Cálong brings Korean flair to Stoke Newington Church Street and wins a Bib

Stoke Newington Church Street has long been one of north London's best streets for eating out, and Cálong has given it a fresh reason to celebrate. The Korean neighbourhood restaurant was named among London's new Michelin Bib Gourmands in February 2026, just a year after opening.

Cálong is the first restaurant of chef Joo Won, who spent seven years as head chef at Galvin at Windows in Mayfair, where the restaurant held a Michelin star. A trip to Korea with Fred Sirieix and the Galvin brothers helped spark the idea of opening a place of his own.

Before finding a permanent home, Cálong ran as a pop up, serving French and European cooking harmonised with subtle Korean flavours. Its signature dish from those days was a kimchi risotto. The restaurant then opened on 21 February 2025 at 35 Stoke Newington Church Street, in the former Rubedo site.

The food blends classic technique with Korean flavours. Dishes served have included a pressed sweet soy pork terrine with lettuce and ssamjang, pan seared pollock with mussel and courgette jjamppong, and "JFC", Joo's fried chicken thigh with sweet chilli sauce and coriander.

Critics took notice quickly. In The Guardian, Grace Dent called Cálong "a delicious, Korean-flecked hotch-potch", singling out the kimchi fritters and an excellent griddled onglet, and comparing a seafood jjamppong with aïoli to a spicy bouillabaisse. The Evening Standard described the fried chicken as near perfect and praised the value and local appeal.

Harden's lists Cálong as a Korean influenced bistro and wine bar, and notes its good prices for locals. The Bib Gourmand, which recognises restaurants offering excellent value for the quality of their cooking, confirms that reputation.

The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Sunday, with lunch on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as well as dinner from Wednesday to Saturday. It is a small, relaxed room, which suits the neighbourhood feel that Joo Won set out to create, and it is a fine reason to linger on one of Hackney's most characterful streets.

Cálong is at 35 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0NX. To book, visit calonglondon.com or follow @calonglondon on Instagram.