Ko Gu Ryo

Probably the most authentic Korean restaurant this side of the world!
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, August 20, 2006

You have to go! foods are amazing... stuff very nice - very good service

Once you will try , you'll adopt Korean food!
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Helene
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, August 17, 2006

We knew where we were going to go for our 17th anniversary having been there twice before - yet again we weren't disappointed.

Friendly welcome, staff very informative about the menu and options available. The quality of food was excellent and we never felt rushed throughout the evening. Each course was nicely timed and full of mouth-watering surprises. We will be back for more!!
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Nick & Gurjit Tidbury
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, April 09, 2006

It's not often I venture out for a meal and enjoy it so much I feel I must tell everyone, but last night was one of those occasions. A group of us headed for the recently opened Korean restaurant in Staines (in the High Street, beyond the railway bridge - near KFC).

AMAZING. Truly amazing. The decor was simple but stylish, the staff were wonderful, the food was...well, amazing, and the bill was very reasonable.

There were five of us, and we were ushered back into a private dining room and presented with very nicely made menus (no laminated takeaway menus here). In the middle of the table was a giant hob - but more of that later.

Though usually quite conservative when ordering in restaurants I was thrilled not to really understand what I was ordering (it's in English as well as Korean but you're never quite sure still what you'll end up with because, of course, you haven't had it or anything like it before).

After ordering starters several of us opted for the table BBQ, which is where the hob comes in. Several platters of raw meat (marinated or plain) with vegetables were dished out onto the lit hob and we sat back to watch them cook to our liking before scooping a mouthful up with our chopsticks, wrapping it with soya bean curd and spring onions into a lettuce leaf (all very well presented) and wolfing it down. Delicious.

Though we had all ordered separate items for our meals, when the platters arrived it just made so much sense to put it all in the middle and allow everyone to dive in.

As mentioned above, the staff were incredible - helpful and hospitable. While they brought you umpteen different bowls of sauces to try dipping things in they would share with you the history of particular dishes, or explain why you get a small bowl of mashed potato (I'll leave that one for you to find out), suggest certain things to try (and it struck me not as an effort to sell more but as a genuine interest in ensuring you enjoy what you have ordered to the full). To prove that point, when we ordered a bottle of the sweet-potato spirit (what vodka would be like if it were truly smooth and easy to drink), we were brought out a complimentary selection of nibbles because "traditionally people like to have something to eat while they drink So Hu".

Unlike other restaurants that want you out as soon as possible so they can clear your table and seat another party, we were there for over 2 hours enjoying this experience. And it was definitely an experience rather than just a meal out, and one well worth having.

Speaking of value, the cost was surprisingly good considering the quality of everything. 5 of us had a starter each, a main course each, various side dishes, a glass of mineral water each, 9 beers and a bottle of So Hu (the sweet-potato spirit), and we paid £25 each including the tip. Not too bad at all.

So, set aside an evening and go. We'll be going back cos there's a bunch of stuff I still want to try.
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Oli Blackwell
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, April 01, 2006

We have just come home from an evening at Ko Gu Ryo and had a wonderful time. The food was fresh and fantastic, the service was very friendly and attentive. I don't think we could recommend it more highly - especially in Staines where good places to eat are few and far between.
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Sarah and Ned
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 31, 2006

Having never tried Korean food before, we were very intrigued when this restaurant opened in Staines. I have to say that it was one of the best meals that I have had in ages. The service is excellent, food quality and quantity perfect and the restaurant itself is lovely. Try and book in early as a full meal takes over two hours to eat due to BBQing and everything being served individually. Also, everything is served separately (starters come to the table individually, etc) with enough for everyone so by the end, we were full but not bloated the way you normally are with Indian/Chinese. We will definitely be going again-fantastic experience. Make sure you book in advance though as it seems very popular.
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Ellie
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 31, 2006

I have to agree with everything said in the previous review. I have eaten in the Ko Gu Ryo four times since it opened and am already anticipating a fifth visit! The owner - Mr Cho - and all the members of staff are incredibly helpful and informative and we have yet to choose something that disappoints. Whilst celebrating my father-in-law's 65th birthday there Mr Cho presented him with a bowl of delicious seaweed soup normally reserved for special occasions when "honouring older people". It's thoughtful touches like this and the outstanding food and service that makes every visit to Ko Gu Ryo a memorable experience.
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Lucy Black
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Saturday, March 11, 2006

I have found that Korean food in London can be very hit or miss. What we stumbled upon in Staines was definately a hit - the restaurant itself is sleak, modern and stylish with traditional touches and tell-tale tabletop BBQ grills. The menu has all of the traditional korean favourites with some surprises I had never before encountered. We asked the wonderfully helpful and smiley waiter - who we later found out to be the owner - Mr Cho - for recommendations. He brought to the table an amazing salad made from jellyfish with shreds of fresh pear, lightly coated in a mustard sauce. A jellyfish virgin, I was apprehensive. It was, however, delicious! - fresh and subtle with a wonderful texture. More equally stunning dishes followed - beautifully cooked, fleshy cod cheek in ultra light tampura-style potato flour parcels enhanced by a subtle beanpaste sauce. Korean pancake was also great. We opted for two of our favourites - bulgogi and galbi - both cooked on the tabletop. The strips of marinated barbecued beef, both on-and-off the bone, were really delicious. We asked for lettuce and made little parcels of rice, beef and bean paste. Another one of our party ordered a spicy fish based soup with the most amazing kimchee based-broth sporting a chilli-kick and full of shellfish. Kimchee chigae (a kimchee stew) was, I was told, also delicious. Although not drinking, the others enjoyed a Bordeaux from the winelist - I stuck with the very moreish barley tea served luke-warm. Reasonable bill - worth every penny. I can't wait to go back.
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Rob Perry
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, January 22, 2006