Oriental City & Bang Bang's History

  • Yaohan Plaza Era (1993-1997):

    The complex initially opened in August 1993 as Yaohan Plaza, a high-end Japanese shopping centre, by Japanese retailer Yaohan Co., Ltd. 

  • Transition to Oriental City (1997-2008):

    After Yaohan's bankruptcy in 1997, the centre underwent a change and was known as Oriental City. It became a bustling destination (see below, right) for the East Asian community in London, offering a traditional Asian foodhall, groceries and other goods and services. 

Demise and Demolition (2008-2014):

Financial struggles and concerns about health issues led to the closure of Oriental City in June 2008. A big campaign to save the complex attracted national news coverage and some celebrity backers like Arsenal’s Ian Wright, see right.

 

The Arrival of Bang Bang Oriental Foodhall (2017)

  • A New Landmark:

    In the years following Oriental City's closure, a new project emerged to create a major Asian landmark in North London. Here is the developers’ website.

  • Opening:

    Bang Bang Oriental Foodhall officially opened in July 2017, designed as a large Asian super foodhall. 

  • Community and Culture:

    The foodhall provides a vibrant selection of Pan-Asian cuisines, alongside community spaces, dance classes, a Chinese massage parlour, and beauty boutiques, continuing the cultural legacy of its predecessor.