As a food connoisseur, I take immense pleasure in exploring different cuisines, flavours, and culinary techniques. I enjoy trying out new dishes, experimenting with ingredients, and observing how others describe food.

I believe that food is not just about taste; it’s about the entire experience that surrounds it. From the ambience of a restaurant to the presentation of a dish, every aspect adds to the overall enjoyment of the meal. I pay attention to small details, such as the way a dish is garnished or the temperature at which it is served.

Here are some Asian restaurants near LSE that I highly recommend!

Hoa Sen Restaurant –  22 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5RH

As a Vietnamese local, Hoa Sen is the best Vietnamese restaurant near LSE. It is roughly 10 minutes away from campus and is open for lunch and dinner. In comparison to Viet Eat, another popular Vietnamese restaurant near campus, Hoa Sen provides more authentic flavours with extremely delicious dishes. 

Some of my personal favourites are:

• Lang Son Roasted Duck with Rice
• Classic Pho
• Hanoi Style Banh Cuon Rice Rolls
• Hanoi Street Style BBQ Pork with Vermicelli Noodles

For any adventurous eaters reading this, I would also highly recommend the Crispy Bagbagis and Tofu Vermicelli Noodles. The shrimp paste is definitely not an easy smell to savour but if you like it, it tastes amazing!

Canton Element – 48 Red Lion St, London WC1R 4PF

As recommended by some of my closest friends from Hong Kong, Canton Element is a legitimate restaurant, described as “90% similar to Hong Kong.” 

Here are some of the dishes that they recommend:

• Hokkien fried rice
• Sweet & Sour Pork with Fried Rice 
• Stir-Fried Beef Ho Fun in Soya Sauce (Dry)
• Special Fried Rice
• Har Gau Steamed Prawn Dumpling
• Steamed Shanghai Style Dumplings / Xiaolongbao

Kangnam Pocha – 176 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5QF

Although Kangnam Pocha does not have the most authentic food for the Korean palette, they provide an array of dishes that will still be able to satisfy your spicy and savoury palette. 

Here are some of the dishes I would recommend:

• Kimchi pancake
• Tteokbokki
• LA Galbi BBQ
• Yukgaejang with Rice
• Ox Tail Soup with Rice

If you do visit any of these restaurants or have any recommendations, let me know in the comments section below.