Founded by JC Bae and David Kim, Seaweed Roastery will specialise in gim, traditional Korean seaweed, roasted fresh in-store. Customers will be able to watch the roasting process, with each sheet inspected before being prepared.
Located less than 200 ft from the British Museum, the business will offer three varieties: Classic Seaweed, a thin everyday snack sheet; Green Seaweed, blended with green sea lettuce; and Gimbap Seaweed, a thicker, unroasted variety designed for making Korean rice rolls.
Seaweed will be available roasted and unroasted, with customers able to customise roasted seaweed with different flavours. Prices will start at £1 per sheet with multi-buy options including three sheets for £2.50 and six for £4.50.
The menu will also include freshly prepared gimbap made to order, with fillings such as pork belly, tofu and bulgogi, alongside Korean cup-bap – rice bowls topped with a choice of fillings and crispy seaweed flakes.
The concept, which will operate as a grab-and-go format, alongside dine-in seating, will initially offer 25 covers, with a further 12 planned when its basement floor opens. Seaweed Roastery has also launched an online shop.
The seaweed is sourced from Korea, where it is grown on ropes between November and March. After harvesting, it is washed, chopped and dried into sheets before being sent to London for roasting.
The Museum Street site also has a personal connection for Kim, who worked there making gimbap 20 years ago.