Ottolenghi co-founder, Noam Bar-Chang, and founder of Kung Fu Mama Retail, Chris Hsu, are thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of Taiwanese noodle bar, Kung Fu Mama.
Set to open in a prime position on Long Acre, Covent Garden, 8th April, the fun, fast-paced eatery will be dedicated to showcasing a contemporary take on authentic Taiwanese flavours via delicious, healthy, affordable dishes crafted using Kung Fu Mama Retail’s signature sun-dried noodles.
Designed for eating in – there will be 9 covers inside and 4 outside – taking away, or having delivered locally, everything on the concise yet punchy menu has been curated with nourishment in mind — with ingredients oven-baked rather than deep fat fried, seed oil swapped out for extra-virgin olive oil, and salt, sugar and fat levels kept to a minimum.
Promising an al dente bite, dishes starring Kung Fu Mama Retail’s sun-dried noodles will include succulent chicken thighs in a mild ginger and sesame sauce; beef in a lightly spiced Sichuan pepper sauce; Mapo tofu with spicy minced pork; and Portobello mushrooms in an umami-rich three cup sauce.
Elsewhere on the menu, bao sandwiches are designed to be enjoyed burger-style, featuring chicken with home-made pickle; soft shell crab; and – in collaboration with pioneering plant-based brand, Oh So Wholesome – a brilliant vegan patty with sauerkraut and basil sauce.
Meanwhile, side dishes will offer vegetables tossed in an array of dressings designed to cater to every spice level, and a solo dessert will showcase the joys of a Taiwanese night market classic: mango shaved ice with passionfruit and lime.
When thinking about the design of Kung Fu Mama, co-founder Noam Bar-Chang, who had overseen the design of Ottolenghi restaurants for many years, was clear that he wanted to break the rules with a tongue-in-cheek approach.
The result is a humorous font created by Scott Wittman, a mural telling the story of co-founder, Chris Hsu, who brings the Taiwanese expertise into the venture, and graphic illustrations of the dishes to replace TV screens. It is a unique and joyful design, the perfect companion for the menu, which is based on Taiwanese classics, altered without changing their DNA.
Noam Bar-Chang commented saying: “We couldn’t be more excited to showcase our contemporary take on the vibrant, authentic flavours of Taiwan to London this year. My husband, Garry, introduced me to the true brilliance of Taiwanese cooking 17 years ago, so when Chris and I met we immediately bonded over the richness of the cuisine. We set out to develop quality, healthy food that we would happily give to our kids every day, and we think we’ve done just that — all while making it fun. I am incredibly proud of the work we have done with Ottolenghi in revolutionising the global perception of Middle Eastern food, and Chris and I can’t wait to do the same with Taiwanese food.”
Chris Hsu added: “Kung Fu Mama Retail is the first and only brand to bring sun-dried noodles to the UK. We’ve built a loyal fanbase through retailers including Selfridges, Whole Foods and Sainsbury’s, so now feels like the perfect time to show London’s adventurous foodies the true versatility of sun-dried noodles by putting our twist on the bold flavours of Taiwanese street food.”
Kung Fu Mama will offer 50% off all food ordered during its soft launch week, 8th – 11th April (11am – 3pm).
Prices between £5.75 and £11.25 per serving
80 Long Acre, WC2E 9NG
Monday – Friday 11.30am – 10.30pm
Saturday 12.30am – 10.30pm
Sunday 12.30pm – 6pm
