In the bustling heart of London's Chinatown, a new restaurant, Kawan, has opened its doors, promising a culinary adventure with a unique twist. The brainchild of Malaysian comedian Nigel Ng, better known as Uncle Roger, Kawan aims to bring his global YouTube following of over 10 million subscribers to the dining table. With a menu featuring dishes like 'Chinatown fried rice' and 'Uncle Roger's takes on British classics', the restaurant aims to offer a novel dining experience. However, as I stepped into Kawan, I couldn't help but feel that the hype had outpaced the reality. The atmosphere was eerily quiet, with only a few couples in their mid-40s lingering over dishes like 'choco-orange ribs' and 'golden parcel' wontons. The menu, split into sections like 'For Niece & Nephew' and 'Uncle Roger's Takes on British Classics', seemed to be a mix of in-jokes and over-the-top concepts. The 'Chinese wellington' and 'fish and chips not inspired by Jamie' were particularly intriguing, but the execution left much to be desired. The 'choco-orange ribs' were a disaster, with ribs swimming in a brown sludge that was neither chocolate nor orange. The 'golden parcel' wontons were like party food from Marks & Spencer, struggling to make an impact. The bathroom, a small 1970s-style single loo, and the dated design of the stairs only added to the sense of déjà vu. In my opinion, Kawan's attempt to create a novelty restaurant based on Uncle Roger's YouTube fame has fallen flat. The menu, while creative, lacks the execution and attention to detail that would make it a memorable dining experience. The quiet atmosphere and the lack of customers only reinforce the feeling that Kawan is a restaurant that has yet to find its footing. Personally, I think that the restaurant needs to re-evaluate its menu and focus on creating dishes that are both innovative and delicious. The concept of a restaurant based on YouTube fame is an interesting one, but it needs to be executed with care and attention to detail. In my opinion, Kawan has a lot of work to do if it wants to become a successful and popular restaurant in London's Chinatown.
