Old Justice is a bit of a mixed bag. Once a downtrodden good-old East End boozer, it has been given a Korean makeover but is very much a work in progress.

The Venue
A five minute walk from Bermondsey tube station at the end of Bevington Street, Old Justice is tucked away within a housing estate over the river from Wapping. Once a traditional Victorian pub, it is slightly rundown and no refurbishment seems to have taken place before the new Korean menu was introduced. However, the beer garden at the front of the pub is tidy and welcoming, with a few tables, benches and hanging flower baskets.

Inside, there are two rooms with walls covered in wooden panelling, connected by a bar. The back room seems to be unused, but the front contains one long banqueting table and two booths, as well as high chairs at the bar.

The Atmosphere
Old Justice is very rough and ready, and so is the atmosphere. There is a mix of clientele due to the pub's change in direction to Korean food, but drinkers tend to stay in the garden and diners in the front room. The service is attentive and nothing seems too much trouble. It can feel quiet, but a loud, eclectic choice of music makes up for that.

The Food
There are two menus at Old Justice. One contains traditional homemade English sausages, including: beef and Guinness; duck, orange and apricot; and wild venison and red wine. The other menu offers Korean food. With about 20 or so dishes on the list, each meal has a small and large price. The menu indicates that a small may feed one to two people and a large two to three or four. It’s best to ask about portion sizes before ordering.

The menu is diverse. Rice is included in the price and a couple can eat well for about £20. The seafood soup - a really meaty and spicy collection of mussels, whelks, prawns, eel and noodles - could feed a small army, whereas the small dumplings are a decent starter for two people. Meals come with a mix of pickled vine leaves, crispy Chinese cabbage in a red chilli sauce known as Kim Chee, and black beans - dried and strong in flavour. The softened tofu soup is quite an experience; the tofu and chilli oil fusion comes complete with a cracked raw egg. Once mixed thoroughly, it has a rich, velvety texture.

The Drink
The usual suspects are on tap at the Old Justice: Kronenbourg, Fosters, Carling, Strongbow, Stella and Guinness, as well as Bulmers and John Smiths. The fridges carry a full range of bottled cider, including organic, pear and mixed fruit, in addition to a rather dubious blueberry flavour St Helier, which is brilliant blue and has more in common with an alcopop. A pint is about £3, as are bottles. There is a full range of spirits and wine.

The Last Word
This intriguing little pub is only just finding its feet but has a lot of potential, if only for its brilliant food. It is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

venue information venue map view london review write a review