London’s buzzing restaurant scene covers pretty much every cuisine known to man. From traditional Indian restaurants to authentic South American and Japanese, you can find your fix for whatever food you’re craving. And for those days, when you don’t want to settle for just one – we have fusion restaurants that mix and match cuisines to create some eclectic flavours that range from the wild to the wonderful (and very often, both). Read on, for our picks of London’s best fusion menus:
Ayllu
Peruvian & Japanese
At Ayllu, chefs take inspiration from the Ayllu community, with small plates designed to share. Combining traditional Peruvian flavours with Japanese influences, you can expect interesting flavours that fuse the freshness of Japanese sushi with the boldness of Peruvian spices. Oysters with aji Camarillo, mango tiger milk and ponzu, beef velouté, miso and ginger served with rocoto sauce and salmon and tuna tacos are just some of the favourites on the menu.
beneath Smith’s Bar & Grill, 25 Sheldon Square, Paddington www.ayllu.co.uk
The umami-rich flavours of Japan mix with the rustic charm of Italy.
At Angelina, each dish is a harmonious blend of two distinct culinary traditions, where the umami-rich flavours of Japan mix with the rustic charm of Italy. Some standout offerings include pork ragu, piattone beans and smoked herring roe, courgette trifolati, ricotta and sorrel, soy-cured yolk raviolo and spring vegetables, monkfish, wagyu and cuttlefish ragu with maitake and a sparkling brûlée matcha cheesecake.
Dinner at Inca is a whole experience altogether with a menu inspired by the flavours of Latin America and Japan, as well as entertainment on offer that take the form of performances that draw from the vibrant culture of South America. With the open show kitchen, the cooking is a performance in itself with chefs using age-old culinary techniques through various traditional uses of fire and heat. From raw Peruvian ceviche to Japanese yellowtail tiraditos, sushis and tempuras, this is one of London’s most theatrical dinner experiences.
This is one of London’s most theatrical dinner experiences.
Only at SushiSamba will you find such a unique blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian culture and cuisine. The restaurant is born from the combination of these three distinct cultures, with dishes served in a vibrant, elevated environment that makes for gorgeous outdoor seating as well as a buzzing, indoor dining experience (especially with the swanky new SambaRoom, a cocktail bar and lounge perched on the 39th floor of London’s Heron Tower). On the menu, look forward to Japanese tempura and sushi, Brazilian churrasco and moqueca, Peruvian anticuchos and ceviche that caters to gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian diets too.
With a unique menu curated by a team of globetrotting chefs, UBA Shoreditch is all about embracing different cultures and cuisines, often inspired by the chefs’ travels. Bringing the flavours of Asian street food with the spirit of East London, you can expect a playful, innovative food and cocktail menu that makes a stellar choice for shareable plates. Beef rib, avocado tacos, sea bass, onsen egg ramen and an assortment of sushi, sashimi, gyoza and more, along with cocktails that take you across Tokyo, Beijing, Kyoto and more, there’s lots to love here for the adventurous palette.
61 – 67 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3HU www.ubarestaurant.com
Straits Kitchen
South East Asian Flavours and British Techniques
South Asian cuisine takes centre stage here with dishes from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and beyond.
South Asian cuisine takes centre stage here with flavours from, Malaysia, Indonesia, and beyond combined with Western cooking techniques, devised by recently appointed Executive Chef Adam Bateman. From classics like chicken satay skewers and miso salmon, each dish embraces diverse cuisines. And the experience extends to the bar too. At Straits Bar, try the extensive range of Chinese wines alongside Asian-inspired cocktails in an East meets West fusion that’s all about blending different flavours to create dishes that you are bound to remember.
Chotto Matte brings together a blend of Peruvian and Japanese flavours, to celebrate authentic Nikkei cuisine. Expect colourful, artistic dishes served in an energetic space with a theatrical sushi counter, flaming robata grill and a regular calendar of live entertainment to elevate the experience. Truffled prawn tempura, Japanese A5 wagyu sirloin, spicy chicken karaage and salmon tostadas are some of the highlights. The Tokyo to Lima cocktail menu, designed to whisk guests away on, literally, a journey from Tokyo to Lima, looks equally tempting.
Traditional Chinese cooking techniques with the spices of India to create something both new yet familiar
Originating from Kolkata, this unique cuisine was invented when the Hakka people migrated to India from the Chinese province of Canton, bringing with them their culinary treasures. Incorporating traditional Chinese cooking techniques with the spices of India to create something both new yet familiar, Indo-Chinese is now an integral part of Indian cuisine. Playfully named Fatt Pundit it’s a combination of the common Chinese surname ‘Fatt’ with the Indian word ‘Pundit’ (a scholar).
Situated in the heart of Mayfair, Bar des Prés is the first international venture from acclaimed chef Cyril Lignac and is an evolved version of the original Saint-Germain restaurant. A chic, cosmopolitan and vibrant concept that combines the French know-how, the London energy and Japanese individuality.
Farzi Café in London blends Indian flavors with global culinary techniques, creating a vibrant fusion menu that excites the palate. In dishes like dal chawal arancini, traditional Indian lentils and rice are transformed into crispy Italian-style arancini balls, served with a tangy pickle and papad. Another standout is the lamb shank rogan josh, which presents the classic Kashmiri curry with a modern twist, slow-cooked to perfection and served with an aromatic saffron risotto. For a contemporary take on street food, the Amritsari fish and chips pairs spicy, batter-fried fish with traditional British chips, accompanied by a zingy tartar sauce infused with Indian spices. Desserts like the gulab jamun cheesecake combine the rich sweetness of gulab jamun, a traditional Indian dessert, with the creamy texture of a classic cheesecake.
Coya effortlessly marries the rich, vibrant flavours of Peruvian cuisine with contemporary culinary techniques, creating a unique fusion dining experience that offers a bold exploration of textures and tastes. Standout dishes include the tiradito de lubina, a delicate sea bass tiradito that combines Japanese sashimi precision with zesty Peruvian citrus and aji amarillo. Another highlight is the anticucho de pulpo, where octopus is marinated in traditional Peruvian spices, then grilled to perfection and served with a punchy chimichurri sauce, showcasing a delightful blend of Latin American and international influences. The arroz nikkei is a nod to Japanese-Peruvian fusion food, offering a flavorful seafood rice dish enriched with soy and sesame.
Stork Restaurant brings together the flavors of Africa and the Caribbean artfully fused with modern European techniques. The menu features dishes like the jollof risotto where the iconic West African jollof rice is transformed into a creamy Italian-style risotto, bursting with rich tomato and spice flavors. Another standout is the plantain gnocchi, a twist on the classic Italian dumpling, infused with the sweet, tropical notes of plantain and paired with a spicy, tangy sauce. The suya lamb is a nod to Nigerian street food, featuring succulent lamb marinated in traditional suya spices, then grilled to perfection and served with a refreshing cucumber salad.
Brainchild of renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi, masterfully blends Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours with contemporary culinary techniques.
NOPI Restaurant, a brainchild of renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi, masterfully blends Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours with contemporary culinary techniques. Standouts on the menu include roasted aubergine with black garlic, where the creamy, charred aubergine is enhanced by the rich, umami flavour of black garlic and complemented by a tangy yoghurt dressing. Another highlight is the seared scallops with pickled daikon and chilli jam, a dish that combines the sweetness of perfectly cooked scallops with the sharpness of pickled daikon and the heat of chilli jam. NOPI also offers an exquisite selection of drinks, including the rose and cardamom prosecco, a sparkling cocktail that infuses floral and spicy notes into a refreshing prosecco base, and the saffron gin and tonic, a unique twist on the classic cocktail, featuring the aromatic and slightly bitter essence of saffron.
