People of Bermondsey : Steven Tran, Local Resident and Food Content Creator
Please introduce yourself and your online brand.
My name is Steven Tran. I run the Instagram account @tranvfood, which mainly showcases the food and drink I consume, the places I travel to, and the punny captions I come up with (great or awful - you decide). The account name was originally stylised on the OG Man v Food, but I’m far less about food challenges and excessive eating these days, even though I probably still eat a lot compared to the normal person.
Tell us how your Bermondsey story began.
I moved down to Bermondsey from Manchester in 2012. Only upon writing this have I realised I’m approaching my 10 year anniversary living in SE1!
I’ve seen the area develop a lot in my time. I didn’t know anything about Bermondsey before I moved here so I guess I got lucky, and right now, I don’t see myself being anywhere else in London.
What does a typical Saturday in SE1 look like for you?
If I wake up early enough, I’d probably go for a run around either Southwark or Burgess Park, or even up to Tower Bridge and along the river.
Little Bread Pedlar is a usual haunt for fresh pastries and bread for brekkie. LBP, if you’re reading this, bring back your fermented seed sourdough loaf - I miss it!
Lunch would obviously be on Maltby St Market where there are some great traders to choose from.
A nice walk my partner and I like to do is along Bermondsey St, through the Leathermarket Rose Garden up to Borough Market (probably pick up something else to eat there), then along the river on the South Bank - these last parts are obviously tourist-heavy but it’s still a fun thing to do and the views are stunning. I’d likely circle back and end up having a drink in one of the many breweries and taprooms along the Bermondsey Beer Mile.
What’s the best meal you’ve ever had in the area? From the experience to the food?
As the saying goes: if I had a penny for every time I got asked what my best meal ever was… I’d probably have enough to buy a 99 flake - and that’s even accounting for the inflation over the years! It’s a question I can never really answer - I can never pick a stand-out favourite which is head and shoulders above the rest. I’m going to take the easy way out and give you a short list of some of my fave places and dishes in the area:
Casse Croûte: boeuf en croûte
Gunpowder: lamb chops
José tapas bar: arroz negro
40 Maltby St: anything
Viet Quan: Bánh cuốn
Bar Tozino: jamón ibérico
Baccalà: tiramisu
The list could go on…
Images via @tranvfood
You are a resident in Bermondsey, what is it about the area you love?
It’s hardly surprising that I’d say food and drink is a stand-out!
You’ve got everything from high-end (Michelin star) restaurants to more casual eats including bistros and tapas bars to street food markets and even some top quality greengrocers, bakeries and butchers. In terms of drink, the area has great pubs, wine bars, and of course, the Bermondsey Beer Mile.
To not mention food for a minute, I really enjoy the community and slightly village feel Bermondsey has. For such a central location really, in such close proximity to landmarks like Tower Bridge and The Shard, there are countless little independent businesses around.
I also love how much green space there is in the area. Some of my faves are: Southwark Park, Bermondsey Spa Gardens, Burgess Park, Leathermarket Gardens, and Tanner St Park.
Where in the area do you shop for your cooking ingredients?
Taylor’s of Maltby St for quality fruit and veg.
Bell & Sons Butchers for quality meat.
Spa Terminus, which contains a load of great independent businesses, like London Fermentary, Little Bread Pedlar, Crown & Queue, the list goes on.
Shopping during lockdown was made easy because of these businesses on my doorstep, rather than having to go to a supermarket. And these business owners are some of the loveliest, friendliest people you’ll meet!
What is your favourite place for a date night in the area?
I guess it depends on what number date it is ;)
I’d probably say start at 214 Bermondsey cocktail and gin bar before moving on to another bar (Ops Wine Bar or Bermondsey Arts Club) or even to a spot to eat on Bermondsey St, if you’re feeling having food with your date. 214 Bermondsey (and its happy hour!) very nearly made it as my top Bermondsey secret for the next question. It’s a beaut little cocktail bar with a huge selection of gins on offer, and they also serve Bermondsey Tonic Water!
What’s your Bermondsey secret, and a must-do for any visitor?
A local favourite, which I think deserves to be put onto the wider London map, is Ops Wine Bar, a beautiful little Portuguese wine bar on Druid St. Pedro, the owner, is a great guy, and where else are you able to get such a long, dedicated Portuguese wine list with a selection of Portuguese tapas? It’s a wine bar that is very laid back. You can also sip on a Super Bock and eat a bifana special (think a bifana with the addition of cheese and shoestring fries) to be super casual - I highly recommend this.
Thank you Ste for your SE1 Insiders tips!
Follow Ste on Instagram for all things food in SE1 and throughout London.
