A taste of the Orient arrives with two new restaurant openings

(Credit: Richard Walker / ImageNorth)

The Merrion Centre, in Leeds has expanded its portfolio of international restaurants with two new tenants.

Leeds-based Chinese food retailer, Hang Sing Hong has chosen the centre as a prime location to launch its first new concept multi-Asian restaurants – Oba Kitchen and Mi’s Noodles – and will jointly create 20 jobs for the city.

The two restaurants combined are taking more than 4,000 sq ft of unit space at the centre with Oba Kitchen situated at Wade Lane and Mi’s Noodles on 21 Merrion Way. They aim to open in October.

Hang Sing Hong is known as Leeds’ largest and long-established oriental food retailer. It is the biggest Korean and Japanese food retailer in the region.

This is the food retailer’s first move into the restaurant sector with the launch of Oba Kitchen, a Korean cuisine concept alongside Japanese fusion in contemporary surroundings, whilst Mi’s Noodles will offer more traditional noodles and Chinese snacks.

The two restaurants combined will accommodate between 90 to 100 diners.

John Jiang, director at Hang Sing Hong, said: “We are thrilled to be launching our two new restaurant concepts as the appeal and demand for fresh multi-Asian food continues to rise.

“We chose the Merrion Centre because it sits in a prime location near the university, city centre offices, and the First Direct Arena and we are specifically excited by the influx of student accommodation being built within the immediate vicinity.

“We can’t wait to launch to further support the multi Asian culture in Leeds’ Arena Quarter.”

Helen Green, property director for Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), owners of the Merrion Centre, said: “In these challenging times it is important that we can accommodate some of the top and newest restaurants here at Merrion.

“Hang Sing Hong already has a strong reputation for selling tasty and authentic food.

“We are thrilled they have chosen Merrion for the opening of these two stylish restaurants and are confident they will add to our ever-growing mix of international food offerings.

“The increasing amount of residential accommodation in the surrounding area, together with the office and shopping customers, means these new ventures are sure to prove a popular addition to Merrion.

“They will continue to cement the Arena Quarter’s position and success as a key leisure and food destination in the heart of Leeds.”

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