Somewhere between the neon-lit memories of 1980s Hong Kong and the restless creativity of Shoreditch, Z He brought something unexpected to Brick Lane: Bun House Disco. It’s not just a restaurant—it’s a full sensory experience where bao meets bassline, and every cocktail tells a story. Designed to be immersive, nostalgic, and a little chaotic, the space captures the creative spirit of East London with every glowing detail. We caught up with Z He to talk dumplings, disco balls, and what it means to make a cultural moment, not just a meal.
Bun House Disco feels like stepping straight into 1980s Hong Kong. What sparked the idea to blend bao, beats, and disco vibes?
The idea started with a feeling—nostalgia for the neon-soaked energy of late-night Hong Kong mixed with the creative chaos of Shoreditch. We’ve always wanted to do more than serve food. We wanted to create an immersive experience. Buns and disco might not seem like the obvious pairing, but they share something fundamental: joy, warmth, and a bit of messiness. It’s a celebration of flavour and freedom.
You’ve got Canto synthpop on the stereo and red neon on the walls. How did you go about designing a space that feels so transportive?
We treated the space like a memory reimagined—a cinematic version of old Hong Kong filtered through an East London lens. Everything from the flickering disco ball to the textured tiles was chosen to evoke movement, heat, and electricity. The Canto synthpop brings the streets of Mong Kok into the room, while the red light bathes everything in that unmistakable late-night glow. It’s dreamlike but grounded.
Wontons, fluffy bao, Cantonese teas, and craft cocktails—what was your vision for the perfect Bun House Disco menu?
The menu is built around comfort and surprise. We wanted to honour the rich tradition of Cantonese classics, street food, and even home cooking while adding playful twists that reflect the disco energy—boozy teas, deep-fried indulgence, and unapologetically bold flavours. It’s food that makes you want to order one more round and stay a little longer.
Post-9pm, the place shifts into full-on nightclub mode. Was it always part of the plan to make it a true late-night Shoreditch hangout?
Absolutely. We didn’t want people to just dine and dash—we wanted them to dance, linger, flirt, and lose track of time. The shift into nightclub mode was always part of the vision. It’s our way of extending the night. Bun House Disco isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a whole night out.
You’ve captured the hedonistic spirit of old Hong Kong beautifully. How does it feel bringing that energy to Brick Lane today?
It’s surreal in the best way. Brick Lane has always been a melting pot—vibrant, gritty, and alive. Bringing that Hong Kong energy here just felt right. There’s a shared DNA between the two cultures: a love of food, nightlife, and that rebellious undercurrent. Seeing people dance under the red glow, bun in hand, is everything we hoped for.
Your cocktails use Chinese herbs and spices in bold, creative ways. Any signature drink that you think perfectly sums up Bun House Disco?
Our signature cocktail is the Chrysanthemum Martini—a true reflection of East meets West. It’s built around chrysanthemum wine, a spirit produced in our founder’s hometown in China. We’re proud to be the only venue in all of Europe with this on our shelf. The flavour is intensely floral yet incredibly delicate, unlike anything most people have tasted before. Chrysanthemum itself has a rare, elegant profile that sets the tone for the whole Bun House Disco experience—unexpected, refined, and just a little wild. It’s everything you want in your hand on a great night out.
Shoreditch is packed with bold openings, but Bun House Disco really stands out. How do you think your space taps into the East London creative spirit?
Shoreditch thrives on experimentation and contradiction—it’s where grit meets polish. Bun House Disco is the same. We didn’t play it safe. We leaned into chaos, colour, and cultural layering. I think people here respond to that fearlessness.
From Beigel Bake to HOKO, Brick Lane is buzzing with iconic flavours. How do you see Bun House Disco adding a fresh layer to the local scene?
We’re not here to compete—we’re here to contribute. We add a sensory, late-night layer to the Brick Lane story. We’re bringing back the dinner-into-disco vibe, with a Cantonese twist. That kind of immersive food-meets-music-meets-midnight-chaos energy is something Brick Lane didn’t quite have before.
Food, music, atmosphere—they all feel equally important at Bun House Disco. Which element came first when you started dreaming up the concept?
The atmosphere came first. We knew we wanted to create a world. Once that world existed—neon-lit, pulsing, smoky—the food and music flowed naturally into it. It all had to feel cohesive, like one big cinematic moment.
Congratulations on being on the map for the first edition of foldthe.word how did all come together?
It’s a huge honour. foldthe.world really understands spaces that tell stories—and Bun House Disco is all about storytelling through experience. They reached out after our soft launch, came in, and just got it. We were thrilled to be included among such a thoughtful and visionary lineup.
What does foldthe.world mean to you ?
To us, it’s a celebration of the tactile, the emotional, the in-between spaces. It’s not about trends—it’s about places with a pulse. Being part of that narrative means the world, especially as a space that lives at the intersection of culture, memory, and play.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Bun House Disco? More disco balls, late-night dumpling parties, or even another spot somewhere else in London?
All of the above! We’re already dreaming up wonton karaoke, maybe even a disco Mahjong night this summer. Expansion? Possibly—but only if the energy’s right. For now, we’re focused on turning every night at Shoreditch into a little slice of delicious chaos.
xxx
This interview is part of Foldthe.world series. Foldthe.world is a collectable art poster distributed around Shoreditch, combined with curated insiders map helping you to shorten distance and time made by TOANDPARTNERS productions and supported by Made in Shoreditch Magazine.
Follow @foldthe.world on Instagram for the latest updates, interviews, and new additions to the creative map of East London.
