FBC

Koya – Udon Noodle Bar – London

November 4, 2011 by Zizi

I love noodle soup. So when I read about Koya in Gwyneth Paltrow’s newsletter, the GOOP, I knew I had to go there. I was happy that my foodie friends, Sarka and Giulia were also keen on trying this place.

Once you step through the navy doorway curtain of this very plain-looking specialist, it’s noodles with everything. This is thick, white udon, made with wheat flour imported from Japan, then kneaded by foot (in a good, hygienic way) for extra chewiness.

Customers can vary how they have their noodles: according to temperature: hot udon with hot broth (dashi), cold with hot broth, or cold with cold dipping sauce; and topping from various meats to mushrooms with walnut miso. Staff seem happy to advise.

We got there by lunch time and the place was very busy packed with Japanese people. That was one good sign we went to the right place. Tap water was placed on the table immediately as we sat down, which is always nice. The menu is simple and there are always specials on the blackboard.

We ordered three small-plate starters/salads to share, then everyone had their own noodle soup. All of us ordered hot udon with hot broth. I asked for vegetarian broth and it wasn’t a problem.

The fresh noodles were amazing: slippery and chewy. Yum! I loved my toppings too: fried tofu with fresh spring onion.

They are open everyday from 12:00 – 15:00 and 17:30 – 22:30 (Sunday to 22:00). Koya focuses on the friendly characteristic of udon and proposes various recipes, delicious to both Japanese and non-Japanese alike.

My advice would be to go and sit down at the counter and watch the team in action and if you have opportunity speak to the chef.

Koya believes their genuine and honest attitude will establish an eatery to be loved by all. I believe it too!

Koya
49 Frith Street, Soho
London
W1D 4SQ
www.koya.co.uk

Closest tube station: Tottenham Court Road tube
Telephone: +44 20 7434 4463
Twitter: @KoyaUdon
Main courses:£6.70 – £14.70

Borough Market – London, Part 2

October 22, 2011 by Zizi

What about an early Saturday morning market visit? I usually get up early on Saturdays too because I don’t want to miss my favorite organic farmers market in Budapest. It only opens until 1 am so you need to get up early if you want to buy everything you planned.

Borough Market stole my heart in August. I couldn’t stop taking photos. Which is your favorite market in the world?

Food bloggers in action… I wasn’t the only one taking photos of this tomato paradise. Orange, yellow, light green with dark green stripes, red, black, oval, round… I’ve never seen this many type of tomatoes in one place!

We only had a quick bite for lunch. I chose Veggie Table, a small vegetarian cater business who creates simple, fresh and exciting vegetarian food. They use local vegetables and organic grains to deliver wholesome and delicious meals for vegetarians, vegans and meat-eaters alike. They craft real food from real ingredients. They have 5 booths around London markets, one at Borough. Find more information on their website.

I live in Budapest but every time I will go to London I will always go to Borough Market. I think it’s wonderful. You can get things there that you can’t find anywhere else… and I’m not the only one saying this! 🙂

More about the market:
Borough Market – London, Part 1

Borough Market
8 Southwark Street
London
SE1 1TL
www.boroughmarket.co.uk

Open:
Thursdays 11am – 5pm
Fridays 12 pm – 6pm
Saturdays 8am – 5pm

Borough Market – London, Part 1

October 17, 2011 by Zizi

Before I went to London for Food Blogger Connect, I knew that Borough Market was the place I should not miss! Although I used to live in England for two years I never went to this market. I know why, I wasn’t interested in food that time. But now… Borough Market is paradise for me. I could go there everyday. Let the photos speak instead of me…