10Fold “Mr Rate E.
Google
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
My Rating: 7.8/10
If you judged Roti Joupa Stratford by its exterior alone, you might walk straight past it. From the outside, it has more of a no-frills, chicken shop look 🍗 with a simple logo and colours that don’t reflect the quality of what’s going on inside. But step through the door and it’s a completely different story. The place was spotlessly clean ✨, the staff were welcoming, and the vibe inside had a real sense of community. You know a spot is doing something right when you see older heads in their 60s and 70s 👴🏽👵🏽 regularly coming through for their food. That alone tells you this is authentic.
I ordered two doubles, curry goat, and a buss up shut. The doubles were easily the standout of my meal ⭐️. Soft, warm bara packed with well-seasoned channa (curried chickpeas), finished with tangy tamarind sauce and a touch of cucumber chutney 🥒. The balance of flavours was spot on savoury, slightly sweet, and with just enough spice 🌶️ to keep it lively. I’d asked for less than medium heat, and they nailed it perfectly. Each bite felt properly authentic, the kind of doubles you’d expect from a street vendor in Port of Spain 🇹🇹. The bara was soft but sturdy, the channa silky and flavoursome. For me, this was a 9.5/10 some of the best doubles you’ll find anywhere in the UK, let alone London.
The curry goat was a different story. The curry sauce itself was rich and aromatic, but some of the goat pieces were too big 🍖 and much too tough. They weren’t chewy, but they lacked that tender, fall-apart texture that comes from being stewed down properly. On top of that, the spice level was hotter than I’d requested, which tipped the balance too far. Overall, it didn’t quite work for me, so I’d rate it a 5/10. Next time, I’ll go for the chicken 🍗, which I suspect will be softer and more enjoyable.
The buss up shut (paratha roti) was beautifully made soft, flaky, and layered just right, with that buttery texture 🫓 that makes it perfect for scooping up curry. It definitely had a home-style feel, and for me, it was a 7.5/10.
The whole meal came to £16, which I felt was fair for the quality 💷. Curry goat with buss up shut was £10, and two doubles were £3 each. Considering how rare it is to find Trinidadian food this authentic anywhere in the UK, I’d say it’s excellent value.
They also stock Solo soda 🥤, which instantly brought back memories of Trinidad. I didn’t grab one this time, but on my next visit, I’ll definitely be pairing my doubles with an ice-cold Solo.
Roti Joupa proves that you can’t judge a book by its cover 📖. The outside may look plain, but inside you’ll find clean surroundings, top-tier food, and a true community atmosphere. The doubles alone are worth the trip, nearly perfect and some of the best you’ll find anywhere in the UK. I also spoke briefly with one of the owners, who mentioned they’ll soon be introducing Bake and Shark 🦈🍞, a Trinidadian favourite you simply can’t get anywhere else in the UK. That alone has me eager to return.
If you’re craving authentic, home-style Trinidadian cooking 🇹🇹, this is the place. Start with the doubles trust me, you won’t regret it.
