Whether you’re an international student searching for the familiar feelings of home or simply seeking the diverse cuisines of Southeast Asia, London boasts a large array of restaurants to satisfy these cravings. Listed below (and here on Google Maps) are just a few of the mouth-watering establishments in our big city to keep your eyes and taste buds on the lookout for!
Chi Noodle is modern and eclectic, nestled in an alleyway off the road to Blackfriars bridge and serving a variety of Pan Asian dishes. The menu is diverse, with a focus on freshly prepared noodle and rice dishes from Southeast Asia. The salt & chilli squid, chilli wontons, beef kway teow, and Thai curry only contribute to the variety of dishes to treat yourself to! Open from 11–11 on weekdays, this restaurant’s sleek interior design and groovy soft tunes, coupled with the range of dishes, create the perfect atmosphere for any occasion.
Dapur is a hole in the wall Malaysian restaurant located in Holborn. Their curated selection of food changes daily. Popular items include their Beef Rendang, which often sells out, and their Nasi Lemak. Dapur is a family-run business where the food is authentic down to the spice. Only open for a few hours on weekdays, this gem is easy to miss but worth the visit.
Dim Sum Duck is a small but popular restaurant located near King’s Cross. Their Dim Sum frequently attracts queues that stretch past the surrounding restaurants. When you manage to get a seat, you will be pleased to see the menu boasts a wide selection of items, so be sure to bring some friends to try everything.
Lemongrass is a family-run and operated Cambodian restaurant located in Camden Town. The surrounding location itself provides a character similar to the streets of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, with the roadside shops and colourful lights complementing your dive into Khmer culture and cuisine. Lemongrass is open for limited hours (6pm–10pm Tuesdays through Saturdays), but that only means the environment is more friendly, the unique food is more delicious, and the service is more catered towards you. Stop by this underrated gem and try some kuyteav, seafood soup, lok lak, ginger chicken and more!
Tây Đô is Vietnamese owned and run, with three generations of chefs on both sides of the family influencing the enticing dishes evident in the menu. With two locations across from each other in Shoreditch, the chefs share authentic Southern Vietnamese cuisine, alongside other Vietnamese staples which they create so seamlessly and deliciously. Though cash only, you will feel at home with the reminiscent decor and food to die pho!
Three Uncles is a restaurant quickly gaining in popularity. Its contemporary interior and neon lights evokes a sense of nostalgia to anyone familiar with the ambiance of a bustling Asian hawker centre. Their modest menu specialises in Cantonese roast, with Siu Mei being one of their most popular items. Three Uncles’ flagship store is located just a short walk away from Liverpool street, and their new location is a short distance away from Camden market.
Disclaimer: KCL ASEAN Society is not affiliated with any of these restaurants.
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