North London Food & Culture

Midweek Dinner: Eat Zone


Sometimes only Hainanese Chicken Rice will do. Or at least that’s the case if you are my Singaporean Missus, recovering from a cold on a blustery midweek night, feeling one’s distance from the equator in a rather soggy Kentish Town.

This dish, of poached chicken served with fragrant rice, cucumber, fiery chilli sauce and a side bowl of soup isn’t found on yer bog standard pan Asian menu, but the enormous list at Eat Zone on Fortess Road boasts many such comfort foods in its reams.


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The once sparse interior, a micro Wagamama meets Khao San Road internet café affair, has been colourfully Buddha’ed up of late, which does lend some jolly cosiness to a space that can be heaving at lunch, less so in the evenings.

The desired chicken rice didn’t disappoint, even if it had to be corrected – with a surly efficiency – from the more basic chicken fried rice that arrived first.

A huge portion of sweet but spicy green curry with cabbage, carrot and ginger was big on flavours and a snip at £6.

Sweet chilli garlic beancurd (pictured at the top) had similar two-way taste dynamics, while the dipping sauce on Malaysian bread classic roti canai was authentically deep and robust too.

Fresh juices are made at the counter, which also means witnessing the liberal use of water to bulk them out.

But with quick unfussy service, strong flavours and all those affordable but impressive takes on Asian classics, it’s difficult to raise too many grumbles, even on a pissing cold damp night.

As for pleasing an Asian with a sudden, very specific craving for the tastes of home – that’s all kinds of priceless.

Words & Pics: Tom Kihl


1 thought on “Midweek Dinner: Eat Zone”

  1. Went here midweek on your recommendation, and I’m delighted to say that we loved it.

    The salt and chilli pepper squid was delicious, and I’ll definitely be going back for the Mee Goreng Rice Noodles.

    A great find, and it fills the “cheap-and-cheerful-quality-noodle-joint” gap in my restaurant black book.

    Thanks Kentish Towner!

Leave a Comment

1 thought on “Midweek Dinner: Eat Zone”

  1. Went here midweek on your recommendation, and I’m delighted to say that we loved it.

    The salt and chilli pepper squid was delicious, and I’ll definitely be going back for the Mee Goreng Rice Noodles.

    A great find, and it fills the “cheap-and-cheerful-quality-noodle-joint” gap in my restaurant black book.

    Thanks Kentish Towner!

Leave a Comment

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