I tried an authentic street Thai food restaurant and one unusual ingredient surprised me

With a name like Slurp Noodles, there can’t be much room for confusion – I knew this laid-back East joint had to be serving up the cosiest soup bowls.

But I was pleasantly surprised to find out that here, you won’t find the usual options like Tom Yum and Tom Kha. This eatery delivers something many Londoners have been yearning for: authentic comfort Thai dishes that don’t make it on most menus.

This opening came in 2024, at a time when finding a good value Thai in the capital could be quite a chore, especially if you add affordability into the equation.

Luckily, I can help narrow down your search by recommending this simple yet comforting venue located in the heart of the trendy Spitalfields neighbourhood.

Many are familiar with the Asian outlets in this area, with tiny and unassuming eateries becoming real hidden gems. However, this is not the case for Slurp Noodles, which is located in a large corner venue and is easy to spot, even from a distance.

The ambience inside is relaxed and informal, with sparse wood decor and waiters pointing at your allocated table with a friendly smile.

The menus are equally modest—simple pieces of cream and bright orange-coloured paper featuring easily recognisable classics like Hainan chicken and roast duck.

However, it was not the everyday classic fare I was here for; I wanted a taste of the more unusual Thai dishes you can’t easily find anywhere. Think Kuaijab and pad mama or grass jelly for dessert.

That’s why, after sampling an order of the mandatory steamed pork dumplings (served deliciously smothered in a sweet soy sauce), I requested the stewed chicken noodle soup.

To my surprise, this warming and aptly-spiced dish came with not two, not three, but four chicken drumsticks, as well as some shiitake, half a boiled egg, veggies, and perhaps my most eagerly-anticipated ingredient to try: duck blood.

The flavours were simply sensational; the noodles, the right level of chewy; and the broth, delightfully dark and rich. The duck blood, despite being an intimidating deep burgundy colour, was very easy on the palate with a pleasant jelly-like consistency.

My only issue with this colossal bowlful is that I wish it was recommended for sharing. I really don’t like wasting food, and I couldn’t even finish half of what I was served.

Also on the table was a serving of the Hat Yai chicken, golden-brown, juicy, and generously proportioned fried chicken thighs marinated in a coriander and garlic sauce and topped with crispy onions. Dipped in some sweet chilli sauce, this dish was a treat for the taste buds.

And if that wasn’t enough, I also got to sample my guest’s duck noodle soup, made with a home-cooked broth of Silk Road spices and egg noodles, topped with crispy duck slices that were also full of flavour on their own.

To wash it all down, Slurp Noodles offers a variety of Thai-inspired cocktails with ingredients like coconut tequila, jasmine gin, lemongrass syrup and mandarin puree.

But, while the alcoholic drinks sounded great – and my cocktail choice was a sweet and fruity blend of papaya-infused vodka, Cointreau and raspberry syrup – it was the classic sweet Thai tea that stole the show.

The pink soda and pink milk were interesting and probably just as sweet as the tea, but their strong floral and fruity taste didn’t pair well with the heavily spiced savoury dishes.

My meal would have ended there had I not spotted an interesting name among the dessert options: toddy palm cake. This delicious traditional Thai dessert is often presented as a batch of small steamed cakes flavoured with toddy palm sugar and coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves, and topped with grated coconut.

I expected a spongy loaf like the ones I used to see in Thailand when I visited the food markets, so I was taken aback when I was served a bowl with eight (minuscule) poffertjes-like pancakes topped with just a few strands of shaved coconut. The coconutty and milky flavour was nice, but this little (literally) sweet treat was nothing to rave about – and definitely not in any way comparable to the real deal.

But if the comfort of a good bowl of soup and some Thai street treats isn’t enough, another reason this laid-back eatery is a good place to resort to on a cold Friday night is Dang’s, a speakeasy conveniently located below. This secret and unexpected bar is intimate, dimly lit, and perfect for a casual date night or catching up with a small group of friends.

The menu features experimental cocktails inspired by Thailand, including the Tom Yum (named after the popular soup), which features makrut lime leaf, galangal, tomato, chilli vodka, lemongrass, lime, noodles, and coriander. It is definitely an explosion of flavours.

The well-loved Thai tea is also available in an alcoholic version, shaken with Phraya rum, condensed milk, honey, and crushed ice for the ultimate sweet indulgence.

But the menu isn’t just limited to cocktails and wine. Sake is also offered by the glass, and Asian beers like Chang and Coedo are also available.

On the whole, Slurp Noodles and Dang’s are an ideal tandem to pin in Google Maps and resort to whenever the mood strikes but convenience is needed.