Sichuan restaurant Zhang Liang Malatang to make London debut

Billed as a 'serve yourself Sichuan eatery', Zhang Liang Malatang has selected the 1,200 sq ft 112 Shaftesbury Avenue site, which is adjacent to Indonesian eatery Nusa Dua.

Translated as ‘spicy soup’, malatang is traditional street food from Sichuan where diners can customise their hot pot with a choice of fresh ingredients, including crab legs, fish balls, and seafood sausages.

It is one of two new signings announced by landlord Shaftesbury in the Chinatown area. 

The other is Hong Kong-style tea restaurant The Eight, which has taken over a 1,500 sq ft restaurant and café at 68/70 Shaftesbury Avenue.

Located next door to Japanese patisserie Sakurado, The Eight will serve a selection of traditional Hong Kong dishes including abalone wonton noodle; rice wrapped in omelette with wagyu beef; and rickshaw noodles. 

It will also offer snacks such as Hong Kong curry fish balls, and red bean pudding cake; alongside traditional milk tea and the brand’s home-brewed Ginseng drink. 

“Both The Eight and Zhang Liang Malatang are brilliant examples of concepts launching their UK debut offering within the Chinatown London community, providing our visitors with yet more unique regional Chinese and Pan-Asian foodie adventures,” Julia Wilkinson, restaurant director at Shaftesbury

“By choosing Chinatown London, they also really cement the destination’s position as somewhere ESEA brands can trust, with an insatiable growing audience that will help them to succeed.”