A mini Singapore in the heart of Kensington

Yet another one London’s hidden gems, Bugis Street could be and often is simply passed by, by locals and tourists alike. Tucked away round the back of Gloucester Road tube station, it is set into the corner of the Millenium Hotel, opposite the hideous concrete colossus that is the Holiday Inn.

However, don’t let its status as a hotel restaurant fool you. Step past the stone Chinese lions (of questionable taste), that flank the inconspicuous double doors, and suddenly you’re inside a decent attempt at a neo-colonial restaurant. While the ceiling fans beat lazily, and the (all) Chinese staff bustle about serving (largely) Chinese customers, large black and white biographical photos of the original Bugis Street dominate all available wall space reinforcing the “authentic” roots of the restaurant.

This scent of authenticity is roundly backed up by the food. Simple Singaporean food, cooked excellently and bang on the money from a taste point of view. The Char Kuay Teow (stir fried flat rice noodles) is not only delicious, but also has the rich smokey depth traditionally associated with the dish. Even more impressive is their Chicken Rice. An extremely simple dish (it does what it says on the tin), it casually mixes the bold assets of sesame, ginger, garlic and chilli producing a deliciously full flavour result without being overpowering – and all for sub £7. This restaurant is a short walk from Imperial College London, but isn’t exactly a million miles from any of the other central London faculties.

In short, the food is awesome, the prices are cheap, what’s not to like?