Singburi goes ‘on sabbatical’ as owner says ‘we need time to ruminate’

Singburi in Leytonstone, which has become renowned for being booked out months in advance, confirmed on Instagram​​ that it was ‘going on sabbatical’ without any timeframe as to when it would reopen.

Chef Sirichai Kularbwong, who helms the restaurant alongside his parents, said the team needed ‘time to ruminate’ as they have ‘not had as much time for themselves’.

“So… for the moment we are going on sabbatical a little earlier than expected,” the statement said.

“We are now closed for this year.”

Singburi is currently ranked at number 71 on the National Restaurant Awards Top 100 list​​, where it is described as having ‘built a cult following for its bracingly authentic Thai cooking’.

The restaurant’s popularity has meant that it usually chooses to close annually for an extended period, although this is often announced later in the year.

In 2023, Singburi closed on 23 December and remained closed until 28 March this year.

Kularbwong’s statement continued: “It has been twenty five years since we began as a fish and chip shop, wondering if we could pay the rent… to this.

“It’s been a lot of years watching mum wrap her spring rolls and helping dad make tod mun pla. It has been a lot [of] years of graft and commiserating, but we are in a position to fondly reminisce.

“But now, for the moment we need time to ruminate, as we have not had as much time for ourselves.

“See you, when we see you.”