Seoul Kimchi
A cozy, family-run Korean eatery in Manchester serving authentic dishes with warm hospitality. A hidden gem for true Korean flavors.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Seoul Kimchi
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A cozy, family-run Korean eatery in Manchester serving authentic dishes with warm hospitality. A hidden gem for true Korean flavors.
"The soup from Seoul Kimchi should be 'offered on prescription' - a true taste of Korea!"
Visit Early
The restaurant is small, so arrive early to secure a table, especially during peak hours.
Try Signature Dishes
Popular choices include kimchi soup, bibimbap, and the authentic Ginseng Chicken soup.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Korean
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+44 7745 527603
Address
275 Upper Brook St, Manchester, M13 0HR, United Kingdom
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Korean Flavors
Experience genuine Korean cuisine with dishes like flavorful kimchi soup and hearty bibimbap. A true taste of Korea.
Cozy, Homely Atmosphere
Dine in a warm, intimate setting that feels like eating at a friend's home. Perfect for close gatherings.
Ginseng Chicken Soup
A nourishing and authentic Ginseng Chicken soup, hailed as a must-try by many diners. A taste of home.
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Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit Early
The restaurant is small, so arrive early to secure a table, especially during peak hours.
Try Signature Dishes
Popular choices include kimchi soup, bibimbap, and the authentic Ginseng Chicken soup.
Self-Service Elements
Water, tea, and ice are self-service. Staff may be busy, so be patient.
Check Hours
Opening hours can vary, so it's advisable to check them beforehand.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit Early
The restaurant is small, so arrive early to secure a table, especially during peak hours.
Try Signature Dishes
Popular choices include kimchi soup, bibimbap, and the authentic Ginseng Chicken soup.
Self-Service Elements
Water, tea, and ice are self-service. Staff may be busy, so be patient.
Check Hours
Opening hours can vary, so it's advisable to check them beforehand.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Seoul Kimchi is celebrated for its authentic Korean flavors and cozy, homemade atmosphere, making it a beloved spot for many. Diners rave about signature dishes like the Ginseng Chicken Soup and Bibimbap. However, some guests have found certain dishes to be bland or overpriced, and a few have experienced issues with portion sizes or inconsistent service.
"I love the 'Ginseng Chicken' here. It's really authentic! You can choose either a half or whole chicken, and the half portion was perfect for me. According to the owner, who is a very kind lady, she goes to Korea every year to get the Korean Ginseng that is used in this soup. Amazing!
My husband ordered 'Bibimbap,' and he loved it too. I tried a bit of the Gochujang sauce with the Bibimbap, and it was the real, authentic Korean Gochujang. I was so happy to finally experience great Korean food after 2 years in the UK."
Eunjung Cha (KoreanArah)
"Honestly, very disappointed. We came all the way from far away after seeing so many great reviews online, but the food was completely overrated.
The pancakes had no flavour at all and weren’t crispy like the reviews claimed. The chicken portion was okay, but it was still bland. The Kimchi Soup with pork was the biggest letdown, only 2 pieces of pork in the whole bowl 😀. It was really expensive for what we got. To be honest, this is the worst food I’ve had in Manchester.
Also, when we asked for takeaway boxes because we didn’t want to waste food, they charged us extra without informing us beforehand, which felt quite dishonest.
Overall, the experience was really poor. Definitely not worth the trip. I wouldn’t recommend it."
Rebecca Teh
"Foods and drinks are so good.
They have tap water, cold barley tea, ice - self help. --> I like this.
However the place is quite small for a group 7 people, and staffs were tired to serve multiple times. They requested us to limit the number ò time we order."
Hương
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The restaurant is quite small and cozy, which makes it ideal for smaller groups or couples. Large groups may find it challenging to get a table.
Yes, the restaurant offers vegetarian fare, including vegetarian bibimbap and bento boxes.
Diners highly recommend the Ginseng Chicken Soup, Bibimbap, and the various bulgogi dishes.
Yes, the restaurant is praised for its authentic Korean flavors and traditional dishes.
Yes, you can bring your own drinks, with a corkage fee of £2.00 per head.
Street parking may be available nearby, but it can be limited. It's close to public transport routes.
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National food critic Jay Rayner famously said that the soup from Seoul Kimchi should be ‘offered on prescription’, and this place certainly lives up to the hype. This family run gem opposite the MRI serves up delicious Korean and Japanese - but mostly Korean - classics, like jeon (savoury pancakes stuffed with all kinds of joyousness) and generous bimibap (rice bowls). But it’s the glorious barbecue dishes which will leave an impression, particularly the squid and pork bulgogi.
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As you’d likely have guessed from its name, Seoul Kimchi is a Korean restaurant where you can find plenty of customers enjoying generous portions of its namesake dish. While the kimchi at Seoul Kimchi is good, it’s really the rest of the dishes you should be exploring. Galbi (braised beef ribs) need no persuading to fall from the bone and the range of soups and stews should be enough to see you through the cruellest of northern winters.
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With glowing praise from Jay Rayner when he visited back in 2017 – “The soup should be offered on prescription” – Seoul Kimchi is another Korean offering with a rather odd location that just seems to work in its favour. It’s on Upper Brook Street, opposite the entrance to A&E and next door to a petrol station and a Subway. It’s tiny too, but what it lacks in prime real estate it makes up for in spades in the kitchen.
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You will find kimchi toasties being munched in cafes all over the region, and almost every mediocre small plates gaff has a sticky gochujang-doused ‘Korean chicken’ dish on its menu. But Manchester also has tons of restaurants dedicated to the whole gamut of Korean food, some of which have been going for decades. Byunghee Kwon’s Seoul Kimchi is one of my personal favourites.
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Seoul Kimchi offers authentic Korean dishes like Bibimbap and Bulgogi along with freshly prepared sushi, yakitori and other Pan-Asian favourites. It’s cosy to say the least, but if you can squeeze into the tiny restaurant, your taste buds won’t be disappointed. Be sure to try the green-tea ice cream to finish.
Where to get good sushi in Manchester? : manchester
Seoul Kimchi on upper brook street, despite the name they also do some japanese dishes including sushi. For me, this place is rather authentic and has decent pricing.
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