Korea Hero

Kingston's first riverside Korean restaurant, opened April 2025 by Linda — a Korean local who lives in New Malden and also runs Sushi Hero in Surbiton. She staffs the kitchen and floor with Korean university students, and it shows: the food feels like it belongs on Burlington Road, not a high street chain conversion. The K-Tray is the move — a main dish with banchan sides and soup for £12.90 (or £14.99 for premium mains like bulgogi). That's a genuine bargain for the quality. The dolsot bibimbap arrives in a proper hot stone bowl, rice crackling at the edges, topped with seasonal vegetables and egg yolk. Vegetable gyoza make a good starter. Finish with ice mochi — ice cream wrapped in rice cake. The space sits on the Thames at 64 High Street, with an outdoor terrace overlooking the river. Downstairs seating fills quickly at lunchtime. Kingston Nub News called it "authentic home-cooked flavours" and praised the value. **The honest bit:** It's a newer opening still building its rhythm. The menu is vast — stick to the K-Trays and bibimbap for the strongest showing. Upstairs private hire and karaoke rooms are coming soon. **Why support this one:** Linda is building something personal here — a Korean local bringing New Malden's food culture into Kingston town centre, hiring from the community. This is exactly the kind of independent that makes a high street worth visiting. *Verified dishes: dolsot bibimbap, K-Tray, vegetable gyoza, ice mochi (Kingston Nub News review, April 2025)*