Arepazo Bros at Camden Market is my choice for lunch during this visit to the KERB street-food stalls. It is my first taste of Venezuelan street food, and I end up with a generously filled arepa to eat beside the canal. Getting everything into a mouthful while holding a camera proves almost as much of a challenge as choosing what to order.
From the Roberts London archive: this film was first published on 31 October 2016. The stalls, menu and prices shown belong to that visit.
Exploring KERB Camden Market
The film begins near the lock, looking over the part of the market managed by KERB. From the first-floor viewpoint, I point out a bar and a tea shop overlooking the area. The different sections of Camden Market run into one another, so it is not always obvious where one ends and the next begins.
My first impression is that this stretch feels more spacious than it used to. I remember it being crowded, but on this visit there is room to walk between the stalls and see what is cooking. There is also the appeal of taking lunch down to the water, away from the counters.
Choosing Arepazo Bros at Camden Market
With so many stalls to consider, the decision takes a little time. In the end, I choose the Venezuelan street kitchen with the longest queue. The Arepazo Bros stall stands out with its bright sign, menu boards and the promise of a filled corn-bread arepa.
In the commentary, I describe the bread as a small, flat corn-bread disc with fillings. This is a first for me, so the visit is as much about discovering the combination as it is about finding lunch. The menu gives a useful glimpse of the stall at that moment in Camden’s food-market history.
Beef, chicken, guacamole and black beans
My arepa combines shredded beef, cheese, chicken, guacamole, a tomato, onion and herb salad, and black beans. It is a substantial mix to fit into one piece of bread. Before taking a bite, I hold it up for the camera so you can see the filling.
I then head towards the canal to find a place to eat. Sitting right beside the water makes a pleasant change from standing in the queue. However, it also adds a little suspense: I joke that the contents could end up down in the canal if I am not careful.
Trying the arepa beside the canal
The corn bread tastes fresh, with a crisp surface where it has been fried. I like the filling too, although eating it while filming is awkward. Eventually I dispense with the plate to make things easier to manage.
My verdict in the film is enthusiastic. The portion is a good size, the guacamole tastes fresh, and the salad works well with the chicken. After a few comments to the camera, I decide to concentrate on lunch before dropping any more of it. It is a simple street-food review, recorded in the middle of a busy Camden day.
Canal boats and the rest of the afternoon
The visit ends with a look towards the boats on the canal. I mention the service linking Camden with Little Venice and wonder about an afternoon boat ride. That is an idea for another outing; this short film stays with the market, the arepa and the waterside lunch.
For another food stop from the same period, see my Chin Chin Labs ice cream visit in Camden Market.
Watch the original Arepazo Bros visit
The five-minute film follows the walk through KERB, the choice of stall and my first reactions to the arepa beside the canal.
