The award-winning food hall operator, Blend Family, has revealed its full Food Partner line-up for The Elephant Exchange Food Hall, its new destination for food, drink, community and culture in the heart of Elephant & Castle, opening on 12th November.
The line-up will bring together independent food businesses serving dishes inspired by family recipes, culinary heritage and street food favourites from around the world. Alongside its kitchens, Elephant Exchange will feature a central bar, as well as a coffee bar, and a programme of events and cultural collaborations, creating a vibrant social destination for local residents, workers, students and visitors. The food hall will also be home to Lulu, a self-pour wine concept offering a wide selection of wines and taking centre stage at the heart of the venue.
MEET THE FOOD PARTNERS:
SHOKUDŌ will open its first permanent home at The Elephant Exchange after building its London business through street food pop-ups, private supper clubs, office bento and cookery classes. Founded in 2024 by Hong Kong born Australians Christine and Joseph, the Japanese eatery grew from Joseph’s decision to leave a 13 year banking career to pursue his passion for creating joy through food. Its name means “食堂”, an everyday eatery, and the menu includes Chicken Oyako Don, Tamagoyaki Sando, takoyaki and Japanese curry, alongside seasonal specials and vegetarian options.
Filili Eats will also open its first permanent location at The Elephant Exchange after building a following through London markets and pop-ups. Founded by Sadish in 2021, the Nepalese street food brand puts momo dumplings at the heart of its menu, with creative twists including Danger Momo and Bang Bang Momo.
Khin Thai, founded by Eaint, is inspired by three generations of family cooking. Rooted in recipes passed down through her mother and grandmother, the kitchen serves Thai favourites including pad Thai, which takes more than four hours to perfect, and fiery pad kra pao.
Young Nola brings the flavours of New Orleans to south London, with a menu inspired by Louisiana Creole cuisine and its West African, French, Spanish and Caribbean influences. Dishes include gumbo, Creole mac ’n’ cheese, slow-cooked Louisiana short ribs and Bayou fried shrimp.
TaiWei brings Taiwanese street-food traditions to the line-up. Founder Tina’s interest in the cuisine began when her aunt visited from Taiwan and introduced her to traditional home cooking. Inspired to learn more, Tina went on to attend a professional cookery programme in Taiwan, mastering techniques including hand-pulled noodles, braised beef and Taiwanese fried chicken. After experimenting with recipes at home during the pandemic, she developed a menu featuring handmade fresh noodles, flavour-packed spice bags, beef short rib and slow-braised pork.
Taste Peru, whose ethos is “A Taste of Peru, Cooked with Heart”, adds Peruvian flavours to the opening line-up.
The selection also includes Hakka Village, which combines Malaysian hawker culture with Southern Chinese cooking; Sunrise Caribbean, founded by Michelle and inspired by family recipes from Jamaica; and Zindiya, whose Indian menu draws on the founders’ heritage and family traditions.
Greek Gods’ Cuisine was born from founder Efi Vasilaki’s longing for the Greek food she missed while living in the UK. Its menu includes gyros, souvlaki and moussaka, alongside vegan options.
+84, co-founded by Gray and Linda, takes inspiration from Gray’s childhood in Ho Chi Minh City, serving Vietnamese street food favourites including freshly baked Bánh Mì with buttery spread inside, stuffed with selection of proteins, homemade pickles and sauces, garnished with fresh corianders on top.
Fuego 1987, founded by Hamza, is known for its viral Birria Ramen, made with beef birria consommé slow cooked for more than eight hours. The menu features Mexican-American fusion, street food favourites, with a fully halal menu, gluten-free corn tacos, and plant-based dishes.
Renata will bring an Italian inspired menu and a personal story rooted in Elephant & Castle. Founder Samson’s first home was in Elephant and Castle when he moved to England, where cooking scrambled eggs with his mother and grandmother first sparked his love of food. Named after the Italian word for “rebirth” or “renewal”, Renata marks a new chapter as Samson returns to the neighbourhood where his cooking journey began. Its proposed menu includes handmade pasta, freshly prepared pizza dough, house-made sauces and cheesy doughballs.
ANG brings a fresh take on comfort food classics, with a focus on smash burgers made using carefully selected ingredients. Its patties are pressed onto a hot plate for crisp, lacy edges and juicy centres, then paired with fresh toppings. The menu also features crunchy fried chicken and egg sandwiches made with fluffy eggs and fresh bread. Its name captures the satisfying feeling of taking that first big bite, with a simple promise: no boring burgers.
The opening marks the latest addition to Blend Family’s portfolio of food halls, which includes Cutlery Works and Cambridge Street Collective in Sheffield, Kargo MKT in Salford Quays, Tower Bridge Collective in London and Alfred Works in Birmingham.
Matt Bigland, co-founder of Blend Family, said: “We believe great food halls should be about much more than eating and drinking. They should be places where people connect, discover something new and feel part of their local community. Elephant & Castle is one of the most exciting and diverse areas in London, and we’re incredibly excited to create a destination that reflects that energy and creativity.”
With its opening date confirmed, launch week offers lined up, and Food Partners announced, The Elephant Exchange Food Hall is preparing to welcome families, workers and food lovers to Elephant & Castle this November.
