World-famous comedian Nigel Ng is launching his first restaurant in London this spring.
Comedian and online personality Nigel Ng has built up a legion of followers with his comic alter-ego Uncle Roger, a hilarious portrayal of a Cantonese uncle bemoaning the culinary atrocities visited upon traditional Asian dishes by Western chefs – his takedowns of famous chefs preparing fried rice are particularly well known. Though not a chef himself, the comedian has parlayed his viral success into a restaurant business, operating a Malaysian fried-rice chain named after his signature catchphrase Fuiyoh, but his London debut will take another form entirely.
Ng is teaming up with chef Daren Liew (Hakkasan) and restaurateur Keng Yew (YiQi, The Eight) to launch Kawan in Chinatown. Though different versions of fried rice will naturally have pride of place on the menu, the kitchen will turn out a range of Asian dishes, reinterpreted through a British lens, for example a house version of chicken Wellington, Haiwanese chicken chop, or wasabi sausage bao. The vibe will be relaxed and sociable, with a touch of the tongue-in-cheek attitude Uncle Roger is known for.
Kawan will launch in April, and based on past experience with similar social media hits, you'd do well to get in line sooner rather than later if you want to check it out as it opens.