Fans of Woky Ko are overjoyed at the news that restauranteur Larkin Cen will be opening a new noodle bar. Daily Noodles opens to the public today (Friday, December 9) at the original Woky Ko site in Cargo 1 at Wapping Wharf.
Earlier this year TV chef and founder of Woky Ko, Larkin, shared the devastating news that he had decided to close three restaurants within just weeks of each other, including two at Wapping Wharf and the Queens Road restaurant. The site in St Nick's Market remains open.
Having first opened back in 2017 with the arrival of the new Cargo development, he cited the cost of living crisis and the closure of Gaol Ferry Bridge as the reasons why he had to make the tough decision. In an announcement on Instagram, the Bristol chef has now addressed his followers with the news of a new project under a different name.
Read more: East Bristol Bakery set to open second site in Wapping Wharf
"Hi everyone I’ve got some great news for Woky Ko fans. I’ve decided to reopen our original site at Wapping Wharf, under a new brand called Daily Noodles," the caption read.
The video shows the chef speaking to the camera to expand on the reasoning for the new restaurant venture: "I remember coming here six years ago and falling in love with the location. I thought it would be a great place to start off a business, and it is."
He added that he thought some of the business' proudest moments were how they adapted throughout the pandemic. Daily Noodles will be a stripped-back restaurant to pitch cheaper dishes than Woky Ko's menu, with no table service and walk-in availability only.
"Our price point is where we were six years ago with no compromise through the food, and that's quite exciting to me," he said. Daily Noodles will serve simple, "back-to-basics" dishes that will also be available to order through UberEats.
The post continued: "We are going to be open tonight at 5pm. It’s back to where I was six years ago. I have very fond memories of Woky Ko and the positives far far outweigh the negatives in terms of personal development and relationships but this is a new brand.
"I want to give a shout out to all those around me who have made it possible. I’m not going to mention everyone because with any business failure there will be people who will be caught in the cross fire and that’s always difficult. Of particular note is Stuart Hatten of Umberslade who run [sic] Wapping Wharf. Always supportive."
The news was met with a warm reception from fans on Instagram. @candyinbristol commented: "Great news. I loved the food at queens road [sic]! Will definitely visit."
@creds.freds and @roxlewington wished the chef good luck while restaurant Milk Bun in Clifton said: "Excellent news and good luck! We will be in to support."
Daily Noodles is the fourth new business to open in the Cargo development at Wapping Wharf in less than two weeks, with nearly 50 independent businesses occupying the shipping container units. Other new arrivals include vegan deli Herbivore, Tare's new wine bar Picole and East Bristol Bakery.
At its peak, Woky Ko grew to a four-site business employing 38 members of staff with a production centre in Wales and was planning to open its first site outside of the city.
Find Daily Noodles at Cargo 1 in Wapping Wharf from 5pm and keep up to date by following it on Instagram
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