This Korean barbecue restaurant on the busy Garratt Lane dishes up authentic and innovative cuisine and, adding a little pizzazz, you can have your meat cooked up for you on your own tabletop hotplate.

The Venue
This small neighbourhood restaurant is a welcoming space along the high street in Earlsfield. Look beyond the garish green facade to find a simply and tastefully decorated, fresh and light eatery, with polished timber flooring, neat square tables and delicate design touches like pretty vases, wall art and Korean sculptures. Every now and again, squeals of delight from guests punctuate the din as they are treated to the unique selling point of this restaurant - the traditional Korean barbecue style of cooking that has steam sizzling off the hotplates that form the centrepiece of each table. It not only lends authenticity to the meal but offers an entertaining talking point.

The Atmosphere
Cah Chi is cosy and inviting, with soft Korean music humming in the background and a parade of helpful staff waiting to serve you. They’re always effervescent and chatty, genuinely pleased to share their love of traditional Korean food and recommend their favourite dishes. Popular with the locals, Cah Chi attracts a steady crowd both throughout the week and on weekends. While it’s great for intimate dining, it’s not surprising to find small parties and raucous groups amongst the hotplates.

The Food
Having your tender, marinated slices of tender chicken, beef or pork (or veg) cooked in front of you to enjoy as part of a gut-busting Korean feast is a not-to-be missed event. Eat the main affair the traditional way (as demonstrated by the staff): take a crisp, rounded lettuce leaf, add fresh and crunchy spring onions, slices of ginger, dab with the sweet soybean paste and top with the main affair. You can choose from treats like tenderloin marinated in sesame oil and garlic (£12.50) or the mo-dum hae-mul (£18), a seafood smorgasbord of prawns, mussels, squid, scallop and razor clams in the moreish house cah-chi sauce.

The dishes are designed for sharing, alongside a selection of appetisers and accompaniments. Don’t miss the tangy and spicy pickled radish (£2.40), fresh mushrooms (£2) and pungent garlic paste (£1.80) to add an extra kick to your meal. For appetisers (or for a vegetarian side dish), the ga-ji ku-l (£5.50) is half a grilled aubergine cooked with a homemade miso paste – the soft, spongy and sweet flesh scoops out easily and is a light introduction to a more savoury main. There are lots more options on the extensive from rice dishes to hotpots of noodles and sweet and spicy soups – the menu is refreshingly unique while staying true to traditional Korean cuisine.

The Drink
If you’re a wine connoisseur, it’s best to bring your own as there are only two house choices at £13.70 per bottle and £3.70 per glass. Possibly the best match for your feast though are the Korean herbal wines or the Korean beer OB (£3). There’s also the Japanese brew, Asahi, on draught for £2.80, as well as sake and a great selection of herbal teas.

The Last Word
Simple, stylish and offering superb, authentic cuisine in comfortable local surroundings – Cah Chi is a local pleasure.

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