There is a restaurant in Shoreditch where your eyes and taste buds are in for a treat. UBA delivers not just a meal, but a journey through Asia, while blending East London’s energy. I visited during lunch time and tried their four-course Express Lunch menu, priced at just £19.
The portions were generous, and the selection is designed to be quick, satisfying, and flavourful, offering a meat, fish, and vegetarian option. You start with one small plate, and for me, the highlights were the Korean crispy chicken, which takes ‘sweet and sour’ to another level, and the shrimp tempura, paired with a kimchi garlic mayo. The shrimp flavour truly shines, without being overpowered by batter.
READ MORE: 'I went to the beautiful glasshouse café tucked away in a Fulham garden centre and had the best avocado on toast' The express menu also features dim sum, and you get a different dumpling based on the protein you choose. I tried the duck bao with hibiscus and was surprised to see it come in bright yellow bread with pink dust. The duck inside was delicious, with strong hoisin flavours.
They suggest pairing the dumplings with their homemade chilli oil, but it was a bit too spicy for my taste. You then get to taste their udon or soba noodles, with an onsen egg, and it is very authentic compared to other places where I’ve tried these. If the Express Lunch menu is not your thing, there is also a wide variety of mains, from donburi bowls to grilled meats and ramen.
The beef ribeye and .