The Laughing Yak in Hackney brings bold spice-led cooking and a lively social atmosphere to East London, pairing colourful interiors with sharing plates, tasting menus and contemporary Nepalese-inspired dishes. Popular for everything from birthdays and date nights, the restaurant balances flavourful cooking with a fun, informal energy.
Inside, the restaurant feels eclectic and full of personality. Dark blue walls contrast with pink and yellow booth seating, embroidered textiles and colourful draped fabrics hanging across the ceiling. Origami-style lighting, wooden masks and hanging puppets add character throughout the space, while a gold bar lined with wine bottles anchors the dining room. Large windows flood one side of the restaurant with daylight and outside, a vibrant covered terrace with banquet-style seating offers an atmospheric spot for al fresco dining.
The menu is designed around sharing and discovery, beginning with smaller plates such as chicken tikka masala arancini, grilled octopus sekuwa with herb puree and dried pineapple, and bhanta chutney, a smoky aubergine dish served with garlic roti for dipping. A wide range of momos, hand-rolled dumplings filled with pork, chicken, buffalo meat, fermented soya or smoked aubergine, sits at the centre of the menu.
Larger dishes include chatamari, a fermented rice and lentil pancake often described as a Nepalese-style pizza, alongside bamboo shoot and potato curry, butter chicken and slow-cooked lamb curries. Traditional thalis offer a broader way to experience the kitchen, with vegetarian, meat and seafood versions all available.
Chef Jonathan Villar’s tasting menu takes a more refined approach, showcasing dishes such as soft-shell crab, crispy chilli lamb and channa chatpate with sheep’s yoghurt, tamarind and date molasses. Desserts continue the playful style, including a gulab jamun doughnut served with clotted cream ice cream, cardamom molasses and pistachio candy floss.