19th September 2019
Wagamama founder Alan Yau is to return to London next year; opening three sites, including a Docklands restaurant he likens to a “Chinese river cafe”.
Yau, who is also behind fine dining landmarks such as Hakkasan and Yauatcha, hasn’t been directly involved in the capital’s dining scene since he pulled out of Chinese restaurants Park Chinois and Duck and Rice, and Middle Eastern concept Babaji Pide in 2017.
However, Yau to plans a big comeback in 2020 with three launches – two in Canary Wharf and one at Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush. The highest-profile venue will be Chyna, a 120-cover seafood restaurant launching at Wardian London, a 766-apartment high-rise development due to open early next year.
Yau said Chyna would feature a large terrace overlooking the open water of Canary Wharf’s South Dock, making diners feel as if they were “sitting in a restaurant in Phuket or the Caribbean”. Chyna’s menu will focus on Cantonese cooking using British seafood and European-style ingredients, and will feature tanks for guests to choose live seafood and fish.
Yau said: “It is like something I would put together if you were coming to my house for a dinner party.” He will also open 45-cover, Japanese-inspired counter restaurant Yau Grill at Wardian London, and a permanent site in Westfield London in early 2020 for Turkish pizza pop-up Yamabahçe.