Eats

Hello Oriental’s Chinese supermarket is closing, set to be replaced with a gaming hall

Everything in the supermarket will be sold at a discounted price before then though.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 3rd January 2024

The Chinese supermarket at Hello Oriental is to close for good this month, but owners of the three-storey Asian food hub are teasing a brand new concept for the space.

The acclaimed business at Circle Square, dubbed a ‘northern powerhouse of Asian street food’ by The Times, launched in 2022 with an Asian-inspired bakery and cafe, a Vietnamese restaurant, a Chinese supermarket, and a huge food hall serving East Asian street food.

But Hello Oriental has now announced it is to bid farewell to its supermarket space, selling off items with a 20% discount.

The discount will also be applied to the food menu elsewhere in the building throughout January 2024.

Hello Oriental has expanded its January offer to include supermarket items as a way to ‘mark the end of an era’.

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The shop has been selling authentic Asian ingredients ever since the futuristic building’s launch two years ago.

Products on sale include different flavours of KitKat, mochi, a whole range of Sriracha, and loads more.

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Plans are now being teased to convert the retail space into a gaming hall, filled with pool tables, arcade games, and more.

To claim 20% off at Hello Oriental, across its bakery creations, street food, Chinese roast meats, sushi platters and supermarket items, head over to www.hofoodhall.com.

It’s the third closure announcement that’s already landed this year, just three days in to 2024.

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Simon Rimmer devastated fans by announcing the news that his legendary Greens restaurant would be closing its original site in Didsbury after 33 years.

Then Cottonopolis in the Northern Quarter today confirmed that it has already shut its doors for good, but will be turned into a new concept.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week

Students will be able to take part in a build-your-own ramen workshop this week, led by everyone’s favourite pan-Asian restaurant group, Wagamama. 

The workshops will cost just £5 (all of which will go to a brilliant cause), and will include the time spent creating your perfect meal, the actual food, plus drinks and sides.

Wagamama has teamed up with mental health charity SHOUT to host this cosy ramen-making workshop. 

Students will be invited to join Wagamama chefs in the kitchen, selecting their own broth, protein and veggies, with perfectly-cooked noodles, before sitting down at the restaurant’s benches to slurp up their creations with fellow students. 

There’ll also be toppings and garnishes including kimchi, tea-stained eggs, chilli oil, spring onions and more.

With merch to take home too, and steaming bowls of the best-ever autumn dish, this is a one-off event you won’t want to miss. 

Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week. Credit: Supplied

Each £5 ticket includes your food and two drinks, plus a variety of the new Wagamama winter sides and sharers. 

All money raised will be donated to SHOUT to support the vital services they provide. 

A representative from SHOUT will also be in attendance to talk about student wellbeing and the services available from the charity. 

Wagamama says: “At Wagamama, we believe having a conversation is one of the most powerful ways you can support someone struggling with their mental health. Whether it’s a quick check-in via text or an open conversation over a bowl of steaming ramen. no chat is too big or too small to make an impact.

Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week. Credit: Supplied
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop with SHOUT this week. Credit: Supplied

“This ethos is one we share with SHOUT, a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who needs someone to talk to. After huge demand during Covid, SHOUT’s service has become increasingly essential + today SHOUT is more highly in demand than ever before.”

The Japanese and pan-Asian restaurant is donating £40,000 to SHOUT this year, plus providing perks and rewards for their team of volunteers, and hosting events in their spaces. 

The Wagamama ramen-building workshop will take place at the St Peter’s Square restaurant on Thursday 7 November between 2pm and 4pm. You can get your tickets HERE.

Read more: ‘Glittering winter adventure’ set to take over Tatton Park this Christmas

Featured image: Supplied

Eats

Manchester restaurants to add an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A handful of local restaurants will be adding an extra £1 onto every bill over the festive season to help fight street homelessness.

People in Greater Manchester are once again able to give back while they dine at some of the best restaurants the region has to offer in the run up to Christmas, as the successful StreetSmart fundraising initiative is back for another year.

This year, 13 fantastic restaurants have come together to support local homeless charities as the campaign launched last Friday (1 November).

Manchester independents such as Mana, Climat, 20 Stories, and Tariff and Dale are among those taking part in the campaign this year, alongside several city centre branches chains such as Tampopo, Banyan, BOX, Manahatta, and San Carlo.

StreetSmart works by each participating restaurant adding an extra £1 to every bill they deliver throughout November and December, with all of the money raised going directly to local homeless organisations, thanks to StreetSmart’s official sponsorship from LandAid.

The funds raised by StreetSmart in Greater Manchester this year will support the crucial work of organisations such as CentrePoint, and Akt – a charity supporting LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 into safe homes, employment, education, or training. 

In 2023, Manchester restaurants alone raised a whopping £25,000 for these life-changing services in the local community.

Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas / Credit: Supplied | Rifqi Ali Ridho (via Unsplash)

“Many of us want to help the vulnerable people in our community during the festive period, and StreetSmart provides an easy way to do this,” explained Glenn Pougnet, who is the Director of StreetSmart.

“We’re grateful to see so many local restaurants stepping forward to help our city’s homeless.

“It’s amazing to witness the kindness that our community has to offer, and see the tangible impact of our efforts and funding in the community.

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“This year, we’re proud to be taking another step towards the eradication of homelessness, and look forward to seeing even more restaurants getting involved over the Christmas period.”

Featured Image – John Carey (via Supplied)

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