Indian street food favourite Bundobust has given its menu an Indo-Chinese lift with a host of exciting new specials.
Four new dishes have just launched at the Leeds-born restaurant, as Bundobust celebrate the historic culinary craze of crossing Chinese cooking styles with classic Indian spices and vegetables, reports The Manc.
Inspired by the fiery fusion of Indian and Chinese flavours that began in Kolkata and swept worldwide, the new specials are informed by the cuisine’s hybrid origins - with a special Bundobust twist.
Image: The Manc Group
Think salt and pepper okra fries, 'prawn' gobi toast (deep-fried garlic and ginger minced cauliflower sesame soldiers served with a Coconut Korma dipping sauce), hakka noodles and battered tofu pakoras in a spicy sauce.
The Bundobust take on Kolkata’s key Indo- Chinese dishe, named after the Hakka-speaking Chinese immigrants that established India’s first Chinatown, promises soy-sauce coated Indo-Chinese spiced noodles with red and green peppers, cabbage and mushrooms.
Meanwhile the new tofu dish - a big first for Bundobust - offers a modern Chinese re-imagining of the classic Chennai Hotel Buhari 1965 recipe, served in a sauce rich with Chinese Five Spice, curry leaves, garlic and mustard seeds.
The Leeds-born indie eatery will serve the special menu starting from Monday 18 July from their restaurant on Mill Hill, just outside Leeds Train Station, as well as their venues further afield in Manchester and beyond.
All four specials can be ordered alongside existing Bundobust staples and are best enjoyed with Bundobust’s very own beers - served exclusively in their restaurants via the Bundobust Brewery.
Beer fans are encouraged to try the house-brewed Bundobust coriander lager, masala chai porter and tropical pale ale, all of which have been designed to complement Bundobust's dishes.
Feature image - The Manc Group
Eats
Cult favourite burger chain Burgerism is officially coming to Leeds this summer
An award-winning burger chain is coming to one of Leeds' suburbs.
If you don't know Burgerism, then get to know.
The Manchester-based burger chain is known by many for its incredible smash patties and quick, reliable service.
Their concept is simple: good burgers made with quality ingredients and cooked fresh to order. Delicious.
And it's not just burgers, they've also got some great wings and fries available too with a range of homemade sauces on offer for dunking, drizzling and devouring. We're a particular fan of the buffalo wings with their garlic ranch dip.
The chain used to have a dark kitchen on the outskirts of the city where people could order via Deliveroo, however this closed down and since then there's been a Burgerism-shaped hole left in our foodie scene.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Burgerism recently applied to move into a vacant shop unit in Meanwood at 605 Meanwood Road, seeking change-of-use planning permission for the former Papa Johns site which was previously only allowed to serve...well, pizzas.
And the plans have now been approved, which means Burgerism will officially be coming to Leeds. Hurray!
Burgerism's new takeaway will be walking distance from the The Meanwood Tavern, perfect for those looking for some post-pint burgers.
It will be strictly takeaway with no dine-in option available.
The brand-new Burgerism will employ 15 people from the local area with food being served between 11am and 11pm.
We'll keep you up to date as and when we find out more, but for now we're aware that Burgerism Leeds is set to open this summer.
Ireland’s famous fast food phenomenon, the spice bag, has landed in Leeds Kirkgate Market
Clementine Hall
You can now grab the ultimate hangover cure at our very own Kirkgate Market.
And it comes from none other than The Fisherman's Wife - a Leeds institution that has been serving up fantastic fish and chips for over 60 years.
But now, they're turning their attention to spice bags.
If you have no idea what we're talking about then allow us to fill you in. And we'd recommend pouring yourself an ice cold glass of water, because it's about to get real salty up in here.
The spice bag is an Irish delicacy that is often devoured after a few Guinness on the streets of Dublin, for example.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It consists of shredded and battered chicken, chips, onions and peppers - all deep fried, loaded into a bag and tossed in lashings of salt and pepper seasoning.
Oh, and of course dipped or lathered in a sauce of your choosing. The classic being curry sauce, obviously.
It's been available in Leeds once before at a pop-up in Trinity Kitchen, but now The Fisherman's Wife is here to make them a permanent option for anyone with that salty craving.
You've got a couple of flavours to choose from too, including peri-peri, plain, salt & chilli and of course the classic salt & pepper.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can then add a drizzle of sriracha, curry sauce (obviously) or sticky honey if you're looking for that sweet and salty balance.
The best part? They're selling these for just £6.50.
So next time you've had a few too many the night before, get yourself to The Fisherman's Wife inside Leeds Kirkgate Market's food hall and get yourself a spice bag. You'll be cured in no time.
The Hoot -
19th July 2022 
