‘From the outset, Cafe Kowloon was formed by the workforce’s reminiscences of visiting Hong Kong and the environment of conventional cha chaan teng cafés and neighbourhood eating places,’ say Emily Potter and Iwan Halstead, founders of Daytrip, a London-based design studio. They communicate of making the interiors at east London’s latest restaurant, the enterprise of hospitality group 6 of 1, which can also be behind Peckham’s Mr Bao and Daddy Bao. ‘They described the spatial depth of those environments – steam rising from open kitchens, tightly organized eating rooms, and shared tables organised round lazy Susans. These qualities knowledgeable the design, shaping each the fabric palette and the general spatial expertise.’
(Picture credit score: Studio Hahn)
The brand new hang-out has opened underneath the arches of the overground, dimly lit by a pink neon mild that glows atmospherically in opposition to a wet night. Those that are regulars round London Fields could recognise the handle, in the identical constructing as Wonton Charlie’s, a bustling noodle lunch spot that, come night, turns into the unofficial ready room for diners about to be seated at Cafe Kowloon.
Wallpaper* dines at Cafe Kowloon, London
The temper: A London tackle an lively Hong Kong environment
(Picture credit score: Studio Hahn)
For these searching for an genuine Hong Kong café expertise, Cafe Kowloon is a far cry from conventional; nevertheless, that’s the level. Upon coming into, there are two distinct eating areas separated by a big partition. The primary space is dwelling to the open kitchen, fluid with motion, steam and hearth, with dishes rapidly plated and served to diners. Honest warning, in case you plan on having a deep dialog, put together to be distracted and mesmerised by the velocity and uniformity of the chef’s intricate abilities within the kitchen.
The ground by the open kitchen options deep maroon tiles, contrasting with the massive chrome steel countertop. Overhead, repurposed ground gratings are used as storage, offering an intriguing design characteristic and a nod to Hong Kong café tradition, the place supplies are generally tailored and reused.
(Picture credit score: Studio Hahn)
(Picture credit score: Studio Hahn)
‘Our menu is impressed by trendy Hong Kong, so this wanted to be mirrored within the house as nicely,’ clarify Frank Yeung and Abhinav Malde, founders of 6 of 1. ‘We didn’t need any of our design parts to really feel like a cliché or a pastiche of what we’d skilled in Hong Kong, however an area that also felt becoming in east London.’
Alongside the notes offered by the 6 of 1 workforce, Daytrip created a cloth palette that attracts on the purposeful language of Hong Kong eateries. The workforce made knowledgeable selections based mostly on sturdiness and immediacy to outline the spatial character.
(Picture credit score: Courtesy of Studio Hahn)
(Picture credit score: Studio Hahn)
Deep cherry reds and lightweight greens stability a vibrant but soothing surroundings. Glass-reinforced plastic, metal, mosaics and corrugated surfaces add materials element to the slick house. ‘Inside Cafe Kowloon, darkish brown mosaic platforms and timber and leather-based banquettes introduce heat and intimacy, whereas rotating tables help the communal rituals of shared eating,’ say the Daytrip designers. ‘Neon lighting and jade-green industrial grating introduce color and a lo-fi playfulness, reinforcing the layered and atmospheric id of the house.’
The meals: come hungry and order every little thing
(Picture credit score: James Moyle)
Upon arrival, get pleasure from palette-cleansing pickled greens whereas perusing the menu. It’s sectioned into two elements, ‘Snacks’, which act as sharing starters, and ‘Sharers’, that are larger-portioned dishes. The serving employees are well-equipped with suggestions. For 2, they counsel ordering two snacks and three sharers, with two sides.
To start, the cucumber salad is spicy and refreshing, and pairs properly with the sweeter flavour profile of the yun cheong (a standard Cantonese air-dried sausage made with pork and duck liver) and chilli jam. Curry fish balls are additionally a Hong Kong staple.
(Picture credit score: James Moyle)
To share, the prawn toast is rapidly turning into a favorite. The steamed seabass is offered minimally, however nonetheless leads to a pant from the desk as it’s served complete. Char siu can also be one other traditional dish, barbecued pork with a candy and savoury glaze and charred edges, paired with mustard leaves and grapefruit, making a symphony of candy, tart, and savoury flavours laced with a smoky end.
Ensure you have room for dessert, corresponding to Hong Kong French Toast. Sometimes, in Hong Kong, that is deep-fried and filled with peanut butter, bathed in a syrupy condensed milk glaze and topped with a hearty slab of butter, and sure, it’s candy; Cafe Kowloon’s take is unquestionably stripped again on the candy scale (though nonetheless extremely indulgent), with conventional parts retained on the coronary heart of the dish, however completed with a condensed milk glaze excessive.
(Picture credit score: James Moyle)
Say the 6 of 1 workforce: ‘Ideally, deliver an enormous group, e-book one of many cubicles with a lazy Susan and order a lot of the menu! Strive dishes or components that may be unfamiliar for some folks – like beef tendons served two methods, dace dip, yun cheong – alongside extra traditional favourites like prawn toast and wontons, that we’ve nonetheless given our personal spin.’ Cafe Kowloon is all about discovery, and the environment is as scrumptious as its menu.
Cafe Kowloon is situated at 392-393 Mentmore Terrace, London E8 3PH, United Kingdom
