Asian-inspired dishes and cocktails are on offer at Pickled Fred, a new Shoreditch spot off Brick Lane opening on 30 August. As the name suggests, pickles and ferments will feature strongly on both the food and the cocktail menus.

The 50-cover restaurant and bar will open for dinner and weekend lunch from Wednesday 6 September at 61 Hanbury Street, with a 50% off food soft launch from 30 August-3 September.

Conceived by friends, Ben Lusty and Can Turker who share a passion for travel, Asian food and cocktails.

General Manager Ben (Som Saa, Cubana) and cocktail supremo Can (Berber & Q, Hawksmoor) became friends while working together at Zilouf’s in Islington and 100 Hoxton. They came up with the idea for their own place during a trip to Philippines, where they encountered Fred, a quirky, mischievous, pickle-stealing monkey. Back in London, the pair met chef Dan Borham,  who honed his craft cooking street food with the likes of Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, Fleisch Mob and Sub Cult.

The Asian-inspired food menu is concise, with snacks, small plates and flatbreads. Many of the dishes are vegan, dairy or gluten free (with chickpea pancakes replacing flatbreads). Snacks include: Jackfruit Scotch Egg, masala mayonnaise and Lotus Root Crisps, wasabi, avocado aquafaba. Small plates feature Grilled Octopus, harissa marinated chickpeas, black tahini, pickled red onions, preserved lemons and Beef Shin & Bone Marrow Rendang, pickled red chillies, crispy shallots. Flatbreads or Chickpea pancakes will come topped with Bahn Mi or Chermoula Aubergine as well as Harissa Lamb and Lemongrass Poached Prawns.

Can’s cocktail list features Fred’s Preserver (Green and Black Peppercorn infused vodka, preserved strawberry & rose petal wine, Suze, Aperol) and Smoking Goat (Butter-washed Tequila, Mezcal, pineapple, sweet basil, agave).