The Boy Who Ate The World is one of our favourite food blogs in London. Guan Chua (follow him on twitter @guan_chua and facebook ) has dined around the world and has made his experiences accessible to the rest of us, if only we could eat at half the amazing places he has! We caught up with him for a brief chat about being a food writer in London..
What got you into food writing?
My strong affinity to all things food-related is a result of being nurtured with years of fantastic, home-cooked Malaysian cuisine and more recently, a growing love for London’s increasingly exciting and cosmopolitan food scene. I first started theboywhoatetheworld to keep a personal memoir of my food adventures in London and from my travels abroad. However, food-writing for me has become more about sharing everything that’s great about a good meal with other like-minded food lovers, from top-end Michelin-starred experiences to the comfort of a local neighbourhood caff or one’s home dinner table.
How do you choose a restaurant to review?
My hit-list is usually comprised of a mix-and-match of places which food critics / bloggers are buzzing about, new local neighbourhood restaurants as well as more-established restaurants which I’ve always wanted to visit (but haven’t got round to doing so).
How many restaurants do you eat out in per month?
I’d say about 20 times a month (mostly on weekends).
Who is your current favourite chef?
Jamie Oliver would get my vote. It’s less to do with his restaurants, but more about how he’s been a game-changer where it’s come to revolutionising and simplifying home-cooking, making it accessible to people of all ages and all walks of life.
What is your current favourite restaurant concept?
I really love what Rene Redzepi is doing at Noma in Cophenhagen. My girlfriend and I were lucky enough to dine there a couple years back and we were completely bowled over by his ingenious culinary alchemy and use of fascinating, local Nordic ingredients (foraged beach flowers, wild ramson leaves… even birch sap). He’s really redefining the concept of haute, Scandinavian cuisine.
Most underrated Local Restaurant? (and maybe most overrated!)
Maedah Grill in the East End. It’s one of my favourite neighbourhood eateries and I think their Turkish cuisine is second to none. Their huge oak grill cranks out some of the juiciest kebabs and the accompanying salads and sauces which are freshly made, always hit the spot.
How has blogging in general changed your outlook on food/restaurants?
I’ve come to realise that the best foodie moments aren’t always necessarily high-end, 3 Michelin star experiences. Even modest local neighbourhood restaurants or down and dirty street food joints that do the simple things right with some tender loving care can be roaring success in their own right.
What’s the biggest mistake a restaurant can make in your opinion?
Forgetting that it takes more than just well-cooked food to keep diners happy. In my mind, the service you get from the front of house team and the timeliness of the food arriving is just as important. It’s a real shame when great food is wrecked by poor service or having to wait for an eternity for it to turn up.
What has been your all-time favourite restaurant experience to date?
Arzak in San Sebastian. As far as molecular gastronomy and fine-dining go, the Arzak family’s Modern Basque cuisine is as good as it’s going to get, and simply the best I’ve ever had.
Thanks Guan.
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