Nigel Ng is a Malaysian influencer-turned-restaurateur, though you’ll probably know him as ‘Uncle Roger.’ The comedian and content creator built a global following through his quick-witted online alter ego - a stereotypical Chinese uncle whose shtick is ruthless reviews of fried rice recipes. These days, his success extends beyond social media, with six Uncle Roger-themed restaurants in Malaysia and Kawan in London.
Around the time of the lockdown influencer boom, Uncle Roger took to YouTube to critique BBC presenter Hersha Patel’s egg fried rice tutorial. He’d been enacting his online persona on TikTok and Instagram for some time, but it was this video that went viral. Shortly after, he posted a video praising Gordon Ramsay’s rice recipe, and well, once you have Ramsay’s attention, there’s no going back. With an audience of around five million, Uncle Roger has since appeared on MasterChef Singapore, hosted comedy podcasts, and collaborated with the likes of Benny Blanco and Andy Hearnden.
After years of judging other people’s recipes, it came time for Unc to put his money where his mouth is. In 2024, he launched his first restaurant, Fuiyoh! It's Uncle Roger, in Kuala Lumpur, with neon orange fast food-style interiors and of course, fried rice. From there, his hospitality empire has grown, with five more outposts across Malaysia and, most recently, a restaurant in London.
Slap bang in the middle of Chinatown, Kawan (an endearing term for ‘friend’ in Malay) is a collaboration between Uncle Roger, London restaurateur Keng Yew, and Malaysian chef Daren Liew. Bright, quirky, and full of energy, Kawan is designed for informal, family-style dining, with a playful menu that draws on the full breadth and variety of Asian flavours, as well as some nods to British cuisine, and, you guessed it, Uncle Roger-approved fried rice.
These days, Nigel Ng lives in Los Angeles, but before that, he resided in London for eight years, and the city holds a special place in his heart, partly due to the fact that he first went viral while living in the capital. If you trust Uncle Roger’s judgement on fried rice, then you’ll be able to count on his restaurant recommendations.
Speedboat Bar, Soho and Notting Hill
![thai restaurant in soho and fried pork with fried egg]()
Uncle Roger says: 'This is a great Thai spot with delicious fried rice and such a cool vibe. Everything I’ve had here just works – bold flavours (sometimes a little too bold depending on your palate), great beer, and cocktails. It feels like you're transported to Bangkok for a moment, minus the humidity.'
Where: Location 30 Rupert Street, W1D 6DL; 191 Portobello Road, W11 2ED
Book now: Speedboat Bar Soho; Speedboat Bar at The Electric
Manteca, Shoreditch
![pigs head outside a restaurant and cacio e pepe pasta]()
Uncle Roger says: 'Every pasta dish here is a hit, but I wish it were easier to get a booking. You can tell they really focus on technique and ingredients, and it shows in how consistent everything is. It's simple dishes, done at a very high level. The restaurant changes the menu often, but every time I've gone, it's hit the mark.'
Where: 49-51 Curtain Road, EC2A 3PT
Book now: Manteca
The Araki, Mayfair
![chef pouring sauce into bowl and omakase bar]()
Uncle Roger says: 'I've had omakase all over the world, including many places in Japan, but in my opinion, this place is up there among the best. The attention to detail is incredible, and every piece feels very intentional. The executive chef there, Marty, is now a good friend.'
Where: 12 New Burlington Street, W1S 3BH
Book now: The Araki
YiQi, Leicester Square
![crispy pork with chillis and fragrant broth with noodles]()
Uncle Roger says: 'This place has been getting popular, and for good reason. They've found a way to create an Asian restaurant that combines Malaysian, Singaporean, and Indonesian flavors in a modern way. Their grilled meats are cooked perfectly and, honestly, it's a little surprising to see grilled meats on an Asian restaurant's menu unless it's a Korean/Japanese BBQ spot.'
Where: 14 Lisle Street, WC2H 7BE
Book now: YiQi
Yard Sale Pizza, Various London locations
![selection of pizzas and pizza chefs putting pizza in the oven]()
Uncle Roger says: 'It's a humble, unassuming little pizza place, but they fire out surprisingly good pizza. I've been to a couple of their locations now, and as a restaurateur, their consistency is enviable. Wood-fired, crispy crust, well-developed undercarriage - to me it just hits all the marks of a good pizza.'
Where: Various London locations
Book now: Yard Sale Pizza Hackney; Yard Sale Pizza Clapton; Yard Sale Pizza Crofton Park; Yard Sale Pizza Tottenham
If, like us, you love pinning new restaurant recommendations in your maps, check out more top foodie picks from Charmaine McHugo, Joo Won and Adam Spicer. And, if you want our two cents, here's SquareMeal's Top 100 Restaurants in London.