The aroma of sizzling meats will soon fill Manchester’s Piccadilly Plaza as Bullgogi prepares to open its second U.K. location, billed as the largest Korean barbecue restaurant in the country. Scheduled for an official launch on October 10, the restaurant will seat 165 diners and introduce the interactive dining style that has made Bullgogi popular, where guests grill their own food at the table. Each booth will be equipped with a digital tablet menu, offering convenience alongside the traditional experience of shared cooking.
The Manchester site will be led by Chef Hans Boo, who brings a strong background in Korean cuisine, and site manager Kadi Voolaine, a veteran of Bullgogi’s London branch. Together, they will oversee both the kitchen and front-of-house operations to ensure the restaurant delivers a balance of authenticity and efficiency. Their combined expertise is intended to make the new location both a culinary destination and a well-run operation.
Bullgogi’s menu highlights its Hansang Set Lunch, which features a main dish such as Bibimbap or Kimchi Jjigae served with a variety of side dishes. Diners can also expect a selection of crispy pancakes, including prawn and cheese potato, alongside shareable plates designed to encourage a communal dining atmosphere. Noodle dishes like Gim Guksu and Kal Bibim Myun add to the variety, while the drinks menu introduces soju cocktails and somaek, a refreshing blend of soju and beer.
The restaurant will host a soft launch from October 3 to October 9, allowing walk-in customers to try the barbecue menu at a 30 percent discount through the end of the month. The preview period is designed to build excitement while giving staff an opportunity to refine service before the full opening.
Bullgogi’s arrival in Manchester marks another step in the city’s growing appetite for Korean cuisine, which has seen increasing popularity across the U.K. in recent years. For the Maguro Group, the operator behind the brand, the launch signals an opportunity to expand Korean barbecue beyond London and establish Bullgogi as a leader in immersive dining experiences nationwide.