Cheap Eats in Central London

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Cinnamon Buns (Kanelbullar)

Regarded as a classic staple of the bakery, they are described by Female Foodie as a traditional 'must-try' and by the Evening Standard as a fragrant highlight of their window display.

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Pizza slice

Gigantic and inexpensive, a must-order classic to enjoy while taking in the history of London's oldest Italian deli.

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Roti Canai with Mutton Kari

The undisputed signature dish: insanely flaky, buttery flatbread paired with a mutton curry that critics describe as 'so dark, so brooding, so lacking in social graces, it makes other curries look like terrible fops'.

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Set Breakfast

Described as the 'archetypal ideal of a Propa Caff,' this deal remains 'every bit as awesome as it’s ever been' with thickly sliced bacon, herbless sausages, and crisp hash browns that defy London inflation.

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Chicken Escalope Sandwich

The restaurant's showstopper; the chicken is boned, bashed, and breadcrumbed in-house each morning, then served on fresh ciabatta with lettuce, tomato, mustard, mayo, and a crucial squeeze of lemon.

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Tofu steak set

A hearty, lip-smacking tofu steak topped with teriyaki sauce and melty sautéed carrots.

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Koshari

The quintessential Egyptian comfort food: a hearty mix of lentils, rice, pasta, and vermicelli topped with spicy tomato sauce, chickpeas, and crispy onions.

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Macau-style Baked Pork Chop Rice

Described as a 'must' for the 'ultimate Cha Chaan Teng experience,' this dish is a hallmark of their Hong Kong Western-influenced menu.

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Berlin Chicken Doner

The signature item featuring grilled vegetables, feta crumbs, and garlic sauce for the authentic Berlin experience.

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Berber omelette sandwich

The editor's absolute must-order item, offering a deeply satisfying bite that channels the bakery's signature North African influences.

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Steak Haché

A 'French hamburger' that is delicious and tender, done to perfection.

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Beef Nikutama Udon

The sweet short-rib beef and soft poached onsen egg combination is the crowd-pleaser that balances the chewy noodles perfectly.

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Singapore Laksa

Universally praised as one of the best in town, goes "straight to the top of my laksa list" with "fire and softness and a big slap of umami."

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The Fifty-Fifty

Highly recommended for indecisive diners or newcomers, this option pairs spicy or mild lamb with a selection of textbook vegetarian sides.

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Sliced Beef Sichuan Style Lavishly Topped

The beef is boiled in stock to achieve a "silken texture" and served in a sea of fiery oil over a "bitter crunch" of spring greens and bean sprouts.

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Achta Ice Cream

Critics laud these 'gorgeous elastic Lebanese ices' for their 'particular light texture' that is unique to this shop in London.

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Cappuccino

A "frothy cappuccino" prepared on a legendary Gaggia espresso machine that has been "choking away" since the café's early days; it is credited with easing patrons out of "jet-lagged haze."

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Pig Bun (Char Siu)

The signature savoury bun; fluffy dough filled with sticky, fatty BBQ pork belly. The popular char siu bun will still be on the menu.

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Salt Beef on Rye

A 'supreme example' of the deli classic, reviewers describe the hand-carved meat as moist, firm, and perfectly balanced—neither too salty nor too lean—on 'proper fresh rye bread.'

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Beef Rendang

A 'classic, slow-cooked' dish with a 'dark and thick' coconut-enriched sauce that clings to the meat; critics describe it as a 'necessary hug' and one of the best in London.

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Egg Mayo with Anchovy Sandwich

Featured on the 'favourites' board, this sandwich features tangy mayo with dill and anchovies that add 'oiliness and depth.' It is served on thick brown bread that critics describe as 'perfectly springy' with the heft to contain the generous filling.

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Korean Fried Chicken

Regarded as a 'classic' and a guaranteed 'winner' for both children and adults, this dish is the restaurant's most widely praised crowd-pleaser.

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Prawn Cheung Fun

Described as a 'non-negotiable order' by The Infatuation and a benchmark for the kitchen's skill, though some reviewers note the rice noodles are on the thicker, 'coarser' side compared to more refined versions.

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Classic Fry Up

The quintessential, piping-hot traditional English breakfast served in what critic Tim Hayward calls a "dream-like, timeless, organically grown space" favored by local cab drivers.

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Jianbing

Described by enthusiasts as a 'must-try' Chinese crepe, this signature dish is crisped up on a griddle and offers a 'symphony of flavors' with a robust spiciness.

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Shan Xi Yo Po

Giles Coren calls this dish 'imperious' and the essential choice if it’s your first time at Chang’s.

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Beef pho

The absolute must-order item, brimming with bold flavors and widely praised for its comforting, authentic broth.

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Calabria

The Calabria combined spicy n’duja sausage with creamy mascarpone. The combination of spicy N'duja sausage and creamy mascarpone is consistently praised across reviews as a perfect balance.

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Chicken curry puff

The iconic, must-order pastry parcel packed with tender chicken, potatoes, and a secret blend of spices that made the brand famous.

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Thali

Described as the 'headline acts' of the restaurant, these 'pure' meat-free platters offer a regularly changing selection of curries, soups, and breads.

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Full English Breakfast

Reviewers praise the quality of the meat, noting 'nice thick rashers' of bacon sourced from the nearby Smithfield Market and 'delicious Cumberland' sausages.

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Field tray

The signature must-order item that lets you build a balanced, flavor-packed meal with your choice of base, protein, and vibrant sides.

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Wonton Noodle Soup

Eater London describes it as the only 'truly irreplaceable' version in London, featuring 'questionable dumplings' in a broth that 'fizzes with MSG.'

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The No. 9

Regarded by regulars as a near-iconic combination of roast chicken, bacon, cheddar, gherkin, lettuce, and tomato on a roll.

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The Bondola Panini

The house classic balancing silky mortadella with the sharp bite of marinated artichoke hearts.

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Johnny Schnitzel Special

Dubbed on Instagram as the 'most papped Schnitzel' in the capital, this 'absolute banger' features two succulent slabs of fried chicken and homemade mooli coleslaw on soft herby focaccia.

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Grilled Marinated Chicken

The signature dish that built their reputation, served with their famous green sauce and celebrated as a cornerstone of their menu.

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Bacon Sandwich

Cited by Eater London as one of the city's best; a classic, no-nonsense arrangement of bacon on white bread that hits the spot.

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Laksa

The namesake dish features a coconut-based gravy 'humming with spices and fish sauce' filled with juicy prawns, bubbly chunks of tofu, and vermicelli.

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Popcorn Chicken

A "proper fistful of nuggety bits" that are fried to order, this is the viral, bite-sized benchmark for Taiwanese fried chicken.

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Panang Chicken Curry

Creamy, piping hot, and reliably flavourful with just the right level of spiciness, making it a comforting staple of the buffet or a solid à la carte choice.

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K-burger

An unmissable signature choice that perfectly captures their Korean street food approach.

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Haddock and Chips

Praised for its yielding golden batter and actual, adroitly seasoned fish flavor paired with heftily cut chips that deliver a sweet pleasure-jolt.

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Classic Tameya Pitta

Authentic Egyptian fava bean falafel that offers a greener, crunchier, and more moist texture than the standard chickpea version.

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Protein Power Breakfast

A classic combo of poached eggs, smashed avocado and toast and tomatoes

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Sausage and Mash

The quintessential order; pairs best with London Smokey sausages and traditional gravy for a classic experience.

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Braised Pork Rougamo

The restaurant's signature dish—a flaky and meaty Chinese-style sandwich featuring incredibly juicy and tender pork that provides a perfect contrast to the crunch of the bread.

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Salt Beef Baguette

An old-school slab of meat simply adorned with pickles and mustard, it is widely considered 'the business' and ranked among the best sandwiches in London.

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Double Cheeseburger

Widely hailed as the 'gold standard' and 'best burger in London,' critics specifically recommend ordering a double rather than a single to best experience the 'gloriously juicy meat' and 'perfect ratio of meat to bread.'

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Egg Mayo with Anchovies

Listed on the 'favourites' board, this classic features mayo made tangier with dill and egg whites cut into thin strips for 'proper bite and texture' on thick, springy brown bread.

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Chopped Cheese Sandwich

The quintessential NYC bodega staple featuring savory minced beef, melted cheese, and signature seasonings.

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Falafel

Hardens describes these as 'outstanding delicious falafels' and the 'star turn' of the restaurant, while Eater London ranks them among the 'finest in the city.'

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Oyster Cake (海蛎油饼)

Often described as a 'golden flying saucer of joy', this is the undisputed star of the menu. It is a crispy, golden-brown snack packed with oysters, prawns, seaweed, cabbage, and bean sprouts.

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Margherita

The restaurant's calling card—a thin, crispy 12-inch base for an incredibly low price that defines the 'cheap and cheerful' ethos.

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Meat curries cooked on the bone

Regarded as "authentic home-style" fare, these dishes capture the essence of traditional Indian canteen dining.

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Sushi Bento

The bento boxes are particularly good and with generous portions; the bento boxes are tasty and authentic; lovely bento boxes.

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Chicken Katsu Curry

The defining dish of the restaurant—vast, comforting, and ridiculously cheap.

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Unda Roll

The benchmark egg paratha; crispy, comforting, and consistently praised as a breakfast staple or base layer.

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Papa Noodle

Aptly named 'the star of the show', this eponymous dish features hand-pulled noodles in a rich broth served with beef, radishes, carrots, and a tea-infused egg.

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Cheeseburger

Widely hailed as the 'gold standard by which all burgers in the UK should be judged', it is praised for the 'quality of meat', 'doneness', and the 'ratio of meat to bread'.

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Stewed Beef La Mian Soup

This bowl of 'soupy goodness' features a broth that is 'thick, tasty and flavourful' with 'tender, well-seasoned' beef brisket and 'bouncy, springy' hand-pulled noodles.

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Falafel Wrap

Praised by Eater for its garnish variety and hailed by locals as some of the best Syrian falafel in London.

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Uyghur Leghman

Hand-pulled noodles with a hypnotic chew, served with beef and black fungus; universally cited as the standout dish.

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Chinese Crepe

The quintessential benchmark item, made fresh to order while you watch.

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English Breakfast

This proper London caff sells exactly what you'd expect, serving traditional English breakfasts in a setting that has been a staple of Grays Inn Road since WWII.

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Nonna

Perfectly soft meatballs in a crispy ciabatta and tomato sauce - my go to order every thime

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Salt Beef Roll

Stacks of salt beef nestled within soft rolls delight patrons who know the true worth of simple pleasures and nostalgic comfort.

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Chicken Escalope Sandwich

A hearty, crowd-pleasing classic that is widely considered 'the move' at this institution, especially when ordered on their fresh, pillowy focaccia.

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Neapolitan Pizza

Described as 'reliably fresh', 'simply done', and 'utterly delicious'—the core reason for the restaurant's success.

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Chickenjoy with Gravy

The global benchmark for Filipino fried chicken, widely praised for its crispy, grease-free skin and juicy meat.

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Green Curry

The crowd favourite—creamy yet packed with a surprising chilli kick, tender chicken, and chunky vegetables.

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No. 4 Panini

A perfectly balanced, freshly pressed panini with mortadella, mozzarella, olives, and rocket.

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Laksa Sarawak

Highly regarded as deeply authentic with a perfectly balanced, comforting spiced broth.

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Ayam Penyet (Fried Chicken)

A highly praised, flavorful must-order dish that is perfectly paired with fragrant coconut rice.