Starving after a long walk through Hyde Park and fighting our way through the hoards of tourists on Oxford street, our friend and current London resident Jo recommended a Thai restaurant for dinner. Having Thai food in London wasn’t originally part of my master plan although I’ve always known that London is famous for spices due to the East India Trading company back in the days. But after hearing raving recommendations from Jo and seeing numerous other Thai restaurants on the streets of London, I thought – Why not? And I’m so glad we went!

There are several locations of Busaba Eathai in London, we went to the one on Bird Street. The restaurant is filled with communal square-shaped tables, wood panels with lotus flower candles floating in water, and a bright and open kitchen. It’s country meets modern, very cozy and not at all pretentious. All the dishes were clean and extremely flavorful, not at all heavy nor greasy even when it’s fried.

loved the menus and place mats that matched the wooden tables.

They have a beverage menu filled with interesting choices, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

Left: Coconut water with raspberry. Right: Guava Collins – Guava, coconut, lime, with Thai lime leaf. Very expensive though considering the amount you get.

fried calamari with ginger and peppercorn. So tender with a perfect blend of spices.

Fried chicken with papaya, shallot, lemongrass and chili sauce. Again, extremely tender. Loved the papaya salad on top, very nice balance.

Pad Thai. Very good but not as special as the other dishes.

Som Tam: Green papaya salad with dried shrimp and cherry tomatoes. First time I had dried shrimp in the salad, usually this dish is vegetarian. Yumm!

red lamb curry with lychee and cherry tomatoes. What a cool use of lychee! I would’ve never thought to pair lychee with lamb.

By the way, the word PUB isn’t a “bar” per say, like the way we use the term in the States. It does serve alcohol, but it doesn’t always serve British fare. Pub simply means public eating house, a place for you and your friends to gather. For example: We passed by the Churchill Arms, a very famous London Pub, while some of the British classics are on the menu, it is actually a Thai restaurant!

Busaba Eathai
8-13 Bird Street
London W1U 1BU
Phone 020 7518 8080