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THE BARNABY BLOG - Neighbourhood Notes Vol. 6 - A Gentle Food Tour: Korean New Malden - FRIDAY 10 OCTOBER 2025

  • rob72401
  • Oct 10
  • 3 min read

Woof! Barnaby here, and let me tell you about one of my favourite weekend adventures...

There's something magical about wandering through New Malden on a lazy Saturday afternoon. The air smells different here – a wonderful mix of sizzling bulgogi, freshly baked hotteok, and that distinctive aroma of kimchi that makes my schnauzer nose twitch with excitement (even if I can't have any!).

Starting Your Korean Food Adventure

New Malden is home to the largest Korean community in Europe, and trust me, your tastebuds are in for a treat. The beauty of this neighbourhood is that it's completely family-friendly and easy to navigate – perfect for a gentle stroll with the whole pack.

Begin at New Malden Station and head down High Street. Within minutes, you'll spot the Korean characters on shop fronts, and suddenly you've been transported thousands of miles without leaving South West London.

The Unmissable Stops

Seoul Plaza is your first essential stop – a supermarket that's an adventure in itself. Even if you're not buying, pop in to marvel at the rainbow of banchan (side dishes), walls of instant noodles, and freezers full of dumplings. The kids will love spotting the unusual snacks and drinks with their colourful packaging. I particularly enjoy sitting and watching the shoppers with their bags of goodies (in and out, in and out... until my human gently guides me along).

For lunch, Ha Ru or Imone are both wonderfully welcoming to families. The Korean BBQ experience is interactive and fun – though do keep us furry friends safely outside! The staff are always patient with newcomers to Korean cuisine, happily explaining dishes and adjusting spice levels for younger diners.

Sweet Treats and Café Culture

No food tour is complete without something sweet. Cake & Bingsoo for their Instagram-worthy bingsu (shaved ice dessert) – a mountain of fluffy ice that's perfect for sharing on a warm day.

For coffee with a Korean twist, Cafe Hanok serves beautiful lattes alongside traditional Korean sweets. They have outdoor seating where well-behaved pups like myself are welcome to sit with their humans and people-watch.

Beyond the Food

Take a moment to explore down Kingston Road where you'll find Korean beauty shops, homewares stores, and even another massive Korean Supermarket H MART. The kids might enjoy picking out some unusual stationery or trying a Korean face mask (perfect for tired parents!).

If you're visiting on a Sunday, the nearby Kingston Market is just a short bus ride away, offering a lovely contrast to the Korean quarter.

Barnaby's Top Tips

  • Timing: Visit between 11am-4pm for the full experience – shops are open, lunch is served, and it's not too crowded

  • Parking: Limited on High Street, but there are car parks at Waitrose, the Malden Centre and in the Blagdon Road Multi Story

  • Pram-friendly: Wide pavements and mostly flat – easy peasy

  • Cash: Some smaller shops prefer cash, though most take cards

  • Try something new: Don't be shy! Most shop owners are delighted to recommend dishes for Korean food newcomers

The Perfect Loop

A comfortable route: Station → High Street Korean strip → Kingston Road → circle back via Burlington Road (if you venture a little further you'll find my friends from the Sri Lankan Community - that's for another time) → stop at one of the parks (Blagdon Recreation Ground is my favourite for a post-lunch sniff about).

Total walking time: About 45 minutes at a gentle pace, but you'll want to linger for 2-3 hours to really soak it all in.

Oh, and if you've got any room left, stop in to Barnaby & Boo's for a scoop of Hackney Gelato or a coffee!

New Malden might be just eight miles from central London, but it offers something genuinely different – a warm, welcoming community that's opened its doors and kitchens to curious visitors. Whether you're a Korean food veteran or trying it for the first time, this neighbourhood delivers an authentic, accessible experience that'll have you planning your return visit before you've even left.

Now, if you'll excuse me, all this talk of food has made me rather peckish. Time to give my human those irresistible schnauzer eyes...

Woof and waggy tails, Barnaby 🐾

Keywords: Korean New Malden, Korean food London, family-friendly food tour, New Malden restaurants, Korean supermarket London, Korean BBQ London, South West London food, weekend activities London, Korean bakery UK, authentic Korean food, New Malden cafes, Korean community London, ethnic food tour London, Kingston area attractions, dog-friendly New Malden

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