Kawen By Uncle Roger Will Open in Chinatown London This April
Malaysian super influencer turned restaurateur, Uncle Roger (aka Nigel NG), is coming to Shaftesbury Capital’s Chinatown London this coming April to debut his new pan-Asian concept, Kawan by Uncle Roger, at 12 Macclesfield St.
Nigel (@mrnigelng) has a worldwide following of 5 million. A hero to kids who love Asian food, he is known for his hilarious reels and his infectious humour.
Kawan by Uncle Roger will be his first restaurant in the UK, and will be launched in collaboration with Keng Yew (co-founder of YiQi, SanHao, Dozo, and The Eight) and celebrated Malaysian Executive Chef Daren Liew (Nanyang Blossom, SanHao, Duddels, and Hakkasan Group).
Spanning c1600 sq ft with c60 covers, the menu draws on a wide range of Asian cuisines and family-style dishes, reinterpreted through a modern British lens. Rather than focusing on strict regional authenticity, Kawan celebrates flavour, comfort, and generosity. Adopting Asian cooking techniques and seasonings adapted to suit British produce, tastes, and the dining culture. Fried rice sits at the heart of the menu, serving as a canvas for flavour and technique, alongside a broader selection of Asian–British hybrid dishes.
“I’m so excited to be launching ‘Kawan By Uncle Roger’. “Of course there will be fried rice on the menu, but with a partnership with Chef Daren Liew, there’s going to be so much more than that – can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on!” “Oh, and my Uncle says he hopes Jamie Oliver pays a visit.”
Emma Matus, Head of Restaurant Leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, added: “Chinatown London is the epicentre for on-trend F&B concepts from East and Southeast Asia, that have a unique ability to bring people together. Kawan will be a one-of-a-kind experience, building on Uncle Roger’s charm and real passion for great food, and backed by Keng Yew and Daren Liew, both of whom have experience of Chinatown London and understand its audience inside-out.”
The restaurant’s name, Kawan, meaning “friend” or “companion”, reflects the restaurant’s
emphasis on sharing, socialisation, and a relaxed hospitality experience. Intentionally designed to be a lively, welcoming, and informal environment, Kawan will be a place that feels distinctly London. Shaped by Chinatown London’s multicultural food scene, Kawan will draw in a wide scope of individuals, spanning office workers, tourists, locals, and an extensive ESEA community that view the destination as a home away from home.
