The Dining Diaries: Around London in Asian Cuisine

Whilst the tourist guide books might list ‘must-try’ London meals as fish and chips and a Sunday roast, you’d be missing a trick to visit the capital and not explore more of the culinary variety on offer. London is a melting pot of cultures and that is reflected first and foremost in it’s food – you’ll find restaurants showcasing cuisines from every corner of the world.

While I do occasionally indulge in the odd roast (an extra yorkshire pud for me please!), the reality is it’s hardly the staple of the average Londoners diet. There’s just too much diversity on offer to ever settle for one thing! You can be dining like you’re in Peru one day, and discovering the intricacies of Indonesian cooking the next.

Whilst it would be impossible to round up every international restaurant in London (I’d probably have to eat out for every meal for the rest of my life, and I’d still not manage it!), I wanted to hone in on some of the exciting Asian restaurants in London right now, and highlight a few of my favourites. From Thai green curry to Filipino pigs ears, I’ve tried it all – in the name of research, obviously.

YUU KITCHEN, SPITALFIELDS

You know when you see a menu, and you just know a meal is going to be good? I was practically drooling at the sight of Asian fusion restaurant Yuu Kitchen’s menu, featuring small plate dishes inspired by the cuisines of South-East Asia. We visited to try some of the specialities of their new Filipino menu, and it was just as drool-worthy in real life.

But first, cocktails. I always appreciate a cocktail menu that reflects the theme or cuisine of the restaurant – no Cosmos here, and the Mojito is made with oolong tea. With ingredients like yuzu bitters and star anise syrup, these are most certainly not your regular cocktails, but the flavours aren’t too obscure that the drinks are unenjoyable. Quite the opposite – it was a struggle not to try them all!

As the menu comprises of small plates we ordered a selection of different dishes alongside some recommended plates off the new menu. Within minutes we were chomping on cassava fries, unaware of the culinary treat coming our way. Dish after dish arrived, each looking and sounding more tantalising than the next. Chicken wings in a gooey, slightly sweet Filipino adobo sauce. Crispy pigs ears that tasted like pork scratchings, but with a kick. Perfectly tender pork belly (which was unanimously the standout dish).

I could wax lyrical about how delicious everything was, which it most definitely was. But it’s probably easier (and involves less drooling on both sides) if you go visit for yourself. Agonise over which of the extensive selection of bao’s to order, find yourself surprised at how crispy broccoli can taste so good, and try not to gobble up all the mouthwatering octopus karaage in one go (it takes a lot of restraint..).

The Philippines is a country that’s high on my bucket list, but until I can stretch to a plane ticket, I’ll be making regular trips to Yuu Kitchen to satisfy my cravings!

Yuu Kitchen
29 Commercial Street
E1 6NE

Nearest tube Algate/East, Liverpool Street.

THAI SQUARE, STRAND

Whilst Thai Square has always been on my radar (there are a number of branches across London), it’s not somewhere I had ever tried, or honestly really even considered. For no particular reason I just don’t tend to eat Thai food that often! So when I heard that the Strand branch had been given a grammable makeover, complete with a gorgeous blossom display, I knew I had to check it out.

Fair warning, the menu is pretty epic, with all the expected Thai staples, but also a whole lot more. There are a multitude of curries, grilled dishes, and plenty of other options, largely based around chicken, lamb, prawn and fish.

The cocktail menu was an obvious place to start, and included the usual fare. My Mai Tai was sweet and light enough for lunch, not to mention enjoyably garnished for an Instagram boomerang! These were swiftly followed by our appetiser – a hefty serving of crispy duck with pancakes. The duck was cooked perfectly, not too greasy, and was not at all stingy, allowing us to heartily tuck in.

For my main I chose grilled prawns, which were definitely a stand out dish. They were so succulent and far meatier than I would normally expect, with a focus on pulling out the best of their flavour without drowning them. I was already pretty full from the starter, but I managed to find it in me to eat them all because they were just SO GOOD. My guest tried one of the chicken curries and was equally impressed.

We visited for lunch, and were surprised to find the place feel so zen for a busy weekday afternoon. The ambience is tranquil, and it’s a lovely spot to while away a lazy afternoon, or perhaps head for a pre-theatre meal before attending a show at one of the nearby theatres. Considering the busy central London location the blossom decor, dim lighting, and Thai decor details all contributed to an atmosphere of serenity, turning Thai Square into a lunchtime oasis that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Thai Square
148 Strand
WC2R 1JA

Nearest tube Covent Garden / Charing Cross.

MURGER HAN, MAYFAIR

As a self-confessed London foodie I find it’s rare to find a menu that surprises me. However my final review, Murger Han, did just that. With unusual signature dishes and unique-sounding combinations that are a far cry from the expected Asian noodle menu, it was somewhat of a culinary adventure, introducing me to some of China’s lesser known dishes.

Their signature dish, the ‘Murger’, is supposedly the worlds oldest sandwich or burger, credited to the northwest of the country. We obviously had to try one! It was nothing like what one would expect from Chinese cuisine, with the pork meat having a softer texture and spicier flavouring more typically expected from Moroccan dining.

Alongside the Murger we chose two of their noodle dishes, which their menu revolves around and which they’re particularly known for. We tried the Biang Biang noodles with braised pork (above), and the extra wide noodles with tomato, eggs, and garlic dipping sauce. The noodles are hand-made fresh every morning and hand-pulled to 8 feet long, so they’re pretty impressive (and discourage slurping down in one go, because that would be a lot of noodle!).

I’m not gonna lie, it was messy. Like, had to pop into Zara to buy a new shirt after, messy. But it’s best to embrace the mess and get stuck in (oh, and don’t wear white like we did…). Out of the two, the Biang Biang noodles probably won by a hair, largely because it was easier to get a bit of everything with your chopsticks as it wasn’t so broth-based.

We wanted to try as much of the menu as we could so we also ordered the chicken and seafood gyoza. Although we absolutely did not need them (the portions are massive!), they were so good that we managed to polish them off. Gyoza can so often be disappointing (mushy, or on the opposite end of the scale too crispy), but these were perfect, fluffy and round and stuffed full of flavour.

If you’re looking for Asian dining that’s authentic but not your usual sweet and sour, I’d definitely recommend trying Murger Han. It’s a sophisticated dining spot tucked away in a Mayfair backstreet, with plentiful portions brimming with flavour. Top tip, your eyes are definitely bigger than your belly, no you don’t need five sides with your already huge noodle bowl. But lets be honest, you’ll do it anyway, because everything sounds so good!

Murger Han
8A Sackville Street
W1S 3DF

Nearest tube Algate/East, Liverpool Street.