New Caribbean restaurant Ochi is, we’ve just decided, now an essential pit stop before beers at Libertalia taproom or cocktails at The Paraquet.
Better still, it’s BYOB and should definitely compete with the smash-hit nearby smokehouse Burnt for your hard-earned buck. For now, there are no queues, either, to contend with.
In fact, it’s so tasty that we ate in its pared-back industrial chic interior twice last weekend, firstly on Thursday before the Paraquet launch and again on Sunday.
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This allowed two chances to peruse a few dishes. On our first visit, both the chicken roti and the (must-try) slow-cooked goat roti were delicious, filling and cheap (just £5.50).
But even better was Jamaican ackee and saltfish with home-made dumplings, with its pleasingly umami thwack. As for a plate of fried, sticky, golden plantain: oh my, we basically hoovered it up.
On Sunday there were four of us, tearing apart a crunchy fried snapper – its white flesh beautifully opaque – and a signature Jerk Chicken with rice and peas, marinated in a signature spicy house sauce, the meat succulent, its skin mouth-wateringly crisp.
But my top tip (for now) is probably the Stew Chicken, its super tender thighs seasoned and fried to deepest brown, then stewed slowly with carrots, herbs and spices: a true highlight.
Importantly, prices are excellent value, with generous-sized small dishes from a fiver up, mains from a tenner. And of course, it’s BYOB, no corkage, all overseen by very friendly owner Del.
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Ochi Caribbean, 152 Tilbury Rd, London E10 6RE, follow @ochi_cuisine
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