Get Mash Up | The Best Fusion Food in London
Fusion food has historically had a bit of a bad rap, with overly gimmicky dishes and unnecessary combinations turning diners off (see also: deconstructed dishes and spherified ingredients). However, when you drill down into what fusion actually is – blending together flavours, ingredients and techniques from different cuisines – it’s something that a lot of chefs are doing all the time, especially in a city that’s as diverse and cosmopolitan as London. And when done with proper thought and care, even two seemingly disparate food cultures can be combined in really clever and really tasty ways. We may not have the same freewheeling fusion attitude as somewhere like LA (Pijja Palace forever), but there’s plenty of exciting fusion food in London, and it’s only getting better. AngelinaThe menu at Angelina is a mash-up of Japanese and Italian food, which sounds more random than it is – don’t worry you won’t find sushi rice substituted for pasta. Instead, it’s combinations like chawanmushi with wagyu Bolognese and Tropea; madai with smoked soy butter and golden kiwi; and zabaglione with kinako and fragolini.56 Dalston Ln, London E8 3AH LogmaAfter running as a supper club series, Farsin Rabiee and Ziad Halub have taken their Iranian-Iraqi concept permanent with a space in Hackney. Swing by in the daytime for kofte and aubergine sandwiches, and stews with saffron rice, or grab a seat at one of their Logma Lates for dishes like sabzi khordan, duck fesenjoon, and sholezard.81 Goldsmith’s Row, London E2 8QR Pako TacoBilled as “South Asian spice, Mexican soul”, Pako Taco is fusing Pakistani flavours and Mexican street food, through dishes like paneer and chicken biryani burritos, nacho channa chaat, nihari beef quesabirrias, and chai masala churros.Netil Market & Antwerp Arms, Tottenham Cue PointRun by Mursal Saiq and Joshua Moroney, Cue Point blends Texas-style BBQ with Afghan pices, chutneys, pickles and sauces – that means dishes like oak-smoked wagyu brisket steak with Texas naan and saffron butter, and oak-smoked lamb shank with Kabuli pilau. It’s inclusive too with halal, vegan and gluten-free options all built into the offering.41 Bramley Rd, London W10 6SZ Shankey’sIndian-Irish small plates served out of an old bookies is something you’d only get in Hackney. Shankey’s is well worth seeking out for its chilli crisp oysters, spiced spuds, cauli cheese parathas, prawn sambal and Kerrygold-washed poitin cocktails.221 Well St, London E9 6RG Los MochisA Japanese-Mexican menu that’s also entirely gluten- and nut-free? Los Mochis is doing it. Head to Notting Hill or the City for tuna poke tostaditos, truffle guac on crispy rice, miso black cod and yakiniku tacos, and lots of tequila.Notting Hill & The City East West PizzaEast West Pizza serves up Neapolitan-style pizzas with Indian toppings and sauces in North and East London. As well as the naga chicken and tikka sauce Afterburner, and the tandoori paneer and achari sauce Fickle Pickle pizzas, don’t skip the , Maggi noodle balls, and chai tiramisu.Tufnell Park & Shoreditch JurkishWith Jurkish, founder Naz Ramadan is celebrating her Jamaican and Turkish Cypriot heritage and blending flavours from the two cultures into something unique – we’re talking gurry goat manti, saltfish borek, patty pides, and jurk chicken kebabs.157-159 Rye Ln, London SE15 4TL Fatt PunditFatt Pundit has brought Indo-Chinese food – fusion food from Tangra in Kolkata, a result of Hakka Chinese immigration into the city from Canton – to Central London. Don’t miss the momos, crackling spinach, shredded chilli venison, Manchurian chicken and lamb chops with black bean dust.Soho & Covent Garden Mexican SeoulMexican Seoul is serving up Mexican-Korean fusion dishes like elote-style corn ribs with pecorino cheese and miso mayo; tuna tostadas with guacamole, oi muchim & fried leeks; spicy pork belly tacos topped with Korean slaw, lime crema, fried onions & homemade salsa verde; and Gochu-Gang chicken wings.221 Grove Road, London E3 5SN
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