Akoko * (London)

I had 1 free night during a business trip to London and decided to try Akoko after reading lots of great things on this sub. I dined solo for dinner at the counter facing into the open kitchen.

I have nothing but great things to say about Akoko. Every item on the menu was insanely flavorful with a great balance of umami and brightness. Many dishes had a slight touch of heat (which I loved), but it definitely wasn’t too aggressive.

The 3 biggest highlights for me were:
– The moi moi steamed bean dumplings – They were a perfect pillowy texture and packed a ton of flavor, especially when dipped in the sauce.
– The monkfish – It was cooked perfectly and had a great smoky flavor from the wood fire
– The jollof rice – This was the most flavorful rice I’ve ever had. It’s cooked with super concentrated red peppers and was topped with puffed rice for a nice crunch.

I was not drinking so skipped the beverage pairing, but was very happy with my mocktail.

My one big regret was skipping the supplemental tatale and caviar course. I often struggle to finish everything on tasting menus and therefore opt out of optional courses, but it looked phenomenal and would definitely order if I go back again.