A food truck owner in Barking said he is "completely shocked" at the positive response after he upgraded his trailer to a double-decker bus.

Umar Muktar Bala, 39, set up Suya Hut in 2017 in Barking Market after leaving his job as a manager at Tesco.

Originally serving its food out of a small trailer, Suya Hut upgraded to a van in 2020 and last year moved onto a double-decker bus.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Umar originally served his food out of a trailerUmar originally served his food out of a trailer (Image: Umar Muktar Bala)

Barking and Dagenham Post: He then upgraded to a vanHe then upgraded to a van (Image: Umar Muktar Bala)

Umar said: “There’s so many stalls in Barking that you have to stand out for people to notice what you do…

“It’s mad – I was completely shocked at how much difference it made.

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“Now we have triple the customers. Before people would pass by and say hello and now…everyone that passes wants to take a picture, or call people and show them.”

Barking and Dagenham Post: The Suya Hut bus is normally stationed at Barking MarketThe Suya Hut bus is normally stationed at Barking Market (Image: Umar Muktar Bala)

Barking and Dagenham Post: Umar said the bus can fit around 40 people to dine-inUmar said the bus can fit around 40 people to dine-in (Image: Umar Muktar Bala)

He continued: “It is something I’ve thought about since I got my trailer.

“We were thinking about getting a shop – but everyone has a shop – and you have to find some way to stand out – it’s very challenging but very rewarding.”

@ig1ig3 Umar owner of Suya Hut in Barking has taken his business to the next level by Upgrading his Food Trailer to a bus 😳👏🏼 #IG1IG3 #barking #food #fyp #congratulations #levelup #motivation #ilford ♬ original sound - IG1IG3

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Umar said the bus, where people can dine-in with their food, can fit up to 40 people.

He said: “It is a very strange one…

“A lot of people are interested in what they see. They get a shock and then they want to come in and have a look and they are even more interested…

“How many times have you seen a bus restaurant? It’s a one-time kind of thing.”

Barking and Dagenham Post: Umar said he is planning on making his food at festivals in the summerUmar said he is planning on making his food at festivals in the summer (Image: Umar Muktar Bala)

Umar’s food is inspired by west African ‘suya’ – but he said it is ‘modified’ into burgers and wraps.

Umar said his bus would be travelling to festivals across London this summer.