Girdy & Birdy had a meeting down Newington way, and decided to see what was around the area for a bite to eat afterwards. It worked out extremely well when they found Kim’s Mini Meals!
When we first decided to pop into Kim’s Mini Meals, I was totally unprepared for what to expect!
I didn’t even know I was about to eat Korean food until I sat down at the table and looked at the menu – but I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food we received.
Girdy had kind of led the way here, and I suspect he already had an inkling of where he wanted to check out, but he assures me that’s not the case!
Kim’s Mini Meals’ vibe
I’ve since learned Kim’s Mini Meals is a small, family-run business and it does have a very homely, friendly vibe about it, which is nice.
I feel like the video to the right is an accurate representation of the feel of the place. Were the meals particularly mini? No. They were very filling!
It was a Monday night, and relatively quiet when we first arrived, but throughout the evening it got busier, with some customers who were clearly regulars.
The staff were welcoming, and happy to guide us both through the menu, which was lovely.
Kim’s Mini Meals’ food & drink
The menu is relatively straightforward in terms of meal choices, and I like that there’s just enough there not to be overwhelming. I was a little bit unsure about the spice levels, but I was reassured by the helpful staff that they could tone down or spice up a dish however we liked it.
I chose to make my squid and pork belly bulgogi on the milder side, whereas Girdy said he’d wanted his beef bulgogi ‘very spicy’. I wasn’t sure how he’d react to the spice level when the food came out, but he seemed to be fine with it.
In fact, we both enjoyed our bulgogis very much, and I needn’t have worried about the spice level for me, as it turned out to be just right. And now, I’ve learnt about a different Korean meal that I can eat and really enjoy! My plan is to come back here with my partner one evening, as I think he’d really like it a lot.
Before our mains came out, we were also served a nice little platter of starters, which we both really enjoyed, too. I couldn’t tell you now what some of them were, but the one in the middle is kimchi.
Kim’s Mini Meals’ staff
The staff at Kim’s Mini Meals were friendly and efficient, but also left us to enjoy our meals and have a good chat, which was appreciated. When our mains were over, we were simply served with the bill and a couple of sweets – there are no desserts here, but that’s fine.
Kim’s Mini Meals is a straightforward, no-frills Korean restaurant that just works. The food is delicious, served quickly and efficient, and there’s a community feel about it from some of the chat overheard with regulars.
Things to do near Newington
There’s a few things to see and do around Newington, such as charming local shops, dessert places like Scoopz, and Summerhall – where there’s often something on.
If you walk further towards the city centre, there’s the Surgeon’s Hall museums, the National Museum of Scotland, and all the main city centre attractions where you’re really spoilt for choice.
Or, if the mood takes you, you can always go for a lovely walk through the Meadows to get in your 10,000 steps in for the day!
Overall
Myself and Girdy both really enjoyed our meal at Kim’s Mini Meals, which is a bit of a hidden gem in the Newington area. And, although the name was slightly misleading, my bulgogi felt like a robust and satisfying meal – not mini by any means!
As I write this, I’m thinking of going back for another mixed meat bulgogi. Yum!
Kim’s Mini Meals, Buccleugh Street
Summary
Kim’s Mini Meals is a hidden gem in the Newington area, serving delicious, simple Korean food in a homely, welcoming setting. Nicely done!
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