5 things to eat in London
By some twist of fate and tons of lucky stars, I landed up in London for the third time in two years. It was a really last minute trip with my brother and the only things I had planned were my flight tickets and my hotel in Bayswater! Packing was done a few hours before I left for the airport, and my brother and I agreed to do everything on an impromptu basis.
Unfortunately, like many unforeseen circumstances, my brother started feeling sneazy an hour before our flight out. I forced him to pop 2 paracetamols with flu relief properties, and we went off to the airport.
Alas, it was 5am when our plane landed at Heathrow Airport. I barely slept on the 13h plane ride with my brother sniffing away, a ton of people coughing constantly, and some kid kicking the back of my seat. From the airport, you can choose pick an express train which would take you to Paddington (central London) in half the time it would take if you were to take the normal tube, at a much higher price.
Finally here!
Being cheapos who had a lot of time to kill (check in at our hotel was 12noon), we took the normal train.
It was an eye opening experience because we got to see the less-glamourous side of London. I was so cold every time the train doors opened. The seats of the train were dirty, there was graffiti on the walls, people were speaking in English but I couldn't really catch what they were saying. In essence, the culture shock hit me pretty quickly. It was a one and a half hour journey to central London, and some of the commuters were on their way to work!
Since our check-in timing was hours later, our initial plan was to leave our luggage at the front desk and hang out at my friend's place at Chancery Lane, which was nearby. However, thanks to our lucky stars, our room was ready and we got to check in at 9am! We napped til 11am and got up just for breakfast.
That was how my trip started, and I knew I just had to make the trip about food this time. So here's my recommended list of things to eat on your next trip to London :p
- Have scones for breakfast/tea
It's a breezy English day, you've just taken a nice walk in Hyde Park and you've worked up a breakfast appetite. Why not have a scone?
A friend brought me to this amazing, down to earth, unpretentious, cosy bakery cum cafe called Muffin Man Tea Shop.
- Homemade Fudge
Fudge originated from America, when a teacher of a toffee-making class used the wrong temperature and instead of getting toffee, he made fudge. That also explains why the word 'fudge' means an error or mistake. Eg, I fudged it up!
Surprisingly affordable!
Muffin Man Tea Shop
12 Wrights Lane
London W8 6TA
Neighbourhood: Kensington
Tel: 020 7937 6652
- Homemade Fudge
Fudge originated from America, when a teacher of a toffee-making class used the wrong temperature and instead of getting toffee, he made fudge. That also explains why the word 'fudge' means an error or mistake. Eg, I fudged it up!
Though that's not so commonly phrased here in Singapore, haha.
Anyway, my cousin, Nicholas was the one who told me to try some homemade fudge, and since I was in Oxford that day, I popped by Fudge Kitchen.
Was distracted by the huge slab of fudge right in front of me, which I later found out, was laid there to cool down. Fudge Kitchen's fudge is made using whipping cream instead of butter, giving a creamy soft texture and distinctive flavour! Plus there are a few flavours to choose from if you don't like it plain ol' original. There's Tangy Orange, Dreamy Coconut, Moreish Mint, Gorgeous Ginger, Classic Chocolate, Mocha chocolate and more!!
Even though Singapore is blessed with a large variety of food, let's face it, we could do with cheaper seafood. And after travelling all the way to London, seafood is what I'll get at an amazing price and I get to pamper my taste buds at the same time too!
At only £20 (about SGD$40), you can get an entire lobster all to yourself, with a generous helping of fries that I couldn't even finish! Even though I reached at 6+pm, I still had to wait about 20mins for a table, okay maybe it's because my full party wasn't present yet when I reached, but still!
The lobster was super fresh and sooo tasty, I don't think you can find an equivalent in Singapore. I dined at the Soho branch because we wanted to check out the night scene in the area after dinner. It's really eye opening!! However, if you're going with your family and you prefer a safer environment, head to the Mayfair Branch. After all, if it's that expensive in Monopoly, it has to be that expensive in real life as well too right?
PS: Thought of adding Hummingbird Bakery's red velvet cupcakes here or Snog's yoghurt, or even Gordan Ramsey's restaurants but nahhh those are too common. Feel free to check them out too!
Typing this has made me so hungry. Have to plan a trip to London again soon!!! I miss Europe so much :(
Til the next time~
Free sample? Check. Amazing smells? Check. Cute guy by the door? Check.
K going in.
Was distracted by the huge slab of fudge right in front of me, which I later found out, was laid there to cool down. Fudge Kitchen's fudge is made using whipping cream instead of butter, giving a creamy soft texture and distinctive flavour! Plus there are a few flavours to choose from if you don't like it plain ol' original. There's Tangy Orange, Dreamy Coconut, Moreish Mint, Gorgeous Ginger, Classic Chocolate, Mocha chocolate and more!!
Gahh look at that huge slab O_O
A while later, the fudge maker came and started mixing the fudge!!
Turn the volume up to find out a little more on how fudge is made!
PSST! Notice how the fudge gets easier to flip and sinks downwards, that's how it tastes so smooth and the sugar is evenly spread out.
The branch I went to was:
Fudge Kitchen
Address: 5 Broad Street
Oxford, OX1 3AJ
Tel: +44 (0) 1865 794154
For more outlets, visit their website at http://www.fudgekitchen.co.uk/
However! Since this post is about London, here's a place in London you can check out for fresh, homemade fudge!
The London Fudge Company
Jubilee craft market at Covent Garden on Saturdays and Sundays
If you haven't tried fudge you're missing out on sweet, sugary goodness.
- Eat duck rice
I know what you're thinking.
"I travelled half the world for DUCK RICE? I can eat this back home in Singapore!"
Yes you can, but it's not the same. Their duck is from Ireland.
Not only is it fatter, juicier, tender-rer, Four Seasons and Gold Mine have their magic gravy and together, you get a dish that will give you cravings even when you're back in Singapore.
Try both and tell me which one you prefer! :p
How to get there: Turn left at Bayswater, walk straight and you'll see the two restaurants on your right! They are really near each other, just make sure you don't walk into the wrong one ;)
- Grab a bagel
Along Brick Lane there is this infamous bagel shop that sells bagels for around 1 pound each that has been established since 1977. That's ridiculously cheap considering how yummy the bagels are!!
- Eat duck rice
I know what you're thinking.
"I travelled half the world for DUCK RICE? I can eat this back home in Singapore!"
Yes you can, but it's not the same. Their duck is from Ireland.
Not only is it fatter, juicier, tender-rer, Four Seasons and Gold Mine have their magic gravy and together, you get a dish that will give you cravings even when you're back in Singapore.
Try both and tell me which one you prefer! :p
How to get there: Turn left at Bayswater, walk straight and you'll see the two restaurants on your right! They are really near each other, just make sure you don't walk into the wrong one ;)
The classic smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel blew my MIND. It's served hot, looks simple,but darn a lot of passion went into every bit of it.
Get a bagel and continue strolling down Brick Lane. Now you feel that bit of London spirit, don't you?
Beigel Bake
159 Brick Lane
London
E1 6SB
- Have a lobster 159 Brick Lane
London
E1 6SB
Even though Singapore is blessed with a large variety of food, let's face it, we could do with cheaper seafood. And after travelling all the way to London, seafood is what I'll get at an amazing price and I get to pamper my taste buds at the same time too!
At only £20 (about SGD$40), you can get an entire lobster all to yourself, with a generous helping of fries that I couldn't even finish! Even though I reached at 6+pm, I still had to wait about 20mins for a table, okay maybe it's because my full party wasn't present yet when I reached, but still!
The lobster was super fresh and sooo tasty, I don't think you can find an equivalent in Singapore. I dined at the Soho branch because we wanted to check out the night scene in the area after dinner. It's really eye opening!! However, if you're going with your family and you prefer a safer environment, head to the Mayfair Branch. After all, if it's that expensive in Monopoly, it has to be that expensive in real life as well too right?
Mayfair Branch (no reservations)
Soho Branch (plenty of things to do after!)
Website: Burger and Lobster
Typing this has made me so hungry. Have to plan a trip to London again soon!!! I miss Europe so much :(
Til the next time~
