Named after the tectonic plate that joins large stretches of Southeast Asia, Sunda Kitchen’s menu will take inspiration from the food of Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia when it officially launches later this week.
The team behind the project - which is running for four months before a possible move to a permanent site next year - is made up of Jamie Younger from high-profile Peckham Thai restaurant The Begging Bowl, Phil SuGon from The Perry Hill Pub in Catford, and Adam Papa from Happiness Forgets and Ever After.
The casual dining concept's kitchen will be run day-to-day by head chef Charles Lee, whose CV includes Soho’s Robata and Jinjuu.
Sample dishes include Thai-style KFC cauliflower with tamarind mayonnaise; Vietnamese jellyfish salad with pickled fennel and chilli; sambal oelek aubergine, grilled chilli and pickled mushroom; and Malaysian red chicken curry.
Cocktails take on the classics with a Sunda twist such as Thai Negroni (lemongrass gin, coconut Campari, sweet vermouth) and Spicy Mojito (rum, mint, citrus, herbal liqueur, soda, chilli) alongside 'crowd- pleasing' slushies including lychee daiquiri, Vietnamese iced coffee and Sunda Colada.
“Sunda Kitchen is a relaxed, accessible eatery that has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a quick after work drink, midweek lunch or cocktail with some tasty sharing plates. Drop by and let us brighten up your day," says Papa.
The restaurant - which will initially occupy the large site's 100-cover upstairs area only - will be located on the former site of Mark Wahlburg's ill-fated Wahlburgers, which closed after one year in business.