Filipino canteen concept to launch in Bethnal Green

The founders of street food brand BBQ Dreamz are set to open their first permanent site in East London next month.

Lee Johnson and Sinead Campbell will launch Bong Bong’s Manila Kanteen in the heart of Bethnal Green, following the success of their food truck.

Comprising a dining room and outdoor terrace, the eatery will specialise in Filipino cuisine, with South Asian cocktails and beers as well as a weekly Sunday kamayan - a traditional communal feast.

Interiors at the new restaurant will consist of tropical styles and upcycled materials of the Filipino restaurants which inspired Bong Bong’s, with tropical flora, colourful lamps and bamboo candlesticks, against a backdrop of green wood panelling and splashes of pink.

Bong Bong’s co-owner Lee commented: “Opening Bong Bong’s is huge for us; it feels like an evolution from BBQ Dreamz, with a more ambitious and adventurous menu.

“I have such brilliant childhood memories from Manila, where we’d have riotous, celebratory dinners with the entire family. We’re looking forward to recreating them in Bethnal Green with our kamayan.”

Co-owner Sinead added: “We’re so excited to bring the rituals of Filipino dining to Bethnal Green - we’ve spruced up our new home to feel like a proper Filipino canteen, with a mishmash of plates, glasses and lamps which we’ve collected over the years.”