Normally when a restaurant causes a buzz it's because a celeb has taken to it.
But there are no Kardashians here, Rihanna and her baby bump aren't involved, no politicians or players posted about it online.
There's just Aaron, the guy who writes the descriptions and he is the hero we need in 2022.
Ong Ong Buns is an unassuming Chinese food spot in the Brick Lane area of London. It's popular with locals, but it's not a spot that had worldwide attention until now.
According to their website:
"Ong Ong Buns is London's artisanal Chinese bakery and dim sum cafe."
"We are a Hong Kong/Malaysian family-owned business that bakes in the shop's kitchen."
"Take away or dine-in to our famous Pandan & Coconut Cake, Sausage Roti, Almond Cookie, and Ong Ong Nom."
Recently, a customer tweeted about the hilariously honest descriptions the restaurant used for the menu items.
People value authenticity in their writing, and it's hard to get more authentic than these descriptions. They're the sort of thing you wish your server would tell you, but they usually can't because management frowns on that level of honesty.
Not Ong Ong Buns.
"Slightly Meh" is a whole mood.
Can't get enough of these searingly honest menu item descriptions from the Chinese bakery near mepic.twitter.com/FSMaorAmQZ— Ed Fear (@Ed Fear) 1643396626
Please enjoy the four screenshots the customer included.
We certainly did.
@edfear/Twitter
@edfear/Twitter
@edfear/Twitter
@edfear/Twitter
The honesty was a big hit.
There are few things I can realate to on the same level as: "slightly meh"https://twitter.com/edfear/status/1487139355823120387\u00a0\u2026— Matej Samide (mit Maske) (@Matej Samide (mit Maske)) 1643616750
shots firedpic.twitter.com/wpwQG7TvE5— Jorts Shrimpton (@Jorts Shrimpton) 1643460273
This is how I used to describe food to customers, anti-upsell gang ganghttps://twitter.com/edfear/status/1487139355823120387\u00a0\u2026— Avatar Kyoshi's Big Ass Feet Dupree (@Avatar Kyoshi's Big Ass Feet Dupree) 1643553525
\u201cI think it\u2019s overrated. But you do what you want to do\u201d— Colette Vignocchi \ud83d\udc8e (@Colette Vignocchi \ud83d\udc8e) 1643406479
Tag yourself I\u2019m slightly mehhttps://twitter.com/edfear/status/1487139355823120387\u00a0\u2026— It\u2019s Alright, Ma (I\u2019m Only Bleating) (@It\u2019s Alright, Ma (I\u2019m Only Bleating)) 1643553547
The fact that there isn't even a picture for the last onepic.twitter.com/E4rbDONA6l— Darke Imp (@Darke Imp) 1643531736
every restaurant needs to be like thishttps://twitter.com/edfear/status/1487139355823120387\u00a0\u2026— mel (follow limit era) (@mel (follow limit era)) 1643538280
The turkey ham and egg bun description speaks to me, egg unenjoyers rise up— \ud83c\udf4eMiju\ud83c\udf4e (@\ud83c\udf4eMiju\ud83c\udf4e) 1643531656
As the restaurant gained more and more attention, word got around to the person who wrote the descriptions people loved so much.
And that's where the story takes a heartwarming turn.
Ong Ong Buns posted an update from Aaron Mo.
It turns out Aaron has neurodiversities and has faced a lifetime of people making fun of his communication style. Having people respond so positively to his writing has been a source of joy.
His message to the public read:
"From Aaron,"
"As a dyslexic with autism, I have crippling anxiety about letting people read my writing. Like many dyslexics, people made fun of my communication style and mistakes (that I can not see), spoke to me as a second class colleague, and made me feel useless."
"Starting Ong Ong Buns (and not having talent to bake) meant I had to take on the marketing, customer-facing and other writing tasks. Nightmare."
"However, for the first time in almost 40 years, my ‘different’ communication style made people happy (but not in a cynical way). Even better, haters were making nitpicking comments and people defended me! Thank you, especially Ed Fear."
Now people are even more in love.
So great. For the first time in my life, I'm glad I tweeted.— Ed Fear (@Ed Fear) 1643581321
OMG— Colette Vignocchi \ud83d\udc8e (@Colette Vignocchi \ud83d\udc8e) 1643580404
Me working customer service and autistically describing my wares:https://twitter.com/edfear/status/1487139355823120387\u00a0\u2026— Tank (@Tank) 1643819088
The follow up warms my heart https://twitter.com/edfear/status/1487905699288186882?t=e3wbPP_rSgxKDEA2F8P2QQ&s=19\u00a0\u2026https://twitter.com/edfear/status/1487139355823120387\u00a0\u2026— Ada Mau \u2728 (@Ada Mau \u2728) 1643582394
Welcome to being a writer, Aaron Mo!
Your authenticity is awesome.
Also, you're absolutely right about eggs and I'm glad someone finally said it.