Nanban

"There are plenty of places to try Asian food around Brixton market and arcade, but Nanban is one of the few that’s actually a full restaurant. At lunch, the Japanese comfort food is tasty (get the fried chicken kara-age) and the standard ramen is enjoyable, and a steal at six quid. We’ll come to grab something to eat with friends, and always stay longer than we expect for the vibes, which are pure Brixton - it’s literally an historic site, and it used to be an old-school eel and pie shop right up until the 1980s. In the evening, they roll out a more adventurous menu that has hints of Caribbean to it. Asian and Caribbean might sound wacky but in this neighbourhood, anything goes. photo credit: Rob Greig" - David Paw

"If this list were in rank order, these wings would be a candidate for the top spot. Crunchy and properly spicy with a scotch bonnet heat that’s mitigated by honey and ponzu butter sauce. A seaweed garnish brings its unmistakable iodine twang. Like some of the best foods, they make the eater feel slightly delinquent, and the name itself is a tiny thrill." - Helen Graves

"Former MasterChef champion Tim Anderson’s former restaurant Nanban seems to have one mission in life: eat well and have fun with it. Anderson knows his stuff, having lived in Fukuoka, the home of ramen, but he tore up the rule-book and served up signature dishes. He’s now departed, but his influence remains intrinsic: the Thai-inspired tom yum seafood ramen with king prawns, mussels, squid, comes with the intriguingly named ‘seafood sawdust’, while ‘the leopard’ — a rich dish dappled with burnt garlic oil and Scotch bonnet bamboo shoots — nods to Nanban’s Brixton home." - MiMi Aye

"A modern spot for Japanese soul food. Nanban means “southern barbarians” and is a reference to the first Europeans to reach Japan. This quirky restaurant embraces the term and serves Japanese dishes with international origins. There are options like calamari tempura, Tokyo modern ramen with beef and pork broth, and a tea-stained egg. Open for lunch, dinner, and takeaway, the restaurant makes the most of its food hall location by sourcing the majority of its ingredients from Brixton Market.Where: 426 Coldharbour Ln, Brixton, London SW9 8LF, United Kingdom" - MATADOR_NETWORK

"Nanban is a Japanese-influenced spot that was first opened by MasterChef winner Tim Anderson back in 2011. He’s no longer part of the setup but Nanban is still a reliable destination for rich ramen, crunchy chicken wings, and more. Inspiration comes from near and far on Nanban’s menu. Things like Indo-Caribbean ramen broth, ackee and saltfish fried rice, and scotch bonnet honey all feature. It calls itself ‘Japanese soul food’ that’s firmly grounded in Brixton. We call it a great all-rounder." - Jake Missing