February 2019 will see Bun House, the Chinese steamed bun street cafe throw open the doors to a new, larger home on Lisle Street, in the heart of Soho’s bustling Chinatown.
Opening in time to ring in the Chinese New Year celebrations, Bun House’s new home will continue their focus on traditional Cantonese steamed buns, with two brand new additions joining the menu; Beef Brisket and a soft, brioche-style Pineapple Bun. Much-loved menu stalwarts will remain, with the char siu pork belly Pig Bun, the cumin-spiked lamb and the cult-favourite, sweet custard bun all taking their place on the menu.
The new opening will also pay homage to Hong Kong’s dai pai dong food stalls, with a small hatch inside the restaurant serving up traditional street food style snacks such as curried fish balls and Cheung Fun (traditional rice noodle rolls topped wok-fried vegetables). Drinks will celebrate Hong Kong’s burgeoning craft beer scene, working closely with breweries such as Moonzen and Young Master, whilst elsewhere on the menu there’ll be a range of tea-based cocktails and cold brewed tea.
In keeping with their signature aesthetic, the double-fronted restaurant will feature dark wood framed, sliding glass windows opening up into the restaurant as well as a new outdoor counter for street-side nibbling.
Designed by co-founder Z He’s Five Line Projects, Bun House’s bright yet cosy interiors will reflect their colonial style, with dark wood highlighted by brass fixtures and comfortable rattan furniture.
On entering, guests will find the counter with its steaming baskets of buns, leading through to an 18 cover dining space dotted with round tables. Heading upstairs, the first floor space is designed with slow afternoons in mind, with diners encouraged to grab a few snacks and settle down to enjoy at one of the 54 seats.
Z He said, “Having moved to the UK from Guangzhou, Chinatown has always felt like a noisy, thrilling slice of home in the middle of London. It’s particularly exciting for us to open Bun House in the heart of Chinese food in the city, and we hope our buns will bring back memories of home for many.”
Julia Wilkinson, Head of Group Restaurant Strategy at Shaftesbury, said, “We are delighted to welcome Z He and Alex Peffly’s Bun House to Lisle Street in Chinatown London. Their signature steamed bao include both hot and savoury traditional Cantonese flavours and also cult favourite sweet custard fillings, making them an exciting new addition to London’s leading destination for East Asian cuisine.
'Z and Alex’s design backgrounds will also add a fresh creative aesthetic to Lisle Street and a new twist to the evolving voyage of discovery in Chinatown London, where East meets the West.”