Orchestra is in fashion: its series, its music, its movies, its beauty routines, food stores and, of course, its food is a hit in the capital. To soak up their culture you don’t have to go to Seoul, Korean restaurants in Madrid represent everything from theirstreet food to the most sophisticated dishes. If the taste of kimchi, fermented vegetables, is gaining ground, bulgogi – grilled vegetables with sauce – and bibimbap – abowl of rice with meat and vegetables – are close behind.
1. Korea Restaurant
Korea is a traditional Korean restaurant that has been serving traditional Korean food since the 80’s in Madrid. The koreans are camping experts and cooking in a small gas camping site is for some Koreans like being at home, here you can experience it first hand. If you are going to get started in Korean gastronomy, perhaps this is one of the first stops because, although it serves typical dishes, they are slightly adapted to the Western palate.
Around 30 €.
Calle de Cristóbal Bordiú, 59
2. Dimibang
Dimibang takes its name from a traditional Korean cookbook written in the 17th century. Among its star dishes are traditional Korean barbecue, which consists of preparing meat on a gas or charcoal grill on the table; chapche, made from sweet potato noodles; dolsot bibimbap and a wide variety of soups, also very common in Korean culinary culture.
Between 25 and 30 € per person.
67 Rodriguez San Pedro Street, 67
3. Go Hyang Mat
Among the Korean restaurants in Madrid, Go Hyang Mat stands out for its homemade food. This unpretentious district of Arganzuela has carved a niche for itself through word of mouth. Highlights include japchae, transparent sweet potato noodles stir-fried with vegetables and meat, and jajangmyeon, noodles with soy sauce, meat and vegetables. If you like spicy -abundant in Korean food- order them tokpoki, a rice paste with tofu, vegetables and kimchi that can be seen above in the photo.
Around 15 € per person.
Divino Valles Street, 31
4. Akma Fusion
Akma stands out among the San Ildefonso Market for its commitment to food from the streets and markets of Korea. On the menu you can find from the famous to rice dishes, pasta, noodles or marinated beef(bulgogi). Not to mention their unparalleled Korean-style fried chicken and the Korean version of the hot dog.
About 20 € per person
San Ildefonso Market and Yatai Market
5. Miso Restaurant
Miso, a fermented soybean-based condiment of Japanese origin, gives its name to this Korean restaurant where good soups abound. Here they prepare the Korean version of ramen, even in summer, because they put into practice the Korean saying that heat is fought with more heat. The owners do not speak Spanish well, but they make an effort to learn how to write the names of their customers and try to guide them through their menu of typical Korean recipes.
Around 20 € per person.
Santa Casilda Street, 1
6. Mama Uma
Mama Uma is in the Barceló market and they specialize in bibimbap – thetypical rice bowl with vegetables and fried chicken – and the homemade mandu dumplings they serve stuffed with kimchi. Their goal, as they themselves explain, is to feed busy people without having to give up healthy eating. They also organize private cooking classes to introduce Korean recipes.
Around 20 € per person.
Barceló Market, 2nd floor.
7. Gangnam Korean Restaurant
Kimchi is to Korean food what sushi is to Japanese food: its Trojan horse. And in Gangnam they make special emphasis on its artisanal preparation. As part of a stew, as a side dish or as a starter, this fermented cabbage and turnip dish is a must. They also prepare kimbab or gimbap, a kind of rice, vegetable and fish rolls wrapped in seaweed reminiscent of Japanese makis.
Between 10 and 20 € per person.
13 Pajaritos Street, 13
The asian food still has a lot to contribute and Orchestra has attracted a lot of attention in recent years.