Britain doesn't enjoy the benefit of a rich culinary history, but Barbarian Bar is hoping to improve the standing of Britain's seasonal produce output by wedding it with a more respected culinary lineage. The pop-up food vendor — which has recently secured a location in London's new covered food court, The Kitchens at Old Spitalfields Market — offers traditional Chinese streetfood dishes made up of fresh seasonal produce from British farms, thus fusing the best aspects of Chinese cuisine with the best raw materials that Britain has to offer.
Barbarian's most beloved dish is Mapo Tofu. Invented in Chengdu by a street vendor known as Mother Chen, the tofu dish is a Szechuan classic that puts tofu in a spicy sauce with black beans and minced pork.
British-Chinese Fusion Pop-Ups
Barbarian Bar Serves Traditional Chinese Fare Using British Produce
Trend Themes
1. British-chinese Fusion Cuisine - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating unique dining experiences by combining culinary traditions and local produce.
2. Seasonal Produce Utilization - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Encouraging the use of local and seasonal ingredients in food preparation to support sustainable agriculture.
3. Pop-up Food Vendors - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring flexible and temporary food service models to cater to changing consumer preferences.
Industry Implications
1. Food Service - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing new approaches to integrate diverse culinary traditions and ingredients in menus to attract a wider customer base.
2. Agriculture - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborating with local farmers to promote the use of seasonal produce and establish novel supply chains.
3. Hospitality - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Providing flexible and interactive dining options that encourage customers to explore unique culinary fusions and experiences.