From the sugar of the Empire to the fish and chips of the East End, British cuisine has always been about arrival. Today, every newcomer to the city is reshaping life in London – through what they bring, adapt, and transform at the table. (Illustration/Joanna Chan) When people first land in London, many experience a sensory gap. The fruits and vegetables in the supermarket look neat and clean, but they are often barely noticeable at all. For those who are used to intense or d

How Britain’s 2026 policy wave of visas, rental, and employment rights is reshaping who gets to stay in London An aeroplane flies past the Big Ben in London, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Photo/Joanna Chan) For many expats in London, 2026 is not simply another year on the calendar – it feels like a quiet stress test of whether staying is still realistic. From soaring visa costs to housing reforms and new employment laws, three major policy shifts are taking effect all at the same

Understanding British politics through the paintings of satirist Kaya Mar For anyone who came from another place, politics in London can feel overwhelming. Newspapers shout from tube stands, television panels fill with suited commentators arguing, and everyone seems certain about which side they are on. It is loud and confusing. This is a city where everything seems to happen at once – local gossip colliding with global politics. For satirist Kaya Mar , the method is simple: