The founders of London restaurant group BAO will open a temporary pop-up in Singapore on Nov. 11, introducing a new concept called BAO Fast Foods (BFF) to Southeast Asia for the first time.
BFF is a new concept, separate from BAO’s London restaurants. It is being launched with Singapore hospitality firm The Lo & Behold Group at New Bahru mall, 46 Kim Yam Road, #01-10. Trading runs through Dec. 28. BAO founders Shing Tat Chung, Erchen Chang, and Wai Ting Chung are behind the project.
The Format at New Bahru
The ground-floor pop-up is part fast-food joint and part convenience store. Shelves carry packaged snacks imported from Taiwan, including instant noodles and crisps, alongside grab-and-go chilled items such as egg mayonnaise sandwiches and salads.
Hot orders will focus on Taiwanese-inspired items such as fried chicken and beef noodles. The format is built around faster turnarounds and a smaller footprint than the sit-down restaurants BAO operates across central London.
Testing Asian Demand
Western hospitality brands frequently expand eastward by franchising proven casual-dining concepts. BFF reverses that flow: a concept created by London-based founders, selling Taiwanese-inspired food in an Asian market where street stalls and convenience chains already offer cheap alternatives.
Singapore offers a bilingual market with high retail rents and sophisticated consumer spending. The local partner, The Lo & Behold Group, has an established footprint across lifestyle developments in the city.
Path from London Market Stall
Chung, Chang and Wai Ting Chung started BAO more than a decade ago as an outdoor stall at Netil Market in east London. The business expanded into seven permanent dining sites across London neighbourhoods. In June, Chung and Chang also ran a one-month pop-up in Taipei.
Next Steps
The Singapore pop-up closes on Dec. 28. Chung pointed out the lack of Taiwanese concepts competing against global burger and fried chicken chains across the region.