My Kids Are Hungry: Vietnamese comfort, made for Southbank weekends

Born in lockdown and run by Vivien, a London mum-of-three, My Kids Are Hungry serves home-cooked Vietnamese comfort food with an easygoing “family kitchen” vibe. The stall grew from sharing recipes online to a full-time spot at Southbank Centre Food Market, and yes, the kids helped choose the menu.   

What to eat? Two signatures stand out: chicken & prawn bao — pan-fried, juicy, sesame-topped dumplings — and a crunchy, classic bánh mì. Everything at the stall is nut-free, which makes it a rare find for market snacking.   Their flavours come from home: Vivien focuses on Vietnamese dishes while her husband, a dim sum chef, makes the dumplings — a proper team effort. 

The name fits the story: this is food cooked for and approved by the family first. Vivien’s own favourite is the bahn mi, a childhood staple that still tastes like comfort. The aim is simple: warm, generous bowls and buns that make people feel cared for. 

You’ll find My Kids Are Hungry from Friday to Sunday at Southbank Centre Food Market on Belvedere Road (near Waterloo/Embankment). It’s part of a stellar Asian street-food line-up, a good excuse to make a whole afternoon of it with that stunning Southbank London Eye view! 

Check the video of the interview at @nova.esea

👉 Follow @mykidsarehungry_ for pop-up dates

📍 Southbank Centre Food Market, SE1  Fri 12:00–20:00, Sat 11:00–20:00, Sun 12:00–18:00. Check the market page for any changes. 

Got a favourite bite from the stall? Tell us!

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