The Tuk Cho concept will be piloted on the site of the Edwards bar and club in New Broadway. Adrian McCormack, former executive chef at Wagamama and Tampopo, will oversee the development of the menu content alongside M&B's existing operational team.
Earlier this year, BigHospitality reported that M&B abandoned a bid for the Asian restaurant chain Tampopo in favour of developing this new concept.
The All Bar One, Browns and Harvester brands operator said it had identified an opportunity within the Asian cuisine category, both within some of its existing brand menus and in the pilot concept site.
Fastest growing cuisine
Analysts of the restaurant sector have predicted a rise demand for healthy Asian concepts over the next few years with 24 per cent of restaurant executives questioned by Allegra Strategies for its UK Restaurant Leader Summit choosing south east Asian as the fastest growing cuisine type in the next three to five years. It was beaten only by healthy eating offers (51 per cent) and Mexican (29 per cent).
The development of Tuk Cho forms part of the company's strategy to diversify its food sales. M&B owns more than 1,600 pubs and restaurants around the UK. For more information on the new concept, visit www.tukchoealing.co.uk.
The news was first reported by BigHospitality's sister publication, M&C Report: http://www.wr-bi.co.uk/mandcreport/MCMarketing.aspx