Manchester’s dining scene is about to get a major dose of sizzle. This October, Bullgogi – the premium Korean BBQ brand from Maguro Group – will open the UK’s largest Korean BBQ restaurant right in the heart of Piccadilly Plaza. With 165 covers, interactive tabletop grills, and a menu designed for sharing, the new opening promises a dining experience unlike anything else in the city.
For those who have queued for hours at Bunsik, Maguro Group’s viral Korean street food brand that landed in Piccadilly Gardens in 2023, Bullgogi will feel like the natural next step. Where Bunsik brought corndogs and K-snacks to the masses, Bullgogi is all about the fire, flavour, and theatre of authentic Korean barbecue.
The Manchester launch follows the success of the group’s first Bullgogi, which opened in London’s Notting Hill Gate in 2019. Now, with Korean food firmly on the radar of UK diners, the team is doubling down on scale and spectacle.
Fire, flavour, and interaction
At its core, Bullgogi is about more than eating – it’s about cooking together. Each booth is equipped with a built-in grill, allowing guests to sear premium cuts of meat, seafood, and vegetables themselves. It’s interactive, sociable, and deliberately designed to reflect the communal nature of Korean dining culture.
The name itself reflects that ethos: Bull, symbolising strength and vitality, and gogi, the Korean word for meat.
To make the process seamless, Bullgogi Manchester is introducing digital menus at every booth. Mounted tablets will let diners browse dishes, learn about marinades and sauces, and order without missing a beat.
A kitchen led by Korean expertise
Heading up the kitchen is South Korean-born chef Hans Boo, who brings more than a decade of experience and a clear passion for authentic flavours. His menus balance tradition with creativity, offering everything from flame-kissed bulgogi beef to modern noodle dishes.
On the floor, General Manager Kadi Voolaine will lead the Manchester team, having spent the last three years with Bullgogi London. Her role will be to ensure that the scale of the new site never dilutes its warmth or atmosphere.
Beyond the grill
While Korean BBQ takes centre stage, the menu stretches far beyond it. Small plates, hearty noodle bowls, and set menus offer plenty of choice for those seeking variety.
Highlights include:
- Hansang Set Lunch – Inspired by sang, a traditional low dining table, this tray presents a full meal: a main dish such as Bibimbap, Kimchi Jjigae or Spicy Pork, alongside a generous selection of side dishes. With 10 mains to choose from, it’s a flexible way to explore Korean flavours.
- Korean Pancakes – Designed for sharing, these include classics like Prawn Pancake and a comforting Cheese Potato version.
- Signature Noodles – From Gim Guksu (buckwheat noodles with seaweed and perilla oil) to Kal Bibim Myun (wide wheat noodles in spicy sauce with squid and perilla seed powder), these dishes showcase the depth of Korean cuisine beyond barbecue.
Of course, no Korean meal is complete without drinks. Bullgogi Manchester will feature a bar pouring Soju cocktails and Somaek, a hugely popular mix of beer and Soju. Guests can even build their own perfect blend, with combo deals pairing bottles of Soju and Korean beer.
“Fun, sociable, and delicious”
For Maguro Group founder Jae Cho, bringing Bullgogi north is about more than expansion – it’s about meeting the appetite Manchester has already shown for Korean food.
“Since Bunsik opened in 2023, the city has embraced Korean flavours with incredible enthusiasm,” he says. “Korean BBQ is all about gathering around the table, cooking together, and enjoying the moment. It’s fun, sociable, and delicious – and we can’t wait to share that experience with Manchester.”
Opening offers and what to expect
Bullgogi will celebrate its Manchester launch with a soft opening between 3–9 October, operating on a walk-in basis only. Diners visiting during this week will enjoy 30% off the BBQ menu – a generous welcome for those keen to fire up the grills first.
From Friday 10 October, Bullgogi Piccadilly Plaza will officially open for reservations, with the full menu and takeaway service available.
Raising the bar for Korean dining in the UK
As Korean food continues its rise across the UK – from K-dramas boosting curiosity to Gen Z TikTokers snapping up corndogs – Bullgogi is arriving at just the right time. The Manchester opening combines scale, authenticity, and technology in a way that few other restaurants attempt, setting a new benchmark for Korean dining.
With its buzzing location, theatre-style cooking, and ambitious menu, Bullgogi isn’t just another addition to Manchester’s food scene – it’s set to be one of its defining dining experiences this autumn.
So whether you’re a seasoned K-food enthusiast or simply curious to try Korean BBQ for the first time, Bullgogi invites you to gather your friends, grab some tongs, and turn up the heat.
