Here’s some selects FREE for everyone, but I’ll put the FULL list at the bottom of this newsletter for my paid subscribers, click it! It’ll take you to over 200+ recommendations!
Hot take. I actually prefer the NYC food scene to London at the moment. Which is actually a mad thing to say. I know, blasphemous! The truth is they both have equal amounts of amazing options, it just boils down to personal preference.
Both cities are capitals of diversity. However the texture of that diversity looks different. New York and London have historically attracted different immigrant communities. So logically if you want amazing south asian food London is the place to go, but if you want insane east asian food than New York is the place to go.
FOR RAMEN: OKONOMI // YUJI (££)
This tiny place in Brooklyn is so frikken’ ahmazing! Cute little cool ramen bistro by two chef friends. They’re insanely talented, super nice and annoyingly good looking. They specialise in ‘hosenka’ which is a rare ramen made from fish broth. It is difficult to find premium ramen not made from pork so its a god send for me.
Their ramen has a depth of flavour I haven’t witnessed before - lots of umami, its rich but light at the same time. Its got finesse. Its one of the best ramens I’ve had.
COMMUNITY: QAHWAH HOUSE (££)
An institution. The kind of place you bump into everyone you know. Its remarkable this Yemeni cafe selling m3soub, adeni chai and bint al-sahan is in the middle of the most hipster neighbourhood of Brooklyn Williamsburg. This beacon of immigrant business stands firm alongside hipsters cafes and Equinox gyms.
During Ramadan its even more special, all the young Muslims in the city converge here after taraweeh prayers and spill out into the street. Its chaotic, joyous and truly a spectacle. You really feel the spirit of community.
My favourite thing is watching the curious residents of Williamsburg walk passed in awe. One day at midnight its bustling and one dude touches my shoulder and asks “this is a vibe, what’s happening in here?” and I told him “its Ramadan broksi come in and grab a chai”. That’s a beautiful exchange to me. Of all the “cool” places they could have gone in Williamsburg they stopped here. It is the pinnacle of how an unapologetic business that celebrates culture can be inviting for those outside it. We desperately need more businesses like this. Stop trying to be things we’re not, just be who we are unapologetically. Its enough. Curating our culture to make it aspirational and cool for everyone to experience.
BEST PASTRY:
So hard to say. So I’m giving you three. La Cabra might technically have the best baking but its not inviting or inventive. Librae is definitely inventive thanks to the Bahraini and Danish owners fusing Middle Eastern and Scandinavian influences. Bakeri in Brooklyn is however very inviting. Introduced to me by a friend Fatima who knows her shit. Wooden decour and old school aesthetic I love reading a book here. New York pastry scene is too insane to say “best”, little details set the top bakeries apart. So depends what you’re looking for.
TAIWANESE TREATS: WIN SON BAKERY (££)
I LOVE this place. Its so, so cool. Nothing remotely like it in London. It sells Taiwanese delicacies and rare baked treats. Its such a refreshing experience. Its also such a vibe, a really eclectic and food obsessed clientele come here and its buzzing. Difficult to find a seat on weekends but its definitely worth waiting.
EXTRA SPECIAL: SEMMA (£££)
FULL NEW YORK LIST BELOW:
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