Chop’s Monique Ezinwa takes her family to check out the new Gambian kid on the Walworth block

Eazy Kitchen hasn’t yet celebrated its first birthday but it’s still creating a vibe among the locals with its innovative, tasty Gambian cuisine. Located in the centre of Walworth Road, this restaurant claims to offer a simple yet tasty experience with a varied menu featuring classic Gambian cuisine.

With its rustic decor and  intimate homely atmosphere, you could describe Eazy Kitchen as cosy; if you were going by my sister’s words then it would be small. But don’t let that discourage you. As it’s a 15-minute walk from Elephant and Castle station means that if you’re not hungry on the way, you’ll work up an appetite to get there. With seven opinionated women looking for an enjoyable dining experience, Eazy Kitchen had much to prove.

But forget the décor and location, let’s get to the most crucial part: the food. The menu had two standout dishes: prawn Akra and jollof rice.

The prawn Akra arrived as an appetiser. It was light and fluffy, while the freshness of the prawns almost tricking you into believing they’d just been pulled out the sea moments ago. The ample portion of large, juicy prawns made every bite explode with spicy flavour, enhanced by the onion and mayo sauce. It was a delicious way to begin any meal.

A popular West African staple, jollof rice shines at Eazy Kitchen with its unique smoky-sweet taste. Being Nigerian with many Ghanaian friends, I’ve had many debates regarding jollof rice and count myself as somewhat of an expert. And I can confidently say the jollof rice at Eazy Kitchen was one of the best I’ve tasted, and that’s not easy for a Nigerian to say. The dish makes it easy to see why the Gambians and the Senegalese are its originators. For such a simple dish, it was definitely a standout.

The Seafood Platter is a culinary delight for those who adore seafood. It comes with prawns, sea bass, garlic potatoes, corn and coleslaw. Tasty and fragrant, every ingredient makes a fulfilling meal. Though tasty and smokey, the sea bass is a bit difficult to eat and takes some extra work to appreciate, so if you’re a picky eater or don’t like fiddling with your food (like me), then it may not be your preferred choice. For something a bit more simple in presentation, not taste, order the meat platter with chicken, jollof rice, and plantain that is elegantly arranged on the plate. The chicken is tender and succulent, seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices but not overly spicy. The plantain is soft and slightly caramelised, with a golden yellow hue, offering a sweet contrast to the savoury dishes on the platter.

While the majority of the restaurant’s meals fulfilled expectations, the Beef Suya and Mac and Cheese fell short. The Beef Suya has a robust and spicy flavour profile, rich with salty spices that may not appeal to everyone. Personally, I thought it to be a little dry and too salty, but it’s definitely worth trying if you’re looking for powerful and savoury flavours. On the other hand, while the Mac and Cheese was appropriately cheesy and creamy in texture, it lacked the flavour punch of other menu items. Overall, while these meals did not quite reach the mark for me, they still offer something worth exploring.

But at the end of the night we were all agreed that for anyone looking for real Gambian food will find Eazy Kitchen an excellent eating experience. The overall ambience and flavour profile make it an ideal destination for food connoisseurs looking to sample the real flavours of Gambia, where each dish tells a story of tradition and culinary mastery. While some dishes may shine brighter than others, every bite is a journey through the vibrant flavours and rich heritage of Gambian cuisine, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience.

302 Walworth Road, London SE17 2TE
020 3581 5347
Meal deals from £10.45 and £19.95