Food has a way of transporting you – no passport required, just an open mind (and preferably a big appetite).This July, the grandmother creator who turned her family recipes into a global following is bringing a slice of Seoul’s kitchen culture to Shoreditch.

Heart + Seoul will see Park Mak-rye, better known as Korea Grandma, swap her Seoul kitchen for London’s East End, serving up the recipes, rituals and stories that have made her a cultural icon.

In Korea, food is never just food. It’s a love language, a family affair and a way of keeping traditions alive – often passed down from one generation to the next. After 43 years running a restaurant, Park has built a following by sharing the dishes and memories behind Korean home cooking, proving that the secret ingredient is usually a good story.

Flying into London on Virgin Atlantic’s new direct service from Seoul, the supper club intends to transport guests closer to the real taste of Seoul, with banchan, home-cooked favorites, traditional desserts and drinks served up in an atmosphere inspired by the city’s neighborhood restaurants and family kitchens.

While a dish might introduce you to a culture, it’s the stories around the table that make you stay. Consider this London’s invitation to get Seoul-searching – one bite at a time.

Heart + Seoul takes place in Shoreditch from Friday 10 to Saturday 11 July, with proceeds going to Save the Children. Booking link HERE (with a few walk-ins available each day).

Written by Sandy Aziz