CODE Neighbourhoods: Budgie Montoya of Cafe Kowloon’s Hackney

Welcome to CODE Neighbourhoods, an essential guide to Hackney from the chefs and restaurateurs that know it best. Budgie Montoya is the head chef at Cafe Kowloon and Wonton Charlie’s, two recently opened restaurants tucked into one Tardis-like arch under the railway tracks by London Fields. The two concepts are quite distinct: where Wonton Charlie’s opens by day for speedy bowls of wonton noodle soup, however you like them; Cafe Kowloon in the back comes to life at night over cocktails, Cantonese-inspired small plates, music and DJs at the weekend.

CODE members get 25% off food at Cafe Kowloon from Wednesday to Friday from 5.30pm to 7pm and 25% off total bill at Wonton Charlie’s from 11am to 3:30pm.

Budgie Montoya on Hackney

“The food in Cafe Kowloon is very much an ode to Cantonese and Hong Kong cuisine,” says Montoya. “We are also very much inspired by where we are. We’re in East London. We are inspired by our team – we’re a team of different cultures and different nationalities. We were very much inspired by the migration of food.”

“The great thing about Hackney is Hackney is one of those places where you find old and new [side by side]. It’s an organised chaos. There are clashes everywhere in terms of culture and class and that chaos makes this area a wonderful area. It’s a place where anyone can feel welcome.”

“We try to keep that same energy of East London and Hackney in both of our sites. Wonton Charlie’s, we have a very relaxed lunch menu: you come in, you get your wonton noodle soups, and you’re in for a quick lunch. At Cafe Kowloon which has a full bar and à la carte menu, it’s up to you really how you want to fit into the space. You can have a great evening on the weekend when we have a DJ; there’s a great atmosphere and a great vibe. But on a Wednesday or Thursday, it’s a bit more chilled.”

“Whichever day of the week you go, be sure to order the prawn toast, made with E5 Bakehouse bread, with pickles, spring onion mayonnaise and chilli sauce. Not for nothing is it one of the most talked about examples in London.”

Where to Eat

Brawn

Brawn’s probably the greatest place in London, on the eastside anyway. It is to East London what 40 Maltby Street is to South London. It’s one of the great restaurants that keep giving.

CODE OFFER: 50% off food

49 Columbia Road, London E2 7RG, brawn.co

Mambow

Abby Lee’s food has that balance of tradition and modern which a lot of people try to do but Mambow does really well. She really nails the Malaysian flavours while making it modern.

78 Lower Clapton Road, London, E5 0RN, mambow.co.uk

Forno

An Italian-style bakery just off Broadway Market. I really like the maritozzi cream buns, they’re great.

322 Andrews Road, London, E8 4RP, forno.london

Cafés

E5 Bakehouse

We use our neighbour E5 Bakehouse’s bread in our prawn toast. It’s changed so much under the arches around London Fields; I remember when E5 Bakehouse was one of the only places here.

396 Mentmore Terrace, London, E8 3PH, e5bakehouse.com

Climpson & Sons

A great place to go for coffee on Broadway Market. Takeaway only.

Broadway Market, London, 67 Broadway Market, E8 4PH, climpsonandsons.com

Where to Drink

Bruno

Bruno in Victoria Park Village is a great little wine bar. It’s just cool; it’s one of those places where you can relax and chill and be yourself, you don’t feel like you’re being rushed or you need to order a million things.

CODE OFFER: up to 25% off total bill

211a Victoria Park Road, London, E9 7JN, bruno-london.com

Things to Do

Broadway Market

Broadway Market, which opens on Saturdays and Sundays, is one of the great markets in London. It’s one of my favourites. There’s lots of things there for everyone. You’ll find me in any of the bookstores on Broadway Market during the week.

Broadway Market, London, E8, broadwaymarket.co.uk

Victoria Park

Vicky Park is where I spend most of the time when the sun is shining. It has everything you need for a relaxing weekend. The Pavilion Café is a great bakery with great coffee.

Victoria Park, London E9 7DD

CODE members get 25% off food at Cafe Kowloon from Wednesday to Friday from 5.30pm to 7pm and 25% off total bill at Wonton Charlie’s from 11am to 3:30pm.

Cafe Kowloon, 392-393 Mentmore Terrace, E8 3PH, cafekowloon.co.uk