Long Chim- or ‘come and try’ in English- marks the long-awaited return of Thai food maestro David Thompson to London. With branches already flourishing in Sydney, Perth and Dubai, Long Chim’s casual approach to Thai dining is guaranteed to propel Thompson into the spotlight once more.
Veteran Australian chef David Thompson first made his mark here in 2001 with the internationally renowned Nahm, a restaurant which specialised in Thai fine-dining and was based in the Halkin Hotel in Mayfair. Nahm was the first Thai restaurant in Europe to earn a Michelin star, however Thompson made the decision to close the site in 2012 to focus on the Bangkok site, which quickly gained its own Michelin star.
Long Chim will be taking a much different approach to Nahm. Instead of fine dining, the restaurant will be taking a more casual approach. As Thomas explained at the opening of the Perth branch: ‘Most Thais eat in the markets and on the streets, and with good reason, as it is easy and casual with some of the best eating to be had. I want to capture the character, the pace and the flavour of the city with its beguiling tastes, colour and excitement.’ Expect a hybrid Thai-Chinese street food inspired menu, with the likes of chiang mai hung leh pork belly, miang kham and grilled meat dishes with spicy dipping sauces gracing the menu.
The key to Thompson’s success is an immense respect for the balance of flavours that make up Thai cooking. The sweet, sour, bitter and salty components are perfectly blended in his aromatic complex dishes, which are set to make a huge mark on the London dining scene once again.