Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster

Guest: Kojey Radical

Release Date: March 18, 2026

Episode Overview

In this engaging and freewheeling episode of "Off Menu," multi-talented rapper, poet, and artist Kojey Radical steps into Ed and James' fantasy restaurant to order his dream meal. The conversation dives deep into food preferences, restaurant etiquette, the evolution of hip hop, wild stories about reality TV, and more. Bursts of humor and tangents abound, with plenty of memorable moments and asides that paint a lively portrait of Kojey’s tastes, personality, and philosophy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcome & Introduction to Kojey Radical

• The hosts celebrate finally having Kojey on the show after years in the making, referencing an earlier (2020) podcast appearance with James.
• Ed and James express their admiration for Kojey, highlighting his musical projects like "23 Winters" and his charisma on Taskmaster New Year's Treat.
• Kojey teases the show format (“They sent me a brief. I was like, what do I need a brief for? You think I don't know this show?” - Koji, 08:56)

2. Secret Ingredient: Tinned Potatoes Banter [05:23–08:44]

• This episode's 'secret ingredient,' which would get a guest booted from the restaurant, is tinned potatoes.
• Conversation devolves into a comedic bit about doomsday bunkers and the specifics of Ed’s "no beating off in the bunker" rules.
• Quote:
  Ed: "No beating off in the bunker. Because there's going to be a lot of friends and family there." [07:29]

3. Taskmaster & Fan Campaigns [09:47–10:26]

• Kojey recounts his campaign (and the public petition) to be on a full series of Taskmaster after the New Year's special.
• Reflects on British TV’s “ignoring” of fan petitions unless they’re debated in Parliament.
• Quote:
  Koji: "I plan to sign my petition." [10:23]

4. Kojey’s Food Preferences: Likes, Avoidances, Philosophy [11:03–14:15]

• Not a self-described "foodie," Kojey says: "I like to eat... but there's a lot I won't eat."
• Avoids exotic meats (pheasant, peacock, rabbit, ostrich – which he mistakenly ordered once), mushrooms (“mushrooms is the only one that's going to give you a problem there”), and slimy foods like okra.
• Jokes about the odds of adult toilet accidents as you age, and always packing extra underwear (“Just in case... As soon as I leave the country, I’m gonna shit myself three times.” [14:28])

5. Royal Albert Hall and Live Shows [15:25–17:38]

• Kojey shares excitement about his upcoming Royal Albert Hall performance (May 20).
• Explains collaborative efforts with his producer Swindle, emphasizing the significance of live shows and plans for a retrospective set across his discography.
• Quote:
  Koji: "I want to... put on a show that I'm like, I could retire on that one. I won’t." [16:29]

6. Hip Hop, Maturity, & Andre 3000 [17:38–18:49]

• Reflects on how hip hop is maturing, with artists now rapping about "grown man" topics (mortgages, health) rather than just flashy materialism.
• References Andre 3000’s pivot to flute music as emblematic of this evolution.
• Quote:
  Koji: "Eventually it's like no, we've got mortgages and prostate checkups and stuff." [18:24]

Kojey’s Ultimate Off Menu Meal

Drink Selection [19:00–22:43]

• Still Water: Emphatic preference (sparkling makes him itchy "from behind my eyebrows").
• Hates champagne ("Awful drink, awful hangover"), dislikes bubble-maker machines.
• Nostalgic drinks: KA (black grape), Panda Pops, Sunny D, Yop (“Do you remember KA? ... Black grape used to taste actually purple.” [21:24])
• Special Request: Sorrel and ginger ("I normally get it when I go to the Caribbean shop... I never even asked what sorrel is." [23:59])

Bread Course [24:51–26:14]

• Order: Turkish bread from Gokyuzu in Wood Green, specifically the spicy flatbread with chili flakes and oil.
• Jokes about “bread supremacy” over papadoms.
• Quote:
  Koji: “Not the plain Jane. It’s got to be the spicy one.” [26:12]

Starter(s) [32:03–40:13]

• Oxtail Croquette from Smokestak, Shoreditch: “Biting into the best parts of gentrification.”
• Also orders:
  • Kebab/soya (Nigerian/Ghanaian spicy beef skewer street food)
  • Plantain
• Paired Drink: Paloma (tequila, grapefruit)
• Quote:
  Koji: “An oxtail croquette that's just like, biting into the best parts of gentrification.” [33:43]
• Notable Moment: Kojey does his own “Poppadoms or Bread” shout. [24:52]

Main Course [43:37–54:53]

• Whole Grilled Tilapia, Ghanaian style, “stuffed with vegetables and vibes, flavors—garlic, red peppers, Scotch bonnet, basil, coriander, sweet peppers, shallots—blended into a paste and grilled in foil.”
• Wants the vibe of it being "hunted" and cooked on the beach, with a spectacle (“They make a show out of it for us.” [54:50])
• Setting: On the beach, inspired by Spanish reality TV chaos (see below).

Side Dish [52:54–54:08]

• Surf Roast Potatoes from Ireland, Chef Tom Brown’s spot (crispy, citrusy, fluffy, specifically paired with fish).

Dream Drink [61:39–62:21]

• Japanese Plum Wine & Tonic: Inspired by a trip to Japan, says this is the only situation “bubbles” are allowed.
  “That’s the one time where bubbles are allowed to be introduced.” [62:04]

Dessert [71:52–74:08]

• Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream: The only dessert he really cares for, downplays more elaborate desserts as “just versions of cream.”
• Commentary on adult dessert tastes vs. “faffy” options.
• Quote:
  Koji: “All the desserts…just arguably, it's just lots of versions of cream.” [74:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On sharing plates (and the horrors of odd-numbered portions):
  Koji: “Why is there three [items]? There's two of us. One of these is now a conversation…” [32:29]

• On gentrified oxtail:
  Koji: "Just…Shredded, lightly fried. Oxtail croquette…biting into the best parts of gentrification." [33:43]

• On power dynamics and ‘Top Five Karens’ YouTube rabbit holes:
  Koji: “It's a weird obsession because sometimes you just like to imagine what life is like… just being like an old white woman. That's power…” [38:01]

• Multiple enthusiastic endorsements of reality TV – especially Spanish "Temptation Island":

  • Kojey painstakingly recounts a wild, thunderstorm-drenched episode, recounting the saga of “Montoya.”
  • Quote:
    Koji: "That is the part of Spain I need to go. Because that is excitement." [52:17]

• On the maturing of hip hop and Andre 3000’s flute era:
  Koji: “He’s just like, well, I can’t rap about this stuff no more.” [18:31]

Reality TV, Internet Algorithms & Courtroom Fantasies

• Lengthy, hilarious foray into the world of Spanish Temptation Island, described with infectious glee and detail by Kojey. [47:28–52:43]
• Discussion of reality TV mechanics, Married at First Sight, and early Big Brother ("Nasty Nick")—reflections on how much reality TV and public reactions have changed.
• Tangents into YouTube addiction, the “Top Five Karens” genre, and what life must be like with the power to call the police at will ("That’s power I can never imagine.”).

Miscellaneous Tangents & Running Gags

• Bunker Rules: Ongoing joke about Ed’s bunker, no “beating off,” and nuclear apocalypse prep. [06:41–08:17]
• Farts in public spaces: Extensive, deeply British riffing on etiquette, embarrassment, and fatherhood. [29:00–31:20]
• Lawyer/Doctor surnames: Kojey: "I don’t know if I could have a doctor called Dr. Gamble." [71:20]
• James’ full bladder: Recurring, becomes an increasingly desperate motif (“The world to me right now is either cream or piss. That's all I can really think about.” [74:32])
• Rice Krispies and Age: Meditations on whether mascots make a cereal “for kids.” [78:05–79:56]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Secret Ingredient Banter: 03:41–08:44
• Kojey talks Taskmaster & Not Eating Pheasant: 09:47–14:15
• Live Show Plans at Royal Albert Hall: 15:25–17:38
• Hip Hop, Aging & Andre 3000: 17:38–18:49
• Drinks (Still Water, Sorrel & Ginger): 19:00–23:59
• Bread Course, Turkish Bread: 24:51–26:14
• Starters (Oxtail Croquette, Kebab, Plantain): 32:03–40:13
• Main Course (Whole Grilled Tilapia): 43:37–54:53
• Side Dish (Surf Potatoes): 52:54–54:08
• Japanese Plum Wine & Tonic: 61:39–62:21
• Dessert (Sticky Toffee Pudding): 71:52–74:08
• Spanish Reality TV Epic (“Montoya”): 47:28–52:43
• “Top Five Karens”/Internet Rabbit Holes: 37:49–39:33

Final Dream Menu

• Drink: Still water, Sorrel & Ginger, Japanese Plum Wine & Tonic, Paloma (starter pairing)
• Bread: Spicy Turkish flatbread (Gokyuzu, Wood Green)
• Starter: Oxtail croquette (Smokestak), Soya kebab, Plantain
• Main: Whole grilled tilapia stuffed with vegetables, garlic, Scotch bonnet, herbs, & “vibes”
• Side: Surf roast potatoes (Ireland, Chef Tom Brown)
• Dessert: Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream

Closing Thoughts

This episode delivers classic Off Menu fare: joyful food stories, a guest with strong (and very relatable) opinions, and collaborative riffing that strays into unpredictable and joyous territory. Kojey’s vivid storytelling—especially on Spanish reality TV—and his down-to-earth yet refined food choices make for a compelling listen.

Listen for:

• Kojey's campaign for Taskmaster
• Hot takes on fizzy water, bread, and extravagant plating
• The epic “Montoya” tale from Spanish TV
• Food as cultural connection and personal nostalgia
• Endlessly quotable lines and pure comedic chemistry

“That is the part of Spain I need to go. Because that is excitement.”
— Koji Radical, [52:17]