Calling all Dundalk dumpling lovers.
If you're looking for authentic Chinese food with clever flavour combos and well thought out umami hits, Big Fan Bao really is the first and last word.
Opened on Dublin's Aungier Street just one day before Ireland locked down for the pandemic, Big Fan have been on a whirlwind journey since - gaining renown for their dine at home boxes when meals out weren't possible and quickly becoming one of the most sought after bookings in town once the country began to reopen.
In 2021, Big Fan was promptly
added to the prestigious Michelin Guide, lauded for its "colourful décor, bright lights and lively atmosphere". And now, the popular eatery is Dundalk bound for one night only.
Big Fan will take up temporary residence at Dundalk's Mo Chara, a bar known for its weekend markets, expertly mixed cocktails and melty, cheese string-laden toasties at the end of this month. Announcing the news on Instagram, the Big Fan team explained their connection with the Dundalk spot which spans back to the darkest days of the pandemic.
"When BIGFAN embarked on a dream project, the pandemic threw a curveball. We had to close just one day after opening.
Amidst the chaos, a story of friendship and resilience unfolded. BIGFAN reached out to allies across the country and found incredible support, especially from our Irish friend MO, part of the close-knit Dundalk crew and head of the table.
MO and BIGFAN go way back and share a love for food and the craic. The Dundalk crew, known for their sense of community, stepped up. They organized secret meetings and a distribution network for our dine-at-home meal boxes, spreading the word about our new spot and providing much needed hope during this difficult time".
Those in attendance can expect a night of experimental Chinese food served up tapas style, with plenty of vegetarian options and a live DJ set by the BIGFAN front of house crew to accompany. Tickets are priced at €40 - this includes your food, a cocktail and a promise that you'll "feel like you've stumbled upon a bustling gambling den deep in Hong Kong. Games, hidden messages, red lighting & chopsticks".
Big Fan's kitchen pop-up takes place at Mo Chara on Tuesday, 26th September - nab tickets
right here.
Header image via Instagram/bigfanbao
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