Calong is a relatively new restaurant with delicious food, very pleasant staff and an exceptionally loud space. The adventure to Stoke Newington is likely to be a small journey for most people in London but the tastetiness of the cusine will likely make the trip worth it to most.
On entry there's nothing of real note to comment on. It's a utilitarian space that feels very local. If you happen by the bathrooms you'll have the first hint that it is anything as the kitchen has what seems to be nearly ten people working on the meals but that detail is largely hidden from view.
The food is really good with no misses. Korean food in London is largely terrible so every time there is a place that bucks this trend it is worth shouting about and Calong is absolutely one of those occasions. Even though technically what is on offer here is a fusion of Korean and French cooking techniques, nobody is going to start with the kimchi fritters and think it is anything other than 100% Korean. Dish after dish was packed with flavor: the trout hwey was not disimilar from himachi variations of the dish but fresh and tasty in its own way, the bugolgi onglet was cooked perfectly nad had just enough the marination to make it stand out from other steaks you've enjoyed, and the korean fried chicken was to die for; I don't think I've ever had fried chicken before where the ratio of lightly crispy batter to delicious, juicy and moist bird was that perfect. Honestly, my favorite dish of the evening was vegetable pancake with fennel - so simple yet so unique with a aioli-like sauce on top that I could have eaten for the rest of the evening.
What's not to like? This place is popular and the space is loud. You will be shouting to talk to your dinner party. I'm happy that they're being rewarded for their efforts with lots of patrons but man, this is not a quiet night out.
Overall, fantastic. Only Migas in Hackney is comparable in what they do with Korean food and even then I think the balance tips in favor of Calong. Go try it. It'll be hard to find anything Korean or Korean-adjacent this good anywhere else in London. read more