Living the Cheapskate life: food influencer Wing Hoang on Chinatown's best restaurant & riding the tube like a local

Wing Hoang is an accountant by day and a successful food influencer by night, sharing delicious-looking restaurant and home-cooked meals on her popular Instagram page, Feed.Wing. Here, she shares her favourite place to eat for cheap in the city, tips for 'hacking' the London underground and more.

1. I rest my head in…

I started my life in zone 1, progressed through my work life in zone 3 and am newly settling down in zone 6. I might have moved further away, but that won’t stop me from hunting for a good deal around London!

2. Where’s the cheapest place you’ve lived in London?

My family home in Elephant & Castle (rent-free, whoop!). I've not rented anywhere else in London before, but Elephant & Castle still has some great rates lurking around for those who know where to look.

3. Have you had any disastrous London rental experiences?

Not in London but at my university just out of the city. I rented a place with random people for my last year as I wasn’t sure whether I'd be taking a placement year or not. Arguments were a daily occurrence, revolving around shared spaces. I had to share the kitchen with four other people and it was F I L T H Y. There were ants and mould everywhere – bear in mind the house was pretty new and the kitchen was spotless when we moved in. Luckily I had an ensuite, but I don’t even want to think about the state of the shared bathroom!

4. Where’s your favourite place to eat for cheap?

Hands down Misato’s in Chinatown! I've been going there for half my life (14 years) and the main dishes have only gone up by 50p! My go-to order is the chickenkara-age which is only £4.50 for fried chicken, a side salad and a mahoosive portion of rice. Bargain?! Hell yeah! It’s not exactly an authentic restaurant but the food is deliciously filling and for the price, it’s a no-brainer!

5. Your perfect no-spend London day would involve…

Checking out Cheapskate’s newsletter to see the new and no-spend events going on that week! I can’t wait for everything to go back to normal so I can attend in-person events again but, in the meantime, virtual events it is!

6. What’s your top London ‘hack’?

If you’re in a rush, don’t follow the exit signs when you get off the tube – they’re designed for crowd control so will take you out the long way. Instead, follow the emergency exit sign and that should get you out the station quicker (this works most of the time!). Another tube hack is looking for the worn-out yellow lines along the platform as this will give you an idea of where the doors open. Thank me later.

7. If you were mayor for the day, what would you change about London?

Stop major supermarkets from selling plastic bags altogether and make tote bags the only available option. Shoppers will remember to bring their reusable bags next time!

8. What’s the biggest London rip off?‍

London attractions (e.g. Sea Life, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds). There are nearly ALWAYS discount codes lying around for at least 40% off... don’t go without them!

9. If you were going to splurge in London, what would it be on?

Dining at Gordon Ramsay’s Michelin starred restaurant, Pétrus. Their food is honestly stunning and delicious. And if I really wanted to splurge, I’d treat my family to sitting at the kitchen table for the ultimate experience.

10. What's your favourite small business in London?

Don Luigi in Streatham serves tasty authentic Italian food with a slight twist of Japanese in a couple of their dishes. I’m pretty upset that I’m not local to them anymore!  

11. In three words, what makes someone a Londoner?

Good, strong cuppa.

‍

For a snapshot of the best food in London, recipe tips, cookalongs and more, follow Wing on Instagram at Feed.Wing.

Looking for a guide to London's top free events, free-to-enter competitions and more? Subscribe to the Cheapskate London newsletter today.