Hyundai’s launching Britain’s first in-car restaurant using its Inster EV – and it’s designed specifically for people who want to dine alone.
The compact city crossover will host “Backseat Bites” for one night only in London. The pop-up restaurant serves Korean food to solo diners or couples right from the vehicle’s spacious interior.
The concept draws inspiration from Honbap – a South Korean cultural trend that celebrates dining alone.
Hyundai says the timing reflects growing British appetite for solo experiences. The company’s research shows 45% of Britons have gone to the cinema alone, while 55% have taken solo holidays. Two-thirds have eaten out by themselves.
The restaurant features custom artwork by illustrator Yoy Han on the exterior. Inside, the rear seats fold flat to create a table for two diners.
London’s Chung’Dam restaurant curated the authentic Korean menu for the experience.
“Backseat Bites is more than just a restaurant,” said Ashley Andrew, president of Hyundai and Genesis UK. “Designed for the nation’s adventurers, whether solo or with friends, it offers guests an entirely unique taste of Korea from an unexpected location – the backseat of a car.”
Andrew highlighted the Inster’s spacious interior and fold-flat seating as key features that make the dining concept possible.
“From the bespoke artwork to the traditional cuisine, Backseat Bites is a celebration of Korean culture and a tribute to the joy of doing things your own way.”
Backseat Bites opens Wednesday, October 22, 2025 in London’s Soho. Reservations are available for free here.
Hyundai’s Previous EV Hospitality Ventures
This isn’t Hyundai’s first unconventional EV-powered destination. In 2022, the company opened the world’s first EV-powered hotel in Essex.
The one-off destination featured a luxury log cabin, restaurant and cinema – all powered by a Hyundai Ioniq 5’s vehicle-to-load system. Food critic and TV presenter Grace Dent curated that experience.
The Ioniq 5’s bidirectional charging capability allowed it to power the entire hospitality setup, demonstrating how EVs can serve as mobile power sources beyond transportation.
