Food / 5 May, 2026 / Ellie Thompson

Hankki Soho Review: A Playful, Hands-On Date Night in London

First Impressions: Casual, Cosy, and a Little Bit Chaotic

Right in the heart of Soho, Hankki brings serious Korean street food energy to Wardour Street. It’s compact, lively, and exactly the kind of place where a date can go from “polite small talk” to “this is actually fun” in about five minutes.

The vibe is buzzy rather than intimate—so if you’re after candlelight and quiet whispers, this isn’t it. But if you want something relaxed, energetic, and a bit different? You’re in the right place.

The Twist: You Cook It Yourself (…Or Don’t)

Here’s where things get interesting: at Hankki, you cook the food yourself.

Yep—interactive dining in the best way. It’s hands-on, fun, and actually a great way to break the ice on a date. There’s something about cooking together that instantly relaxes things and gets you chatting.

And while the whole DIY element is part of the charm, we were lucky enough to have a little help from Kimie, who cooked an amazing spread from across the menu for us. It meant we got the full experience and could properly sit back and enjoy it all.

What We Ordered: Korean Comfort Food Done Right

We fully leaned in and tried a bit of everything.

The Korean spicy chicken, prawns and fried sirloin steak were the clear winners. We also tucked into calamari, beef dumplings and the seafood pancake, which were just as delicious.

This food is designed to be shared, making it ideal for a date. So much less formality, more “try this” moments.

Why Hankki Works for Date Night

What makes Hankki stand out isn’t just the food, it’s the experience.

Cooking together (or watching someone far more skilled do it for you) gives you something to talk about instantly. It breaks the ice without trying too hard and creates those little moments that make a night memorable and refreshingly unpretentious.

Plus, for Soho, it’s surprisingly affordable, so it works just as well for a spontaneous midweek date as it does for a planned night out.

Fun, Flavourful, and Worth the Hype

Hankki is the kind of place you go when you want a date night that actually feels different.

It’s not polished or traditional—but that’s exactly the point. Between the interactive cooking, standout dishes, and lively atmosphere, it delivers something far more memorable than your standard dinner reservation.

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