RAYA: Sharing Thai Ingredients, Culture, and Care in London – Issue 03

Hi friends,

Happy Pride Month from NOVA ESEA! 🌈

Pride month always reminds us that equality and freedom are never given freely. They’re hard-won, hard-fought, and worth protecting. At NOVA ESEA, we stand proudly with the LGBTQ+ community and believe in creating a space where everyone feels seen, safe, and celebrated. Let’s keep showing up, not just during Pride Month, but all year round. Happy Philippine Independence Day, too! 🇵🇭 We’re excited to mark this occasion with FiliFest on 14 June – a celebration of Filipino culture, food, and community in East London.

Over the next two weeks, we’ve got an exciting line-up — from Yukimi live at Southbank Centre, to the soulful sounds of Miso Extra, K-Food Fair at Taste of London, stage plays, festivals, and some stellar exhibitions you won’t want to miss!

Christie

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📣 FEATURED INTERVIEW

RAYA: Sharing Thai Ingredients, Culture, and Care in London

 

At first glance, RAYA looks like a beautifully curated Thai grocery shop tucked into a bustling London market. But talk to the team, and you’ll quickly realise it’s much more — a love letter to home, heritage, and flavour.

Born from the founders behind Khanom Krok, RAYA was created to bring fresh Southeast Asian ingredients to Londoners, from fragrant kaffir lime leaves and stinky beans to daily-cut jackfruit and hand-pressed sugarcane juice. “We only sell what we’d use in our own kitchens,” says Michael, co-owner. That includes their soft, rich palm sugar, made using traditional charcoal stove methods and sold in support of reforestation efforts.

The store is filled with essentials you won’t easily find elsewhere: hand-pressed sugarcane juice, fresh-cut jackfruit, soft palm sugar made using traditional charcoal stove methods, and local produce like pea aubergines and stinky beans. Each product carries a story, many sourced directly from small Thai farmers.

Michael recalls a Thai customer who was visibly moved after tasting tamarind in their Pad Thai — a flavour they hadn’t found outside of Thailand in years. “That moment reminded me why we do this,” he says. “It’s not just about access to ingredients — it’s about identity, memory, and pride.”

He sees Thai cuisine as something deeply adaptable and vibrant — able to evolve while still rooted in tradition. “By paying attention to what we eat, we move beyond just satisfying hunger,” he says. “It becomes a full experience. We want people to discover new dishes, learn about their ingredients, and truly savour the food.”

His favourite ingredient? Palm sugar. “Its nutty, caramelised flavour can elevate curries, Thai salads, even desserts. Every home cook should try it.”

👉 Visit them in Borough Market or follow @rayagrocery @khanomkroklondon to discover their full range of products and events.

Check the video of the interview at @nova.esea

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✨ COMMUNITY SHOUT-OUT

FiliFest 2025

Mark your calendars — FiliFest is back this summer to celebrate Philippine Independence Day in the heart of East London! Happening on Saturday, 14 June at UCL East Central Plaza, this one-day festival brings together the UK’s vibrant Filipino community for a day full of food, music, games, and culture.

From street eats and live performances to traditional games and the immersive “Pamana” tent, it’s a joyful showcase of Filipino pride and creativity. Whether you’re reconnecting with your roots or simply curious, FiliFest is a beautiful way to experience the warmth of the Filipino diaspora.

📍Learn more at filifest.co.uk or follow @filifest for update

✨ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Did you catch Eurovision this year? We were blown away by the powerhouse vocals and charisma of JJ, this year’s winner, and a proud artist of Filipino heritage. Their performance was electric, heartfelt, and absolutely unforgettable. It’s so exciting to see a Southeast Asian artist take centre stage in one of Europe’s biggest music competitions.

Watch JJ's performance JJ – Wasted Love (LIVE) | Austria 🇦🇹 | Grand Final | Winner of Eurovision 2025

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Follow us: @nova.esea | novaesea.com