On a sunny (sun in London?!) Thursday afternoon where chunks of clouds hung as white tufts of soft cotton wool across the bright blue sky, I was privileged to attend a glorious matinee at Marble Arch’s pop up theatre and then dined at the newly opened Yum Sa Restaurant.
Since opening, Yum Sa has been continuously praised for how remarkable it is as a new addition to Putney’s dining scene for a host of reasons. Although the restaurant opened 4 months ago, Yum Sa was conceived in 2015 with the goal of connecting food lovers to simple yet wonderfully tasting food with a distinct Thai twist. The restaurant prides itself in sourcing fresh, high quality produce from local vendors for meat, poultry and vegetable ingredients. Yum Sa offers a pleasant change from traditional Thai cuisine, serving up Asian favourites influenced by bold Thai flavours.
After having dined at this gem, I have surmised the 4 things all must know about Yum Sa, read on to find out!
- Elegant Environment
Yum Sa restaurant is conveniently located less than a minute walk from East Putney tube station – super handy if you’ve indulged heavily in their highly affordable weekday happy hour. The exterior of the restaurant does not instantly scream ‘Thai restaurant’ or elegance, instead the signage is subtle, plastered on the floor-to-ceiling glass wall that opens up unto the well-designed bar and dining space.
Upon arrival you are greeted and seated at large tables medium brown in shade, from which hangs a range of pendant lighting. Tables are unfussy in their setting comprising of just cutlery, a napkin, a water cup, wineglass and a side plate; simplicity is truly best at times. A galley-style seating arrangement at the entrance of the restaurant gives rise to an intimate feel, providing you with views into the polished open plan kitchen. With a strong belief in mindfulness, it comes as no surprise that the restaurant possesses a meditation room along with more seating located further inside the restaurant, boasting an exclusive feel with booths and tables – perfect for business lunches, romantic date nights, functions or a spot of solo lunch!
7.30pm is a prime time for dinner at Yum Sa. The restaurant buzzes with chatter from guests, the rattle of cutlery against plates and clinking of glassware. The music selection is unexpected – modern yet not imposing, instead a gentle hum echoing in the background. Some may find this unappealing and would rather traditional Thai music to compliment the environment, but for me it was fine.
- Delightful Drinks
The restaurant possesses a varied wine list, as well as, cocktails, beers, bubbly and soft drinks. I began with coconut water (part of a 4-course set menu thanks to Groupon) which will make you long for another chilled glass. This for me was a big deal as someone that dislikes coconut water. After reluctantly peering at the glass coated in sweet coconut flakes around the rim, I gave in and sipped the chalky-looking liquid. Simple, silky, coconutty and fresh – delicious!
Dining on a Thursday meant happy hour (beers, wines and prosecco all priced at £3!! I promise you, it’s the truth!) so naturally I ordered a glass of bubbly (plus another later in the evening) to try their quality of prosecco. When I say that this was the best prosecco I have ever tasted, I truly mean that! Rich, fruity and not too dry one could easily consume half a bottle! I was pleasantly surprised because after having tried countless glasses of unappealing prosecco through previous experiences, I may have finally found one that I enjoy drinking; it’s one of the things I look forward to on my next visit!
- Fantastic Food
The 4-course feasting began with an appetiser of yum sa crispies (tofu larb coated in a crispy shell with a dollop of wasabi guacamole). The shells arrived well-presented on a bed of fresh, vibrant rocket. True to the description the shells where crispy and flavourful with a hint of heat from the wasabi.
Once devoured in seconds, the starter was instantly presented – 5 pieces of chicken yum-mai (a handmade wrapper of wheat flour and pumpkin with chicken, glass noodles, wood-ear mushrooms and shallot oil) a dish bearing similarity to a dumpling. This dish was memorable for all the right reasons! As the yum-mai was steamed, it allowed for its contents to arrive moist once served whilst retaining its flavoursomeness. Deep and earthy thanks to the mushrooms, coupled with the tender chunks of chicken and ribbons of noodles laced throughout, it was simply amazing. The dish was topped off with an intriguing kaffir lime dipping sauce – super tangy and slightly sweet, acting as the perfect accompaniment to the yum-mai; altogether it was a dish unlike any I’ve ever had.
Lamb massam curry with a side of Jasmine rice and a vegetable medley comprised the main course. The curry was unexpected – I imagined something slightly similar to a rendang curry but the massam was velvety in texture, mild yet creamy and rich in taste with very well-seasoned chunks of moist tasty lamb with each bite. Potatoes were another addition to the curry, which once spotted, planted seeds of doubt within my mind on how it would tie the dish together.
A spoonful of the lamb, potatoes and coconutty curry sauce resulted in many loud ‘mmm’s, wows’ and ultimately silence; I couldn’t believe it! I highly dislike potatoes due to their unappealing taste when compared to its tasty rival, the sweet potato. Yet the potato in the curry was not overcooked in the slightest (something I found interesting because the lamb would have been cooked for quite some time to achieve that luscious tender texture) instead it added great texture to the fragrant rice and curry alongside the crunchy and tangy vegetables – a refreshing addition to the main course.
The feasting was finalised with a lovely apple and cinnamon gyoza dessert served with a crème anglaise and fresh blueberries. I assumed this dish would have been served warm mainly because whenever I’ve had apple based desserts, they’ve been served at a warmer temperature. Despite this, it did not take away from the scrumptiousness of the dish.
The pastry was a tad thick; crispy on the outside but soft within, holding tender pieces of apple boasting notes of cinnamon. However, don’t let this fool you into thinking it’s stodgy because it wasn’t at all.
5 gyozas were served, which is very generous indeed! The cream was a great addition to the dish and slightly sweeter than the gyoza; the blueberry garnish was the superb touch needed to seal the deal! The fresh fruit acted as a palette cleanser, cutting the through the thick pastry, spice and cream.
- Spectacular Service
Once you step foot through the doors, you are transported into this exciting dining dimension where the service is sublime. The hostess greets you with a warm welcome, showing to a suitable seating area depending on party size and the level of busyness within the restaurant. Menus are then promptly distributed with enough time given to scan through them and select dishes that will tickle your taste-buds. Throughout the evening, I was chatted to by staff – the chef, hostess, barman and wait staff. Being seated right in front of the open kitchen afforded me the ability to converse with one of the masterminds behind the restaurant and chef, Shveta Tuli. At one point we sat together and chatted about food, experiences and Yum Sa – a memorable experience that I truly appreciated!
Between courses the wait to clear empty plates and serve freshly prepared dishes was short – forcing me to remember that at some point the 4-course feasting extravaganza would come to an end. This saddened me. Despite the chattiness of the staff, the service never felt unprofessional or intrusive and as someone who has worked in industry for a significant period, I’ve reached a level of expertise to discern outstanding levels of hospitality. I was comfortable throughout, enjoying delicious food and never being made to feel as though any request was too great an ask.
Final thoughts
Simply put, if after reading this post you don’t check out Yum Sa, I really don’t know for you. Yum Sa takes the crown for top 3 restaurants I’ve visited so far this year. Its affordability thanks to Groupon is a great way to begin your foodie journey with them, allowing you the option of their 4-course set menu with vouchers priced between £15-£58 (depending on option selected). The price of dishes without the discount is truly worth it for all the reasons stated above. I’m already planning my next few visits but wish it was a tad closer to home! It’s been a while since I’ve dined out where the restaurant has instilled inspiration and further passion for food within me. Sounds too good to be true huh? Well visit and see for yourself!
I score Yum Sa 4.8/5.
Yum Sa Restaurant
Unit 1, 3 Plaza Gardens, 88 Upper Richmond Road, Putney
SW15 2DT.
#HappyDining
The Solo Foodie
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