K-Restaurant Review: Kia’s Cafe, Delhi

Written by: Ayushi Verma and Vedansh Varshney, Delhi

Edited by: Bagmita Gogoi, Tinsukia, Assam

As Indian youth increasingly embrace K-pop and K-dramas, the popularity of Korean culture in India has soared, including a newfound fascination with Korean cuisine. More people are trying Korean dishes after discovering viral Korean food cafes and outlets in various cities, eager to understand the buzz and see if the flavors suit their tastes. Today we’re here with a new restaurant recommendation for all our Korean cuisine enthusiasts residing in Delhi or Delhi-NCR.

Nestled within Lajpat Nagar market in Delhi, Kia’s Cafe proves to be an experience rather than just another Korean restaurant on your checklist. It is a hidden gem that offers a delightful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. It has a friendly staff that welcomes you and guides you through a menu full of mouth-watering Korean foods and drinks. Whether you are an enthusiast of Korean cuisine or simply curious about Kia’s Cafe’s Korean menu, it offers a delightful culinary experience that pleases the senses and warms the heart.

Ambience

The café has a warm, welcoming and soothing atmosphere. As you step through the doors, you experience an ideal fusion of simple pastel-colored interiors and K-pop inspired decor, which will likely excite you if you’re a fan of Korean pop music. It also serves as a great setup for clicking aesthetic pictures as the restaurant features beautiful wall art and posters of Korean pop bands such as BTS, Blackpink, etc.

You can also enjoy the K-pop music playing in the background while enjoying your food or request them to play songs of your choice. In our opinion, this Korean restaurant would serve as an ideal location for relaxation, meeting friends, or organizing small get-togethers and events, where you can enjoy delicious Korean food and refreshing drinks in tranquility.

Let’s talk about all the different Korean dishes our team was curious to try here in the next section!

Food

Stir-Fried Chicken Kimbap

Stir-Fried Chicken Kimbap is a signature Korean dish, combining the rich flavors of stir-fried chicken with the traditional appeal of kimbap. At Kia’s Cafe, we ordered stir-fried chicken kimbap and it was presented beautifully, with each roll neatly sliced and arranged on a sleek ceramic platter. The dish was a perfect blend of flavors and textures, perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy. The vegetables added a refreshing crunch, with the slightly sticky rice that held everything together providing a pleasant chewy base. Overall, our team would highly recommend it. It is a must-try for anyone seeking a delicious and satisfying Korean dish.

Our Rating: 8/10

Cheese Tteokbeokki

Tteokbeokki is a popular Korean dish made from chewy rice cakes, typically simmered in a spicy or tangy red broth. It often includes vegetables like carrots and cabbage, as well as additional ingredients like egg, seafood, or cheese. At Kia’s Cafe, we ordered the Cheese Tteokbeokki and were delighted with its taste. The rice cakes had the perfect level of chewiness, and the gravy was well-balanced, neither too sweet nor too spicy. Our team would recommend trying the Cheese Tteokbeokki when visiting this restaurant.

Our Rating: 8/10

Chicken Teriyaki Dosirak

Dosirak, akin to the Japanese Bento, refers to a Korean lunch box or packed meal that includes rice, various side dishes, and non-vegetarian items like chicken or seafood. The vegetarian version features paneer or vegetable-based dishes instead of non-vegetarian dishes. At Kia’s Cafe, we ordered the Chicken Teriyaki Dosirak, which came with rice, Chicken Teriyaki (served along with sauteed capsicum and bell peppers), and included five side dishes: Kimchi, Pajeon (green onion pancake), coleslaw salad (made from cabbage, red cabbage, carrot mixed with mayonnaise), sliced egg rolls, and sweet rice cake. While the side dishes were delicious, the Chicken Teriyaki was a bit too salty for our taste, which affected the overall enjoyment of our meal.

Our Rating: 7/10

Takeaway

With the surge in popularity of Korean culture among Indian youth, Korean cuisine is also gaining traction as people seek to satisfy their curiosity about the viral Korean dishes they come across on social media. Street vendors, cafes, and restaurants specializing in Korean cuisine are opening up more in various cities across the country. If you live in Delhi or Delhi-NCR, Kia’s Cafe, which is located in Lajpat Nagar, is worth paying a visit for its diverse menu featuring a variety of Korean dishes that you can choose from. The restaurant boasts a soothing ambience with aesthetic and decorative interiors that will make you feel comfortable.

The Korean dishes that were ordered by our team were satisfactory, though not exceptional. However, having tried various Korean dishes at different locations, we acknowledge that the preparation and taste of Korean food can vary by restaurant. It’s worth exploring this outlet to see if it suits your palate. We definitely plan to return to Kia’s Cafe to try more of their offerings!

Embrace the irresistible charm of Korean cuisine and discover why it continues to captivate food enthusiasts worldwide! Share your love for K-food in the comments below—we’re eager to hear about your favorite dishes.