Spring is most definitely in the air! So why languish in your local or scoff a takeaway when you could be grazing your way around a food market or checking out a new pop-up? If you’re in need of inspiration, here are five of the best London pop-ups to try this month, from po’ boys in a pub to must-try Thai food in north London.
This ramen pop-up has been quietly impressing London foodies since it opened above Shuang Shuang in December. We’re big fans of their signature Yamagoya ramen – flavour-packed pork bone broth with pork belly, wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, seaweed and an egg. If you’re hungry, order a few extras like crispy chicken kara-age, seaweed salad, or gyoza. The website says they’re in town for ‘a limited run only’, so don’t miss out!
With live music, killer cocktails and dancers on the bar, Dirty Harry’s is already making a name for itself in Soho. If you need something to soak up the liquor, you’re in luck – two of London’s hottest street food slingers have teamed up for a kitchen takeover. Try Burger & Beyond’s 45 day aged beef burgers, Other Side Fried’s buttermilk chicken, and a side of Cajun waffle fries. Best of all is their collab burger, ‘Beyond The Otherside’ – a beef patty topped with fried chicken skin, smoked honey butter, pickles, lettuce and tarragon mayo. They’re in residence until May when Mama’s Jerk Station take over.
Street food stars Division 194 are now in residence at The King & Co, serving New Orleans-inspired dishes, brunch specials and Sunday roasts. Over the two-month residency, they will be dishing up Po’ Boy baguettes stuffed with fried chicken, beef shin ‘debris’ or NOLA-style shrimp, plus snacks like devilled eggs, cauliflower cheese bombs, and their famous chicken wings. They’re in residence until the end of May so head to Clapham and get stuck in.
Avenue in Mayfair is hosting a month-long pop-up with acclaimed chef Ben Orpwood, formerly of Zuma and Sexy Fish. He has drawn on his modern Asian cooking background to create dishes like smoked steak tartare with nashi pear and sweet potato crisps, lobster with ponzu and wild garlic butter, and soy-glazed baby chicken with fries and slaw. There is also a seven-course tasting menu on offer, priced at £45 including a glass of fizz, which is available for dinner from 11-30th April.
If you love Thai food, you’ve probably already heard about this Highbury pop-up from Seb Holmes (formerly of Smoking Goat and The Begging Bowl). He’s taken over his step-dad’s former Italian restaurant for the next six months and is using the old pizza oven to create some seriously delicious Thai dishes. The menu includes grilled onglet steak with roasted chili jaew, Cornish mussels in green curry sauce, and the must-order curry of coconut braised beef cheeks. This month they’re also teaming up with Singha beer to host a Songkran (Thai New Year) dinner on Battersea Barge – book your tickets now!
Looking for something different? Check out London Pop-ups – a handy guide to pop-up restaurants, street food residencies, and lots more.
