Explore the Vibrant New Vietnamese Restaurant in Peckham, Lai Rai, Offering Colorful and Invigorating Decor to Match Its Flavorful Dishes
Lai Rai, a vibrant Vietnamese restaurant located at 181 Rye Ln, Peckham, London, has recently opened its doors to the public. The brainchild of London-based spatial design studio house of baby, Lai Rai aims to reimagine the spirit of Vietnam's bia hoi culture—a casual, lively beer-drinking street food tradition—for a London audience.
The interior design of Lai Rai is a blend of Saigon canteen culture and a contemporary, cinematic edge. Neon red lighting, a striking Shining-inspired red resin floor, and a mix of high and low tables create an energetic, urban Vietnamese street scene. The design team, led by Joseph Losper and Tomio Shota, collaborated with co-founders Blair Nguyen and Ivy Vo from the South London snack collective 𝒱ℐ𝒩𝒜𝒳𝒪𝒜 and visual artist AP Nguyen. They aimed to produce an emotionally and culturally resonant, living artwork, integrating elements from food, theater, fine art, and digital design.
The exterior of Lai Rai features a distinctive red and white striped awning, reminiscent of a funfair, enhancing its playful and approachable vibe. The design inspiration weaves together references to Vietnamese street life and culture, contemporary art, and cinematic influences to create a unique, sensory experience that reflects both traditional and modern Vietnamese heritage in an urban London context.
The menu at Lai Rai offers a variety of dishes that are sure to tantalize the taste buds. The betel-leaf beef patties, placed on coffee BBQ sauce, are a must-try. The crispy chicken leg, served in a lake of tangy garlic and basil sauce, is another crowd-pleaser. For those with a sweet tooth, Clingy Wrap's fish sauce caramel ice cream is available and breaks all prejudices.
One of the standout dishes is the beef tartare, presented as a salad-style dish with lemongrass, crushed peanuts, cucumber, and perilla leaves. Another highlight is the prawn lollies, a melt-in-your-mouth dish served with fish sauce satay, fresh herbs, and sugarcane.
The design of Lai Rai's upper level includes minty green floors, halo lighting, and long communal tables. A James Turrell-inspired porthole window is placed on the ceiling of the top floor, adding a touch of surrealism to the dining experience. The spherical sconces, vintage-looking cafe curtains, metal-clad fittings, and cartoony visual branding further contribute to the immersive atmosphere.
House of baby wanted Lai Rai to feel slightly dislocated from everyday life, as if you've slipped sideways into a parallel reality. This is evident in the design, which aims to transport diners to other worlds, including the vibrant streets of Hanoi, Vietnam.
Lai Rai has the potential to be one of the best restaurants in London, offering a unique dining experience that combines the best of Vietnamese culture with contemporary art and cinematic influences. Whether you're a foodie or an art lover, Lai Rai is a must-visit destination in Peckham. The author, who moved to London at the end of January 2020, can attest to the restaurant's charm and allure.
- The design team was inspired to create an artful living space, seamlessly integrating elements from food, theater, fine art, and digital design, transforming Lai Rai into a vibrant lifestyle decor statement.
- The color scheme of Lai Rai alternates between neon red and minty green, mirroring the art and decor trends that have been widely recognized in both home-and-garden and food-and-drink industries.
- In the upper level of Lai Rai, art takes center stage with a James Turrell-inspired porthole window and spherical sconces, becoming an integral part of the restaurant's unique fine art aesthetic.
- Reminiscent of Vietnamese street life, Lai Rai features vivid food-inspired decor, such as the betel-leaf beef patties that are a nod to the typical street vendor fare and Clingy Wrap's fish sauce caramel ice cream that breaks taste perception.
- The eclectic fusion of furniture, lighting, and branding at Lai Rai turns it into an abstract piece of art that effortlessly blends the lifestyle of Vietnam's bustling streets with the lively, London-inspired contemporary aesthetic.
