Anh Dao - Hackney

The dishes I particularly like at Anh Dao are the aubergine with chopped pork, the crispy fried eel starter (which I haven't seen elsewhere), and the char-grilled monkfish slices. Last time I dined here, we ordered a second round of the aubergine and pork even though there were only three of us - it was that good. They also offer exotic dishes like langoustines, lobster, and whey, which you don't typically see on menus, though be warned that the portion sizes for these items can be small. I did once find my roasted seafood kway teow a bit bland. Most of the standard dishes at Anh Dao are similar to those offered at other restaurants. The salads, stir-fried greens (morning glory, spinach, or watercress), and soft-shell crab were all delicious. Anh Dao is a BYO restaurant with a corkage charge per person.

This is the first restaurant I have ever added to my "must visit often" list. It is delicious, clean, affordable, and the broth and pho dishes are quite healthy. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and can't wait to go back. It has now become my go-to place to dine when I'm in East London.

Anh Dao is not my favorite Vietnamese restaurant on Kingsland Road, but they have a few dishes that keep me coming back. Unlike other BYO places in the area, Anh Dao has the best ambiance and allows for pleasant conversations even on a busy Saturday evening. Their standout dishes include the aubergine with pork, crispy fried eel (a unique find), and char-grilled monkfish slices. I enjoyed the food so much that we ended up ordering a second round of the eggplant.