Banana Tree sets up in Soho

Banana Tree opens its sixth London restaurant this month with the launch of a flagship Soho branch.

Malaysian owner William Chow founded the casual dining Indo-Chinese restaurant over 20 years ago, drawing on cuisine from Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Linked by common spices such as lemongrass, Thai basil, galangal, fresh mint and coriander, the menu offers a selection of regional specialities from each country.

In addition to popular dishes such as Laksa soup and Phad Thai noodles, Banana Tree features a number of less well-known options, from tamarind crispy fish with papaya salad to grilled pork Bakkwa.

Commenting on this latest opening, his first in central London, Chow said: “The multicultural melange that is Soho provides a perfect platform for the start of a new culinary journey and I look forward to sharing Banana Tree, which I hope people will come to regard as the home of Indochina food, to the heart of the town.”

Banana Tree already has branches in Angel, Bayswater, Clapham Junction, Maida Vale and West Hampstead.