When Magic Meets… Minimal Effort?
There are many collaborations in London so exciting they feel like fireworks—and then there’s Nam Long x Magic Momo.
So when I heard the legendary Chelsea / South Kensington cocktail institution was inviting Magic Momo into their kitchen, I grabbed my friends visiting from Japan and marched right in. A night of punchy flavours, dazzling dumplings, and fusion finesse?
Well… sort of. Let’s just say: the ideas were magic, but the execution felt like someone misplaced their wand.
Atmosphere:
Nam Long is still as cool as ever—dark, sultry, and slightly chaotic, with that unmistakable old-school Vietnamese lounge vibe that feels like stepping back in French-colonial time.
It’s undeniably fun, very Chelsea, very “I’ll just have one cocktail but actually three.”
A perfect place for drinks. But for a hyped chef collaboration? Hmm. I expected a little more intentionality, a little more restaurant energy, and a little less bar-side shrugging.
Service:
Ah, yes. This is where the night lost its balance like a drunk Flaming Ferrari.
Service felt like we were being looked after by bartenders politely cosplaying as restaurant staff. Our server was sweet but absolutely clueless about the menu.
In a place positioning itself as a dining experience, this was a major miss.
Drinks:
Nam Long is famous for cocktails. We know. We respect it. But if you’re collaborating with Magic Momo and serving Chinese dishes as part of your standard menu… can we at least have a basic selection of soft drinks? Or even—brace yourself—Chinese tea?
Instead, they showed us a supermarket-from green teabag.
Price: ££
To be fair, the pricing is quite reasonable, especially given the Chelsea postcode, the cocktail-bar identity, and the special collaboration menu.
What I Ordered:
*Soft Shell Crab with Pickled Kumquat, Pomelo & Mango-Passionfruit Dressing
A perfectly crunchy bite, sharpened by a tangy, tropical dressing that tied everything together. Magic Momo really delivered here.
Watermelon Ceviche with Toasted Rice, Lime, Thai Shallots & Vegan Fish Sauce
A standout surprise—almost indistinguishable from a tuna tartare in depth and freshness. A smart, creative dish that impressed everyone at the table.
*Tempura Oyster Mushroom with Fenugreek, Apricot Glaze & Curry Leaves
The start of the night, The curry sauce was absolutely divine—rich, fragrant, layered, and easily the most addictive bite of the evening.
Tiger Prawn Toast with Lime & Green Chilli Chutney, Pickled Radish
Crispy, fragrant, and generous with the prawn—exactly what a modern prawn toast should be. The lime and green chilli chutney brought a vivid, zesty lift that turned a typically dull dish into something exciting.
Deep-Fried King Prawn Wontons with Peanut Sauce & Chilli Oil
Crunchy and satisfying, though the flavour stayed firmly in familiar territory compared to the rest of the menu.
Mushroom & Truffle Momo with House Chilli Oil & Soy Tahini
Rich, earthy, and beautifully silky, with truffle used in perfect moderation. A thoroughly enjoyable momo.
Nam Long Classic Crispy Duck Pancakes with Blood Orange Glaze
A Nam Long classic—the duck was solid, though I couldn’t detect any trace of the orange glaze in the dish.
Sautéed Seasonal Greens (Pak Choi)
Good, clean, simple… and honestly, not much else to say. That’s it!
Ube Panna Cotta with Alphonso Mango
A visually striking dessert—though the dark lighting didn’t do justice to its beautiful purple hue. With that unmistakable ube charm, it made a lovely finish, perfectly firm and rich, just as a panna cotta should be.
Conclusion:
Nam Long x Magic Momo had all the ingredients for a spectacular collaboration: bold flavours, inventive dishes, and flashes of genuine culinary magic. The food did not disappoint—each bite showcased creativity, freshness, and moments that truly impressed. Kudos to Chef Daisy!
But the experience as a whole fell short. Service was there but clearly disengaged, the drink and tea options were underwhelming.
If you’re coming for cocktails and a few standout small plates, you’ll enjoy yourself. But if you’re expecting a fully realized dining experience with Magic Momo at the helm, you may leave craving a little more… magic.
P.S.
If you want to know more about Chef Daisy: she runs her own London-based pop-up and catering brand, Magic Momo, renowned for her creative Himalayan–Southeast Asian fusion momos (dumplings). She has also collaborated on numerous projects across various residencies.
