Cherry Chews: CheeMc is a simple set up for comfort Korean food in London

Elephant and Castle may be off the beaten track if you’re visiting London tourist hotspots, but don’t miss CheeMc for a Korean banquet.

CheeMc’s Tteokbokki. Image: Molly Raycraft for Cherry Chu Magazine.

If you walk along the high street of Elephant and Castle (otherwise known as Wandsworth Road) you’ll find a simple Korean restaurant called CheeMc.

In fact, I passed this restaurant regularly for more than two years without even realising it was there. While that may sound like poor marketing or perhaps some inattentiveness on my part, I assure you it’s not. It’s actually a reassuring sign. CheeMc is not one of these swanky upmarket Asian fusion joints. It’s a no thrills, comfort eating experience with food authentic enough to get Koreans in London through the door, as well as residents in the local area. Having been a staple of the very limited Korean dining scene in Elephant and Castle for more than a decade, it’s word of mouth that’s collected a strong client base for this restaurant. 

Now, as Korean food no doubt continues to gain traction across the city, it's opened up a second branch in Soho (which you’re bound to see reviews of if you follow any of the Korean TikTok stars of London). However, let’s focus on the humble Elephant and Castle store, which is much less crowded away from the hustle and bustle of central London.

CheeMc prides itself on its alternative to traditional Kentucky fried chicken. Image: Molly Raycraft for Cherry Chu Magazine.

‘Be excited with Korean!’

Inside CheeMc you’ll find a fairly simple set up; namely wooden tables adorned with alternating South Korean and UK flags. Its single showpiece is a neon light wall art piece highlighting its speciality chicken: “Been tired of Kentucky? Be excited with Korean!!”. And of course, as is the standard with K-restaurants of the day, you’ll usually find the latest K-pop playing away in the background.

CheeMc doesn’t really do reservations, which usually makes planners like me nervous, however I’ve always managed to get a table. The restaurant also always does takeaway, just in case you find yourself in dire straits with no seats left available.

A celebration of both the UK and South Korea. Image: Molly Raycraft for Cherry Chu Magazine.

The menu at CheeMc is extensive, so if you’re coming with others it’s probably best to order a selection of dishes to share (with a doggy bag always an option if you can’t finish it all). It’s also reasonably priced in comparison with the average cost of dining in London these days.

Opt for tteokbokki which can be ordered with a topping of stringy mozzarella — the perfect combination with chewy rice cakes, soft eggs, and fish cakes in their slightly tangy sauce. The serving comes in a huge dish and is more than enough for two people. Another classic is, of course, the bibimbap. Here that comes with a fully fried egg; mix that golden yolky goodness into the rice as it sizzles against the piping stone bowl.

Instead, perhaps choose one of the multiple jiggaes on offer. The soondubu jiggae in particular has a generous serving of tofu alongside a wide selection of seafood. Plus its spicy kick is perfectly complemented by a plain bowl of white rice, to be dipped into the stew at your discretion. The haemul jeon is also a wise option for anyone looking to start their meal with a crispy side. There’s nothing limp or scarce when it comes to jeons (Korean savoury pancakes) at CheeMc. If you’re not keen on fish, consider the kimchi jeon or pajeon which are equally well done and both plant-based. (Side note: the ‘octopus dough balls’ are also moreish).

Images: Molly Raycraft for Cherry Chu Magazine.

Chicken choices galore

The speciality at this joint is of course fried chicken, which is available in multiple seasonings including honey mustard and sweet soy. Even a half portion of chicken is pretty sizable, so opt to share if possible. The restaurant will also provide you with plastic gloves to ensure you tuck into your meal grease free — just like in the K-dramas.

There are also some rogue options on the menu which aren’t exactly Korean but certainly cater to the tastes of locals in South London. The teriyaki chicken bowl is one such example. The bowl is brimming with chicken laid on a bed of rice with scrambled egg and a generous dose of Kewpie mayo and teriyaki sauce. While you perhaps wouldn’t expect this combo to work, it was certainly delicious. However, it might be one to steer clear of if you’re not into sauce saturation.

Unsurprisingly, CheeMc also caters to the chip lovers of London, providing its own twist on a staple carb. Its cheese chips are tossed in a generous scattering of cheese powder. While this may seem like a bit of an overload with rice and noodles already on the menu, they work well when dipped in so many of the sauces on offer throughout the dishes.

Don’t let the unannounced exterior of CheeMc put you off. This place is the real deal if you’re looking for some good standard Korean food at a fairly affordable price.

Fancy visiting CheeMc? You can find it here:

CheeMc, 310 Walworth Road, London, SE17 2NA

Edited by Gabii Rayner.