Best Chinese Central London
Discussion
R11ysf said:
What's your point? Doesn't stop Hunan or A Wong being very good restaurants.
And for those mentioning Wong Kei it hasn't been like it was for 5 years. I first went 20 years ago where a highlight in a group of 15 of us was when the 3rd person asked for a fork the waiter shouted "YOU WANT FORK, YOU GET FORK!"
Back then it was very cheap, cash only, huge portions and rude service - all pointing to a money laundering front. Now portions are much smaller, cost more they take cards and will even bring you a glass with your beer! No 4 packs still in ringpulls dumped on the table anymore!
Many better places in china town now.
They still do decent roast meat. Although they don't make their own won tun in the front any more.And for those mentioning Wong Kei it hasn't been like it was for 5 years. I first went 20 years ago where a highlight in a group of 15 of us was when the 3rd person asked for a fork the waiter shouted "YOU WANT FORK, YOU GET FORK!"
Back then it was very cheap, cash only, huge portions and rude service - all pointing to a money laundering front. Now portions are much smaller, cost more they take cards and will even bring you a glass with your beer! No 4 packs still in ringpulls dumped on the table anymore!
Many better places in china town now.
In the early 90s I was sat next to an American woman who ordered won tun noodle soup "without the soup", trying to explain that she just wanted noodles and won tun. The waiter shook his head and said "that is most f
king stupid thing I have ever heard"thebraketester said:
It still is cash only and they still are rude, but nowhere near the level they were.
Really? I was pretty sure I paid on card about 9 months ago but may have been mistaken.And yes, they are rude but only the level of China Town rude you sort of expect, not the comedy levels of before :-))
Mastodon2 said:
craigjm said:
How many of you recommending a joint have spent any time in China and not just Beijing or Shanghai central districts?
Go on then, since you're obviously getting ready to do it, tell us about your time in Kashgar and give us your expert opinion on London restaurants. 
R11ysf said:
craigjm said:
How many of you recommending a joint have spent any time in China and not just Beijing or Shanghai central districts?
What's your point? Doesn't stop Hunan or A Wong being very good restaurants.Anyway my recommendation for something semi-authentic is Chang's noodles in Holborn. The lamb noodle soup and spicy dishes are great.
Shaoxter said:
He has a point though, it's easy to recommend the expensive options (even though the same food would be 10% of the price in China).
Fair point, IF the thread was "Best Chinese in Guangzhou" but it isn't.I spent 6 weeks in Peru and I don't think that any of the Ceviche restaurants in London are anything close to an authentic cervicheria in Arequipa but that doesn't stop them being either good restaurants or good London take on Peruvian cuisine.
There is no point in comparing what is considered "authentic" when faced with what you have here. I mean we don't have live chickens out back to kill for that freshly killed taste either!
My point is that the vast majority of the Chinese restaurants in London and elsewhere are westernised where the food isn't recognised in China. Yes the chicken curry or pork chop suey might be amazing but it's not real Chinese food.
Surely if you want to experience "the best" Chinese in London you should seek out those places that are not only good quality but those that serve food that the Chinese themselves would eat and the style within which they eat it.
For me Michelin starred Chinese doesn't work and neither does Indian food in that style. try the chicken feet, the duck tounge, congee and all the others. If it's a menu full of curry, chop suey, sweet and sour etc then it may as well not be Chinese and if it isn't full to tue rafters with Chinese diners that also gives you anothe clue.
Surely if you want to experience "the best" Chinese in London you should seek out those places that are not only good quality but those that serve food that the Chinese themselves would eat and the style within which they eat it.
For me Michelin starred Chinese doesn't work and neither does Indian food in that style. try the chicken feet, the duck tounge, congee and all the others. If it's a menu full of curry, chop suey, sweet and sour etc then it may as well not be Chinese and if it isn't full to tue rafters with Chinese diners that also gives you anothe clue.
Begs the question why so many of the places in China town are full of errrr...... chinese people. In fact one of the litmus tests for me is the demographic of people eating in such places. Same as queueing to get into Kanada-ya ramen bar. There's a queue of japanese people for a reason.
Edited by thebraketester on Wednesday 26th July 16:25
thebraketester said:
Begs the question why so many of the places in China town are full of errrr...... chinese people. In fact one of the litmus tests for me is the demographic of people eating in such places. Same as queueing to get into Kanada-ya ramen bar. There's a cue of japanese people for a reason.
The ones in Chinatown are full of Chinese tourists who don't like Western food, doesn't mean those restaurants are any good. In a more residential area then yes, that would be a decent test.thebraketester said:
Begs the question why so many of the places in China town are full of errrr...... chinese people. In fact one of the litmus tests for me is the demographic of people eating in such places. Same as queueing to get into Kanada-ya ramen bar. There's a queue of japanese people for a reason.
Exactly but it's not just about the fact they are in there it is also what they are buying that you should take notice of and I agree with the point about Chinatown too Edited by thebraketester on Wednesday 26th July 16:25
I work on Regent St and am a frequent visitor to China Town. I can confirm that Won Kei takes cards, has good service and not bad food. They do a decent lunch menu for £5.50 but if you want to spend more than that, there are better places.
Best place in Central London in my experience is Bashan on Romilly Street, especially if you like Hunanese food http://bashanrestaurant.co.uk/about-bashan/
However, all my Chinese colleagues based out of our London office, when really treating themselves, head over to http://www.yipinchina.co.uk/ Yipin China in Angel. I've been on their recommendation and it is absolutely fantastic. Incredible flavours and sensible prices.
Best place in Central London in my experience is Bashan on Romilly Street, especially if you like Hunanese food http://bashanrestaurant.co.uk/about-bashan/
However, all my Chinese colleagues based out of our London office, when really treating themselves, head over to http://www.yipinchina.co.uk/ Yipin China in Angel. I've been on their recommendation and it is absolutely fantastic. Incredible flavours and sensible prices.
craigjm said:
My point is that the vast majority of the Chinese restaurants in London and elsewhere are westernised where the food isn't recognised in China. Yes the chicken curry or pork chop suey might be amazing but it's not real Chinese food.
Surely if you want to experience "the best" Chinese in London you should seek out those places that are not only good quality but those that serve food that the Chinese themselves would eat and the style within which they eat it.
For me Michelin starred Chinese doesn't work and neither does Indian food in that style. try the chicken feet, the duck tounge, congee and all the others. If it's a menu full of curry, chop suey, sweet and sour etc then it may as well not be Chinese and if it isn't full to tue rafters with Chinese diners that also gives you anothe clue.
I don't think the OP was after some tacky sSurely if you want to experience "the best" Chinese in London you should seek out those places that are not only good quality but those that serve food that the Chinese themselves would eat and the style within which they eat it.
For me Michelin starred Chinese doesn't work and neither does Indian food in that style. try the chicken feet, the duck tounge, congee and all the others. If it's a menu full of curry, chop suey, sweet and sour etc then it may as well not be Chinese and if it isn't full to tue rafters with Chinese diners that also gives you anothe clue.
thole selling egg foo yung, lemon chicken and sweet and sour pork. Similarly, I doubt most English diners would plump for some of the really authentic Chinese dishes containing bowels, beef tendon, rabbit heads and pig brains. There is a happy medium of authentic Chinese food available in the UK that is neither westernised rubbish or unpalatable to western tastes. That said, you're not the first person I've seen trying to give it the big 'un by banging on about just how s
t westernised Chinese food is and how it's not at all authentic. Who fking cares? I'd just as soon not eat crab Rangoon as I would braised pig brains and a century egg. The OP is after somewhere nice to eat out in London, not a hole-in-the-wall in downtown Chengdu. Go here:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1...
But order off the menu instead of from the "Western" counter at the front.
It's organised chaos and 100% no frills, but one of the more authentic places in London. You can even watch them make the hand-stretched noodles in front of you if you like.
My wife is Chinese and this is her favourite place. I'm often the only non-Chinese person in there.
This is the speciality: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamian
They do other dishes too though.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1...
But order off the menu instead of from the "Western" counter at the front.
It's organised chaos and 100% no frills, but one of the more authentic places in London. You can even watch them make the hand-stretched noodles in front of you if you like.
My wife is Chinese and this is her favourite place. I'm often the only non-Chinese person in there.
This is the speciality: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamian
They do other dishes too though.
Edited by XJ75 on Thursday 27th July 09:52
craigjm said:
How many of you recommending a joint have spent any time in China and not just Beijing or Shanghai central districts?
What a bizarre post.I've never set foot in a China, but when I eat Chinese food out in London it's normally with Chinese colleagues, born and raised in China, at places that they recommend.
Worst "I'm more sophisticated post than you" ever.
James_B said:
craigjm said:
How many of you recommending a joint have spent any time in China and not just Beijing or Shanghai central districts?
What a bizarre post.I've never set foot in a China, but when I eat Chinese food out in London it's normally with Chinese colleagues, born and raised in China, at places that they recommend.
Worst "I'm more sophisticated post than you" ever.
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