Calong

Tucked away in the heart of Stoke Newington, the Bib Gourmand-awarded Calong is the kind of neighbourhood bistro that feels quietly special from the moment you step inside. Warm, relaxed and unfussy, it’s a place where comforting food meets serious technique, and where Chef-Owner Joo Won tells his story on the plate.

A trip back to Korea proved pivotal for Joo, reconnecting him with the flavours of his childhood and inspiring a return to cooking that feels personal and instinctive. That sense of nostalgia is gently woven through Calong’s blackboard menu, where European foundations are lifted with subtle, thoughtful Korean touches. It’s a style that feels effortless - no surprise, given Joo’s pedigree as former Head Chef at Galvin at Windows.

The menu changes regularly, but a few cult favourites remain constant. Joo’s Fried Chicken, crisp, juicy and deeply moreish, has been there since day one and shows no signs of leaving. Elsewhere, dishes like Cornish pollock with mooli jorim deliver a bright, invigorating hit of flavour, balancing finesse with boldness in all the right ways.