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Wheelcake Island: Taiwanese‑Japanese Pancakes Winning Londoners One Flip at a Time
When JC and Yin set up a modest griddle stall in an Oxford market back in 2017, the goal was simple: pay rent and cure homesickness with the sweet, round pancakes they grew up eating. Six years and thousands of wheel‑shaped cakes later, Wheelcake Island has become a fixture at Old Spitalfields Market, luring queues with the hiss of batter and the scent of custard and azuki bean. A “fun‑to‑watch” dessert that caught London's eye "People were intrigued by the cooking process,"

NOVA ESEA
Aug 8, 20253 min read


Pho Street Eats: Mother-Daughter Duo Serving Authentic Pho in London Since 2019
Pho Street Eats is proof that comfort can flourish in unexpected seasons. The mother‑an d‑daughter stall launched in 2019 while Old Spitalfields Market was still emerging from lockdown lulls. Footfall was low, conversations were long, and every bowl of beef pho felt personal. "Those quiet months let us meet everyone properly," the daughter recalls. "Now the market is busy again, but we still recognise our regulars and check in with them." Real Broth, Local Roots Their recipe

NOVA ESEA
Jul 17, 20252 min read


Pad + Sen Thai: Authentic Thai Street Food at London Markets
Meet the Team: Pad + Sen Thai When friends turned business partners couldn't find authentic Thai food that met their standards in London, they decided to create their own. Since 2019, Pad + Sen Thai has been serving up the real deal at South Central Food Market and Canopy Market, bringing a taste of home to London's Thai community and beyond. What sets them apart? Their commitment to authenticity starts with their signature Pad Thai sauce, made entirely from scratch using rea

NOVA ESEA
Jul 3, 20253 min read


Banzai Kitchen: Karaage With a Shout of Joy
Karaage With a Shout of Joy: How a Mother-Daughter Team Is Sharing Generations of Flavour The crackle of hot oil, a squeeze of lemon, and a dollop of Kewpie mayo, BANZAI KITCHEN turns this simple trio into pure happiness. Launched in 2023 by Ocean and her mum, the stall began as a one-off pop-up inside the Brunel Museum before joining street-food incubator KERB. Since then, its towering karaage bowls have become a lunchtime beacon for hungry Londoners. A recipe that runs in

NOVA ESEA
Jun 19, 20252 min read


RAYA Grocery at Borough Market: Thai Ingredients and Community in London
Hi friends, Happy Pride Month from NOVA ESEA! 🌈 Pride month always reminds us that equality and freedom are never given freely. They're hard-won, hard-fought, and worth protecting. At NOVA ESEA, we stand proudly with the LGBTQ+ community and believe in creating a space where everyone feels seen, safe, and celebrated. Let's keep showing up, not just during Pride Month, but all year round. Happy Philippine Independence Day, too! 🇵🇭 We're excited to mark this occasion with

NOVA ESEA
Jun 5, 20254 min read


How Rice Burger Zen Is Reimagining Japanese Flavours in London
How Rice Burger Zen Is Reimagining Japanese Flavours in London What do you get when you cross a burger with Japanese tradition and a mission to reduce food waste? You get Rice Burger Zen, a fresh new street-food concept serving gourmet rice burgers in London. Founded by Yuki and born from his onigiri shop ZenMusubi, Rice Burger Zen was created to repurpose leftover rice. "We didn't want to waste anything," Yuki shares. "So we found a fun, tasty way to transform it." Their bes

NOVA ESEA
May 15, 20252 min read


Nepalese Tibetan Street Fusion: A Bowl of Culture and Comfort – Issue 01
Discover upcoming East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) events in the UK, a featured story on Nepalese Tibetan Street Fusion, and how the ESEA community is showing support for Myanmar & Thailand. Curated by NOVA ESEA.

NOVA ESEA
May 1, 20253 min read


HORNIMAN MUSEUM & GARDENS: A PERFECT BLEND OF NATURE, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
Horniman Museum & Gardens is one of South London's hidden gems, nestled in the heart of Forest Hill, and has been captivating visitors since Victorian times. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a delightful day out, the Horniman has something special for everyone. A Brief History of Horniman Museum and Gardens The Horniman Museum and Gardens were established by Frederick John Horniman, who opened his house and extraordinary collection of objec

NOVA ESEA
Jul 19, 20243 min read
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