Fast food is a difficult thing to get right. In London, you are never more than a happy meal away from any one of the usual suspects, but there is so much more out there for a quick bite after work. Enter Busaba Eathai.
Founded in 1999 by Alan Yau, it is styled as a modern interpretation of an ethnic Thai canteen. Since the establishment of the first restaurant situated on Wardour Street in the heart of Soho, Busaba Eathai has opened nine further restaurants.
The latest branch on the Kings Road is no different - low lighting and simple décor are indicative of the food, which is classic and well presented.
The fact that there’s a queue outside the door on a week night can only be a good sign: the clientele clearly know that there’s something good to be had within. The shared tables mean the place has a certain buzz about it, and it would be the perfect place for an informal meal with friends.
The menu is a plethora of noodles, soups and currys. It’s worth negotiating with whoever you’re eating with because you will undoubtedly find yourself sharing – the tables seem to lend themselves to picking at someone else’s noodles.
To start, we had some Thai calamari – squid deep fried in ginger and peppercorn batter – and vegetable spring rolls, which were crisp and delicious, and a million miles away from the insipid, greasy offering you might be used to.
We followed that with the best Pad Thai I’ve had outside of Asia – all peanuts and juicy prawns mixed with a huge portion of noodles. Alongside, we had black pepper beef, and the meat was tender and tasty and pleasantly spicy without being overpowering. We were going to order a curry as well, but in the end there was more than enough food for two.
The sticky rice – served in an authentic Asian box – was so ridiculously moreish you could end up eating more of that than anything else. The meal perfectly washed down with a cold beer – nothing else seems right.
Sadly there aren’t any desserts on offer, but there are plenty of juices and sake, as well as tea, to keep you going.
Busaba Eathai has got the informal dining vibe spot on. It’s a great addition to King's Road – great value, quick, and best of all, delicious.
Dinner for two with drinks is around £45.
Rhiannon Bury
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