The Laughing Yak

Experience exceptional Nepalese street food and cocktails at The Laughing Yak in London Fields.

Located in London Fields, this laid-back restaurant has stunning decor and table settings inside with a gorgeous outdoor space for dining alfresco.

The owner Jon is so welcoming and can sure mix up a great cocktail along with his two sidekick puppies, Hugo and Gaston who were so adorable throughout and were happy to assist us with our photoshoot.

We must confess we had never tried Nepalese food before and the menu had so many amazing sounding dishes we wanted to try. A perfect starter to wake up your tastebuds are the Kinema Achar Pani Puri Shots with preserved soya, chili, timmur, mint in crispy shells with a refreshing tamarind water chaser.

Bhajis are taken to a new level with the Colchester Oysters Bhaji. It's gigantic and served with grapefruit and samphire sadeko, pomegranate, raita and kwati puree.

Next you'll want to try some Momos which are a traditional Nepalese type of steamed dumpling. We tried the Crispy Chilli Lamb Momo which packed a punch with fiery Scotch bonnet chilli and coriander jam and the delicious vegetarian friendly Fermented Soya & Smoked Aubergine Momo with hempseed and tomato chutney.

Sekuwa are another speciality, chargrilled skewers marinated with house spices grilled over an open flame and charcoal. We tried the Marinated Paneer Sekuwa which had a lovely smokey flavour.

Even the side dishes are elevated, indulge with Black Summer Truffle Naan or a stunning Charred Paneer, Samphire & Watermelon Salad with jaggery & mint vinaigrette, chiura (flattened rice) and fennel seed granola. It was the perfect summer dish.

One of our most favourite dishes was the Wild Chyau Chhoyla Chatamari, a Newari-style pizza made from fermented rice and lentils and topped with wild mushroom and summer black truffle curry.

Saving the feast for last, we tucked into the Bheda Ko Masu, a slow-cooked lamb curry with kwati puree. It was rich and tender served with rice, popadom, dhal and salad.

Pair your meal with a delicious cocktail like The Himalayas with 8848 Nepalese Vodka, Lychee & Lemongrass Lassi, Blue Curaçao and Prosecco. The perfect drink to sooth your tongue if you eat something too spicy.

However if you do want to go even more spicy, the Hot Jyoti Martini is sure to do the trick with Siltimur Nepalese Gin, Kodoko (Nepalese Millet Vodka) and Pickled Dalle Chilli Brine.

You must promise yourself to leave a little space because the Gulab Jamun Donut will give you FOMO if you don't try at least one bite. Served hot, this donut is topped with clotted cream ice cream, cardamom molasses and pistachio candyfloss.