Who is chef Dana Choi on Great British Menu 2026?
As we come towards the end of the regional stages of Great British Menu 2026, we find out more about chef Dana Choi, who is representing London and the South East.
Last year, Jean Delport won the region and took two dishes through to the banquet, setting a high bar for this year’s chefs.
Dana Choi is head chef of Jang at The Royal Exchange, a contemporary Korean and Japanese restaurant in London known for combining heritage flavours with modern techniques and the best of British produce.
Early career and cooking background
Born in Gwangju, South Korea, Dana trained in traditional Korean cuisine before moving to London to expand her career. That classical grounding gave her a strong foundation in the flavours, techniques and discipline of Korean cooking, which continue to shape her food today.
In London, she gained experience in prestigious kitchens including The Square, the two-Michelin-starred restaurant under Phil Howard, and Jinjuu Soho with chef Judy Joo. Those roles helped her refine her technique while also developing a broader understanding of how to blend cultural influences in a polished, contemporary way.
Cooking at Jang
At Jang at The Royal Exchange, Dana leads a restaurant that brings together Korean and Japanese flavours with British ingredients. Her menus reflect that balance, with dishes ranging from Korean barbecue and sushi platters to dry-aged steak served with Korean condiments.
The restaurant’s name, “Jang”, is the Korean word for sauce, a detail that reflects Dana’s focus on fermentation, seasoning and deep savoury flavour. That emphasis runs through her cooking, giving the menu a strong identity rooted in heritage while still feeling modern and relevant to London’s dining scene.
Style and identity
Dana’s cooking style is refined, modern Korean fine dining. Her dishes are elegantly plated and grounded in the traditions she trained in, while also embracing contemporary techniques and the diversity of London’s restaurant culture.
That combination of heritage and modernity is central to her approach. At Jang, she brings precision, depth of flavour and a strong sense of personal identity to a menu that looks both to her roots and to the city in which she now cooks.
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Dana Choi on Great British Menu 2026
In Great British Menu 2026, Dana represents London and the South East, competing against Josh Hughes, Abbie Hendren and Vince Smith for a place in finals week.
Aktar Islam, chef patron of the two-Michelin-starred Birmingham restaurant Opheem, is the veteran judge for the London and South East region.
Dana’s menu celebrates the romantic comedy genre, with dishes inspired by director Richard Curtis.
With classical training, experience in top London kitchens and a style that blends Korean heritage with modern fine dining, she will be aiming to make a strong impression in the closing stages of the competition.
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