My news story last year on the arrival of streetfood giants KERB was the most read article on Leytonstoner for many months, such was the level of anticipation locally.
When KERB finally came to Francis Road in July, their lively market elevated a long established and already buzzy pedestrianised strip into a genuine weekend destination, chucking colourful stalls into the mix of much-loved cafes, delis, bars and other independent businesses.
But what’s the story behind the collective? Founded by Petra Barran, it launched back in 2012 with early markets in a fledgling Granary Square and elsewhere. In 2026 their small, but well curated, roster of street markets are located on Fleet Place, Cowcross Street, The Gherkin and down in Gipsy Hill, as well as permanent set-ups at the National Theatre and Seven Dials in Covent Garden. Heck, there’s even a KERB Berlin.
Their nurturing side is underlined by an InKerbator scheme offering promising young chefs three weeks to learn the ropes at their HQ followed by a six-week residency at a market. So far there have been a hundred graduates, all fuelling our capital’s dynamic hospitality scene.
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While the weekly bash on Francis Road thrives when the sun shines, the team at KERB asked Leytonstoner to help spread the word over these more challenging winter months for the traders. I think it’s fair to say we all want this local asset to survive — and so in an occasional new series, I’ve compiled a handy round-up of personal highlights this weekend.
Firstly, a quick heads-up to the produce traders resident in the borough, which tomorrow include Littlest Paws Club, The French Comte, Wild Grains and Turning Earth. One must-try is Leyton-based Shedletsky’s, which husband-and-wife team James Cooper and Natalie Preston launched in 2019, earning eleven Great Taste Awards, including a national win for Best Hot Sauce. I recommend the red kimchi, bread & butter pickles and Everything Seasoning. They’re all bangers.
This weekend also sees five streetfood traders, including Mandala’s moreish Himalayan dumplings, Chulo’s Nepalese momos and Syrian streetfood dons Utopia. On my recent visit I tried Meltdown, also trading tomorrow: housed in an imposing chrome truck, experienced patty chef Tom serves up no-nonsense cheeseburgers made with regenerative beef (there are veggie/ vegan options too). It’s a heck of a sloppy beast crammed with two juicy patties, two cheese slices, chilli, garlic mayo, a tomato and onion relish — cooked perfectly pink within. Verdict? At £12, including skin-on fries, excellent value.
My last tip? Indonesian streetfood stall Borobudu, pictured above. Sadly, their sought-after coconut laksa — with either chicken and fishcakes, or pak choi and tofu — had already sold out by late afternoon, so instead I ordered the vegetarian nasi goreng (£11). The tofu had been marinated to yield a deeply umami flavour, slapped by an explodingly orange egg yolk and some expertly cooked rice, diced cucumber and tomato for added vits. A note to self for next time: arrive by 1pm to bag that bowl of laksa.
Borobudu and Meltdown will be at KERB Francis Road tomorrow and again on February 28th. The market runs 10am-4pm every Saturday. Follow @kerbfrancisroad, Saturday list of traders and stalls posted every Monday.
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