Lunch in Derby of Korean fried chicken and lychee pop is terrific treat that I can’t wait to enjoy again
The menu is packed with authentic dishes including budae jjigae stew and bibimbap rice bowl loaded with vegetables and meat
Erratic weather means figuring out what to eat can be even more tricky. Is it too cold for salad, or too hot for soup?
It feels like a typical day sees numerous different seasons in the space of 24-hours, packed with alternating summery sunshine, autumnal evenings and spring showers.
I was in Derby one weekend and the weather of sunshine interspersed with showers and cooler temperatures had put me in an indecisive dining mood.
I found myself at Omomo on The Strand, which serves authentic Korean dishes and bubble tea.
Dishes on the menu include bibimbap rice bowls, bao buns, noodles and casserole style Army Stew served table-side.
I was glad I visited, because the eatery, which has an average of five stars on Tripadvisor - at the top end of the rating scale - has been wowing Derby locals since it opened in January 2024.
Floor to ceiling windows renders the dining area a beautiful, breathtaking spot.
You can people-watch by sitting near the window, sipping a range of soft drinks, coffee or wine.
I had a small, four-piece portion of Signature Korean Fried Chicken in garlic butter honey, a flavour combination I haven’t seen before.
I have decided that you honestly cannot beat freshly fried chicken.
I bit into crisp, chewy batter, bathed in a subtly sweet garlic butter, to find succulent, steaming hot chicken.
It was delightful and not at all what I was expecting, because I’m not the biggest fan of honey, but it really worked.
The chicken was served with in-house spicy mayonnaise coleslaw, which I discovered could be made vegan.
As I had spent the morning outdoors covering an event, I was a little chilly, thanks to single digit temperatures.
My miso soup was packed with punchy umami flavours and it warmed me up right away.
A surprise drink that I loved was lychee flavoured pop, which was perfectly carbonated and which felt like a treat.
Service was excellent and really efficient. The venue itself is welcoming and a lovely place to chill out in too.
I cannot wait to return and explore more of the menu, a giant well done to the Omomo team for providing a great dining experience to the people of Derby.
What we ate at Omomo Derby
Signature Korean Fried Chicken (small, four pieces + one sauce) £6.50
Miso soup £3
Location: Omomo Korean Street Food & Bubble Tea, 16 The Strand, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 1BE
For more information visit Omomo’s Facebook page by clicking here.