Taiwanese noodle bar Kung Fu Mama to open in Covent Garden

Kung Fu Mama will open on Long Acre on April 8, and will serve Taiwanese street food with a healthy twist.

The noodle bar is a collaboration between Ottolenghi co-founder, Noam Bar-Chang, and Kung Fu Mama Retail founder, Chris Hsu.

It will offer “delicious, healthy, affordable dishes” that incorporate their signature sun-dried noodles, and will seat 13 people inside and outside.

The menu will feature a variety of dishes including chicken thighs in ginger and sesame sauce, beef with Sichuan pepper sauce, Mapo tofu with spicy minced pork, and portobello mushrooms in a three-cup sauce.

Kung Fu Mama’s Chris Hsu and Noam Bar-Chang. (Image: Kung Fu Mama) Bao sandwiches filled with chicken, soft shell crab, or a vegan patty from Oh So Wholesome with sauerkraut and basil sauce, will also be on offer.

The menu will be complemented by vegetable side dishes with various dressings to suit different spice preferences, and a dessert of mango shaved ice with passionfruit and lime.

The eatery will have a unique design, with a playful font by Scott Wittman, a mural narrating Chris Hsu’s story, and graphics of the dishes.

Mr Bar-Chang said: “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.”

The menu will feature a variety of dishes including chicken thighs in ginger and sesame sauce, beef with Sichuan pepper sauce, Mapo tofu with spicy minced pork, and portobello mushrooms in a three-cup sauce. (Image: Kung Fu Mama) He added: “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.”

Mr Hsu said: “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 a 50 per cent discount on all food ordered during its soft launch week from April 8 to 11 between 11am and 3pm.

It will be open from 11.30am until 10.30pm from Monday to Friday, from 12.30am until 10.30pm on Saturdays, and from 12.30pm until 6pm on Sundays.