Meet the Grainger Market Traders: The Rice Kitchen
Meet Jade Gu, the mind behind Grainger Market’s new addition The Rice Kitchen
New businesses gravitate towards Newcastle’s Grainger Market and its most recent addition is The Rice Kitchen, a rice-focused food spot specialising in freshly made onigiri and authentic matcha drinks.
We had a chat with owner Jade Gu to find out more about her mission to bring the traditional flavours from her childhood in China to the heart of Grainger Market.
How did you end up living in Newcastle?
I moved to Newcastle four years ago to study at Newcastle University. After graduating, I decided to stay and build my life here. I really fell in love with the city and its community. Newcastle is very open and welcoming to different cultures, which made it feel like the right place to start my first business.
Who was your biggest food influence growing up?
I grew up in China, where rice is a staple food and an important part of everyday life. The traditional recipes I learned while growing up, along with my family’s cooking and the area where I was raised, have been my biggest inspiration. I want to celebrate my culture and share those authentic flavours with customers.
What inspired you to open your own restaurant?
When I came to the UK, I noticed how popular sushi and rice-based dishes are, with many supermarkets even having dedicated sushi sections. British food culture is incredibly diverse, and people in Newcastle are particularly open to different cuisines. That inspired me to open a rice-focused restaurant here - which is also where the name of my restaurant comes from.
I have loved Grainger Market since I first visited. It’s a truly unique place, and the support available for small start-ups - from setting up the shop to promoting the business - made me feel it was the right decision to open here.
What kind of food and drink does The Rice Kitchen serve?
The Rice Kitchen specialises in freshly made onigiri and authentic matcha drinks.
For our onigiri, we mix sushi rice with sushi vinegar to create fresh, flavourful rice balls. Our menu includes options such as inari sushi and tamago onigiri. Inari is a seasoned fried tofu pocket filled with a variety of toppings, including avocado, mango and tuna mayo. Our tamago onigiri includes Japanese omelette, protein and wild rocket, creating a balanced and nutritious combination.
We also cater to different dietary needs. For customers who require gluten-free options, we use gluten-free mayonnaise in selected items to ensure everyone can enjoy our food.
Matcha is currently very popular, and we are proud to offer authentic, traditional matcha drinks with a rich and original flavour.
What is your favourite Grainger Market stall (apart from The Rice Kitchen!)?
It’s hard to choose just one favourite trader! All the traders in Grainger Market are incredibly friendly and supportive.
What do you love most about Grainger Market?
What I love most is the strong sense of community. Whenever I have questions, other traders are always happy to help, and they have been very supportive in promoting my business. I’m truly happy to be part of the Grainger Market community. Everyone has been incredibly supportive, which, from day one, made me feel that opening my first business here was the right decision.
The Rice Kitchen is located in Unit 166 on Alley 4 in Grainger Market. For more information visit www.instagram.com/ricekitchen_ncl.
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