Scott Hallsworth Brings Back Joe’s Oriental Diner to Balham

Acclaimed chef Scott Hallsworth brings Joe’s Oriental Diner back to London this week, opening at 1 Ramsden Road, Balham, in the former home of his cult restaurant Freak Scene.

Joe’s Oriental Diner first popped up on London’s King’s Road in 2015, taking over the tiny space where Hallsworth’s Kurobuta had begun life a couple of years earlier. The idea was simple: big Southeast Asian flavours, small plates, cold drinks and none of the ceremony.

Now Joe’s is back, with the same spirit and a new home in Balham.

Taking its cues from the diners, bars, street stalls and late-night eating spots of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and beyond, the menu is all about punchy, spicy, sweet, sour and smoky food made for sharing and getting stuck into.

Dishes include Tuna Sashimi with Pomelo, Hot Miso, Pickled Chillies and Yuzu Soy (£14); Rare Thai Beef Salad with Roasted Peanuts and Burford Brown Egg Relish (£14); Jungle Curry of Quail with Sticky Rice and Lettuce Cups (£10); and Singapore Chilli Crab Wonton Bombs.

Drawing on Hallsworth’s 35-plus years in professional kitchens, including seven years at Nobu where he rose to Head Chef at Nobu London, Joe’s brings serious cooking without the fine-dining formality.

Designed to be affordable enough for a Tuesday night and good enough for a Saturday night, Joe’s pairs its sharing plates with properly made cocktails, cold beer and a short, sharp wine and sake list. Informal, energetic and approachable, it is first and foremost a neighbourhood diner designed to be used all the time, with plenty of reason to travel to Balham for it too.

For Hallsworth, the return of Joe’s marks a return to the spirit of the original King’s Road restaurant – big flavours, great drinks and seriously good food without the fuss – this time firmly rooted in its new Balham neighbourhood.

Joe’s Oriental Diner opens this month at 1 Ramsden Road, Balham, London.