Pan-Asian Flavour.
Banana Tree is an award-winning Southeast Asian restaurant group, celebrated for its street food-inspired dishes from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, and founded in Maida Vale over 30 years ago. It now has some new menu items.
Banana Tree has a loyal following of diners who enjoy their Japanese Chicken Katsu Curry, ever-popular Pad Thai and my favourites Legendary Beef Rendang and Chicken Satay. Now there are some new dishes and combinations on which to feast.
Banana Tree’s latest offerings now include Duck Gyoza, Teriyaki Steak Soba, Gochujang Chicken Bowls, Vegan Lemak curry and Drunken Monks’ Noodles. All part of Banana Tree’s mission to help diners explore new parts of Southeast Asia.
Executive Chef Rahul Shah said: “As we expand our menu, we’re dedicated to preserving the heritage and flavour profile that Banana Tree is known for. Our new dishes celebrate the vibrant flavours of Southeast Asia, blending traditional and modern ingredients to encourage our guests to explore new flavours, while feeling at home with familiar favourites such as our Katsu or Pad Thai. If guests are really looking to spice things up, we can even offer our unique house chilli sauce.”
Alongside the refreshed menu, Banana Tree has also launched ‘Explorer’s Tapas Sets’, a taster for diners to sample multiple Southeast Asian flavours in one meal, as well as a new lunch menu featuring dishes designed for all-day enjoyment.
Attracts out of town visitors
The flagship Soho location has had something of a revamp too. It now boasts a video wall, taking diners on a trip to Banana Tree’s Southeast Asian inspiration. It remains a cosy and welcoming space with tables for groups, solo guests and couples. It has an enviable location on Wardour Street near the tourist hubs of Shaftesbury Avenue, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and Chinatown. It attracts out of town visitors as well as regulars from local offices who come for lunch and evening celebration.
Many of the core values of Banana Tree remain strong. For example, as part of the brand’s ongoing commitment to supporting wildlife conservation, Banana Tree donates 25p to Orangutan Appeal UK for every Drunken Monks’ Noodles dish sold, benefitting its long-standing charity partner dedicated to Southeast Asian conservation.
Banana Tree Marketing Director Tom Patrick said: “We’re thrilled about what this new menu means for the future of Banana Tree, as we continue to bring bold, big and innovative flavours from Southeast Asia to our guests. We believe Banana Tree is for the first-timers as well as the long-timers, so whether they’re looking for Pad Thai or a Katsu, or even a Thai Railway Fried Rice dish, there really is something for everybody. Plus, with our lunch menu deal it means guests can grab a main course and a soft drink for under £11.”
We started with drinks, and Banana Tree has an exceptional deal of 2-for-1 Cocktails. We chose a brace of exotic creations. Flamboyant Jungle Bird is made with Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Aperol, pineapple, lime and sugar syrup garnished with colourful feathers for Instagramable impact. Lychee Mojito is a tall and refreshing cocktail made with Havana Club Especial Rum, lychee liqueur, Funkin Mojito and lemonade. 2-for-1 all day cocktails are available every day! Just order one cocktail or mocktail and get the same one free.
New Dishes
The new starters included Korean BBQ Wings, and they were moist and well-flavoured. Tender chicken wings are coated in sticky Korean BBQ sauce then sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. Messy and delicious! Crispy Duck Gyoza are fried dumplings filled with savoury duck: succulent meat encased in a crispy wrapper and served with a tangy hoisin dipping sauce.
The new main dishes here are substantial and great value for money. I chose the spicy Gochujang Chicken Bowl of vibrant wok-tossed stir-fried chicken and vegetables in Gochujang paste and soy sauce, served with Jasmine rice, a Korean drug egg and pickled cucumber. This is a dish for those who enjoy flavourful heat. One should note that these eggs don’t contain drugs: the name refers to the addictive quality of these marinaded eggs. This is a wonderfully warming dish and it packs a punch.
Teriyaki Steak Soba is mild. It is a plate of grilled rump steak, served with a rich, sticky teriyaki glaze and wok-tossed noodles with beans, red peppers, onions and bean sprouts, all blended in a soy and garlic sauce. The aroma of that grilled meat is mouthwatering. I hope this remains on the menu.
Our dessert was a shared plate of a Banana Fudge Cake served with a scoop of coconut ice cream. It was a winning combination, and that large slice of cake was perfect for sharing. It was soft and sweet with all the flavour of your favourite banana loaf but more complex.
We always enjoy Banana Tree. They present tasty dishes from across a swathe of Asia so something for every taste, and there is a selection of vegan dishes here too! We look forward to our next visit.
For more information, visit Banana Tree here