Foods to Eat in London for the Adventurous Eater

Ready to ditch the usual and grab a forkful of surprise? London’s food scene is packed with eats that’ll make you do a double-take—no boring repeats here. Think you’ve tried it all? Wait until you bite into jellied eels or nibble spicy Ethiopian injera on a side street in Hackney. Seriously, there’s so much more than your typical pub grub or afternoon tea if you know where to look.

This isn’t just for bragging rights (though, hey, those Instagram stories will be epic). Adventurous eating is about tasting culture, meeting new friends across a shared table, and walking away with a story. If your idea of a good meal is something you can’t pronounce—or wouldn’t dare to cook at home—you’re in exactly the right place. Open mind required, napkins highly recommended.

• Wild Dishes to Try in London
• Where to Find Unique Foods
• Navigating Menus Like a Pro
• Tips for Adventurous Eating in the City

Wild Dishes to Try in London

If you want to see the real side of London food, you’ve got to move past the tired tourist spots. So, what’s genuinely wild and worth a bite in this city? Let’s get right to it.

• Jellied Eels – This is as London as it gets. Born in the East End, jellied eels are chopped, boiled, then set in a cold, jelly-like stock. You’ll mostly find them at pie and mash shops in places like Walthamstow or Bethnal Green. Locals top them with vinegar and white pepper. Not everyone loves them, but that’s part of the fun.
• Stinky Tofu – London’s Chinatown features this legendary street food, known for its strong smell and punchy flavor. Crunchy outside, soft inside. Not for the faint-hearted, but you can count on a queue of fans craving it.
• Bone Marrow Toast – Order this in trendy Soho or at Borough Market. Roasted beef bones get scraped onto grilled bread. It’s creamy, salty, and full of rich flavor. Many foodies swear it’s the city’s best comfort food.
• Chicken Hearts and Gizzards – Brazilian churrascarias and Ethiopian restaurants (check out spots near Stockwell or Southwark) serve these grilled or spicy. High in protein, they’re a favorite with those chasing bold flavors.
• Kangaroo Burger – No, you didn’t misread that. Several burger bars in Camden and Shoreditch rotate unusual meats, but kangaroo is a regular. Lean, slightly gamey, and surprisingly juicy.
• Black Pudding – Classic British, but a step up when fried and stacked in specialty breakfast sandwiches from cafes in Soho. Made from pork blood and oatmeal, it’s got an earthy, deep flavor you’ll remember.
• Goat Curry – Thanks to London’s massive Caribbean and African communities, goat curry is everywhere from Brixton Market to Notting Hill. Spicy, tender, and never boring.
• Ethiopian Kitfo – Near Whitechapel and Camberwell, you’ll find this minced raw beef dish, seasoned with spices and served with flatbread. Yes, it’s raw. Yes, you should try it.

If you’re into stats, check out how London’s food spots stack up for the truly adventurous:

Getting away from chains and typical British staples gives your taste buds something to talk about and lets you experience neighborhoods in a real way. If you’re chasing that London food thrill, these wild dishes are where the adventure really starts.

Where to Find Unique Foods

If you want something a bit wild on your plate, London makes it easy—if you know where to look. Some neighborhoods are real treasure chests for adventurous eating. Areas like Camden, Brixton, Brick Lane, and Chinatown stand out with stalls, markets, and restaurants that aren’t scared to get weird with the menu.

Let’s break it down:

• Borough Market: Classic for a reason. You’ll find everything from oysters and rare breed sausages to grilled cheese packed with truffle and wild mushrooms.
• Brixton Village: This spot is a melting pot—grab Ethiopian injera, Filipino lechon, or Colombian arepas all in one sitting. Even vegans score oddities, like vegan jerk "chicken."
• Chinatown: Forget sweet and sour chicken—hunt for duck tongues, chicken feet, hot pot full of offal, or even durian desserts if you want to go all in.
• Brick Lane: Yeah, the curries are a classic, but you can also find Bangladeshi snacks, unusual pickles, and South Asian sweets like mishti doi (creamy yogurt).

Some places to bookmark:

• Archipelago: Zebra, crocodile, and chocolate-covered insects all show up on this menu—no joke.
• Padella: For handmade pastas, but keep an eye out for seasonal specials using offbeat ingredients—think nettles or wild garlic in the spring.
• E. Pellicci: This old-school café serves up traditional East End eel dishes—the famous jellied eels and stewed eels are a must-try if you want a proper London legend.

London’s street food scene isn’t shy either. Head to KERB Camden Market on a weekend for everything from bao stuffed with ox cheek to regional African suya (spicy grilled meat on sticks). These food stalls flip their menus often, so there’s always something new to try.

If you’re all about data (makes sense), here’s a quick look at where Londoners get adventurous:

Bottom line: If you want wild bites and you only have one meal in town, skip the obvious. Stroll through any of these neighborhoods, trust your gut, and don’t be afraid to ask about the “strangest thing on the menu”—chefs here love that question. When in doubt, pick the spot with the longest local queue and dive in.

Navigating Menus Like a Pro

Menus in London can get overwhelming, especially if you’re hunting for something bold and different. Don’t worry—you don’t need to speak five languages or guess at weird words to figure it all out. Here’s how to steer through those choices without missing anything epic.

First, keep your eye out for local classics and imports that the city’s famous for. If you spot jellied eels, pie and mash, or haggis, you’ve landed on real-deal British adventurous bites. But London’s global side shines too. Ethiopian, Sri Lankan, and Filipino spots are all over the city, each hiding gems like kitfo (raw spiced beef), hoppers (rice pancakes), or balut (duck egg). The secret? Check if a dish is marked as ‘traditional’ or ‘signature’—that’s usually where the punchy stuff hides.

If something sounds unfamiliar, ask the staff—they know what’s good. Don’t be shy. Honest questions like “What’s the spiciest thing here?” or “What do locals order?” get you way more insight than playing menu roulette. And if there’s a tasting menu or ‘chef’s choice’ option, go for it. You’ll likely get a parade of things you’ve never tried.

• Peek for allergen and spice indicators if you’re not into surprises—London menus often label gluten, nuts, and spice levels.
• Use translation apps, but always double-check with staff. Some flavors are hard to translate literally.
• If in doubt, check nearby tables—what are others eating? If a dish is flying out of the kitchen, it’s probably worth trying.

On street food stalls, things move even faster. Stall menus are usually short and straight to the point. Ask for what’s most popular, or point at what looks good. Don’t worry, ‘point-and-eat’ is pretty much the secret handshake for adventurous eaters at food markets.

In the end, trying London food is about keeping your mind open and trusting the adventure. You might not pronounce every dish right, but you’ll remember the flavors way longer than any fancy name.

Tips for Adventurous Eating in the City

Trying new foods in London can be a wild ride, but there’s a way to do it without getting overwhelmed or regretting your choices. First off, check out local markets like Borough Market and Brick Lane—these places are a goldmine for unusual snacks and global flavors in one spot. Bonus: you can often try small samples before you commit to a full plate.

If you spot something you’ve never heard of, don’t just skip it—ask the vendor or chef what’s in it and how to eat it. People love to share the story behind their food, and you might get insider tips on the best way to dig in. Googling dishes before you show up helps too, so you don’t end up accidentally ordering something you’re truly not ready for—Google Translate works wonders for tricky menus.

Not sure if your stomach can handle spotted dick or jellied eels? Most places offer smaller portions or sharing plates. Grab a friend and split two or three dishes so you can taste more without wasting food or cash. And if you have allergies or special diets, always speak up—London’s food scene is used to picky eaters and dietary needs.

• Use phone apps to find trending London food spots. Instagram, Google Maps, and even TikTok are full of up-to-date suggestions and honest reviews. Check the photos—if people look happy and the plates look empty, it’s likely worth a try.
• Go early or off-peak. Smaller crowds mean you can chat more with staff and maybe even score a secret menu item.
• If you see a queue out front, that’s usually a good sign, especially for street food stalls. Locals rarely line up for average food.
• Stay open-minded and trust your nose. If something smells great, it probably tastes great. If you’re not enjoying a dish, you aren’t locked in. Move on and try something new next time.

Adventurous eating isn’t about being a food daredevil every single meal. It’s about being curious, making memories, and discovering flavors you never knew existed. So grab a napkin, check your budget, and don’t be afraid to take that first bold bite.