London can be an expensive city in which to live, work and go out. But, if you look hard, there are some amazing places to eat that won't break the bank. Here's the start of a guide to budget dishes, that we'll be adding to on a regular basis.
Pork siu long bao at Dumplings Legend
Chinatown - 15-16 Gerrard Street, London W1D 6JE
While the xiao long bao at Din Tai Fung may be better known, for us the tastiest soup dumplings in London are to be found in the heart of Chinatown at this legendary establishment. Service is brisk and the dumplings are excellent. It’s not a place to linger, but to refuel in the best possible way.
How much: Eight dumplings for £7.50
Dhal roti canai at Roti King
Euston and Battersea
Owner Sugen Gopal knows his dhal is the business. Why? Because it’s based on his mum’s recipe. Pair that bowl of veggie goodness with his wonderful buttery, flaky rotis and you’ve got one of London’s best cheap eats that comforts while it fills.
How much: £6.50
Brown butter cacio e pepe ziti at Noci
Islington - 4-6 Islington Green, London N1 2XA
Chef Louis Korovilas may have moved on from this Islington restaurant but he left behind this gold-standard dish at this mid-level priced spot. None of the pasta dishes here are particularly pricey but it's this buttery comfort dish with a deeper level of flavour due to the brown butter that really sings.
How much: £10
Chicken popcorn with garlic and chilli powder at Good Friend
Chinatown - 14 Little Newport St, London WC2H 7JJ
There’s a reason why there’s a permanent queue outside this Chinatown spot - the always-excellent Taiwanese fried chicken. The first time you go you might be daunted by the array of seasonings that are on offer and you’ll go - like everyone does - for garlic and chilli. But next time, try the powdered plum. Game changer.
How much: £6
Photo by @alwaysbrunch
Creamed White Onion Soup with fourme d’ambert choux at The Wolseley
St James - 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB
A more refined version of the French classic, you could sit and sup a bowl of this soup at The Wolseley for less than £10 and be just as well treated as the captains of industry and celebs dining alongside you. Best of all, this soup is topped with three perfect blue cheese choux so you don’t need to order bread to go with it.
How much: £9.75
Kimchi fried rice with cheese at Seoul Bakery
Bloomsbury - 14 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3NH
For many Korean expats, this diminutive Bloomsbury spot promises a taste of home - if you can get in the door (go early or prepare to queue). The kimchi fried rice on its own is just £8 but you really want to add either a fried egg or - our favourite - cheese, for an extra £1.50 for the perfect plate.
How much: £9.50
More about Seoul BakeryMore about Seoul Bakery
Corn ribs at Fallow
St James - 2 St James’s Market, London SW1Y 4RP
We’re not saying that Fallow were the first to kickstart the corn rib craze in London - that gong goes to Ottolenghi’s Rovi. But Fallow’s version really is a must-try dish (it’s been on the menu since their Heddon Street residency) and comes in at well under a tenner. Chefs Jack Croft and Will Murray deep fry the corn ribs before adding a punchy kombu seasoning and lots of chopped coriander.
How much: £7.50
Vada Pau at Dishoom
Across London
“Bombay’s answer to the British chip butty” is how Dishoom describe their vada pau. Is it a snack or is it a meal on its own? Well that depends on your appetite. The homemade bun does its best to contain the large potato vada and the whole thing is served with crunchy titbits and chutneys and a red spicy masala.
How much: £5.90
Hummus with burnt butter at Bubala
Soho and Spitalfields
Bubala does two versions of its hummus. The veggie one (pictured here) and available at the Soho brand is made with burnt butter and topped with pinenuts. But they also do two vegan versions too. If you can push the boat out and add in some of their wonderful laffa bread it’ll take you just over the £10 limit by 50p, but it’s so worth it.
How much: £9.75
Arroz negro at Brindisa
London Bridge, South Kensington, Battersea, Soho and Richmond
A dish as black as your bank balance is red, this is made using Capasparra rice which has been grown since the 17th century and was the first rice in the world to obtain a Denomination of Origin. It’s cooked with squid ink and served with the largest dollop of garlicky alioli.
How much: £10
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