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We explore all the wonderful regionality of Thai food from the creamy curries of the Muslim South to the fiery grilled meats from Issan in the North East. We use hard to find Thai ingredients along with the best local suppliers to create exciting tastes and flavours using traditional Thai techniques.
A short menu of unusual Thai dishes served in a relaxed light-filled venue with some outside tables.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 168 Bellenden Rd, London SE15 4BW, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7635 2627
Website: http://www.thebeggingbowl.co.uk/
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The Begging Bowl
The Begging Bowl is a restaurant based in London. Our registered address is: 168 Bellenden road, Peckham, London, Se15 4BW. How do we collect information …
Begging Bowl review – the mother of all nu-Thai restaurants isn’t …
The Begging Bowl has been trading in Peckham since 2012 which … : 168 Bellenden Road, Peckham, London SE15 4BW. Phone: 020 7635 2627.
Restaurant Review: the Begging Bowl – by Bruce Dessau
As if it wasn’t already, the food at The Begging Bowl was definitely the highlight of the day. The Begging Bowl, 168 Bellenden Road, SE15 4BW.
Reviews
samuele bottega
Everything was perfect and delicious!
Thank you to Rima and the girls for guiding us through the menu. The dishes were amazing and the ambience warm and welcoming. Slightly overpriced, but overall a lovely experience.
We had:
Starter:
Betel leaf wrap of ginger, peanut, shallot, coconut, galangal, kapi, palm sugar (gf, veo)
Main:
Steamed bamboo shoots and chicken in banana leaf, acacia, lemongrass, chilli, coconut cream (gf)
Stir-fry of venison, oyster sauce, sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, ginger (gf)
Stir-fry of kallets, chilli, garlic, yellow bean sauce (ve)
Dessert:
Vietnamese drip coffee with condensed milk
Yam doughnuts, fig jam, icing sugar (gf, ve)
Milo cheesecake, espresso caramel, rice biscuit, caramelised banana
… moreThank you to Rima and the girls for guiding us through the menu. The dishes were amazing and the ambience warm and welcoming. Slightly overpriced, but overall a lovely experience.
We had:
Starter:
Betel leaf wrap of ginger, peanut, shallot, coconut, galangal, kapi, palm sugar (gf, veo)
Main:
Steamed bamboo shoots and chicken in banana leaf, acacia, lemongrass, chilli, coconut cream (gf)
Stir-fry of venison, oyster sauce, sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, ginger (gf)
Stir-fry of kallets, chilli, garlic, yellow bean sauce (ve)
Dessert:
Vietnamese drip coffee with condensed milk
Yam doughnuts, fig jam, icing sugar (gf, ve)
Milo cheesecake, espresso caramel, rice biscuit, caramelised banana
V W
We visited the Begging Bowl on 30 January 2026. We saw it on Instagram and thought we would try it.
It is a sharing menu. We ordered the pork curry, the fried Sea Bass, the stir fried Venison , hispy cabbage, Jasmine and sticky rice and a prawn salad and 3 non alcoholic cocktails.
The food came out as cooked, which was fine, however, the portions were small and came in small bowls. For example, there were 3 of us and the small portion of pork curry meant we got 1. 5 of a small square each the prawn dish had 4 prawns!
The prawn salad, fried sea bass and pork curry were okay, but I would hardly call it authentic food.
It was very packed and our waiter was friendly and she provided good service.
The cons were that it was expensive for what we got the bill was £146, which is a lot for what we got. The non alcoholic cocktails were £8 each.
I am glad we tried it, but it is not a place I would revisit, the hostess showed us not interest , even when we were leaving and she was next ro the door, which she didn’t open.!
I wish them well and I guess it is okay for a meal with friends, but we will not be going back. £146 for 3 people, for small bowls in Peckham.
… moreIt is a sharing menu. We ordered the pork curry, the fried Sea Bass, the stir fried Venison , hispy cabbage, Jasmine and sticky rice and a prawn salad and 3 non alcoholic cocktails.
The food came out as cooked, which was fine, however, the portions were small and came in small bowls. For example, there were 3 of us and the small portion of pork curry meant we got 1. 5 of a small square each the prawn dish had 4 prawns!
The prawn salad, fried sea bass and pork curry were okay, but I would hardly call it authentic food.
It was very packed and our waiter was friendly and she provided good service.
The cons were that it was expensive for what we got the bill was £146, which is a lot for what we got. The non alcoholic cocktails were £8 each.
I am glad we tried it, but it is not a place I would revisit, the hostess showed us not interest , even when we were leaving and she was next ro the door, which she didn’t open.!
I wish them well and I guess it is okay for a meal with friends, but we will not be going back. £146 for 3 people, for small bowls in Peckham.
Paul H
A fab Thai restaurant with some great vegan options. All the dishes were fresh and flavoursome, and great for sharing. Not cheap but well worth a visit if you’re in the area.
… moreJoanna Kaluza
We came with children for family lunch to experience new Thai flavours but instead we left hungry with £100 in our pocket… Very disappointed… my daughter ordered pomelo salad which was a main course and was around £13, we needed to look for pomelo in the salad… everything was very spicy and flavourless… We were expecting vibrant colours of vegetables and rich flavours like we have had experience in different places. Who is creating cold main dishes in winter? I have ordered prawns and they were cold and covered with bed of ginger shoots and other vegetables which I don’t know the name. Beautiful place and have so much potential if the food will be tasty.Very disappointing. We want be back for sure. By the way who is giving the name: “Begging bowl” for the restaurant. To be honest the name speaks for itself!
… moreRachael B
Nothing short of wonderful! I booked to have my birthday dinner here last weekend, rounding up a group of 10 local friends. The restaurant were amazing from start to finish, helping me map out a shared menu, and delivering a real feast on the day. The food was amazing, very well presented, and the service was seamless, just the right amount of interaction and attention. Would highly recommend if you’re looking for fresh, innovative dishes, in a cosy independent setting.
… moreKhan Lawrence
I adored The Begging Bowl . The vegan selection was incredible, and everyone enjoyed the plant based dishes . The wine was delicious . The server went to special effort to get some white that was chilled .
We had almost one of everything ️. We ordered more of what we liked, and the dishes were brought to the table really quickly ⚡. Favourites were the pumpkin and celeriac curries . Another favourite was a layered potato appetiser that was incredible .
I would have loved pudding if I was not so full .
5/5 stars
… moreWe had almost one of everything ️. We ordered more of what we liked, and the dishes were brought to the table really quickly ⚡. Favourites were the pumpkin and celeriac curries . Another favourite was a layered potato appetiser that was incredible .
I would have loved pudding if I was not so full .
5/5 stars
G O Tapia
Lovely setting but food was just okay, and kind of overpriced! I had the adult stir fry which just felt like boiled chicken in some watery broth with a few veggies. The chive pancakes were okay, but small for £8. The app small bite wrapped in the leaf was too sweet and also felt overpriced at 3.5 for literally one bite. The cashew dessert cake was good. Service was also nice, and food felt really healthy, but overall a bit disappointing! It
… moreTravelling Doc
Located about a 10-minute walk from Peckham Rye train station, this Thai restaurant features a modern interior with a charming glass conservatory-like ambiance. While some reviews mentioned noise levels as a concern, our Saturday lunchtime visit was quiet and comfortable. I imagine it might get warm during the summer months, but the atmosphere was pleasant during our visit. Service was attentive and efficient throughout.
Our group of six decided to order every single dish on the menu, which gave us a comprehensive taste of what the restaurant has to offer.
Drinks:
The standout cocktail, Purple Hayes, was visually stunning and had an intriguing flavor, served elegantly in a martini glass. On the other hand, the Tiny Roni was underwhelming—essentially a basic drink with mild flavoring that failed to excite.
Starters:
The Spiced Peanuts and Cashews were excellent, with bold and intense flavors that made for an addictive snack. The Betel Leaf Starhill dish was another highlight, combining fresh betel leaves with toasted coconut, peanuts, ginger, and other toppings for a beautifully balanced and delicious bite. The Chive Cakes, crispy on the outside with tender strips of chive inside, were also fantastic when dipped in soy sauce. However, the Pickled Beetroot with Artichokes was a disappointment—a very small portion with unremarkable flavors.
Mains:
The standout dishes included the Grey Mullet with Prawns in Yellow Sauce, the Kale and Vegetable Dish, and the Steamed Sea Bass served with a lovely, flavorful sauce. The vegetarian Golae Peanut Curry with Celeriac on Banana Leaf was also excellent—rich, creamy, and satisfying.
On the other hand, some dishes fell short. The Grilled Mackerel, Vegetable with Mushroom and Apple Aubergine in a Liquid Sauce, and the Venison Dish were all average, lacking the complexity and vibrancy of the other mains.
Desserts:
The Palm Sugar Ice Cream was tasty, though slightly too sweet for my liking. The Vietnamese Coffee with a Shot of Rum was a pleasant end to the meal. It’s best enjoyed without fully stirring in the condensed milk, which keeps the sweetness balanced.
Overall:
This restaurant offers an intriguing twist on Thai cuisine with some standout dishes and creative flavor combinations that set it apart from the usual fare. While a few dishes were average, the overall experience was enjoyable, and I would highly recommend it for those seeking innovative Thai food in a stylish setting.
… moreOur group of six decided to order every single dish on the menu, which gave us a comprehensive taste of what the restaurant has to offer.
Drinks:
The standout cocktail, Purple Hayes, was visually stunning and had an intriguing flavor, served elegantly in a martini glass. On the other hand, the Tiny Roni was underwhelming—essentially a basic drink with mild flavoring that failed to excite.
Starters:
The Spiced Peanuts and Cashews were excellent, with bold and intense flavors that made for an addictive snack. The Betel Leaf Starhill dish was another highlight, combining fresh betel leaves with toasted coconut, peanuts, ginger, and other toppings for a beautifully balanced and delicious bite. The Chive Cakes, crispy on the outside with tender strips of chive inside, were also fantastic when dipped in soy sauce. However, the Pickled Beetroot with Artichokes was a disappointment—a very small portion with unremarkable flavors.
Mains:
The standout dishes included the Grey Mullet with Prawns in Yellow Sauce, the Kale and Vegetable Dish, and the Steamed Sea Bass served with a lovely, flavorful sauce. The vegetarian Golae Peanut Curry with Celeriac on Banana Leaf was also excellent—rich, creamy, and satisfying.
On the other hand, some dishes fell short. The Grilled Mackerel, Vegetable with Mushroom and Apple Aubergine in a Liquid Sauce, and the Venison Dish were all average, lacking the complexity and vibrancy of the other mains.
Desserts:
The Palm Sugar Ice Cream was tasty, though slightly too sweet for my liking. The Vietnamese Coffee with a Shot of Rum was a pleasant end to the meal. It’s best enjoyed without fully stirring in the condensed milk, which keeps the sweetness balanced.
Overall:
This restaurant offers an intriguing twist on Thai cuisine with some standout dishes and creative flavor combinations that set it apart from the usual fare. While a few dishes were average, the overall experience was enjoyable, and I would highly recommend it for those seeking innovative Thai food in a stylish setting.
Will Francis
Just eaten at the brilliant begging bowl. We had a superb meal. The betel leaves are like an insane party in your mouth. The seabass and pork belly curry were out of this world. We loved it! Oh and the condensed milk ice cream is the best ever according to the whole group.
… moreAnante Jariwala
One of my favourite Thai restaurants. I have been coming here for over 13 years and it is still fantastic.
They change the menu regularly and everything is made fresh.
Highly recommended!
… moreThey change the menu regularly and everything is made fresh.
Highly recommended!