Insider's Pick
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Shot by a City Insiders curator.
Calong
★ 5.0(1 review)Restaurant
cozycreativelocal
About the Vibe
Calong is where East London’s anti-establishment vibe meets serious culinary ambition. Chef Joo Young Won (ex-Galvin at Windows) is pulling off something genuinely clever here: a Korean-European mashup that never feels gimmicky. Think kimchi fritters with a crispy bite, pork terrine with Korean ssamjang, and hwangtae croquettes that are equal parts nostalgic and inventive. It’s a small, warm room where the menu changes with the seasons and the wine list stays tight and ethical.
Known For
- •kimchi fritters
- •hwangtae croquettes
- •Korean-European fusion
- •seasonal British ingredients
Best For
date nightfoodie explorationsmall group dinners
1 review
City InsidersEditorialApril 8, 2026
A Korean-European fusion gem in Stoke Newington
Calong is the kind of place you tell your food-obsessed friends about with a conspiratorial grin. Chef Joo Young Won has created something that’s equal parts French technique and Korean soul without ever feeling like a gimmick. The kimchi fritters are a masterclass in texture—crisp, funky, and served with a chili mayo that hits just right. Pair that with the hwangtae (dried pollock) croquettes, which somehow manage to be both comforting and exciting, and you’ve got a meal that lingers in your memory long after you leave. The space itself is unpretentious but thoughtfully curated, with exposed brick and wall-mounted coat hooks that nod to the neighborhood’s character. It’s not a big menu, but every dish feels intentional.