Bistros are currently thriving in London; while much of this revival champions British dishes, it’s not all about puddings and pork chops. Especially not when it comes to Calong, a Korean-inspired bistro in Stoke Newington that opened in February 2025 and earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand a year later for its high-quality and affordable plates that seamlessly blend Korean influences with British ingredients and French technique.
Head chef Joo Young Won didn’t arrive at this concept overnight. He’s been refining it since 2020 through a series of pop-ups and supper clubs - so expectations were high when I visited its prime Church Street location on a blue-skyed Thursday evening.
Calong's rustic interiors (pictured).
DesignMyNight's Review Of Calong In Stoke Newington
Need To Know:
- Address: 35 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0NX
- Area: Stoke Newington
- Cuisine: modern Korean with European touches
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: the restaurant was intimate, with just 30 covers; it felt communal without compromising on comfort. The decor itself was simple: exposed brick walls and wooden chairs were paired with soft grey tabletops, while chalkboard menus hung above a curved bar. It opened at 6pm, and we were the first people to arrive, but by 6.30pm the entire dining room had filled up and was buzzing with diners
- Perfect for: date night or dinner with friends
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: £126.60 for two, excluding service charge
Kimchi fritters (pictured right).
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Kimchi fritters (£7) - these were served with a generous dollop of chilli mayonnaise, offering a creamy contrast to the tangy fritters. There wasn’t a hint of sogginess; they were perfectly crisp, with generous chunks of kimchi encased in crunchy batter
- Joo’s fried chicken (£13) - the two pieces were golden, crunchy and generously sized, surrounded by a rich pool of sweet chilli sauce. A subtle addition of ssamjang brought a nutty, umami depth that balanced the savoury coating
- Vegetable tofu mandu (£14) - served as a trio, these savoury pockets had a pleasing bite and were generously filled, topped with cime di rapa
- BBQ onglet (£27) - the meat was pleasantly delicate and blushing pink, melting in the mouth. The sweetness of the bulgogi jus paired beautifully with an earthy kick from the greens
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Soju spritz (£14) - it was a light, refreshing serve that felt like a softer take on a paloma, lifted by bright grapefruit notes. It paired particularly well with the starters
Joo's fried chicken (pictured left) and the BBQ onglet (right).
My Overall Experience At Calong
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I found Calong to be a refreshing dining experience where Korean home comforts really shone through with Western cooking techniques. The familiar flavours were delivered with a refined, playful edge that elevated the experience, and the staff were very friendly and accommodating. Calong had an air of ease about it and stood out from the wave of bistros shaping the capital’s dining scene. I'll definitely be heading back to get my mandu fix.
