During a recent trip to London I took it upon myself to explore some of the places and spaces that are often outside of my itinerary. London for me usually consists of quick trips in and out for work and this was no different, with one exception. This time I decided to break free from the stuffy cocktail party fare or quick stops for the classic fish and chips and make my way out of the center of the city to find some good eats along the way. All in the name of journalism, of course. 

London is a large metropolis, as we all know, but just how large never seems to register when only visiting the key tourist hot spots like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. If you have a chance to travel further outside the center in any direction it will not disappoint. From the underground and impossible cool vibes of Brixton to the quaint and a familial Shortidge neighborhood, there is something for everyone. 

Curry being the most famous dish in England is no surprise as the country is full of delicious curries from across the various regions of India. In addition, London is home to some of the most vibrant immigrant communities that carry with them rich culture, history and delicious cuisine. 

Ajet: Your New Favorite Ethiopian Mom’s Kitchen 

Ajet is located in the White City neighborhood of London towards the end of the central line. It sits in an unassuming (what in America we’d call) modern strip mall alongside a grocery store and a bakery. When you first walk in you are greeted with a huge smile, the smell of incense, spices and delicious stews cooking from somewhere in the back and the best playlist of traditional music, afro beats and Celine Dion. Meaning “mother”, Ajet is exactly that, the feeling of walking into your mother’s kitchen, a warm smile from the chef/owner and a cacophony of delicious aromas that instantly make your mouth water. 

The menu is vast with so many different delicious options, spice levels and flavors. There are also many vegetarian options which are equally delicious. I opted for the Awaze Tibs and an assortment of veggies that the chef/owner suggested which did not disappoint. The Awaze tibs were perfectly spiced with robust flavor from the garlic, bell peppers, onions and a spice that lingered on the lips and tongue for long enough to know you ate it but not so long it caused pain, that is the beauty of the Ethiopian chili powder. The assortment of veggies included a chickpea purée that was sheer perfection with that same hint of Ethiopian chili powder but a completely different flavor profile that was lemony and refreshing while being hearty and filling. Yellow lentils which were pillowy and soft also filled the plate alongside a simple but delicious green salad that is a staple of any Ethiopian plate. But in my humble opinion, the pièce de résistance is the injera. The spongy, tangy, slightly sour vehicle which all of this is served on and this one had that quintessential tangy and perfect sponge that I have come to know and love. And the best part of an Ethiopian dining experience is the opportunity to eat the injera beneath the main dishes that soaks up all the flavor and goodness presented on its cushy, porous surface. It’s like the perfect way to end a meal and Ajet’s injera delivered everything I wanted it to and more. 

91 Bloemfontein Rd, London  

Maureen’s Kitchen: The Best Cookout You’ll Ever Be Invited To

One thing I haven’t had in many years of living in Paris, is an unforgettable jerk chicken but a visit to Marueen’s Kitchen changed all that. This is chicken I would cross the English channel again and again for. Located in the backyard of an unassuming home denoted only by the cloud of smoke coming off the grills peeking over the brick wall, in the Brixton neighborhood, Maureen’s Kitchen is for lack of a better term, poppin’. 

When I walked in around 4pm, arguably not a high traffic food hour, there was a small line that made its way from the back door of the house through the garden and with one bite I understood why. The jerk chicken was everything I wanted it to be. The chicken is served with the classic red beans and rice as well as a small salad and I opted for Marueen’s lemonade. Starting with the lemonade was the best idea on a hot summer day. It was a sweet and utterly refreshing mix of lemon, lime and ginger which was a delightful addition to this summer staple that amplified the flavors. The red beans and rice were cooked fluffy with a hint of spice that lingers on the lips and is amplified in the best way when paired with the star of the plate, the jerk chicken. The jerk chicken was heavenly, a mix of sweet from the all spice and brown sugar, spicy from the scotch bonnet peppers and smokey from being fresh off the grill all cooked to falling off the bone perfection.

52 Railton Road, London 

Chinese Tapas House: Chinese Street Food with a Kick

Located in the heart of London’s Chinatown, Chinese Tapas House is a must go. With its bright and inviting purple facade and tiny interior space that makes it nearly impossible to host more than three people at a time, the party is located just in front of the shop. Once placing your order, you can join a group of eager diners watching through the window as Chinese crepes, skewers, buns and bubble waffles are made with precision. As the numbers are called, each diner is more excited than the last and for good reason, the food is unlike any other and absolutely sumptuous. 

Start with the Roast Cold Noodles. When ordering these I was expecting a cold noodle dish with mushrooms (the cashier recommended the addition and I can’t thank her enough), pork belly and various spices. What I got was a noodle omelet of sorts, that enveloped spicy, sweet and utterly tender pork belly, scallions and enoki mushrooms in a slightly soft, slightly crunchy wrapping and served with a skewer. It was an explosion of flavor and not for the faint of heart, spicy. Delicious doesn’t even begin to describe what this was but it’s a start. All the flavors are familiar but composed in a new and exciting way for your palette and punctuated by having a seat on the curb and enjoying every last bite. The truest of street food. I also ordered the Veggie Bun and I must admit that this bun convinced me that I have never actually eaten a good bun in my culinary life. It was pillowy and soft almost like the perfect loaf of bread with a honeycomb pattern almost like a perfectly cooked croissant inside while, outside it was soft and spongy with a tiny yellow heart in the center. Filled with mushrooms, cabbage and carrots, there was a wonderful balance between the earthiness of the mushrooms, the subtlety of the cabbage and the sweetness of the carrots. 

15 Little Newport St, London

Good Friend Chicken Shop: The Perfect Snack for a Stroll

Just next door to the Chinese Tapas House sits Good Friend Chicken Shop. As you wait for your delights to be made there, pop over next door for some lotus chips. Starchy like a potato but subtly sweet with a slight tang, sliced thinly and deep fried is actually the most flawless execution of one of my personal favourite flavours, that I only learned existed thanks to the Good Friend Chicken Shop. Choosing the chili powder topping (because I am a girl who loves her spice) was the way to go and served as the perfect appetizer to the flavor extravaganza I was awaiting next door. The lotus chips were crispy, flavorful with just the right amount of grease to make them addictive. 

14 Little Newport St, London

Master Bun Pastry: A Chinese Twist on Classic Pastries

While in Chinatown another great stop is Master Bun Pastry for their butter popcorn buns. Half puff pastry half tapioca covered corn, the texture and taste both confuse and delight the palette in all the best ways. The buns are light and airy, the calling card of any good choux and the cream follows suit. It’s slightly sweet, impossibly airy and filled with small balls of tapioca covered sweet corn all topped with toasted sesame seeds. They come in a pack of six and buyer beware, they will be gone in mere minutes, thanks to their bite size pop-in-the-mouth-ability 

24 Rupert St, London

Hopper’s: An Adventure in Flavor and a Master Class in Hospitality

When you walk into Hopper’s, you are welcomed into the most beautifully designed and meticulously crafted restaurant. It harkens back to a time when eating out was a pleasure and a treat, rather than a default, which sets the tone for the entire experience. Looking up you will find a vaulted ceiling that is hand painted in colorful yet moody floral and geometric patterns. Looking around you will see homages big and small to South Indian culture that seem to transport you from the tall buildings and fast pace of London into a simpler, quieter moment all punctuated by intoxicating smells coming from the kitchen. 

The menu at Hopper’s is vast and exciting, making it hard to choose where you want to start simply because everything sounds amazing. Thus, my over ordering began. Sitting alone, traveling solo with a flight to catch in a few short hours I began. Hot Buttered Squid, yes please! Bone Marrow Varuval, Black Pork Kari, Roti, Kallu and Ceylonese Ice Tea. If I had a larger carry on, I would’ve ordered even more. 

Starting with the Kallu which is a lightly fermented coconut sap that comes in sweet on the palate and then cuts through with a hint of sour from the ferment. Refreshing and subtle it was the perfect way to start the meal. The hot buttered squid was the first bit I took and it was the only way I could imagine starting. The impeccably tender and soft squid meat was crispy and bursting with flavor. Stir fried with garlic, chili and banana peppers then topped with green onions and served hot, I imagined nothing better. Then came the Bone Marrow Varuval. Bone marrow is one of those foods that is great as a stand alone with a hint of salt and perfectly toasted piece of bread but then you have Bone Marrow Varuval and realize that’s a lie. Rich, creamy and unctuous thanks to the bone marrow, flavorful, spicy and exciting thanks to the deep developed curry and the slow cook that leaves your lips with a pleasurable burn. Paired with the roti which reminded me of a delicious, freshly cooked Moroccan msemen with a crispier texture. Ending with the Black Pork Kari and its exciting flavors that were new to my palate. The waiter explained that it is a Sri Lankan specialty that reminded me almost of the Mexican moles I grew up with. It was rich and had a slightly smoky and sour taste that was both earthy and umami thanks to the Goraka (Malabar tamarind) and paired with the impossibly delicious and impeccably tender pork belly. Using the left over roti to soak up the sauce was the perfect finisher to the meal, especially when paired with the Ceylonese Ice Tea. Green jasmine tea, orange blossom water, citrus and basil seeds paired flawlessly together for the perfect refresher that I have been trying (and failing) to recreate at home. 

Beyond the meal at Hopper’s, the service was unmatched. The wait staff and managers were kind and utterly helpful, explaining the story of the ceiling to the design geek in the booth taking pictures (me!) and a bit about each dish. 

Whether it was the pristine excellence of a dining experience like Hopper’s, a true street food style moment at Chinese Tapas House or a warm friendly backyard cookout feel at Marueen’s Kitchen, the flavors and soul of these foods were unmatched and a welcomed addition to my London list of must do’s.