Lunch South African-style at Kudu in Peckham

Today I’m continuing on my quests to try new restaurants, explore new areas of London and save South African wine. I’m heading to Peckham to South African restaurant Kudu. I travelled on the lovely Overground line for my first visit to Peckham in South East London. Every journey still feels like an exciting event to me, especially heading out to meet friends for a Saturday lunch.

South African restaurants aren’t commonplace in London so I wasn’t sure quite what to expect. Kudu is an attractive, modern space with a welcoming bar area and little patio at the back. We settled at a table in a cosy nook at the front of the restaurant.

What’s on the menu

We started off with bottle of the Rosebud rose from Gabrielskloof – gotta get saving that wine. Perfectly pink lunchtime tipple. And a couple of snacks while we perused the menu – a plate of the farmer’s spice biltong and a side of boerewors. Two of my favourite things and real South African staples. Delicious. The biltong was spicy and tender and the boerewors meaty and juicy.

We planned an early lunch so we had the option of choosing from the brunch or lunch menu. One of my dining companions, Fiona, doesn’t much like eggs and fancied the steak off the lunch menu which for some reason is only served for two. So, I simply had to share it with her. To be honest I’d had my eye on it too!

What a dish! Starting with a plate of perfectly cooked Onglet to share. Onglet is the French word for a cut more commonly called hanger steak. It’s known for its depth of flavour and tenderness.

As well as the meaty feast there was a bowl of hispi cabbage, enoki mushroom and truffled potato mousse. Basically a bowl of heaven. Beautifully buttery and crispy enoki mushroom, charred cabbage with real crunch and the mousse! I wanted to lick the plate. Where has truffled potato mousse been all my life??

The third member of our party couldn’t resist the boerewors roll off the brunch menu. A healthy portion of the delicious sausage with padron pepper and crispy shallot and topped with a runny fried egg. A sausage and egg sandwich to dream about.

Sublime desserts

I’m not much of a pudding person but today was spurred on by the exotic-sounding offerings and my dining companions’ enthusiasm. How about French toast babka with kumquats, hazelnuts and miso caramel? Babka is a sweet braided bread or cake which originated in the Jewish communities of Poland and Ukraine. It makes wonderful French toast. A stunning bowl of zesty kumquat, crunchy nuts and an incredible miso caramel adding sweetness.

We had to save some more South African wine with a glass of sweet red from Paarl.

And how can you resist salted chocolate ganache with sesame seed ice cream and chocolate crumble. I mean sesame seed ice-cream! And those crunchy little sesame biscuits. Love a dessert with a bit of a savoury touch.

Well, Kudu was a real revelation. I loved it so much I feel like I could go every week. But next time it has to be for dinner as that is when they only serve their legendary South African pot bread. It comes with melted bacon butter and or melted seafood butter with baby shrimps. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Today’s price point

Kudu is also great value. It’s £18.50 for two courses and £21.50 for three courses. The onglet dish does have a £6 supplement per person. Well, it is something rather special.

Our bottle of rose was £30.

Kudu is at 119 Queen’s Road, Peckham SE15

Fancy trying your hand at making a South African dessert at home? Here’s a recipe for traditional Malva Pudding.