The Ivy Asia has been accused of 'cultural appropriation' just weeks before the opening of its new restaurant in Cardiff - it's eighth in the UK and first in Wales - on Tuesday, September 20. Many people have taken to Twitter voicing their disappointment at the addition to the Cardiff food scene, and renowned food critic Jay Rayner also referred to it in a recent review.
The opening - and backlash around it - comes just over a year after the The Ivy Asia chain - which promises to take you "through a journey of the senses... inspired by Asian influence, with a menu as rich and varied as the diverse cultures that span the continent of Asia" - was scorned for a PR campaign released on its Instagram on August 8, 2021, advertising its new restaurant in Chelsea, London.
The advert, which has since been deleted from the Ivy Asia's Instagram page, showed two women (dubbed as "the ladies") dressed in traditional East Asian clothing, carrying Wagasas [bamboo and paper parasols] and branded Ivy Asia bags before running to flag down a rickshaw. Climbing in, they fall backwards and are saved by a "hero" who races them to the Ivy Asia. You can get more food news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
