Scouring London for Korean goodies? Look no further for some Hallyu love.
As fans of Korean culture ourselves, we’re constantly on the lookout for Korean shops in the city. And, of course, we believe sharing is caring, especially when it comes to the latest gossip on Dispatch!
In our quest for the best finds, we’ve compiled a list of great K-finds all across the capital because we’re smitten by all things with the capital K. We’re talking about Kimchi, K-beauty, and of course, K-poppers Seventeen’s historic Glastonbury set!
We know we’re not the only ones obsessed with K-culture, so we thought we’d share our list of the best Korean shops in London. As a bonus, we’ve thrown in some exciting tips for our fellow K-enthusiasts.
Happy K-hunting!
1. Seoul Plaza
Media credit: koreafoodsuk
Website: https://www.koreafoods.co.uk/retail/
Address: 65-67 Charing Cross Rd. (several locations across London)
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
If you need to stock up your pantry with Korean items, Seoul Plaza is the place to head to.
This grocery store in Chinatown is well-stocked, which isn’t surprising since it’s part of Korean Foods, the largest importer in all of Europe. It also houses its own butcher shop, offering cuts like chicken breast and pork belly.
One absolutely must-try is the mouth-watering, affordable dishes in the Hoot Foods section and eat-in corner. You can pig out on favourites such as fried chicken, corn dog, and bulgogi. Halal options are available!
If you feel like eating at home, get some of their chilled foods. Our favorites include the bibimbap, which is quite generously stuffed.
Pro tip:
Bring your own container when buying from the Hot Food counter to get a discount.
2. Oseyo
Media credit: oseyouk
Website: https://oseyo.co.uk/
Address: 65-67 Charing Cross Rd. (several locations across London)
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
While Oseyo is primarily a supermarket, it also carries dry goods like K-pop merchandise and kitchenware. You might also find unique items like talking rice cookers, depending on the store.
What we like at this shop is the variety of fridge food, drinks, and snacks. This includes the Tiktok viral ones like the mango pancake.
It also has a bakery section with loads of mochi and fluffy Korean cakes that sometimes get sold out pretty quickly!
Pro tip:
Chinatown Oseyo can be quite busy at times, so try dropping by other Oseyo stores in London. Other options include the ones in London Bridge, Tottenham Court Road, or Paddington Square.
3. SOKOLLAB
Media credit: sokollab
Website: https://sokollab.co.uk/
Address: 14 Rathbone Place
Operating hours:
- Monday and Thursday – closed
- Tuesday and Sunday: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Wednesday, Friday and Saturday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Located in the heart of London near Leicester Square, this tiny store probably has the most reasonably priced selection of K-pop albums in the city. Some are even hard to find!
It even has life-size cutouts of BTS looking back at you, so don’t forget to take a picture with your bias during your visit.
Beyond artist merchandise, there are also various items like cosmetics, magazines, and learn-Korean books.
Be sure to explore the cafe at the back and mingle with fellow adoring fans.
Pro tip:
Like many establishments in the UK, this store does not accept £50 notes. Try to bring other notes when paying in cash. Other cashless methods like Samsung Pay and Paypal work too!
4. P2bus
Media credit: p2bus
Website: https://www.p2bus.com/
Address: 21 Newport Court
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
P2bus is a skincare shop that has been around since the K-beauty phenomenon exploded.
With its kitschy-doodled shop front design in Chinatown, the shop became a cult phenomenon across the country. It sells products from established Korean brands to up-and-coming ones that offer the latest Asian beauty science.
Completing its self-care products are daily necessities such as heating patches, sanitary napkins, and grooming accessories.
What we particularly adored about this shop is how it feels and smells like a candy shop!
Pro tip:
Ask the staff for recommendations on giftable items with cute packaging. For example, Flower Knows x Never’s Family brand new lip mud comes in a tin pot with a cute ceramic lid.
5. Aigoo (Putney Exchange and Shoreditch)
Media credit: aigoo.co.uk
Website: https://www.aigoo.co.uk/
Address: Unit16, Ground floor, Putney Exchange, Putney High St., and Unit 16, Boxpark Shoreditch, 2-10 Bethnal Green Rd
Contact details: 07498421791
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Thursday – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Looking for unique items? Come to Aigoo, which is Korean for “Oh my gosh!”
It’s a small variety store in a shopping centre just 10 minutes away from Putney Bridge. It sells an array of cute and quirky items ranging from jewellery and clothes to gift cards sourced from all around the world.
London-popular for curating quality Korean beauty products, the store stocks known brands like Some By Mi, Etude, and Beauty of Joseon.
What we liked most here were the K fashion-inspired ultra-feminine dresses with floral prints and flowy silhouettes. What’s impressive is that these are actually handmade!
Pro tip:
Check out the works of local artists such as the design duo Anna Fidalgo and Roger Kelly. Aigoo carries its greeting card products.
6. K-Pop K-Shop
Media credit: kpopkshop.co.uk
Website: https://www.instagram.com/kpopkshop.co.uk/
Address: 140 Bethnal Green Road
Operating hours:
- Monday, Thursday, Friday – 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday and Wednesday – closed
- Saturday and Sunday – closed
K-Pop K-Shop indicates in their Instagram bio that they’re a multifandom store, and they take it seriously.
Not only do they sell artist merch, but they also host K-pop events, gatherings, and festivals. For instance, the Su:Home London Fan Event is part of their previous lineups!
Back at the shop, we couldn’t get a hold of ourselves stacking up on albums, gift items, and some posters. It’s mainly because it has several items from hard-to-find artists!
Pro tip:
The shop sometimes closes for weeks in a row. Don’t worry, this is usual. Browse its Instagram page from time to time for updates.
7. Duri Mart
Media credit: duri.mart
Website: https://www.instagram.com/duri.mart/
Address: 10 Station Parade, Uxbridge Rd
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 10:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Located in Ealing just across the tube station, Duri Mart is half a convenience store and half an eatery/takeaway. It’s rather small but popular for its tasty home-cooked meals under £10.
Plus, it’s the perfect place to sit down and have a warm meal after a long day’s work.
We couldn’t get enough of their beef bibimbap and seafood pancakes. Their ramen is flavourful as well.
The store also packs daily grocery essentials and ready-to-cook meals, although there aren’t many options compared to supermarkets.
Pro tip:
Ask the staff for meal recommendations. They’d give freebie snack items, like dalgona sometimes!
8. Tian Tian Market
Media credit: tiantianmarket
Website: https://www.tiantian.london/
Address: 16-17 Canada Square (flagship store)
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Tian Tian is a modern and upscale supermarket with several locations around London. It’s quite roomy with wide aisles—not common in Asian grocery stores.
The selection here is just impressive, despite being pricey. Don’t miss out on their vegetarian options and frozen food items, along with various options for fresh produce.
Plus, they have many kinds of Korean groceries and liquor. Here, you can finally try soju in different flavours!
However, note that pet dogs are not allowed inside.
Pro tip:
The supermarket primarily accepts cash. Contactless options like Apple Pay have a £100 limit.
9. Seoul Bakery
Media credit: seoulbakerylondon
Website: https://www.instagram.com/seoulbakerylondon/?hl=en
Address: 14 Great Russell Street
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM; 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Tuesday – closed
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Tucked in a small spot within a stone’s throw of the British Museum, Seoul Bakery is nothing like a bakery. Rather, it’s a small eatery with some serious queues outside and sells K-pop memorabilia on the side.
The first thing you’ll probably notice upon arrival is the wall of graffiti as if Banksy himself has been here stanning. It’s like fans’ holy altar, adorned with scribbles from K-pop artists who have graced the place since 2015.
When you get to dig in with crowd-favourite staples like kimchi fried rice or dak udong, note that you might have to share a table with a stranger.
Pro tip:
The queue kicks off right before lunchtime when it opens, so it’s best to visit this place earlier.
10. HMV
Media credit: hmvinstagram
Website: https://hmv.com/
Address: Oxford Street
Contact details: 0843 221 0200
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
His Master’s Voice, or simply HMV, is every Briton music enthusiast’s enclave serving the nation for about a hundred years already. Luckily, this Oxford Street branch dedicates a small space for K-pop too.
In the basement, where the vinyl and CDs are, you can spy Taeyeon, Blackpink and Ateez. This has us excited, along with the limited K-pop merch and Funkos we found on the first floor.
Make sure to be on the lookout for limited edition releases unavailable in any other non-HMV music stores!
Oh, and we also snagged a mystery K-beauty Lengbox set here. It contained all our essential products for a skincare ritual.
Pro tip:
HMV London’s K-pop selection not what you expected? Head on over to HMV K-pop Vault in Birmingham for the best stocks and experience. This includes K-pop events and a photo booth.
11. Chiffon
Media credit: chiffonlondon
Website: https://www.camdenmarket.com/shops/chiffon
Address: 70 Charing Cross and 1223 Westfield White City
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
With Korean-made but London-designed clothing, Chiffon is a small boutique that has a lot of quality womenswear at affordable prices. Plus, its K-fashion influences are hard to
miss.
While their chic trench coats are a great find, we especially like their summer dresses for the contemporary cut and flowy fabric. Make sure to check out their unique selection of clutch bags, too!
Their staff is accommodating too and can be depended on for fashion advice or two.
Pro tip:
Try asking the staff for gifting recommendations, and they’ll throw in a few nice freebies!
