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If you’ve ever watched Nigel Ng roast a plate of soggy fried rice and thought, “Okay but… can he actually cook?”, you’re about to find out. The comedian behind Uncle Roger is opening his first London restaurant, Kawan by Uncle Roger, on 4 Apr 2026.
After running six FUIYOH! It’s Uncle Roger outlets across Malaysia, Nigel is planting his flag in the heart of Chinatown, London with a full-fledged, 60-seat restaurant.
The space is described as contemporary and casual — somewhere you can drop in with friends, share a few dishes, and debate whether your fried rice standards are high enough.
Kawan (“friend” or “buddy” in Malay) is a collaboration with experienced names in London’s dining scene, including restaurateur Keng Yew — known for openings like YiQi and The Eight — and chef Daren Liew, whose background includes Duddell’s and the Hakkasan Group.
The menu leans into Asian cooking techniques while keeping British diners (and fried rice, of course) in mind. You’ll spot dishes like Sarawak Pepper Belly Delight and Chinatown Fried Rice alongside Hainanese Chicken Chop, Crispy Puff Chicken Wellington, Wasabi Boom Boom Sausage and even Fish ‘n Chips.
Since late 2025, the restaurant’s Instagram has been quietly teasing updates, linking followers to a “Kawan Secret Army” WhatsApp group for early access and insider news that you can also view on the official website.
When announcing the opening date, Nigel joked about 4 April (4/4) being an unlucky number in Chinese culture but said 8 August (8/8) was simply too far away. There’s even talk of a QR code at the site promising a surprise.
You can also enter your email address on the website for more upcoming updates.
So whether you’re a long-time fan or you’re simply on the hunt for a new Asian fusion restaurant in London’s Chinatown, Kawan is worth watching. At the very least, you’ll finally get to judge the fried rice for yourself — and this time, Uncle Roger can’t blame anyone else.
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