The Begging Bowl is a Thai restaurant at 168 Bellenden Road in Peckham. Its name refers to the vessel carried by Buddhist monks during the morning ritual of receiving food, and the restaurant uses that image to express community and generous shared dining.
The menu explores cooking from Thailand's different regions through plates intended for the table. Betel leaf wraps, chive cakes, salads, grilled meat and seafood introduce herbs, roasted rice, fermented seasoning, chilli and sour fruit in combinations that are vivid rather than simplified.
Curries and stir fries provide more substantial dishes, with changing examples built around chicken, beef, fish or vegetables. Jasmine and sticky rice are served alongside, while clearly marked vegetarian, vegan and gluten free choices help diners shape a balanced shared order.
Cocktails, beer, spirits and wine accompany the food, with a regional lunch menu available from Friday to Sunday. The Begging Bowl suits diners who want to explore beyond familiar Thai standards and are comfortable ordering several dishes for the whole group to taste.
Address: 168 Bellenden Road, London SE15 4BW, England
The Begging Bowl Menu
Chef's Special
Langoustine & coconut curry, with betel leaf, white turmeric, green beans and lime leaf
Gf
Smaller
Chive cakes, chilli soy dip
Gf, Ve
Mixed pickles of cucumber, fennel, baby corn, Chinese cabbage, red peppers, sesame, chilli oil
Ve, Gf
Betel leaf wrap of ginger, peanut, shallot, coconut, galangal, kapi, palm sugar
Gf, VeO
Spicy peanuts & cashew, lime leaf, crispy garlic
Gf, Ve
Larger
Grilled Bavette with Nam Jim jaew
Gf
Watermelon salad, shallots, mint, long coriander, rice powder, peanuts, Thai chillies, pla ra
Gf, Veo
Hispi cabbage stir-fry, chilli, garlic, yellow bean sauce
Ve
Stir fry of oyster mushrooms and tofu in fragrant curry sauce, Asian celery, spring onions, prik nam pla
Gf
Crispy rice noodles, king prawns, Chinese chives, beansprouts, palm sugar & lime glaze
Charcoal grilled celeriac, golae peanut curry, pickled ginger
Gf, Ve
Green curry of chicken & squid, Thai eggplants, lime leaf, wild ginger
Gf
Deep-fried whole seabass, physalis, green mango, roasted rice, tamarind, chilli dressing
Gf
Rice
Jasmine rice & Sticky rice, Limitless
Gf, Ve
Dessert
Sangkhaya: thai coconut custard, black sticky rice and sweet egg floss
Banana fritters, taramind caramel
Gf, Ve
Condensed milk ice-cream (3 scoops)
Gf, V
Affogato – Vietnamese espresso, condensed milk ice cream
Gf, V
Children
Stir-fry of chicken or tofu, green beans, cucumber, sticky rice
gf
Condensed milk ice-cream (1 scoop)
gf, V
Wine
175ml | 500ml | Btl
Vé Rosé, Mas De Valeriole, Caladoc, Merlot, Provence, France, 2023
La Pegase Blanc, Dpmaine de L'Epinay, Sauvignon Louire Valley, France, 2022
Pegase Rouge, Domaine de l’Epinay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Loire Valley, France, 2024
Chateau, Gaudrelle Brut, Chenin Blanc, Loire Valley, France, 2022
Bright & crisp with lively acidity, balanced with gentle sweetness & blossom aromas. (Organic)
Christina Gruner Veltliner, Austria, 2023
A crisp, hazy & unfiltered Austrian white with notes of green apple, citrus & white pepper. (Organic)
Les Caves Moliere, Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc, France. 2021
Soft, delicate nose with pleasant hints of citrus, accacia & hawthorn blossom
Cocktails
Thaitan
Ancho reyes, kraken rum, Thai chilli, lime
Phuket Smoke
Lagavullin, mezcal, supasawa, nectarine liquor, nectarine bitters & lime
Pomelo Negroni
Chase pomelo gin, pampelle, pomelo peels infused red vermouth
Lychee Martini
Butterfly pea flower infused vodka, lychee juice, lime, sugar syrup
Betel Leaf Margarita
Betel leaf infused tequila, passion fruit puree, lime juice & betel syrup
Markut Sour
Markut infused gin, lemongrass vodka, aphrodite bitters, lime, egg
Non-Alcoholic
Thai Lemonade
Lime, lemon, palm sugar, ginger beer
No-groni
Botivo 0% aperitivo, Tanqueray 0%, Supasawa, grenadine
Passion Fruit Punch
Passion fruit, lime, guava juice, mango juice, coconut cream
Beers & Ciders
Draught: 2/3rd Pint. Bottles/Cans: 330ml.
Begging Bowl Session Lager 5%
Harbour Hazy IPA 4.3%
Singha 5%
Carabao 4.9%
Curious Apple Cider 4.7%
Spirits
Gin (35ml), Whiskey (35ml)
Roku (Japan)
Nikka Coffey Gin (Japan)
Tanqueray No. Ten (England)
Laphroig (Scotland)
Nikka Coffey (Japan)
Coffee & Tea
Loose leaf tea prices are per person with free refills.