When the Royal Exchange first opened back in 1571, no English person had ever set foot in either Korea or Japan. So it was remarkably far-sighted of them to create an elegantly grand space that seems like it was perfectly designed to fit Jang, the building’s first Korean & Japanese restaurant.
You’ll find it on the stately venue’s north mezzanine level – and it truly is a stately building. If you don’t happen to know it, or work nearby, you’ll find it opposite the Bank of England, and with its towering columns & splendid atrium interior, it feels like you’re stepping into old school London.
Inside, it’s like dining in a jewel box, filled with deep ruby-red velvet chairs and banquettes. And as intimate as it feels, hemmed in by the golden glow of elegant lanterns, the stone arches that leap across the space give it all the grandiose air of an old-world palace. And in terms of its sheer luxuriant majesty, you won’t find many places that can go toe-to-toe with it.
The (presumably also gorgeous) kitchen is being helmed by Korean-born chef Dana Choi. She worked under Judy Joo at her highly rated Jinjuu, and under Phil Howard at the Two Michelin-starred restaurant The Square, before becoming executive chef at Seoul Bird. Here, she’s tapping into her own roots and her love of Japanese cuisine to create a menu that plucks liberally from both.
Things kick off with a Korean-style take on steak tartare which involves gochujang infused with charcoal oil and topped with a delicate rocher of pear-lime sorbet. The chill of the sorbet is a lovely touch, and you can scoop it all up with light charcoal crackers. Then there’s the fried chicken, which is honestly superb – it’s perfectly spiced, and delicately crispy. Then there’s sushi & sashimi (served on an alligator-shaped silver platter loaded with the likes of seared salmon, hamachi, fatty ‘chutoro’ tuna, etc.), and after that the main courses, in which you can get a Korean BBQ of dry-aged sirloin steak with an array of condiments; some delicately spicy miso black cod; or the Iberico pork ‘tower’ – this involves an almost afternoon tea-like stack of platters carrying pork, kimchi, oysters, and crisp lettuce cups to carry it all in.
The Iberico Tower
When it comes to the drinks, it should be pointed out that Jang comes partnered up with a sister venue called Engel. This is their Art Deco-style cocktail bar & performance space inspired by ’20s Berlin’s jazz age. Pop inside the suitably glamorous space and you’ll not only be able to get a twist on a vintage cocktail served up in some show-stopping glassware, but you’re also likely to see some cabaret, jazz, or other lively performances playing out on their stage, too.
Hopefully they’ll both still be here in a few centuries, too.
NOTE: Jang is open now, Monday to Friday. You can find out more and make a booking at the Jang website.
PREVIOUS PERK: Nudge Members (+1) got an exclusive secret soft launch with 50% off the food bill, from 8th July to 22nd July 2024. Not a Nudge Member yet? Sign up for a free 7 day trial.
Jang | Royal Exchange, The City, EC3V 3LQ
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