Head on down to Tootoomoo Islington for quality street food and delicious pan-Asian tapas in the heart of N1. With a pinch of ancient recipes, a sprinkle of modern cooking techniques and plenty of secret inclusions from Grandma Pang, the audacious menu is packed with plates to satisfy your Asian cravings. Whether it’s wonderfully fresh sushi, an authentic Thai curry or a heady cocktail you’re after, this bijou restaurant has it all!
The name derives from an ancient Indonesian folk tale about a girl called ‘Tootoomoo’ and her friend The Giant, a friendship connected through sharing good food, which is a principle at the very heart of the restaurant.
Welcome to Asia
Owned by restaurateur Philip McGuinness and Executive Chef Ricky Pang, Tootoomoo brings the colour and vibrancy of Asian ‘shophouses’ to the streets of Islington. Step across the threshold and be transported to a vibrant Asian street market. Listen to the wok fire up explosive flavours, breathe in the scents of the spices and be surrounded by the vivid hues that decorate the space. Hints of bold red, teal and yellow jump-start your Asian adventure before you even take a seat. Mesh panels line the exposed brick walls and are adorned with jam jars filled with fairy lights and intriguing Asian sauces. The dining space is also encased with a rickety wooden trellis to give that feeling of dining al fresco.
Delectable Dishes
Executive Chef Ricky Pang follows a very simple truth: that the best ingredients make the best dishes. The menu features familiar favourites and exciting new plates using ethically sourced meat and fish, and daily sourced fruits and veggies from London’s best markets.
Combining Malaysian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese influences to create the perfect fusion, guests can delight in unique Asian tapas, explorative tasting menus and zesty salads. Begin with sharing dishes of Shichimi squid, crispy smoked chicken and vegetarian potstickers. Add to your taste journey with sensational sushi including yuzu salmon maki, soft shell crab maki and the essential California prawn roll.
Dive straight into bold dishes of Thai green curry or rich Rendang curry, ideal alongside a healthy bowl of steamed brown rice. There is also aromatic duck with classic pancakes, fragrant lemongrass tiger prawns, playful popcorn shrimp or soft shell crab tempura with a taste bud tingling jalapeño mayo. An array of gluten-free and vegetarian dishes are also available so everyone can eat in comfort.
End your experience in style with guilt-free frozen yoghurt. Available in natural, Oreo, chocolate, pistachio and mango passionfruit flavours with a choice of toppings from naughty sweet treats to superfood berries, this is one dessert course not to skip.
Time to Sip
Tootoomoo’s heady cocktail offering is as enticing as the food menu. Choose from the Tootoomojito with fresh lime, mint and lashings of rum; an Elderflower Tootoomoo with gin, sparkling elderflower and fresh mint or an Asian-inspired Caipirinha with a choice of Lychee, Mango, Passion Fruit, Pineapple or Chilli. Feeling delicate? Opt for the Cinderella mocktail with a sweet mix of orange, pineapple, cranberry, grenadine and soda water. Wines plus beers from Japan, China and Thailand are available alongside soft drinks.
Leave the grey skies of London at the door and allow Tootoomoo to transport you to the buzzy and colourful Asian street markets – it’s time for a giant adventure.