Reykjavík Grapevine - 15.06.2018, Side 48

The Street Food
Olympics
A Grapevine guide to Grandi Mathöll
Words: Björn Teitsson, John Rogers & Shruthi Basappa
Photos: Timothée Lambrecq
Reykjavík food halls are, as it
turns out, just like London bus-
es: you wait around for one, and
then two come along at once.
Just as we’re getting used to the
presence of the resoundingly
successful Hlemmur Mathöll, up
pops the city’s second street food
palace—this time in the spacious
ground floor of Grandagarður 16
in the Grandi harbour area.
Grandi Mathöll has an im-
med iately com for t able feel,
with various stools, benches and
couches scattered through the
spaces. The nine concessions
are housed in a combination of
contemporary bars, metal food
trucks and wooden stands, and
there’s a bustling, social feel as
people meander between the
vendors, who shout out names as
their orders are ready. We went
for an epic tasting session to find
out what delights lie inside this
exciting new restaurant develop-
ment.
Kore
J: I made a beeline for this place
right away, with high hopes for
Korean staples that are miss-
ing in Reykjavík, like bibimbap
and soondubu. It turned out that
Kore is a Korean fast food place
serving spicy fried chicken, ta-
cos, and decadent “filthy” fries.
It all tasted good, but the menu
feels like a missed opportunity.
B: Agreed. It also feels like they
are still mastering their menu.
W hen I had some kimchi-ta-
cos there wasn’t anything else
there—they were a bit minimal-
ist, even for a taco. That said, the
huge line in front of Kore is re-
ally a testament to the demand
for a good Korean place. Iceland
is craving one.
Fusion Fish ‘n’ Chips
J: As an Englishman, I’m a suck-
er for a classic fish ‘n’ chips,
but I have to say the addition of
wakame here is inspired. It gives
it a really fresh flavour… it’s a
massive improvement on a dol-
lop of sugary ketchup. The batter
was light, and the chunks of fish
were hefty and fresh.
B: The kataifi (stringy Middle-
Eastern pastry) on the shrimps
was a nice touch—these could
really soak up some sauce. The
chili-mayo could have done with
a more kick, or perhaps they
could keep some “crazy” sauce by
the counter as an optional condi-
ment. I really liked the fish, and
the portion was generous.
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R E S T A U R A N T
w w w . b a n t h a i . i s
Laugavegur 130, Hlemmur, 105 Reykjavík Tel : 6 9 2 - 0 5 6 4, 55 - 22 - 444
----------------------------
BanThai
B E S T T H A I F O O D 2 0 1 7
a l s o b e s t : 2 0 0 9, 2 0 1 0, 2 0 1 1, 2 0 1 2, 2 0 1 3, 2 0 1 4, 2 0 1 5 a n d 2 0 1 6
M A N Y A W A R D S
Always been the best from the reviews
in our local people and local newspaper.
There's a reason why we get an award
every once a year
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FISH panS
icelandic "plokkfiskur"
Onion, garlic, potatoes,
celery, lime, white wine,
cream and butter
1,950 isk

arcTic cHar
Honey, almonds, cherry–
tomatoes, lemon and butter
2,200 isk
redfisH
Chili, celery root, sour cream,
corn, lemon and cream
2,200 isk
plaice
Tomatoes, capers, parsley,
lemon and butter
2,200 isk
salmon (lacTose–free)
Parsnip, broccoli, cashews,
coconut oil, chili and lemon
2,200 isk
our fisH pans are always served
wiTH buTTer–fried icelandic
poTaToes & fresH salad
any pans
for
luncH?
lækjargaTa 6b, 101 rvk · 546 0095 · messinn@messinn.com
This place has chicken soup to die for
Food