On Saturday we headed down to Better Day, the Korean spot tucked away at 39 Ship Street, just opposite The Ivy. The sun was hitting the corner perfectly, and it already felt like the right place to be for a weekend lunch. As soon as we stepped inside, we were welcomed by Bella. She was bright, cheerful, and instantly ready to answer any questions we had about the menu. The space itself is cosy and inviting, with three booths and plenty of tables for couples, groups, or solo diners. With the big windows letting in all that natural light, it had an easy, relaxed feel before we’d even ordered.
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Looking through the menu, we were impressed – not just by the range of dishes but by the prices too. Everything sits under £14, and the portion sizes more than match the cost.
A little later, Chany, the owner and chef, came out to say hello. He’d been in the kitchen cooking every dish by hand, from scratch, and it shows. He’s genuinely one of the proudest owners I’ve ever met. Hearing him talk about learning to cook from family members and sharing his love of Korean food with Brighton was honestly lovely. We’re very glad he chose to bring it here.
We were offered freshly made soju, a traditional Korean spirit with a punchy 16.9%. We tried the strawberry, grape, and peach flavours. The strawberry and peach were standouts for me, while my friend was obsessed with the grape and strawberry.
For starters, we ordered the kimchi pancake, the crispy tteokbokki (a recommendation from Bella – and thank God she suggested it), and the K-popcorn chicken. The chicken was so tender and flavoursome: perfectly cooked with just the right amount of soy sauce. The kimchi pancake surprised me too – after a couple of bites, the flavour really came alive. For my first savory pancake, I really enjoyed it. But the crispy tteokbokki stole the show. Crunchy on the outside, chewy in the middle… easily one of my favourite things we ate.
For mains, we went all in: the kimchi ramen arrived absolutely packed – noodles, veg, egg, spice, flavour – everything you’d want from a proper ramen. We opted for chicken in it for the extra protein and it was a lovely addition. Then came the beef bulgogi which was incredible. Tender, sweet-savoury beef with sticky rice, sesame seeds and seaweed. Every bite was full of flavour, and I genuinely couldn’t wait for the next one. That dish was my personal favourite, which says a lot considering how good everything else was.
Next up, we tried the Better Day BBQ set. We opted for the pork belly. It arrived with doenjang soup, rice, ssamjang, kimchi, lettuce, and onion, plus a little card explaining how to eat it properly. The soup and sauces had a slight kick – nothing too intense but everything together made it such a fun, hands-on dish to eat.
This was one of the best Korean meals I’ve had in Brighton. It tasted authentic, it was clearly fresh, and you can see Chany cooking everything in the kitchen. His pride in what he does comes through in every single plate.
I can’t recommend Better Day enough. You’re treated warmly, you’re fed properly, and you walk out full and happy. Exactly how a great meal should leave you.
Address: 39 Ship St, Brighton BN1 1AB | Website
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