Bánh Bánh

Everyone misses certain things when they leave east London. Some like warehouse parties or canalside strolls. Waving goodbye to the East End left a hole in everyone's heart the size and shape of one of Kingsland Road's many Vietnamese restaurants, which, as you may understand, puts a strain on the old circulatory system. Things are looking up for rent-hike refugees in Peckham, though, since erstwhile Bussey Building regulars Bánh Bánh have now joined the expanding food village at the tip of Peckham Rye. The restaurant is owned by five siblings of the Nguyen family, who have based their cuisine on recipes left behind by their grandmother, who worked as a cook in Saigon in the 1940s. It is housed in a neutrally furnished, plywood-clad facility.

Granny Nguyen was obviously a pioneer. There are many of delicacies that you would not anticipate, such as the house's unique banh khọt pancakes, which are gob-sized eggy hemispheres filled with juicy prawns and topped with spring onion, served still-cooking in a cast-iron skillet, with leaves and dipping sauce on the side. These, like everything else on the menu, cost less than a tenner. Although the dishes are meant to be shared, most of the bigger selections can be eaten on their own, making Bánh Bánh an excellent choice for a fast solo lunch as well as a communal blow-out with friends. If you go for the latter, grab a few die-hard Hackney types, order one of everything, and watch their expressions as they clash chopsticks over some of the greatest Vietnamese food in the city. This is one of the best cheap eats in London.

Google rating: 4.5/5

Phone: +44 20 7207 2935

Address: 46 Peckham Rye, London SE15 4JR, United Kingdom

Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · Delivery

Prices: Under £10

Website: http://www.banhbanh.com/