Circle Square has to be one of our favourite new ‘neighbourhoods’ in central Manchester. Who would have thought so much could fit into the site of the old BBC on Oxford Road? Now we know it can — from upmarket restaurants to state-of-the-art music venues, it’s proof that redevelopment can breathe a lot of fresh life into an area. Hiding below the street around here you’ll find Hello Oriental, a large Asian-focused food hall which makes a big statement the moment you start to descend into its depths. Curved beams of carved wood and huge bare lightbulbs make it clear that food isn’t the only side of this establishment that has been created with attention to detail.
Covering three storeys, with a small number of tables at entrance level, there’s a clear nod to the legendary subterranean food halls of the East, and the flavours are similarly authentic. Come here for traditional Chinese cooked meats, stunning sushi platters, and Korean fried chicken. All of which are just for starters. Bao buns, Southeast Asian curries, dim sum, grilled dishes, noodles, pho, bun hue, poke and more, whether it’s Vietnamese or Japanese-Hawaiian, papaya salad or summer rolls, it’s here and done very well indeed, making for a great place to come as a group with something for pretty much everyone, and any occasion.
Over at the bar, you’ll find a number of speciality drinks, including bubble teas and soju, imported beers and wines, cocktails and spirits, and there’s entertainment split across all levels, too. Take a walk around and you’ll see karaoke, board games, movies and sport screenings at various times, all contributing to an infectious atmosphere that develops and transforms throughout the day. As such, it’s no surprise Hello Oriental was described by critics at The Times newspaper as “the northern powerhouse” of Asian cuisine.
