New Eateries Transform Reading's Kings Walk Mall

Fresh faces have arrived at Reading's Kings Walk shopping mall - rebranded 'The Village' around 10 years ago by owners Atlantis Properties - which has become a town-centre eating destination.

The Village is home to two Chili's Indian restaurants, Pho, DingTea, JieLi Hotpot, Bahn Mi Qb, The Soju, Take Your Time and the Escape Hunt escape room.

One of the latest arrivals is Chill Cup, a Hong Kong-style café on the upper floor. It serves food, desserts and speciality drinks and also sells trading cards from Pokémon, Naruto and One Piece, plus toys and accessories. Among the Pokémon cards on display were Pikachu, Mewtwo, and Gyarados.

Wilber Lee, who was at the serving desk, said: "Basically, we sell bubble tea and also sell some snack food from Asia, specifically Hong Kong.

"We have egg waffles, steamed bowls, stir fry, fish bowl.

"And also we are very happy to do a set menu as well."

Guests can choose from a street food snack-and-drink meal or an egg waffle-and-drink combo.

Mr Lee added: "The Hong Kong people are most likely to order the food and drink here.

"The local people, they want Pokémon."

The first café called 'My Cup of HK Tea' began at Leeds Kirkgate Market; the Reading site opened in February.

"During the heatwave, not many people have been coming out, so business has dropped a bit, but we're doing ok."

The Village is accessed from ground level, with entrances in Kings Street and from The Oracle Riverside at Yield Hall Place.

Churros Kitchen has been replaced with Neko Kitchen, which opened on March 20. Menu items include Takoyaki (octopus balls), Japanese fried chicken (karaage), Japanese curry rice, gyoza and bubble tea.

Near that entrance, My Warsaw Polish street food has been replaced by Laddu Box, which specialises in Indian sweet treats and drinks and opened in November.

Outside, the High Spirits Cocktail Company closed in August last year and has been replaced with Celeste cocktail and shisha lounge. According to its website, Celeste is open from 6.30pm to 1am on Thursdays, and 6.30pm to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter