Kingston market's best food stalls

Since being revamped a few years ago Kingston marketplace has become a thriving food network, serving a range of cuisines from around the globe. Ellena Brooks looks at five of the best.

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What Da Pho

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Tucked between the fruit and vegetable market and the Market House, it is easy to overlook this Vietnamese street food stall with the cheeky name. Once discovered though, its friendly service makes it a popular spot. The grilled pork shoulder (£6), marinated for thirty six hours prior, is a constant favourite and though technically too early in the season you shouldn’t pass on an opportunity to try the “summer rolls”(£2 for five pieces, £3 for eight pieces); rice paper filled with prawns noodles and fresh vegetables.

Obama Burgers

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A recent but welcome addition to the food stands, Obama Burgers! has already become a big hit with the student crowd. Tongue in cheek humour and reasonable prices aside, it may not offer the range of food and toppings that its high street competitors do, but it does have a variety of American classics that these chains do not. The Cheese Philly Steak Burger (£6) will leave even the most hardcore football fanatic thinking wistfully of baseball, and they also offer a vegetarian option in the form of their Chickpea Burger (£3.50). Tasty and you can tell they work hard to source the freshest ingredients from the taste.

Namu

The clean flavours in the Japanese dishes Namu offers have earned it an unwavering popularity amongst diners, becoming a permanent installation at the market since its reopening. Always teeming during lunch hours, service is fast and the quality of the food more than makes up for a slight wait. There is a variety of dishes to choose from which will encourage repeat visits; from tempura udon soup (£5.40) to gyoza (£3 for five). If the generous portions for good prices were not enough to sway you, those with a valid student card will receive a discount and soft drink with their main meal. 

Knot

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Acting as the perfect rest stop for those longing for caffeine and a light snack, Knot’s deceptively small size has much to offer. They specialise in heady Arabic coffee, but lavender lemonade, rich hot chocolate and a range of fine teas are all available. They offer a variety of organic pretzels sweet and savoury from mature cheddar and paprika (£2.60/£3.60) to vanilla and chilli sugar (£2.30/£3.30).

Mama Sephlyn

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Promising authentic Caribbean cuisine the heartiness and size of the menu seems at its odds with its small size and sole purveyor. However Mama Sephlyn more than lives up to its ambitions, its welcoming service and rotating range of dishes will bring you back time and time again. Of particular worthy mention is the oxtail with butter beans (£6.50), the goat curries (£4.50/£6.50) and, of course, the jerk chicken (£4.50/£6.50) which has become so popular that a whole chicken (£12) can now be ordered for takeaway. For the ultimate experience try the homemade pineapple and Guinness punches (£3) which complement the food perfectly.

Hungry for more food and drink news? Why not check out our piece on the best indian restaurants in Surrey