Regrets, I have a few. And one of them is that I only managed to haul my ass over to Colindale three times before the mighty Oriental City was felled by developers.
Our affair was brief but intense.
For instance, I immediately fell for Utsuwa No Yakata, the wondrous Japanese porcelain purveyor.
The vast Oriental City supermarket was the stuff of dreams - Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Indonesian, Malaysian, Korean, Indian, Vietnamese, fresh, frozen and dried - you name it, they had it.
I even managed to get fresh mentaiko there.
I adored the Durian Centre with its durian shaped menus (even if it was never blimming open), the shonky Sanrio Shop, the tiny Japanese household goods shop, and the crummy little Sega Arcade.
But ye gods, it was truly love at first sight when my eyes fell upon the Oriental City Food Court.
From roti canai to ramen, via dimsum and som tam, through to pho and sushi, all washed down with fruity smoothies and ice kachang, every Asian and Oriental cuisine under the sun seemed to be represented.
It was a street hawker paradise.
Here's a selection of what I managed to eat and drink before the end:
Kiwi Smoothie
If Oriental City had been easier to get to, I would have exploded like Mr Creosote long ago.
Sadly soon after I discovered this culinary haven, on 1 June 2008 Oriental City closed its doors and all its fabulous purveyors dispersed, many never to be seen again (though some have survived).
On my third and final trip, I realised I had to preserve the food court experience in some way, so I wandered around videoing as best I could.
I just wish I could have captured the smells and tastes the way they captured my heart.
And why am I posting about this now?
I found out from the wonderful Randomness Guide to London that the Oriental City supermarket had actually managed to relocate to Queensway, but my excitement was dampened by the fact that there's a chance even this new outpost might close.
I found out from the wonderful Randomness Guide to London that the Oriental City supermarket had actually managed to relocate to Queensway, but my excitement was dampened by the fact that there's a chance even this new outpost might close.
"Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got till it's gone
They paved Paradise
And put up a parking lot"
(Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell)
That you don't know what you got till it's gone
They paved Paradise
And put up a parking lot"
(Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell)
Oriental City RIP
UPDATE: Is Pacific Plaza for real? Please let the developing gods say yes to this proposed replacement for Oriental City!
UPDATE: 05.12.09: Utuswa Tableware has relaunched as Doki Limited at Pacific Plaza!
Comments
I was so upset when I heard about the closure. I signed the petition and asked as many friends as possible to sign it too. I pimped the news (and petition) in the various online communities I could.
To no avail.
Even though we got back from a holiday on the day the food court closed; a loooong drive home indeed I insisted that we visit the Food Court on it's last ever day.
I cried. Yes, I really did.
And how much more upset I am now to know that it was all for nothing - the developers who refused at every turn to find an alternative home for this vibrant and unique community have, it seems, pulled out of the purchase of the site altogether, let alone the development plans that necessitated the closures.
The supermarket did move, though I've been told by those who visited that the range offered was vastly reduced. And the Food Court that was so vital in making it more than just a shopping venue but a community as well, did not get a new home.
:(
Thanks for the heads up on Pacific Plaza though...looks promising!
@Kake - You inspired me - and thanks for the link!
@Sig - As you can see, I barely found it myself. Joni rocks.
@Su-Lin - If it comes together then there'll be one in Wembley and then one in Borough. Yes!
@gastrogeek - It closed June last year, but very quietly and very sadly.
@Dennis - Oh yes - I'd love to see some US hawker centres!
@Louise - I've googled Eating World and it looks amazing! When were you there?