Small plates of expertly created Korean fusion food are dispatched in style at Bada Tapas in a quiet side street in the heart of Godalming. Match this with impeccable service, friendly staff and a beautifully managed menu.
If you love Asian flavours, sharing plates and an altogether different dining style then this eatery is for you. Many of the dishes also have a seriously healthy vibe and the presentation is delightful. Think edible flowers, micro-leaves and delicately placed squirts of delicious flavour catapulting sauces.
Having lived in Asia for many years I grieved the lack of pan Asian dining when I returned home in 2005. I loved the fact that in Asian Cities like Singapore and Taipei you could find a great selection of fusion dining options that gave you amazing Asian cuisine but the setting of a more relaxed dining experience. I love street food but sometimes you want more than a small red plastic stool, floodlights and a melamine table to make your meal more of an occasion. This finally fills the gap here for me.
I saw Bada Tapas on instagram and I have followed them since they opened and was immediately intrigued by the idea of a tapas bar based around Korean cuisine but was not quite sure of the concept. I cannot for the life of me understand why it took me so long to visit but I am so very glad we did. In August this year I was looking for a light dinner and booked a table. From the minute we stepped in we were taken with the décor, layout, drinks menu and service. Water arrived immediately (infused with cucumber, lemon and fresh mint) drinks order taken and dispatched. Drinks served we are then taken on a swift tour around the restaurant concept by native Korean and owner Jihyun Kim who created and holds the concept together.
Jihyun came to the UK in 2005 to learn English at a language school in Central London after completing a degree in interior design back home. Living in Clapham she got a job in a Chinese restaurant to help pay for her stay. After two years she had planned to return home to South Korea and found she just was not ready to leave. Having mastered English she got a job at Habitat in the Kings Road in sales. By this time and pivotal to her story her relationship had become serious with her boyfriend and they decided to tie the knot. She had met her now husband Michal while working at the Chinese restaurant and in the meantime he had started working with a wholesale fish company who bought their stock from Billingsgate Market and distributed to restaurants and fish shops outside London and in particular in Surrey. When the Godalming fish shop one of his wholesale customers came up for sale Michal decided to take it on. It gave the couple a chance to move out of London too. One of the fish shops customers was a Spanish Tapas bar in Queen Street who had decided to close so the business was up for a new owner and Bada was born.
With no family history of the hospitality trade Jihyun and her husband decided to stick with the restaurants current theme of small plates but give it an Asian Fusion Twist. In Korea Jihyun explained, families eat together with sharing plates so it was a concept that she understood. They also knew how a restaurant worked because of their experience together in London. Korean food has a lot of seafood and fish dishes integral to it so with Michal supplying the business they would have a fantastic advantage for many of their dishes. With Jihyun’s knowledge of interior design they managed to create a really stylish dining room from their small budget. They named the business Bada, the Korean word for sea since so many of the dishes were based around fresh fish.
Now lets talk about the food, firstly the menu is based on tapas (small plates) so it’s a place to come and share if you want to. I have been to restaurants with friends who don’t like to do this and that would work equally well here too. The main printed menu is supported by seasonal specials on the blackboard. Specials are usually a fish, meat and vegetarian dish. The main menu is split into three sections with snack items appearing first. From more recognisable edamame beans (young green soybeans) steamed and served with a sprinkle of sea salt £4 to crisp lotus root crisps £4.50 or a plate of fresh rock oysters at £6 for 12.
The sharing plates menu (tapas) is split between fish, meat and poultry and vegetarian. For me the fish is the reason to come here. The freshest organic Scottish salmon marinated in teriyaki sauce is cooked to perfection and served with some al dente sugar snap peas £9 and from the specials board a fillet of sea bass on a green curry sauce £10. What sets these dishes apart is the super fresh fish which is beautifully executed in the kitchen. Presentation is faultless and it’s clear that Jihyun and her team really care about the food they serve plus it’s consistently good. Other specials might include gyoza style dumplings filled with slow cooked beef shin and a beetroot and wasabi sauce (gorgeous) £10 or roasted blue skin pumpkin with a satay sauce £9 satisfyingly spicy with a creamy finish. Going back to the main menu the pan fried scallops with a signature sauce £10 are not to be missed; served plump, tender and perfectly seasoned or the bulgogi and classic Korean dish of marinated beef in soy with carrots and mushrooms served in a lettuce leaf to pick up and eat £8.50. From the vegetarian side of the menu choose kimchi pancake or vegetable dumplings both £7.50 among a mouthwatering range of meat free options.
For accompaniments add sticky rice £4 or sweet potato fries £5.50 for fillers or soy cooked quails eggs £5, kimchi £4 or summer rolls £7, perfect if you are avoiding carbs. Taking younger people with you? then mention they have chicken katsu on the menu too at £7 and they’ll hop on board.
The drinks menu here is also carefully chosen. You’ll find familiar wines alongside Korean classics (rice wines and sake) there are no western style wines produced in Korea yet but that might change. Add a really interesting cocktail list with wasabi cucumber martini or a chili margarita. The Bada colada sounds intriguing too; a mix of rice wine with rum, pineapple juice and coconut all at £11 or choose from the Mocktail list at £5.50. Although I am a big fan of local a Japanese gin garnished with fresh ginger or Kombucha a slightly sparkling fermented tea also appeal.
There is a small dessert menu which is definitely worth your perusal. Their berry crème brulee is perfect. Creamy, but not over sweet and topped with a layer of fruit puree. Beautifully presented, this dessert and all the food here is instagram perfection. Other puddings include adzuki bean (red bean) chocolate brownie with dark chocolate and dates. Very trendy ingredients plus its gluten free both at £6.50. You could also opt for Korean pancakes with peanuts. Fresh mint tea or barista coffees are also on offer to finish.
This is a restaurant that should definitely be on your radar. Everything here is prepared freshly from scratch and cooked to order apart from dishes like the slow cooked pork (delicious). This is a rare treat in a climate where high street chains dominate the casual dining scene. Go and support this feisty independent for its innovative menu and focus on serving superbly prepared fresh food.
Bada Tapas
10 Queen Street
Godalming
Surrey GU7 1BD
01483 527526
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