Can't quite wrap your head around the fact that you've left the security of your sofa and are back at work after the holidays? To ease the pain of the transition, we've picked out five comfort dishes you can tuck into in London, all for under a tenner.
The soup
The standard laksa at Sambal Shiok
Price: £9.30
It may say standard, but this trad laksa broth at Mandy Yin's Holloway restaurant is anything but. Based on "a cross between Kuala Lumpur's curry laksa and Penang's fiery assam laksa" it's also handily vegan if you must do Veganuary.
See also: Gratinée à l’Oignon at Mon Plaisir £8.25
Photo: @jessica_findlay
The Sandwich
Et Tu Brute at Max's Sandwich Shop
Price: £8.75
Sure, Instagram may be full of folk in raptures over the Ham Egg & Chips, but we've a real fondness for this other classic sarnie at Max Halley's Crouch End sandwich palace. In this assembly, you'll find confit guinea fowl, pickled grape and tarragon salsa, baby gem, parsley, anchovy mayo and loads of gorgeous garlic croutons. (Note - Max's reopens on 9 January).
More about Max's Sandwich Shop
See also: The Reuben at Monty's Deli (£9.50) for one of the best salt beef sandwiches to be had in London.
The pie
The Tony Adams at Piebury Corner
Price: Go for the lunchtime special - pie side and gravy for £8.50 (King's Cross) or £7.50 (Holloway).
Because, frankly, sometimes nothing says comfort food more than pie, mash and gravy. And if you're looking for that, you can't really go wrong with the wonderful Piebury Corner. Any of the pies here will hit the mark, but this steak and ale pie is a regular go-to for us.
See also: See also: the hand raised pork pie to go from The Pie Room at Holborn Dining Room (£8).
The burger
Honey-fried chicken burger at Other Side Fried
Price: £9
With spots in Peckham, Brixton and now Leicester Square, this "Dirty Done Proper" street food trader does a serious number in amazing chicken burgers. The one you want is the Honey Butter which sees that fried chicken smothered in smoked honey butter, bacon, pickles and lettuce.
See also: The Mushroom Raclette at Burger & Beyond (£10) - with a panko-crusted mushroom patty, melted raclette, caramelised onion and smoked garlic mayo.
The dessert
Crepes Suzette at Casse Croute
Price: £6.50
Pancakes doused in butter, sugar and orange juice before the final touch of Grand Marnier and flambeed at your table. Quite literally the hottest dessert in town right now.
See also: See also: Any of the puddings that Jeremy Lee puts on at Quo Vadis. Right now there's delights like buttermilk pudding with blackberries and sloe on for £7.50.
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