After what feels like a particularly stubborn spring, the May forecast is finally showing genuine signs of warming up. Looking at the weeks ahead, the weekends are shaping up beautifully, and we're even promised two solid weeks of consistently comfortable, mild temperatures. In the UK, that means one thing: it’s time to uncover the grill.
But while the sudden arrival of good weather usually triggers a frantic dash to the supermarket for whatever burgers are left on the shelves, hosting a May Bank Holiday (2026 all bank holidays here) barbecue doesn't have to be a stressful, day-long operation.
If you're tired of spending hours marinading meat and hovering over thick steaks that inevitably end up blackened on the outside and undercooked in the middle, trading the traditional British BBQ for a Japanese and Korean-inspired (what's the difference between Japanese / Korean BBQ to English BBQ?) setup makes a lot of sense.
Before we get to the food, let’s talk logistics. If you're planning to take advantage of this upcoming warm spell in London or across the UK, here is how to get your setup right.
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The practicalities: Gear and locations
Cooking thin cuts on a standard BBQ
The secret to Asian-style BBQ is the thin cut, which cooks in seconds and stays incredibly tender. However, there’s a catch: these delicate slices can easily slip through the wide grates of a standard UK garden BBQ.
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The fix: If you're using a standard gas or charcoal grill, invest in a cast-iron plancha (griddle plate) or a reusable mesh grill mat. Alternatively, this style of cooking is practically made for tabletop electric grills or compact portable models like the Weber Q1200.
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Navigating London's BBQ rules
For Londoners, finding a spot can be tricky. With many borough councils strictly banning disposable barbecues in public parks to protect the grass, your best bet is a private garden or a balcony. If you're restricted to a balcony, a smokeless electric grill is the most neighbour-friendly option. Because thinly sliced meats like ox tongue and flat iron cook so quickly, they produce far less lingering smoke than a thick, fatty sausage, making them the ultimate balcony-friendly choice.
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The food: Bypassing the prep work
To take the guesswork out of outdoor hosting during these upcoming sunny weekends, we’ve put together two distinct BBQ delivery kits. Both are designed to completely bypass the prep work, shifting the focus back to where it should be – sitting in the sun with a cold drink.
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Depending on your grilling style, you can choose between two setups:
For the flavour chasers: Korean Table BBQ - The Marination (£49.00)
If you love the sticky, savoury-sweet profile of an authentic Korean BBQ, this is the one to go for. Serving up to three people, it leans heavily into pre-seasoned cuts, featuring marinated Galbi, flat iron, and Iberian pork collar. Because the hard work of balancing the marinades is already done, these slices caramelise beautifully the moment they hit the hot plate. You just need to keep an eye on them, flip, and eat.
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For the meat purists: Korean Table BBQ - The Classic (£59.00)
This is slightly larger (serving 3-4) and acts more like a premium Yakiniku tasting menu. Alongside a few marinated options, it focuses on high-quality, unseasoned cuts – notably the thin-cut ox tongue and short ribs. Cooking these plain allows you to really appreciate the natural marbling of the meat, needing nothing more than a quick dip in sesame oil or citrusy Ponzu straight off the grill.
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The full setup
Whichever box you choose, a solid spread of accompaniments is just as crucial as the meat. Both kits arrive fully loaded with the classic Korean 'ssam' elements: crisp lettuce, spring onions, kimchi, and savoury ssamjang paste for wrapping the grilled meat. It cuts right through the richness and keeps the whole menu feeling fresh.
We’ve also included Kimchi and Seafood pancakes – a brilliant, easy starter to share while you wait for the grill to get up to temperature.
Everything arrives pre-portioned. It's a remarkably reliable way to feed family and friends without the kitchen chaos. With two weeks of perfect grilling weather on the horizon, these boxes tend to move fast.
You can secure your London BBQ delivery ahead of the weekend right here.
