Inside Amazing Grace, London’s Mega Church Turned Street Food Mecca

If you’re looking for the holy grail of street food experiences, London’s Amazing Grace has quite the literal take for you.

You’ll find the restaurant-cum-live music-venue inside London Bridge’s grade II-listed St Thomas Church, a grand and gorgeous kirk which dates back to the 17th century, just around the corner from Borough Market.

Of course, with one of the world’s most famous food markets just a stone’s throw away, the culinary offering had to be something special to compete.

And so it has. While the church’s stained glass windows, altar and original woodwork have all remained untouched, ‘body’ bread and communion wine have been swapped out for South Asian street food and an expansive bar menu.

Committing to street food residencies rather than an in-house restaurant team, Amazing Grace have recently swapped out an inaugural residency with Mr Bao (one of London’s Taiwanese street food favorites) for da ja.

Renowned for their fusion-heavy take on fried chicken and Far East street food, da ja offer a range of dishes inspired by the flavors of Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan.

These include padron peppers with yuzu and togarashi, crispy pork and prawn wontons with sweet chilli sauce, a ‘Konnichiwage’ dipping chicken burger, and sesame halloumi sticks with da ja’s spicy red house sauce. All of which are incredible.

That’s not forgetting a selection of gluten-free, dairy-free and veggie dishes, too, including crispy chilli mushrooms, sesame cauliflower with honey, and delectable Asian corn ribs, too.

“We pride ourselves on top quality food just as much as our drinks, service, and renowned live events, and therefore it was hugely important to us to team up with a vendor who we felt matched us in boldness, creativity, and flair,” says Sammie Ellard-King, Marketing Director at Amazing Grace.

da ja have also created special dishes to serve at the venue’s themed brunches. Gospel Bottomless Brunch, for example, plays host to a live gospel choir and features special crispy fried chicken waffles, pancakes, and the option to receivve bottomless bubbles, cocktails and Bloody Mary’s for its duration.

Now with all that said and done there’s really only one thing left to say, and that’s take me to church.