#48 Hackney Wick, Stoke, Bangkok
Where's for dinner, this week?
This week I was back at one of my favourite spots - Nando’s - to try their new wings. I like to mix up where I eat, and Nando’s is comfort food for me.
It’s knowing I can get my regular order, mix Lemon and Herb with ketchup for the perfect dip, and drown myself in Peach Iced Tea.
I may be biased, but their new Extra Saucy Wings weren’t just extra saucy, but extra spicy and extra messy - blending the perfect PERi Flamer and yoghurt dressing. Go try ‘em.
Onto the “list”.
1. Uncle Hon’s BBQ @ All My Friends, Hackney Wick
Think I just found my birthday lunch spot. At first glance, I was like woah. Then I thought - there’s no way this can be gluten free. It’s delicious Chinese BBQ.
But lo and behold… an instagram DM later, all the meat is good to go.
A pop up at All My Friends at Hackney Wick, you’ll find Uncle Hon’s, a Cantonese-style BBQ, full of incredible meats. My stomach is literally growling as I type this.
The concept is simple - pre-order your meats ahead of time and they’ll get everything slow-cooked to perfection. For me, it’ll have to be their signature (and popular) BBQ tray, consisting of 200g of beef cheeks, 200g peach tea glazed pork belly cubes, 200g cumin pulled lamb shoulder. All served with chilli slaws, carrots and pickles(!), rice and pork scratchings.
There’s also Sichuan beef short ribs and Texan Iberico pork ribs, or duck pancakes to fill you up even further.
Fingers crossed for some BBQ sunshine, for the perfect Spring lunch.
Book your table & pre-order your food here.
2. Little Dumpling King, Stoke
“You still writing recos? Know this is a bit North, but feel like I need to share it. It’s doing absolute bits in Stoke!!”
A shout out to Harry from this one, who slid this spot under my nose, from his Northern hometown.
The first thing I notice - Jay Rayner has been and likes it, noting how much everyone really gives a shit about what they do.
Little Dumpling King stands for three things. Heavy Scran. Natural Wine. Loud Music. Unapologetic - I like, and can get on board with all three. The last within reason. But there’s mention of indie in the mix as well as emo, and I was a big indie gal as a teen, so this could be a delicious throwback.
Food wise, it’s hot, with Asian-influenced small plates and dishes to share beyond dumplings - think bao buns, big rice bowls, ramen, meats and fish - washed down with beautiful bottles of natural wine (browse their online bottle shop here).
Beyond dinner, the team here also host events like wine tasting, and are available to book for your own private events.
Sadly, not coeliac safe due to the kitchen and most dishes containing soy sauce, so I’ll have to sit this one out, but if you are a fan of big flavours and find yourself in Stoke, it could just be worth the visit.
Book your table here.
3. K. Panich, Bangkok
The return of the White Lotus has got me thinking about Thailand and my favourite cuisine, Thai food.
I’ve never had a bad meal in Thailand, and even though I ate my body weight in green curry and papaya salad - every single one was different.
This next spot is equally a little different - K. Panich, a sticky rice street food shop that’s well known for serving the best mango sticky rice around. So good it features on Michelin Guide.
Handed down 80 years, the sweet dish is made by mixing sugar, with coconut milk and rice, and recipe remains unchanged.
Pannee, one of the owners, who is now 82 years old, told Michelin Guide - “Our rice can be kept at room temperature for three days without refrigeration despite not adding any preservatives, because we use the best quality ingredients, and we focus on hygiene in the preparation process.” You have to have respect for that.
The team are passionate about seasonal cooking. So once the mango season ends in June, the menu switches up to serve other family classics like Sticky Rice with Banana Filling, Four-Layered Coconut Milk Custard, and Steamed Banana Cake.
When I’m next in Bangkok - because it’s a ‘when’, not an ‘if’- I will be going.
What’s “Where’s For Dinner?”
Every week I’ll be tempting you with where your next meal out could be - one in London, one in the UK, and one beyond. All places I want to try, but haven’t yet.I would love for you to subscribe (button below), so we can enjoy these places together. And if you have got any tips of your own, I’d love to hear them.