For this week’s food battle, I’ve chosen to sample two Caribbean rice dishes from East London businesses. Although neither of these is absolutely authentic, I’m exploring the idea that some hipster/high street joints can get it right!
Caribbean Quick Scene: Grilled Chicken and Rice and Peas meal £10.50
First up, is Caribbean Quick Scene‘s food stall in Westfield (Stratford). I was reluctant to buy food from here because I assumed they’d be pricey. I am Jamaican myself, so I can be quite particular about where I choose to eat Caribbean food. Surprisingly, it didn’t taste as bad as I imagined.
Initially I thought “Wow, I really just wasted £10.50”. But after I continued eating, the taste grew on me. Although the chicken could have done with a bit more seasoning, the gravy was richer in flavour which helped compensate.
Rudie’s: Jerk Chicken and Rice and Peas £12.50
For my second choice, I ordered Rudie’s from Boxpark (Shoreditch) to my house. I bought Jerk Chicken and Rice and Peas, to make it a fair comparison. The overwhelmingly positive reviews online, led me to believe the food from here would taste better.
I was slightly disappointed by the type of rice that was used. I could tell it wasn’t basmati rice (typically used in Caribbean cuisine). Instead, the long grain rice brought an unfamiliar texture, which slightly let the meal down. On the flip side, I loved how well the Jerk seasoning came through! The chicken here is definitely closer to the authentic Jamaican recipe and is worth paying the extra two quid for it.
So although neither of the dishes completely blew me away, Rudie’s has clearly won this battle of Caribbean cuisines. Yes, Caribbean Quick Scene is cheaper, but the flavour is weaker. In terms of presentation, Rudie’s also did better.
