The London studio took a trip to the Borough Yards in London Bridge to the beautiful, West African restaurant Akara to delve into the unique fusion of Nigerian Akara Osu's light and fluffy texture with the flavourful delights of Brazilian Acarajé, gaining insight into Akara's distinctive approach.
An Akara is a bean cake.
It’s a type of fritter that’s made from cowpeas or black-eyed peas, originating from West Africa, specifically Benin Republic and Nigeria.
In the heart of London Bridge, hidden in Borough Yards is a restaurant named after this very dish.
'DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM THE DIVERSE CUISINES'
Akara's menu pays homage to the team's culinary journey, drawing inspiration from the diverse cuisines they have encountered along the way. As we walked in, took our seats, and found a moment to take in the surroundings we found ourselves in a space of tranquillity. Around us were monochromatic, neutral colours that seemed simple and quiet but as we took a closer look, we saw the rich textures that came from the marble-top tables and dot-textured plates. The tables are slightly set lower than your usual restaurant tables, this could be because the famous Akara’s are traditionally eaten with your hands, so the height of the tables makes this easier to do. The restaurant preserved its original charm, by maintaining its high ceilings and exposed brick walls. There were plants surrounding the exterior of the restaurant, before walking in, with additional plants strategically placed inside, creating a fresh atmosphere. Inside was calm, the background music was loud enough to hear that the music playing was from famous musicians of African descent but quiet enough for us to enjoy some out-of-office conversation… and be able to hear each other.
MORE THAN JUST A RESTAURANT BY THE SEA: IT WAS A CANVAS ON WHICH MEMORIES WERE PAINTED...
After deciding which dishes to enjoy, our order was taken by a very softly-spoken, polite and helpful waitress who helped us decide on the quantities we’d need to order.
The toned-down and use of neutral colours in the interior helped to keep guests focused on the delicious and unique blend of foods and tastes.
Akara’s interior is a reflection of the delicious food they serve, modern, fresh and approachable.
