If you’re looking for a quick pit-stop while traipsing through the social hub of Soho then Bunny Chow is where you need to be. No, there aren’t any bunnies up for grabs, but it’s actually a restaurant dedicated to South African Bunnies, a type of street food which I can’t believe I’ve been living without.
When thinking of Bunny Chow, the restaurant, the first thing to come to mind is the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. There’s a chilled vibe going on which may have been around in Durban (where Bunny Chow originated), and it got everyone in a chatty and humorous mood. The crowd for Soho’s new neighbour is hip and trendy just like the establishment.
One thing I have to point out is that for Soho, Bunnychow may be a quick stop-off but for £5 a Bunny it gives you much more than what you pay for. Expecting something resembling a slider with bite size food, I was pleasantly surprised with the quantity and generous fillings. This place has the title of ‘laid-back cool’; they didn’t even know there was a Best Breakfast Award but they most definitely won it with their English Bunny, which is available throughout the day- it’s a novelty to get one of our favourite breakfasts in the evening.
The owners pared back the menu and redecorated with a twist for their new Wardour Street restaurant. There’s no need to um and ah at a long menu because you’ve got a compact selection to choose from. I tried the Chakalaka, mainly because it was fun to say out loud. My Chakalaka Bunny came with a delicious filling of chicken, hidden rice and I chose the brioche bun to finish it all off. You have the option of various breads to try with different curries. The traditional South African Durban Bunny is a fantastic creation of soft mutton, which like the Chakalaka comes with a dollop of mango chutney and crunchy poppadom pieces.
The lid of every bunny holds wholesome flavours that will take you to another era, whether you’re looking for spice, tang or sweetness, it’s yours to choose at Bunny Chow. The cocktail of the moment has to be North Beach, chosen because it sounds like a place I’d love to travel. The mix of coco cream, coco water, banana, lime and lemon was delicious, especially with the magical addition of white rum.
Red lighting sets the vibe for the evening and I love the layout; you can see the main kitchen while seated at your tables and it feels a bit like a fast-food joint in terms of layout, but it’s so much more than that. It’s introducing a part of history that may have been forgotten. Bunny Chow serve their food on what look like mess tins, bringing a touch of old-age authenticity with a brilliant and unique twist. There’s a great emphasis on attention to detail and this can be seen in the snacks and sides. Attention is also paid to the customers, so if you want a slight twist to your drink then don’t hesitate to ask, they’re more than willing to personalise your meal in that aspect.
You may wonder at the creation of Bunnies so here’s a fun fact directly from Bunny Chow:
There are three versions to the story of how the food came into existence. The Bunny Chow is a very simple dish made of a hollowed-out quarter, half or full loaf of bread filled with any available curry. There are actually a few versions of the story as the creation is shadowed and covered in a mix of myth and legend. One theory is that it was invented for the Indian caddies at a golf course who couldn’t get off from work for lunch. Instead, their friends got the local curry for them and in the absence of disposable food containers the curry came in hollowed-out loaves of bread.
Don’t miss out on your chance to experience unique Bunnies, overflowing with flavour and authenticity at Bunny Chow.
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