Kolae

World’s Kolae-d: Thai Delights Take Over London’s Borough Market

Where? Borough Market, 6 Park St, London, SE1 9AB
How much? ££
Book ahead? Yes
Cuisine? Thai
Vegetarian options? Limited
Vegan options? Limited
Gluten free options? Yes
Dog friendly? No

Kolae is a striking new addition to the Borough block. With its freshly painted salmon shutters and lush greenery, this new addition brings modern spice to the iconic market. Its vibrant exterior stands out prominently against the surrounding buildings, cleverly capturing the attention of passersby. The inclusion of Thai cuisine perfectly fills a much desired gap in an area that already offers a wide array of options. If you’re looking for a fresh foodie spot, make sure to check it out!

Set back slightly from the pavement, Kolae welcomes you with its inviting ambiance even before you step inside. In the evening, softly lit linen chandeliers adorn the entrance, adding an extra touch of aroma and warmth to the cobbled side street. Inside, the modern and welcoming decor features a beautiful, bright bar against cream brick walls. A display of large ornamental vases adds a touch of rustic elegance, whilst dark beams maintain the industrial charm of the market. The downstairs exudes far more atmosphere than the upstairs, which is where we were seated. Upstairs feels slightly more isolated and ordinary, so I’d recommend requesting a seat downstairs for a more enjoyable experience.

The Food

Kolae had already garnered quite the online reputation long before my visit, renowned for its Southern Thai-style grilled meats and coconut-based curries. I was excited to try this new hot spot on the block, as I’ve found it difficult to find anywhere in London that serves noteworthy Thai food. Overall, the food did not disappoint, with the grilled meats, skewers, and slow-cooked dishes being my personal highlights. The only slight letdown was the curry. My overall rating is 6.5/10.

The restaurant service made our visit truly memorable. Our incredibly friendly and accommodating waitress guided us through the menu, offering personal and popular recommendations. Here’s the full breakdown of what we ate, from our favourites to our least preferred dishes:

Kolae chicken bamboo skewer – £8 each

Rating: 9.5/10. These chicken skewers were some of the most tender and succulent things to have ever entered my mouth. We loved them so much that between the three of us, we ordered two for the table. The marinade was a perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and buttery, and the chicken just melted away in your mouth. Absolutely worth the hype; I would return just for these again!

Kolae grilled mussel skewers with calamansi lime – £6

Rating: 9/10. These were another table favourite and absolutely divine. So juicy and the flavours were perfection. I could have happily eaten 10 more of these.

Phuket style soy-braised middlewhite pork belly and ribs – £14

Rating: 8/10. This dish was highly acclaimed online, and for good reason. It is one of the milder options, making it a perfect choice for those who prefer less spicy food. Brimming with umami flavour and a delicate hint of sweetness in the sauce, the impeccably cooked pork was incredibly tender and soft. It paired beautifully with rice, allowing you to savour every drop of the delectable sauce. I highly recommend this dish.

Kale and herb fritters with fermented chilli and cashew nuts – £9

Rating: 7.5/10. If you’re a fan of Japanese tempura like me, this spicy variation is sure to win you over. The thinly battered, chilli-loaded crisps provide the perfect spiced crunch in between dishes. Load the leaves up with your favourite curry dish or a heaping of rice for an extra layer of deliciousness.

Pepper curry of grilled chicken, thai aubergines and lemongrass – £14

Rating: 6/10. I was expecting to enjoy this dish more than I did. The pepper was incredibly overpowering, to the point where it became unbearable. I do love pepper, and as someone who cannot smell, peppers and spices rarely faze me. However, the overwhelming pepper masked the beautifully tender chicken and overshadowed the other flavours in the sauce, even though the chicken was cooked to perfection. The dish did not turn out to be as enjoyable as I had hoped.

Stir fry of flourish farm greens, thai garlic and fermented soy beans – £9

Rating: 5/10. While these were adequate for adding a touch of greenery to the table, nothing particularly stood out as memorable.

Khao khua – £11

Rating: 5/10. The cocktails were the most disappointing part of the meal, and I eventually just reverted to beer as I did not find them enjoyable at all. The Khao Khua had all the ingredients to be amazing, but it was way too strong and quite sickly. Although I preferred this to the martini, I wouldn’t order it again.

Pickled mango dirty martini – £5

Rating: 3/10. This was one of the worst martinis I’ve had. The overpowering taste of gin made it feel like sipping on pure ethanol. At just £5, it was an absolute waste of money, and none of us finished it.

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