Christoff.ai

Mamapen at Sun & 13 Cantons

restaurants•
London
London

Mamapen at Sun & 13 Cantons

21 Great Pulteney Street, London W1F 9NG, United Kingdom

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked away inside the wood-panelled confines of Sun & 13 Cantons pub on Great Pulteney Street lies something genuinely extraordinary: London's only Cambodian restaurant. This isn't your typical dining experience - it's a fascinating collision of traditional British pub culture and authentic Khmer street food that somehow works brilliantly.

London's Hidden Cambodian Kitchen Thrives Inside a Historic Soho Pub

Christoff discovers authentic Khmer street food in the most unlikely of places

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The setting is wonderfully incongruous - you're essentially eating exceptional Cambodian cuisine in the back dining room of a historic Soho pub, surrounded by traditional wood panelling and the convivial buzz of both diners and drinkers. The atmosphere scores an impressive 8.5 out of 10 for conversation-friendliness, and you can feel it immediately upon entering. The space is admittedly cramped, with tables shared between those tucking into Khmer BBQ and punters nursing craft beers, but this only adds to the lively, authentic energy that permeates the room. Background chatter mingles with music and the satisfying clink of glasses, creating exactly the sort of buzzy, unpretentious environment that makes Soho special. It's casual in the best possible way - no airs, no graces, just good food and drink in surroundings that feel genuinely lived-in. The uniqueness factor here is off the charts at 9.5 out of 10, and rightly so.

Food & Drink

The Cambodian cuisine here is genuinely outstanding, with reviewers consistently raving about flavours they simply can't find elsewhere in London. Mamapen's rotating kitchen residency has created something special with their menu of authentic street food. The standout dishes include Khmer BBQ chicken, caramelised pork belly, and sour pineapple curry - each offering those unique flavour profiles that have earned the kitchen such devoted followers. The panko pork toast and fried-chicken bao represent brilliant fusion touches, while the beef 'tattie mince' noodles showcase the kitchen's ability to make Cambodian cuisine accessible without losing authenticity. Reviews specifically mention the 'best fried chicken ever' and consistently praise the 'outstanding' quality across the board. Given that this is London's only Cambodian restaurant, the kitchen carries significant responsibility for representing the cuisine properly, and from all accounts, they're succeeding admirably.

Service & Experience

This is where things get a bit more complicated. The ordering system requires you to place orders at the bar before having food brought to your table - a pub-style approach that works well enough when you know what to expect. However, service can become notably slow when the venue gets busy, which given its popularity and limited space, happens fairly regularly. Some diners have found staff to be 'robotic' or even 'rude', though it's worth noting that most agree the exceptional food makes up for any service shortcomings. The casual, pub-style service model means you shouldn't expect fine dining attention, but rather the more relaxed approach typical of a busy Soho drinking establishment.

Value for Money

At £12-16 for mains and £6-10 for small plates, Mamapen offers genuinely good value for both the quality of cuisine and the Soho location. With a price level rating of 2 out of 4, it sits comfortably in the 'reasonably priced' category - no small feat given Soho's typically inflated dining costs. The venue tags specifically mention it being 'affordable-for-area' and 'student-friendly', which speaks to its accessibility despite offering cuisine you literally cannot find anywhere else in London. When you factor in the uniqueness of the offering alongside the quality consistently praised in reviews, the value proposition becomes even more compelling. The fact that you can also enjoy craft beers, real ale, cider, wine, and spirits adds another dimension to the value equation.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Given the venue's popularity and limited seating, timing is crucial. The AI insider advice suggests arriving at 5:30pm to secure a table before the dinner rush hits. The venue operates Monday-Thursday 12pm-11pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-12am, and Sunday 12pm-10:30pm, so you have flexibility, but earlier arrival is definitely recommended.

What to Focus On

Focus on the signature dishes that have earned rave reviews: the Khmer BBQ chicken and caramelised pork belly are essential, while the sour pineapple curry offers those unique flavour profiles you won't find elsewhere. The fried-chicken bao has earned particular praise, and the panko pork toast represents an excellent starting point for those new to Cambodian cuisine.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Book through their website at sunand13cantons.co.uk rather than just turning up - the cramped space means walk-ins often face disappointment. Remember you're ordering at the bar pub-style, so have your choices ready. The venue welcomes pets, making it one of the few places you can enjoy authentic Cambodian cuisine with your four-legged companion.

The Final Verdict

Mamapen at Sun & 13 Cantons represents something genuinely special in London's dining landscape - not just because it's the capital's only Cambodian restaurant, but because it delivers authenticity and quality in the most charmingly unexpected setting. Yes, service can be inconsistent and the space gets cramped, but these feel like minor quibbles when weighed against the opportunity to experience outstanding Khmer cuisine in such a characterfully buzzy environment. The combination of historic pub charm, craft beer selection, and genuinely exceptional Cambodian street food creates an experience that scores highly on uniqueness, energy, and conversation-friendliness. It's exactly the sort of hidden gem that makes exploring Soho endlessly rewarding.

Christoff's Rating:
8.2/10

Perfect For:

adventurous food lovers seeking authentic Cambodian cuisineSoho regulars looking for something genuinely differentcasual diners who appreciate good value and buzzy atmosphere

Quick Details

1

Mamapen at Sun & 13 Cantons

⭐️ Hidden cambodian kitchen
🍺 Historic pub setting
⭐️ Unique cuisine
⭐️ Buzzy atmosphere

London's only Cambodian kitchen hides inside this historic Soho pub, creating one of the city's most unusual dining experiences. Order Khmer BBQ chicken and caramelised pork belly at the bar, then have it brought to your table in the buzzy back dining room shared with pub drinkers. The sour pineapple curry and panko pork toast showcase flavors you simply won't find elsewhere in London, served in a wood-panelled Victorian setting that somehow makes perfect sense. The lively, convivial atmosphere combines traditional pub energy with authentic Cambodian street food, creating something entirely unique. Service can be slow when busy, but the outstanding food and rare cuisine make it worth the wait.

What's Great

✓ London's only Cambodian kitchen

✓ Historic Soho pub atmosphere

✓ Outstanding unique flavors

Keep in Mind

× Service can be slow and inconsistent when busy

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Arrive at 5:30pm to secure a table before the dinner rush hits - your culinary adventure awaits

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Thu: 12pm-11pm, Fri-Sat: 12pm-12am, Sun: 12pm-10:30pm"
📍21 Great Pulteney Street, London W1F 9NG, United Kingdom
💷£££
📞+44 20 7734 0934
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

Mamapen at Sun & 13 Cantons has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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