Foreign foodie fancies hit the mainstream.

The beauty of living in a cosmopolitan city like London is that, when correctly directed, you can pretty much find anything. Our Asiana expats know exactly where to go for Pocky Sticks and chocolate Koalas that don’t come at Harvey Nic’s prices. The Stateside contingent hankering after imported American candy head to the two locations you can find Pop Tarts and Fruit Loops in the city. And ze Deutsche (yeah alright, we have half of one of those too), can sniff out a proper wurst any day.

But it’s looking like you don’t have to dive into concealed corners to get your foreign fix these days, as more mini morsels go mainstream. Case in point the humble banh mi sandwiches at Kêu! which now has queues cornering the block. UJ’s own office block has just gotten an island influx thanks to Kua’Aina; a Hawaiian sandwich shack from Honolulu decked out with rattan roof, surf boards and a menu boasting grilled mahi sandwiches (we liked), pineapple burgers and choc chip pancakes for breakfast.

Then there’s the Taiwanese speciality ‘bubble tea’. Whereas once you had to skirt Chinatown for a sip, now you can get your fix on Rupert Street (aside from the XXX DVDs and shops, it’s becoming quite the filthy food fest with Spuntino in residence and Patrick Cox’s cupcakes around the corner). Being hailed as the ‘new frappuccino’, Bubbleology is bringing both the milky and the fruity varieties of this tea-based drink to the fore, which features tapioca pearls to be sucked up from the bottom with extra-wide straws. Flavours include coconut, almond, vanilla, mango, ginger, kumquat and apple, either green or with a shot of the fully caffeinated black stuff.

Little pearl of wisdoms or dirty little secret? Either way – it’s officially out in the open.

INFO
Kua’Aina is open now. 26 Foubert’s Place, W1F 7PP.
Bubbleology opens 21st April. 49 Rupert Street, W1D 7PF.

Funk It Up About Nothin’

A ‘hip-hoptation’ of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, Funk it Up About Nothin’ is a fresh urban take on a story as old skool as love itself. Complete with a live DJ, MCs and divas, this show is a rom-com street party with banging bass and much, much more, and recently crowned “pure genius” by A Younger Theatre. Click here for a look at the Funk It Up cast’s views of the Royal Wedding and then come and see this fresh, original and alternative love story.

Playing until 7 May. Urban Junkies readers can get tickets for just £10! To book, call the box office on 020 8534 0310 and quote FUNK Offer. £10 tickets are available Tues 19 – Sat 23 April for matinee and evening shows. Offer is subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

The Young Ones

The winner of Sony VAIO and Urban Junkies’ hunt for a trendcaster has been investigating the rise of young stars in the first of her four columns, from ‘Friday, Friday, Friday yes it comes before Saturday but after Thursday’ Rebecca Black, to teen paparazzos, burnt out bloggers and a star barrista handing out cappuccinos and cortados right under your very nose. Smell that ambition? Or it just coffee grounds…

Click through to find out more.

BOOK – Tickets to Pina, Wim Wender’s awe inspiring 3D dance-theatre documentary. Various cinemas and prices across London, from 22nd April.

SEE – Boundary-bending theatre and experimental performance at Spill. Barbican, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS. 8am-8pm.

RESERVE – Your place for half price breakfast, lunch or dinner at The Riding House Café with a soft opening offer until 2nd May. 34 Great Titchfield Street, WIW 7PQ.

BUY – Contemporary and Old Master prints at the London Original Print Fair. £10, Burlington House, WIJ 0BD. 10am-9pm.