Dish of the Week: The Curry Puff at Mahali Bakery
Mahali & Co blends expert pastry technique with South East Asian flavours, creating thoughtful bakes like their standout Curry Puff. A charming, destination bakery that feels both humble and special.
3 min read
Attempt to walk into Mahali & Co on any given Saturday or Sunday and you will almost certainly find yourself waiting in line. It is one of the most talked-about bakeries in South-West London, and quite frankly, the hype makes perfect sense.
Mahali & Co is the brainchild of Ru-Yan Foong and Miguel Jocson, two pastry chefs trained in Sydney. Ru-Yan honed her craft at Ottolenghi and The Fat Duck, while Miguel served as head pastry chef at The Langham Sydney. A seriously impressive background, and one that naturally brings attention.
Unsurprisingly, my partner and I were late to the party, arriving at 2pm, meaning many fan favourites like the milk bread and spring onion & chive scroll had already sold out. But even then, there was still a strong selection left to choose from.
The bakery itself is unassuming and clean. The room is split in two, with the customer area feeling minimal, calm and very “cafe”, while the open view into the back is where all the magic happens. Two bakers kneading dough, a barista working intently at the coffee machine, and a warm, friendly server at the counter. It all felt like a small team working harmoniously together.
We ordered the Pandan Pan de Coco, the Pandan Croissant and, of course, the Curry Puff.
The Pandan Pan de Coco was a thing of beauty. The sweetness of the pandan came through on every bite. Think cinnamon swirl, but with desiccated coconut and pandan stepping in for the cinnamon. Soft, fragrant and nostalgic.
The Pandan Croissant, while beautifully crisp on the outside, lacked a little bounce that you would expect from a classic croissant. It was still enjoyable, though I suspect arriving earlier in the day may have made a difference.
But the star was the Curry Puff.
With its black sesame-speckled crust and a soft, curried potato filling, every bite confirmed how considered these recipes are. The curry was mild, leaning more towards a South East Asian profile rather than an Indian one, and it worked perfectly in pastry form. It reminded me how satisfying a well-made, thoughtful pastry can be, especially when it introduces a familiar flavour in an entirely new way.
I left smiling. Mahali & Co is the kind of bakery every London neighbourhood wishes it had on its high street. And in a world full of chains, sometimes it is worth seeking out the special places.
So, in a city full of Gails, be a Mahali.
Mahali Bakery by Mahali and Co
Ground Floor Retail, 24 Battersea Park Rd, London SW11 4HY
Opening Hours: Thursday – Sunday: 7am – 4pm
