Hamgipak
169 High Street
New Malden
KT3 4BH
Date of Last Visit: Sunday, 9 November 2008
The Damage: £16 for the three of us
The Background: Some people look at me like I’m crazy when I suggest a trip out to New Malden for Korean food. I’ve been wanting to go since my absolutely amazing trip to South Korea in 2004, where I never once had a bad meal and everything was really more than excellent. Oonth and Limster had both mentioned separately that they’d be up for the field trip, so we made plans to meet at New Malden Station at 12 for a little food crawl.
The Entrance: Hamgipak comes highly recommended by Su Lin so we made that our first stop. And it would prove to be the best stop of the day. Hamgipak is very small–we laughed when Limster asked where the toilets were and was given directions to the alley. When we arrived shortly after 12, it was already more than 1/2 full and the tables would turn twice if not three times before we departed.
The Food: We’re pacing ourselves, so we go with just one Korean pancake and a bowl of spicy soft tofu soup. Both are really really fantastic. Oh, and the banchan–little dishes of kimchee and assorted vegetables–are FREE and plentiful. (I hate it when people charge me for banchan; they’re normally complimentary in Korea.)
The Verdict: I wish there were a central branch. I would go here. A lot.
7 comments
I’m a Brit and even I have no IDEA where New Malden is!?! North, South, East or West?? Sounds like a top place though.
As a Korean, I’m glad that you had a nice experience in Korea. And the fact you are using the word, banchan, is very impressive. I never been Hamgibak though, (ask me if u want other korea restaurant in London)
This looks delicious – and is that the Limster of Chowhound fame that you went with – if so I am betting that you managed to have about 20 different stops – that guy/girl can eat!
So glad you liked it! The last time I was there, I saw three Korean teenagers tucking into a whole lot of steamed buns…they looked divine but I have no idea what they were called on the menu!
Amelia: New Malden is almost exactly 20 minutes from Waterloo, in the direction of Richmond, Wimbledon. Lots of Korean restaurants.
Kay: I will totally take your recommendations! Please let me know what you suggest.
Gourmet Chick: Yup, it was THAT Limster! He’s responsible for organizing a night at L’autre Pied coming up soon. Let me know if you’re interested.
Su-lin: Thanks again for the recommendation! Really, I really really liked it here.
I LOVE recommendations such as this … quality food needn’t be expensive and this is a prime example! Superb post and defo on my list
Tom .::. The Food Flunky
My favourite place in New Malden 🙂 Lucky for me it is just up the road from me. I have just got back from a trip to Korea (& Japan) so will be heading to Hamgipak before too long to top up my chilli & garlic levels!
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