Where to: Find comfort food from home in London

For many international students, one of the biggest challenges of living abroad is adjusting to the unfamiliar, especially when it comes to food. Whether it’s a craving for a dish from home, the smell of spices that remind you of your family kitchen, or the comfort of traditional meals, finding familiar food can make you feel more connected to home. Luckily, London’s incredibly diverse food scene offers plenty of options to explore authentic cuisines from around the world.

In this blog, we’ll take a deeper dive into some of London’s multicultural neighbourhoods, popular food markets, and ethnic grocery stores where you can find ingredients and meals that remind you of home.

1. Chinatown: A Taste of East Asia

London’s Chinatown is one of the most famous destinations for students craving East Asian food. Located between Leicester Square and Soho, this vibrant area is the go to spot for Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, and other Southeast Asian cuisines.

• Restaurants: Chinatown has a vast array of authentic restaurants where you can enjoy comforting dishes like dim sum, wonton soup, and roast duck. Check out spots like
  YiQi Pan Asian Cuisine for their iberico pork or for delicious Sichuan dumplings.
• Bakeries and Dessert Spots: You can also find sweet treats like egg tarts, red bean pastries, and bubble tea from places like Taiyakiya or Bubblewrap.
• Grocery Stores: If you’re cooking at home and need Asian ingredients, you’ll find several grocery stores stocked with everything from fresh tofu and bok choy to specialty sauces and spices. New Loon Moon Supermarket and SeeWoo are two popular options in the area, offering a wide variety of products from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries.

2. Brick Lane: South Asian Flavours

London’s Brick Lane, located in East London, is a vibrant melting pot of South Asian culture, particularly known for its Indian, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani restaurants and shops.

• Curry Houses: Brick Lane is often referred to as the “curry capital” of London. Many restaurants here serve authentic South Asian dishes, from rich butter chicken to spicy lamb vindaloo. Famous spots like Aladin and Sheba are always popular choices for traditional curries, naan, and biryanis.
• Spice Shops: If you prefer cooking at home, Brick Lane has spice shops and groceries that sell everything from masalas to basmati rice. Taj Stores, one of the oldest Bangladeshi supermarkets in the area, is a great place to pick up essential South Asian ingredients and fresh produce.
• Markets: The Sunday Upmarket on Brick Lane also offers a variety of street food stalls, where you can taste South Asian-inspired dishes alongside global cuisines like Ethiopian, Mexican, and Turkish.

3. Southall: A Little India in London

Southall, often referred to as “Little India,” is a vibrant neighborhood in West London with one of the largest Indian and Punjabi communities in the UK. This area is known for its rich selection of Indian food, markets, and groceries.

• Restaurants: Southall’s Gopal’s Corner and Mehfil Indian Restaurant offer classic Punjabi and North Indian dishes, such as saag paneer, tandoori meats, and daal makhani. For authentic street food snacks, try Madhus, where you can indulge in samosas, chaat, and dahi puri.
• Sweet Shops: If you’re in the mood for Indian sweets, head to Ambala or Sham Sweet Centre to grab some freshly made gulab jamun, jalebi, or barfi.
• Grocery Stores: When it comes to groceries, Southall is home to several supermarkets that cater specifically to the Indian community. Quality Foods and V B & Sons are two popular chains where you can find everything from fresh produce like okra and bitter gourd to spices, lentils, pickles, and chutneys.

4. Brixton: Caribbean and African Delights

Brixton, located in South London, is famous for its vibrant Caribbean and African communities. This neighbourhood offers a wide range of restaurants, street food, and markets where you can explore flavours from Jamaica, Nigeria, Ghana, and beyond.

• Caribbean Food: Head to Negril or Fish, Wings & Tings for some of London’s best jerk chicken, curry goat, and rice and peas. Brixton’s Caribbean restaurants serve hearty, home-style meals that bring the warmth of home to your plate.
• African Cuisine: If you’re craving West African flavours, Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen and 3 Little Birds are fantastic spots for Ghanaian and Nigerian dishes. Indulge in jollof rice, fufu, or suya.
• Brixton Market: Brixton Village Market is a food hot spot, with vendors selling everything from African and Caribbean street food to Latin American and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. The market also has specialty grocery stores like Nour Cash & Carry, where you can find authentic ingredients like plantains, yams, Scotch bonnet peppers, and African spices.

5. Green Lanes: Turkish and Middle Eastern Cuisine

For students from Turkey and the Middle East, Green Lanes in North London is the go-to spot for authentic food and groceries. This vibrant area is packed with Turkish, Kurdish, and Middle Eastern restaurants, bakeries, and shops.

1. Restaurants: Enjoy comforting Turkish dishes like kebabs, mezes, and grilled meats at spots like Gökyüzü or Antepliler, both known for their flavourful food.
2. Bakeries: Yasar Halim is a beloved bakery where you can find traditional Turkish breads, pastries, and sweets like baklava and kunefe.
3. Grocery Stores: Green Lanes also has several Middle Eastern grocery stores where you can find staples like olive oil, pita bread, tahini, and fresh herbs like parsley and mint. Alev Food Centre and Turkish Food Centre are popular choices for picking up ingredients from the region.

6. Ethnic Supermarkets in Central London

If you’re looking for international ingredients but can’t make it to one of the outer neighbourhoods, London has plenty of ethnic supermarkets scattered throughout the city centre.

• Oriental Food Stores: Stores like Japan Centre (Piccadilly) and Korean Foods (Covent Garden) offer a variety of Japanese and Korean ingredients like ramen noodles, miso, and kimchi.
• Middle Eastern Groceries: Green Valley in Marble Arch is a great Middle Eastern supermarket with an extensive selection of products from Lebanon, Syria, and other countries. They have fresh baked goods, olives, nuts, and spices.
• Indian Groceries: Pride of Asia and Taj Stores (in Brick Lane) are both well-stocked with Indian ingredients and spices, perfect for cooking up a curry or biryani at home.

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