There’s a new sizzle in Manchester, and it’s not coming from a steakhouse or a trendy tapas bar; it’s from a Korean BBQ grill that’s about to become the city’s hottest dining destination. From the team behind the viral Korean street food brand Bunsik, Bullgogi brings the essence of Seoul’s vibrant dining culture straight to Piccadilly Plaza, with a dash of modern luxury and plenty of flame.
Bullgogi isn’t just a meal; it’s a performance. Guests gather around tabletop grills, transforming dinner into an interactive feast. It’s a celebration of togetherness, cooking, sharing, and chatting over sizzling cuts of premium meat and marinated seafood. At 165 covers, this is the largest Korean BBQ restaurant in the UK, yet it somehow manages to feel intimate, all flickering flames and lively conversation. The restaurant’s name fuses Bull (strength, vitality) with Gogi (the Korean word for meat), and that spirit runs through the menu. With sleek digital ordering screens at every booth, Bullgogi combines tradition with tech in a way that feels effortlessly current, a nod to Seoul’s culinary modernism.
Helmed by South Korean–born chef Hans Boo, the kitchen exudes confidence and authenticity. Boo’s passion for sharing true Korean flavours shines through in every bite from the first caramelised edge of beef sizzling on the grill to the delicate heat of a house-made kimchi. For lunch, the Hansang Set Menu offers a refined yet generous experience. Inspired by the sang, a traditional low Korean dining table, each tray arrives as a perfectly balanced symphony of textures: a main dish — perhaps Bibimbap, Spicy Pork, or Kimchi Jjigae surrounded by a constellation of side dishes. Small plates also impress. The Prawn Pancake is light yet indulgent, while the Cheese Potato Pancake, gooey, golden, and dangerously addictive, is a must-share (though you won’t want to). For noodle lovers, Gim Guksu’s buckwheat ribbons glisten in perilla oil and seaweed, while Kal Bibim Myun offers a fiery tangle of wheat noodles and squid, laced with perilla seed powder for an earthy lift.
To complete the experience, the bar leans into Korean mixology with Soju-based cocktails and the popular Somaek, a playful beer-and-soju concoction that pairs perfectly with smoky meats. Guests can even create their own mix, choosing from curated Soju and Korean beer combinations, a ritual that’s both social and delicious. With its blend of authenticity, theatre, and innovation, Bullgogi Manchester is more than just a restaurant; it’s an event.
Whether you’re a Korean BBQ aficionado or a curious newcomer, expect to leave with full bellies, glowing cheeks, and the irresistible scent of smoke clinging to your clothes like a memory of Seoul nights. Manchester, get ready, Bullgogi is about to turn up the heat.
Bullgogi Manchester | 6A Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester M1 4AH
