Royal Chef

Royal Chef is a Sri Lankan and South Indian restaurant on High Street North in East Ham, described by Londonist as "a minimalistic canteen which serves Sri Lankan and South Indian staples." The signature dish is the puttu kothu -- a deeply satisfying preparation of steamed rice and wheat dough crumble stir-fried with vegetables and studded with seafood before being topped with crispy fried anchovies -- which Londonist calls "a thing of beauty." Royal Chef is HMC-approved halal certified throughout its entire menu and supply chain.

The broad menu brings together the best of Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisine: kottu roti (chopped roti stir-fried with vegetables, eggs and meat), masala dosa, parotta, idli, chicken and fish curries, lamb biryani, pepper chicken, paneer masala and a full selection of Indian sweets. Takeaway and delivery are available. Reviewers regularly call it "a hidden gem in East Ham." Open daily from morning for breakfast through dinner.