Ekachai - Liverpool Street

Fabulous meal with work mates, absolutely lovely food all round and no complaints. Would highly recommend if you’re anywhere near London Liverpool Street station.

Pan Asian/fusion food scares me a little, I usually prefer my meals to be one or the other but Ekachai has been going for over ten years so I guess they must be doing something right. They specialise in south-east Asian food with a focus on Thai, Malay and Cantonese style dishes and have just taken on the highly regarded Norman Musa, Europe’s leading Malaysian chef. I took my fellow Asian food loving friend Keith to the Liverpool Street branch for a quick after-work dinner (there’s also one in both Selfridges – London and Birmingham plus a Wandsworth outlet). We found Ekachai hidden down The Arcade – a proper retro and slightly creepy shopping passageway that I never knew existed.

Ekachai have just had a refit – the place is covered in reclaimed timber and bamboo, with rope woven around pillars, multi-coloured metal chairs and rope hung lights . We were surprised how busy it was considering the street looked pretty dark and desolate. Cocktails are new on the menu so it was only right that we tried them, we cooled down with fresh and zingy, almost healthy Lemongrass Mojito and Ginger Ginseng £6.90 cocktails. Thai prawn crackers £2.50 were impossible to stop eating, really good with just the right level of heat. You can usually tell a lot about how a meal’s going to go by the quality of staple dishes such as satay and fish cakes. Our Chicken satay £5.20 came with four skewers not the usual awkward unshareable three, with a lovely peanut sauce for dunking. Fish cakes £4.80 were good too, plus the presentation was pretty, it looked like we were off to a good start.

However, my main was a let down, I was teased by the Malaysian chicken Kapitan £8, named the ‘Captain’ of all curries on the menu. It promised everything I love – succulent chicken in chilli, lemongrass, galangal, shrimp paste, mixed ground spices, roasted coconut and kafir lime leaves. It didn’t deliver, it just tasted like a generic curry with no identifiable flavours , although they were right about the consistency of the chicken. Considering the information given earlier about the new chef, this was a disappointing surprise.

Keith’s Roast duck and pork with bak choi was gigantic and easily enough for two to share. A pretty simple dish – slithers of BBQ pork and duck in a subtle Cantonese-style sauce served on jasmine rice. Keith felt it needed livening up a little so delved into the various pots of chilli on the table. We both loved the Kang Kung Goreng £5.80 – wok fried water spinach vegetable with garlic, chilli and lemon juice, steeped in sweet juices. Had we chosen the veg and roast meat dishes alongside something fiery and robust, we would have been onto a winner.

Desserts weren’t on offer which of course made me really, really want one, what we were told they’ve got in store sound like that have potential, although the stinky durian ice cream could have mixed reviews. I can see how this place would be popular at lunch for office workers, it’s definitely more of an in and out kinda place, although the evening buzz kept us there for a while after our glasses were empty.

We ate as guests of Ekachai, this does not affect our review in any way. We always write with complete honesty

As much as i love fine dining, Michelin stars and avant-gard cuisine, i've been making more of an effort to review chains, cheaper entry level dining and honest cooking. I sometimes forget that not everyone (including myself) can eat at exspensive restaurant everyday and we all need good, cheap eats now and again. Matched with affordable wines and pleasant service - that's exactly what Ekachai is. Oh and it's Liverpool Street branch's new decor is lovely.

Ekachai serve a range dishes originating from South East Asia and has three branches in London, and one in Birmingham. Service is warm and friendly, very relaxed and unobtrusive. We ordered a bottle of sauvignon blanc from Chile which for £19, went down an absolute treat - and mainly in my glass. Starter of duck spring rolls were filled with sticky, shredded duck and vegetables.The pastry wrapping was perhaps a little thick but they did have a good crunch. Hoisin sauce is always the perfect accompaniment with duck and it didn't let down. Thick, plummy and rich.

Soft shell crab seems to be the thing everyone in London wants to eat right now - including me. Here at Ekachai you get two of the dainty crabs covered in a slightly salty crunchy batter. The crabs themselves were actually delicious, but the batter tasted quite bland and not delicate enough. That sambal chili sauce on the other hand should be bottled and for sale.

Seafood curry laksa was filled with prawns, clams, calamari and noodles. All swimming in a delicious spicy coconut sauce. It wasn't perhaps as good as Phat Phuc on the King's Road, but it certainly came close. Spicy, sweet, sour, salty, it had all the traits of a classic laksa broth. The seafood tasted very fresh and well cooked but the calamari was overdone and chewy. Still , all this food in a bowl for only £9.50 - i can hardly complain.

Hungry? Read more - http://www.londonfoodaholic.co.uk/2014/03/review-ekachai-arcade-liverpool-street.html

I have been to Ekachai in City Area for team lunch. It is just a couple of minutes walk from Liverpool Street Station. At first sight from outside, you might think it would be difficult to get in at peak hours. But it's not that bad as it may look, as this Asian restaurant has enough seating on the ground floor as well as on the first floor. The service is quite fast and good, therefore it is a good option if you are looking for a quick lunch during weekdays.

There is great variety in the menu and portions are quite good. Food ranges from usual pad thai to some exotic wok fried noodles and noodle soups. They even have lot of options if you are looking for curries. I tried the Singapore noodles which were delicious and filling. Last but not the least, food is reasonably priced. I would certainly visit this place again.

tl;dr: Great Thai restaurant with awesome food that have managed to nail the city lunch time rush. You get seated quickly, they take your order very quickly, the food comes out in under 10 minutes, and they bring the bill to you without you having to ask for it, which is perfect if you don't have much time for lunch (not ideal if you want a calm sat down and relaxed lunch). As for the food, it's awesome, they know what they're good at and they highlight it on the menu. It tastes great, the servings are rather big, and it isn't too pricey, what more could you ask for. See terrible quality pic attached... Would definitely recommend

Quite authentic and good value for money ! Ordered prawn spring rolls and Tom yum noodle. Both of them were tasty, nothing to improve! Quite busy at lunchtime on weekday. I would come back here again whenever I'm looking for delicious southeast Asian food at decent price.

Pleasantly surprised by as found this place by accident looking for another restaurant! So glad I did- rally excellent food in great atmosphere. Friendly staff- and food was delicious. Didn’t seem too expensive considering the quality of the food and the restaurant’s location. Salmon red curry was divine.

Good service and most importantly great food. By far the best pad thai in Liverpool Street. Big portion size and well made. All of this for 9.50!

Went for lunch here few days ago and ordered the £6 deal (main and drink.. got tofu nasi goreng with sprite). Quite tasty, and decently priced. Waiter who was serving wasn't the most friendly however.