Liverpool’s dim sum and roasted meats kitchen Yum Cha has revealed plans to open a new restaurant here in Manchester.
Known for its richly lacquered roasted meats, dainty dim sum and Chinese small plates, the restaurant will move into the Kampus garden neighbourhood later this spring.
Already well established on Liverpool’s Lark Lane, the move marks owners Adam and Neil Wan’s first move out of their hometown.
Set up by the brothers 11 years ago, Yuma Cha has built an enviable reputation in its home city for its bold dishes and delicate Chinese teas.
Pushing the burgeoning modern Chinese food trend, chefs here are known for taking traditional dishes and dragging them, boldly, into the 21st century.
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The menu features a dedicated roast meats section, with choices like crispy belly pork, char sui, duck and chicken – all roasted for 24 hours in Yum Cha’s custom-made roasting oven on site.
Served from 2pm with a choice of steamed rice or noodles and curry, soy or bbq sauce, it’s affordable too – priced at just £9.50 a plate.
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The dim sum list is pretty extensive, with a good choice of steamed dumplings and bao buns, as well as a crispy section featuring classics like spring rolls and bbq ribs, alongside more adventurous options such as crisp fried cuttlefish cake.
Image: Yum Cha
Image: Yum Cha
Image: Yum Cha
Elsewhere, you’ll find a decent selection of large plates spanning a range of different curry and noodle dishes, and another section dedicated entirely to noodle soup. There’s plenty for vegans, too, with a good selection of plant-based alternatives on offer.
Yum Cha at Kampus will be open seven days a week, with a relaxed atmosphere. Think industrial chic with polished concrete, softened with lanterns, wood carvings from China and neon lighting.
Adam Wan, Yum Cha Co-founder, said: “People can expect honest, authentic Chinese food, packed with flavour and made for sharing with friends and family.
“More than ever, people are craving spending quality time with loved ones. Yum Cha is the tradition, passed down over centuries, of gathering to swap stories over tea and food.
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“We’re bringing a piece of that ancient culture, to a laid back but stylish space in the heart of Manchester.
“We’ve always had big dreams to expand Yum Cha and bring our delicious, home-cooked Dim Sum to new communities and Kampus couldn’t be more perfect. We’ll be among a family of foodies in one of the most amazing places in the city.”
Yum Cha is the latest in a long line of new and expanding independents joining the community, including recently announced Madre, The Beeswing, Cloudwater Brewery and Great North Pie, alongside Nell’s, Pollen and General Store.
Adam Brady at HBD said: “Not only is Kampus shaping up to be one of the best collections of indie operators in Manchester, but it’s a really eclectic offering that’ll keep people visiting time and time again.
“Yum Cha are exactly what we’re all about – delicious food, an effortlessly stylish venue and spaces custom built for people coming together as a community. We’re chuffed to be adding another business, born in the North West, to the neighbourhood.”
Image: Yum ChaImage: Yum Cha
The Kampus collection of old and new buildings offers a melting pot of architectural styles and builds on a rich cultural heritage, making use of historic buildings that lay derelict for years, right next to the famous Canal Street in Manchester’s Gay Village and just minutes from Piccadilly Station.
The Kampus gardens and Bungalow are the central feature of the community and are permanently open to the public, with the Bungalow operating as a village hall for pop-up events and community groups.
The neighbourhood is alive with events and will be home to local independent bars, restaurants, cafés and retail from brands.
Feature image – Yum Cha
News
Manchester’s iconic Vimto statue to be removed for repair – with Aitch-sponsored sculpture in its place
Daisy Jackson
One of the city’s most familiar landmarks will soon be leaving its spot in town, as the iconic Vimto statue is removed.
The sculpture has been in Vimto Park off Sackville Street since 1992, and consists of a giant Vimto bottle surrounded by oversized fruit.
But the art piece dedicated to Manchester’s most famous drink has weathered (it’s made of wood, after all) and will have to be dismantled in the coming months for an undisclosed period of time.
This will be the second time the Vimto statue has undergone maintenance work, having last received a colourful paint job in 2011.
Worry not, though, Manchester – a new sculpture, dedicated to another local drinks brand, is already in the works until our beloved Vimto statue returns.
Local rapper Aitch, who launched his own drinks brand SYPS last year, has decided to make good use of the space.
A gigantic statue of a SYPS can is to be installed later this year in place of the Vimto statue, created by a local artist.
I don’t know why any of you are surprised – there haven’t been many product launches or marketing opportunities that Aitch hasn’t jumped on this year.
Rave in the Super Awesome Deluxe burger takeaway? Done it.
‘Launching’ Joe & The Juice back into Manchester? Done that too.
Performing on a train to launch a limited-edition Southern Comfort called ‘Northern Comfort’? Yes, that also happened.
Aitch is funding a temporary SYPS statue in place of the Vimto statue in Manchester
He’s now announced that he’ll be funding a new statue for the city centre while our beloved Vimto statue is gone.
A spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: “While it’s a shame to see our beloved Vimto statue leave the city centre, it’s important that this landmark is preserved for the future before it’s too late.
“When Aitch kindly offered to fill the space in Vimto Park with a SYPS sculpture, how could we say no?”
Aitch said in a statement: “I couldn’t leave my Manny without a drinks statue, could I? Also happy April Fool’s day you idiots.”
The funds will help improve the already incredible music scene in Manchester, benefitting staples likes Night and Day Café, Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club, SOUP and more.
All of the donations will be distributed across six independent music venues and will be used for various instruments, PA equipment, backline technology and other necessities depending on the requirements of each site.
Elbow have teamed up with Co-op Live in aid of supporting Manchester grassroots venues.Credit: Supplied
This initiative has been keeping Manchester’s Northern Quarter in the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to live music as well as the impressive Co-op Live.
Alongside providing vital resources for these local institutions, Elbow teaming up with Co-op Live also helps cement the North West as one of the main powerhouses in relation to live music.
The latest efforts from the largest indoor arena in Manchester fall in line with celebrating one year of bringing some of the best live music to the city, being officially open for 12 months in May.
Co-op Live have made a commitment to the people and the planet, promising to donate £1 million annually to the Co-op Foundation.
The stunning Co-op Live venue, Manchester’s largest indoor arena.Elbow performing at Co-op Live, marking history as the first act to grace the venue.Credit: Audio North/Supplied
Manchester’s latest live music venue also contributed significantly to selected charities, including Happy Doggo – chosen by Liam Gallagher and Eric Clapton’s addiction recovery centre, Crossroads.
As Elbow teams up with Co-op Live, even more money is making its way to necessary resources, this time in the likes of crucial live music establishments.
Elbow front-person Guy Garvey says: “Playing Co-op Live’s opening night will stay with us for a lifetime, not least because of how incredible the room sounded.”
“When the venue donated funds in our name to support the city we love, it made complete sense to carry that through to the Northern Quarter and to venues that have meant so much to my bandmates and I throughout our career.”
Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live, adds: “In the past year, I have been proud to see Co-op Live become an integral part of such an incredible city.”
“Teaming up with Elbow to directly support the venues that first put Manchester on the map, and to share something so intrinsic to us as venues – proper sound – is something truly special.”