Esarn Kheaw — Restaurant in London

This is a hidden gem on a street full of various cuisines all vying for pole position. However, Esarn Kheaw is a cut above. If you're looking for authentic Thai food, cooked by Thai's with generations of Thai's running a restaurant - this is your place. If they had a good stall at Borough Market or the like it would have a queue to the station. The food here is unreal. Yes they can be heavy on the fish sauce in a few dishes ie classic green Thai curry or spring rolls. Yes a few dishes can have a little too much oil depending on the chef that evening. Saying that the flavour is the best I've tried in London. At least this area of London. The beef panang is rich, deep and spicy. Their noodles dishes are not greasy and full of flavour. Dumplings, fish dishes, chicken - all fantastic. The staff are friendly, smiling and more than happy to chat. I always leave with a smile and full belly. Takeaway or eat in I'd recommend either. Dishes are not priced too highly but not cheap. You're looking at average £9. There are more expensive restaurants out there with much less quality. Worth 5...

This is one of those "great finds" even though it already has a great reputation (and rightly so). It offers fantastic food which leaves you feeling great as you walk away matched with reasonable prices and AMAZING service!! I honestly can't speak highly enough of the friendly, bubbly and knowledgeable host we had for the evening. Onto the food and it offered the depth and balance of flavours expecting from great Thai food. The "Son in law" eggs with the semi sweet Tamarind sauce & perfectly soft boiled eggs were a great pairing for the sticky rice. The texture of the crispy seabass was something this home "cook" can only dream of achieving it was spot on. To finish up we had the first Mango sticky rice of the year and considering I bought it on the recommendation as both me and my partner don't like mango or rice pudding dishes it blew me away. The slightly sweet and mellow taste of both the coconut milk infused rice and delicate mango paired so well it left me genuinely left me with a uplifting feeling. If your still reading this then I think you are aware I highly recommend...

went for third time last night. Was only 2 other tables. Did not order drinks, and waited to order. Our waiter then goes out for a cigarette break instead of taking our order. The other waitress, tends to a customer who is waiting for a takeaway. I waved over to order, and she then tends to another table - after 20 minutes they come to our table. The waiter has been chatting to a couple of italian girls at their table, saying how many different women he has gone out with. They tell people how they are closing for xmas and going away. Nice and friendly. Then waitress comes and says it will be another 5 minutes for rice that we ordered. We change to takeaway, and bill arrives before food, which takes another 10 minutes. No concern at waiting for so long, and more concern with cigarette breaks and chatting to customer at the bar. Feel sorry for the father and kitchen staff who are working hard, and let down by front staff. Do be friendly, but do take orders...