A new restaurant selling Korean and Japanese-fusion dishes has opened in Leeds.
Called Oba Kitchen, you'll find it in Leeds' Merrion Centre on the Wade Lane Side. Serving up authentic Korean cuisine with some Japanese elements, this is Asian fusion at its finest.
Whilst it's not all vegan, there are some brilliant options for those on a plant-based diet with a huge selection of vegan starters, mains and sushi.
Think tofu katsu teriyaki, katsu curry and tofu steak, plus iconic Korean veggie bibimbap, toppokki (vegan rice cake with a sweet-spicy sauce) and Kinoko butter (assorted mushrooms, garlic and vegan butter).
Image: Oba Kitchen
As for the meat-eaters, there's plenty of options for you too - with dishes like ginger pork belly and flambe king scallops cooked in brandy, classic nobu style black cod miso and cumin lamb racks listed alongside the likes of bibimbap, katsu and beef steak wraps.
Enjoy alongside side dishes like Korean glass noodles. steamed rice, cold buckwheat noodles with wasabi or opt for a selection of their extensive sushi menu - which spans a huge selection of special handmade Oba rolls and nigiri.
On the drinks front, you'll find a selection of signature Korean wines like kooksoondang, shirokiku and soju served alongside Japanese plum wine.
Image: Oba Kitchen
Elsewhere, you'll find a good selection of whites, reds and sparkling wines alongside classic cocktails like espresso martinis, coconut slings and honey butter old fashioned, plus beers, spirits and ciders.
Oba Kitchen is not the only new addition to arrive at the Merrion centre, either. The shopping centre has also just welcomed a new hairdressing salon called Hair by Gordon, which specialises in cutting Asian men and women's hair.
Charles Newman, owners of the Merrion Centre said: “It’s fantastic to welcome this latest duo of businesses to the Merrion Centre and we’re confident their specialist offerings will prove popular with new and existing visitors including the increasing international student population within close proximity.
To find out more about Oba Kitchen, follow them on Instagram here.
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Georgina Pellant -
17th September 2021 
