14 November 2025
Share
The Bib Gourmand award is our way of recognising restaurants that offer good food at a great price. While all Bib Gourmands are unique in style and approach, they share the same spirit of generosity and a commitment to quality cooking. That’s why, in this series, we’re highlighting the MICHELIN Guide Inspectors' Bib of the Month. These restaurants are the bedrock of our selection, providing an affordable dining option that doesn’t skimp on precision, skill or flavour. From cosy pubs to buzzing counters, we’ve got a Bib for you.
Our latest Bib of the Month is Miga in Hackney, London. This family-run Korean restaurant packs big flavours into its small space, led by father Hyun Sang Ko in the kitchen. Below, a MICHELIN Guide Inspector explains why Miga is such a delight.
“This is one of those restaurants that you get a good feeling about as soon as you step through the door. It’s run by a dedicated and enthusiastic family and this love for their food and their restaurant is palpable in dishes that are prepared with care and a focus on strong ingredients. During my visit, I loved how straightforward and fresh-tasting each plate was, with abundant flavour in even the simplest of things. The staple kimchi was a great example, brought to life with a moreish vibrancy.”
To learn more about the Ko family’s story, we spoke to one of the sons, Jae, about the restaurant.
What was the idea behind Miga? How would you describe your restaurant’s approach to food and cooking?
We thought it was about time London knew what good Korean food is. Using Dad's fundamental knowledge of what Korean food should be and the skills he's learnt over 35 years, we brought Miga from SW to East London.
What do you think are the core principles of great Korean food? What can diners find at Miga that they might not find elsewhere?
It’s the same as any good food; it’s down to the chef’s palate. How can you make great food if you don’t know what great food tastes like? We get our palate from our Nan,
Dad’s mum. We’ve been serving food for five generations now. Coincidence? I think not!
Miga is a family business through and through. What’s it like working together as a family?
It's exactly what it says on the tin. It's a family business. It's no different to how we grew up. Us all stuck in a small room, just with more family members.
How would you describe the atmosphere at Miga? What kind of experience do you want your guests to have?
Bit of a giggle. Feels like a home, because it is our home. We spend more time here than at our own house. We hope customers feel welcome within our four walls, with the comfort of knowing that Dad gives his best to the food that customers are about to eat.
What price range can customers expect and how are you able to keep your prices affordable?
You can get away with £30 per head, including drinks, and leaving full. We keep costs down because of how much we work. Cause and effect – it's simple. You can tell when someone has put love into food. Things can only taste good when you put time and effort into it. We don't fool around with people's hard-earned money.
What does the future hold for you and Miga?
We're looking to relocate to a bigger premises so we can really showcase what Dad can produce. Let's get this bread!
Hero Image: A dish from Miga, an affordable Korean restaurant in London. © Minu Han
