HOP Vietnamese, the City’s grab-and-go eatery, will launch its biggest and best site yet at the base of The Leadenhall Building on Tuesday 4th December. The new venue will offer an evening sit-down dining experience alongside its much-loved take on Vietnamese lunchtime street food. Open all day; HOP will serve breakfast and coffee, lunch, and a menu of small plates and cocktails in the evening, exclusive to this site.
Founded by Paul Hopper in 2015, the idea for HOP was born out of a Vietnamese adventure. With a background in finance, Paul was able to take a spark of an idea and set the wheels in motion; drafting a business plan while he was still on his travels and returning to London to start competitor analysis, raising investment, food trials, and venue hunting. Fast-forward three years and HOP is thriving, with four sites within the Square Mile and the new fifth site set to be the most ambitious yet.
Open from 7am, HOP Leadenhall will kick things off with a brand new breakfast menu including breakfast bahn mi baguettes, coconut porridge, congee and egg pots. Plus coffee from Taylor St Baristas alongside Vietnamese drip and iced coffees, condensed milk optional but recommended!
HOP regulars will be familiar with the popular daytime menu offering hot and cold Vietnamese street eats. The signature HOP box, inspired by com binh dan – “working people food”, pairs a warming curry with steamed rice, crispy shallots, fresh herbs, spring onions, Viet shredded salad and pickled vegetables, with five options to choose from including lemongrass chicken, vegetable coconut curry and chargrilled caramel pork. Bahn mi baguettes are made to order and served hot; fillings include soy and ginger beef or vegetables and pork meatballs. Aromatic pho soups marry fragrant broth with rice noodles and fresh herbs, with options such as leek dumplings, chicken and pulled beef. HOP also offers salad boxes; bun noodle salads of vermicelli noodles, herbs, peanuts, cucumber, pickles and signature nuoc cham dressing, and Viet Shredded salads which leave out the noodles, both with a choice of meat or vegetarian toppings.
The all-new evening menu will see the new HOP position itself as a post-work destination for quick and easy dinners and drinks. Small plates designed for sharing will include a variety of chicken wings and vegetable gyoza. Individual portions or platters of steamed bao buns with a choice of fillings including Hoisin pulled beef, pumpkin croquette and chicken satay are set to be a house favourite. The cocktail list will see Asian twists on classics such as the Hot Damn, Vietnam – a spicy margarita with a sriracha salt rim.
The new Leadenhall site will be HOP’s flagship venue; the 80 cover space is set to become a new hub for breaks, meetings, remote working, quick catch-ups and socials. The front glass wall will be dressed with a golden HOP sign, light boxes featuring vintage Vietnamese posters and neon signs acting as both focal points and promotional tools. Inside, walls and units will be finished with colourful floral print wallpaper to match HOP’s unique packaging. A counter and fridges will offer speedy service, while the bar is a HOP first! Seating will be across two levels, with banquets and larger tables alongside plenty of small tables for those dining alone.
This new style of HOP marks a new era for Paul and the group, growing the brand beyond its existing grab and go status. With an army of loyal customers already established, who are sure to hop in, HOP Leadenhall is set to make its mark on the City’s foodie map offering something both familiar and an exciting new evening experience.