Visiting Hackney Bridge just because of food

Hackney Bridge near Stratford is off my radar but only went as I was captivated by a Japanese stall selling chiffon cakes but lunch is a must before dessert.

Fortunately there is a food court with a good spread. 

This steak stall looked good but it is either new or gone for good. 

Settled for a smashed burger from Bovine burger and duck/prawn gyoza rice bowl from Rainbo. 

The prawn gyoza was a little different from expectation but it was certainly memorable. 

Instead of minced prawn filling, it had lots of little shrimps which made it quite tasty.

I wasn't fond of the duck gyoza because it was filled with the usual Peking duck filling which was sweet because of the hoisin flavour.

The smashed burger was ok but a little dry.

Now to the star of the show, Japanese chiffon cakes which are definitely authentic, light and super soft.

There were so many to choose from so ended up getting two.

My favourite was the strawberry and fluffy cream while the Roasting shed caffe latte with chocolate chip was nice with tea of coffee.

The roasting shed one had a nice mouthfeel with bits of ground coffee in it.

Chiffon cakes are very different to the texture of English and American cakes. 

Saying that, I am more accustomed to the texture of English cakes because I find Asian cakes too soft and soggy. 

Also spotted were chiffon cake rusks which were light and crispy with the texture and taste like Italian sponge fingers.

M&S Cafe Christmas Special 2024: Chicken Schnitzel

M&S Cafe Christmas Special!
Schnitzel with roast potatoes, cranberry sauce and mayo.
This was delicious, the chicken was a little dry and chewy on the edges.
The potatoes were dry on the outside but sticky and fluffy in the middle.
I got extra dipping gravy because who doesn't like gravy with potatoes.
The gravy was runny like drinking gravy..
Anyway, not bad. 7/10

Soupless ramen with a difference at Koi Ramen, Brixton

There are so many Koi Ramen branches but I went to this particular one because it is located under the rail arches and feels like Japan. 

At first I was hesitant to try Koi because I am particular with ramen and the type of ramen they use but this is the thin type like hakata. 

Tried the Soupless ramen which was different and nice. 

Also known as abura soba/maze soba but this one was to my liking as the traditional ones use lard which is too heavy but here they use sesame oil which is much lighter and the noodles are thinner unlike the authentic ones which are thick.

The miso was a surprise because I thought it was going to be mellow like stated but the miso was strong like marmite to the nose the tofu puffs absorbed the flavours nicely.

This place can get quite steamy.

Thai food photo dump at MudMee, Kin + Deum and The Great Thai Restaurant

Thai food photo dump at MudMee, Kin + Deum and The Great Thai Restaurant.

I won't bother reviewing these because Thai food is just sweet and spicy in my opinion or oily and heavy like Chinese for stir fried items.

MudMee: Yen Fa To noodles and Khanom Jeen (this was actually nice because it was sour).

The Great Thai Restaurant: Yen Fa To and Pad Thai (both sweet), green tea tasted like lipstick.

Kin + Deum: Kao Pad Nam Liep (Thai Olive Rice) and Tom Yum Fries (just fries with tom yum seasoning)

Mcdonalds new chilli double cheeseburger

Think double cheeseburger, Mexican spices like cajun and Thai sweet chilli.

On first bite, it was a bit like chilli con carne but the chilli relish makes it sweet like thai sweet chilli.

However you do get some cumin/cajun spices going on but they are quite light.

It was ok but I am not a fan of sweet chilli so a double cheeseburger is probably better on its own.