Today is all about Dim Sum. Shanghai. No. Four Seasons. No. Royal China. Yes.

So we didn’t end up making it to Dalston to eat at Shanghai. After leaving the house and walking to the bus stop on Parnell Road, we realised that we didn’t really know how to get there on foot and we were better off going central. After switching between Queensway and China Town about 10 times we stayed on the Central line and made our way in the drizzle to Four Seasons (84 Queensway) – the Roast Duck specialist… the clue, is in the name. The pile of ducks in the A quick glance at the menu we quickly realised the error of our ways and swiftly headed out back onto Queensway to Royal China back up the road.

Royal China
13 Queensway, W2 4QJ

Background: This was out first time at Royal China on Queensway. We were greeted by a slightly vulgar black lacquer and gold interior – seemingly constant theme of the “group” of restaurants. 10 minutes in and we were seated, not so bad a wait considering the increasing number of people waiting for tables. We kept it simple and ordered our usuals: Har Gau (Prawn Dumpling/筍尖蝦餃), Siu Mai (Minced Pork Dumpling with Shrimps/干蒸燒賣), Char Siu Buns (Roast Pork Bun/蠔油叉燒飽), Spicy Chicken Feet (豉椒鳳爪), Nor Mai Gai (Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaves/金牌糯米雞), Woo Kok (Yam Paste with Dried Meat/荔茸芋角) and Har (Prawn) Cheung Fun (鮮蝦腸粉). As a commentary purely on food, this is by far the best taste experience for Dim Sum I have had in London. Every prawn was tasty, fresh and juicy and the woo kok is hot, fresh and flavorful. The staff were attentive enough for me and the bill came to slightly over £26 which unfortunately does put in in the slightly pricier category of dim sum restaurants in London.

Verdict: Given that I would normally grant Royal China in Westferry Circus between 5-6/10 my score for this one-off experience will be 8/10 for Dim Sum in London. Yet to be bettered. This outstrips any experience thus far in central London.

Edit: More recent visits bring this and other Royal China’s down to better than average but not great. I don’t do a rating system any more either – 5th January 2010