Page 33 - Taste London Magazine

The Golden Crispy Tofu was prepared into small bite-sized cubes, lightly battered and crispy on the outside, while soft, smooth, and silky on the inside with a hint of spice. Dipping each cube into a sweet chilli sauce was a match made in heaven. We simply could not stop eating this dish! My dinner guest normally avoids tofu, stating it is too boring, bland, and tasteless, but Royal China’s Golden Crispy Tofu is a game changer and will certainly change your perception. The Baked Pork Chop with Mandarin Sauce is a Cantonese dish, the meat was so moist and tender, while the accompanying sauce was just right and not overpowering, reminding me of the tastes I experienced when visiting Hong Kong. The Deep-Fried Baby Squid with Spicy Salt was also tasty, nicely textured in a light batter. However, while they had the right amount of salt, the spring onion and chilli lacked the kick I was expecting, making this dish the lesser of the three starters. However, overall, the three starters were great dishes to accompany our lovely cocktails. For our main courses, we ordered from their Chef Special Menu, which consisted of a variety of spicy dishes which are influenced by Sichuan cuisine. I am usually particularly cautious when selecting spicy food as I cannot enjoy food which is too hot. We selected the Smacked Cucumber, Tiger Green Peppers Stuffed with Minced Prawns in Black Bean Sauce, and Creamy Beef Short Ribs. The Smacked Cucumber was effectively another appetizer, but a welcome light, cold and refreshing dish with a zing from the chilli oil. Tiger Green Pepper dish was exceptional with the combina- tion of the crispy texture from the pepper with the soft, spongy and meaty minced prawn, with just the right amount of spice to boot and the savoury black bean sauce coming through at the end of each bite. The Creamy Beef Short Ribs tasted rich from the sauce, yet the taste of the smooth and tender meat was not overpow- ered at all. However, I would warn visitors to be prepared to get their hands dirty to get all the meat of the bone, Royal China offers a delightful culinary experience with exquisite flavours, impeccable service, and an elegant ambiance, perfect for any occasion. or else consider asking for a knife and fork! While we were well satisfied with our meal and the portion of each dish, Kenny surprised us with a cheeky smile and brought two desserts to our table, the Chilled Mango and Pomelo Sago and a Mango Pudding. They were lovely, refresh- ing, but not too sweet, making them a perfect palate cleanser. In summary, we could not fault the quality and portions of the food nor the overall experience. The two menus (including the Chefs Spe- cial Menu) offer a wide selec- tion, which includes the dishes you would hope to find at your favourite Chinese restaurant while also offering some lesser known but very much authentic dishes for those who want a new tasting experience. Furthermore, the customer service was welcoming, polite, and attentive, without interrupt- ing our enjoyment. Both Kenny and Jenny were highly knowl- edgeable of the restaurant and local area, making recommenda- tions for a visit during a warmer season. Whether you are looking for a meal for two, a family gathering, or a team dinner, you will not leave disappointed. TASTE LONDON II 33