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Celebrating ESEA Voices: Asian Food, Refugee Stories & Upcoming Cultural Events in London – Issue 02


Hey friends,

 

Thanks for reading the second issue of NOVA. While we’re here to celebrate community and culture, I also want to take a moment to address something heavier. Recently, the UK Prime Minister claimed that immigration is turning the UK into “an island of strangers,” suggesting that people like us — immigrants — are the reason this country feels divided. As someone who lives, works, and pays taxes here (and pays extra for healthcare, depending on visa status), I can’t help but feel hurt and angry like many of you.

We all contribute in different ways — whether through care work, creativity, food, culture, or community. Immigrants and refugees are not strangers to this country. We are part of it.

So this issue is also a reminder that sharing our stories matters. Art, food, memory, and togetherness can be powerful forms of resistance.

 

In this edition, we feature inspiring projects like Vietnamese Boat Refugees: Then & Now Exhibition by @milkteafilms, spotlight Rice Burger Zen and their creative take on Japanese food with heart, and share a taste of Dragon Boat Festival traditions. There’s also a huge lineup of upcoming events — from markets to live music — that show just how vibrant our communities really are. Christie


📣 FEATURED INTERVIEW


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 up 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 bestselling Chicken Katsu and Tofu Steak burgers combine miso, soy sauce, and teriyaki flavours with grilled rice “buns.” One of their newest creations swaps out curry for a surprisingly satisfying tuna twist. “It sounds weird,” Yuki laughs, “but it matches so well.”

Even in Japan, rice burgers aren’t common, but Londoners are loving them. “We wanted to create something new, something joyful,” they say.

Looking for something different and delicious? Rice Burger Zen is serving up comfort, culture, and crispy goodness — one rice patty at a time.

 

👉 Catch them this May at events like the Shotengai Market in the Lower Stable Market, and Urban Garden Fair. Follow @riceburger.london or @zenmusubi.london for their full pop-up schedule.

 

 Check the video of the interview at @nova.esea




✨ COMMUNITY SHOUT-OUT


50: Vietnamese Boat Refugees Then & Now



@milkteafilms and @eseaforlabour have put together a beautiful and powerful exhibition at Rich Mix (Shoreditch) called “50: Vietnamese Boat Refugees – Then & Now”, on until 25 May.
It marks 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War, and tells the stories of Vietnamese refugees — past and present — through film, photography, and personal reflections. I was really moved by how the curator Jan Le honours her roots and her community. It’s not just about trauma — it’s about joy, strength, and everything we’ve built since.
It feels so real, and I genuinely loved it, and think you might too :)


🎟️ WHAT'S ON


19 - 25 May

 

Nao Yoshioka Live | 19 May | London

Soulful vocals and rich grooves from Japan’s queen of neo-soul.

 

Dreamy surf rock and indie nostalgia from Korea’s beloved quartet.

 

A community film night exploring Asian diaspora, identity, and cinema.

 

An insightful talk on K-culture, language, and diasporic storytelling.

 

SAKABA Comedy | 20 May | London

Asian stand-up talent and underground comedy vibes — in a pub.

 

A heartfelt, hilarious one-person show exploring mixed identity.

 

Step inside the fabric of memory in this immersive Korean installation.

 

Kaneko Ayano UK TOUR 2025 | 22 May | Across the UK

Raw, lyrical indie rock from one of Japan’s rising stars.

 

Experience the pulse of Japan with this powerful live taiko show.

 

A film and exhibition shedding light on overlooked East Asian histories in Britain.

 

A shared-table celebration of Filipino and Thai home-style cooking.

 

Urban Garden Fair | 24 May | London

A vibrant outdoor market celebrating nature, food, and local makers.

 

26 May - 1 June

 

Explore the legacy of the ukiyo-e master through scenic woodblock prints.

 

Genre-blending pop and moody electronica from this boundary-pushing Chinese artist.

 

A screening + discussion unpacking how urban spaces shape SEA film narratives.

 

A conversation on Asian-British storytelling, creativity, and cultural memory.

 

Heavy metal meets kawaii chaos — the global J-metal phenomenon lands in London.

 

Jason Kwan Live in Cardiff | 31 May | Cardiff

Queer Cantonese pop storytelling with soul and glitter.

 

Korean Cuisine Workshops | 31 May | London

Hands-on cooking classes to master the art of Korean comfort food.

 

Anni Hung: Stories In London | 1 June | London

A personal solo show blending spoken word, migration, and belonging.

 

A collab workshop for emerging ESEA musicians and producers.

 

Still On: Don't Miss It

 

Queer East Festival 2025 | Until 26 May | London

A bold programme of films, performances, and talks celebrating queer Asian voices.


 ✨CULTURAL SPOTLIGHT


Dragon Boat Festival & Zongzi 粽子 Making in Hackney




The Dragon Boat Festival (端午節 Duānwǔ Jié) is a traditional celebration observed across East and Southeast Asia, commemorating the poet Qu Yuan with dragon boat races and the sharing of sticky rice dumplings known as zongzi (粽子). It’s a time to honour ancestors, eat well, and connect with community.
This year, our friends at Hackney ESEA Community Centre are hosting a special hands-on zongzi wrapping workshop on Sunday 18 May. Learn how to make your own dumplings (meat or veggie), guided by volunteers from @eseacc_luncheon_club
✨ Whether you’re reconnecting with culture or trying something new, this is a wholesome way to celebrate together. 
📍 Where: ESEA Community Centre, 12–14 Englefield Rd, London N1 4LS
📅 When: Sunday 18 May, drop-in slots between 11am–3pm


If this newsletter resonates with you, please share it with a friend, bring someone along to an event, or support the artists and organisers featured Sign up here NOVA ESEA Newsletter

Thanks again for reading and supporting NOVA ESEA.

Let’s keep uplifting our cultures, our stories, and each other :)


Christie


Follow us: @nova.esea | novaesea.com

 
 
 

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