At Tunbridge Wells’ Kumquat, the team uses their range of experience to create a fantastic menu of modern dishes that are inspired by the bold, memorable flavours of southeast Asia. They start with beloved classics that we all know and infuse them with the unique ingredients of the region, transforming them into something new and memorable.
The restaurant's Asian seafood menu really is something special. All items are made fresh, just for you, so you need to give the Kumquat team at least 48 hours notice to order. There's a 700g Scottish lobster either grilled with red curry butter and Thai basil, or poached with yuzu hollandaise, seaweed, sesame and shiso. There's also a Singapore chilli half a kilo Cornish cock crab served with deep fried bao buns, 150g of sauteed king scallops with spiced pea leaf, lemongrass beurre blanc and crispy shallot rings, and Acipenser caviar with blinis, sour cream and spring onion.
The main menu is simple, and includes a section for both small and large plates, and a few side dishes. The smaller options include Japanese leaf bites with chilli jam and crispy shallots, prawn, mango and coriander, along with miso caramel glazed aubergine, edamame and sesame seeds, and yellowfin tuna tartare with mouli, cucumber, wasabi mayonnaise and cassava crackers.
If you want something a bit more substantial, order the Chinese five spiced duck breast with a sweet plum and ginger sauce, spinach and squash puree, or the lamb shank that's slow cooked in orange, coconut and Thai chilli with toasted cashew nuts. Slides include jasmine and coconut rices, red curry buttered tenderstem broccoli, spring onion pancakes with a chilli soy dip and an extra bao bun.