One of east London's most celebrated culinary talents is making a highly anticipated return to the capital this month. Chef Whyte Rushen, who closed his acclaimed London Fields restaurant, Whyte's, at the start of 2025, is launching a new temporary dining concept.
From London Fields to a World Tour
Whyte's, which earned a five-star review from Time Out and featured on prestigious lists of Hackney's and London's best restaurants, shut its doors after just 15 months of operation. The closure in early 2025 was followed by what the team dubbed a 'culinary gap year' or 'world tour', which saw chef Rushen and restaurateur Livi Akers cooking in 30 different cities across the globe.
Their journey included a significant three-week residency in Tokyo, an experience that has directly inspired their latest venture. After testing the waters with a festive pop-up at Dalston's Marquee Moon in December, the duo is now ready for a proper homecoming.
The Rotten Octopus Pop-Up Experience
Dubbed Rotten Octopus, the new project will be a short, izakaya-style residency running for four days only. It will take place at Clara's Bistro on Bethnal Green Road in Shoreditch from January 17 to 20, 2026.
The menu is a direct homage to the casual drinking and dining establishments of Tokyo. It features a concise but ambitious 14-dish selection designed for sharing. Standout items promise to include:
- Eel prepared three ways: sweet BBQ unagi, nori tempura, and a smoked eel skin broth.
- Roasted kippers served with a house tartare potato salad.
- Drunken clams, karaage quail, and a slow-cooked pig ear roll.
- Char sui honey chicken.
What This Means for London's Food Scene
The return of Whyte Rushen is a significant event for London's culinary landscape. His previous restaurant was noted for its simple elegance and exceptional cooking, quickly garnering a loyal following. This pop-up offers Londoners a chance to rediscover his talent and experience the flavours that influenced him during his travels.
Rotten Octopus represents more than just a temporary restaurant; it's a glimpse into the future direction of a respected chef. Whether this leads to a permanent new site or further innovative pop-ups remains to be seen, but for four days this month, Shoreditch will host one of the city's most exciting culinary comebacks.
The address for the pop-up is Clara's, 17 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA. Booking details are expected to be released imminently for what will likely be a highly sought-after dining experience.
