A Deep-Fried Dive to the Crispy Delights
Honestly, this place wasn’t even on my radar, but my friend visiting from out of the UK chose here and decided to go. But let’s face it, as a true Londoner, who can resist some good Fish and Chips?
I have to be honest though, my initial impression of their service wasn’t great. We had called in advance to request a table for a nig group, but when we arrived, it wasn’t prepared for us. Bit of a letdown. However, the manager, who turned out to be an Italy enthusiast originally from Turkey (so not your typical British Fish & Chips experience), went above and beyond to make our dinner experience as enjoyable as possible.
They have these lovely terrace tables, but if you walked past the counter where the aroma of fish lingers (Cannot say it was a good smell but yeah), there was actually plenty of space inside. It was almost empty, which made me wonder this spot was supposed to be ours. But sure, I still genuinely appreciated the manager’s kindness and attentiveness. He came to our table multiple times to make sure everything was alright.
What I Ordered:
What caught my attention right off was the fact that they offer both cod and haddock on their menu. Do you know which is your preference? Haddock has more fishy taste and soft texture, which I learnt from the owner.
But here’s the real kicker—they’ve also got options for all you vegan and gluten-free people! And I mean, how awesome is it.
Haddock with Chips
The fish had an amazing aroma that really brought out the flavors. The portion size left me wanting a bit more though. As fish and chips enthusiasts, we’re used to those gigantic servings, right? So, it was a slight letdown in that regard. But, being Japanese, I’ve learned to appreciate the beauty in smaller portions too.
Another important part, sauce. Their traditional tartar sauce that came with the fish was decent, but after a while, I found myself longing for a different taste. And the vinegar sauce they offered was pretty average too. It didn’t have that extra special something that makes it stand out from the rest.
Gluten-Flee Cod with *House Salad
I loved their gluten-free alternatives. The batter coating the fish was light and flavorful, adding a delightful crunch to each bite. The cod fish itself was just right too.
*Caramari
My absolute favorites were actually the House Salad and the calamari. Yes, I ordered them as sides, but they were on point! The calamari was crispy and came with this spicy Thai chili sauce that gave it a kick. So good! And the House Salad had these bomb flavourful olives and a dressing that was just perfect. I couldn’t get enough of it.
Conclusion:
To wrap it up, Soho Hobson’s is a pretty decent choice especially you are a vegan or gluten-flee lover. The portion size could be bigger, and the sauces could use a little more oomph, but the taste of the fish itself won’t disappoint.
Just be prepared for a wait because this place is hot among the London crowd! I had to wait for a good 20 minutes, but it just goes to show how popular this joint is. Clearly, they’re doing something right.
