Homegirl London’s Restaurant Review: Farang London. If you want to try amazing Thai street food using seasonal ingredients, you’ll love Farang in Highbury. This is a venture between Seb Holmes and Dan Turner, previously sous chefs at the Begging Bowl in Peckham. If you’re looking for Thai Street Food London or best places to eat in Highbury, then you must give Farang London a try.
“Experience delicious and inventive Thai street food using seasonal ingredients at this Highbury located Restaurant,” Homegirl London
Farang London Menu
Lucky for us, Farang is in Highbury, is only a ten-minute walk from our house. Homeboy had spotted that the San Daniele restaurant was no longer serving Italian cuisine, it was now a Thai street food place instead. Seb Holmes, the founder and head chef, has drawn on his experience from The Begging Bowl and the Smoking Goat in Soho. He is passionate about using seasonal ingredients and creating maximum flavour. Teaming up with Dan Turner, also a former sous chef at the Begging Bowl, the pair hosted pop-ups, supper clubs and sold food at street food markets. Their loyal following has helped bring in the punters to this rather ample space in Highbury.
Prawn and Pomegranate Miang Bites
The menu features small plates including Prawn and Pomegranate Miang Bites, which Homeboy tried. Miang Kham means one bite wrap. The ingredients are placed on top of an edible leaf. You wrap it up, dip it in sauce and pop it in your mouth. This is a traditional snack from Thailand and Laos. Watch out for the green peppers which are very hot. The combination of ingredients is fresh and crunchy, which is a fabulous combination. With a hint of lime, it’s a refreshing starter. There is also a vegetarian option available.
Yellow Bean, Chive and Asian Vegetable Crispy Wontons
I tucked into Yellow Bean, Chive and Asian Vegetable Crispy Wontons which was accompanied with a delicious Burnt Chili Dipping Sauce. I loved this dish, and the wontons were wonderfully crispy. Other small plates included Grilled Onglet Steak with Roasted Chili Jaew (Thai dried chilli dipping sauce). Or you can try the Grilled Cornish Dayboat Fish with Nam Jim Jaew (spicy dipping sauce).
Whole Crispy Sea Bass with Three Flavour Sauce
Homeboy tried a special for his big plate which was Whole Crispy Sea Bass with Three Flavour Sauce. Wow, this dish looked amazing. I couldn’t try it because I’m a vegetarian but was told that it was perfectly balanced between tasting sweet and sour. It was totally devoured, which is a good sign!
Vegetarian Green Curry
Meanwhile, I’d ordered a vegetarian version of the Green Curry which was tasty and well-presented but just a bit too hot for my taste buds. Next time I think I’ll try the Tofu, Shiitake Mushroom and Yellow Bean Lon with Dipping Vegetables and Herbs. Or the vegetarian version of the Aromatic Curry of Coconut Braised Beef Cheeks. Other large plates included Chiang Mai Minced Pork Belly and Tomato Relish with Dipping Vegetables and Herbs. A Half Spring Chicken and Minced Tiger Prawn Red Curry with Sweet Basil. Alternatively, the Green Curry of Cornish Mussels or the very hot Jungle Curry of Fresh Cornish Dayboat Fish may be preferable. There are a few sides which include Jasmine Rice, Turmeric Butter Roti and Assorted Pickles.
Black Sticky Rice Pudding
After my hot curry, I needed cooling down, so that was a perfect excuse to order the Homemade Baby Pineapple Sorbet. We also tried the Black Sticky Rice Pudding with Mango and Toasted Coconut. Desserts and the main dishes are likely to vary according to when you visit so do check online before you book. Small plates cost £5-9, large plates are £12-16 and desserts are £4.50-5.50.
Farang London Interiors
Farang is located inside the San Daniele restaurant which served Italian food for over twenty years. The interiors are still pretty much the same. The tables still bear the gingham table cloths which have been covered over with black paper. The interiors are rustic with bare brick walls and worn tiled flooring. The interiors don’t match the cuisine but who cares when it tastes so good. There are around 66 covers, so it’s quite sizable inside although you do need to book because it gets very busy.
Farang London Information
Restaurant Exterior
To find out more about the restaurant, go to the Farang London Website. The restaurant address is San Daniele, 72 Highbury Park, Highbury East, London N5 2XE. The nearest stations are Arsenal Tube (Piccadilly Line), Finsbury Park (Piccadilly and Victoria Lines plus Great Northern Trains), Highbury and Islington (Victoria Line, Overground and Great Northern Trains), Drayton Park (Great Northern Trains) and Canonbury (Overground). Current opening times are listed on the website. Enjoy your Thai food!
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. Thanks: Homeboy for dining with me.
