Ottolenghi co-founder to open second Kung Fu Mama restaurant

Ottolenghi co-founder Noam Bar-Chang and business partner Chris Hsu have unveiled plans to launch a second outpost of their Taiwanese noodle bar concept Kung Fu Mama in London’s Canary Wharf.

The move comes roughly eight months after the brand’s debut in London’s Covent Garden in April 2025.

The Canary Wharf site will serve its signature sun-dried noodle bowls with toppings including chicken, ginger and sesame; 12 hrs beef with Szechuan pepper; and Portobello mushroom with Romano pepper.

It will also offer a selection of bao buns ranging from oven-baked chicken to soft-shell crab, while desserts feature mango shaved ice cream and pineapple pie.

Ottolenghi co-founder Bar-Chang was heavily involved with the restaurant group for 21 years before taking a step back and launch Kung Fu Mama last year with Chris Hsu,

Hsu, who founded popular Taiwanese noodle chain Shuang Ren Hsu in Taipei in 2009, spearheaded the importation of Taiwanese sun-dried noodles to the UK upon moving to London in 2019.

Bar-Chang said: “London’s enthusiasm for Taiwanese food has exceeded all our expectations, and we’re excited to bring our contemporary take on these flavours to Canary Wharf in early 2026. This second opening feels like an important step in putting Taiwanese cuisine more firmly on the UK culinary map.”

Hsu added: “Kung Fu Mama Retail introduced sun-dried noodles to the UK for the first time, and it has been amazing to watch people fall in love with them. Expanding the restaurant concept to Canary Wharf allows us to show even more diners how versatile and flavour-packed these noodles can be. We’re thrilled to bring more of Taiwan’s street food culture to London in 2026.”