hope to see some of your faces at Dongnae over the next few weeks. Duncan, Kyu and the Bokman Team.”

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Bokman, which is run by the same team as that of Dongnae on Chandos Road, opened in October 2019 after husband and wife team Duncan Robertson and Kyu Jeong Jeon moved to Bristol from South Korea in the year prior. Its menu is inspired by dishes the couple ate at some of their favourite restaurants in Seoul and their travels in South Korea.

It was even listed as the second best restaurant in the UK back in October. In an article by Timeout, Korean restaurant Bokman was described as serving up ‘homely Korean cooking from super talented chefs’.

The article went on to say it is “the kind of understated food that you’ll be thinking about for a long time afterwards. Go with friends to try a proper selection of Bokman branded Korean stews, mandu, banchan and noodle dishes – you’ll leave very full and very happy. Tongdak is the star of the show here – charcoal grilled whole chicken stuffed with sticky rice, best eaten with a selection of pickles.”

Taking to the comments section beneath Bokman’s latest update, locals and diners were quick to share their heartbreak for the restaurant. One said: “I was devastated when I found out about the fire.

“You are my favourite restaurant with the best flavours which I was keen to share to anyone visiting and recommend to people I know. I really hope you will revive this incredible place in some form and the community will support you where we can.”

While a second wrote: “I’m so sorry to hear this. Sending lots of love to to team and hope things get sorted asap. Gratefully remembering the lovely meal I had with you this year, hope to be back soon.”

And a third commented: “Oh no! So sad to hear this, but very happy nobody was hurt. We still talk about our visit to you six months ago! Will be back once you’re rebuilt and ready for bookings.”