Talking about Chinese Food
蝦腸 - shrimp rice noodle rolls
The initial onslaught
Fried Yam Cake
Article by Dawson
Chinese takeaways, Chinese buffets, upmarket Chinese restaurants...so many different variations, yet so many seem to provide the same dishes year in year out.
With new businesses closing, and young anxious entrepreneurs trying to make it big, it's hard to know where to look, where to eat, whom to believe! It doesn't help that so many share similar names, such as the stock keywords "Beijing", "Garden", "Dragon", "Wok", and neither do the claims of being "The best Chinese food in town" or that they provide "the finest Chinese delicacies around". But, enough of the moaning - I decided to test out a number of very different Chinese eating establishments in the Croydon area in the hope of gaining some insight into what's really hot, and what's a little bit too past its sell by date.
Not far from the centre of Croydon, Southeast London, is a very understated takeaway called Aroma Express. This has been my local Chinese for many years, and despite its modest appearance, it really does serve some great quality dishes. The chef has had a lot of experience, so customers often choose this takeaway over others simply because they can have their requirements tailored to their own palette. Service is fast, but never rushed or compromised, and the selection of meats are of good quality, prime cuts, tender and flavoursome. The menu, I agree, does not exude great originality, however the beauty lies within the dishes themselves. The Black Bean Sauce dishes are superior, so too are the Sweet and Sour selections, and the Special Fried Rice or House Special Noodles are a must have for complimenting these excellent specialities.
As a stark contrast to Aroma Express, and slightly further West, brings us to the Jade Dragon of Wallington. Modern appearance, yes. New lick of paint, yes again. Tasty food? No sir. I thought I'd see for myself whether the myths about this place were true, so I ordered a selection of dishes; King Prawn Balls, Chicken with Green Pepper and Black Bean Sauce and Satay Beef. First o! ff, the Prawns were very bland, rubbery and unseasoned, encased in greasy batter. The Chicken was acceptable, but came with an overpowering and very salty bean sauce, and the cuts of Beef drowned in Satay Sauce were crude, with gristle and much fat. Overall, I was not impressed by this establishment's food, and would avoid it all costs! This, for me, characterises the negative side of Chinese takeaway food that can so easily damage its reputation.
My last two recommendations have got to be Xu Sheng along Stafford Road, Croydon and China Kitchen in Penge. With a bright orange front, Xu Sheng can't be missed. The buffet meal comes with an excellent selection of house specialities, all freshly prepared and flowing with piquancy and gusto. If you prefer a solo dish, such as Crispy Fragrant Aromatic Lamb, you won't go away disappointed. Other Chinese classics are of great value, not only in price, but will keep your taste buds well and truly active. China Kitchen, a takeaway situated on Maple Road, off Penge High Street shares Sheng's relish and vim; dishes such as the Pork with Cashewnuts in Yellow Bean Sauce or the Fillet Steak with Black Pepper Sauce are delightful and in generous portions too. What's more, service is always very reliable and friendly.
In conclusion and much to my delight, there are a good range of highly innovative and talented chefs who are simply qued up when it comes to serving high quality Chinese food. Although my findings are limited to a specific area, I am almost certain that there are other great Chinese restaurants out there right across the UK. The diamond does not always lie within beautiful, palatial surroundings, so don't be fooled by these post modern-looking joints with fancy drapings and expensive interior designs - often well-established restaurants with a matured sensibility can have that golden touch.
About the AuthorDawson is a guest writer and key contributor of articles to many local magazines and newspapers in the south London region. He is a restaurants fan, who also actively writes about greeting cards.
How they eat dogs in China
Harbour City is a large shopping mall in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. It is part of a series of office blocks and hotels. It comprises several parts: Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, Ocean Terminal, Ocean Centre (with 1980s retro decor), the Gateway and the Pacific Club Kowloon. The complex is located along the west side of Canton Road, stretching from the Star Ferry Pier in the south to China Hong Kong City in the north.
海港城（英文：Harbour City）位於香港九龍尖沙咀，是香港最大面積的購物中心及名牌集中地，屬九龍倉集團旗下的物業。商場部份佔地200萬平方呎，而寫字樓部份佔地440萬平方呎。其他部份則佔地600萬平方呎，包括3間高級酒店、有500個房間的服務式住宅、一個私人會所及2000多個泊車位。海港城是由4個部份組成的建築群，分別為海運大廈、馬哥孛羅香港酒店、海洋中心和港威大廈。海港城由九倉發展，由九龍倉碼頭分階段重建而成。最早的部份海運大廈於1966年落成，附設郵輪碼頭。整個建築群則於1980年代成形。
Hong Kong • 香港 '10
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