If you've seen shakshuka on a brunch menu and wondered what you'd be getting, here's the short answer: eggs, gently poached in a rich tomato sauce, brought to the table hot. It's on our breakfast menu at Nonòs Judd Street, our Greek Mediterranean kitchen and bar at 112 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NT, five minutes' walk from King's Cross St Pancras.
Where shakshuka comes from
Shakshuka (also spelled shakshouka) is a Maghrebi dish, from North Africa, and it's popular throughout North Africa and the Middle East. The classic version is eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onion and garlic, often spiced with cumin and paprika. The name is usually explained as meaning "mixture". You can read more on Wikipedia's shakshouka page.
It isn't a Greek dish in origin, but it sits very comfortably next to Greek cooking: tomatoes, vegetables, olive oil and feta are already at the heart of our kitchen.
Our version
The Shakshuka (V) on our breakfast menu is two eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, vegetables, chickpeas and spinach, topped with feta crumbs and pomegranate, and served with buttered pitta bread for mopping up. The chickpeas make it a hearty version, and the feta and pomegranate add salt and a bit of sweetness.
Jul came in for brunch and wrote: The Shakshuka was warm, comforting, and had that homemade, hearty feel
(Jul, Google review)
If you're sharing
Shakshuka is good to share alongside something else. Jul's table paired it with the Salmon Hash Benedict, which they called absolutely flavorful and satisfying
(Jul, Google review). Our Hash Benedict is served on hash browns with two poached free-range eggs and hollandaise, with a choice of smoked salmon, cured ham or halloumi.
Other breakfast dishes include:
- Poached Eggs & Avocado on Toast (V): sourdough, smashed avocado, feta crumbles, a parmesan crisp and cherry tomatoes.
- Scorched Butter French Toast (V), with brûlée banana, ice cream, passion fruit and mango coulis.
- Vegan Breakfast (VG), with beetroot, gigantes beans, smashed avocado and hummus. It can be served gluten-free.
- Nonòs Full English, Vegetarian Breakfast, a three-egg omelette, Greek yoghurt with nuts, honey and fruit, and fresh croissants.
Coffee with it
Our coffee runs from espresso and flat white to matcha and chai lattes. If it's a warm morning, try a Greek iced coffee: a Freddo Espresso, Freddo Cappuccino or Nescafé Frappé. Our guide to Greek iced coffee explains the difference. There's freshly squeezed orange juice and smoothies too.
Weekend mornings
Colin walked in on a Saturday morning when another place had a long queue: It was a very well done breakfast/brunch.
(Colin B., Google review) Walk-ins are welcome when there's space, but for a bigger group at the weekend, booking ahead is safer.
Good to know
- Breakfast: served 8:30 to 12:00, seven days a week. The à la carte menu starts at noon.
- Address: 112 Judd Street, King's Cross, London WC1H 9NT. Phone 020 7278 9700.
- Hours: Sunday to Wednesday 08:30–22:00, Thursday to Saturday 08:30–23:00.
- Allergies: please speak to our team about allergies and dietary requirements. Menus may vary slightly by location and season.
Come hungry, and bring someone to share with. Book a table at Nonòs Judd Street or just walk in.