This February, Bun House, the Cantonese-style steamed bun specialist in the heart of Chinatown, will celebrate Chinese New Year with the launch of their brand new ‘The Tiger Who Came For Tea And Buns’ menu.
Inspired by the year of the tiger, the Bun House take on a classic afternoon tea will run for one month only and include a selection of their much-loved themed buns alongside smaller sweet and savoury snacks and traditional Chinese teas.
Cantonese founder Z He will be marrying the traditions of British and Chinese culture, putting her own, playful twist on the British afternoon tea.
Diner’s will be able to enjoy a feast of mixed pillowy bao buns, including a savoury Tiger Bun with its very own tail alongside a chestnut and white chocolate bun, accompanied by mini calligraphy brush and condensed milk ink for diners to let out their inner creatives and design their very own bun as they go.
No afternoon tea is complete without a classic scone and so included in the tea will be Bun House's version; a sesame mille feuille with delicate sheets of crisp sesame pastry, layered with clotted cream and spiced plum jam.
For those looking to feast, diners can tuck into Bun House’s Fried Milk Ribs, a sticky mound of sweet spare ribs coated in a secret sauce and sprinkled with crispy garlic, that will melt-in-the-mouth; or plates of crispy tempura oyster mushrooms, served in a sweet and tangy homemade peking sauce.
Confit duck croquettes will offer the perfect meaty mouthful, served with a fiery kewpie mustard; and steamed tofu with pickled bamboo shoots will sit alongside bowls of smoked eel or mushroom egg drop soups, the ultimate winter warmer for those looking to stave off the February chill.
Sweet bites will include Tong Yuen, a glutinous rice ball that is said to represent fullness and completeness, served with a ginger and lemon syrup and topped with roasted peanut dust as well as a Persimmon posset with sweet-scented osmanthus vinegar.
To complement the dishes, Bun House will be offering a number of teas from their house selection, served in traditional Cantonese canteen style pots. Guests can choose between the delicate floral notes of Jasmine or a fruity and fragrant oolong; a traditional pu’er tea will also be available, a unique type of fermented tea made from the leaves of China’s ancient Dayeh trees, with mature leaves that can be up to 1000 years old.
Founder Z says: “Chinese New Year is a time where family and friends come together to celebrate, feast and look forward to the prosperous times that the year will bring. We’re excited to celebrate the year of the tiger and share our Chinese New Year traditions with Londoner’s, marrying the British tradition of Afternoon Tea with Chinese cuisine! We hope that the tiger buns bring customers confidence, courage and some adventure for the year ahead!”
