After much anticipation, a popular Leeds ramen spot has confirmed the date it will open in Manchester.
House of Fu will open their doors in Manchester on Friday 20 October 2023, serving up classic and inventive bowls of ramen, vibrant rice dishes and homemade gyoza, all paired with carefully selected cocktails, craft beer, sake and wines.
Located on Manchester’s Portland Street within the walls once occupied by the Architects Society, House of Fu is set to bring their modern ramen, rice bowls and small plates to Manchester from 11:30am every day.
The venue also boasts a late-night party spot, state-of-the-art karaoke rooms, and a private dining room, offering a brand-new feasting menu for parties of up to 30, alongside their everyday menu.
Ahead of the opening date, House of Fu will be holding a one night only soft launch with 50% off the entire bill for the lucky ones who catch a booking.
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The story of House of Fu begins in 2014 as a smash hit pop-up at Belgrave Music Hall which was awarded ‘Best of the Best’ at that year’s British Street Food awards.
House of Fu is opening a new restaurant in Manchester. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
House of Fu is opening a new restaurant in Manchester. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
The brand then popped up at various venues and music festivals as the team continually developed the concept, testing out ideas collected on inspirational trips to New York, Tokyo, Portland and Los Angeles.
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The first site opened in 2021 on Leeds’ The Headrow, going from strength to strength and gaining a loyal following for their innovative flavours and creative takes on Japanese favourites such as gyoza, katsu and tonkotsu broth.
Owners Simon Stevens and Ashley Kollakowski said of finding their ideal Manchester site: “Manchester is home to some of our favourite restaurants and shops and it’s been great getting to know the city a little more whilst looking for a home for House of Fu.
“There’s such an exciting food scene in Manchester and there seems to be more great openings announced every week, we’re really excited to be part of it.
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“We’ve developed some incredible new dishes for the Manchester menu which we can’t wait to share with you alongside the obvious hits like our spicy tantanmen and the sleeper fave, the cucumber salad.’
Ben Iley, a long-time collaborator of the team who formerly ran the kitchen at Michelin-recommended restaurant, Ox Club, is the engine driving forward a creative kitchen team and will oversee Manchester operations.
Many years ago, after planning to visit Tokyo for one month, a trip which turned into 10 years, Ben worked at some of the country’s most popular restaurants including Aquavit, The Tokyo American Club and Fujimamas (where he met his wife, Masayo).
Ben cut his teeth working alongside world-renowned chefs including Marcus Samuelsson, Bill Granger, and most notably Ivan Orkin, the chef behind the internationally acclaimed Ivan Ramen.
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Ben remarked: “Going for a bowl was the thing to do in Tokyo, it was almost a competition amongst friends to take the group to their newest find or introduce them to their favourite neighbourhood Ramen bar.
“It’s that excitement and love for a good bowl we want to bring to Manchester. Whilst the core menu will consist of some firm favourites, each week the kitchen team will be challenging their creativity, producing their own specials to serve up so our guests can enjoy something different and new every time they visit.
“We want House of Fu to be somewhere chefs want to train as much as they want to eat.”
House of Fu Manchester will support EatWellMCR, the local collective who are working towards the eradication of food poverty in Greater Manchester.
Eats
Look inside Greater Manchester’s huge new street food venue, opening VERY soon
Daisy Jackson
There’s not long to go until a massive new street food venue opens its doors in Greater Manchester – Stack Wigan is almost ready to launch.
The 2,000-capacity food, drink and entertainment venue is transforming the old Debenhams in Wigan, filling it with six street food kitchens and five bars.
There’ll also be a coffee shop, a pool table area, and an outdoor terrace, plus big screens for major sporting events and a live stage for music throughout the week.
Stack Wigan will be the latest addition to Greater Manchester’s street food scene, with the same company also taking over the much-loved former Hatch site on Oxford Road.
With the doors to Stack Wigan set to open this month, they’ve now confirmed the full street food line-up, with Pattersons, Acropolis, ZZA Pizzeria, Tikka Bros, Smash House and Hello Oriental all joining the venue.
Tikka Bros will be a familiar name to most from Wigan, having opened its first outlet in the town centre before expanding to Southport Market – in this new site, they’ll serve fresh, tandoor-cooked dishes.
Smash House will bring smash burgers, while Pattersons will be serving their famous fried chicken (with Exorcist sauce, if you can handle it).
Stack Wigan opens in NovemberStack Wigan has taken over the old Debenhams site
Manchester’s Hello Oriental will also be expanding to Stack Wigan, with a menu from across South East Asia; Acropolis will be on hand with chicken gyros in fluffy Greek pitta; and ZZA Pizzeria (a firm favourite at existing Stack venues) will serve stonebaked pizzas.
The opening will be transforming one of the largest units in Wigan, and will create around 140 jobs.
Gemma Dishman, Director of Strategy and Development at STACK, said: “Independent street food is a big part of what makes STACK special, and we’ve brought together a strong mix of local talent and well-established food operators for Wigan.
“Each brings something different to the line-up, giving customers plenty of choice and the opportunity to discover new flavours alongside their favourites.
“Bringing the former Debenhams back to life is about more than filling an empty building. We’re creating a place where people can come together for food, live entertainment and shared experiences, giving them more reasons to spend time in Wigan town centre.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone this November.”
Mike Matthews, Centre Manager at Grand Arcade, said: “STACK will significantly expand the food offer at Grand Arcade, adding six street food kitchens alongside our existing coffee shops.
“It gives shoppers much more choice when stopping for lunch or meeting friends, encouraging them to spend longer in the centre and supporting our retailers. With its own evening opening hours, STACK will also bring activity to Grand Arcade beyond the shopping day.
“Securing a new use for a unit of this scale is a significant milestone for Grand Arcade. STACK complements our retail offer and reflects our focus on developing a carefully curated mix of shops and leisure that responds to how people want to use the centre.”
The Peak District walk with amazing views, a cosy cafe, and a great pub at the end
Daisy Jackson
If you’re looking for a country walk that’s got a bit of everything – we’re talking views, lakes, history, picturesque villages and, crucially, pints – this is the one.
Step across the Greater Manchester border into High Peak, and you can take on a circular walk that’s got it all.
The walk takes in all the best bits of the English countryside, from rolling hills to proper pubs.
Park in the village of Hayfield, then head out west to join the Sett Valley Trail, which joins Hayfield and New Mills.
The trail itself is 2.5 miles and follows a former railway line – but now it’s a tree-lined trail that’s perfect for a gentle stroll, cycle or even horse ride.
You’ll pass the Birch Vale reservoir, but won’t be following the trail all the way to New Mills.
Get as far as Emma’s Sett Valley Cafe and stop for an early break – indulgent hot chocolates, great bakes, and a decent amount of brunch dishes beneath colourful festoon lighting.
Emma’s Sett Valley Cafe. Credit: The Manc Group
Once you’re fuelled, head slightly back on yourself to skirt Birch Vale Reservoir, cross the River Sett, and walk towards Sitch Lane.
The road will take you to the very edge of the Peak District ready for an uphill climb to the peak of Lantern Pike.
It’s not a giant by Peak District standards (373m compared to Kinder Scout’s 636m) but the views are 360 degrees – fields on all sides and the incredible Manchester skyline in the distance.
Walk straight over the summit and down the other side, walking along the edge of Hey Wood and across fields full of friendly cows, past Little Hayfield and back into the main village of Hayfield.
Views from the Sett Valley trailSummiting Lantern PikePretty views near Little Hayfield
Here you’ll find The Pack Horse, a country pub that’s gained some serious accolades in recent years.
Famed for its seasonal, locally-sourced menu, at this time of year you can expect hearty post-hike lunches like sharing pies, Manchester eggs, and incredible Sunday roasts.
Despite a top-notch menu, the pub is more than happy to welcome in customers (and dogs) who are covered in mud – as all good countryside boozers should.
Sharing pie at The Pack Horse in HayfieldThe Pack Horse in HayfieldTheir famous Manchester egg
You can see a map of the circular walking route at AllTrails HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
19th September 2023 
