Food & Drink


You have a new business partner in this venture? Yeah, his name is Jung Moon. Jung moved to Vancouver in 2015 from Mexico, and with a love of Hawaiian ‘Poke’ and all things Mexican, created a fusion of the two cuisines. e opened his first shop in  and called it Pokeritto, which has expanded to 17 franchises in Greater Vancouver. This is an incredible achievement when one factors 2+ years of Covid, but also because of Vancouver’s market dynamics. Vancouver is a small market, with thousands of Pan Asian food establishments, and a very high standard for freshness and quality.


It’s also


one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world, and when one is successful in securing a property, building permits can take up to 2 years for approval. Things move very slowly in Vancouver, and it’s for these reasons we’re extremely excited to launch Stickbug in the UK.


So why not Pokeritto? We tested the UK market for Poke, but the awareness for Poke just isn’t broad enough to support what would ultimately be 4 brands chasing the same consumer. Weather was an important factor too, as Poke is comprised of primarily cold fish and saladstyle dishes, which people tend not to eat when the weather gets cold and wet. In the end, we felt Korean style Street food, comprised mainly of hot protein rice and noodle bowls, had broader appeal to the customer and offered greater expansion opportunities.


So how broad is your menu? The menu has been extensively developed and built on maturity and knowledge by one of the World’s most predominant Korean Chefs, ensuring authenticity of taste along with highly refined product selection and portion control. This wasn’t easy to do without fryers, griddles and stoves, but once we got the hang of things, we found we could create a robust, diverse, quick, and delicious offer. Sides and starters boast six tempting


items including Garlic Soy, or Sweet and Spicy hicen ings, our signature airfried crispy K Fries, topped with sesame aeeds and aeaweed, and the enormously popular Tteokbokki, a spicy rice cake. A choice of white rice, brown rice or noodles can be served with a side dish of traditional Korean kimchi. Naturally, the big noise is always about our bowls. After choosing a bowl, you select your base of either rice, noodles or salad which can then be crowned with any of


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12 lovingly prepared mains. Traditionally prepared chicken dishes such as Buldak and Gochujang, a broad seafood offering including tuna, prawns and Salmon and ulgogistyle beef in enticing sauces and a kaleidoscope of fresh sautéed vegetables ensure a fast and healthy meal. Crispy tofu, barbequed chickpea and a superfood bowl ensures that the most discerning customer is not missing out on the uniqueness offered from Korean food.


“Our margins are incredible and the business is simple to oete too ts oa to hae un in usiness and thats ou mission o ticug” This taste experience is transported to


our drink menu, with premium loose leaf teas, and functional lattes, rich in body and mind benefits. nd, of course, it wouldnt be Korean without the creamy texture of Dalgona Coffee.


So where do you stand today, in terms of expansion into the UK? Our plan is to joint venture with a solid operator to launch our flagship location, which will most likely be in the greater ondon area. eve identified and are evaluating 30+ properties in greater London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leicester, and are woring with five franchise prospects who see the same potential we do. Those who sign on early are receiving strong incentives to help us make Stickbug a household name in the UK. 


stickbug.co.uk


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