Big Bro Bao opening at Beach Street in Felixstowe in Suffolk

Big Bro Bao announced in November 2023 that they would be bringing Bao buns, chicken wings and bubble tea to Beach Street, Felixstowe's seaside hub. 

Now the Pan-Asian food vendor has announced that Big Bro Bao will be opening on Thursday, January 18.

Owner Joey James is a classically trained chef and restaurateur who is launching the Big Bro Bao brand with his brother, Louis.

The shop will start with just indoor seating with around 26 covers, but Mr James has revealed plans for a Japanese-inspired zen garden on the balcony with seating for a further 40 people that is set to be finished at the end of April.

Beach Street is a foodie venue growing in popularity on the Suffolk coast (Image: Archant)

"Work will begin on the terrace in March when the weather is slightly better," said Mr James. 

"It will have rattan furniture and a koi pond and we have plans to host garden parties and prosecco brunches out there in the summer."

Big Bro Bao will initially be open weekly from Wednesday to Sunday from 9am - 9pm, with different menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a fully-licensed bar with cocktails and bubble teas.

The menu blends Pan-Asian cuisine with Western and Japanese influences, with vegetarian and vegan options available too.

"We have a breakfast menu that features food options such as a scallop benedict or eggs royal in a bao bun," said Mr James. 

"The cocktail menu has 19 different options with five signature cocktails too."

Pan-Asian food works best when it is served as soon as it is ready, so Big Bro Bao won't be offering a takeaway service for the first few weeks. 

"Asian food comes out as and when it is ready," said Mr James.

"Everyone should receive the first item within six minutes of ordering from our menu."

The website will be launching on the morning of Thursday, January 18, and people can use it to book tables and browse the menu.

Joey and Louis James are striving to make Big Bro Bao one of the hotspots in Felixstowe, and have big plans for continuing to grow their brand.

"We are aiming for three Big Bro Bao sites in five years," explained Mr James. 

Joey James will run the kitchen for the first few months while the new staff learn the menu and find their feet, before stepping back into a more managerial role. 

"We believe that Felixstowe needs somewhere that suits the casual dining environment and budget with the rise of brands like Nando's and Wagamama, but also has the Instagrammability and comfort that appeals to a lot of generations like many of these chains," said Mr James.

"We think Big Bro Bao delivers on that, both as a brand and as a dining concept.

"We look forward to joining the team of fantastic outlets at the Beach Street site to what we hope will be the first of many Big Bro Bao sites! 

"We have designed a menu that focuses on quality, flavour, consistency and speed.

"Combining that with phenomenal service and we hope Big Bro Bao will be a place we can welcome guests back again and again."

The upcoming opening follows that of Wok Wraps, a wrap-fusion street food vendor that has had a flying start since opening in December. 

Big Bro Bao will also serve bubble tea (Image: Big Bro Bao)

Charlie Manning, joint owner of Beach Street Felixstowe, said: "The addition of the new traders at Beach Street are fantastic businesses that bring new passion and innovation to the existing successful operators, especially the Asian fusion from Big Bro Bao, and WokWraps who have had an awesome first month.

"Beach Street is going from strength to strength and we can't wait for the upcoming year for these new units to have a huge impact and attract even more regular visitors.

"We have some huge plans for the summer and great ideas to winterise Beach Street to make it appeal all year round - watch this space!"