It was boxing day and there were not that many businesses  open – we ended up at the Brunswick Centre and into the Hare and Tortoise.

We ordered Malaysian street stall favourites: Char Kway Teow (Char Kuey Tiew), Laksa and some Chinese leaves to go with them. Given that the Hare and Tortoise is not a Malaysian restaurant – the char kway teow which is a pan fried flat rice noodles with a rich sauce, prawns, chinese chives, eggs ( here chinese sausage was added), it was acceptable. Except for someone (me!) who grew up with snacking on it at street stalls back home, it lacked the critical crispy edge that only a very hot wok can give. The chinese sausage added nothing to it – there were not enough chives. Its not fair to compare I know – I cannot but remember the cockles I had with this in my misspent youth.

The laksa on the other hand was as aromatic as a curry soup can be and there were plentiful deep fried tofu, the slices of chicken breasts were succulent and the squid was just cooked well. Immensely satisfying.

The steamed chinese leaves were a good accompaniment – my only wish was that the dish could have been deeper so as to make tossing them in the oyster sauce, sesame and soya sauce easier.

Hare & Tortoise‎, 11-13 Brunswick Square
London WC1N 1AF, United Kingdom
+44 20 7278 9799