The best international restaurants in London
29 Sep
If you are one of the 2 Million people in London, like me, who weren’t born in this great city, sometimes Steak and Kidney pies and Bangers and Mash aren’t what you are looking for. Sometimes you want the food of your homeland. Or maybe the food of someone else’s homeland.
Well, London is one of the best cities on earth for having truly authentic food from all over the world. And we’re not talking about bastardized culture food chains like and Pizza Hut and Strada. With a few tips on some great places, you will never be wondering where to eat again.
American - Bodeans
Sure you can go to McDonald’s and get a cheese burger and call it “American Cuisine”, but let’s try something a bit less shameful. When judging a place, locals of that country eating there is a priority. If you don’t see baseball hats and college football jerseys, leave. And that is why Bodean’s BBQ, specifically the one in Soho is the best American joint in London. The food is authentic southern barbeque, which means half a rib cage of pig and cow along with sweet tangy sauce and coleslaw all washed down with decent (and that doesn’t mean Budweiser) American Beers. You can swing by for a pulled pork sandwich and a selection of live sports from the other side of the pond. Prices maybe a little more than you are used to, but so are the portions.
South African – Jungle Braai
I’m not sure why South African food in England has such identity issues. Nando’s and Spur Steak House are both well established South African restaurants, but are about as South African as Fosters Beer is Australian.
South African food is, like the country, a melting pot of rulers, traders and traditional African techniques. Good SA food will have a little bit of everything; meaty, spiced and tasty.
Jungle Braai in Brick Lane is a fantastic transplant of a place you would see in all corners of South Africa. A ‘braai’ is the SA equivalent of barbecue with unique meats such as boerwors (spiced coiled sausage), mutton and ostrich to name but a few. Jungle Braai prides itself on traditional techniques, produce and a spice blend that you can’t quite put your finger on, but you know you want more of.
Mexican – Chilango
Good, or even decent, Mexican food was a real late comer to the London food scene. But like London buses, a bunch came along at the same time. Chilango, Benito’s Hat and Freebird seemed to open within weeks of each other. Chilango, I feel, is the best for a few reasons. Firstly, the food is awesome and, as much as possible, made with ingredients imported in from Mexico. Every year they take some of the staff out to Mexico, so they can brush up on their authentic skills. How awesome is that! Secondly, they are organised. Even when the lines are longer than city blocks, they get you in and out with your order with minimal fuss and a smile on their faces. And finally, they take risks. Chilango could have Anglicized the food, played it safe, but instead they stuck with what makes Mexican street food great, and threw in some Mexican classic that you may never have heard of, but will love once you try, such as Aguas frescas (a refreshing fruit drink).
Japanese – Japan Centre
It seems that Japanese and Sushi places are on every corner in London so what it really comes down to is how a good place sets itself apart from the masses. Japan Centre near Piccadilly Circus has everything you want and more. Not only does it offer incredibly fresh and affordable sushi (around £3 per roll), it also has a place for you to buy Japanese books, produce and pretty much everything else you’d want from the land of the rising sun. It is like a mini Japan Town in one location.
There are obviously dozen of other cuisines represented in London that are wonderful, so let us know which places remind you of home, or really take you back to a place you may have visited.