‘Serve yourself Sichuan eatery’ Zhang Liang Malatang opens in London
The brand, which has more than 5,500 restaurants across Asia-Pacific, announced earlier this year that it had chosen London to make its European debut with a 1,200sq ft restaurant located on Shaftesbury Avenue,
Zhang Liang Malatang’s signature dish is malatang, a spicy soup originating from Sichuan province,that is now a popular street food throughout China. Diners can select from a number of ingredients, including meats, seafood, vegetables, condiments and herbs on display and customise their bowl before taking it to the counter to be cooked with their soup of choice.
It joins Speedboat Bar, the new Thai restaurant concept from JKS Restaurants and chef Luke Farrell that opened late last month.
“Chinatown London is unique in Europe as a window on the Far East, which is reflected in its complete representation of authentic and exciting food and culture from East and Southeast Asia,” says Julia Wilkinson, restaurant director at Shaftesbury.
“To have welcomed Zhang Liang Malatang, such a prominent serve yourself eatery known across Asia-Pacific, alongside Speedboat Bar, an innovative restaurant at the forefront of reimagined
Thai cuisine, is a direct response to the trends that we are seeing first-hand in the Far East.”
The openings of Zhang Liang Malatang and Speedboat Bar follow the launch of hand-pulled noodle restaurant Kung Fu Noodle and the announcement that Pochawa Grill, Maguro Groups’ debut casual Korean BBQ concept, is set to open later this year.
