Champor Champor

We went to this restaurant last night and were very disappointed! I had eaten here before and it had been a good experience but they seem to have changed the chef/ kitchen and the food wasn't what we expected. The beef rendang which is usually a rich slowly cooked dish with a thick gravy was served up looking like a watery coconut soup mess! When we spoke to the manager about this his explanation was that the kitchen were inconsistent and that being Malaysian himself knew that rending shouldn't look like that. He also explained that the new owners were Thai so the food was more Thai!! We sent the rendang back and he didn't apologise and didn't offer an alternative!

The service was terrible throughout the evening and for what we ate this restaurant is grossly over priced.

Having said that the starters were tasty but the portions are small.

It's all a bit hit and miss so go at your own risk!

Champor Champor is an unusual SE1 outpost, a chintzy neighbourhood restaurant where the perfume of incense and romance hangs in the air.

The ‘mix and match’ (Malaysian Translation) cuisine is rather unusual; primarily for the fact that it is fusion cooking that actually works (there’s invariably a reason it hasn’t been done before). The highlights were Roast duck breast with sun-dried fish ‘consommé’ with a stripe of fresh chilli sauce; duck leg confit with something called ‘som tam’ and a herbaceous Ostrich (Malaysian Ostrich?) Fillet Stir Fry with a nice spicy kick, breads were moist Banana bread and curd skin with cumin. The flavours of our dishes worked well together, very well balanced and definitely innovative. Very little to criticise here, the paper menus could do with a reprint but otherwise a very charming, intimate restaurant and positive experience.

I love everything about Champor Champor and it really is – as its name suggests – a mix match of all things good about dining out; from great service, innovative food and an ambience that truly transports you to an altogether exotic climate. Decor and interiors are quirky, yet manage to showcase indo-asian arts and crafts well. Food which begins with appetising complimentary banana breads and tofu skin ‘poppadom’ as well as an interesting array of amuse bouche, continues to make even the most unexcited of diner's salivate. Try the spicy tropical fruit salad with both zingy and chilli flavours, beautifully balanced. Mains are well thought out and each dish is accompanied by more than adequate sides, including the succulent and tasty seabass fillet curry. The restaurant has even considered the importance of mid course palette cleansers with refreshing granita's and at the end don't miss out on the plum wine. Service was attentive, polite and within good time and having been a few times over two years, I can safely and happily say this has remained consistent – something that's hard to find in London these days. Great for nights where you want to impress…

My favourite restaurant in London. Interesting menu which is regularly updated, excellent food, warm quirky decor and great value for money. Minuses are the restricted space and limited wine list. Highly recommended none the less.