Chinese restaurants
The issue with Chinese food outside of China is that it get's westernised to a point beyond recognition. We end up eating the same greasy, MSG slush from one place to the next which can be truly frustrating if you are out for the authentic flavours of the East.
China, being such a large country, has a variety of cuisine scattered across it's terrain, about five thousand cooking styles in total with eight main regional cuisines. You can find each of these in London but below are a few of our favourites that we have listed.
Our first pick is New Mayflower Chinese Restaurant on Shaftesbury Avenue. It serves traditional home cooked Guangdong or Cantonese style dishes. These are all light and fresh tasting dishes that are very popular, including steamed fish and Dim Sum. If you haven't had Dim Sum before this is the place to try it. The closest European equivalent would be tapas, with it's selection of small dishes. Many of these are steamed but you can also get spring roll type dishes.
Our recommendation in this restaurant will be the fish, there is a huge selection including lobster and all of it freshly cooked in complimentary spices and sauces.
Westerners love to mix their flavours when it comes to oriental cuisine and the Bugis Street Brassiere is a prime example of this. Mixing Cantonese and Singaporean styles of cooking and recipes the result is a hugely popular bistro with a tantalising menu.
Dishes are a little spicy and use both fresh and dried chillies for seasoning. Out of all our Chinese restaurant picks this has to be the best value for money with fantastic lunchtime and weekend offers. You can expect to find many traditional dishes on the menu including our favourite, crispy duck.
If you feel like tasting a bit of history then head on down to the Dragon Castle in Walworth right near Elephant and Castle tube station. They serve traditional Hunan cuisine which includes stir fired tripe slivers and peppery hot chicken. These dishes date back more than two thousand years and generally are quite spicy, this is said to be due to the Humidity of the region.
What is so impressive about this restaurant is its oasis style decor and atmosphere. We think that LBC listener Kyra from Nunhead describes it beautifully, 'Its location in grimy Elephant and Castle may put some people off, but don't let the horrors of the huge grey roundabout stop you; once inside, you are transported to a beautiful calm and restful oasis with twinkling chandeliers and the pleasing sound of running water as the koi carp at the entrance splash about happily.'
Menu's can be confusing and at the Phoenix Palace in Marylebone, confusing their customers with their huge selection of dishes is their speciality. Our mouths were watering at the fish selection and that is only a small part of the menu. What this place does best is their Zhejiang sweet and sour dishes, particularly the traditional fish dishes. Not only does the food impress here but also the decor and service. Smartly dressed in gold costumes the tentative staff ensure that you enjoy a seamlessly effortless meal.
The food serves is light, fresh and flavoursome. Overall a great spot to hit if you're willing to pay out for this kind of experience.