Chinese Faves
| CRISPY DUCK 27 Wardour Street, W1 (020-7287 6578). Mon-Sun noon-4am. Approx Ј12 per person. Formerly Hung’s, this has always been much the same – serving food very late in a warren of dining rooms over several floors. Brits should stick to the simple dishes – duck rice or ho fun noodles with various meats. Don’t be offended by the brusque staff here. |
DRAGON INN 12 Gerrard Street, W1 (020-7494 0870). Mon-Sun 11am-2am. Approx Ј12 per person. The convention is that dim sum is not usually served later than 5pm, but this place is an exception, so tuck in! A practical rather than gracious place to eat. |
| HK DINER 22 Wardour Street, W1 (020-7434 9544). Mon-Sun 11am-4am. Approx Ј14 per person. A very lively Chinese café with a comprehensive menu including congee – the soothing rice porridge that is excellent for lining the stomach – plus everything from noodle dishes to steamed crab served with Sao Sing wine. Try the ‘pearl’ milkshakes – they come in lurid flavours and contain a handful of pea-sized balls of tapioca. |
MR KONG 21 Lisle Street, WC2 (020-7437 7341). Mon-Sun noon-2.45am. Approx Ј20 per person. Mr Kong is the most serious of the late-night options in Chinatown, which may be why Soho’s chefs often end up there after a few post-shift refreshments. There are stunning dishes here – the razor clams with garlic, fried duck with bitter melon and deep-fried oysters. |
| NEW DIAMOND 23 Lisle Street, WC2 (020-7437 2517). Mon-Sun noon-3am. Approx Ј20 per person. A busy restaurant, the long menu stretches from old-style favourites to ambitious choices such as fried, crispy spring pigeon. It’s not too cramped for late-night Lisle Street. |
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