Kimchee To Go

I was skeptical of the Korean fast food concept… but it’s actually pretty decent. The ingredients are fresh, there’s a few options to choose from, and things taste pretty healthy. The mixed rice is really yummy, and they give you this cute ice cream cone snack.
There’s loads of seating at this store so it’s great for a group of people. I’d probably not come here often, but if I need something quick and I don’t want to go to a restaurant, I’d come by here and pick up a bite.

As far as fast-​food chains go, Kimchee To-​Go is A-​OK. The food is more fusion than authentic; if you want a proper bi bim bap, then there are plenty of Korean restaurants in Bloomsbury to satisfy your craving. But if you’re wanting something quick, easy and reasonably priced, then Kimchee is a great compromise. There’s a variety of Korean-​inspired salads, hot rice dishes and soups to grab and go. They also have delicious Korean rolls, but again, these aren’t as authentic as the ones I like to buy from the Korean supermarket. A decent little establishment taking Korean food mainstream.

I’ve been coming to this particular branch for a while now, and whilst I still enjoy the food here, I have noticed how the quality of some dishes have gone down.

Cheese kimchi kimbap and dwenjang guk. The kimbap was on the verge of going off. To me, that was pretty clear. On the plus side, never saw such pretty packaging for kimbap before and for that alone I added a star.
Not a great food experience and unlikely to come again because I didn’t like the flavours and I think the freshness of the food is suspect.

I came here before going to see a play around the corner, and we needed a quick meal. After MUCH deliberation, I decided on a spicy chicken box (containing spicy chicken, a couple of potatoes, a soy marinated egg, a couple of dumplings and rice). I also got the plum tea.
So one bright note is that sometimes you get a random free drink. After I paid the cashier told me that I won a free drink. Yay me. I used it to get a bottle of water before leaving.
Some parts of the food was really good. I really liked the chicken with the spicy sauce. The potatoes were nice. The dumplings were good. The soy marinated egg was rubbery and unpleasant. The rice was pretty much the worst rice I’ve ever had in my life. It was hard and had absolutely no flavor. That’s not a good sign.
So things were good, things were bad. So I can’t give it more than an average score. Maybe the cold food is better. I can’t imagine I’d come back here unless I wanted something quick. But even then, I think I could probably do better. Even if I wanted quick Korean food.

The service was super-​friendly though I would describe this as more fusion than true Korean. I had the which I enjoyed quite a bit. Free wifi was a nice treat. Restaurant was big and very clean.

Nice little canteen-​sort-​of place on New Oxford Street.
I had the spicy Bibimbap rice in in a box here which was really tasty; it tasted quite fresh too.
The portion sizes were good and were reasonably priced. I can say I left rather satisfied!
On a side note — the décor was rather nice and the packaging was quite fancy!

Great location and food, Order the bibimbap as it is better then the soup.
Pro:
great prices
the plum ice tea
easy to go Korean food
great interior and branding design
fun place
con:
only a few locations
soup was just ok

I had a spicy chicken to stay and took a kimbap to go and it didn’t make it home, it got devoured en-​route. Having tried the full-​service Kimchee, I’ve already been a fan and this had my hopes relatively high, happy to say it’s worth going to! It’s actually pretty reasonable for how much food you get, I’d much rather come here than some other chainy shops that do similar things but will not be named.
Make more of these! Make one in Hampstead so I can go here all the time! I was going to take a photo but it only occurred to me after I inhaled my food. Look at the others and pretend one is mine. x x

Hier gibt es eine sehr leckere Kim-​Chee Suppe. Das Kim-​Chee schmeckt wie selbst gemacht, die Nudellsuppe hat eine reichhaltige Einlage (Algen, Fleisch, Nudeln, Pilze etc.), sodass man tatsächlich für unter 5£ satt wird. Absolut empfehlenswert.

Blink, and you’ll walk by this little gem!
I first tried Kimchee To Go at the Unilocal Tasting Event. I finally got to the chance to share the experience with The Boy, who wanted a quick lunch. And boy, was he impressed!
The display was a bit sparse (but we did just miss the lunch rush), but despite that, there was still a large selection to choose from. I was happy to see new vegetarian options and fewer without egg than last time. (Still no vegetarian kimchi though.) I had a hard time choosing. We both got the Tray Meal for £8.95 (bibimbap or noodle soup, side & drink). I had the tofu bibimbap with mixed grain rice, tofu japchae (gave the hard boiled egg away) and my fav citron drink.
Bright flavours, fresh ingredients, great packaging and just enough to take home! Did I mention the service was just as friendly? The Boy ooh’d and aww’d over his beefy meal, décor, and just how much he liked it over all, which made me feel very proud in my decision to come here again.
The only thing we’re not so keen on are the seats. While beautiful, it takes awhile to get used to. We moved to the bar seats, which were also difficult to move. I just worry about the older members of my family who would love the food, but it may have to become a take-​away-​to-​the-​park thing instead of a nice sit down.
Until then, I will still be coming here for such a well-​price, delicious and veg-​friendly place!

So when I first heard about takeaway Korean for lunch, I was really apprehensive. As much as I love kimchi, I don’t want to be smelling of it after lunch and that is just strong. Or have someone bring up their kimchee to go, not finish their kimchee and leave it in the fridge for it to stink up the fridge.
Anyways, seeing as I didn’t end up going to Unilocal’s menu tasting: Katie, Josy and I decided to do one ourselves, because we’re cool like that. The food was so much better than I expected. They had cold bibimbap, kimbap, sides and tofu etc, and also JAPCHAE, my favourite! and then some hot food as well, like spicy korean chicken rice which was quite spicy! Also for 4.95, you get a MASSIVE portion of spicy chicken and rice and noodles. WIN (i’m currently trying to work out lunch budget for when I start new job– under £5 is my goal!) OPEN ONE IN CANARY WHARF PLEASE.
I wish they sold cold barley teas, and i wish the pajeon was crispier. That’s my only gripe.

Kimchee to go is so lovely that I am considering heading back there today for more yummy Korean food. It is before 11am, so I shouldn’t even be considering lunchtime yet!
It is basically a Korean version of Itsu or wasabi, so they have meaty sushi (kimbap) and lots of their dishes have a spicy kick. Yum! I am sooooo glad that Katie and Yinnie wanted to meet up for lunch, so I had an excuse to come and try this yumminess.
— The pajeon reminded me of yaki (the fast food okonimiyaki place up the road.) It wasn’t the best in London, but it is pretty awesome for fast food!
— The kimbap beef sushi rolls were slightly too chilled, but still reeeally good.
— I loooove the cucumber kimchi (oi-​sobagi) I also love that it only costs £1!
— They have some interesting (and really tasty) drinks. The aloe vera drink was delicious and the cold plum tea looks good too.
I ordered 4 things, and still had change from a tenner. Not bad… Especially as it would have cost even less for take away. I was uncomfortably full on the walk back to the office, so next time I’ll have to pick up fewer dishes. Oops.

While I’ve never been to the full sit down Kimchee restaurants, I ADORE this to go concept. Basically, it is high end Itsu/​Pret except Korean-​style… amazing.
Refrigerated Bibimbap, Korean-​style sushi rolls (not fish, filled with bulgogi, pickles, tofu, veggies, etc… basically a bibimbap roll!), interesting beverages, Korean-​style salads, noodle bowls, etc. all stylishly packaged to take away. I had a bap roll with beef, and it was fresh tasting, flavourful, and affordable.
I am so happy this convenient location opened up near college. A roll, plenty for a sizeable snack or light lunch, was under £4, most of the salads around £6−7. I will certainly be back here again and again. No more boring old sandwiches!!!
(They also have a big space to eat in with really interesting chairs).