So today we’re heading to New Malden, a suburb on the outskirts of London and just a short drive from home. We’re excited to try the food at Cahchi, a newly-opened Korean restaurant that our friends Neil and Jakki, who live locally, have discovered.
New Malden is famously home to a significant Korean population, one of the highest in Europe. The third series of Killing Eve has Eve (Sandra Oh) living there and begins with a scene of her working in a local restaurant. I was convinced it was somewhere in Asia until the caption came up on the screen – New Malden, England. And as it happens our friend Jakki was also in that scene, she’s Korean you see. So who better to recommend this restaurant and assist in ensuring the best order possible. Inside knowledge rocks! Cahchi has only been open a couple of months and it’s a stylish space bustling with an enthusiastic Korean clientele (and us). The menu takes some perusing with a wide range of exotic-sounding dishes – all of which I wanted to try.
What’s on the menu
To get us in the Korean spirit, a selection of tasty morsels were delivered to the table including spicy potatoes, crunchy bean sprouts, nuts and of course, kimchi. Some of the best kimchi I’ve ever tasted and the good news is that they will refill it as often as you like – you just have to ask.
Jakki chose a wide selection of starters for us to sample, starting with these steamed prawn and chive dumplings. I love a dumpling and it’s fair to say I’ve eaten my share of them since I first discovered these little parcels of joy. Today’s were right up there as some of the best (if not the best) I’ve ever had. So beautifully light and soft with the tastiest of savoury fillings.
Of course you have to have fried chicken in some form if you’re eating Korean (KFC and all that). This is deep fried chicken in chili and honey garlic sauce. Succulent chicken bites with crunch and the most divine sweet, sticky and savoury sauce. Yes all of those at once.
Now this is something I’ve never tasted before – a kimchi pancake. Welcome to my life…I see plenty more of these crisp delights in my future.
From the salad section this is the grilled thinly sliced brisket with shredded spring onion in spicy sesame oil dressing. More incredible flavour and texture combinations.
What’s for mains
Now that was feast of starters to ooh and aah over. On to mains and it had to be Korean BBQ all the way. We went for the marinated BBQ platter, a mix of beef bulgogi, chicken and spicy pork. Delivered raw to the table and expertly chop-sticked onto the piping hot grill in the middle of the table. I so want one of these grills at home, I swear I’d use it all the time.
The DIY barbecue meats are served with lettuce leaves and ssamjang, a thick spicy paste made from fermented soya beans. Once your meat is cooked add it to the lettuce leaf with a helping of the paste, wrap into a parcel of deliciousness and munch. How good does this look?
We were way too replete to even contemplate dessert, this time anyway. But I am certainly contemplating my next visit, there’s way more Korean food out there for me to experience. There’s no shortage of Korean restaurants in the area but my knowledgeable friends tell me this is now firmly their favourite. High praise indeed. Thank you for the fabulous recommendation.
Today’s price point
Okay we were treated by our friends today, I know lucky us. But I can tell you that for all of this food, two bottles of wine, two glasses of prosecco and a raft of beers (and service – which was so lovely, friendly and efficient) we paid less than £50 a head. Great value in times where going out to eat in London is frequently a gasp-inducing exercise financially.
Cahchi Korean BBQ is at 79-81 Kingston Road, New Malden, Surrey.
Thank you Sandy- a wonderfully accurate review of our visit……must do again soon x