Latest Kampus Bungalow residency set to open with South East Asian flavour

Harry Yarwood

Bánh Vì is set to bring its captivating South East Asian creations to Kampus, in the heart of Manchester city centre, as it readies to kick off the latest residency at the garden neighbourhood.

Taking over the Bungalow from Friday, October 8, the Alty Market favourite will be serving up its plant-based creations, inspired and influenced by its favourite street food dishes from journeys across South East Asia.

Expect steaming, fragrant broths, delicious rice bowls, succulent crispy mushroom ‘wings’ and ‘Banh Mi’ – their spin on Vietnam’s best-loved sandwich – in a menu packed full of flavour and showcasing the best of plant-based cuisine.

Diners can pair their choice with strong signature Vietnamese coffee, hot or iced, as well as a selection of Asian beers, homemade iced teas, or traditional infused teas.

Customers will also be able to book on to try their hand in the kitchen, too, with the team running Pho Masterclasses, passing on the secrets of creating the perfectly-spiced unami broth and summer rolls.

Bánh Vì was co-founded by Harry Yarwood and Jess King. Having started out at Tasty Cow in Altrincham, the couple packed in work for a one-way ticket to experience the best culinary experiences Asia had to offer, followed by an extended stay at a vegan retreat in Australia.

Banh Vi was born from this love of adventure. Established in Altrincham two years ago, regulars have kept on returning for the bold flavours and textures that challenge expectations of plant-based food.

Harry Yarwood said: “Hot, sweet, salty, sour, bitter – we’ve always strived for the perfect flavour balance in our creations. Since we started, we’ve won over so many regulars who now come back week after week for our take on Vietnamese and Malaysian food.

“Our ethos has always been about using the best ingredients, supporting local suppliers and just delivering amazing, creative menus that people fall in love with, whether they’re used to eating plant-based food or not.

“The vibe of the community at Kampus is absolutely perfect for us and we can’t wait to be filling the Bungalow with people who may be experiencing our signature Banh Mi sandwiches for the first time.”

Kampus, is a vibrant new neighbourhood built around a garden developed by HBD and Capital&Centric. Its collection of old and new buildings offers a melting pot of architectural styles and builds on a rich cultural heritage, making use of historic buildings that lay derelict for years, next to the famous Canal Street in Manchester’s Gay Village and just minutes from Piccadilly Station.

Adam Brady, at HBD, said: “We can’t wait to welcome the Bánh Vì team down at Kampus. Their bold flavours and hearty Asian food, all served up in the relaxed, intimate Bungalow, will be the perfect dose of escapism as autumn draws in. Manchester has totally embraced our residencies this summer and we know they’ll get behind Banh Vi, for a taste of something a little bit different.”

The Kampus gardens and Bungalow are the central feature of the community and are permanently open to the public, with the Bungalow operating as a village hall for pop-ups and community groups.

Banh Mi

The neighbourhood is alive with events and will be home to local independent bars, restaurants, cafés and retail from brands including General Stores, Common & Co/Cornerstone and Bread Flower. This latest residency follows a buzzing summer of events at Kampus, with Mancunians flocking to the lush gardens for the likes of Le Social and Isca Wines.

Residents have already moved into the one- and two-bedroom apartments in the red-brick new building North Block and refurbished 1960s brutalist tower called The Stack. With North’s sister building South Block and two beautiful Victorian shipping warehouses, Minto & Turner and Minshull House, set to fully open over the coming weeks.

Kicking off next Friday, the Bánh Vì residency will run through to the end of November. It will open Thursday to Saturday from 12pm-11pm (food served until 9pm) and Sundays from 12pm-7pm (food served until 5pm), with 30 covers.

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