Emirates Go East Festival London Review

A melting pot of cultures and cuisine, London is no stranger to the flavours of Malaysia, South Africa, China, Sri Lanka, Australia, Thailand and Vietnam, and was therefore the perfect place to hold the Emirates Go East Festival on 13th and 14th June.

Taking over a car park in the Southbank, the musical entertainment and aromas of the east were gripping before you made your way through the entrance. Stalls of frying vegetables and sizzling meats surrounded the stage and seating area where guests gorged on spicy Thai chicken, crocodile burgers and roti stuffed with curried chicken.

There were also ice creams and sorbets to soothe the tongue, and a bar serving eastern-inspired cocktails. At £7 a pop, they weren’t too easy on the wallet, but oh my were they delicious. The Date Honey Julep from Dubai, with honey, whiskey and apple juice was soothing to the throat, and the Indian Mango Daiquiri was like summer in a plastic tumbler.

Entertainment-wise, there was a variety of belly dancers, stiltwalkers, drummers and South African singers and dancers, the latter of which were not only mesmerising but hilariously funny, even asking the crowd why we weren’t at church on a Sunday… There was also the addition of face painting, but while it was directed as the “kids area”, there was nothing to stop the adults joining in on the beautiful decoration, especially with the inspiration that surrounded you.

Making its debut this year, the Emirates Go East Festival will also be heading to Glasgow, Birmingham and Newcastle, to celebrate the east with the rest of the UK. With our bellies full, a bit of a light head and entertainment that left a lasting impression, we hope that this food, drink and cultural showcase returns next year – or next week if we had our way…