Restaurant Review: Kimchi Cult!, 14 Chancellor Street, Partick, Glasgow

By Emma @glasgowfoodie

Kimchi_cult_Sweet_gochujang_hot_Sauce_chicken

A taste of Korea in Glasgow

Just off Byres Road in the west end of Glasgow is Kimchi Cult, which, from its niche signage font looks like it’s straight out of a comic (possibly John Miller of Khaki Shorts fame).
Kimchi_cult_outside

Step inside where there are three tables plus seats at the window. It must have one of the smallest sit-in seating areas in Glasgow seating 10 at a push.
Kimchi_cult_inside2

We settled down with our menus as wave upon wave of takeaway orders were picked up – this is a popular place. They have a choice of Korean dishes, westernized variations and Korean teas and Asian juices like Pocari Sweat and Aloe Vera juice.

Kimchi_cult_Menu

We ordered the pork belly bao, tasty pork surrounded by pickled cucumber, hoisin sauce, sriracha sauce and a fluffy bun served with a side of homemade Kimchi.

Mr Foodie was starving so a sizzling bowl of Bimbibap was ordered. Rice, vegetables, Korean gochujang sauce – the sweet and savoury Korean chilli sauce, kimchi, egg and seaweed and just like the stuff he chowed on when he visited Seoul.   A huge portion for the price – some had to be placed in a doggy bag for afters!

Tangy, fragrant and filling

Chicken thighs with gochujang sauce and a portion of the soy glazed chicken was also ordered. Both had a crisp, crunchy exterior covering meltingly soft chicken inside.  Two large chicken thighs per portion provided excellent value.

Cheesy kimchi fries provided some carbs. The in-house kimchi had a kick but was also sweet and tangy.  Ideal kimchi for starting out – and worked surprisingly well with the chips in that it didn’t turn them to mush like we’ve had in other places.

Overall, we all enjoyed our filling lunch. Lots of tasty dishes to pick from with non spicy options for those with delicate taste-buds.   There are gluten-free and vegetarian options available too and if you intend to sit-in you’d best book but bear in mind that there’s no toilet.

TL;DR

+ Perfectly crisp chicken thighs
+ Good portion sizes
+ Tangy authentic-tasting kimchi
+ Korean tea and Asian drinks

– Closed Sunday and Monday
– Don’t expect to just turn up for a table. Booking essential
– No toilets

Location:
14 Chancellor Street, Glasgow, G11 5RQ

Kimchi Cult!

Contact:
0141 258 8081

Opening Hours:
Tue–Sat noon–9.30.
Closed Sun/Mon.

Website : www.kimchicult.com

Transport:
Near to Kelvinhall Underground Station
First Bus 2, 3, 8, 15, 17, 77, 90