Yongho, the fledgling healthy Asian food concept, is eyeing a roll out across London, after securing its second site in the capital within the space of a few months, M&C Report understands.
The concept, which is led by founder Austin Fang and launched on Fetter Lane in January, has secured 2-9 Ludgate Circus on a new 10-year lease at a commencing rent of £250k per annum.
It intends to the use the prominent City position to increase its brand awareness in the run-up to its planned roll out across London.
Yongho – meaning ‘the balanced way’ in Mandarin – opened on 78-81 Fetter Lane near the Chancery Lane Underground station and adjacent to the London School of Business. It is an eat-in/take-away restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday to Friday.
The company has appointed BC Retail to seek suitable expansion opportunities upwards of 1,000sq ft with A1 or A3 use across the capital.
The concept’s menu centres on bento boxes and includes a range of noodles, salads and Chinese beverages.
Fang said: “The first thought for Yongho was to introduce authentic Chinese food to the UK. Soon after that I realised Chinese food doesn’t enjoy a good reputation in terms of health, largely because of the Chinese takeaways. We thought it is better to show the healthy side of Chinese food, whilst choosing fresher ingredients and using better cooking method.
“Japanese food is one of the representatives of healthy food in the UK. But in fact, Chinese food shares the same healthy concept as Japanese food, along with Korean – the Five Elements Theory. The Theory is culturally universal in East Asia, so why not incorporate Japanese and Korean cuisine in the Yongho menu? This is why – despite our focus on authentic Chinese cuisine, we are ‘Healthy Asian Food – the Balanced Way.”
