Turn right as you come out of Colindale Station and keep going until you get to SE Asia under one roof. The Food Court which covers authentic and made-to-order Indonesian, Korean, Traditional Beijing, Vietnamese, South Asian, Singaporian, Malaysian food for generous portions. Nothing comes to over £8 for a main meal and there are really good exotic fruit smoothies for £2.50 and under.
The vibe is of the no frills food courts/dim sum halls you get all over Hong Kong and East Asia, with a wide variety of people, from locals to ex-pats who are all enjoying the foods from 'back home'.
The supermarket stocks a massive range of 'oriental' food, including an amazing fishmonger which sells read-marinaded miso black cod of Nobu grade at a fraction of the price to the community.
Other shops include Chinese acupuncture, massage and herbal medecine. Unfortunately, developers are about to take it down by June 2008. Go while you can!
If you love Oriental food make your way to Oriental city, where you’ll find a small shopping mall with a large food hall and Oriental supermarket. This relatively unknown gem is home to a variety of independent shops where you can purchase every thing from beautifully carved furniture and Chinese pottery to Hello Kitty accessories.
Unfortunately a few of the shops are empty now as the local council are threatening the centre with closure to make way for - wait for it - another DIY centre! Still, it’s well worth a visit just to sample the amazing food in the dinning hall, which for me, conjured up memories of a Bangkok kitchen we used to eat in several years ago while travelling through Asia.
Once you’ve decided which of the stalls in the food hall that you want to order from you are given a number. When your food is ready the number is displayed at the chosen stall.
It’s a large hall with communal seating surrounded by food stalls serving up meals and snacks from all over the far east - Korean, Malaysian, Japanese and Vietnamese to name but a few - and although a lot more expensive than you would find in Asia for London it was all very reasonably priced with meals from as little as £3.50. There is also an incredible selection of drinks and non-alcoholic cocktails and if you fancy something a little more intimate or have embarrassing eating habits you could opt for one of the restaurants on the top floor.
After you’ve sampled some of the delights that are on offer you can make your way to the supermarket next door and buy the ingredients to make your own dishes at home or, if you’re not over confident at juggling woks, you could just get take out from one of the stalls. By the check out tills of the supermarket you will also find a sushi bar complete with high stools and conveyor belt sushi.
The opening times for Oriental City are from 10.00 - 22.00 hrs seven days a week. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon and is easy to get to by tube on the Northern Line heading to Edgeware. Get out at Colindale Station and it’s a short 10 minute walk from there, you can also take a number 32, 142, 292 or 303 bus.
However you decide to travel it’s well worth the effort but hurry or you might find yourself wandering around another B&Q looking at tables rather than eating at them!
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