Mandarin Kitchen

Chinese seafood feasting overdrive

Steamed brown crab

Mandarin Kitchen, the infamous Chinese restaurant in Queensway is best known for its seafood dishes, especially its lobster noodles, which now has a cult status, with people traveling from far, especially for that dish. I personally have eaten there about 5 times now and not once I could avoid not ordering the lobster noodles. Besides seafood, the restaurant served a range of dishes that you would find in a typical Chinese restaurant, from egg fried rice, and crispy duck to black bean chicken. But I would suggest coming here for seafood as it is what makes this place special.

Salted egg and tofu soup

Steamed scallops with seasoned soy

I pretty much went all in and ordered a selection of seafood items, the steamed brown crab was excellent, it was cooked perfectly and the meat was super sweet and packed with umami freshness. Getting the meat out was not as hard as it seems as the chef has cracked the shell in advance, the crab meat worked so well with the given vinegar, it was so simple yet so delicious. The main event of lobster noodles was as expected, done expertly with a hint of ginger aroma, which smelled wonderful when combined with the smoky wok aroma. The lobster was cooked perfectly and the essence of the lobster merged like a treat with the noodles, I can easily understand why this is such a popular dish.

Stir fry lobster noodles in ginger and spring onions

Steamed king prawns with black bean sauce

The traditional seafood dishes were all very enjoyable in Mandarin Kitchen, it wasn't fussy or trying to be clever with smart presentation or introducing new elements to give it a modern touch. It was just classic dishes done well, nothing more, nothing less. Is it the best Chinese restaurant in London? No, it isn't but I ordered, crab, lobster, prawns, scallops, and soup, it cost £145 for two. These kinds of dishes would easily set you back more than £100 per person in most places.  Do come here for a taste of traditional Chinese seafood and avoid ordering the more standard items that you would find in many other places.

Food 3/5

Average cost without drinks and services

£40 

14-16 Queensway, Bayswater, London 

W2 3RX 

http://mandarin.kitchen/