Culture Food & Travel News & features

Recreate brunch at home with Mei Mei’s delicious south-east Asian cuisine

Recreate brunch at home with Mei Mei’s delicious south-east Asian cuisine

With London going back into tier three, eat-in brunch has been cleared from a table that had barely been laid. But the good news is that you can take your piping coffee to go, because many of the best culinary minds in the capital are offering up kits and products that enable you to plate up at home. And there’s even better news: among those delivering nationwide is Mei Mei founder Elizabeth Haigh. The Singaporean-born chef has made it possible to recreate some of the dishes from her Borough Market kitchen, offering up spicy south-east Asian comfort food to keep you warm this winter.

If you’re not familiar with Singaporean, Malaysian or Indonesian cuisine, this is the perfect introduction. If you are familiar, you’ll know why it’s worth getting your chopsticks ready. Though you might not get the same bustle of central London, Mei Mei’s brunch menu is the perfect food to enjoy in your pyjamas. We particularly recommend cooking up your own version of Haigh’s impossibly indulgent kaya toast: simply serve up some buttery toast with the chef’s delicious signature kaya caramel coconut jam. Then wake yourself up with an iced coffee or iced tea, both made using condensed milk for a sugar hit and drinkable hot or cold.

If you’re more of a savoury person, you can also get your hands on Mei Mei’s Sambal Chilli Paste, infused with intense shrimp flavour and finishing with a hefty kick. Or even better, you can order it as part of one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes, the Nasi Lemak meal kit. This goodie box is comprised of premeasured rice, coconut milk, roasted peanuts, cucumber, Mei Mei sambal and Ikan Bilis (fried salted anchovies); with a meat, vegetarian and vegan option available. Simply add your own fried egg on top – we also recommend it alongside deep-fried chicken if you’re a meat-eater. Alternatively, opt for a creamy Sayur Lemak curry kit with tofu, and for the perfect balance pair it with some acidic achar pickled vegetables. Whatever you choose, there’s no better way to wake up at the weekend.

Rosamund Kelby
Photos: Rosamund Kelby/Azhul Mohamed

Mei Mei is at Borough Market, Unit 52 Rochester Walk London SE1 9AF. To discover the whole range, visit the Mei Mei online shop. All kits are wrapped in sustainable and reusable packaging to remain cool for a maximum of 48 hours. All deliveries will be dispatched every Wednesday so get your order in by Tuesday 9pm for delivery Thursday. See T&C for shipping policy.

More in Food & Drinks

The Bush Tavern opens in Shepherd’s Bush with No Drama burgers

Food & Travel Desk

BodyHoliday announces first European wellness resort in the Algarve, set to open in 2029

Food & Travel Desk

Flat Iron Square unveils Festive as Hells pop-up with winter terrace, mini pub and Christmas entertainment

Food & Travel Desk

Bombolone Piccadilly unveils limited-edition Christmas doughnut collection with Italian flair

Food & Travel Desk

Michelangelo Mammoliti earns third Michelin star for La Rei Natura just two years after opening

Food & Travel Desk

The Lucky Pig in Fitzrovia to ring in 2026 with vintage-themed New Year’s Eve party

Food & Travel Desk

Doughnation launches Christmas-themed pizza and festive bottomless deal in Covent Garden

Food & Travel Desk

The Swan Inn in Esher swaps British festive fare for Spanish-inspired group menus by José Pizarro

Food & Travel Desk

Crudo introduces Latin-inspired mulled wines for winter menu in Seven Dials

Food & Travel Desk