Opening in The Orient, the Korean street food brand is set bring its signature dishes, including Korean corn dogs, tteokbokki, fried chicken, and kimbap, to the shopping centre. The new site joins Bunsik’s site in Piccadilly Gardens that opened in 2023 and which was the Korean brand’s first restaurant outside of London.
“We have been truly overwhelmed by the incredible love and support Manchester has shown us since we opened at Piccadilly Gardens,” says Jae Cho, founder of Bunsik.
“Seeing so many people enjoy our food every day gave us the confidence to believe that Bunsik could truly become a nationwide brand.
“We hope our new home becomes just as beloved a spot for everyone in Manchester and the surrounding areas.”
The move is part of a continued push by Bunsik’s owner Maguro Group into the city. It also recently launched a site of its Korean restaurant Bullgogi in Manchester’s Piccadilly Plaza, which it says is the biggest Korean BBQ restaurant in the UK.
The group, which also operates a Bullgogi in London’s Notting Hill, is set to open a third restaurant under the brand in Little Venice in north west London.
Trafford Centre growth
Bunsik will join operators including Nichi, Chit ‘n’ Chaat, Hello Oriental, and Jerk Junction at the Trafford Centre, with F&B described as the second fastest-growing sector in the venue with year-on-year sales up by 9.8% as of October 2025.
Growth has been driven by high footfall at key spaces such as its Eastern Gardens, which opened in 2025, and The Orient - the largest food court within a European shopping centre.
“We’re delighted to welcome Bunsik to Trafford Centre later this spring,” says Kitty Vaughan, head of UK F&B and Leisure at Pradera Lateral, Trafford Centre’s asset managers.
“The brand adds new and further depth to our offering, supporting our position as a leading venue for retail, leisure and dining.
“There continues to be strong demand from innovative operators looking to secure space at Trafford Centre, and Bunsik’s arrival is another positive example of this.”
Busnik’s other locations include Leicester square, Embankment, Camden, Westfield Stratford, Earl’s Court, Chinatown and Shepherd’s Bush as well as its Manchester restaurant in Piccadilly Gardens and Bristol site in Cabot Circus.