Weybridge, Chinese Restaurant Guide

“Better-than-average Chinese” cuisine (“not cheap though”) and a “lovely atmosphere” ensure that this upscale Oriental remains “a local favourite”. The original branch of the now eight-strong (otherwise London-based) chain opened on the King’s Road in 1979, with this Esher spin-off opening just a little later – and, while the menu hasn’t changed much since that era, absolutely no one seems to mind.

“Great dim sum” and “fast and efficient service” ensure this Oriental spot is “always packed” – “I’m of Chinese descent and this is the best and most authentic Cantonese restaurant in SW London. My family love their crispy noodles and won’t eat anywhere else” (although a more jaded view puts its popularity down to “a lack of local competition”).

This stalwart family-run Chinese of over three decades’ standing is “always enjoyable” and continues to attract a high volume of consistent praise for somewhere in a trafficky suburban location (just north of Richmond, on the way to Kew).

The Lou family’s stalwart fixture is approaching its half a century in Acton (it opened in 1976). What’s sustained it over all these years? – a “consistently high standard of cooking, which combines with friendly service in a well-decorated dining room that’s usually nicely buzzing”. Top Menu Tip – “I’ve yet to have better spare ribs anywhere – including China!”

This “always reliable” and “slightly upmarket” Cantonese group “remains the standard that all other dim sum places should be judged against – exemplary is an overused term here but is very much justified”. But a somewhat dark cloud has hung over the operation since its prominent Baker Street branch was stripped of its licence to sell alcohol and fined £360,000 after a series of Home Office raids over six years discovered multiple cases of illegal immigrants working, in one case for 66 hours a week at almost half the minimum wage. As of August 2024, the Fulham Road branch is ‘Temporarily Closed’.

At the foot of a large, Hong Kong-owned hotel beside Shepherd’s Bush Green gyratory, this modern (rather anodyne) dining room has built a reputation, since it opened nearly ten years ago, for “absolutely wonderful” dim sum and superior roast duck from a wide-ranging menu. The food rating dropped a notch this year on the back of one or two reports of “average” results.

“It might not be for a true aficionado of Asian food, but the welcome is genuine, the food is always meticulously cooked and presented, service standards are high, and it has pleased us for many years” – one report neatly encapsulates the strong virtues of this rather “glamorous”, “good-but-pricey” Chinese group: a family-owned chain with branches in Knightsbridge, Mill Hill, Wandsworth Common and Esher. “Why not save yourself the trip to Chinatown and enjoy a meal without the crowds, bad service, and soulless dining rooms!”

This Wembley fixture (with spinoffs in Hatch End and Kingsbury) is best known for its all-you-can-eat Indian vegetarian buffet with a choice of 45 items, including an Indo-Chinese selection with dishes such as chilli paneer. The family-owned business started out 40 years ago as a market stall.

2023 Review: “Top-class Chinese food, served in canteen-style surroundings” has arrived in Balham with the pandemic-delayed opening of this first solo project from Chi San, former right-hand man to Alan Yau of Yauatcha and Hakkasan fame. The relatively short menu is filled with standard dishes from the Cantonese culinary canon, modernised through the use of high-quality produce, and there’s an interesting selection of beers, wines and teas.

“Fresh-cooked, cheap Chinese food in good portions – and in an area of overpriced restaurants” – means fans are “so glad we have Stick & Bowl”: a no-frills canteen that’s been a landmark of Kensington High Street for over 30 years now; and where a curry with rice or noodle dish will set you back well under a tenner. Top Menu Tip – “the pork belly is to die for”.

“As good as anywhere in town, never mind the views” – “amazing!”; this deluxe Chinese dining room at the top of a five-star hotel in Kensington remains an unusually impressive all-rounder. It’s “best to go in daylight, because of the panoramic view of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park” and offers “a most professional and delightful experience from start to finish”. Thankfully, this includes the exceptional Chinese cuisine. “The Peking Duck, ordered in advance, is the best ever” and “dim sum is special” too: “cannot be beaten for quality or presentation!”. Top Menu Tip – “you could pass over the pre-order duck and concentrate instead on working your way through other options, such as the Gong Bao king prawns with cashew nuts and chilli (brilliant) and the beef with black pepper sauce. Not to forget the delicious range of teas, which is topped up regularly”.

Just off the King’s Road, this Chelsea Malaysian endures on a site that’s prominent if you are local, and out-of-the-way if you are not. It owes its longevity to a menu of “really good Malay/Chinese combinations”.

This “surprisingly good Chinese” in Putney specialises in the cuisines of Shanghai and Sichuan, and the “flavours and produce” are by all accounts “excellent” (even better if you “ask for the Chinese menu”). Top Menu Tip – “particularly fine duck”.

The first UK branch of one of China’s largest chains (with more than 6,000 branches around the world) opened without fanfare in early 2024, just off Hammersmith Broadway. You can eat anything you like, so long as it’s Malatang (hotpot): choose your own custom ingredients from the chiller cabinets lining the wall, place your order and you are called up when your broth has been prepared. A big TikTok hit with Asian students, it also got a thumbs-up from Daily Mail critic Tom Parker Bowles in his April 2024 review.