A Culinary Journey at Royal China – Exquisite Flavours and Elegant Ambiance
“Royal China offers an elegant ambiance and impeccable service. Starters were exquisite, especially the Golden Crispy Tofu. Chef’s specials impressed, with flavorful Sichuan influences. Desserts provided a perfect finish. Overall, a delightful culinary journey.”
By Fiona Ho Perkins Taste London
On a dark and wet evening, we received a warm greeting from Jenny at the reception. Our table was set nicely by the window to allow us to enjoy the riverside view. The restaurant is decently sized, seating around 100-120 people, with a reception and bar area, and an open plan dining area. We were informed that a private room is available and can accommodate around 30 people..
On a dark and wet evening, we received a warm greeting from Jenny at the reception. Our table was set nicely by the window to allow us to enjoy the riverside view. The restaurant is decently sized, seating around 100-120 people, with a reception and bar area, and an open plan dining area. We were informed that a private room is available and can accommodate around 30 people.
It is decorated with dark wooden tables and chairs with gold dragons on the seat backs, well-matched with vibrant and textured green cushions. Wooden panelled walls display mountain scenery, while warm and angular lights hang from a ceiling decorated with a beautiful gold wooden dragon at the centre of the room. Splash windows are on the right side of the restaurant, making the room seem more spacious. Their wine cupboard/fridge display appeared full, with a good worldwide selection.
Overall, the restaurant decoration sings, creating a classy, tasteful, cosy atmosphere, which we thoroughly enjoyed throughout our visit.
After being seated, Jenny offered us a pot of hot jasmine tea to warm us up from the cold, which the staff continually kept up throughout our visit.
We ordered two cocktails, a lychee-based one and a spicy rum-based cocktail, which we were informed were very popular. They looked stunning, and were also refreshing, taking our minds off the wet weather. After a sip we could not wait to order some starters.
The assistant manager (Kenny) recommended the Golden Crispy Tofu to start which we selected along with Deep-fried Baby Squid with Spicy Salt and the Baked Pork Chop with Mandarin Sauce.
We could already smell the fragrance of the natural ingredients, fresh herbs, spices from the food in the restaurant, adding to the anticipation while we waited for our own order. When it arrived after a short while we are more than ready to start our East Asian culinary tasting journey.
The presentation of the food looked good and was improved by their seemingly unique and differing serving dishes.
“Royal China delights with its elegant ambiance, impeccable service, and a menu boasting exquisite flavours. From the delectable starters to the flavorful chef’s specials and delightful desserts, it offers a truly memorable culinary experience.”
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 combination 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 overpowered at all. However, I would warn visitors to be prepared to get their hands dirty to get all the meat of the bone, 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, refreshing, 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 Special Menu) offer a wide selection, 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 interrupting our enjoyment. Both Kenny and Jenny were highly knowledgeable of the restaurant and local area, making recommendations 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. EditA Culinary Journey at Royal China: Exquisite Flavours and Elegant Ambiance
