Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Liverpool Street is the newly-opened pop-up restaurant called Beer and Buns. It is quickly setting itself apart by offering the greatest selection of Japanese craft beers in the UK and specialist hirata buns.
Before entering the restaurant itself, you are invited almost immediately to play, with huge swathes of black wall waiting for you to fill it with your chalky creations. Once you’re in the restaurant, you are transported into another world entirely. Still very much in keeping with a strong element of play, you will find dotted around the venue table football and retro pinball machines.
The décor is deceptively simple and the colour palette of the space is sparing—black, white and red—yet it works together to create a big statement. Moreover, the huge space is made immediately cosy by the black chalk walls; in a smaller space, this would perhaps create something more stifling, but seems to work well here.
There are two options for those who come in to Beer and Buns. Stick around for beers and schmooze around big, upstanding barrels, or grab a seat (possibly with others) around black picnic tables. The restaurant aims to serve an authentic izakaya experience, which refers to places in Japan that offer casual settings for after work drinks and good food.
What’s more, with the beer and cocktails taken care of, you can turn your attention to a selection of hirata buns that are packed with different and exciting flavours. For all intents and purposes, they look like mini burgers. The hirata buns are steamed and as a result are super soft and chewy, like dough that is moments away from being completely cooked through. It has moments where it tastes very similar to a brioche bun without the added sweetness.
(Pictured above; Aubergine + chicken buns)
There are four different fillings to choose from—it is pretty hard to go wrong. The chicken bun is tender, deliciously seasoned and complemented by a small serving of slaw. The pork belly bun (although granted, not usually my favourite food) is a fun concept, as is the pulled duck leg bun. Vegetarians need not feel short changed because the aubergine katsu burger, serves a great crunch, which is complemented well by the mellowness of the salsa.
(Pictured above; pork belly bun)
These buns alone could fill the space in your stomach to satisfaction, but for those who might want a bit more will not be disappointed in the Korean-style chicken wings also on offer. The wings are tender and moreishly cooked; the sweet and spicy wings are lathered in a delicious sauce that leaves you no choice but to be totally impolite and get stuck in with your hands and lick your fingers when you think no one is looking.
(Pictured above; garlic wings)
The hot wings were equally saucy, but had an added crunch from the coating of seasame seeds, plus a little kick of spice. Lastly, the soy garlic wings did not disappoint either. They have a crispy coat and are not overpowering in any way—if anything, they leave room for you to taste each ingredient on the chicken and are complemented by a dash of spring onions.
(Pictured above; hot wings)
All in all, Beer and Buns is definitely worth a visit on an evening after work with friends. You may even find yourself earning some cool points among your friends for introducing them to this gem.
Written by Kazstarlet
@kazstarlet
4 chicken wings /out of 5
www.beerandbuns.co.uk