REVIEWRESTAURANT
I was brought back to
earth by being handed
a menu that comes
complete with images,
which I kinda liked.
What I also liked is that
this place is totally
traditional, genuine
and authentic. It
doesn’t succumb to the
British squeamishness
of “crude food”, so you
will find and see
chicken feet here!
Sesame Prawn Rolls
(£3.95) - My friend
dining is a prawn toast
fan, but only when
they’re done really well
and Royal China’s got
thumbs up all round.
Sealing its success via
huge prawns (and not
mashed beyond being
recognisable like you so
often see). The
imperfection to their
craft also added a
welcomed air of
authenticity. Everything
we ordered was clearly
made and cooked on site
from scratch.
Smoked Bacon Rolls with
Chicken (£5.50) - Exclusive to
the Queensway menu. Sweet
presentation of gently steamed
chicken wrapped in bacon and
spring onion. I really enjoyed
these delicately flavoured rolls,
but I can see how it may be an
odd experience for someone that
may usually have their bacon
crispy, as steamed bacon may be
off putting for some.
Honey Roast Pork Puffs (£3.85)
crumbly but moist
sausage centre with a
strong onion flavour.
Black Sesame
Dumplings (£4.10) - I
loved the thought of
sweet dumplings, but
these powdered puff
balls are harvesting a
warm, savoury grey
matter (black sesame
paste of some sort).
The flavour much like
the restaurant’s decor
was just a little,
disconcerting! The grey
matter was not
welcome on the table.
Chilled Mango Pudding
(£3.65) - Contrasting
the shadowy sesame
dumplings came this
wibbly-wobbly, bright
corn yellow coloured
pudding. Tasting
ROYAL CHINA
ADDRESS: 13 Queensway, London, W2 4QJ
strong with fresh
STAR RATING: ★★★ (explained)
mango, the
PRICE: £££ (explained)
presentation was cute
TIPPING POLICY: Discretionary
& kitsch in a heart
rcguk.co.uk
shape atop a school
canteen style plastic
- I had to bear with this dish as it
plate.
Very
sweet in every way.
is instantly heavy; sickly sweet
honey pastry, with savoury being
virtually undetectable, but more The service was fluid and warm,
bites brought forward the bacon our drinks topped up regularly
and food came as it was ready
and its salty smokiness, then
from the kitchen. I really love
toasty, nutty sesame seeds.
how Royal China’s authenticity
shone through at every
Pan-Fried Gyoza (£3.75) - Now
these were love at first bite. I lust opportunity (and yes I suppose
over gyoza and this was seriously the decor and sesame grey
matter is part of this too). Royal
superior to the many others I
China’s gift to you is their gyoza
have sampled. Its exterior part
crisp and golden and then areas and their generous portioning
of wet pancake make great for a with meat/fish filled dishes,
trip of textures that are then met making Royal China great grub
for your buck too.
with a very well seasoned
THEGAYUK | ISSUE 17 | DEC 2015 29