The Colindale area of northwest London has a significant East Asian community, with over 5% of residents identifying as ethnic Chinese. This community is served by various restaurants, a Chinese Church, and the Loon Fung supermarket, offering a wide range of Asian products.
Bang Bang Oriental Foodhall is a major attraction in the area, featuring more than 30 food kiosks and space for 450 diners. While some stalls claim to have a Taiwan connection, they often fall short in authenticity. For example, the Tiger Hill bubble tea stall imitates the popular Tiger Sugar brand, disappointing fans of Taiwanese bubble tea.
However, T.H.E. Formosa stands out as the only stall with genuine Taiwanese roots. Owned by Joyce Hsu, it offers authentic Taiwanese dishes such as beef noodle soup and popcorn chicken. Hsu aims to educate customers about Taiwanese cuisine, highlighting its Chinese origins and unique flavors influenced by colonialism and indigenous cooking.
Despite challenges in adapting portion sizes and prices to local expectations, T.H.E. Formosa has found success in the UK market. Hsu, along with her husband, who is a professional chef from Hungary, has created a family business that reflects their diverse cultural backgrounds.
Arriving in the UK on a working holiday visa, Hsu has navigated the complexities of residency and citizenship, eventually establishing a thriving Taiwanese restaurant in London. With dedication and hard work, she and her husband have overcome obstacles to bring a taste of Taiwan to the UK.
Their story exemplifies the fusion of cultures and culinary traditions, symbolized by the acronym T.H.E. in the restaurant’s name, representing Taiwan, Hungary, and England. Despite the challenges of starting a new business in a foreign country, Hsu is grateful for the support of her small team and remains committed to providing authentic Taiwanese cuisine to the local community.
