Two restaurant openings as MasterChef winner brings Japanese ‘soul food’ to Seven Dials

Street food specialist KERB has announced that two new independent restaurants are set to open at its first permanent market in London.

Japanese ‘soul food’ restaurant Nanban from 2011 MasterChef winner Tim Anderson will open this September at Seven Dials Market between Covent Garden and Soho, alongside new Italian pasta bar Strozzapreti.

Nanban will take influences from Afro-Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern cuisines to create a fusion of flavours.

The latest venture from the original Franco Manca team, Strozzapreti will focus on a ‘fresh’ approach to pasta with an emphasis on sustainability and authentic Italian ingredients.

Commenting on Strozzapreti’s cuisine, co-founder Bridget Hugo explained: “After a decade working in Italian cooking, I am still always so impressed with how Italians seem to know better than anyone what good ingredients taste like and how to make them work in a simple and healthy way.”

Housed within the 19th century Thomas Neal’s Warehouse building, the restaurants are the latest to join the 22,000 sq ft market, joining the likes of Club Mexicana, Yum Bun, INK, Square Root, Rice Guys and Pick & Cheese.

Tim Anderson, chef and owner at Nanban commented: “With Nanban first starting off as a pop-up through to our Brixton Market restaurant, I’m extremely proud to be bringing our unique, eclectic flavours to London’s newest market in the heart of the city.”

“At Nanban we celebrate Japanese food mixed with international flavours and seasonal ingredients, so I’m very excited to see what we come up with when being surrounded by the inspiring street food traders and chefs and Cucumber Alley’s fresh produce.”