Elizabeth Street eatery LÜCHA Kitchen + Bar became an immediate sensation when it launched as part of the FudoDori precinct in 2019. The brainchild of seasoned hospitality operator Suellen Lei shone a spotlight on some culinary trends that were surging in China, namely the infusion of tea into LÜCHA’s food and beverage offering – we’re talking everything from dipping sauces and broths to the venue’s bubble teas and cocktails. The concept has remained a buzzing fixture of the culinary hub, with regulars frequently jostling for a seat inside the cosy eatery at lunch and dinner time. As is only natural when people discover something they come to love, they quickly crave more of it. Since the restaurant’s opening, Suellen has received numerous enquiries from LÜCHA fans regarding large bookings, private functions and banquet-style dining – things that the Elizabeth Street space was too small and too busy to accommodate (only one table could fit ten patrons). Seeing that her restaurant concept boasted loads of untapped potential, Suellen decided to expand LÜCHA’s footprint. Not interested in merely replicating the brand in a different site, Suellen sought a site that could house a different kind of experience. Two Albert Lane tenancies (formerly home to Comuna Cantina and Little Singapore) were snagged, merged and significantly refurbished for LÜCHA Black – a slick bar and eatery boasting a sophisticated black, gold and green colour scheme, arched windows, speckled stone-topped tables, cushy banquets and roomy booths, with a seating capacity for more than 150 guests spread across the laneway, interior dining room and curtained private-dining space.
LÜCHA Black’s larger footprint has allowed Suellen and her team to curate a malleable all-occasion offering of modern Chinese fare, maintaining the jasmine-tea-infused magic of its sibling site and elevating it across its grab-and-go selection and dine-in experiences. Many LÜCHA signatures feature on the LÜCHA Black menu, from the delectable siu mai dumplings, mango salty egg–custard buns and duck san choy bao to tea-flavoured roast chicken, braised pork belly with pu’er tea sauce and jasmine-tea-smoked wagyu beef. An assortment of stone bowl, clay pot, classic rice, noodle and congee dishes, and bar snacks make the menu quite extensive, but it’s the new additions that will really tickle the tastebuds of fans new and old. A set banquet will treat diners to a greatest-hits selection of eats, while an indulgent chef’s special banquet features curated selection of off-menu items – the go-to option for diners seeking a personalised dining experience. Extra kitchen space also allows for an in-house Peking duck menu, which sees a whole succulent duck seasoned with spices and roasted, before being delicately carved and served across three courses. Cocktail cravers will get a kick out of LÜCHA Black’s bar menu, especially signature cocktails like the Time For Tea (oolong tea, elderflower, gin and lime juice), the BOBA pina colada (white rum, Malibu, coconut cream, pineapple juice and black pearls) and the Sweet Storm (gin, Baileys, green tea and jasmine-tea soft-serve). A lengthy wine list, tap and bottled beer (plus three-litre beer towers), ice-cream-infused and sparkling fruity teas and milk teas round out the beverage selection, but don’t forget about the desserts – particularly the tea-infused soft-serve ice-cream, which can be served in a waffle cone or in a cup with a scoop of boba.
LÜCHA Black Bar and Dining celebrates its soft opening today, Thursday April 22, and will be giving away free soft-serve ice-cream to the first 50 customers between 12:00–2:00 pm. Head to the Stumble Guide for contact info and opening hours.
