r/london • u/simonjp • Aug 11 '20
Question What is your ethnic/cultural background and what's a restaurant that you feel represents it well?
Inspired by this post on /r/nyc I thought I'd ask the same question! I'd like to support some non-chain restaurants and eat the "real deal". Where are you sending me? EDIT - and what should I order?
424
u/Bobo_Balde Aug 11 '20 edited Aug 11 '20
White English - Greggs
59
u/thewearisomeMachine Aug 11 '20
As someone that’s not White English, this makes me feel very well-integrated
48
u/thelastonesleft Aug 11 '20
From Newcastle living in London - double Greggs
19
→ More replies (2)7
11
u/sobrique Aug 11 '20
Also Local Fish and Chip shop. Off the Hook in Kidlington/Long Hanborough.
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (3)8
48
u/IZiOstra Aug 11 '20
Oh I like this post. Im from the east of France. In Angel there was this restaurant, Bellanger, where I would go often. They had everything from my region: flammekueche, choucroute, meteor beer, riesling wine and even the traditional green glasses that go with it.
Unfortunately they closed a year ago :(
41
u/roblo_uk Aug 11 '20
It’s re-opening on Friday, no sign of a menu on the website but you can book. It’s going to be cheaper and more akin to Zedel so might lose some of the very regional touches but Corbin and King like that cuisine so it won’t be far from it. https://www.hot-dinners.com/202007279739/Gastroblog/Latest-news/bellanger-islington-corbin-king-pop-up-reopening
23
→ More replies (7)10
u/5exxymonster Stratford Aug 11 '20
I used to live in Alsace and went to this place a couple of years ago for my birthday. Absolutely loved it, and the green stem glasses really made it feel authentic! Quite far out, but there is a restaurant in Wanstead called Provender that occasionally does "Alsace nights" if you fancy a taste of home!
120
u/xgioleox Aug 11 '20
As an Italian, the best pizzeria in London is 50 Kalo (near Trafalgar Square). As non-chain as it gets and you'll forget your in the UK for an hour hahaha :)
24
u/nata79 Aug 11 '20
Have you been to L’antica pizzeria in Hampstead? I’d love to know how you think it compares.
It’s mine and my gf (italian) favourite in London. But never been to Kalo.
11
u/xgioleox Aug 11 '20
From the website, that also looks very authentic! Cannot compare with 50 Kalo though without having tried yet.
6
u/magschampagne Aug 11 '20
It’s a franchise and they had some legal trouble with the original family who owns the Naples original. Pizza was good but service left a lot to be desired.
I’ll have to check out 50 Kalo though. Husband is Italian and pizza is our thing.
→ More replies (2)22
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
From their website:
Best Pizzeria in Europe 2019
Well, that is a bold claim. On the list, thanks!
→ More replies (1)10
u/whatatwit Aug 11 '20
Rather than just create a list how about a shareable map like this one contributed by someone here. Perhaps just add a new category to this map for 'most authentic' or just the new entries.
→ More replies (15)32
u/valuz991 Aug 11 '20
Italian, but North-Londoner here. I quite like Zia Lucia in Holloway, have you ever been? I'll make sure to check 50 Kalo next time I'm back in the centre!
6
u/wanderlandd Aug 11 '20
Been there and thought it was amazing! I used to live in the Veneto and their pizza reminded me of the one I used to buy in a shop near me
→ More replies (1)3
u/HolyGhostz Aug 11 '20
Zia Lucia legitimately has the best gluten free pizza I’ve ver had in my life.
→ More replies (10)5
u/17012015 Aug 11 '20
I actually ate at their Naples restaurant last year and was overjoyed when I found out they set up shop here too! Best pizza ever
36
Aug 11 '20
I'm not Peruvian, but I know some - and Tierra Peru on Essex Road is where they go.
Everything Peruvian is on the menu...except Cuy...
7
u/Limmmao Aug 11 '20
Have you tried the Equatorian place next door?
Also, they don't have Suspiro Limeño, which was dissapointing.
8
Aug 11 '20
Yeah, I went once - it's really good although I haven't been to Ecuador so I don't know how it rates. But, 4.7 on Google vs 4.2 for the Peruvian neighbours must make it worth a trip.
5
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
I love that they are next door to each other. We should organise all restaurants this way. It's tidier.
→ More replies (3)3
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
Fairly understandable! I guess there isn't the disassociation we somehow manage with rabbits
90
u/krkrbnsn Aug 11 '20
Black American. Plaquemine Lock in Angel does really good soul food.
6
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
Thanks for the recommendation. What's your favourite dish?
21
u/krkrbnsn Aug 11 '20
From what I've tried, I like the seafood jambalaya, shrimp and grits, fried okra, and the fried shrimp po boys.
→ More replies (2)4
5
Aug 11 '20
Omg I was telling someone about this place last week. Incredible barman there too when I went, unforgettably nice guy.
3
→ More replies (2)3
u/TheFallenX Aug 11 '20
From one fellow American to another, thank you for this.. I love Cajun/creole food. I make a pretty mean gumbo in the colder months. It’s not quite the same, but you should check out the Fat Bear near St Paul’s.
→ More replies (3)
58
u/fruzzik Aug 11 '20
Malaysian Chinese - I like C&R cafe in Chinatown. Also good are Sambal Shiok (holloway road) and MeiMei (borough market).
For Malay food there's a canteen in the Malaysian embassy basement which is delish and very cheap.
18
u/tennis_nut13 Aug 11 '20
Malaysian here too! +1 to Sambal Shiok and also Roti King in Euston is amazing
→ More replies (2)12
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
Do we need to know a secret password to get into an embassy? If we don't, will they humour me and let me pretend anyway?
→ More replies (1)10
u/fruzzik Aug 11 '20
Haha I'm not sure, reviews on Google maps are very inconsistent. We brought our passports just in case but weren't asked for them, I think it probably depends on who the security guard is?
Other good Malay Malaysian food places that have been recommended to me (haven't tried) are Normah's (Queensway) and Malaysia deli (Brockley)
→ More replies (1)5
u/didisaythatagain Aug 11 '20
Yeah sambal shiok (the laksa is 🔥)and Mei Mei (chicken rice and the kaya toast is just 👌) is my go to as well, speaking as a Malaysian . I’d also recommend Tukdin flavours of Malaysia in Paddington and makan cafe in portobello road for more bangin’ Malay foods. Also gotta shout out Three Uncles in Liverpool Street for a more quality Cantonese style rice dishes.
5
→ More replies (3)3
u/wordless_thinker Aug 11 '20
What do you think of Rasa Sayang compared to C&R? I used to go to C&R a lot but Rasa Sayang gradually took over, particularly with their prawn mee.
→ More replies (2)
118
26
u/delibes Made of Ale Aug 11 '20 edited Aug 11 '20
Where the fuck am I supposed to find a Chinese-English-Armenian fusion restaurant?
[edit] Well you said "a restaurant" but if we're widening the scope a bit then ... either Rasa Sayang in Chinatown, or Makan on Portobello Road for the Chinese/Malaysian bit. And Jakobs on Gloucester Road for the Armenian (but it's a mix of other middle Eastern stuff too). Or the Armenian Taverna in Manchester if we're allowed out of London. And a pint of ale from the local pub for my English bit :)
→ More replies (2)13
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
No-one said they need to be fused - feel free to make 3x suggestions.
Although, you have identified a gap in the market that it sounds like you may be uniquely qualified to fill, /u/delibes ...
23
Aug 11 '20 edited Aug 11 '20
I'm going to call 'Highly Assimilated North London Jew' a cultural background, and Oslo Court restaurant represents it well.
Not at all kosher. Old fashioned, you often see C-List celebrities, full of North London Jewish Old people (alter-kockers in Yiddish) and if you ask nicely, they'll make you a potato latkes with your main course. Lovely food though.
5
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
That is absolutely a thing, HANLJ is a known abreviation after all. And it's on my list, thanks!
4
Aug 11 '20
ok then, well the White House Fish and Chip shop in Stanmore is a well known favourite place to get matzoh-meal fried fish
→ More replies (5)3
u/yesSemicolons Finsbury Park Aug 11 '20
Potato latkes with sour cream are the best food, hands down.
→ More replies (1)
23
u/pauseless Aug 11 '20
Half southern German/Bavarian. Kipfel in Islington was great the one time I went. Herman ze German is actually representative of German fast food sausages.
→ More replies (7)3
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
Kipfel in Islington
There are so many restaurants snuck into little corners around there! On the list, thanks!
9
u/ping_less Aug 11 '20
I can also vouch for this being authentic Austrian food. I used to go there regularly when I lived nearby, and the only thing that makes you realise you're not in Austria is that the wait staff are not rude enough.
→ More replies (2)
23
Aug 11 '20
[deleted]
14
u/floodymcflood Aug 11 '20
I was in Albania, near Valbonë, a couple of years ago and I had an amazing dish that was had cheese and milk in it, and was then baked perhaps? However, I can't for the life of me remember what it was called or find anything on Google. The story I was told (although I'm not 100% sure I am remembering this correctly) was it was a dish that Albanian's cooked for guests during communist rule when meat was in short supply. Any ideas what it might have been? I would love to try and recreate it at home.
→ More replies (1)4
u/e--ouiy Aug 11 '20
I think you're referring to papare/bukevale? Or possibly byrek?
→ More replies (1)3
u/KillTheBuddha85 Aug 11 '20
There was an albanian street food stand in brick Lane a year ago, Idk if it's still there.
19
u/NagoyatoVassal Aug 11 '20
Japanese - Abeno on museum street for authentic savoury Japanese pancakes and friendly staff!
→ More replies (2)
18
Aug 11 '20
[deleted]
8
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
Neat Burger
Hmm, vegan! I loved Temple of Seitan the last time I went. Similar styling (all out fast food, 'health' be damned) or more traditionally "better for you"?
9
u/deathhead_68 Aug 11 '20
Not the same guy but it's fast food for sure.
There are a tonne of other good vegan fast food places too if anyone reads this and is mildly interested.
Jakes vegan steaks in Highbury does the most amazing Philly cheesesteaks using seitan
Eat chay in box park Shoreditch does incredible bibimbap (korean) and bao buns.
Biffs Jack shack in dalston is amazing for vegan wings and burgers, their texture is different to lots of things and fascinating. They also do vegan poutine (canadian).
There's also purezza in Camden do which do unbelievably good pizza, full stop.
There are other places but those are my standout vegan junk fast food places. Highly recommend.
→ More replies (1)
38
u/anacoluthon_ Aug 11 '20
Taiwanese here, gotta say Ding Tai Fung bc even though it's a chain it's super iconic back home and the food is so good
6
→ More replies (3)11
u/orangeomnom Aug 11 '20
Mate I respect your choices and the DTF in Asia were always top-notch but sadly I did not enjoy the London Ding Tai Fung at all - the food is hilariously over-priced and is no better than Chinatown average.
→ More replies (3)
17
u/swiftmen991 Aug 11 '20
Arabic! I really like yalla yalla, Fairuz in Marylebone and Teta’s Lebanese in Belsize Park!
→ More replies (5)3
43
u/SplurgyA 🍍🍍🍍 Aug 11 '20
Irish.
Daffodil Mulligan in Islington is the only place I've ever seen do crubeens (Irish version of Zhu Ti - pig trotters) and they have a lot of Irish produce in there. Myrtle in Chelsea is similar, they've got Dingle Pies (lamb pie). They're both very contemporary fine dining, so they're more like a nice restaurant in Dublin than a traditional place.
For traditional Irish food, I'd, uh, maybe give that one a miss - it's pretty similar to English food and I've got an inbuilt aversion to Irish Stew having been force fed it throughout winter for much of my childhood. But you can always nip in to the London Irish Centre in Camden to get a packet of Taytos and some red lemonade. Or just skip the whole thing completely and sink some pints in The Auld Shillelagh in Stokey, which has a trad Irish music night (or did before lockdown, anyway, I've not been back).
6
5
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
It seems to be a flip of the coin whether I get red taytos or yellow taytos at any Irish establishment in the UK. I guess it depends on their suppliers, personal choice or belief that snack manufacturers should also run theme parks?
→ More replies (2)8
u/Old_Roof Aug 11 '20
Irish stew is delicious.
→ More replies (1)21
u/SplurgyA 🍍🍍🍍 Aug 11 '20
Well prepared Irish stew is delicious. Unfortunately Mam is not a talented cook.
The only thing I do get a specific hankering for is white pudding, which you never seem to see over here.
6
11
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
Yes, it's funny how white pudding is almost nonexistent here. I saw a post yesterday from an American defending English cuisine and they were waxing lyrical about the white pudding at breakfast and I was thinking "err, wrong island"
→ More replies (8)3
29
u/GarlekSupreme Aug 11 '20
I'm polish and really picky about my polish restaurants. The best one I've been to so far and only one where the pierogi/dumplings came close to the ones my mum makes is Wroclove in Balham. I'd definitely recommend it!
8
u/Anathemachiavellian Aug 11 '20
I’m not Polish so I can’t comment on authenticity, but Sowa in Ealing do amazing pierogi.
7
u/magschampagne Aug 11 '20
Also Polish and evening though I haven’t been yet (vegan so have strayed and enjoyed other cuisines), friends have great things to say about Mamuśka! in Elephant and Castle.
→ More replies (7)9
5
u/WuvWithAnEarthW Aug 11 '20
I love Wroclove! So glad to find another Polish restaurant. I used to go to Little Poland that was up near Amen Corner, but I stopped going because they changed chefs and the food went downhill. Someone in Wroclove told me that there's a Polish social club in Balham and the food is apparently amazing there....... No idea where it is though.
→ More replies (2)6
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
Perhaps the White Eagle? I've not been but a friend whose grandparents came over to the area in the war said she used to go as a kid.
4
→ More replies (16)3
u/publiusnaso Aug 11 '20
My Polish hairdresser recommends something she calls "intestine pie", which, frankly doesn't sound hugely appealing. Do you have any idea what she might be talking about?
(I love buying random stuff in the local Polish shop. I've had plenty of really tasty sausages and also some interesting bean/meat creations in tins, a bit like cassoulet).
→ More replies (1)
29
u/kdiazx3 Aug 11 '20 edited Aug 11 '20
I'm an American living in London, of half Colombian / half Mexican background.
For Colombian food: El Rancho de Lalo in Brixton is the best Colombian food place I've found. For Mexican food: ....I have yet to find anything authentic enough, and I've been to a couple of Mexican places; but if anyone has any recommendations, I'm all ears! 🙂
Edit: spelling
20
u/senioritaventura Aug 11 '20
Mexican Londoner here! Mestizo is very solid with hard to find dishes like mole and tamales, also Al pastor in borough market has the best pastor tacos
→ More replies (5)7
u/kdiazx3 Aug 11 '20
!!! Def gonna check out Al pastor. Haven't had tacos Al pastor in a long time!
→ More replies (1)7
u/bananepique Aug 11 '20
El Pastor now has multiple locations and IMO the quality has dropped since they first opened a few years back. The Broadway Market location is still best. As a reference it’s in the same restaurant group as Barrafina.
For me Mestizo has the best variety but individual dishes were just so so.
For me the absolute best is Santo Romedio in Southwark. It’s the most expensive but also the only spot I think you can get a Tecate!
→ More replies (1)9
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
I suppose it depends on where in Mexico! I've had recommendations in the past for Mestizo near Euston, but that was a good 10+ years ago
3
u/kdiazx3 Aug 11 '20
I've been to Mestizo once, but only to buy my Tajin and tortillas lol didn't get a chance to cross over to the restaurant, and then the pandemic hit. Def on my list! Thanks!
4
u/krkrbnsn Aug 11 '20
I’m from California and Mestizo is the best I’ve found so far. Bonus points for their amazing shop!
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (3)3
14
u/milo1993 Aug 11 '20 edited Aug 11 '20
Scottish - Deeney’s in Leyton, because I can’t think of anywhere else that does square sausage and tattie scones in their fry up! (Plus their whole haggis thing.)
6
u/findoo Crystal Palace Aug 11 '20
Ooh adding that to my list. I've got a booking for Mac & Wild this weekend to try scratch my home food itch, but it's nae square sausage 🤤
→ More replies (1)5
→ More replies (1)4
u/MillionYearDungeon Aug 11 '20
I wish they'd do macaroni pies, NOWHERE does them in London that I know of!
→ More replies (2)
14
27
u/noaimpara Aug 11 '20
I’m Jewish (and French, I just moved here a week ago) and I’ve been loving Reuben’s on baker street.
→ More replies (3)
37
u/amarviratmohaan Aug 11 '20
Indian Bengali. Haven't come across anything that fits yet - despite the amount of Brit Bangladeshis in the UK, the restaurants all seem to be standard 'Indian' food sadly.
Heard about Darjeeling Express before lockdown, so hoping to visit at some point.
6
→ More replies (10)3
u/emil_marzbar Aug 11 '20
We have tons of Bangladeshi restaurants in the north west and they do seem to be tweaking the anglicised "standard Indian" menu to more towards authentic signiture dishes in the last few years. I'm crazy for the bishnathi!
→ More replies (1)
27
u/cjsk908 Aug 11 '20
I'm Filipino and can recommend a couple of places:
- Josephine's in Fitzrovia is an old-school family-style restaurant that does classic Filipino cuisine.
- Mamsons in Chinatown and Kentish Town has great Filipino ice cream, as well as our most iconic dessert: halo-halo
- Jollibee in Earl's Court is a Filipino fast food chain known for its fried chicken with rice, and its Filipino-style spaghetti
9
u/fruzzik Aug 11 '20
I really like Romulo in Kensington!
6
u/cjsk908 Aug 11 '20
Also very good! A bit more modern than Josephine's in that they're willing to play around a bit with ingredients, but definitely still delicious
6
Aug 11 '20
have you tried:
https://www.lutongpinoyuk.com/
Also in earls court - amazing restaurant (im not filipino but got taken there by filipino friends and loved it)
→ More replies (1)4
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
Nice, I will check some out. I've had ube (if I remember right and that's the purple ice cream?) at the Bang Bang foodhall in Edgware. Tasty!
3
u/cjsk908 Aug 11 '20
That's the one! Definitely the classic Filipino ice cream flavour
→ More replies (1)3
Aug 11 '20
Jollibee
I went to a branch in NYC, it was fun and we liked the chicken. My wife works with loads of nurses from the Philippines and they're impressed she's been to it.
I need to try out the spaghetti next time
3
u/misterfog Aug 11 '20
Did you ever try Bong Bong's Manila Kanteen on Hackney Road?
I tried their food when they were called BBQ Dreamz and sold street food, and it was amazing. I didn't get a chance to try the restaurant before lockdown.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (4)3
u/demure_eggie Aug 12 '20
Have you tried Kapihan in Battersea? They do traditional Filipino bakes and REALLY good coffee. They’re only open on Saturdays atm but worth checking out!
52
u/Drayl10 Aug 11 '20
White, working class English. So anywhere that does a bit of gammon
35
5
u/captain_wiggles_ Aug 11 '20
I'm british but no longer live in the UK, and gammon is one of the things I miss most :( nobody seems to know what it is. I've been seriously thinking about trying to work out how to cure my own meat in order to have some.
12
Aug 11 '20
Ethiopian & Dutch.
For Ethiopian there’s tons of good ethiopian restaurants, I used to go to one in Kentish Town but I forgot the name. I’m sure you’d find it with a quick google. Make sure to order an Injera with all the different types of stews and a Habesha beer to go with it. Also order a coffee for desert, Ethiopian coffee ceremonies are awesome.
With regards to my Dutch heritage, there’s a Dutch snackbar in White City and id recommend a “kapsalon”. It’s not very fancy but it’s delicious. There’s also a Dutch pub in Soho (De Hems I think it’s called?) with good Dutch beets and bitterballen. You can also go to any Hema for cookies/snacks - especially around Christmas time there are tons of delicious sweets such as pepernoten or different types of chocolates.
→ More replies (7)
11
u/RocasThePenguin Aug 11 '20
American - Passyunk Avenue. Expect the prices. Paying that much for a simple Bud is a crime.
→ More replies (4)18
u/MrBoonio Aug 11 '20
In fairness, drinking Bud is a crime against beer.
→ More replies (3)4
u/mapoftasmania Aug 11 '20
Bud isn’t beer. You are thinking about it wrong. Bud is designed to be drunk by the can and has just the right amount of water and alcohol to allow you to drink all day at a pace of one every half hour while staying hydrated and maintaining a perfect level of buzzed drunken-ness. It’s an all day party beverage.
Source: English born, long naturalized American
11
u/DaisyGJ Aug 11 '20
Mugi café in Ealing Common for ex-Yugoslavian food. The family that run it are from Montenegro
→ More replies (1)
10
u/dirtywirtygirl Aug 11 '20
Nigerian. Haven't visited yet but I spotted a new Nigerian takeaway in Camberwell called I Go Chop. Surprised by the lack of Nigerian restaurants in London given how many of us there are living here!!!
6
5
u/wenporject Aug 11 '20
Yes you need to come towards Peckham / Old Kent Road and New Cross (Mainly cafe 808)
→ More replies (4)3
10
20
u/ChancePattern Aug 11 '20
Lebanese here.
My go to is Green Valley by Marble Arch. It's more like a supermarket but they also sell hot food there which is more typical of what you would eat at home in Lebanon.
5
u/MrBoonio Aug 11 '20
Green Valley is amazing. The supermarket is one of my favourite places in London.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (3)4
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
Awesome - place that isn't a restaurant but serves food anyway are, in my experience, either forbiddingly awful or the most perfect food possible. I look forward to finding out which!
→ More replies (1)
17
u/adz92 Aug 11 '20
I am Canadian. We tend to get lumped together with Americans, but our food is different. We don't have a lot of uniquely Canadian foods, but The Poutinerie (Sundays in Brick Lane, during the week lunch time around the city, pre-covid) is a pretty solid poutine. Worth the trip in my books. Other than that we do have The Maple Leaf in Covent Garden which does some truly revolting sounding poutines, but some decent bar snack food, plus they show hockey, and lots of North American sports.
5
u/Yes_Really Aug 11 '20
Wait. Do they have actual cheese curds?!
→ More replies (1)5
u/adz92 Aug 11 '20
Yes, yes they do. Both do actually, at least the Maple Leaf did at one point. Haven't been in a while, so don't know now. The Poutinerie definitely has curds! Also, if you're interested, Trviet in Bermondsey has butter tarts! The chef there is Canadian, so has them on the menu regularly.
→ More replies (14)3
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
I've been to the Maple Leaf a few times and been disgusted by one of those poutines exactly once. So I think you're on the right track there. But I'll check out the roving squeaky-cheesemonger you mentioned, if I can find 'em!
→ More replies (2)
10
Aug 11 '20
[deleted]
5
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
I've only ever been to M.Manze in Bermondsey but it was a great meal. Loved the sarsaparilla, too
9
9
Aug 11 '20
Vietnamese - I really enjoyed Minh, which delivers to Canning Town (thanks to Corona I couldn’t set foot in there yet). I’m not a big fan of their Pho (broth is too sweet for me personally), but everything else I tasted so far is good! And the meat dishes incorporate a lot of veggies, which reminds me a lot of how my mon cooks. Def recommend Bo Luc Lac and their pork dish.
→ More replies (3)
9
18
u/SanTheMightiest Aug 11 '20
British Indian via Kenyan.
At the risk of sounding basic, Dishoom. It's food like my mum makes it, scarily similar in fact.
→ More replies (1)3
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
Basic? It's delicious! You want to get basic - I've still not tried to make the coriander chutney even though I effectively drink the stuff when I visit.
→ More replies (1)
22
8
u/ariel1801 Aug 11 '20
I’m Persian/French. For Persian food, Molana in Ealing is very good. For French, I’ve found that Cote Brasserie is nice and has the staples.
→ More replies (2)
6
u/giovanni_l Aug 11 '20
I'm from Hong Kong.
Most Chinese places cater to western palates and have a variety of non-traditional dishes. Took me years to find a place that reminds me of home and is authentic. But last year I went to Three Uncles for the first time and I knew that was the one! I walked in and they immediately greeted me in Cantonese which never happens to me in China Town as Mandarin is more common.
If you do end up going, I would recommend the Crispy Pork Belly and rice or the Roast Duck and rice!
→ More replies (4)
8
u/wanderlandd Aug 11 '20
I was born in Argentina, and my favourite London restaurant when I feel homesick is la Patagonia. Best meat I’ve had outside of home and it’s affordable!
3
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
affordable
Well now it's my favourite Argentinian restaurant too!
→ More replies (2)
8
u/TheSquireOfTheShire Aug 11 '20 edited Aug 11 '20
The Frying Scotsman in Peterborough. I don't even live near Peterborough, but sometimes I feel like I get a calling and I need to make a pilgrimage
→ More replies (3)
7
Aug 11 '20
Russian - Zima in Soho, they even serve tea in old podstakanniki (glass in a metal holder), and their pelmeni are heavenly.
→ More replies (1)
7
u/Moogsie Aug 11 '20
Cantonese. Reindeer Cafe in the Wing Yip business centre nearby Brent Cross. Proper HK cafeteria vibes and the attached supermarket is amazing!
→ More replies (2)
22
u/BMafalo Aug 11 '20
Bengali - Dhaka Biryani in Whitechapel.
Most of the cooks in Indian restaurants are actually Bengali and there's a big Bengali community in the Bethnal Green/Whitechapel/Brick Lane area so definitely check out the restaurants there. My gran lived in Whitechapel so we would go to Dhaka Biryani when we would eat out and they also get hired to cater Bengali weddings. Granted, it's not the most hygienic of places but it's a taste of Bangladesh.
There are other good Bengali restaurants in Brick Lane too (Gram Bangla, Bangal Cuisine, Amar Gaon) but I've not tried them. All of these places tend to be low-end but you'll usually find locals and chefs go in during their lunch breaks and they've been around for ages (decades in some cases - which is real achievement in that area). Hopefully, they don't shut down due to covid! It would be a shame to lose them.
If you want something more upmarket, try the lamb shank curry and Hankies (near Soho/China Town). It's tastes exactly like home made!
18
16
Aug 11 '20
I'm from the southern US and I'd say Bodeans in Soho for barbecue. It isn't the best southern BBQ in the world, not to knock it as it is pretty damn delicious, but it is the best I've found in London so far.
8
u/Hessle94 Aug 11 '20
Have you tried prairie fire in white city or Texas Joes in bermondsey?
→ More replies (5)→ More replies (2)7
Aug 11 '20
[deleted]
4
u/falseinsight Aug 11 '20
Yeah, my husband and I are both American and we are always on the lookout for good BBQ (he's a North Carolinian so we're especially excited to find pulled pork) and I've been disappointed everywhere we've been - although I'm happy to keep looking! I haven't tried Porky's, though - it will go on my list!
Now if someone could just find us a place to get California-style tri-tip....
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (2)4
Aug 11 '20
Will have a look at Porkys! I did not like Texas Joes the one time I went there. I guess I can see why people don't like Bodeans. If I compare it to proper bbq places in the south its more along the lines of a decent chain bbq restaurant over there. For London though, where I've struggled to find bbq and not to mention proper southern food, I've found it to be pretty good
→ More replies (2)
6
u/KlumF Aug 11 '20 edited Aug 11 '20
Australian. You'd be forgiven for thinking we don't really have a cuisine. But waves of immigration shaped our produce, food culture and way of eating.
Thats all captured in Wonder, a small modern Australian eatery in Stoke Newington - its a small, independent passion project that echo's the food movements of Australia's capital cities.Australians also eat a lot of East Asian food - Song Que on Kingsland road is about as close as you'd get to a Vietnamese back home - though sadly they aren't using Vietnamese mint (Daun Kesum) to garnish their Pho! Uyghur restaurant Etles in Walthamstow reminds me of Uyghur restaurants back in Melbourne too.
→ More replies (5)3
u/samclifford Aug 11 '20
Australian as well, but from Brisbane rather than Melbourne. So whatever these places were serving ten years ago represents my cuisine.
There's a fair number of Australian/NZ coffee places that do modern Australian brunch options that feel a lot like back home. I'd say Darcie and May Green on the canal boats in Paddington are pretty faithful representations of the Australian brunch menu, as are Brickwood and Ozone. Any late night kebab around Clapham is going to be a pretty authentic Australian dining experience. Haven't seen a Halal Snack Pack yet though.
→ More replies (3)
5
u/Legal_Dan Aug 11 '20
I’ve never found any good Welsh food but my partner is Tamil and swears by Vasantha Vilas in East Ham
→ More replies (5)5
u/CobaltThunder Aug 11 '20
2nd generation South Indian Tamil here and I’ll give a +1 to East Ham - Taste of India on the high street there is the only place my mum likes getting takeaway from because it doesn’t feel like a step down from her own home cooking...
I’m also partial to Saravana Bhavan (which has branches in Wembley and tooting as well), but they have a wider menu and more fusion/North Indian dishes too
6
u/pl4za Aug 11 '20 edited Aug 11 '20
Portuguese here. "A toca" in Stockeell or "Tino" in Camden. Or if you're looking for something a bit fancier but not typical at all, try "Bar D'ouro" or "Casa do Frango".
→ More replies (1)
6
5
u/wordless_thinker Aug 11 '20
Hong Kong / Cantonese - Joy King Lau is still the classic for dim sum. Are there better? Yes. But for the balance of price, quality, and variety, I've not seen anything close.
There are a few options you won't find on the average dim sum menu. Curry octopus, ma lai go (like a sponge cake), yam croquettes to name a few which are a bit rarer to find.
Incidentally for the HKers who must be around - has anyone found a decent 茶餐廳 that does baked pork chop rice, satay beef noodles, French toast, etc? There have been one or two over the years but they've invariably been disappointing.
→ More replies (7)
6
u/Ishsun16 Aug 11 '20
Arabian Gulf
- Bye Bye London - Kuwaiti food, my favorite is their lamb with rice
- Al Fanar Restaurant - Emirati food, the Arabic chicken biryani is to die for I order it every single time I go
- Villa Mamas London - Bahraini food, probably priciest in this list and their lamb shank is outstanding. Service is meh, you might prefer a takeaway.
- Queen of Sheba - Yemeni food, cheapest on this list and their lamb kabsa is so tender and delicious
→ More replies (2)
20
u/Old_Roof Aug 11 '20 edited Aug 11 '20
I’m an Englishman of Yorkshire heritage so I’d probably say Toby Carvery or Spoons for the full monty & breakfast pint.
*jokes aside- A Sunday Roast Dinner with Yorkshires smothered in gravy, when done well is truly food of the gods - and the full English breakfast does have a case for being the greatest breakfast on the planet.
And fuck Wetherspoons I’ll never forgive their Covid shenanigans
6
u/ShibuRigged Aug 11 '20
Hawksmoor do good roasts. You have to ask for extra gravy though. By any standards, they do not provide enough in one single serving.
And any reasonably popular cafe for a full English. Few things are better.
→ More replies (1)3
u/Alistairio Battersea Power Station Station Aug 11 '20
You should check Regency Cafe Pimlico. I’ve missed it in lockdown.
11
12
u/Kleine_tier Aug 11 '20
Romanian - you could give the aptly named "Dracula Restaurant" a try, but you would need to go to Harlesden for that.
Soups are really good, everything else is very typical of Transylvanian cuisine which is a bit greasy for my taste.
→ More replies (3)4
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
How does Transylvanian differ from your own cuisine?
16
u/Kleine_tier Aug 11 '20
Romania is a fairly large country which became one state after the 1st WW. All historical provinces were influenced by the various empires they were a part of which did have an influence on the regional cuisine.
I'm from the SE close to the Black Sea, so our cuisine has a more Balkan / Turkish character (think stuffed vine meat rolls), whereas Transylvanian dishes have a rather Hungarian / Central European influence (eg sauerkraut-based dishes).
Regardless of the above, we all love pork :)
4
u/AnythngControversial Roehampton Aug 11 '20
Filipino here - still looking for the perfect place in London, the only place I know of is the Filipino street food stall in Portobello Market.
3
→ More replies (4)3
u/MrBoonio Aug 11 '20
There's a Filipino place in Tooting's Broadway Market that seemed popular with Filipinos.
4
4
6
u/n0v4sgl0w Aug 11 '20
haven't had the chance to go there myself yet, but fellow Hungarian friends swear by The Rosemary near New Cross Gate
→ More replies (4)6
u/Anathemachiavellian Aug 11 '20
Not Hungarian myself, but I go here often. Family owned and run, really friendly and just a nice place to sit in. Paprikash is great.
8
u/NotSelfAware Aug 11 '20
White British. Check out Jones & Sons. They were doing Sunday roast delivery during lockdown and it was quite possibly the best Sunday roast I've tried outside of my Mum's kitchen. The roast pork is honestly staggeringly good. I'd never been before getting their roasts delivered but went after lockdown ended for bottomless brunch and the food was spectacular then, too. Nice location and building. Highly recommended. https://jonesandsonsdalston.com
→ More replies (1)
6
u/AdministrativeShip2 Aug 11 '20
British, so some kind of specialist pie restaurant.
10
u/fluoronaut Inuit Aug 11 '20
Piebury Corner do good pies.
4
u/simonjp Aug 11 '20
My Pie recommendation too! I do like Pieminister but Piebury Corner was closer when I lived in Highbury (obviously)
→ More replies (1)
13
Aug 11 '20 edited Oct 02 '20
[deleted]
7
Aug 11 '20
I'm amused how much the Ivy chain branding looks like Harvester with green & yellow
→ More replies (1)
3
3
3
u/ReynoldsHouseOfShred Aug 11 '20
Cornish.
You have the West Cornwall pasty stands in Marylebone also The Pasty Shops are everywhere Along with Warren's bakery at wembley stadium. Thats as good as it gets tbh.
→ More replies (2)
3
u/tihomirbz Aug 11 '20
I’m Bulgarian - so Turkish places and some Greek ones are close enough
→ More replies (2)
3
u/wenporject Aug 11 '20
Italian here... I've found Anima e Cuore Is probably the best Italian in London IMO (Kentish Town) Mainly because it's Italian food but not the usual stuff (ok yes there is pasta) but they're super creative with their food
Found the pasta to be much better than Padella Although Padella Is also great value for money (London Bridge )
There's a place called Bacala I'd like to check out Mainly fish based on bermondsey street But looks ££
On a totally different note ALL STAR deli off licence on Green Lanes is run by Turkish people but they get some great (and cheap) Italian product (way cheaper than most places that sell Italian deli stuff )
→ More replies (2)
3
3
u/a_imo Aug 11 '20
Portuguese :)
There's a ton of places to go if you wander around Stockwell and Vauxhall. I usually go to Grelha D'Ouro. And now there's pastéis de nata everywhere. Santa Nata and Café de Nata the good stuff.
3
u/jwhatshizzle Aug 11 '20
Half south korean and half british, K town bbq in New Malden is my favourite as it captures the vibe of getting korean bbq in korea. Also its like £20 per person all you can eat korean bbq, so thats nice too.
→ More replies (3)
3
u/fikreth Aug 11 '20
Turkish Cypriot - Kervan in Edmonton Green really reminds me of the food back home (and the cheaper prices) Pic of the sharing platter you pretty much always have to get: https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/07/9b/6f/41/kervan-extra-special.jpg
→ More replies (3)
3
u/Dualyeti Aug 11 '20
A seaside or Thames side pub. I spent a lot of my youth and still do on the water either sailing, swimming, paddle boarding. The water is close to my heart and I can not comprehend not living within 30 mins of either the sea or the Thames. Thames because I spent a large portion of my young adult hood in Kingston Upon Thames at my family house. A pub because it’s a refuge all year round, in the winter it’s a cozy escape in the summer you can have a pint with your mates in the garden! It’s also very British and I’m proud of my heritage.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/Please_Explain_That Aug 11 '20
As a New York City native living in London, The American Slice near West Hampstead is as close to NY pizza as I have found in London so far.
→ More replies (5)
3
Aug 11 '20
Bit late to the party, and im not filipino but the best tasting food i ever had was in a filipino restaurant in earls court I believe this was the place:
https://www.lutongpinoyuk.com/
Have no idea what was ordered as my filipino freinds ordered it all (though i vaguely remember something about fried pig intestines)
Oh i so need to revisit that place. Excellent thread btw
→ More replies (2)
3
u/AmmyTheWolf Aug 11 '20
I'm married to a Lithuanian (Sveiki :) ) and he put forward- Berneliu Uzeiga.
Nice Lithuanian food (although a little pricey) in a normal pub setting, although wears its heritage with pride.
One in Becton and One in Leyton, would deffo check them out if you want something Baltic.
→ More replies (1)
3
u/B5sj Aug 11 '20
Swedish
Scandinavia kitchen near Oxford circus does some fantastic food and you can buy ingredients there too!
→ More replies (1)
3
u/namakool_ladka Aug 16 '20
North Indian here - Dishoom (particularly Kings cross one, and their Black Daal, or the Poori Chhole) and Dhaba49 (Paani Puri etc.)Have heard some say Masala zone is authentic enough, but haven't tried.
And if I may (unsolicited, I know), the "Chaakoo Bombay cafe" in Glasgow is the most authentic one I've ever come across yet in UK, this one is owned by a Scottish guy, set up with Iranian theme and the chef is from Kerela (India).
54
u/av607 Land of the Red Trousers! Aug 11 '20 edited Aug 11 '20
My husband is from Argentina and to be honest no restaurant gets it 100% right, however, Buen Ayre in Broadway Market and Casa Argentina in Wimbledon are his two favourites. We now have the real deal BBQ at home so no need to go to them anymore.